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ϳԹ Magazine, December 2017
Stories
POSTs
Make the most of the season with strategies from pros, killer deals on passes, and skier-friendly hotels
Maybe smashing objects is therapeutic. But there's only one way to find out.
Expensive stem-cell therapies are on the rise among recreational athletes, but don’t pull out your wallet just yet
At the planet's biggest ice-fishing tournament, held every January in Brainerd, Minnesota, 10,000 contestants battle 20-below temperatures for a $150,000 purse. Ian Frazier slips and slides among wily fish, cheese curds, and some of the greatest nearly frozen anglers he's ever seen.
Finland shares an 833-mile border with an aggressive and unpredictable neighbor. That proximity led to a major conflict during World War II—the horrific Winter War—and even now it keeps Finns nervous about Russia’s intentions. David Wolman suited up to train with the elite soldiers who will be on the front lines if this cold feud ever gets hot.
Eight packable products that make workouts on the road as easy as room service
Last winter, the author ventured to the tundra with an extreme tour company promising the ultimate digital renewal—ten days living with nomadic reindeer herders in one of the planet’s last remaining off-the-grid dark spots. Is it really possible to totally unplug?
Or a movie, or a game of spoons. The alpine racer isn't dusting the competition by slacking off. She's putting in the work, and then she's taking a nap.
Putting together an emergency supply kit
Before Amazon and big-box stores, mountain shops like Eastside Sports dotted the West. Now, it's one of the last survivors.
Our 40 favorite wild places, big ideas, foolhardy exploits, stiff drinks, trusty tools, and history-making, crazy-ass mofos
Because the map application on your phone cannot give you the big picture
So you like wrenching on your bike and tuning your skis. Read on. (Courtesy Dakine) Dakine Deluxe Tuning Kit ($60) Keep skis and snowboards in top shape with this portable set, which includes an edge tuning tool, file, wire cleaning brush, metal scraper, wax scraper, pocket, wax, and a scuff…
(Courtesy GoPro) GoPro Hero 6 Camera ($500) The newest offering from the action cam pioneer, the GoPro Hero 6 camera listens to your voice commands and has a pared-down viewing screen, making for easy viewing and playback of your sweet footie. Buy Now (Courtesy…
With so many great craft beers, you would be forgiven for asking, “Why make my own?” The answer's simple: for the sheer adventure of it. This stuff will help the end product taste pretty decent, too. (Courtesy PicoBrew) PicoBrew Model C Brewer ($549) Trying to brew your own beer can…
Taking care of your body shouldn't stop at the gym. (Courtesy Kopari) Kopari Coconut Crush Scrub ($38) Who doesn’t want to be gently massaged by tiny bits of crushed Tahitian coconut shells? This organic coconut oil-based body scrub sloughs off dry skin, leaving you moisturized, super-smooth, and smelling sweet.
Deck out your home with these backyard barbeque toys. (Courtesy Filson) Filson Apron ($95) Made from durable, machine-washable, antique tin cloth, this rugged apron is functional BBQ steeze at its best, with an adjustable nylon neck strap, oil-finished trim, and five pockets for all your grilling tools.
For the ladies who play hard and après even harder. (Courtesy Toad&Co) Toad&Co Dakotah Long Sleeve Travel Shirt ($69) We’re now firmly in the era of performance plaid. The polyester-wool blend of Toad&Co’s Dakotah Long Sleeve Travel shirt dries quickly if you work up a sweat and has nicely accommodating stretch,…
Clothes for work and play when temperatures dip. (Courtesy Burton) Burton AK BK Lite Insulator Jacket ($250) The Burton AK BK Lite Insulator jacket is a streetworthy layer with technical features. Constructed from water-resistant ripstop and plush down, it packs away in its own pocket.
A scarf can seem like an uninspired holiday present—like giving Dad a tie on Father’s Day. But the Krochet Kids Camden ($48) is different. A supremely soft, acrylic-alpaca-blend piece, it spruces up any outfit and has a great backstory. The SoCal brand pays seamstresses in Uganda and Peru a living…
Get your winter workout on. Aret Toura Low Cut Sports Bra ($64) Supporting the pecs, lats, and traps, Aret’s nylon-spandex Toura Low Cut sports bra boosts your strength-training form while wicking sweat. It also doubles as a swim top. Buy Now (Courtesy Yellow WIllow) Yellow…
The gift of a watch says “You’re special.” The gift of the WeWood Laguna timepiece ($320) says “You’re one of a kind.” Italian manufacturer WeWood uses remnant hardwoods, so no trees are cut down to get that handsome, grainy bezel and band. For the Laguna, the brand reclaimed oak from…
Treats and tools for the good-food obsessed. (Courtesy Finex) Finex 12″ Cast Iron Skillet ($195) The octagonal design of the Finex 12″ Cast Iron skillet makes pouring off liquids a breeze, and the spring handle cools quickly to prevent seared hands. Buy Now (Courtesy Stumptown)…
Show your dog how much you love her with a recycled cotton blanket, a bridle-leather leash from Filson, and seven other non-essentials. (Courtesy Orvis) Orvis Buffalo Check Dog Jacket ($49) The traditional plaid print and corduroy accents on the polyester Orvis Buffalo Check dog jacket will give your best friend a…
Working remote doesn't require sacrificing style and comfort. (Courtesy Grovemade) Grovemade Walnut Laptop Stand ($139) Sure, you can work anywhere on a laptop. But when you’re at home, upgrade from the kitchen counter with Grovemade’s Walnut laptop stand, which delivers comfort and classic wood style.
