for its Barryvox 2 and Barryvox S2 avalanche transceivers, introduced in the winter 2024/2025 season.

After extensive testing, Mammut identified a potential issue with the power switch on some Barryvox 2 and Barryvox S2 devices, which may result in unintentional switching from ā€œSendā€ to ā€œSearchā€ mode or, in some cases, complete power-off. This assembly issue could pose a safety risk, and Mammut is asking consumers to return affected units for inspection and repair or replacement.

Recall Details and Instructions

Affected Products:

• Model Names and Article Numbers:
  • 2620-00380: Barryvox S2
  • 2620-00350: Barryvox S2 in Peak 240 Package
  • 2620-00360: Barryvox S2 in Pro Light 280 Package
  • 2620-00370: Barryvox 2
  • 2620-00260: Barryvox 2 in Peak 240 Package
  • 2620-00320: Barryvox 2 in Tour 280 Package

Models NOT Affected: Previous seasonsā€™ Barryvox and Barryvox S models are unaffected by this issue.

Steps for Customers to Take

1. Confirm Ownership: Check your device against the listed model names and numbers.
2. Submit a Return Form: Go to and select ā€œAvalanche Equipment.ā€
   • Fill in customer details and device information.
   • Mention ā€œBarryvox Recall 2024ā€ as the issue.
3. Return Shipping: After processing, youā€™ll receive a return label by email.
4. Pack and Ship: Send your device for inspection and repair according to Customer Service instructions. If your device was part of a package, only the Barryvox device needs to be returned.
5. Receive Inspection/Replacement: Mammut will inspect and return your device or send a replacement within 7 business days (14 days for US & Canada). Alternatively, devices can be dropped off at Mammut stores.

Cost: All inspections, repairs, or replacements are free of charge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the issue with the Barryvox 2 and S2?
Due to an assembly process issue, the main switch on some devices may be misaligned, causing unintended mode switching or power-off under pressure.

Can I inspect my device myself?
No, to ensure the safety of all users, Mammut requests that devices be returned for professional inspection.

Where should I send my device?
Upon submitting the return form, you will receive a return label with the appropriate address for your region.

When will I get my device back?
Mammut is committed to a 7-day turnaround (14 days for US & Canada) upon receiving your device.

Has any incident occurred due to this issue?
No incidents have been reported. This is a precautionary, voluntary recall to ensure maximum safety.

Why was this issue not identified earlier?
The Barryvox 2 and S2 are complex devices. This assembly error, now corrected, was an oversight in the initial process.

Will Mammut continue selling Barryvox 2 and S2?
Yes, Barryvox 2 and S2 are essential safety products that meet industry-leading standards. Mammut is dedicated to customer safety and will continue to innovate while reinforcing strict quality standards.

The post Mammut Issues Voluntary Recall for Barryvox 2 and Barryvox S2 Avalanche Transceivers appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

Updated May 10: Andrew Cameron, 23, from Utah, and Austin Mallet, 32, from Montana, have been identified as the victims in the May 9 avalanche on Lone Peak in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon. The third person, whose identity remains undisclosed, was rescued by search and rescue teams and a helicopter. He was taken to a nearby hospital and released on the same day.

_______________

May 9: Officials have confirmed two people died in the May 9 avalanche near Lone Peak in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon. A third person was transported off the mountain and taken to a local hospital for assessment. Recovery efforts have been suspended for the day and will resume in the morning.

The north-facing region of Lone Peak, where the avalanche occurred, is known for its steep and unforgiving terrain, posing a higher risk of avalanche activity. More than two feet of new snow fell in the region this week, bringing the season total at nearby Snowbird to just over 600 inches. The National Weather Service predicted strong winds throughout Thursday, with gusts over 60 mph.

The Utah Avalanche Center stopped issuing regular advisories in mid-April, transitioning to intermittent reports of any activity. On May 1, the UAC issued its final product of the season for the Salt Lake Area mountains, reminding skiers of the three different avalanche problems typically encountered during spring: wet snow, new snow instability, and wind-drifted snow.

Ģż Ģż Ģż ĢżRelated reading:

Greg Gagne, an eight-year forecaster for the Utah Avalanche Center, highlighted the challenges of forecasting during spring, urging individuals to monitor changing conditions themselves. “This time of year, it’s really difficult to get an accurate report,” said Gagne. “What you say at 7 a.m. could be wrong at 7:30. In the spring, warm and cold air are mixing in the atmosphere. It’s so volatile.”

Gagne noted the recent weather fluctuations, which exemplify the unpredictable nature of spring conditions. “On Saturday, we had warm, sunny temps, and it began to snow on Sunday,” he said. “This past week was more like January than May.”

He emphasized the heightened avalanche danger in the high-alpine areas of the central Wasatch, particularly in steep, unforgiving terrain. Despite elevated danger earlier in the winter, the overall danger returned to typical levels in the last 6-8 weeks. While there were reported avalanche incidents throughout the season, including several requiring rescue, as of May 1, there had been no avalanche fatalities in Utah.

This story is ongoing and will be updated as new information becomes available.

The post Two Skiers Killed, One Rescued in Lone Peak, Utah, Avalanche appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

Dallas LeBeau has been identified as the 21-year-old skier who died on April 9 on Coloradoā€™s Highway 40 just west of the Berthoud Pass summit after attempting to clear the width of the highway on skis. According to the preliminary incident report from the Grand County Sheriffā€™s office, LeBeau lacked the necessary speed and distance to complete the jump and landed on the highway pavement.

