Backcountry Magazine The Blue Collar Issue | #154 Back Issue

Features:

STAND STILL p. 84
Arolla sits deep in a valley in the Swiss Alps at the end of a winding road. Around the village are massive peaks and immense glaciers rife with impressive skiable terrain on par with that of Zermatt and Verbier. But Arolla, punctuated by old Poma lifts and historic chalet hotels, is contrastingly quiet compared to its chicly developed counterparts. Despite the charm of being willfully stuck in the past, the small, independent ski town is wondering how long its authenticity will remain viable.

LEADING LADIES p. 94
Tromsø, Norway, lies above the Arctic Circle and is closer to Russia and northern Finland than to Oslo. Surrounded by the snow-laden peaks of skiers’ dreams, the terrain is largely unknown. When the pandemic hit, ski guides Merrick Johnston, Lena Dahl and Edda Rainer realized the potential for more backcountry education and guided access in the area. The three founded Tromsø Ski Guides, a women-owned guide company focused on reducing risks and increasing smiles.

GOLD p. 104
For two centuries, precious metals buried in the Earth have drawn people north— for better or worse. While that allure still holds strong today, not everyone is headed to the mines in search of silver and gold. Joining the rush are those seeking another precious product of nature: snow. They’re snow-safety professionals, and they’re willing to travel ungodly distances to run avalanche mitigation in the deepest and darkest of winters in return for unprecedented access to backcountry turns.