Kendall Zylstra

I oversaw the creation of a blog page that highlights Backcountry x Fjällräven Content in accordance with our market development funds agreement with Fjällräven. This page is informative and shoppable, plus it houses a collaborate video content as well.

Glaciers, forests, beaches, New Zealand has all the rugged and wild ecosystems we could ever want for testing gear—so we sent two Gearhead® Experts Jill and JM to explore the stunning landscape. Before they took off, we decked them out with Fjällräven down jackets, packs, tents, and pants, er, trousers… Read More

Planned the execution of Backcountry’s content hub, the Backcountry Bulletin. I’m responsible for maintaining this page, reporting on its performance, and contributing to all of the featured content.

Backcountry’s premier content hub, the Backcountry Bulletin, holds their video, blog, and podcast content all in one place for customers to enjoy.

Authored on-screen copy, prepared talking points, authored video description, and acted as on-screen talent for the Cardiac Xpore 3L jacket and pants launch. I also helped oversee this project in accordance with our partnership with Xpore.

View on YouTube

View on our marketing page

Authored on-screen copy for a paid social ad used on Instagram featuring the Backcountry Cottonwoods GORE-TEX jacket and pants.

I author all show notes and episode descriptions for the Backcountry Podcast, as well as many of the post production responsibilities like episode distribution.

The Backcountry Podcast is a collection of conversations with influential members of the outdoor community, including our athletes and ambassadors. We dive deep into widespread topics from guests’ perspectives, ranging from film projects to personal pursuits and outdoor industry news… See More

Authored a written product review highlighting Backcountry’s flagship MTB pant, the Empire Enduro Pant.

Since our Backcountry-branded Slickrock Bike Pants have received so much positive feedback over the years, we decided to make a more rugged version for the hard-chargers. The super durable Empire Enduro Pant is for riders who lean towards downhill and lift-assisted riding. The enduro focused members of our Herd demand a fully featured pant… Read More

Authored a listicle-style blog post highlighting cutting edge ski technology from the latest models.

With world-class skiing right on our doorstep here in Utah, our in-house Gearhead® Experts log thousands of runs testing the latest ski models from all of our best brands. Follow along to see which skis stood out to us the most for the 2024–2025 winter season… Read More

Authored a blog article about the latest activewear trends including wardrobe capsules.

With the sport of running gaining considerable traction as the science behind metabolic health goes mainstream, technical running apparel has become a staple in everyday wear. With buzzwords like athleisure and activewear getting thrown around haphazardly, we break down the concept of a capsule wardrobe… Read More

Product description for the Backcountry Mad Creek Shell

Pursue epic rides, trail runs, or hikes while staying prepared for wind or rain with the Mad Creek Shell built by Backcountry. The DWR coating keeps us dry during spells of weather, while the breathable Pertex Quantum Air fabric enhances airflow to boost performance once the skies clear. This unique material—combined with the fact that the jacket stuffs into one of its zippered pockets for easy storage—makes this shell a staple in our gear closet for singletrack spins or shoulder-season treks.

-Technical shell is suited for trail riding and alpine adventures

-Pertex Quantum Air materials prioritize air permeability and ventilation

-Active fit accommodates under layers and provides enhanced mobility

-Snap-down hood stays in place for clear vision on rugged descents

-Ripstop outer with DWR finish is both windproof and water-resistant

-Silicone-lined backing and adjustable hem keep the garment in place

-Elasticated hood is helmet-compatible for protection from storms

Backcountry Product Description for Santa Cruz Bronson X01 Build

Positioned as an all-mountain rig with an appetite for the gnar, we choose the Bronson Mountain Bike for jump lines and tech trails when we still want the option of spinning lap after lap under our own power. Santa Cruz’s updated lower-link VPP technology lends a seemingly bottomless descending feel that’s paired with an impossibly supportive pedaling platform for a 150mm bike. While it may sound all-too-similar to the Hightower, the 27.5in rear wheel makes the Bronson exceptionally playful—it pins corners, begs to be whipped, and steers clear of our bums on steep descents thanks to its smaller diameter.

