Beginner Skills

Picking the right equipment is key to having fun in the snow.

We drop some wisdom and gets you inspired in this beginner's guide.

Check out BACKPACKER Editors & Contributors's author page.

From boots to bindings to skis, this rig will have you set for the backcountry.

Check out BACKPACKER Editors & Contributors's author page.

Check out BACKPACKER Editors & Contributors's author page.

Skip the resort crowds and find clean powder with this backcountry ski gear.

For authentic takeout on the trail, try this spicy Pad Thai.

Craving something Asian on your next trek, but don't want to put in a lot of effort? Try this easy Pad Thai.

Only term you know is chairlift? Read this primer.

This convenient travel snowbag pays for itself quickly.

Hit the trail in the winter with one of these nine snowshoes.

From a Quickie sled to sunscreen used by the U.S. ski team, these five winter essentials are must haves.

Keep your feet warm and happy with these socks, gaiters, & booties.

This guide covers ski gear for telemark, alpine touring, backcountry touring, and rugged Nordic touring.

No crowds, no bugs: Winter camping holds rewards aplenty– once you master the gear and skills required to thrive in frigid climates.

Get the gear you'll need to stay warm and happy on a winter backpacking trip.

Learn how to cook, make water, and...go to the bathroom when the backcountry is a winter wonderland.

Learn how to choose between a tent and a snow cave. Plus the best ways to travel in the snow.

Winter camping requires extra planning and gear. But it's well worth the effort.

You'll never use zip-top plastic bags again after trying these Pacific Outdoor PU-coated nylon storage bags.

This Talus face mask mixes your hot breath with the cold outside air to keep your face warm and snot free.

For sledding or glissading, the TSL Quickie is a speedy descent.

Stuffed with 750-fill down, this camping pillow gives you 5 inches of pure comfort and support.

Cozies made for camping comfort

No more plastic bags or map cases, these waterproof, and tear-resistant topos will last a lifetime.

Don't let the these light weight stuffsakcs fool you, they keep your gear dry in the wettest conditions.

This versatile headpiece is half fleece, half microfiber–it can even double as a pillow.

Meal-by-meal tips to please the whole family

The stats and assumptions behind our grading system for the August 2009 story.

This legit 20° kids' bag will keep your little ones toasty in the backcountry.

Solve winter routefinding challenges with these expert tips.

Conquer any fear with this DIY guide to applying a proven treatment plan called cognitive- behavioral therapy. Think of it as training for the mind.

Check out Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan's author page.

Head to the RMNP for the highest designated camp–find out where below.

Any suggestions for making my 5-year-old's first backpacking trip a success?

From planning to execution, we've got 11 ways to become a better leader both on the trail, and off.

No gyms, no weights–and, with our easy-to-follow plan–no bonking on the trail.

He'd toss the titanium stove and build a big fire. Our man enrolls in a traditional guide school and learns how to survive - and think - like an American original.

Mosquitoe bites can be simply annoying or dangerous depending on where you are. Learn how to fend off their attacks.

Trip-planning tips, gear lists, safety advice, and other essential wisdom every hiker ought to know.

Ready to get wet and wild? This packing list will prepare you for any swamp trek.

Get ready for winter with this comprehensive packing list.

Florida's Everglades National Park has a December high of almost 78°.

Expert tips for a safe, sound night's sleep

Enjoy this instant chair on your next trip

Keep your kids entertained in camp and on the road with a football, stuffball, and flyer set

Four new recipes for belly-warming campfire drinks

Four steps to a lights-every-time blaze

The author sets out to camp in New York's Central Park--and winds up roused by matters of life and death.

Get more and better Z's with these tricks from a sleep expert.

Hike, pitch your tent, then play like a pro with these new Frisbee and hacky sack diversions

Baby carriers, backpacks, and strollers for the backcountry

Ideas to help make the backcountry family friendly

3 surefire ways to light a reluctant fire

Freshen up stinky clothes with this homemade, portable washing machine.

The One-Pan Gourmet shows how to eat like a king.

Keep water flowing with this simple technique.

Put some rocks in your socks.

Carrying around those little extras just got easier with this trick.

How to avoid slipping and sliding in your sleeping bag.

No need to bring along a big, bulky container for your water in camp when you have this great compact suggestion.

Three ways to salvage broken crackers and pulverized bread.

We tortured 51 trail snacks and staples to pick the longest lasting foods for backpacking.

How to complete your backcountry kitchen for $5 or less.

The short list of what works and what doesn't.

Camping without stove or fire gains you freedom, flexibility, simplicity, and compactness, and sometimes a lighter load.

Getting a good night's sleep on the trail is easier said than done. Our experts show you how to get your 20 winks.

Experiencing a sore butt on the trail? Try these healing tips.

Boy Scouts are at the forefront of teaching Leave No Trace ethics.

How light can you go? Six friends face off to determine whether carrying less gear makes you half as macho, or twice as smart.

Forgot a sponge? No worries -- clean your camp with these everyday wilderness substitutes.

Take a look at what your sole is doing to the ground.

Help keep trails clean by picking up your own and other people's trash.

With a few precautions, expecting hikers can hit the trail.

Should we pave the wilderness and install escalators for the disabled? No, says a former backpacker.

Use these tools if you're hankering to learn the secret of snow.

When the ground is frozen or 3 feet under snow, use these backcountry bathroom techniques.