The young summit looked like a volcanic rock fortress, a specter surveilling the crater below, covered in rime but otherwise untouched by time. According to the map, it was only 600 ft. or so above where we stood, but it appeared a thousand times taller before us. Just before midnight, Nathan and I began the drive up the long, curving …
While living in the land of the Rising Sun for ten years, Dr. Fanon Wilkins, aka The Dusty Foot Philosopher, taught African American history at Doshisha University. He also became one-half of the founding partners of Epic Life Adventures, which curates exotic international ski trips for people of color to unworldly locations all over the planet. And, although the Dusty …
As tele-mentorship continues to grow and mature, and I mean both introducing new folks to telemark and the use of digital communication to share mentorship remotely, I’d like to share an example of how this can like using the tools, space, and support model from part 1. Particularly, I think it’s a great chance to highlight and build from the …
There is so much to be said about the lessons I’ve learned from my partners in the mountains that I could literally write a book from their teachings. Choosing the right backcountry ski partner is the most important choice you will make about your day, not just for safety, but for having fun and growing as a backcountry skier or …
Outdoor sports have a complicated relationship with mentorship. On one hand, there’s a long history of oral tradition and mentorship in outdoor pursuits… Whether learning to hunt from a community elder or following a more experienced friend around a skin track. On the other hand, access to a mentor often requires the mentee to be part of the “in” crowd, …
Climbing skins are the unsung heroes of backcountry skiing, giving you the grip you need to ascend powder-covered peaks. But over time, even the best skins can lose their stick—making your uphill battles a little more slippery. Before you toss your trusty pair and shell out for new ones, consider this: regluing your climbing skins can be an affordable, sustainable …
Now that the TTS Transit Telemark binding has been on the scene for a full season, we thought it was the perfect time to compile some frequently asked questions and provide some answers! But before we dive into the FAQs, let’s take a moment to break down what makes this binding special. Without further ado, here’s a closer look at …
Ready to kick off 2025 with a bang? We’re giving away a $1,000 USD account credit to our website, voile.com. This credit is to be used towards a new pair of Voile skis or a splitboard. We’ll be picking one winner. Entering is easy, and the prize is epic—don’t miss your chance to win! To enter the Voile New Year …
Ever wonder how the Voile Strap came to be? It all started with a backcountry innovation from the early 1980s. Tune into the video below for the full rundown on the humble beginnings of the legendary Voile Strap. For those who prefer reading to videos, continue below for a full written breakdown of the Voile Strap origin story from Voile …
Snow camping with a helping hand Access to more remote backcountry ski terrain; a quick escape from the day-to-day treadmill of life; positioning for one of my biggest passions, night sky photography; and just for the sheer fun of it, are all reasons I love snow camping. Although the challenge of managing the cold is part of the experience, this …
