Here are some of our favorite warm winter hiking destinations that aren’t typically as cold as the country’s northern regions. In these places, roads don’t close because of snow, there are no microspikes or snowshoes required and you probably won’t freeze your buns off when you stop for a breather.
Crested Butte, Colorado is a truly lovely destination year-round, especially for outdoorists. There are trails galore, a well-known ski resort, and a poppin’ small town filled with locally-owned shops and restaurants. It’s a destination renowned for mountain biking and wildflowers in the summer (including an annual wildflower festival) and world-renowned ski resorts in the winter. But if you’re not a downhill skier, you may be left looking for other things to do in Crested Butte in winter besides ski. We got you. Here are some other ways to stay active and play outside when there’s snow on the ground.
Hammock Camping? In the cold? Is that even possible?! Turns out, yeah. Yeah it is. We’ve done it. So have plenty of other intrepid outdoorists who don’t let a little cold stop them from sleeping outside. But here’s the thing: hammock camping in cold weather is a lot different than hammock camping when it’s hot. It’s also different than tent camping in cold weather. We’re gonna break down exactly why and how that’s the case, plus share a few tips for comfortable winter hammock camping so you can sleep comfortably any time of year.
Are you a beginner snowboarder? Not sure where to start when it comes to gear and apparel? We get it. Here’s some of our favorite clothing and accessories for when we hit the slopes.
It’s a debate as old as time itself (OK, maybe just as old as the sport of skiing): Ski pants or bibs? After all, they each bring something different to the table. And often, folks who love one hate the other (though we’ve been known to be fans of both). So if you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, it’s important to get this right. After all, the right pair of bottoms can result in hours of fun on the slopes while the wrong pair can result in frustration and discomfort. But which is right for you? We’ll break down the pros and cons of both bibs and pants to help you decide, plus tips on choosing the perfect pair.
We’re big fans of snowshoeing. We love hitting quiet, powdery trails no one else is on, layering up, and hiking to enjoy a snack and a hot beverage with a view (and we always bring a hot beverage). Do empty trails, wildlife sightings, and stunning scenery sound good to you, too? Then gear up! ‘Cause snowshoeing offers it all. But if you’re not sure what to wear snowshoeing or what gear you need, allow us to recommend some of our favorite clothing and gear for the task. Bonus: it’s all more sustainable than your average tech shirt.
Snowshoes. We love ’em. They allow us to get outside and blaze trails all winter long, no matter how much white powder covers the route. Indeed, we’re convinced they’re an essential piece of gear every outdoorist should keep in their closet. But with so many options to choose from (and so many price points!), how can one possibly be convinced they’re getting the best snowshoes for the money? We recently tested two pairs of snowshoes from MSR and will help you map out the differences, plus answer some of your burning questions, like what snowshoes to buy, if expensive snowshoes are worth it, or which MSR snowshoes are the best of the best. Read on.
The minute I donned my crisp new bibs and jacket, I knew they were gonna rock. The materials were top notch, they left room for layering, and daaaang, they looked good. Plus: the pockets! But it wasn’t until after hours of skiing in below-freezing temps that I realized just how awesome this new kit was. So yes, as we near the end of the season, I finally found my favorite new ski kit. Here’s why it’s so rad, from fit and functionality to sustainability an material technology.
A beginner boarder with just two lessons under her belt and maybe five days on any mountain anywhere heads to Rossland in British Columbia, Canada to find out if there is any beginner snowboarding at RED Mountain Resort, a mountain renowned for it’s world-class runs.
Anybody who’s ever played outside with me knows I love to chat. Whether I’m snowboarding, cycling, hiking, or kayaking, being outdoors is just another opportunity to not only connect with nature but also with any friends and family enjoying nature with me. So I was stoked to test out the Cardo Packtalk Outdoor intercom system during my first season learning how to snowboard. Here’s what I thought of the high-quality (and expensive) system.