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Buying your first pair of snowshoes can be confusing. They can look pretty similar at first, but differences in size, traction, bindings, and flotation can make one pair much better for you than another. I’ve spent years exploring national parks and backcountry environments, including winter conditions, and I know how much the right gear can …
Choosing the best microspikes for hiking can be surprisingly confusing. There are plenty of options that look almost identical, but traction, fit, durability, and how easy they are to get on and off can make a huge difference when you’re actually hiking on snow and ice. I’ve personally tested multiple pairs of microspikes on different …
Snow-covered trails, crisp air, and fewer crowds can make winter hiking incredible. But if you’re used to hiking in warmer weather, heading out in snow and ice requires some different gear. I’ve learned from hiking in cold, snowy, and icy conditions that the right equipment can make the difference between enjoying the trail and spending …
Think national parks are only for summer? Think again. Winter can be one of the best times to visit, whether you’re looking for snow-covered landscapes and quiet trails or sunshine and warmer temperatures without the peak-season crowds. I’ve spent decades traveling throughout the U.S. and have visited most of the country’s national parks, so I’ve …
Dreaming of snow-covered mountains, crisp alpine air, and moose wandering through frosted meadows? Grand Teton National Park in winter is a completely different experience from the busy summer season — and that’s exactly why I love it. Winter in the Tetons is quieter, wilder, and incredibly beautiful. You can snowshoe, cross-country ski, photograph wildlife, or …
Think hiking season ends when the snow starts to fall? Think again. Some of the best hikes in U.S. National Parks are even more spectacular in winter. From snow-covered trails and frozen waterfalls to desert hikes that are far more comfortable without the summer heat, winter opens up a completely different side of the parks. …
Think winter hiking means bundling up, trudging through snow, and freezing on the trail? It doesn’t have to. Some U.S. national parks are actually at their best for hiking in winter, when scorching summer temperatures give way to sunny days and much more comfortable conditions. If you’d rather trade snowshoes for hiking shoes and snowflakes …
Planning a winter trip to Grand Teton National Park and wondering what’s actually worth doing? Winter here is a completely different experience from the busy summer season. Snow-covered peaks glow pink at sunrise, bison and elk move across frozen meadows, and normally crowded spots can feel almost completely still. If you’re visiting Grand Teton in …
Planning your first winter trip to Rocky Mountain National Park and wondering what you can actually do once the trails, lakes, and mountains are covered in snow? Winter transforms the park. Instead of the busy summer experience, you’ll find snow-covered peaks, frozen lakes, quieter trails, and plenty of ways to get outside — whether you …
Think Arizona is all scorching desert heat? Winter tells a very different story. When the temperatures drop, some of the best winter hikes in Arizona are finally at their prime. You can hike among snow-dusted pines and mountain views in the north, or head south for crisp mornings, sunny afternoons, and desert trails that are …