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, …
The AIARE Avalanche Education Curriculum Like many other readers of the Voile Blog, the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), has played an integral role in my development as a backcountry skier. Chances are you and your touring partners have taken a recreational Level 1 Avalanche Education Course (or beyond) through AIARE or an equivalent organization. Founded in …
The Tele Mike V-Team Vlog This VLOG is dedicated to the families that ski together and the heartfelt familial connections that are forged in snow and ice. I always thought that I would be a fantastic father for a daughter to raise in the mountains in addition to my son who is quickly outpacing my ability to keep up with …
We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 23/24 Voile Scholarship for Women in the Backcountry, but before we do that, we’d like to thank everyone involved. Thank you to those who helped spread the word by sharing on social media or mentioning this scholarship to a friend. Thank you to the judges who helped put this together. And …
Calling all freeheel fanatics Mark your calendars and start doing your lunges because World Telemark Day is right around the corner, and Voile is gearing up for an unforgettable celebration atop the legendary Alta Ski Area! On Saturday March 2nd, join us as we pay homage to the timeless art of telemark skiing amidst the incredible terrain of the Wasatch …
Each year the most challenging part of running this scholarship is having to select recipients from a pool filled to the brim with incredible applications. This year is no different! It’s truly amazing witnessing the bravery each athlete showed by sharing their stories with us. We couldn’t be more excited to announce Mai Li O’Keefe (Grand Prize) and Laura Wang …
Project Ski Africa: Chicken Jousting in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco Location: ZAWIYA AHANSAL Village, Morocco Big Mountain Objective 1: JBEL AZOURKI, 12,070 feet Equipment: Voile V8s (Telemark) and SuperChargers (AT) Project Ski Africa Cafe, sparkling water, and heat are the essential staples as we drive to our first ski destination of Jbel AZOURKI. Jbel means Mount and AZOURKI is the …
Planning a backcountry ski tour requires more than just picking a destination—it’s about managing risks, understanding avalanche hazards, and navigating with precision. This guide breaks down essential tour planning steps, from interpreting topographic maps and slope angles to incorporating avalanche forecasts and timing strategies. Whether you’re new to the backcountry or honing your skills, this article will help you create …
We’re grateful for the opportunity to lift up the voices of this year’s Voile BIPOC Backcountry Scholarship recipients. But first, we want to thank everybody who shared their essays with us. Thank you for trusting us in this space as we work toward promoting diversity in the industry. We know this scholarship is not a solution, but we have seen …
Backcountry brothers and sisters. Welcome to the Tele Mike V-Team Vlog. Today we’ll chop it up with the BIPOC Mountain Collective, Vibe Tribe, and Hip Hop artist MC Ric Riggler who pulled together their collective efforts to collaborate on a film project about backcountry skiing and riding in the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community. One may ponder, “Well …
