Powder Cloud

13/12/2023

The Science Behind Surface Hoar, Part 3. In the last of their three-part video series on surface hoar, our favorite snow scientists Jamieson and Horton, review terrain selection and how professionals track persistent weak layers. Bruce Jamieson

Review terrain selection and how professionals track persistent weak layers

12/12/2023

Gear Preview: Dynastar M-Tour 108. We predict this new, versatile and light-weight Dynastar will become one of the more popular backcountry skis the next few seasons. Dynastar

We expect it will float like a dream, and if it skis anything like the Tour 99, it’ll be versatile in chunder and windboard, too.

12/12/2023

Hut Report: The Seven Utes Yurt. Lily Krass Ritter provides a detailed review of Seven Utes - a convenient solution to Colorado’s Front Range powder-panic gridlock.

While Colorado’s Front Range is often in powder-panic gridlock when it snows—and even when it doesn’t—Cameron Pass outside of Fort Collins is a great option for backcountry skiers looking for a quieter zone.

12/12/2023

December Update on El Niño. Latest from the climate prediction center and resources to learn more about this season's El Niño.

If you’ve been busy climbing and mountain biking in the desert and missed the news, it’s an El Niño year this season.

12/12/2023

Gear Preview—Baist Touring Gloves. Intriguing history behind Vermont-based Baist. Founded by Ace Jonas, who suffers from Raynaud’s syndrome—he wanted to make a glove that would allow him to stay out all day in the frigid temps of New England. Definitely going to give these a try this season. BAIST Gloves

We’re always interested in new brands, so when we heard about a Vermont-based glove company Baist, we wanted to check it out

08/12/2023

Hut Report: Red Mountain Alpine Lodge. Lily Krass Ritter delivers another great review for our travel section. In the realm of American huts, Red Mountain Alpine Lodge (RMAL) might classify more as a mountain palace. Red Mountain Alpine Lodge

In the realm of North American huts, Red Mountain Alpine Lodge (RMAL) might classify more as a mountain palace.

08/12/2023

Gear Preview: Lange XT3 Tour Light 130. Really nice work coming out of Lange the last few years. This new XT3 comes in at only 1,450 grams (size 26.5), and performs well on the down. Lange

It may be pricey, but in a category that is defined by compromise, this new boot might be close to the holy grail.

06/12/2023

Le Bent Cody and Elyse Socks—Cody Townsend and Elyse Saugstad helped Le Bent design some of the best touring socks on the market—and the first women’s specific backcountry sock.

Treat your feet to supreme breathability, temperature regulation, anti-stink properties, and the comfort that comes from Le Bent’s blend of rayon, bamboo, and merino wool.

06/12/2023

Wolverine Protection Proposed—Following over two decades of disputes, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services recently released a proposal providing threatened species protections for the North American Wolverine.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services recently released a proposal providing threatened species protections for the North American Wolverine

06/12/2023

Avalanche Canada's lead forecaster Colin Garritty concisely summarizes the outlook for early December 23 in his recent blog, Trouble Ahead? Good read for those traveling in the BC backcountry in the next few weeks.

If you’re venturing out into the backcountry in the next few weeks be sure to check the Avalanche Canada forecast for your region and use conservative terrain choices.

06/12/2023

The Science Behind Surface Hoar Part 2—reviews several key factors that influence this weak layer when buried, and how those factors contribute to likelihood of triggering and propagating avalanches. Bruce Jamieson American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education

Review several key factors that influence this weak layer when buried, and how those factors contribute to likelihood of triggering and propagating avalanches, or stabilizing over time.

06/12/2023

Gear Preview: Ortovox Mesola Pants and Jacket—an innovative backcountry-oriented pants/jacket combo for men that don’t have a Euro skinny fit. ORTOVOX

Kudos for this jacket’s casual style

04/12/2023

Hut Report on the Fishhook Yurt. Lily Krass kicks off our travel section this season with a detailed review of Fishhook in the Sawtooth Mountains. Lily Krass Ritter

Nestled in a quiet meadow along the Fishhook Creek in Idaho’s rugged Sawtooth Mountains, the yurt is flanked by the range’s classic jagged peaks as well as idyllic rolling hills as far as the eye can see.

04/12/2023

2024 Gear Preview: Deuter Alproof Tour. Deuter added a bigger size to their popular Alproof airbag pack, which includes the Alpride E2 avalanche airbag system. Deuter

The pack includes Deuter’s award-winning Alpride E2 avalanche airbag system, which uses a supercapacitor to charge its electronic system.

