With Trump’s blessing, cell towers are infiltrating protected public lands across the West.
Magazine
- Digital Editions are available for our paid subscribers. Please login here.
- If you wish to subscribe, click here.
March 4, 2020
This special issue is dedicated to winter recreation and asks who — and what —belongs in the backcountry. Our feature story investigates how telecom giants are pushing to build infrastructure on protected public lands. An essay considers the tension between the digitized West and exclusivity. From Colorado, we report on the effects that ski wax has on the environment. In Wyoming, a ski mountaineer changes the way she skis to protect wildlife. We report on the ongoing fight between snowmobilers, conservationists and wolverines in Idaho. In New Mexico, we share a photo essay on the last of the shovel racers. We also take a look at the ethics of shed hunting and review the 15th annual Backcountry Film Festival.
Feature
Reportage
Premium wax is affecting alpine food webs.
A world-renowned athlete stopped skiing in sensitive areas. Can she convince others to do the same?
As snowmobilers fight to preserve their pastime, scientists worry about the future of the species.
Scientists race to quantify winter recreation’s impact on Canada lynx, but technology outpaces them.
Editor's Note
In this increasingly digitized West, who is shut out?
Essays
People were excluded from the wild, historically, and in today’s rapidly digitizing West.
I long felt shut out of the season. Snowshoeing changed that.
As the West warms, hunting for snow becomes part of the adventure.
Photo Essay
After four decades, a ski resort drops a beloved tradition.
Perspective
A Utah conservationist weighs the hobby’s popularity with its moral stakes.
Review
The 15th annual film series unevenly grapples with the paradox of the winter rec industry.
Heard Around the West
Mishaps and mayhem from around the region.
Dear Friends
High Country News gets a new trail guide.
Editors take time to help student journalists understand the craft, and a photo editor joins the staff.
Featured stories
-
FOR SALE Yellowstone Llamas Successful Yellowstone NP concession Flexible packages
-
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING 
Grand Staircase Escalante Partners is seeking a full-time Director of Development & Marketing. This is a senior position responsible for the development of all marketing...
-
LEGAL DIRECTOR The Legal Director will work closely with the Executive Director in cultivating a renewed vision at NMELC that integrates diversity, equity, and justice. Black, Indigenous,...
-
VICE PRESIDENT, LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION The Vice President for Landscape Conservation leads Defenders' work to promote landscape-scale wildlife conservation, focusing on four program areas: federal public lands management; private lands...
-
NOVA SCOTIA OCEAN FRONT Camp or Build on 2+ acres in Guysborough. FSBO. $36,000 US firm. Laurie's phone: 585-226-2993 EST.
-
COMMUNITY FORESTER The Clearwater Resource Council located in Seeley Lake, Montana is seeking a full-time community forester with experience in both fuels mitigation and landscape restoration. Resumes...
-
GUNNISON BASIN ROUNDTABLE
The Gunnison Basin Roundtable is currently accepting letters of interest for ten elected seats. Five of the elected members must have relevant experience in the...
-
PCTA TRAIL CREW TECHNICAL ADVISORS IN WASHINGTON'S NORTH CASCADES
Seasonal Positions: June 17th to September 16th (14 weeks) - 3 positions to be filled The mission of the Pacific Crest Trail Association is to...
-
WE'RE LOOKING FOR LEADERS! As we celebrate 50 years of great Western journalism, High Country News is looking for a few new board members to help set a course...
-
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Job Announcement Job Title: Membership Director Supervisor: Executive Director Salary: Up to $65,000/year DOE Benefits: Generous benefits package — health insurance, Simple IRA and unlimited...
-
UTAH PUBLIC LANDS MANAGER Who we are: Since 1985, the Grand Canyon Trust has been a leading voice in regional conservation on the Colorado Plateau. From protecting the Grand...
-
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Executive Director Walker Basin Conservancy Reno & Yerington, NV Background The Walker Basin Conservancy (Conservancy) leads the effort to restore and maintain Walker Lake while...
-
WIND RIVER WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS RETREAT BY THE NATIONAL BIGHORN SHEEP CENTER Enhance your writing or photography skills with world-class instructors in the beautiful Wind River Mountains. All skill levels welcome. Continuing education credits available.
-
EARTH CRUISER FX FOR SALE
Overland Vehicle for travel on or off road. Fully self contained. Less than 41,000 miles. Recently fully serviced Located in Redmond, OR $215'000.
-
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOPHYSICS identifies suspect buried trash, tanks, drums &/or utilities and conducts custom-designed subsurface investigations that support post-damage litigation.
-
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR They [Northern Plains] confound the common view that ordinary people are powerless in the face of industry. - Billings Gazette editorial The venerable Northern Plains...
-
SMALL FARM AT BASE OF MOUNT SHASTA, CALIF. Certified organic fruit/berry/veggie/flower farm. Small home, 2 barns (one has an apartment), and more. Approx. two acres just in the City limits. Famously pure air...
-
TAOS HORNO ADVENTURES A Multicultural Culinary Memoir Informed by History and Horticulture. Richard and Annette Rubin. At nighthawkpress.com/titles and Amazon.
-
LAND & CABIN ON CO/ UT LINE 18 ac w/small solar ready cabin. Off grid, no well. Great RV location. Surrounded by state wildlife area and nat'l parks.
-
CANYONLANDS FIELD INSTITUTE Field seminars for adults in natural and human history of the Colorado Plateau with lodge, river trip and base camp options. Small groups, guest experts.
