As backcountry skiing and riding shift and develop, so do its people. And the November issue is here to profile those transitions, as pro skiers become guides, guides become mothers and ski bums turn into entrepreneurs.

This issue is all about the ambition and innovation that keep characters involved—and leading—in the backcountry. We’ve profiled five personalities in transition, including Tyler and Bryce Kloster, who ditched their corporate jobs to create splitboard brand Karakoram, and Max Hammer, a professional skier who’s taken a turn into guiding. Throughout each profile, we focus on skiers’ and riders’ tenacity and staying power that’s translated across professions.

And not to miss: a review of eight new skins to help you dial in the right touring kit, and a reflection on a really nice guy from Biff America.

FEATURES

TRANSITIONS: PEOPLE OF THE BACKCOUNTRY
As backcountry skiing and riding evolves, so do its characters: pro skiers become guides, guides become mothers, and sometimes, an unknown kid takes a stab at a long-standing record. Making a living on skis or a splitboard, and remaining both successful and fulfilled, is an ongoing process. We've profiled five notable personalities, highlighting the guides, pros, educators and innovators who have reinvented their image while progressing the sport.

AIR SHOVELING TO TAYLOR SWIFT
It may be October, but before you know it, it'll be March. Spring will be all too near and the winter will have gone by way too fast. But that's not a threat—take it as inspiration to plan your road trip, to book that hut week, to buy a plane ticket or to freeze your ass off. And to help jumpstart your winter, we've assembled the ultimate punch list of experiences from unique to weird, locations from nearby to Norway and the travel and camping gear to get you there and back. Kickstart your winter beginning on p. 66.

DEPOSITION

CONTRIBUTORS

EDITOR'S NOTE: FARM FRESH

LETTERS
Fish scales, growlers and Green Mountain glades

BACKSTORY: TUCKS SOMEDAY
Dreams of skiing New Hampshire's Tuckerman Ravine

STRAIGHT LINES
Remembering ski pioneer and Telluride hardman Peter Inglis

BLOWN IN

GREEN MOUNTAIN SNOW SOLDIERS
The Vermont Army National Guard is the nation's only Mountain Infantry Battalion, with recent tours at the foot of Afghanistan's Hindu Kush Mountains. Now, they're looking to hone their ski skills throughout Vermont's Green Mountains.

BOARD ROOM: OBJECTS IN MOTION
Through his Sogndal, Norway-based board company, engineer and former Freeride World Tour competitor Daniel Furberg aims to make splitboarding a better experience.

LOADING THE DICE
What record Pacific Ocean temperatures and El Niño conditions mean for this winter.

THE THREE AMIGOS
Twins Steve and Mike Marolt and longtime friend Jim Gile have had a busy 2015, including launching a Nepal aid fund, opening a store and notching a world-record wintertime ski descent from 21,000 feet.

THAT GUY: LUC MEHL
With hundreds of miles trekked annually throughout Alaska, long-distance skier Luc Mehl connects people and places.

BASECAMP

MOUNTAIN SKILLS: FOOD FIGHT
From energy gels to stale donuts, everyone has their favorite backcountry snack. But what will earn you another lap up the skintrack?

TECH TALK: TWIN SAFETY TOOLS
Airbags and Avalungs are both notable avalanche survival tools, though seldom used in tandem. Should they be?

MOUNTAIN ACCOUNT: MIRACLE IN CHERRY BOWL
A group of Terrace, B.C. locals act quickly to defy death.

ON LOCATION

LOST AND FOUND
One family's off-the-grid lifestyle at Lost Trail Lodge near Truckee, Calif.

EXPLORERS OF THE EASTERN SIERRA
Dan Mingori and Nate Greenberg revamp a Sierra guidebook.

SIERRA BROTHERHOOD
Jim and John Morrison have together experienced accident, injury and hardship yet still remain yin and yang.

BLOWN OUT

SPECTACLE

2016 SKIN REVIEW
Technical Editor Lance Riek reviews eight must-try variations of glue and plush

BIFF AMERICA
Reflections on Robson Gmoser, a really nice guy

LAST COL:FORD EVERY STREAM
The Sound of Music, The Art of Flight