Read the full description here

Product Description For Backcountry Slickrock Pant

Whether it’s wet, snowy, or just plain cold, we never miss a ride thanks to the Slickrock Pant. We crafted these trail pants with water-resistant fabrics for weather protection but kept them super lightweight so that we stay comfortable as the morning chill fades into afternoon heat. We’ve updated the fit from the first iteration of Slickrock Pant to provide more room for knee pads, and the zippered vents on the side seams line up perfectly with the thigh pockets on our bib shorts for easier snack access.

See the full description here

Product description for Backcountry 401 Jersey

While the spandex and lycra get-up is appropriate for certain occasions, the 401 Button-Up Jersey is just as comfortable on the trail as it is at the pub, making it ideal for most of our trail rides. We designed it for post-work singletrack jaunts and all-day group rides in the high alpine. The integrated sun protection and quick-drying fabrics make this jersey suitable for upper-elevation mountain ridges and loamy coastal trails alike, and the classic button-up styling lets you stick out a little less when you’re crushing poutine and craft beer after your ride.

-Button-up jersey is suited for anything from shuttle days to gravel rides

-Moisture-wicking fabric treated with odor control for all-day freshness

-Partially recycled construction supplies you with peace of mind

-Underarm gussets let you bend and contour to navigate trail features

-Integrated glasses wipe in the hem ensures your vision is crystal clear

-Reflective details are visible to motorists when you ride until dusk

-Zippered chest and side pockets secure the essential card or snack

-UPF 50 sun protection and high collar protect from harmful UV rays

Product description for the Powderworks RPC 115

Powderworks skis represent a space that allows for cutting-edge creativity, progressive shapes, and experimental R+D efforts. Unrestrained by traditional ski construction, these designs are born from a fleeting moment on a memorable chairlift ride—then slowly brought to life in the R+D lab beginning that very evening. A small batch of Powderworks monikered skis is built every year for core members of skiing’s culture, whose lives revolve around their next epic powder turn.

Our flagship powder ski—the 112 RP—was meticulously designed to masterfully dissect any possible combination of terrain and soft snow conditions that the Rocky Mountain West offers over the course of a winter. But when Utah’s steepest terrain was coming into primetime conditions, we felt that a ski with some more horsepower would better cater to rowdy freeride lines and dual-stage cliff drops. In the early mornings, listening to the avalanche control bombs either from the skintrack or the liftline, we wanted a ski for conditions that demanded our A-game.

As a result, the Powderworks Edition 115 RPC was born to achieve a more powerful, crud-busting tool for resort skiing and slackcountry missions alike. In combination with the extra 3mm of girth at the waist, the ski’s lengthened turn radius encourages the skier to arc longer turns down the fall line at borderline-irresponsible speeds. The tip and tail height is also decreased to provide more ski-to-snow contact in variable snow conditions, making it easier to dump speed and change direction in nearly-vertical terrain.

Additional features unique to this Powderworks model are a more forward recommended mount point and tweaks to the ski’s core. The recommended mount point is made possible by the lengthened radius, and allows playful skiers to mount their bindings in a natural-feeling spot on the ski. The updated core is unique to this model and implements a stiffer core with our cutting-edge carbon laminate under the hood. This helps to achieve a stiff and responsive feel and encourages the skier to take on the challenge of flashing that trophy line from top to bottom without hesitation—even if there’s a not-so-insignificant air out of the exit.

A product description I wrote for Backcountry’s website as well as Competitive Cyclist’s.

Evil bikes took everything that earned the original Following such an esteemed grin-inducing reputation, and in classic Evil fashion—made it even “more better’er.” Rather than making the bike lower or slacker and subtracting from the playfulness Evil is known for, the Seattle outfit decided to make the updated MB version a touch longer to further push the bike’s stability at speed. Additional updates to justify the “more better’er” moniker include a stiffer frame, boost spacing, and integrated chain guide to update the bike for aggressive riding and encourage bad ideas on any and all trails. While Evil's bikes tend to lean toward the gravity spectrum, the Following is one that we wouldn't hesitate to pedal all day long, because it's comfortable and efficient enough to do so without leaving you totally gassed by the time the sun sets. This GX build gets you into the Following at a cost that won’t ruin your big trip coming up, and inspires a go-anywhere confidence from all-day suffer fests to bike park descents. Built with our own custom componentry, we’ve beefed up the bike up for equal capabilities ascending and descending with a 130mm travel Fox Factory Float 34 up front, paired with aggressive wheels and rubber.

