FitSugar

Alpine Touring: Ski the Back Country

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:30:00 PST

Ski touring, is also referred to as ski mountaineering, ski randonnée, and alpine touring (or AT). It's a form of backcountry skiing (off-piste skiing) involving trekking from place to place in the wilderness, that has parallels with hiking, backpacking and Alpine climbing or mountaineering.

You have skis that are similar to regular downhill skis, but the heels can detach, kind of like telemark skiing. So you can actually hike around on your skis, climbing up a mountain, and then you can ski down.

The way it works is you attach skins to your skis, that help you ascend up the hill. They're straps that have little hairs on them, that create traction so you can climb up the slope on your skis and not slip down.

Once you get to the top, you take off the skins, click your heels back into the bindings, and then ski back down the mountain.

Alpine Touring is for the serious outdoors-woman, who wants to enjoy more freedom on her skis. You've got to be tough to AT, but you can go wherever you want.

Fit's Tips: When you're going into the back country, you never want to go alone. If you're new to alpine touring, contact your local outdoors group or club to find out about guided ski tours.

The 10 TV Characters We'd Like to Get Valentines From

BuzzSugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:54:49 PST

Valentine's Day is today, and it doesn't matter if you have your own squeeze or not, because TV has plenty of lovable leading men to go around. Everyone has their small screen crushes, and we have a particular affinity for a few too, whether it's because the character is so sweet, charming, funny, or all of the above. Check out our list to see which TV guys we'd love to spend V-Day with, and why.

Guess the Tweetin' Mama: Valentine's Day Edition!

LilSugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:46:43 PST

Wondering what some of Hollywood's hottest mamas are doing for Valentine's Day? Some of them are willing to dish - in 140 characters or fewer. Test your celebrity mom IQ by guessing who shared each of the following Valentine's Day tweets!

Take the Quiz

Jenna Lyons Dishes on Sequins, Hidden Talents, and J.Crew's Collaboration With Manolo Blahnik!

Allison McNamara — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:44:05 PST

We can't get enough of Jenna Lyons's perfect balance of masculine and feminine. Known for mixing the formal and the informal seamlessly, we found out Jenna's tip to styling sequins for day and how to try out Fall's head-to-toe prints. Plus, creating expertly polished ensembles isn't Jenna's only hidden talent. Want to know more? Watch today's Fab Flash! On Allison McNamara: H&M top.

Dark Tide Trailer: Halle Berry Goes Swimming With Sharks

Shannon Vestal — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:41:25 PST

If you miss Shark Week all year, perk up, because the Dark Tide trailer is here. Halle Berry plays Kate, a shark expert who stopped swimming with the fearsome creatures when her mentor was attacked and killed by a great white. Her fear is enough to keep her out of the ocean until she gets the opportunity to revisit the shark-infested waters on the dime of a danger-seeking businessman, alongside her ex-boyfriend (Olivier Martinez).

Any movie with a great white baring its teeth brings up my lifelong Jaws fear, but the movie feels like a cheesy sequel to Into the Blue or The Deep Blue Sea, only with the inclusion of an Oscar winner. Berry is a great actress, but it doesn't look like she's flexing her acting muscles so much as her ab muscles. To see Berry in her bikini and facing down sharks, just keep reading.

Celebrate Valentine's Day With 100 Hot PDA Pictures!

Katie Henry — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:36:46 PST

It's Valentine's Day, and we're celebrating with a look back at some of the hottest celebrity PDA pictures. From sweet kisses and romantic embraces to vacation cuddling and red-carpet cuteness, there are plenty of ways stars show their love. Click through to see Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson, Rachel McAdams and Michael Sheen, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and so many more couples share their affection. Also, don't forget to check out all of our Valentine's Day coverage across the network for great gift ideas and sweet treats!

Diesel Black Gold Fall 2012

FabSugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:34:07 PST

It was all about baggy cuts and luxe fabrics at Diesel Black Gold's Fall showing today at Pier 57. Designer Sophia Kokosalaki stayed true to the brand's rock 'n' roll aesthetic showing a range of printed denim skinnies, cuffed leather pants, and a lot of leopard. Full review to come but for now, check out the complete runway collection.

Feel the Love Around the World

Tara Sharp — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:30:58 PST

Happy Valentine's Day! It may feel like a modern commercial holiday, but Valentine's Day dates back to the fifth century. Today, St. Valentine's holiday of love and affection is celebrated around the world, with different cultures taking part in their own Valentine's Day traditions. Check out today's pretty red and pink pictures, from Kate Middleton accepting a sweet card from a young admirer to a man in Beijing almost getting carried away by his balloons while riding a bike.

Woo Your Valentine With "Engagement Chicken"

Nancy Einhart — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:30:15 PST

Could a chicken take your relationship to the next level? This legendary recipe for "engagement chicken" has led to hundreds of marriage proposals. Even if you're not looking to get hitched, it makes a perfectly easy and comforting meal to serve on Valentine's Day. Watch our video to learn its storied history and how to make this simple yet seductive recipe.

Natalie Portman and Dakota Fanning Team Up For a Fashion Week Front Row

Lauren Turner — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:17:19 PST

Natalie Portman and Dakota Fanning posed together before taking their front-row seats at Rodarte's NY Fashion Week presentation this afternoon. Also on hand to see Rodarte's 2012 collection were Maria Sharapova and George Lucas. Natalie's back home on the East Coast after a stint in LA, where she attended the SAG Awards and the Golden Globes. Last year, Natalie was a big award season winner for Black Swan, and she's finally lining up her first post-Oscar projects. Apparently, Natalie's involved in two Terrence Malick movies, Knight of the Cups and Lawless, which will film this Summer and Fall.