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The Backcountry Scene
The Tour
Avalanche Class
Store
Breakable Crust
Gear
Avalanche Beta

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Jim Harris

Jim Harris

Skiing in Wrangell St Elias National Park

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From all of us at Ascent, our best wishes for 2021

From all of us at Ascent, our best wishes for 2021. Here’s to lonely skintracks in the high mountains, deep powder, and backcountry adventure. Stay safe and healthy!

Looking for some backcountry adventure close to ho

Looking for some backcountry adventure close to home this winter? Join our friends at Ice Axe Expeditions for 5 days of yurt based skiing high in the Smoky Mountains of Idaho, just north of Sun Valley. The adventure begins at the Tornak hut after a shuttle out of Sun Valley. All of your gear and provided provisions are hauled into the hut via snowmobile allowing you to get the most ski time. After 2 nights at Tornak, it’s a short connecting tour to the fabulous Coyote Yurt for another three days of skiing. Led by knowledgeable local guides, you’re sure to find great skiing in zones where solitude is guaranteed. After a long day of skiing this beautiful range, relax in the wood fired sauna, and enjoy hearty meals prepared from fresh ingredients. Covid conscious arrangements allows for sleeping separation. All food and gear shuttles and guide services are included. You just need to book and show up! Get some of your touring partners together for this unique experience. Huts across the west are booked for the winter, so here is your chance. Dates are March 14-18. Do it!
@iceaxeexpeditions @sunvalleyguides @svtrek

“The unofficial motto of the USPS is ‘neither

“The unofficial motto of the USPS is ‘neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.’ It’s a noble thought that backcountry skiers can relate to, except it leaves out one important natural element: wind. I don’t know about delivering mail in a hurricane, but with skiing, it can be a showstopper.”
So writes @straightchuter Andrew McLean in his newest piece in the current issue of Ascent. Find out what all the huff is about.

Thanks for your patience on this. Good things come

Thanks for your patience on this. Good things come to those who wait, be it a powder storm or....the next issue of ASCENT? This one will be mailing shortly. Due to the current (COVID) state of the world, free distribution will be limited. Please consider subscribing if you can, to ensure that you get a copy, and to support independent magazines. I’d be very grateful indeed if you could. Here’s to powder days, coming soon! Pic by @liam_doran_outdoors

It’s been plenty stormy in the world lately. Thi

It’s been plenty stormy in the world lately. This is the kind of storm we prefer however, and we’re looking forward to some of these days, coming soon. If you can stand another election right now, cast a vote for your favorite potential cover. We promise we won’t sue to stop you. Pic 1 @liam_doran_outdoors pic 2 @ming.t.poon

Normally we’d be getting ready for the biggest b

Normally we’d be getting ready for the biggest backcountry party of the year, but we’re going to be doing it differently this year. Please participate any way you can to support the UAC and their efforts for the coming season.

New name, new format, still the best way to kick off your winter.

The 27th Annual Backcountry Benefit is the UAC's largest annual fundraiser and helps ensure that the UAC can provide daily avalanche forecasts, public awareness events, and on snow education courses throughout the entire season. Join the celebration and show your support of the UAC by visiting https://e.givesmart.com/events/hGK/ to purchase your tickets. Tickets must be purchased by September 3rd, 11:00 PM.

The Alps have had a terrible winter, right? That

The Alps have had a terrible winter, right? That is, until a week or so ago. One of team @ole_oleys having a nice time on his surprisingly-versatile Voile Wasatch Speed Project skis in Chamonix’s Aguille Rouges area yesterday. #voilemfg @skimo_co #skiuphill

Here comes the sun! ☀️ Feeling a lot like spri

Here comes the sun! ☀️ Feeling a lot like spring in many areas. How many powder days left? Get em while you can!

@fmarmsaterphoto is one of the best ski photograph

@fmarmsaterphoto is one of the best ski photographers in the biz, and he clearly knows how to slay it in front of the lens as well (this time in his new Teton backyard).

Conditions are prime in the Wasatch. How about whe

Conditions are prime in the Wasatch. How about where you are?

Latest issue is out and already getting passed aro

Latest issue is out and already getting passed around! Check out the #Alaska issue with great articles from @straightchuter @stateofthebackcountry @noah_j_howell @tbradley1965 @cody_hughes91 @evanturner44 @sbrunso @drewhardesty @brettjcarroll @tomdiegel2 and more!!
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Available online or at your local gear shop. Link in bio to subscribe.
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#wearebackcountryskiing

“Let nature do the freezing and frightening and

“Let nature do the freezing and frightening and isolating in this world, let men (and women) work and love and fight it off.” -Jack Kerouac-
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#wearebackcountryskiing

Taking your dog skiing...okay, we get it. Taking

Taking your dog skiing...okay, we get it. Taking your cat skiing?!?! According to the humans, he “enjoys” it (how they know is unconfirmed).

Usually the “sweet spot” refers to the best pl

Usually the “sweet spot” refers to the best place, as in a tennis racket, baseball bat, or golf club. In avalanche terrain it’s a bit different! @colingregersen is hoping this one isn’t as delectable!

When not chasing the 50 Classics, @noah_j_howell p

When not chasing the 50 Classics, @noah_j_howell practices the revolutionary “no pose” pose.

From a friend who is doing some much-needed doctor

From a friend who is doing some much-needed doctoring in Bhutan. Good words to live by on the skin track as well as in a Buddhist culture.

There are a lot of great huts and lodges in Britis

There are a lot of great huts and lodges in British Columbia, but among great places @mountcarlyle lodge is a standout; so much high quality terrain, both in storms and high pressure. Well done Bomber! Here’s @ashleyp2256 slaying one of the big south facing lines 2 weeks ago.

Hokkaido had an unusually rough start to their win

Hokkaido had an unusually rough start to their winter; the Siberian snow guns were more like fire hoses and the base is lean. However, there’s been 2+ feet that’s fallen in the favored areas over the last week. Hope the temps and the flakes both drop so it will look again like this pic from last season by @benjwadsworthphotography

The first wave of the first wave of storms progged

The first wave of the first wave of storms progged to hit Utah over the next week. Bring it! Pic by @colingregersen

The West is blessed! This looks more like Wasatch

The West is blessed! This looks more like Wasatch Blower than Cascade Concrete, but this shot by @benjwadsworthphotography was near Crystal Mountain on Sunday. And more to come!

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