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Latest posts on skiing, snowboarding, and snow science

What is sastrugi (aka zastrugi)?
Sastrugi is a wind-sculpted snow formation with irregular grooves and/or ridges.

Balaclava: essential winter gear since the Crimean War
The balaclava face mask is essential gear if you ski or snowboard and the origin of the word has nothing to do with a Greek dessert.

How an avalanche beacon works and saves lives
An avalanche beacon is a safety device that transmits a signal that rescuers use to home in on someone buried by an avalanche.

Shred the gnar: meaning and origin of the saying
You won’t spend much time on the slopes without hearing the quintessential slang phrase.

Snow cornice: beautiful but potentially deadly
A mass of overhanging ice or snow, typically found on a ridgetop or edge of a cirque.

Zorb death is tragic reminder: watch your fall line!
Like a human hamster ball, a zorb is a sphere that people ride in.