Katy Shipley, Author at SnowBrains

Backcountry Beta: Exploring the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area

Brought to you by Mono County Tourism When winter takes hold in the Eastern Sierra, the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area (BWRA) becomes a popular destination for backcountry enthusiasts. Powderhounds flock to this area during the cold winter months, usually with snowmobiles. Shortly after you turn onto Highway 108 (Sonora Pass), the snow starts, and the journey begins. Located seven miles […]

Going Farther in the Backcountry with Intuition Liners

Brought to you by Intuition Liners For backcountry skiing, comfortable boots are the key to longer tours and more aggressive descents. With the right boot and liner, you can take your backcountry stamina to the next level without cold, painful feet. Replacing the stock liners in your favorite boots can bring them to life and increase your performance, both uphill […]

The Evolution of Ski Patrol: Dogs, Tech, and Love for the Mountains

Ski patrol has been part of the ski industry from the very beginning. From ancient monks rescuing travelers in the Alps to drones joining the Aspen Mountain Rescue, the desire to keep each other safe in the mountains is tried and true. Ski patrol today strives to keep up with the ever-changing ski industry. This had led to advanced avalanche mitigation and high […]

Avalanche

Katy Shipley | August 26, 2021

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Know Before You Go: Heat-Related Illness and How to Prevent It

Summer means long days and fun in the sun. After winter melts away it’s time for hiking, biking, and playing in the water. With summer in full swing, it’s time to brush up on heat-related illnesses and how to prevent them. Heat-related illness is often avoidable, yet it kills around 600 people per year. Check out what experts have to […]

Katy Shipley | July 12, 2021

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Safety Bar Talk: Up, Down, When Does it Matter?

The never ending debate: bar up or bar down? People insist bar up, others say bar down– some simply ask, “when is the bar open?” Depending on the resort and the terrain, the preference can change. Whatever you do, make sure you call it out before slamming the bar down on someone’s head. Strangely enough, the debate of the bar […]

Katy Shipley | May 12, 2021

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Ski California: Bluebird Days, Backcountry Skiing, and the Best Months to Go

Best Months to Ski In California California holds high elevations, a deep snowpack, and great weather. It can be tough deciding when to come here, considering resorts like Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and Mammoth Mountain can run from November to July. Great skiing can happen on Thanksgiving or the Fourth, so how do you stand the best chance at scoring […]

Katy Shipley | March 29, 2021

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How Smaller Resorts Offer Smaller Environmental Impact

Brought to you by Monarch Mountain These days it may feel like the big corporations rule the ski world. The ski industry is pressured to open early, offer year round lift access, and create a comfortable environment in the most remote locations. When choosing where to ski or buy a pass, some might look for who has the most skiable […]

Headphones on the Slopes: When to Rock Out and Why

Music has gone hand in hand with sports for years. Whether it’s an Olympic snowboarder plugging in before they hit the halfpipe, or an energetic spin class, music is a tool used by many different athletes. While headphones work great for snowsports, it’s debatable if they should be worn on the mountain. The mountain environment offers challenges that require focus […]

Gear Review

Katy Shipley | July 21, 2020

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