An airbag will not save you from a bad decision, but for the riders pushing past the resort gates near Koktokay and the Altai backcountry, it changes the math. Here is my honest take.
Poles are an afterthought until the wrong pair ruins a powder day. Here is how I pick length and build for Xinjiang’s mixed terrain.
Snow reflects up to 80% of UV and the air is thin. I learned about altitude sunburn the dumb way. Here is how to protect your skin in Xinjiang.
Wind chill on a Xinjiang chairlift can frost your cheeks in minutes. Here is how I pick balaclavas and face masks that actually work.
A weak or recovering ankle changes how you ski. Here is how I use bracing and boot fit to stay stable on Xinjiang’s hard, long days.
Bright snow, −30°C and dead batteries make ski photography hard. Here is my practical system for shooting Xinjiang’s winter without ruining the day.
A stomp pad is the smallest upgrade with the biggest payoff for flat-ground skating. Here is how I place and choose one for Xinjiang resorts.
Xinjiang’s Altai gets legendary deep snow. Here is how a groomer rider adapts to bottomless powder, from stance to board choice to the first face plant.
Trees, ice and big mountain lines in Altay mean real impact risk. Here is how I choose spine and chest protection for Xinjiang’s terrain.
Most snowboard injuries are wrists. After a fall on an icy Koktokay morning, I became a believer. Here is how to pick and wear wrist guards in Xinjiang.