Snow Sports
Plan Your Next Powder Adventure
Want to get outside and get active, but not sure what activity to take up in the winter? We can help you out with that.
So, grab your parka, boots, and gloves and get ready to hit the powder. Because all those fun summer activities you know and love can be replicated in some snow sport.
From going down the ski slopes to trekking through the woods on snow-covered trails, there are tons of ways to have fun when it’s cold out there.
Here you’ll find out guides on a variety of snow sports that are fit for beginners and those with a little experience. We also have some gear guides to help you know what you’ll need out in the powder to stay warm and have a good time.
Categories in Snow Sports
Latest in Snow Sports
Best Cross-Country Ski Boots For Beginners & Intermediate XC Skiers (2020 – 2021)
Performance in any sport, including cross-country skiing, starts with the fundamentals. Balance and coordinated movement moves from the ground up. Your ability to conquer mile after mile on cross-country skis is boosted by healthy, happy feet. Unfrozen wiggling toes, blister-free heels and supported, yet pliable ankles will allow you to get the most out of the
Best Downhill Ski Boots For Beginners & Intermediate Skiers (2020 – 2021)
The quality of your downhill skiing boots has the potential to greatly enhance your skiing experience or completely ruin the experience. After all, skiing is centered on the point of contact between skis and the snow. If your boots are uncomfortable or unreliable, you will find the downhill skiing experience much more difficult and unrewarding.
Classic vs Skate Cross-Country Skiing: What’s The Difference?
To the casual observer, cross-country (XC) skiing is composed of effortless smooth swooshing through bucolic forest trails. It’s meditative movement that warms the wandering soul. But, do you want to get grumpy fast and burst that bucolic winter snow globe scene? Try gathering up gear, hauling yourself to a Nordic ski center only to find
Gear Up With Backcountry Skis with Substance and Style (2020 – 2021)
Headlamp? Check. Navigation device? Check. First-aid kit, gloves, poles? Check, check, check. The list of what you need to enjoy backcountry skiing is lengthy, no doubt. And, yes. You do need it all to make it a safe and, therefore, pleasurable adventure. But, need it be pointed out? Without the correct skis, you will go
How To Store Ski Gear In The Off Season
After a thrilling skiing season comes the off-season. And you know what? It’s time to store your ski gear ready for the next season. It might surprise you that many people don’t know how to store their ski gear. As a result, they miss out on some benefits. Proper care for your skis, boots, and
Get Ready For The Mountain With The Best Downhill Skis (2020 – 2021)
Buying new downhill skis is not easy simply because there are so many to choose from. Between aesthetic design, length, quality of material and other factors, there is plenty to consider. Review the unique merits and drawbacks of several different types of downhill skis before making a decision and you will move forward in full
Gear Up With Your Own Cross-Country Skis This Winter (2020 – 2021)
If the idea of cold crisp air clearing your lungs as your body warms with each movement forward this winter sounds downright delicious to your soul, it’s likely you can find such flow while cross-country skiing. You can challenge yourself and explore boundaries. You can sink into steady rhythms. Urban skiing can even be fun!
How To Make A Sled Go Faster
A classic recreational activity, sledding is a great way to remain active even throughout the cold winter season. However, if your sled is inching along as slowly as a snail or continually getting stuck, it might not seem like too much fun. To enjoy sledding more, you may want to try some of the tips
XC Ski Bindings: NNN vs SNS Bindings
If you’re relatively new to cross-country skiing, then you might be a bit overwhelmed by all the new gear. Especially the bindings. As you compare the skin binding options available to you know, you’ll notice that there are only two main types. NNN bindings and SNS bindings. But what’s the difference between these two cross-country
Should You Invest in an Avalanche Airbag Setup? (for snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding)
Anyone who loved being in the great outdoors and enjoys winter sports like snowmobiling, skiing, and snowboarding knows that with all the beauty also comes a deadly power- the avalanche. It is known that it is important to prepare for your time in the great outdoors and this is especially true of preparing for worst-case
Alpaca Wool vs Merino Sheep Wool: What’s The Difference?
My favorite things to wear hiking are my merino wool socks and shirts. I feel like they’re the perfect attire for outdoor adventures, as well as travel. But not everyone can wear merino wool because some people are allergic to it. So when I recently learned about alpaca wool, I was excited to see if
What Size Of Ice Axe Do I Need?