At approximately 3 p.m. on April 9, the Grand County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a skiing accident. A bystander initiated CPR. However, LeBeau, who was wearing a helmet and other protective gear, was unconscious and not breathing. Emergency responders and the Grand County Coronerā€™s Office arrived on scene and closed traffic on Highway 40 in both directions while investigators processed the scene.

According to the victimā€™s mother, Valerie LeBeau, who spoke with SKI via email, her son was skiing with friends at the time of the accident. Valerie said that Dallas had been preparing for this jump for over a month, checking the run and building the jump. He got sick, so the attempt was delayed by about 10 days. Even though the slope faced north, meaning it should have had good snow, she believes some of it melted, which may have slowed him down too much. Dallas didnā€™t have a great competition season, so he may have wanted to prove himself in skiing, said his mother, adding that he wanted to submit a video to GoPro for their Line of the Year contest. Dallas had experience with big jumps before and planned to do a double backflip in Jackson Holeā€™s Corbetā€™s Couloir. However, he had never tried to cross a road, only cat tracks.

Dallas grew up skiing in Colorado, primarily at Winter Park, Granby Ranch, and Steamboat. He began skiing with the Winter Park Competition Center at around 8 years old. At 11, he shifted his focus to park and pipe skiing. He competed in this discipline until he turned 18, when he transitioned to Big Mountain skiing and started competing in the Freeride World Qualifiers as an adult. He achieved a 4th-place finish in Aspen at the age of 18. This was his third year competing in FWQ. Dallasā€™s younger brother, Dusty LeBeau, 18, also competed in his first FWQ this season.

ā€œDallas first put on skis before he could walk in our driveway, and we would pull him up and down,ā€ Valerie recalled. ā€œDallas loved skiing the entire mountain. He often went storm chasing to Wolf Creek for any big snowfall he could get to. He dreamed of making the FWT and traveling the world skiing and competing.ā€

Dallas worked as a Big Mountain coach at Winter Park this past winter and enjoyed getting paid to ski. During summers, he worked at a marina in Grand County and also did remodeling work on homes and condos. He was skilled in construction and car repairs, and was considering future options like attending a trade school or pursuing a pilotā€™s license. Dallas leaves behind his longtime girlfriend and ski partner, Sophia Morris.

Valerie said that the family has received many wonderful tribute messages about Dallas sharing how he touched many people. One of the skiers he coached told the family, ā€œ[Dallas] was an amazing person and by far my favorite coach. He taught me so much and has changed my life for the better in so many ways. Dallas helped me get over fears and drove me to be a better person. He is someone I aspire to be like. Words canā€™t describe what an impact your son has made not just on me but on my entire team in the short span of a season.ā€

Jumping road gaps is part of a storied ski tradition that brings with it significant risks. Many of these visually stunning jumps have been captured in vintage images and contemporary ski films. Iconic road gaps include Karl Fostvedtā€™s Idaho highway jump in the 2019 film ā€œReturn to Sendā€™er,ā€ the Mt. Baker Road Gap in Washington, and several throughout Utah.

Significant planning and safety precautions have historically gone into such feats, as well. Josh Daiekā€™s backflip over Lake Tahoeā€™s Highway 50 in 2020, featured in ā€œ7 Stages of Blank,ā€ highlighted the dedication and planning required. When the footage was released, Daiek wrote about his thought process of executing the jump on his YouTube account. ā€œI never really grasped the amount of work that goes into such a task, the amount of people I would rely on, the patience needed, the necessary weather to line up, the stress ā€¦ To be honest, I obsessed over this gap for close to a decade, always keeping a close eye on the landing and awaiting proper conditions.ā€

In light of the tragic accident, Valerie shared her belief that no social media post or contest entry is worth risking oneā€™s life. ā€œIf parents and friends try to tell you that something is a bad idea, you should listen,ā€ she said. ā€œI hope this tragedy might save someone elseā€™s life by making them think before they do something.ā€

The post ā€œHe Taught Me So Muchā€: Coach and Skier Dies Jumping over a Highway appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

Editorā€™s note: New details about the fatal incident have been added to this report as of Feb. 15.

Renowned telemark, big mountain, and expedition skier Katherine ā€œKashaā€ Rigby, aged 54, is confirmed dead in an avalanche in Kosovo during her #tourdepiste project. that a 54-year-old foreign citizen lost her life in an avalanche at the Ski Center in Brezovica. The Police spokesperson for the Ferizaj region, Kanun Veseli, reported the incident to Radio Free Europe.

The Kosovo Mountain Search and Rescue Service received a call for help in the ā€œEagleā€™s Nestā€ area, known for its avalanche risks. Despite initial reports of two missing skiers, only one casualty was confirmed. Rescue teams provided medical aid on-site but were unable to save her. The service urged caution when skiing off-piste due to adverse weather conditions.

SKI was notified on Feb. 15 by those close to Rigby that it was a small avalanche at 2:30 pm local time and challenging weather conditions that led to her death.

Rigby suffered extreme trauma to the chest during a skiing incident, where she was caught in a small avalanche. The avalanche, measuring approximately 25 meters by 10 meters, occurred on a 35-degree slope that led to a high-force collision with trees, resulting in massive internal bleeding and damage to her organs, particularly her lungs.

Despite the quick response of her skiing partner, fiancĆ© Magnus Wolfe, who reached her within 20 seconds and attempted CPR, Rigbyā€™s injuries proved fatal, and she passed away within seconds.

The incident unfolded near the top of the run where Rigby dropped in, triggering the avalanche.

Tributes to Rigby continue to be posted on social media by those who knew her and were influenced by her ski career.

