Exploring great backcountry terrain often goes hand in hand with the threat of avalanches, but with careful route planning and rational terrain management, dangerous slides can largely be avoided. Before you head into the backcountry, brush up on how to use the best maps to identify avalanche terrain and plan the safest routes.

Winter hiking can be magical — or miserable. That difference can largely come down to one simple decision. Bring the wrong layers and you may end up too cold or too sweaty, both of which can lead to exposure-related conditions like frostbite and hypothermia. Read on to learn the art of layering.

Professional rock climber Matt Segal knew that sport would never be enough for him. Plus, he was fed up with drinking bad coffee on climbing expeditions. So Segal founded Alpine Start, an artisan instant coffee company, while continuing to raise the bar in climbing. Tune in to the Out and Back podcast to learn how Segal balances his indoor and outdoor careers, and how a near-death paragliding accident inspired him to take his company to the next level.

We’re excited to announce a partnership with Trails Offroad, bringing thousands of off-road routes directly to your Gaia GPS account. A premier source for overlanding routes in the U.S., Trails Offroad compiles detailed reports from hundreds of experienced off-road experts and outdoor lovers who have navigated each route. Search Trails Offroad’s database of over 2,400 trails to find your next adventure and take it with you offline in the Gaia GPS App.

Sonya and Necota Staples got so caught up in the business of living that they drifted apart. With their marriage teetering on the breaking point, they tried something new. They went camping together. That one trip changed the trajectory of their lives. Tune into this special Valentine’s Day episode of the Out and Back podcast to learn how camping, overlanding, and connecting with nature allowed the Staples to connect with each other.

Winter hiking offers the ability to test out new skills, push your physical limits, and experience the beauty of a snowy landscape. But the same things that make winter hiking wonderful, can also make it more dangerous. Read our winter hiking safety guide to learn about winter hazards and how to pack for a snow-bound excursion.

When you think of the Himalayas, images of Everest and K2 probably come to mind. But scaling those formidable peaks only scratches the surface of what the region has to offer. Ski mountaineer Luke Smithwick has made it his goal to ski 500 beautiful and iconic backcountry lines in the world’s highest and most expansive mountain range. Tune in to the Out and Back podcast to learn why Smithwick thinks Himalayan backcountry skiing is worth a trip halfway around the world.

No more trial-and-error in driving up to the trailhead to find the deepest and lightest powder. The new Snow Stations (Daily) map gives you up-to-date, 24-hour reports on snow conditions in remote areas around the western US and British Columbia. Check out the new map to get a look at real-time conditions on peaks and passes in your favorite backcountry zones.

Overlanding upgrades often include expensive add-ons like lockers, a winch, or a new suspension. But there is a simple upgrade that will improve your vehicle’s traction, and it doesn’t have to cost a penny. Try airing down your tires. In this article, you’ll learn how to gauge tire pressure, the different methods for airing down, tools to make it easy, and how to air back up when you hit the pavement.

See how your hometown has changed, search for undiscovered historic sites, or turn any hike into a walk through history with two historic topo maps. Historic Topo 1900 and Historic Topo 1930 bring digitized archival maps from 1885-1930 to your Gaia GPS account. Enjoy more coverage of the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, as well as higher image quality, thanks to fresh updates to these layers.

Now you can get official, up-to-date avalanche forecasts directly from the map on your phone. Simply pair the Avalanche Forecast layer with your favorite map to get the color-coded North American Avalanche Danger scale for your region. Whether you’re skiing couloirs or snowmobiling the back bowls, add this must-have feature to your avalanche safety toolkit. Read more about the Avalanche Forecast layer.

Big Mountain skier Sophia Schwartz teams up the Sean McCoy, the editorial director of GearJunkie, to highlight their favorite backcountry ski gear this year. Tune in to learn more about avalanche airbags, beacons, climbing skins, and more.