Utah-based Cotopaxi has earned a lot of accolades for its progressive approach to philanthropy, including its commitment to donating 2 percent of all revenue to nonprofits that improve health, education, and the standard of living around the world. In recent years, the benefit corporation has supported malaria prevention in sub-Saharan…
Tools for the roads and the trails. (Courtesy Specialized) Specialized AWOL Expert Bike ($2,500) Thanks to a tough but compliant steel frame and integrated fenders and racks, the a. Specialized AWOL Expert bike is your go-to for anything from a grocery run to a long-haul tour.
Skiers, tinkerers, snowshoers, and chefs….These are the winter splurges they want. (Oru Kayak) Oru Kayak Bay ST Patagonia Edition Kayak ($1,599) One of our favorite watercraft ever made, this limited edition version of the Oru Bay ST is hand painted by artist and adventurer Rachel Pohl and depicts the rugged…
Get stronger faster with the right post-workout tools. (Courtesy Trigger Point) Trigger Point STK Contour Roller ($30) Nine wheels give the Trigger Point STK Contour roller a range of massaging power. And the main bar is flexible, allowing you to wrap it around spent muscles for better relief and recovery.
Live in Portland, Oregon? These two items deserve a permanent place in your everyday kit. (Courtesy Fjallraven) Fjällräven Sörmland Crew Sweater ($150) Cushy lamb’s wool makes Fjällräven’s Sörmland Crew sweater buttery soft, while ribbed cuffs and hem keep out winter’s chill. But let’s be honest, we dig it for its…
Chance favors the prepared nomad. (Courtesy Outlaw Soaps) Outlaw Soaps PCT ϳԹ Soap Set ($24) Just like the through-hike it was named for, Outlaw Soaps’ PCT ϳԹ soap set delivers the intoxicating odors of both the mountains (with a natural pine fragrance) and the high desert (courtesy of sagebrush oil)…
From a $150 cooler to a $645 SUP, this list exclusively features gear that enables adventure. (Courtesy Isle) Isle Cruiser Soft Top Paddleboard Kit ($645) Why a soft-top SUP? Because you’re not in a race. The Isle Cruiser Soft Top Paddleboard kit includes a paddle and bungees to hold your gear. …
“Don’t Worry About It and You’ll Be Great, Said Nobody Ever.”: Mikaela Shiffrin is not up for a beer. Or a movie, or a game of spoons. The alpine racer isn’t dusting the competition by slacking off. She’s putting in the work, and then she’s taking a nap. —Elizabeth Weil
Information Freeze: For those who truly can’t cut the cord, a British tour company will transport you to the frozen wastes of Siberia, hook you up with some nomadic reindeer herders, and let you enjoy the silence, the darkness, and the digital void. —Aaron Gulley
Walleye World: Pack your ice cleats when you head to Minnesota’s 27th annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza, where 10,000 hearty anglers compete for a $150,000 purse. You might also want to bring warm mittens, a thermos, and a 30-pack of Coors Light. —Ian Frazier
Red Dawn in Lapland: On the 833-mile border between Finland and Russia, a band of elite Finnish soldiers are preparing to defend the country if the Russian bear decides to charge. With tensions still high after the Kremlin’s invasion of Crimea and Ukraine, David Wolman heads to Europe’s northern frontier for a course in winter warfare. —David Wolman
Dispatches Special
The Best of ϳԹ—40th Anniversary Edition: Here’s to the people, places, ideas, and things that we’ve fallen most deeply in love with over the past four decades, from the athletes redefining human endurance (salut, Kilian Jornet!) to the dream destinations that continue to replenish our mojo (cheers, New Zealand!) to our favorite performance cookie (welkom, stroopwafel!). + Susan Casey, Hampton Sides, Bill Gifford, Dan Duane, and Ian Frazier lay bare their obsessions.
Destinations
The New Rules of Skiing: An epic powder season demands a strategy up front. Then you can get busy carving first and last tracks, warming your core with slopeside ramen, and lining up season-pass discounts from coast to coast.
Bodywork
In the Lead: Is stem-cell therapy the future of orthopedics or a marketing-driven Wild West? A little of both.
Tools: Packable workout gear to keep you fit on the road.
Anger Management: Rage rooms offer up the cathartic release of smashing stuff. You got a problem with that?
Fuel: Mike Wardian’s recipe for winning marathons dressed as Spider-Man.
Essentials
Special Holiday Gift Guide: This year, Santa has packed his bag with toys for every room. From beer to bikes, jackets to jerky, flannel to French roast, he’s brought 91 perfect presents for your favorite adventurer’s gear shed, garage, kitchen, and even doghouse. Plus, the best goodies from companies that give back.