Outdoor Activities

Whether you're on your way to paddle a raging river or a placid lake, you must first find a way to get your boat to the water, but what's the best way to transport a kayak?

By Melissa Sandoval

Whether you're a beginner skier or a seasoned trick skier, which ski you choose will affect your performance. What should you know about skis before you make a purchase?

By Patrick J. Kiger

If you live far from the ocean but enjoy catching waves and hanging ten, then wakesurfing, or surfing behind a boat, may be the sport for you. But can a boat really mimic the ocean's waves?

By Jacob Silverman

If the idea of propelling yourself through quiet, snowy wilderness appeals to you, then you may want to try cross-country skiing. But what makes cross-country skiing different from alpine or downhill skiing?

By Tom Scheve

Craving a rush of adrenaline? Flying down a near-vertical slope at highway speeds just might do the trick. Extreme skiing isn't for the faint of heart.

By Tom Scheve

When winter comes around, many sailors have to retire their hobby for the winter -- but not those who sail on ice. What is it about ice sailing that has kept this centuries-old sport popular around the world?

By William Harris

These days, skiers usually hit the slopes at ski resorts -- ski areas that also provide lodgings. How do ski resorts grade their slopes, maintain conditions and reduce their effect on the environment?

By Jessika Toothman

There are all kinds of snowboards to suit all different types of snowboarders. But there's a lot to consider when you choose one for yourself -- you need other gear that matches your new ride, too.

By Jonathan Strickland

Whether you're interested in slaloming down the slopes faster than Alberto Tomba or landing a sweet 180 at the terrain park, you need the right set of skis. What's yours?

By Jacob Silverman

One dreary workday, you steal a glance at the snowfall rates at your favorite ski spots. When you discover that good skiing is to be had, you hatch a plan to call in sick and catch a cheap flight out of town. But what do you need to bring with you?

By Molly Edmonds

Snowshoes can get you to places that would otherwise be impassable due to snow. But that's not all they're good for -- if you're just looking for a winter recreational activity that's not too expensive and doesn't require a lot of specialized skill to do, you just might want to pick up a pair.

By Molly Edmonds

The Appalachian Trail is one of the best-known footpaths in the United States. Protecting that long, gorgeous hike inspired an organization that's working to get you walking.

By Meredith Bower

If you're a competitive rock climber who wants to get to the next level, a USA Climbing membership could be your first step toward a national ranking. What other benefits are there to joining this organization?

By Rebecca Regan

The International Mountain Biking Association isn't just a social club; it helps to protect the interests of its members, too. How does this group advocate for mountain bikers everywhere?

By Gina Fisher

There's something distinctly American about the rugged individualism associated with off-roading. However, the sport threatens the health of many natural habitats. Tread Lightly! teaches its members to enjoy nature ethically.

By Dave Roos

This outdoor endurance event challenges you to lug a tree stump up hills, rescue a bag of Legos from the bottom of a pond and recite from memory a list of U.S. presidents. That is, if you don't die first.

By Patrick J. Kiger

It's hard enough to swim down and touch the drain in the deep end of the pool. Can you imagine diving 700 feet into the ocean's depths without oxygen? How do these people do it?

By Patrick J. Kiger

One of these submarines is shaped like a dolphin and can actually leap out of the water -- just like Flipper. The others dive deep, giving average (but very wealthy) people an incredible view of the sea.

By Charles W. Bryant

Naturally, Everest and K2 have a place on our list, but you don’t have to be near-superhuman to make your way up some of the world’s most incredible mountains.

By Sarah Winkler & John Perritano

This hybrid of kiting, wakeboarding and windsurfing is gaining popularity. How do kitesurfers harness the wind to soar from wave to wave on our world's oceans?

By Sarah Winkler

It's crazy the way a GPS receiver knows where you are, even when you don't. How can you get this godlike little gadget to lead you to your destination?

By Amy Hunter

Nothing is more irksome on an otherwise pleasant summer evening than mosquitoes nipping at your legs. What five ways can you keep these pesky insects at bay?

By Sarah Winkler

It may be the closest thing to real flying. With a parachute as your wing, the wind lifts you thousands of feet into the sky. But wait. How do you get back down?

By Debra Ronca

Once you get up on those skis, it's an exhilarating feeling to glide across the water. But it's not easy to pull yourself up into skiing position. What's the trick?

By Sarah Winkler

Sheep wear the stuff all the time, and they seem to keep pretty cozy and dry. What is it about wool that keeps you dry in the rain, cool in the heat and warm in the cold?

By Charles W. Bryant