If you’re caught in an avalanche, Backcountry Access’s new Float 30 backpack will give you potentially life-saving flotation and neck support and make you more visible to rescuers. A rip cord on the pack’s shoulder strap releases compressed carbon dioxide that inflates a 150-liter air bag. Want to see that airbag inflate? We have video.

Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Washington ski areas saw cold temperatures last week followed by new snow, currently creating snowpack instabilities. Avalanche warnings remain at high for mountain locations in these states.

It takes years of training and experience to become an expert in avalanches and backcountry safety. We sat down with Brian Lazar, the executive director of the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education, to talk about getting buried, why being a guide makes it tough to have a relationship, and skiing in Russia.

The first guided winter descent of Grand Teton, WY.

Mass Murderer's don't inhabit the hills of Switzerland. Kind, cheese-bearing sheep-lovers do.

YOUR SECRET IS NOT SAFE WITH ME.

Former Olympian Reggie Crist teaches you how to ski cut: Choose a spot to make a safe ski cut. Then lay ’em on edge.

Rope drops bring out the competitive bastards in all of us.

Skiing Magazine talked with Hazen about this shot, which made it into the magazine's December 2008 "Best Shots of the Year" photo gallery.

Skiing Magazine chatted with Clark about this shot, which made it into the magazine's December 2008 "Best Shots of the Year" photo gallery.