 

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In 1996, for challenging the conventional perception of the sport by embracing speed and aggression typically associated with alpine skiing. Despite facing skepticism and prejudice, Rigby aimed to redefine telemarking with her high-speed, hard-driving style. In the 1996 U.S. Extreme Skiing Championships, Rigby sought to showcase her skills and earn recognition for telemarking by outperforming traditional alpine skiers. ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų also credited her as ā€œthe best female telemark skier in the known universeā€ when she appeared on the cover of Women ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų in the Fall of 1998.

Rigby achieved numerous feats in ski mountaineering and exploration, including the first telemark descent of Choy Oyu and the first ski descent of RFHP in Indiaā€™s Himachal Pradesh region. Additionally, she accomplished the first ski descents of several peaks in Kamchatka and Lebanon, explored and descended peaks in Siberia, skied Ecuadorā€™s Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes, completed multiple first descents in Baffin Island, conquered 21 peaks in 21 days in Bolivia, and appeared in Warren Millerā€™s 2001 film, ā€œCold Fusion.ā€ She was also cast in ā€œUltimate Survival Alaskaā€ Season 3 in 2015.

Rigbyā€™s impactful career, marked by groundbreaking feats as a telemark skier, has left an indelible mark on the skiing community.

 

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The post Pioneering Skier Kasha Rigby Dies in Kosovo Avalanche appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

This morning at the Utah State Capitol, world-renowned ski mountaineer and climate activist Caroline Gleich (D) officially declared her candidacy for the United States Senate seat in Utah currently held by Sen. Mitt Romney. Answering Senator Romneyā€™s call for ā€œa new generation of leaders,ā€ Gleich is bringing her passion for the environment, commitment to improving the world around her, and dedication to overcoming big challenges to the forefront of her campaign.

Gleich is a world-renowned professional ski mountaineer, endurance athlete, and activist for the environment and equality. She has summited some of the highest peaks in the world, including Everest/Chomolungma and Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest peak in the world. She is the first woman to have skied all the lines in ā€œThe Chuting Gallery,ā€ a steep skiing guidebook to the Wasatch. Caroline is also a committed activist for social and environmental justice. She aims to bring positive change to Utah and the nation through her candidacy. Caroline is based in Park City, Utah, and lives with her husband, Rob Lea.

Gleichā€™s vision for Utah is rooted in creating positive change, advocating for people and the planet, social and environmental justice, and elevating critical issues such as air quality, gender equity, climate action, and more. Her journey, marked by conquering challenging mountain lines and overcoming personal loss, is a testament to her resilience and dedication to advocacy.

ā€œAs I start this climb towards the U.S. Senate, I carry with me the lessons learned from reaching mountain peaks and navigating lifeā€™s terrain. My commitment is unwaveringā€”to empower, to protect, and to advocate for a brighter future,ā€ said Gleich in a Monday press release. ā€œIā€™ve been an underdog my whole life with skeptics questioning my height, strength, and bravery for scaling the worldā€™s tallest mountains. Yet, Iā€™ve summited Everest and Cho Oyu. Iā€™ve broken records and defied limits. Running for the United States Senate to represent the people of Utah is undoubtedly an uphill climb, but Iā€™m no stranger to overcoming challenges.ā€

Gleich attributes her extensive involvement in activism and understanding of local, state, and federal policy to her role as an athlete and advocate for social and environmental justice.

Gleich initiated her activism journey through a political internship while in college with Ted Wilson, the environmental advisor to the Governor of Utah. This led to a publication critiquing the stateā€™s ten-year energy plan. She has since collaborated with environmental non-profits, addressing issues like fossil fuel extraction and air quality. Recognizing the interconnectedness of climate change, public lands, and social justice, she became a member of Protect Our Winters and testified before Congress on the climateā€™s impact on mountain sports. As the first-ever Protect Our Winters ski team captain, she led 70 athletes advocating for climate action. Gleich actively participated in efforts to protect Bears Ears National Monument, organizing fundraisers and testifying at federal hearings.

In 2020, she organized a ā€œClimate Rallyā€ to mobilize the outdoor industry against climate change. Concerned about threats to womenā€™s rights, climate, and public lands during the Trump administration, she ran an endorsement campaign for the Biden/Harris administration. While engaging in extreme feats like skiing 31,000 feet in a day, she raised funds for clean energy initiatives. Contributing to the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act, she regularly lobbied the Utah legislature on air quality bills.

She also organized a ā€œRun to Redistrictā€ in 2023, raising awareness about gerrymandering in Utah and supporting a lawsuit. This week, we spoke with Gleigh via email to delve into her motivations for running and explore how her background has uniquely equipped her for the responsibilities of this office. The interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Shafer: What prompted the choice to run?
Gleich: I feel overwhelming sadness about the social and environmental issues I see in Utah and the rest of the world today. Inequality, air quality, environmental degradation, the climate crisis, and the end of the Great Salt Lake. Something that gives me hope is working on policy solutions as an activist. Iā€™ve learned to turn my anger, frustration, and sadness into action. Working on local, state, and federal policy and legislative solutions creates solutions to community-wide problems. I am running to represent the issues important to Utahns that our current elected officials arenā€™t addressing: protecting the environment, advocating for gender equity, cleaning our air and water, expanding access to outdoor recreation, and ensuring Utahnsā€™ voices and concerns are represented in DC.

Shafer: How do you foresee this impacting your career as a professional ski mountaineer?
Gleich: Activism has always been integral to my skiing. Democracy only works if people participate, and I see running as my civic duty and a natural extension of what I do in the mountains. We need more voices from diverse backgrounds at all levels of government. I have to do this work because our air, our snow, our future, and womenā€™s rights are at risk.

