Top 5 Zones in Otago Region’s Exquisite Backcountry in New Zealand There are so many spots to wander in the wilderness and snowy deserts of New Zealand (NZ) during winter. To help our readers choose the best place to strap skins on and earn those turns, I’ve narrowed it down to five incredible areas in the Otago region. These areas offer a range of fantastic backcountry terrain, from beginner touring to […] Backcountry Nathaniel Lewis | August 30, 2023 1 Comment
Patagonia Backcountry Report: “The Southern Drifter” Report from August 18, 2023 Greggy finally got here yesterday! He’d been stuck in Santiago, Chile for 12 days due to some paperwork issues with the car he bought. He’s the man because he got a car that we are gonna drive south to deep Patagonia after ski season here then get on a boat to Antarctica. Thanks, Greggy! Yesterday […] Conditions Report Miles Clark | August 19, 2023 0 Comments
Patagonia Backcountry Report: 18ºF & Windy as Hell | “The Labyrinth” Chutes in Silky Powder Labyrinth Chute #2 Video: Report from August 11, 2023 Yesterday morning was an unknown. It had snowed a heavy 6″ the previous day and it wasn’t clear exactly how much it had snowed overnight but it was clear that it had finally gotten cold. Only the upper mountain zones had gotten snow the previous day. Labyrinth Chute #1 Video: The […] Conditions Report Miles Clark | August 14, 2023 0 Comments
Fire-Ravaged Trams at Chamonix, France, to be Replaced in 2024 Lift-served access to the summit of Les Grands Montets ski area in the Chamonix Valley is slated to finally return in 2024 after a disastrous fire disabled service in 2018. As reported by Snowbrains at the time, the mid-station fire destroyed the structure that connected both the cable car from the valley floor in Argentière to mid-mountain, and the […] Industry News Christopher Leach | July 5, 2023 0 Comments
Trip Report: 11,744′ Independence Peak, CA – “Independence Couloir” Report from June 27, 2023 11,744′ Independence Peak, CA’s “Independence Couloir” yesterday was a mind-bender! This was #18 of our 20 “new-to-us” ski mountaineering lines Eastern Sierra project 2023. We knew this chute would be sun-cupped and bumpy, but we just couldn’t resist this 2,500-vertical-foot, in-your-face, dazzling Eastern Sierra couloir. The top was recklessly fun. The middle was pretty heinous in […] Trip Report Miles Clark | June 28, 2023 0 Comments
Trip Report: 12,871′ Mount Johnson, CA – “North Couloir” Report from June 15, 2023 We’ve had terrible weather in the Eastern Sierra since Saturday. Rain, snow, thunderstorms, lots of clouds. We waited out the storms, then gave the snowpack two days to adjust to all the rain, hail, and new snow. We returned yesterday hoping for a good overnight freeze and smooth corn skiing. We were wrong. The snow […] Trip Report Miles Clark | June 16, 2023 1 Comment
Top 9 Must Ski Destinations Around the World Who doesn’t love a good destination ski trip? Anticipation levels are sky-high while planning your travel, from finding accommodation to checking out local dining options. The immediate thrill when arriving in a unique winter paradise accompanied by friends, family, or your own good fortune. There are not many feelings quite like it. Each year, TripAdvisor puts together a list of the […] Industry News John Cunningham | June 13, 2023 1 Comment
10h14m – Jack Kuenzle Sets ‘Fastest Known Time’ For Ascent/Descent of 20,310′ Mount Denali, AK On June 5th, 2023, Jack Kuenzle of Roxbury, CT, set a Fastest Known Time (FKT) for ascending and descending Mount Denali, AK. Kuenzle, a former Navy Seal, an ultrarunner, and an endurance coach, climbed from base camp at 7,200′ to the summit of Denali, and back down, in 10 hours and 14 minutes. “10:14:57 Round trip on Denali from the […] SnowBrains | June 13, 2023 0 Comments