Product description for the DPS Skis Powderworks Tour Lotus 124

Powderworks skis represent a space that allows for cutting-edge creativity, progressive shapes, and experimental R+D efforts. Unrestrained by traditional ski construction, these designs are born from a fleeting moment on a memorable chairlift ride—then slowly brought to life in the R+D lab beginning that very evening. A small batch of Powderworks monikered skis are built every year for core members of skiing’s culture whose lives revolve around their next epic powder turn.

Crisp bluebird mornings that follow a blanket of fresh snow have a way of opening up the possibilities of the mountains to a well-seasoned powder hound. Suddenly those far-fetched pillow stacks and spine lines of imagination start to look a lot more like reality with more snow to fill the gaps. It's specifically for these infrequent and extraordinary mornings that we developed the Powderworks Tour Lotus 124 to assist in lacing up these fantastic features.

As a member of our Pagoda Tour family, this iteration of the Lotus shines its brightest in human-powered scenarios. The Pagoda Tour core utilizes aerospace grade foam and three wood species to achieve a featherweight feel that quickly ascends to the farthest reaching zones that often tend to be the most rewarding. The low weight makes it approachable to enjoy as many laps as possible, which will surely be desired thanks to the damp and stable feel the high-performance construction achieves once you get to the fun part of the tour.

The benefits of a wide-waisted ski are immediately evident in properly deep conditions, but what separates a great powder ski from a good one is how it handles when conditions change on a dime. This Lotus shape provides versatility for mixed conditions thanks to its balanced 23m turn radius, allowing for much tighter turns than a 124mm-waisted ski would typically allow. This is especially useful for navigating tight trees at the mouth of the trailhead, or even maneuvering chopped up terrain on the occasional resort day. The even-handed flex pattern is paired with generous tip and tail rocker that supplies unmatched powder-planing performance when leaning into powerful carves in fields of chest-deep snow.

A product description I wrote for a Blizzard powder ski for Backcountry’s website.

When you hear the avalanche bombs while waiting for first chair, you need a ski you can rely on to make every lap count. The Spur uses a unique asymmetrical sidecut and tapered profile that allows the ski to plane edge-to-edge seamlessly in deep snow conditions in a way that symmetrical skis never experience. Angled tips dive into the snow in a lateral motion that makes it easier to keep your weight slightly forward, and flared tails provide an intuitive release point.

The sidecut renders this freeride charger surprisingly nimble, considering its measurements, making it worthy of the occasional lap in the sidecountry. All in all, the ski’s original shape paired with rocker in the tip and tail and a girthy 124mm waist make it a go-to ski for powder laps off the chair on especially deep days. Blizzard’s woodcore blend creates a remarkably stable platform with a full sidewall layer for extra confidence when straight-lining without a significant weight penalty.

-Unique big-mountain charger that performs equally well inbounds or out

-124mm waist is the widest—and baddest—ski in Blizzard's freeride range

-Rocker/flat/rocker profile shines in powder but supplies sufficient edge hold

-Woodcore blend provides dampening properties to reduce chatter

-Long turning radius and beefy sidewalls approach freeride terrain with prowess

-Asymmetrical sidecut and taper allow for various turning shapes and speeds

At Backcountry, I am heavily involved with Stoic, one of our internal brands. Stoic is focused on rugged lifestyle apparel for people who spend their free time outside, whether camping, hiking, or climbing. I have a sample product description from our website here with a corresponding link and image.

If you’re the type to go straight from the crag spot to a night on the town the Performance Woven Button-Down is the perfect versatility option. Classic solid coloring provides a timeless style while a hidden zipper pocket keeps your cards and accessories secure when you’re outside having fun.

-Synthetic button-down tee is perfect for active or casual wear

-Polyester construction is both lightweight and breathable for trail

-Chest pockets secure snacks and necessities so you’re always prepared

-Solid pattern is easy on the eyes for a minimalistic style

Limited by the elements, mountain bikers must wait until the landscape frees the familiar trails from the asperity of winter’s grasp to ride once again. Once the ice and slush melt away and the glorious dirt below is revealed again, a new season begins and bicycles become the most efficient way to see the land. Salt Lake City, quite literally surrounded in trail, is home to the Bonneville Shoreline trail, which holds a rich history of the city’s geographic origin. Follow along for an insight into how the advent of the trail shaped the sport of mountain biking in the city, along with the land itself.

