Backcountry Magazine has always been the best source for the most current, cutting-edge information on snow science, survival skills and travel techniques you need to be safe in the mountains. Now, we've taking it a step further with Mountain Skills Online. In addition to the clear, concise Mountain Skills information and illustrations you'll find in every issue of Backcountry, backcountrymagazine.com now hosts professionally produced video demonstrations of select skills, featuring IFMGA mountain guides Martin Volken and Evan Stevens from Outdoor Research. Check it out online at backcountrymagazine.com and read it in Backcountry Magazine.

In the January, 2011 issue of Backcountry Magazine, the Mountain Skills feature "The Pits: Consistent Snowpit Procedure" illustrates perfect pit protocol. Watch professional IFMGA guide Evan Stevens demonstrate these same techniques at backcountrymagazine.com.