6 Best Winter Backpacking Magazines For Snow Travel That Pros Rely On

You’re staring at a wall of puffy jackets, trying to decide if 800-fill down is overkill for a weekend trip in the Cascades. A dozen browser tabs are open, each with a different forum thread arguing the merits of canister stoves versus white gas in the cold. In the age of information overload, planning a winter backpacking trip can feel more like academic research than preparation for an adventure.

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The Enduring Value of Expert-Curated Content

In a world saturated with hot takes and affiliate-linked "Top 10" lists, the deliberate, fact-checked content of a quality magazine offers a reliable signal in the noise. These publications are built on editorial standards. The articles are written by seasoned professionals, vetted by experienced editors, and grounded in decades of collective wisdom, not just one person’s opinion on a recent gear purchase.

This curated approach provides something crucial for high-stakes winter travel: context. Instead of just telling you what piece of gear to buy, they explain the why behind the technology, the how of a critical skill, and the where a certain technique is applicable. They build a complete ecosystem of knowledge, from avalanche safety fundamentals to the stories of expeditions that went right—and wrong. This foundation is what transforms a gear owner into a competent winter traveler.

Backpacker: Core Skills & Mainstream Gear Guides

Think of Backpacker as your trusted guide for extending your three-season skills into the fourth. If you’re comfortable on summer trails and ready to tackle your first snowshoe overnight or a weekend trip in moderate winter conditions, this is your starting point. The magazine excels at breaking down core competencies like layering for the cold, managing moisture, and choosing the right shelter for sub-freezing temperatures.

Their annual Gear Guide is a pillar of the outdoor industry for a reason. It focuses on accessible, widely available equipment that you can find at most major retailers. While it may not cover the niche cottage-industry brands, it provides an excellent baseline for understanding the tradeoffs in mainstream winter tents, sleeping bags, and boots. It’s the perfect resource for building a solid, reliable kit without getting lost in the weeds of ultralight specialization.

Alpinist: The Journal of Alpine Inspiration

If Backpacker is the "how-to" manual, Alpinist is the philosophical treatise. This is not where you’ll find a review of five different snow shovels. Instead, you’ll find breathtaking, long-form stories from the world’s most accomplished mountaineers detailing their expeditions in the greater ranges. It is, as its subtitle says, "the journal of alpine inspiration."

For the serious winter backpacker and aspiring mountaineer, the value is immense but indirect. These stories are masterclasses in risk assessment, problem-solving, and mental fortitude. Reading about a team navigating a crevasse field on Denali or managing dwindling supplies in Patagonia imparts lessons on judgment that a simple skills article cannot. It teaches the mindset required to move safely and humbly through big, unforgiving landscapes.

Backcountry Magazine: The Ski Touring Authority

If your winter travel involves sliding downhill on skis or a splitboard, Backcountry Magazine is non-negotiable. It is the definitive voice for the human-powered skiing and snowboarding community. The publication dives deep into the specific needs of those who earn their turns, covering everything from the nuances of binding selection to the art of efficient skinning technique.

Backcountry masterfully blends gear, culture, and safety. One issue might feature a technical breakdown of new avalanche airbag technology, a photo essay on a ski traverse in the Wallowas, and a profile of a legendary mountain guide. Its gear reviews are laser-focused on the unique demands of ski touring, balancing the eternal conflict of uphill weight versus downhill performance. It’s an essential tool for anyone strapping planks to their feet.

The Avalanche Review: Essential Safety Science

This isn’t a glossy magazine you’ll find at the checkout counter. The Avalanche Review is the professional journal of the American Avalanche Association (A3), and it is dense, technical, and absolutely vital for the advanced winter traveler. This is where avalanche forecasters, guides, and educators share the latest research in snow science, rescue techniques, and accident analysis.

Reading it is like looking under the hood of your formal avalanche education. It is not a substitute for an AIARE or A3-approved course, but rather a way to deepen your understanding after you have that foundation. By reading detailed case studies and learning about evolving theories on snowpack stability, you move beyond simply following rules to developing a more intuitive and expert-level understanding of avalanche terrain.

Adventure Journal: Long-Form Expedition Stories

Like Alpinist, Adventure Journal prioritizes storytelling over gear lists, but with a broader lens that encompasses all forms of adventure. Its quarterly print edition is a beautiful, thoughtful publication that champions the soul of outdoor life. The stories within its pages often focus on the human element of grand expeditions, making them profoundly relatable.

For the winter planner, its value lies in logistics and perspective. A feature on a fat-biking expedition across a frozen Alaskan wilderness might not seem relevant to your weekend snowshoe trip, but the insights on food planning, managing group dynamics in the cold, and maintaining motivation are universal. It reminds you that adventures are about more than just gear and mileage; they are about curiosity, resilience, and the experience itself.

Gripped Magazine: Canada’s Cold-Weather Experts

For a perspective forged in truly demanding conditions, look no further than Canada’s Gripped Magazine. While it is primarily a climbing publication, its heavy focus on ice climbing, mixed terrain, and alpinism makes it an outstanding resource for anyone venturing into steep, technical winter environments. Canadian winters are no joke, and the content reflects that reality.

Gripped offers a unique viewpoint, often featuring gear and techniques suited for the specific challenges of ranges like the Canadian Rockies—think deep cold, complex glaciation, and highly variable conditions. You’ll find route reports that provide real-world beta on mountain objectives and gear reviews that don’t shy away from the harsh realities of equipment performance in sub-zero temperatures. It’s an excellent supplement for those pushing their skills in serious mountain terrain.

Integrating These Resources Into Your Trip Planning

The key is to use these publications as a system, not as isolated sources. Start with Backpacker to build your foundational skills and select your core gear. If you’re on skis, make Backcountry your primary resource for sport-specific equipment and safety. Layer in Alpinist and Adventure Journal for inspiration and to study the decision-making processes of experts on major expeditions.

For your safety education, use The Avalanche Review to supplement and deepen the knowledge you gain from a professional, on-the-snow course. Use Gripped to understand the tools and techniques required for more technical, vertical objectives. The goal is not to copy a gear list, but to build a framework for making your own informed decisions.

Ultimately, these magazines are tools to build your judgment. They provide the vetted, expert knowledge that, when combined with your own field experience, creates true competence. Start with a plan, cross-reference what you learn, and then get outside to put it into practice, starting small and building on your successes.

No magazine article can replace the wisdom gained from a cold night out or the feeling of kicking steps up a snowy slope. These resources are designed to shorten the learning curve and help you avoid common mistakes. Use their knowledge to prepare, then go make your own stories.