Shafer: What is the primary focus of your platform?
Gleich: I am excited to engage the next generation of voters and to give Utah voters a new option. I want to change ±«³Ł²¹³óā€™s political landscape by registering more voters. Utah has never seen a candidate like me who represents the outdoor culture. Together, we will inspire other outdoors people and different types of candidates to get involved politically. Iā€™ve traveled all over the world and believe our governance system (while it has flaws) is one of the best. We need defenders of democracy because we can lose it in a single generation.

I will focus on advancing environmental and social justice and holding our elected officials accountable. How we treat people is how we treat the planet. Utah elected officials continue to ignore issues around climate action, air quality, and environmental protection, spending billions of dollars of taxpayer money on measures that are harming people and the planet.

Shafer: What challenges do you anticipate in your candidacy?
Gleich: Iā€™m a woman and a Democrat running in Utah. There hasnā€™t been a Democrat elected statewide since the 90s. There hasnā€™t been a democratic senator from Utah since 1977. Thereā€™s never been a woman Senator elected from the state of Utah. I would be the first.

I know the chances are slim, but Iā€™m not afraid of attempting what other people tell me is impossible. When I tell people about my goals throughout my career, Iā€™ve been met with skepticism. ā€œyouā€™re too small and delicate. Youā€™re not strong enough. They told me my dreams were impossible and either humored me or told me I would die trying. We canā€™t listen to what anyone else says we are capable of when climbing mountains or running for the U.S. Senate. I do what people tell me is impossible, and you can too.

Why do you believe skiers, in particular, should vote for you?
Gleich: Itā€™s not a matter of whether they vote for me. Itā€™s a matter of if they vote at all. I want to engage more skiers and snow lovers to vote and run for office. Skiers experience the natural environment on such an intimate level. We spent copious amounts of time studying the weather and putting ourselves into the worst weather possible. As we benefit from the outdoors, we have a duty to give back. We need someone who will advocate to protect the outdoors in this generation and for generations to come.

How has your career as an athlete uniquely prepared you for this office?
Gleich: Making a career as a professional athlete is always a challenge. Iā€™m not afraid of doing hard, scary things over and over. Being a human-powered skier involves breaking trails through waist-deep snow. When climbing at high altitudes, every tiny step leaves you winded. I know how to make progress, putting one foot in front of another, even when it feels impossible. Iā€™m also not afraid of working in a male-dominated environment where people are always second-guessing my qualifications. By continuing to show up and speak up, Iā€™m creating a path for future women to become professional ski mountaineers and to run for office in my state and my country.

Caroline will officially launch her campaign in the coming weeks. To learn more about Caroline and her campaign, visitĢżĢżor follow her onĢż,Ģż,ĢżĢż, andĢż at @carolineforutah.

The post She Climbed Everest. Now Sheā€™s Running to Replace Mitt Romney. appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

Alan Ramsay, head of marketing at the Schilthorn ski resort and a veteran racer, leans back in his chair at the end of our restaurant booth. ā€œI donā€™t think anyone who leaves the start gate isnā€™t nervous about whatā€™s ahead,ā€ he says. ā€œItā€™s pushing your limits. How much guts do you have?ā€

Ramsay delivers this prerace pep talk with a smile, in a lyrical Scottish accent, but we are not comforted. Itā€™s the night before the 79th MĆ¼rren Inferno, and my teammates and I, all first-timers, are nervous as hell.

Itā€™s January 2023, and the small Swiss village of MĆ¼rrenā€”accessible only by train or cable carā€”has come alive with anxious energy in advance of the race. This usually quiet mountain oasis is home to only 400 residents, and right now every bed in town is spoken for. Exactly 1,850 racers have shown up to test themselves, and more are on the wait list. Most of the participants are British skiers and Asian tourists, and then thereā€™s us: a few wide-eyed Americans throwing our hats into the maelstrom.

By day the slopes at Schilthorn are overrun with skiers in padded Lycra suits and team jackets. In the lift line, long racing skis tower above the heads of competitors waiting to scout the course ahead of the start. By night local pubs fill with boisterous middle-aged men, past their racing prime, along with younger guys eager to prove how many pints they can handle. The bartenders are overly generous, which helps when youā€™re trying to drink away your jitters in the days leading up to a big event. But weā€™ve been warned not to show up at the gate hungover.

Sir Arnold Lunn, a Brit who many consider the father of alpine ski racing, traveled to MĆ¼rren to promote the new sport of alpine ski racing, and in 1924 founded a Brit-heavy group called the Kandahar Ski Club. In 1928, he and 16 other plucky skiers climbed four hours to the top of the 9,744-foot Schilthorn to race down to Lauterbrunnen in the valley below, about 19 minutes from MĆ¼rren by train. The skiers called their race the Inferno in honor of the hellish course and grueling conditions.

The first winner, Harold Mitchell, completed the descent in one hour, 12 minutes. Today, good skiers can do the 14.9-kilometer course in about 20 minutes; the winner typically requires 15 at most. For the 2023 edition, Europeā€™s uncharacteristically light snowpack prompted officials to move the end of the course to MĆ¼rren instead of Lauterbrunnen, shortening the race to 7.6 kilometers. The elites were gunning to beat ten minutes on the revised layout. The skiers most likely to win have raced here before, earning a higher seed and an earlier start time. ā€œThey just keep coming back,ā€ Ramsay says. ā€œItā€™s highly addictive.ā€

Tonight, before anyone tries to get a good nightā€™s sleep (doubtful), costumed children and adults line MĆ¼rrenā€™s streets. Race officials parade through town with a crude effigy of the devilā€”dressed in jeans and sneakersā€”that will be burned at the stake to ward off bad luck. Hollow bells drone out a countdown until the flame is lit, and brass bands perform in face paint as the surrounding crowd waves candles and torches. Itā€™s a raucous scene, with plenty of roasted nuts and hot glĆ¼hwein to go around. Through it all, you never lose the feeling of tense anticipation.

