Our March Roundup
Explore The Latest Must-Read Stories
Our monthly roundup of the best from the backcountry and beyond.
March 2021
Introducing The New King & Queen of Corbet’s Couloir
Hear ye, hear ye, from the slopes of the kingdom Jackson Hole, WY comes news of the newly crowned King and Queen of Corbet’s Couloir: Veronica Paulsen launched the first-ever female backflip into the fabled couloir, while Parkin Costain dropped in via a double backflip, followed by another backflip—prestige!—further down the run. Watch their lines here.
The Ultimate Tailgate Ramen
*WARNING* We’re not responsible for all the jealous ski bum side-eye you’ll receive when you start slurping up this epically delicious (and easy) tailgate ramen by Backcountry Trail Snacks Chef-In-Chief Lentine. You can go big (grilled bok choi and jammy eggs) or go simple, depending on your stove setup or level-of-hangry. Get the endlessly customizable recipe here.
Epic News For Public Lands
A major bill—Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act—passed through the House this month, adding extra protection to about 1.5 million acres of public land, and 1,000 river miles in Arizona, Colorado, California, and Washington. The bill improves access to clean water, air, and outdoor recreation, and we couldn’t be more stoked.
What We’re Streaming Right Now: Avy Coverage By “Outside Podcast”
With avalanche fatalities rising, we’re more dedicated than ever to studying avalanche safety. In this two-part podcast series, Outside Magazine explores our relationship to avalanche danger. Buried Alive—And Running Out Of Time chronicles a trio of experienced skiers who faced a worst-case scenario in the Sierra Nevada. In the second episode, Backcountry Ambassador Caroline Gleich shares how the death of her half-brother in an avalanche shaped her relationship to pro skiing.
Gearhead Take: Outside Magazine was recently acquired by Pocket Outdoor Media (now called Outside), and we’re looking forward to more incredible content from this evolving group.
The Gear We Love This Month
Camping season is almost here, and whether you’re snuggling up with your +1, or just prefer a sleeping bag that lets you stretch out to your full potential, The North Face Dolomite Double Sleeping Bag is our go-to choice.
This Month’s Big Read: More Women In Ski Patrolling
Ski patrollers are regarded as among the best skiers and snowboarders around, but the ranks have long been male-dominated. In a physically demanding field, read about how women—unsurprisingly—rise to the occasion, and in rank.
Gearhead Take: Addy McCord, ski patrol director at Beaver Creek Resort in CO, explains that women lend an important voice and perspective to the profession, keeping everyone connected. “Men muscle their way through the job and women do it with finesse,” she says.
Women’s Outdoor Summit: “It’s hard to change a system, but we can change how we respond.”
Our CEO Melanie Cox (who shared this great insight from her decades of leadership experience) joined other CEOs for a roundtable at the Women’s Outdoor Summit which virtually gathered changemakers and leaders from outdoor businesses, nonprofits, and even Congress on March 11-13. The goal? Advancing women in the outdoor industry. We believe everyone belongs in the backcountry, and we were proud to be the title sponsor of the event.
Outdoor Retailer Gearing Up For August
Every year, our buyers head to Outdoor Retailer to search out the latest gear trends, the newest innovations, and the up-and-coming brands you need to know about. The biannual trade show is returning to Denver for the first in-person event since the pandemic, reports GearJunkie.
Why Would Anyone Ski For Over 2 Days Straight?
To win, of course. So, what does it feel like to ski the equivalent of more than twice the sea-to-summit vertical gain of Mount Everest (29,035’)? Just ask the two skiers who competed in the Last Skier Standing race in Jackson, NH, skiing up and down the same 1,000-vertical-foot course for—wait for it—60 hours, fueled by stubbornness and mugs of hot Tang.
Dog/Grom of the Month
Mochi, this golden angel in a turtleneck, has stolen our hearts.