Print issue 2017
What you are holding in your hands is the latest issue of our Backcountry Freeskiing Photo & Story Magazine, weighing almost one kilogram! Contrary to the trend, we continue to rely on solid stories, fascinating imagery, and high-quality printing, as well as bilingualism.
No matter what this issue’s athletes’ and photographers’ motivation may be to engage in their backcountry adventures, we all have one thing in common: our love for what is essentially a purpose-free and luxurious undertaking.
One kilo of printed paper is, however, disproportional to the efforts and hardships necessary for creating these stories. And it does not even balance out the risks, which may be questionable in individual cases, just because everyone venturing out also has a huge responsibility towards their families and friends.
In the seclusion of the backcountry, however, we become part of the creation again, we learn to respect the laws of nature and come in contact with our own strength and abilities to master challenging situations.
Maybe this is the very reason why we long to connect with nature and explore our possibilities, which always inspires us to cross boundaries and dare to adventure!
We wish you a great and safe winter 2017/2018. Many thanks to all who have made this issue possible!
Norwegen · Glomfjord
Bodø in Northern Norway has more to offer than the Flight Museum, the worlds biggest population of sea hawks, and the strong swirl of Saltstraumen. There are several areas fairly close to the town …
2017 · Anders Wingqvist · 5 min
Österreich · Silvretta (Heidelberger Hütte)
Between seasons in the Bavarian Alps – the time of year that often sees too much snow to go hiking or climbing, but not enough to go skiing or ski touring. Last winter, it also looked like we had to …
2017 · Bernd Hassmann · 5 min
Italien · Brenta Dolomites (Cima Tosa)
Late March 2017. Skiers across the Northern Alps suffer from a warm front. Despite the fact that the winter seems to be over too soon, we are still hungry. While most of the powder junkies are …
2017 · Nadine Wallner · 5 min
Griechenland · Pindos (Olymp / Smolikas)
With the ski pole, I release my bindings and free my boots. I look down. The tracks of our skis follow the broad ridge that leads up here, to the top of Mount Skala. On the last 150 vertical meters …
2017 · Alberto Sciamplicotti · 5 min
USA · Chilliwack Mountains (North Cascades)
"Go there," I was told. Years after this suggestion I dangled above Depot Falls. With my fate entrusted to a branch, I understood and quickly became mesmerized by the thunderous rumble of glacier …
2017 · Jason Hummel · 5 min
Kirgisistan · Tien-Shan Mountains (Kumtor)
On the roadside of a well-prepared graveled road in the middle of the Tien-Shan mountain range. We can't trust our eyes. In front of us, an arena of imposing steep walls, sharp ice flanks, wide …
2017 · Michael Trojer · 5 min
Norwegen · Troms District (Reinfjord / Lyngen)
I was standing on the ship's deck watching the mountains grow larger from the sea as we approached the shoreline. "Opal," our Icelandic two-mast schooner, was plowing the sea quietly as our crew …
2017 · Antte Lauhamaa · 5 min
Österreich · Karwendel
It was worth the wait. The excitement about the first snowfalls in November has long subsided. It's January 10; today is the deadline. After three hours of tracking through knee-deep pow, we have …
2017 · Anton Brey · 5 min
Norwegen · Senja
We only had a rough plan of where we wanted to go when we headed north in early April. We did not have an itinerary or high expectations; we avoided worrying too much about the trip or any details …
2017 · Anne Wangler · 5 min
Russland · Caucasus Mountains (Sotschi / Krasnaja Poljana)
Cold. Rough. Dangerous. Remote. These and many more are some of the keywords that went through my mind when I thought of a possible trip to Sochi. Exotic. Rare. A real adventure. The 2014 Winter …
2017 · Lucas Swieykowski · 5 min
Grönland · Evighedsfjorden
Skiing in Greenland had long been an exotic dream of mine. With its scenery and fjords filled with majestic peaks, the location is an unspoiled wilderness right on our doorstep. Additionally, every …
2017 · Martin Letzter · 5 min
Österreich / Deutschland · Allgäuer Alpen (Kreuzkarspitze / Lechtal)
End of April; Lechtal; Häselgehr. 4 o'clock in the morning. It's warm outside; so mild that it feels utterly absurd that we want to set out on a ski tour. If it wasn't for this guy. A man who's …
2017 · Tobias Heinle · 5 min
USA · Sierra Nevada (Mt. Williamson)
The Sierra Nevada Mountains in California are home to some of the biggest ski descents in the continental United States. And Mount Whitney, standing the tallest at 4,421 meters, is – without a doubt …
2017 · Christian Pondella · 5 min
Frankreich · Vanoise (Les Avals / Courchevel)
The alarm goes off at 7 am. It's our last day, and it's time to venture out and explore the far end of this vast valley called Les Avals. This project has been on the back of my mind for several …
2017 · Timy Théaux · 5 min