See the full online article also featured in the April print issue

Photos by Competitive Cyclist employee and personal friend Ian McMillan, and Wasatch Mag photographer Kiffer Crevleing

What is there to do at Snowbird besides Oktoberfest around this time of year? Well, if lederhosen and a few pints don’t sound right for you, then maybe the Mid-week enduro series mountain bike race at Snowbird does. Mid-week MTB is a three-stop tour of ‘mini enduro races’, sponsored by Bike Utah and Go Ride shops. If you’re not familiar with the enduro race format, the races typically contain multiple timed downhill stages, and riders bike themselves up to the top of the stages by their allotted start times. The uphills are not timed, but riders must maintain a decent pace between stages to make it to their next start time. Most enduro races contain three or four stages per day and run on consecutive days, but the mini enduro series by Mid-week MTB contains two stages on one day during the work week.

Read the full online article

Skiing has held its place as the centerpiece of the Wasatch mountains for quite some time. Thousands of people come from all over the world to enjoy the slopes each winter, and their visitations play a huge role in supporting Utah’s economy. But there was a time before beautifully manicured slopes, lift access to thousands of skiable acres and a plethora of options for après ski wining and dining. Skiing began as a purely practical mode of transportation for getting around mountain towns, and evolved slowly but surely with new disciplines, technology, and resorts to become the hub of recreation and fun that it is today. Follow along to explore the origins of skiing in the Wasatch mountains, in a far more rugged and unpredictable time through images of Mark Miller’s antique ski collection.

Read the full online article, also featured in the February print edition

Photos by Wasatch Mag photographer Kiffer Creveling

Most people know that there is great mountain biking near Salt Lake City, but few know about the incredible riding spots wedged into the city itself. Just about every Salt Lake mountain bike enthusiast has heard of the Bobsled bike trail up the Bonneville Shoreline, but not many make the trip to its mysterious, neighboring cousin: the “I Street bike park”. “I Street” is a place you hear about and become immediately curious, although most people who know where it is will offer ominous warnings like “Don’t case the big jumps”, “Go at a time when it’s not busy”, or “It’s a ‘no dig no ride scene’,” before sharing the location.

Read the full online article

Photos by Wasatch Mag photographer Kelly Loutz

Mount Superior is a well known peak in Little Cottonwood canyon that tops out just above 11,000 feet in elevation, and towers above the canyon road with a vertical gain of 3,000 feet. Superior is mostly known as a burly winter ski descent with a formidable effort required for summiting, but is also becoming a popular trail run for hardcore mountain athletes who are not afraid to do some rock scrambling. I was fortunate enough to summit and ski Superior this winter with two other skiers who had never summited before, and was more or less converted into an aspiring alpinist in one February morning.

Read the online article

Photos by Backcountry employee and personal friend Kevin Roohan

Winters here in Utah have an unforgiving nature that leaves many of Utah’s inhabitants yearning for the warmer months to come sooner. Going to work or class in the morning, when it’s dark, and then returning home after the sun has gone down can make it hard to live a balanced life. Fortunately, Utah is home to a handful of natural hot springs that provide a unique opportunity for leisure, both for winter enthusiasts and those who usually prefer to stay inside until the snow melts. Hot springs take many forms, some are completely natural while others are private businesses intended for family outings, featuring an array of amenities.

Read the full online article, featured in the October print edition

Photos from Wasatch Mag photographer Kelly Loutz

Like many skiers in Utah, I spent the end of more than one ski day this January sitting in the lodge, wondering when the canyon road would be safe to open after being hammered by 30 plus inches of incredible snow. It’s a give and take kind of feeling, being forced into submission by the weather right after a ski day that rivals all ski days. The weather shows how human ingenuity and craftsmanship can only get us so far when we’re up against the natural forces of mother nature. However, the danger of avalanches spreads far beyond the inconvenience of canyon closures here in the ski city.

Read the full online article

First two shots from Ian McMillan (Competitive Cyclist Bike Specialist) featuring myself. Remaining from Kelly Loutz (Wasatch Mag Photographer).