During the parade, I slip away to call home. I donā€™t want anyone to worry, but I make sure to mention that I bought helicopter insurance in case I require evacuation from the mountain. My voice catches when I say goodnight to my partner, but I feel a touch overdramatic. Itā€™s an amateur event, I tell myself. How risky can it be? Still, I go to sleep reciting a motto I learned from a Brit at the bar. ā€œComplete, not compete,ā€ he said. ā€œComplete, not compete.ā€

The post Why Would Anyone Compete in the Worldā€™s Most Unbelievable Ski Race? appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

In the exhilarating setting of Sun Valley, Idaho, 32 top-tier skiers, not professional athletes but experts from across North America, convened for our annual SKI Test in early March 2023. Their mission? To determine which skis would earn the prestigious ā€œSkis of the Yearā€ title for the 2024 Winter Gear Guide. It was a formidable challenge, with over 150 pairs from 27 brands to evaluate.
To aid their quest, we partnered with select brands to provide the ideal gear on and off the slopes, ensuring our testers stayed protected and energized for the task at hand. Hereā€™s a roundup of the top-notch gear and products these dedicated testers utilized to enhance their testing experience:

Sweet Protection Connor Rig goggles

The Sweet Protection Connor Rig goggles provide a generous field of vision without the need for an excessively large design. They achieve this through a toric sculpted lens with understated style and ample side vision. Testers found them to offer a ā€œmedium-sized fit with large-sized vision,ā€ greatly enhancing peripheral vision on the slopes. The lenses are easy to swap and perform well in various light conditions. Additionally, the goggles feature comfortable foam against the face.

Strafe Hayden Jacket

This jacket offers a cozy and comfortable experience. It has a soft quilted interior lining that smoothly slides over midlayers. The stretchy wrist gaiters are effective at keeping out cold and snow. The hand pockets are fleece-lined, and the jacketā€™s outer shell and insulation are made from recycled materials with four-way stretch. Testers found it to be non-restrictive, even during active movements. The jacket provides substantial warmth and can be customized with a detachable hood and hidden vents for heat management. One tester remained warm down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit with two baselayers underneath, and described the Hayden as feeling like a weighted blanket in terms of comfort.

Auclair A-Peak 2-in-1 Mitt

The Auclair A-Peak 2-in-1 Mitt is a high-quality solution for women facing cold winters. It features a durable goatskin leather shell with a powder cuff to keep out the elements. Thinsulate insulation and a soft liner provide warmth and comfort. The standout feature is the removable inner mitten, made of butter-soft fleece with added durability features. This inner mitten can be easily reattached to the shell glove, preventing it from coming out when removing the mitten. Note that sizing may run slightly small, so consider sizing up for a better fit, as per the testerā€™s experience.

YETI Yonder 1L / 34 oz Water Bottle

These plastic water bottles are a skierā€™s ideal companion, offering eco-friendly, leak-proof, and lightweight design. Theyā€™re made from BPA-free and 50% recycled plastic, ensuring both gear and skier stay dry. The exceptional lightweight feature allows for carrying more water without added weight, making them perfect for sustainability-conscious skiers seeking convenience in their outdoor gear.

CamelBak Powderhound 12 Hydration Pack

The Powderhound 12 Hydration Pack is perfect for experienced mountain enthusiasts and those seeking quick day trips on the slopes. This pack features a 12-liter storage capacity and a 2-liter reservoir, striking an ideal balance between functionality and convenience. Designed with winter sports in mind, it ensures your gear stays secure while offering easy access, minimizing downtime, and maximizing time on the snow. This compact pack ensures youā€™re fully prepared for any snowy escapade, whether a day at the resort or an excursion into the sidecountry.

Pine Ridge Vineyards 2021 Black Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon

What would a week-long ski test be without indulging in a little aprĆØs while we ice our knees? Pine Ridge Vineyardsā€™ wines, specifically the 2021 Black Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon, offer skiers a taste of luxury and relaxation after a day on the slopes. This wine, hailing from Red Mountain, Washington, pays tribute to the spirit of adventure, named in honor of Pine Ridge Vineyardsā€™ founder, an Olympic downhill skier. Opening the bottle reveals an enticing bouquet, and the wineā€™s floral fragrance sets the stage for an exhilarating flavor journey. It combines dark chocolate and acai compote with hints of cassis and lavender candy. The wineā€™s smooth entry leads to an explosion of pomegranate juice and cherry cordial flavors, akin to carving down a mountain. The finish is lifted by mouth-watering acidity and balanced tannins, with hints of cocoa powder and cassis lingeringā€”a perfect aprĆØs-ski indulgence.

Goodr Sunglasses The OG

Goodr Sunglasses are ideal for skiers seeking a blend of style and performance on the slopes. These non-reflective lenses effectively reduce glare, ensuring optimal visibility while navigating the snowy terrain. Designed to fit medium-sized heads comfortably, these sunglasses offer just the right fit. Their customizable frames allow for precise adjustments, accommodating various users. With a sleek design, Goodrā€™s sunglasses provide essential eye protection and make a fashionable statement. Their motto, ā€œLook good, ski goodr,ā€ encapsulates their commitment to blending style and functionality.

