Outdoor Sports Guide - Adventure, Fitness and Travel For the Mountain West

2011 Early Winter Issue

Powder Prospecting: Early Season Touring in Utah

Photo Credit: Chuck Konopa

When I first learned about backcountry skiing I thought it was inane. However, my disbelief that people would willingly engage in this outdoor pursuit quickly turned into biting curiosity. I thought, let me get this straight…I will have to purchase an entirely new ski set-up and expensive touring necessities so that I may endure hours of uphill drudgery—all for the grandeur of dropping down one measly slope? That all seems most unsatisfying. And, by the way, skinning doesn’t exactly sound like a pleasant activity. Alas, many of my friends are avid backcountry excursionists, and it pains me to be left out, so of course I caved. I blame it on peer pressure.

Holiday Gift Guide 2011

By Jenny Willden, Melissa McGibbon and Rachael Hodson

Spoil a loved one, or just stuff a stocking, with these unique gift ideas for everyone on your list. Pick the type of person you’re shopping for below, then choose a gift. The most affordable items are listed first with budget busters at the end. For more options visit sportsguidemag.com.

Southern Hospitality: A Look at the South American Beacon Project

The Chilean Andes are renowned for their scenic vistas, epic terrain and plentiful snowfall. Forming the eastern boundary of the Ring of Fire, these mountains represent a dramatic mix of volcanoes and lofty peaks. While this rugged land inspires the spirit and captures the heart, it leaves the mind wanting.