The thick of winter is a perfect time to reflect on what’s already come and what’s on the horizon. This March’s issue does just that, celebrating skiing and riding’s past while examining what the sport’s future may hold. We head to southwestern Colorado, where, after 15 years, Silverton Mountain is growing up and dealing with some heated controversy in the San Juan Mountains. Then we explore Utah’s strangest range, skiing among the state’s newest yurts high above Moab’s slickrock bike trails. Also inside: skimo-inspired backcountry setups to go farther, the 10 most important things every skier or rider should know, one guide’s tool for making better decisions in the mountains and our 2017 guide to the 18 best bc-compatible craft brews.

FEATURES

THE CHANGIN' TIMES
Last October, Bob Dylan won a Nobel Prize for "redefining boundaries of literature," thanks not only to his poetic lyrics, but also for voicing concerns, struggles and trends of his generation. Now, in a time of an increasingly globalized economy, climate change and gender imbalance, could skiing and riding serve as a similar lens? We examine the sport's constantly shifting boundaries to see what's a-changin'.

SKIING WITH GHOSTS
Today, Washington is home to 15 operational ski areas, just a fraction of the resorts that have come and gone over the state's history. And while many of the resorts didn't stick around, those who initially cut trails established runs through some of the region's best terrain. Heather Hansman retraces lost tracks across Washington, finding turns and ghostly remains along the way.

DEPOSITION

CONTRIBUTORS
Wintertime wordsmiths

EDITOR'S NOTE
The Now

LETTERS
Silverton's savior, packing lists and snorkel talk

BACKSTORY:ARE WE THERE YET?
Hunting down a decade volcano

STRAIGHT LINES: MARGINALLY SAFE
Unstable snow and partners. And how to avoid both.

BLOWN IN

THE OLD MAN AND THE SKI AREA
Silverton Mountain celebrates its 15th birthday, envisioning new terrain through the eyes of ski industry veteran Tim Petrick.

THAT GUY: JOE LAMMERS
In Revelstoke, B.C., the people's forecaster bridges the age gap.

BOARD ROOM: LIFE AFTER GOLD
How Olympic champion Kaitlyn Farrington beat the odds and headed off piste after a diagnosis that she could never snowboard again.

GEAR BOX: HIGH PERFORMANCE, HALF THE WEIGHT
Ten skis, boots, bindings and accessories to lighten the load.

BASECAMP

MOUNTAIN SKILLS: ESSENTIAL EDUCATION
A whole career can be built on backcountry knowledge and skills. These are the 10 most important things to know.

MOUNTAIN ACCOUNT: UNEXPECTED TURNS
A peaceful tour into Grand Teton National Park takes a cold twist.

WISDOM: MARTIN VOLKEN
An internationally certified mountain guide's tool for managing risk.

ON LOCATION

MOUNTAIN SOLITAIRE
High above Moab, Utah's Spanish Valley and within Edward Abbey's old stomping grounds, the La Sals offer reprieve and contrast to the red desert surroundings. And, now, Talking Mountain Yurts is offering a new means to explore the range. Editor in Chief Tyler Cohen heads into Utah's most exotic mountains.

BLOWN OUT

2017 BEER GUIDE
Suds for before, during and après

BIFF AMERICA
Snowpack, Facebook and FOMO

LAST COL
Packing the essentials