Decked Drawer System

While in Sun Valley, we had the chance to test out the Decked Drawer System. This burly storage solution offers full bed-length drawers and convenient side access pass-throughs to the wheel wells, providing massive and highly customizable storage space.

What truly stands out is the almost zero wasted space, making the most of your truck bed. Itā€™s as if theyā€™ve managed to achieve a 100% increase in the utility of your truck bedā€”a dream come true for those of us who need to haul skis, sleds, and other gear to the slopes.

But what really sets this system apart is its customization. Decked encourages you to ā€œcustomize your Drawer System like a boss for just how you use it.ā€ Itā€™s like the perfect pairing of peanut butter and chocolate but for your gear-hauling needs, and we guarantee it will make your winter trips smoother and more organized. Highly recommended for anyone looking to maximize their truck bed storage for winter activities.

Read More About the Best Gear From the 2024 SKI Test

The Best All-Mountain Skis
The Best Powder Skis
The Best Carving Skis

The post Gear We Used to Test the Skis of the Year appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

In an Instagram post on June 24, SKI posted a link to an article, The piece is part of our company-wide effort at ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų to celebrate Pride Month, which honors the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the US, and to support this community in our work the remaining 11 months of the year as well.

Unfortunately, the overwhelming response to this post was a comment feed full of mean-spirited, hateful, and bigoted rhetoric. We had to delete many comments that included slurs or threats. And while I believe these comments represent just a tiny but very vocal minority in the ski space, it was painful to read.

As disheartening and infuriating as those comments were, the reality for LGBTQ+-identifying people is worse. In 2023, lawmakers in 46 states have introduced more than 650 anti-LGBTQ+ bills. Forty-five percent of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, according to a 2022 survey by the Trevor Project. LGBTQ youth who live in a community accepting of LGBTQ+ people reported significantly lower rates of attempting suicide than those who do not.

The most recent Human Rights Campaign Foundation survey from 2018 found that 46 percent of LGBTQ+ workers reported being closeted at work because they feared not being accepted.

In April, the LGBTQ+ Institute at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights that said 100 percent of those surveyed reported stigmatization in their lives: slurs and jokes, poor service in restaurants and hotels, or feeling unwelcome at a place of worship or religious organization because of their identity.

We must recognize that LGBTQ+ people face stressors like these simply for being who they areā€”stressors I, a straight, cisgender person, donā€™t have to deal with, not at work, not at the grocery store, or when Iā€™m out to eat, and not when Iā€™m skiing.

The article SKI published, written by Miles Griffis, includes suggestions for ways mountain communities can help combat some of the above stressors, like building year-round programming (not just parties) for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer locals; giving back to the LGBTQ+ community financially; and more ways beyond Pride Month parades and Gay Ski Week festivities. Ultimately, Griffis is calling for allyship.

Allies have the power and the opportunity to stand up for the equal and fair treatment of people different than themselves. Given that LGBTQ+ people make up 11 percent of the ski community, according to Snowsports Industries of Americaā€™s (SIA) annual report, allies are critical in creating a welcoming and inclusive space vital to the longevity of our sport. Gen Z adults, the oldest now turning 25, are set to be part of the most diverse generation, with one in five identifying as LGBTQ+. If we cannot create a safe, welcoming space for this generation, we will soon lose a large portion of our skier population.

And after wading through the swamp of nearly 1,500 comments on SKIā€™s Instagram post, itā€™s clear that the ski community needs that allyship to come on strong, deliberate, and fast.

So what does that look like for allies as individuals? Beyond Gay Ski Week and Pride Month, how do I show up as an ally to the LGBTG+ ski community all year?

Recently, , and to answer it, they completed a four-year project to investigate how LGBTQ+ individuals determine whether someone is an ally. They found that, according to LGBTQ+-identified people, good allies have three characteristics: being accepting, taking action, and having humility (e.g., ā€œThey are a good listener; they are open to correction; they are willing to learnā€).

To translate this to our ski community, I reached out to some of our LBGTQ+ contributors, athletes, gear testers, and photographers to hear firsthand how exactly allies can show up for them on the slopes, in the parking lot, at apres, on the chairlift, in the backcountry (OK, you get it, this is an all-the-time thing).

Here is what they have to say:

SKI: What does being accepting of LGBTQ+ people look like in the ski community? How, specifically, can we make people feel they belong?

Miles Griffis, he/him/his, SKI contributor: We need communities to provide queer events and meet-ups year-round and allies to make this happen. Most importantly, we need businesses, town councils, and communities to stand by and support LGBTQ+ people when they host these events, especially when they receive hate and threats from homophobic groups.

Jordan Berde, she/her/hers, ski buyer at evo: ā€‹ā¶Ä‹As a queer person and Ski Buyer at evo, the LGBTQIA+ community is always on my mind when making my buys. Are we offering menā€™s and womenā€™s skis in extended sizes suitable for trans/queer skiers and skiers of various shapes and sizes? Does that unisex ski come in a gender-neutral graphic that appeals to everyone? Being inclusive of one group may benefit other marginalized groups as well. By curating assortments for all humans, rather than breaking our categories into menā€™s and womenā€™s, we can make customers feel more welcome online and in stores when shopping on our ski walls. At evo, weā€™ve done away with gendered ski walls. Skis are merchandised together based on length, width, and discipline. Skis know no genderā€”skis are for humans, period.

