BACKLINE magazine 2016

Social media, hashtags, Twitter, Instagram; a virtual presentation of reality, defined by reach, marketing, and public relations; a picture of reality oriented towards and altered by a specific image and sales numbers. Likes and shares – the new currency of success in a boundlessly globalized world. And what about the values?

What about friendship, self-determination, and freedom; or harmony and modesty within all this media overkill? The media strongly characterize the image of backcountry freeskiing, charging it with thousands of dreams and values.

Can this media overkill convey the right answers when we search for our personal reason WHY? The reason why it is important for us; why it’s also forming our own values; why we love freezing our butts off somewhere out in the nowhere and hike the most absurd trails to the most peculiar slopes? Why, for good heavens, we love to ski the most adventuresome lines?

Siri is clueless when asked for the reason why we take chances in the mountains, which could have a final impact on our lives. And even this issue of BACKLINE will not answer these questions.

BACKLINE is absolutely old-school print and will definitely give you some exciting, smartphone-free minutes – not only in your bathroom but wherever you decide to deposit your issue close to your favorite spot.

One more thing: We found out that the readers of BACKLINE have done an average of roughly 5.5 tours more than others and have, therefore and with unpredictable certainty, come a lot closer to the answer regarding their personal WHY.

And now: Go outside! You can read our first story when you get back from the mountain! Have a great and safe 2016/17 winter season! A big thank you to all those who have made this issue possible!

Yours,