If you’ve decided to take up mountaineering, then you’ll need to get yourself a good ice axe. Ice axes come in different sizes, so you’ll have to choose a size before you set out for that high altitude adventure. But which size of ice axe do you need? Well, that depends on a few factors,
Best Kids Ski & Snowboard Goggles For Family Winter Fun (2020)
If you are on the prowl for kids’ ski goggles, you have no shortage of options. There are plenty of kids’ ski goggles, each of which has its own unique merits and weaknesses. Choose wisely and your little one will have his or her own stylish ski goggles that keep the snow and sun glare
How To Choose Your First Skis
One of the most exciting steps on your journey as a skier is the moment you ditch renting or borrowing skis, and invest in your first pair. There’s something really special about doing the research, shopping around, learning what you want from your skis, and finally committing to your first pair of your very own
Does Eating Snow Dehydrate You?
If you’re doing some backcountry camping or trekking during the winter, and you’re low on water, then you might be tempted to just eat some snow for hydration. After all, snow is really just frozen water, right? Well, yes but that’s not exactly how it works with dehydration. In fact, if you’re feeling dehydrated then
Muscle Groups Used in Skiing, Building a Snowman and More [+ Calories Burned!]
Getting outdoors in winter is a completely different experience than getting outdoors during months of more favorable weather. The sun is weak, you’re weighted down by extra clothing, and the cold makes you more prone to muscle injuries like tears and strains. But, just like the rest of the year, spending time outside in the
Last Minute Shopper? These Make Awesome Gifts For Outdoorsy People
Got someone active and outdoorsy on your gift shopping list? Whether you’re shopping for a mountain biking enthusiasts or a snowshoer, there are a few gift options out there that are perfect for all outdoor lovers. It doesn’t matter the occasion – Christmas, birthdays, or some other special day – the gift ideas below are
REI’s Gear Up, Get Out Sale: 13 Awesome Outdoor Gift Ideas [Our Top Picks]
I buy all of my outdoor gear from only a few different places, with one of them being REI. One of the things that I love about REI is that they’re basically a one-stop shop for all your outdoor needs – from hiking boots to trail snacks to mountain bikes to GoPros. Getting a sale
Best Places To Ski In Vermont For The 2019-2020 Season
In the cold months, northern states are a winter wonderland. For snow-enthusiasts, it’s time for ski season. Technically, you can ski anywhere with an incline and powder. Yet not all slopes are created equal. Discover the best places to ski in Vermont and what you can do at each. 1. Okemo Mountain Resort Okemo Mountain
Beginner Tips: How To Dress For Skiing
Skiing is one of winter’s most well loved pastimes. Each and every year, millions of slope aficionados wait patiently for the first snowfall of the year, gathering their gear and making plans for the day on which that first blanket of snow will cover the mountaintops in the north. Skiing, and now snowboarding, are not
Tips For Your First Backcountry Skiing Trip
After years and years of resort skiing, you’ve probably heard about skiing the backcountry and you may be ready even to go off-piste, but you’re not sure where to start. Don’t worry we got you covered. There are many similar terms thrown around for backcountry skiing: there’s slackcountry, off piste (in Europe), sidecountry etc. They
How To Wash Your North Face Jacket Without Damaging It
So, you finally saved up the money to buy a one-of-a-kind The North Face jacket—the crème of the crop among your outdoors buddies. These jackets, whether waterproof or not, provide a lot of protection against the cold, water and wind, and are the jackets of choice for most serious hikers, mountaineers, campers and other outdoor
Choosing A Good Snowboard For Beginner Shredding
You may be surprised to learn that snowboarding has eclipsed skiing with participation almost equaling that of cross-country and alpine combined. Most users are under 30 and male. And there’s no denying the adrenaline rush it offers which probably explains the demographics behind the sport. But with the popularity of Olympic snowboarders like Chloe Kim,
Buying Your First Ski or Snowboard Helmet For Beginners Adventures
If you’re a snowboarder, you’re in good company. Nearly 8 million people participate in this activity which is almost as many as alpine and cross-country skiers combined. Aside from your snowboard, your helmet is the most important piece of gear you’ll buy. Think of it as life insurance. It’s an unfortunate fact that beginners have
Ultimate Guide To Buying Your First Snowshoes
Looking for an easy entry into snow sports that doesn’t involve you tumbling down the slopes in a tangle of skis and ski poles? Snowshoeing is the perfect option for the skittish snow sports enthusiasts (or the clumsy ones!). And there’s no better way to start then getting a good pair of snowshoes, the proper
13 Beginner Snowboarding Tips: Advice For First-Timers
Are you daydreaming about how amazing it will feel to shred down the mountain once you get yourself a new snowboard and learn the basics? That’s good, because it DOES feel awesome! However, you can’t just buy a new snowboard and start down the mountain popping off anything you see. It takes some practice and lots