Winter
ArchiveWith the right gear, mindset, creativity, and some science-based hacks, you don’t have to just survive this winter, you can thrive. Here’s how to embrace the cold all season long.
From Reykjavík to Minneapolis, winter isn’t just tolerated here, it’s celebrated
Professional skier Drew Petersen opens up about his struggles with suicidal thoughts—and explains why talking about it is key to addressing the mental health crisis
Thanks to these boots, hiking went from painful to pure bliss
Cecilia Blomdahl’s viral videos are a window into an unfamiliar world full of polar bears, reindeer, and adventures on snowmobiles. But they also offer suprisingly resonant insights for those of us who’ve just spent a year in quarantine.
In March, Emily Ford became the first woman to complete Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail in winter. She’s also become an unintentional ambassador of the outdoor industry’s quest for inclusivity.
The life of Natalie Rines Terry, one of the country’s top ski instructors for 50 years
A hard carrying case is being issued to solve potential issues with DSP beacons switching modes accidentally
Outside’s ethics guru on who public lands are for
British Columbia is in the midst of a major surge in coronavirus cases, forcing resorts to shutter early
We can’t wait to try these innovative items
Some brands offer portable tent systems that promise an authentic wood-fired sweat experience—at a fraction of the cost of permanent installs
We combed through hundreds of products to pick these three
Our Minnesotan travel writer spent a year looking for good snow boots. She finally found them.
Yukon’s Hammerhead Pro HD was the only logical choice for tackling Vermont’s famous Lincoln Gap Road
Favorites include fire pits, food, and coffee
And here’s how you can do it yourself at home, step-by-step
The nonprofit Skiku has brought nordic skiing to thousands of Native kids in Alaska, where access to the sport has historically been limited
A massive storm led to a record-breaking 60-hour shutdown at Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon last weekend, followed by a day of private skiing exclusively for those already in the area
How to stay fueled and warm on the slopes without looking like a total nerd
Think you already know everything about our nation’s most iconic park? Think again. There’s so much beyond its famed Yosemite Valley, from seldom visited waterfalls to the underappreciated backcountry beyond Tuolumne Meadows.
For a small weight penalty, the new system offers tech-pin efficiency and pro-level descending. Outside spent the past 11 months testing it.
It breathes and wicks sweat better than any other midlayer I’ve tested
Volatile weather has created dangerous conditions for backcountry skiers and set up the West for a bad water year. With climate change exacerbating the situation, it’s time to start assuming the worst for our winters and making plans to adapt.
A new Snow Mode makes finding trails and parking lots easy, and the app helps you avoid avalanches, too
Sleep in a Navajo Nation earth home, a vintage camper, or a dome tent, all just a short drive to the South Rim
Tire chains are great—until they're not. Wes Siler explains how and when to consider using them.
Load up the car to see snow-covered volcanoes, cool desert landscapes, and empty beaches without any of summer's big crowds
Exercising when it's cold can feel tougher than usual. This gear makes it more doable.
This pair has been my favorite for seven years and hundreds of ski days
From a glass-domed train to downhill skiing, these are some of our favorite adventures in our national parks. Bonus: they get you off the beaten path, too.
The items we're using to stay outdoors—and keep cozy when we come in
Made of two types of wool and the most breathable synthetic insulation ever, this is so much more than just a warm midlayer
It feels like you're wearing a pile of sleeping puppies, and the puppies are all dreaming about lambs
Take care of your waterproof soft goods with these expert tips
Welcome to Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes and home to the Boundary Waters. Our 62 Parks Traveler found her own private island at her 28th stop on her quest to visit every national park in the U.S.
This season you're going to want an adventuremobile you can post up in at the base of the ski area. Here are some good ones.
Our advice on which park to visit each month of the year to see peak wildlife, foliage, and flower blooms—and to avoid the crowds
Here's what you need to know if you're in the market to buy this season
Two new studies find performance benefits from high levels of the sunshine vitamin, but they're not the final word
After more than three decades of attempts, there has finally been a winter summit on the Savage Mountain
These three perfect pairs are just as comfortable on the couch as they are outside
Here are the products that got us over the 2020 finish line
These 11 beloved destinations make for ideal cold-weather trips, from soaking in hot springs at Big Bend to cross-country skiing at Rocky Mountain
Our seven picks for cross-country-skiing trail networks that make for perfect, crowd-free winter outings
Know the risks, the terrain, and the gear you need before your maiden voyage into the backcountry
The backcountry is more popular than ever, but that doesn't make it safe
Our writer tested four of the highest-quality down jackets on the market to determine whether they're worth the price
Twenty-three surprising ways to get you inspired for next year and beyond
Fill your thermos and bring these warm mixed drinks along for après-ski, socially distanced happy hours, and cold-weather tailgates
The tour's latest installment, premiering virtually amid the pandemic, comprises four films that show off epic climbs from around the world, but not from the usual suspects
The colder months are the perfect time to visit national parks, with fewer crowds and endless adventure. Stay at one of these dreamy base camps.
Getting outdoors in the winter doesn't have to be miserable. Here, musher Blair Braverman shares her top ten tips for keeping cozy in frigid temperatures.
It's never too cold to ride outside. (Well, almost never.)
Masks, slippers, and shackets—what else do you need?
The Selk'bag is here to help you survive a pandemic winter
A hot beverage can make the difference between enjoying yourself and freezing your ass off on a cold-weather adventure. Here's everything you ever wanted to know about how to use this humble and inexpensive game changer this season.
A study from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center indicated something counterintuitive: experience doesn't always correspond with safety
After a challenging summer and fall, we're all wondering what the ski season has in store. Don't worry: resorts are working hard to open and ensure a safe experience for everyone, and there are plenty of other ways to delight in the white stuff. Here's the lowdown.
These slackliners explore the limits of humankind high above the ground, under the northern lights.
Stay warm and get outside more during these colder months with smart gear picks
Pull your van or RV into the cheapest slopeside lodging you can find: an overnight parking space
Resort executives are warning customers that skiing will be different this season. I'm here to tell you that "different" means better.
Pitch a tent on these beach or desert campgrounds
Many backcountry huts are now available as private rentals, so you and your pod can have the entire place for yourselves. From Maine to Washington, here are a few of our favorites.
Don't let the cold keep you inside
Here are the items that are keeping us sane as we head toward winter
This film showcases the newest addition to WNDR Alpine's lineup, the Vital 100
Essential auto gear for the season’s worst-case scenarios
Mine for PRs no matter the weather
Nasty weather shouldn't stop you from getting your run in. Here's what kept our testers warm and comfortable.
For every foot in every condition
Three smart tickets to winter riding fun
Gear to help you appreciate cold-weather riding
Exercise outdoors all winter long with these essentials
Cold weather is no reason to skip your sweat sessions
Down those post-ski brews in style
Head to happy hour in warmth and style
Get to work in style, no matter the weather
Warm, cozy tops for every kind of happy hour