04/12/2023

Celebrating Surface Hoar Awareness Month here at Powder Cloud with a cool photo of large surface hoar from our favorite snow scientists, Bruce Jamieson. And yes, there isn't (yet) a formal Surface Hoar Awareness Month - but we're hoping this catches on! American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education Bruce Jamieson

03/12/2023

The Science Behind Surface Hoar and Its Insidious Avalanches—Part 1 of Bruce Jamieson and Simon Horton's three-part video series on the notorious persistent weak layer. Bruce Jamieson

Explore the science behind surface hoar formation, weather conditions that favor its growth, and conditions that promote sublimation and melt

03/12/2023

2024 Gear Preview—If you’re willing to sacrifice a little stiffness for serious lightness, check out Scarpa’s new F1 XT. SCARPA

If you’re willing to sacrifice a little stiffness for serious lightness, check out Scarpa’s new F1 XT.

26/04/2023

Tips to prevent blisters for backcountry skiers and riders.

First, purchase a boot that’s right for your feet.

24/04/2023

Backcountry Ski Boot Liners—Should you invest in an after-market liner like the Intuition Pro Tour? Check out the article to learn more. Intuition Liners

It all depends on how much you ski tour, how important a precise fit is for you, what kind of temperatures you’re out in, and what your priorities are.

17/04/2023

Backcountry Skiing Pro Tip: The AVA Turn - the simplest, most efficient method for turning while skinning uphill in low to medium angle terrain

The simplest, most efficient method for turning while skinning uphill in low to medium angle terrain is the AVA turn.

29/03/2023

Managing Our Baggage. Decision making in avalanche terrain can be influenced by the baggage buried in our psyche. Karl Klassen discusses how to recognize and manage the baggage we humans unfortunately bring into the backcountry. Avalanche Canada

Accepting that there are going to be anomalies, being on the lookout for them, and assessing the local conditions without relying too heavily on preconceived notions about your region will help you avoid the times and places where you might get caught by surprise.

23/03/2023

Featuring the photography of Marc Pichét this month on Powder Cloud. Marc’s an internationally certified mountain guide whose passion for photography blends well with working in the world’s most beautiful places. We hope get a chance to check out his beatuiful work featured in our gallery. Marc Piché

Marc Piché is an internationally certified mountain guide whose passion for photography blends well with working in the world's most beautiful places.

22/03/2023

Recent avalanche accidents in Colorado drive the number of fatalities in Colorado to 9 for the 2022-23 season and the number of total U.S. fatalities to 19. Let's stay safe out there for the rest of the season and our thoughts go out to those involved and their friends and families.

The mountains of central and southern Colorado are currently under an avalanche watch, with high avalanche danger forecasted for later this week.

21/03/2023

BCA Stealth Avalanche Probe—the team at Powder Cloud has been using for many years, and highly recommends, the Stealth avalanche probe. Backcountry Access, Inc.Backcountry Access BCA - BC

It’s warm, versatile, comfortable, and powerful. In short, the Peak Carbon will be my adventure partner for as long as it lasts.

16/03/2023

National Avalanche Center's New Forecast Platform—enabling public avalanche forecasters to more efficiently and cost-effectively accomplish their mission

In its fifth year, the initiative, called the National Avalanche Forecast Platform, has two goals—improve avalanche centers’ public-facing websites and provide an efficient workspace to improve forecasting operations.

14/03/2023

Tecnica Zero G Peak Carbon backcountry ski boot. We tested Tecnica's new boot recently and have a lot of good things to say about it. Thanks to Rob Coppolillo for testing these out for Powder Cloud. Tecnica Blizzard Blizzard Ski

It’s warm, versatile, comfortable, and powerful. In short, the Peak Carbon will be my adventure partner for as long as it lasts.

24/02/2023

The perfect women’s ski-touring pant—Norrona’s Lyngen Equaliser. As comfy as yoga pants, as windproof as a hardshell, and as flattering as your favorite jeans, and soon to be your favorite touring pant ever. Norrøna

In short, these pants are as strong and sexy as you are.

23/02/2023

Is your fun-meter drowning out the smart-meter? Karl Klassen’s latest managing avalanche risk article, Validation in Action, provides a real-life example on utilizing the validation process to let the smart-meter prevail. Avalanche Canada Karl Klassen

Make continuous observations about wind and weather when you’re in the field—things can change faster than you think.