Stephen Shelesky, he/him/his, outdoor photographer: In small, generally rural ski communities, visibility is still super important to creating a more inclusive atmosphere. Aspen, for example, has several businesses that display Pride flags on their windows year-round. This says our community is accepted and safe in the given business. From my experience, in Wyoming, I often have to ā€œread the roomā€ and constantly adjust myself in a way that will make me feel most safe in that environment. A simple display of pride can help to eliminate this.

Alex Showerman, she/her/hers, professional athlete: It starts with policy. Does your state or local community have anti-discrimination protections in place? Does it have policies that make going to the bathroom inaccessible for gender non-conforming folks? The reality is I wonā€™t go to a place if I donā€™t think I will feel safe. So learn about your state and local policies and become an advocate for policies that protect LGBTQ + and other marginalized groups. Write letters to the editor, to your town council, to your governor. Show up for any local hearings about policies that will affect marginalized groups. Get uncomfortable and use your voice to create change.

Hank Stowers, he/she/they, professional skier and co-founder of Open Slopes: The first real step toward acceptance for queer and trans people in the ski community is to understand that the ā€œcommunityā€ isnā€™t a place or a lifestyle but the people who are there with you, sharing the experience. Those peopleā€™s lives donā€™t stop happening when we arenā€™t skiing, and we live in a world where systemic, interpersonal, and intersectional oppression of LGBTQ+ people is measurably present. A vibrant and healthy community only exists when all its members are safe, so accepting someone as a member of your community requires that you share responsibility in ensuring their safety, on and off-hill.

When sympathetic people talk about supporting any underrepresented community, they often aim to make them feel like they belong. That requires kindnessā€”the kindness of trusting us when we say that language is potent and we know ourselves well enough to define ourselves. The kindness of critically examining what you have learned about us, where you learned it from, and the motives of your informants. The kindness of advocating for our inclusion where we are not present. Thatā€™s what we need from allies to feel like we belong.

SKI: What actions can allies take to support our LGBTQ+ fellow skiers?

MG: Allies can help on the slopes and in town in a few ways; first, by educating themselves about the history of the discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. Theyā€™ll understand the importance of representation and see that many groups looking to silence queer and trans people are spreading harmful misinformation about them. Many guides provide allies with the correct information to combat ignorance and misinformation. We can fight ignorance and misinformation with education. Secondly, allies can help stand up for queer and trans people if they hear others using anti-LGBTQ+ slurs or discriminating against our community.

JB: As a queer person, I always notice when a store/establishment has a pride flag hung year-round or an ā€œall are welcome hereā€ sticker. You feel welcome and invited in, and thatā€™s a feeling all queer folks should have year-round, not just in June. Advocate for single-person/all-gender bathrooms at resorts, bars, and stores. Advocate for hiring more queer/non-binary employees at the establishments you frequent. Representation matters! Plan/host pride-themed events where the proceeds give back to local/national LGBTQIA+ nonprofits. These events donā€™t have to take place in June, either! Host a queer ski day once a month during the ski season. Call in instead of calling out your friends and strangers when they make inappropriate jokes or comments.

SS: Many ski towns now have LGBTQ+ organizations and groups working to foster community in these places further. Allies can help by using their resources, whether financial or social reach, to help amplify these groups. I have seen JH Pride in Jackson Hole grow over the past few years, and I know the impact has run deep in creating a more inclusive community.

AS: Support and organize pride events. Encourage businesses to display Pride flags and signs that signal they are a safe space. Ask them to mark on Google maps they are LGBTQ friendly, and ask that they have gender neutral bathrooms. These are all things I look for to feel safe in a community. On a personal level, speak up when you see homophobia both in person and online. This can be as simple as correcting somebody when they misgender a community member or chiming in when you see trolls on internet comment sections.

HS: Rainbow flags and stickered skis look nice, but the main prerequisite for allyship is that you are committed to learning about whatever oppressed group you aim to support. Start by researching us. Look up the history of Pride. Read peer-reviewed studies about dysmorphia in transgender youth. Google precolonial gender expressions. Find out if any queer community groups operate in your area and what challenges they have faced. If you take that seriously, you will find that the issues which require your action are in plain sight. Are resort owners donating profits from your season pass purchase to transphobic political candidates? Is the hospital that fixed your torn ACL failing to provide gender-affirming patient care? Or is your backcountry partner regurgitating propaganda that dehumanizes and vilifies LGBTQ+ people? If straight and cis allies were a little less eager to chime in on the theatrics of visibility and a little more focused on disrupting the systems of power poised against us, weā€™d be on the right track.

SKI: What examples can you give of an ally showing humility? How can allies demonstrate we are always willing to listen and learn?

MG: Many of the comments on my article boiled down to ā€œNobody cares that youā€™re gayā€ and minimized the discrimination and hate many queer and trans people face daily without being aware of how often society centers heterosexuality in advertising, films, and other media. Allies can show humility by educating themselves on queer issues so we can combat misinformation together.

JB: Ask for pronouns and use inclusive, non-gendered language. White cis men dominate the outdoor community, and gendered greetings (ā€œHey, guys!ā€) can be female-minimizing and resurface harmful memories in some. Itā€™s a simple action, but the positive effect of these one-liner greetings can be immensely powerful. Try these: Hey folks! Hey crew! Hey team! Hey pals! Sharing your own pronouns and creating space for others to share theirs shows an immediate and concerted effort to learn and listen. Educate yourself and others on policies in your home state/city that could negatively impact the LGBTQIA+ community.

SS: Speak up when you hear or see something. Toxic language is still heard around the ski resort and failing to call it out enables the behavior.

