FEATURES

2017 PHOTO ANNUAL
Left brain, right brain; analytical, creative. Few individuals are both and few fields demand both abilities. But photography is different, requiring the technical capabilities to capture what the eye sees, the light and contrast, the exposure and the ISO. This year's Photo Annual tells the stories of eight photographers' all-time favorite shots and the best images of last winter.

OUT OF THE MIDDLE AGES
In southwest Kyrgyzstan, within the world's largest walnut grove and at the base of the Khrebet Babash-Ata Mountains, one man is trying to promote tourism and bring economic prosperity to the ancient community of Arslanbob. Last February, ski guide Donny Roth and five other Americans traveled to the Switzerland of Central Asia to help make this dream a reality.

2017 APPAREL GUIDE
Yes, criteria like fit, durability and waterproofing are essential when buying outerwear. But we've gone deeper with this year's Apparel Guide, choosing our favorites based on different standards—what's trending and what's timeless. From jackets, pants and puffies to accessories, the 2017 Apparel Guide rounds up the best—the classics and those layers that'll become classics.

DEPOSITION

CONTRIBUTORS
Wintertime wordsmiths

EDITOR'S NOTE
Keeping tracks

LETTERS
Mechanized matters, wildlife woes and telemark's death (again)

BACKSTORY: LEGENDS OF THE FALL
Creeping into winter, one line at a time

STRAIGHT LINES: THE Y COULOIR
A broken heart, a big descent

BLOWN IN

THE UPHILL BATTLE
A bc organization dreams of building a hut system in central Washington's Wenatchee Mountains. But will land disputes, confusion and bureaucracy get the best of their plans? Associate Editor Lucy Higgins heads to the apple capital of the world to investigate.

THAT GIRL: EMILY TURNER
Keeping up with a New York City native and Tahoe transplant who's skied big mountains across the world.

BOARD ROOM: EASTWARD BOUND
With the help of two-time Olympic gold medalist Seth Wescott, Winterstick opens up shop in Maine.

FROZEN AMBROSIA
Filmmaker Constantine Papanicolaou goes back to his roots to learn where the Greek debt crisis and the ski industry collide.

GEAR BOX: PHOTOGRAPHY ESSENTIALS
Drones, packs and cameras to capture the moment.

BASECAMP

MOUNTAIN SKILLS: THE OVERNIGHT CHALLENGE
Avalanches aren't the backcountry's greatest danger—hypothermia is. Just how prepared are you to face a night out in the cold?

MOUNTAIN ACCOUNT: A CLASSIC BITES BACK
Taking the scary way down Rogers Pass's Forever Young Couloir

WISDOM: SCOTT AITKEN
A Canadian avalanche technician talks three decades of managing risk and clearing roads in Whistler.

BLOWN OUT

BIFF AMERICA
A swelling start to the season

LAST COL: SUN DOG MILLIONAIRE
New Year's Eve gold