JOURNAL

If there’s a sport that inspires more inventions than skiing, we have yet to see it. Why are skiers so prone to garage tinkering? It might be a mix of optimistic dreams—getting rich and skiing daily—or having too much free time (and weed) during long, cold winters. Curious about the weirdest ski inventions? Check out the summary for our favorites.

After dominating the slopes with the US Ski Team and completing many big mountain first descents, Kristen has become a fear and anxiety expert, helping clients manage the confusion and chaos of the emotion. In the latest 'Next Level Skiing' podcast, ski journalist Jason Blevins interviews Kristen to discuss her journey and insights on overcoming fear. Tune in now!

If you live on the East Coast, you can skip this article and move on to your next procrastination—you folks know what a sharp edge is. But the rest of us soft-snow snobs may need a little nudge to schlep our gear to the shop or even learn how to do it on your own. This is why tuning matters.

Pro skier Drew Petersen turned his struggles with mental health into a mission after a life-changing accident on Mt. Hood. His film Ups and Downs shares his story to help others, particularly in mountain towns with high suicide rates. In Next Level Skiing, host Jason Blevins interviewed Petersen just before the movie’s release in February 2024. Here's what he had to say.

Wagner Custom is honored to have a new series of topsheets designed by Lerew, which are stunning and psychedelic black-and-white images inspired by sound waves. To find out more about Lerew—and what musical genre he was listening to at the time of his creations—we caught up with him at his home in Denver, Colo. Here’s what he had to say.

When it comes to ski performance, most brands tout their latest tech. But what many brands don’t really talk about is where their skis are actually made. And, just like it does with automobiles or bikes or boats, the factory matters. Let's talk about why.

In the last 30-plus years, the ski industry has gone back and forth about women’s skis more times than Mikaela Shiffrin in a slalom course. First we needed them. Then we hated them. Then we loved them. And, now, we don’t need them—what is going on? Let's find out.

As a guide in some of the world’s rowdiest terrain, Grant knows how to settle skier jitters like no other. To find out just how she manages to help so many skiers be their best selves, our inimitable podcast host Jason Blevins caught up with her in January 2024. Here’s what she had to say.

There are some people in this world who inexplicably sparkle, like they toddled through a cloud of magic dust in some fairy forest along the way, and everything they touch sparkles, too. Artist Shannon Foley Henn, who designed our latest topsheet graphics, is one such person. We caught up with her to see what she had to say.

I once heard a celebrated ski racer of the 1980’s say to some admiring fans, “Yes, I stretch every morning.” He then mimicked a big yawn and stretched his arms up over his head. Here's what that skier didn't understand.

While purchasing backcountry bindings is just one piece of the process, it can one of the most challenging. There are so many options with so many features, it can be overwhelming to figure out what’s right for you, not to mention how to work the damn things once you have them.

The incredible lightness of skiing: what differentiates a backcountry vs resort skis is not rocket science – it's all about weight. But when it comes to actually building a ski light enough to haul uphill and strong enough to ski down safely, not to mention enjoyably? That’s where the rocket science comes in.

A new year is here again, and with it comes the drive to make the next one even better than the last. Here, we look at a few good food, exercise, and (ski) goal strategies to help you hit your new year's resolutions and become your best skier self.

Ski poles have long been treated as the red-headed stepchild of your ski kit. They get run over in parking lots, forgotten outside of bars, mismatched, scratched, and grow less and less basketed over time. As fun as poles are when it comes to euphemisms, try to take this at face value: Poles matter. Here’s what you need to know.

Kylee Firlit is a rarity, as she’s both an artist and a graphic designer—and she’s insanely talented at both. She’s also a passionate skier, climber, mountain biker, and runner, which is why her resume is packed with brands like Black Diamond, Mountain Hardwear, Kühl, and now, we’re honored to say, Wagner Custom.

If you’re thinking about getting a pair of Wagner Customs (yay!), it may be helpful for you to understand what goes in your skis and why. Materials like carbon, fiberglass, and metal have huge impacts on a ski’s performance and personality. Here’s what the experts—us—choose to put in our skis and why.