AS: One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is how the outdoor community is so welcoming. This is often from straight cis white folks. Just because a space feels inclusive to you, doesnā€™t mean it feels inclusive to everybody. One way to check how inclusive a community is is to stop and look around you. Really pay attention to what you see. Does everybody look like you? Everybody dress like you? Does everybody talk like you? Then ask yourself why that is and what you can do to change that for the better.

HS: Humility is scary because itā€™s often conflated with shame and smallness. Queer people are not asking you to feel ashamed or insignificant. We are asking you to humble yourself in the face of what you have not experienced and to defer to the voice of the oppressed as the expert of our own oppression. This goes for all allies, to all oppressed people. Itā€™s counterproductive for you to dwell on shame or guilt, and itā€™s hubris to believe that you know anyoneā€™s experiences better than they do. Humility is hearing hurt people and accepting that, however uncomfortable it makes you, their pain is as real. Humility is acting with humanity and a willingness to share in fixing the problem.

Sierra Shafer is the Editor-in-Chief of SKI.

The post Skiing Needs LGBTQ+ Allies. Hereā€™s How To Be One. appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

±«³Ł²¹³óā€™s Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons remain closed on Wednesday, April 5, due to avalanche hazard and snow mitigation following a massive snowstorm. The road closure means that ski areas Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, and Solitude Mountain Resort are also closed, and backcountry travel is not recommended due to avalanche danger.

The recent storm has only added more heft to a historic season of snow totals. Season snow totals at Snowbird have topped 808 inches as of Wednesday, April 5, as the most recent storm dropped 67 inches of snow onto Little Cottonwood Canyonā€”with more predicted to fall throughout the day. The storm broke Snowbirdā€™s all-time snowfall record ofĢż 783 inches, which was set during the 2010-2011 season.

Hereā€™s an aerial view of Little Cottonwood Canyon showing some of the recent avalanche activity and the debris buildup along .

Photos from this morning show some massive slides in the White Pine area.

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Snowbird and nearby Alta, which has reported 874 inches of snow this season, remain under Interlodgeā€”patrons and employees must seek shelter indoorsā€”by order of the marshal. Only emergency personnel are permitted to be outside any buildings.

According to the Utah Department of Transportation, due to slide-offs and increasing avalanche hazards, there is no estimated time for reopening either canyon. Numerous large avalanches have come down in Little Cottonwood Canyon, and mitigation continues.

In Big Cottonwood Canyon, the recent storm totals have hit 80 inches of new snow, bringing Brightonā€™s snow totals to 850 inches, with Solitude Mountain Resort measuring 779 inches. Both are record highs.

The post These Utah Ski Resorts Are Closed Because Thereā€™s Too Much Snow appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

American skiing great Lindsey Vonn won everything there is to win in alpine skiing before retirement in 2019 (Olympic gold, 82 World Cups, and multiple World Championships), but one last dream goal eluded her in her illustrious career: the notorious Streif downhill in KitzbĆ¼hel, Austria. The treacherous downhill courseā€”immortalized by the 2014 film ā€”hosts a stop on the menā€™s World Cup each year, however women race on different courses.

Now, four years after Vonnā€™s final downhill race, she strapped back into her skis, pushed out of the start gate, and entered the notorious Mausefalle (Mousetrap), with an 85-percent gradient, becoming the first woman to ever ski the menā€™s downhill course. She made her historic run on Tuesday, and to add to the intrigue, Vonn did it at night.ĢżĢż

ā€œOnly when you ski the Streif are you a real downhiller,ā€ says Vonn. ā€œThe Streif is the pinnacle of all downhills, the most difficult course in the world. Nobody believed I could do it. After all my injuries, to now get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to kick out of the starting gate here and fulfill my dream is incredible. Iā€™ve always had respect for the men that raced down the Streif, but I have even more respect now because itā€™s one thing to go down it and another thing to ski to win; and now I can fully understand what that means. It has given me a greater perspective on how truly amazing these men are.ā€

Her run was captured in the video below.

The Streif is considered the greatest challenge on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, and its list of winners includes some of the biggest names in menā€™s ski racing: Franz Kallmer, Jean-Claude Killy, Hermann Meier, and Didier Cuche, among others. In 2003 Daron Rahlves became just the second American to win there, behind Buddy Werner in 1959.

For her historic run, Vonn borrowed skis from U.S. skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle and had them prepared by her former serviceman Heinz HƤmmerle to hit speeds of more than 60 miles per hour.

ā€œI felt like I was jumping over the edge of the world,ā€ she said.ā€I donā€™t think Iā€™ve ever been so nervous before a start in my life. Iā€™m a thrill seeker. Iā€™m an adrenaline junkie, and I love pushing myself to the absolute limit; being on the verge of being scared. I live for a challenge like this.ā€œĢż

Vonn prepared for the occasion with intense training, despite the severe knee injuries suffered in her career. She was coached by Rahlves.

ā€œTo see Lindsey finally have a chance to ski on this track in this kind of situation is incredible,ā€ Rahlves said. ā€œI had no doubt she could ski it, but I was questioning if she was going to really ski it with a lot of determination. I was really impressed that she did. This is true downhill, if you make one mistake, you can have some bad outcomes. But the way she just came out to own it was really impressive.ā€

In an post on Friday,Ģż Vonn shared that she took on the challenge for her mother Linda, who passed away in August. ā€œI knew she was watching me and was there as a guardian angel to help me accomplish this dream. I know she is proud of me. As she always ways.ā€

The 83^rd Hahnenkamm Races begin on Friday, January 20.

The post Lindsey Vonn Became the First Woman to Ski the KitzbĆ¼hel Streif. She Did It at Night. appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.