Jan 06, 2009 · 01:11 PM · permalink
“In a bizarre incident…a skier at Colorado’s ritzy Vail resort was left dangling upside down and pantsless from a chairlift last Thursday morning.” Via the Smoking Gun
Jan 05, 2009 · 01:33 AM · permalink
I'm down to the last two shells I've tested and this one is my second favorite: the North Face Free Thinker II Jacket.
I expect the North Face haters out there are groaning now, but I've never gotten TNF hate. The North Face makes a range of products at a range of price points. The quality throughout the range is largely price-appropriate and aimed at different consumers--when you have ready access to 100+ days of skiing every years, it's easy to forget that not everyone finds utility in top-of-the-line gear. So, at the low end, TNF makes some run-of-the-mill gear and, at the upper end, it makes some great gear. The Free Thinker II Jacket is certainly latter.
Dec 19, 2008 · 06:34 PM · permalink
The holiday is coming fast. Most of these items can still be ordered online with minimal hassle and still arrive in time for the big day. Act fast, though.
| Who? | What? | How Much? |
|---|---|---|
| Anyone with a soul |  Vintage ski poster: Vintage Ski Posters: 2009 Wall Calendar If there’s a person who doesn’t like the clever, inventive illustrations found on vintage ski posters, give them a lump of coal. This calendar will keep them happy all-year-long. |
$11 |
| All | Ski storage: PowerGrip Universal Rack Not having a nice home for your stick sucks, but lots of people just don’t go to the trouble. The PowerGrip Universal Rack will hold skis or a snowboard and is easy to mount. |
$13 |
| Performance Junkie | Ice Scraper: IceDozer Plus Ergonomic Ice Scraper Cleaning snow and ice of a car sucks. The IceDozer makes it go faster. Less scraping = less suckage. |
$20 |
| Skiers | Ski socks:Everyone likes warm, well-padded feet, but too many skrimp on their socks. SmartWools wool socks keep away bad smells, feel great, and are easy to care for. Yes, there is a difference between ski and snowboard socks, and make sure you include a receipt—some people like think socks, some like thin ones. | $22 |
| Snowboarders | Snowboard socks: Socks are one place where baggy isn’t cool and fashion is optional. Hook your favorite snowboarder up but make sure you buy snowboard socks (there’s a difference) and include a gift receipt—some people like thin, some like thick, so exchanges might be neccessary. | $22 |
| Foodie | Gourmet Hot Chocolate: Ghirardelli Premium Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa 20ct Swiss Miss is fine, but it can’t compare to a hot cup of good cocoa. |
$33 |
| All | Ski Movies: Journey Through the Decades (Journey/Endless Winter/Steep & Deep/Ski A La Carte) No snowsports nut can resist Warren Miller—especially his older works. This four-disk retrospective gives powder junkies a taste of snow sports (and Miller’s drole commentary) through the ages. |
$54 |
| Loved Ones | Snow Chains: Security Chain Super Z6, SZ143, Cable Chain for Passenger Cars, Pickups & SUVs Something everyone should have in their car if they plan to drive in snowy regions, chains have evolded well beyond the ridiculous heavy metal of yesteryear. Try out some light-weight snow cables which are easier to install and perform better. |
$70 |
| All | Lift tickets: Everyone needs to expand their horizons. Buy your favorite skier or snowboarder tickets or a package to resorts they don’t get to that often. Make sure it’s somewhere they can get to, though. For instance, Vail skiers might enjoy Intrawest Colorado’s Sampler for $99. | $75 and up |
| Performance junkies | Sweaters: Normally, sweaters are a dreaded holiday gift, but here’s a secret: a good sweater can make a big difference performance and comfort. A good one will last for years, wick away moisture, and provide breathability and warmth during heavy activity. | $130 |
| Complainers | Heated Foot Beds: Hotronic Footwarmer M4 Power Plus w/Heat Ready Insole If, like me, you a) care enough about someone that you want them to be comfy but b) get tired of hearing about their chilly feet, maybe you should c) pony up for some high tech comfort. |
$179 |
| Fashion-skista |  Long down coat: Patagonia Women’s Down With It ParkaThe long down coat is tricky: the warmth is awesome, but you don’t want to end up looking like an extra from Fargo. Patagonia’s Down With It Parka is not only form fitting, but the quilting is cleverly designed to emphasize her feminine shape. |
$250 |
| Narcissist | Action Cam: VholdR Wearable Camcorder (Black) Everyone wants to be reminded how awesome they are. But for the blowhard in your life, an action cam may have the unintended benefit of showing them how awesome they aren’t. |
$299.00 |
| Loved Ones |  Snow Tires: Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3DFor the person who drives in snow regularly, nothing beats snow tires. Even on an Audi, Subaru, or other all-wheel-drive vehicle, snow tires make a huge difference—especially when it comes to stopping. This is one of those times when a wrapped tire under the tree won’t say “I’m sorry you need something so utilitarian.” |
$400/set |
Dec 19, 2008 · 04:31 PM · permalink
Of the shells I’ve tried out so far, the Mountain Hardware Ascent MCZ is easily in my top three. I love its simple, thoughtful design, its comfort, and its extensive array of skier-specific features.
The Ascent MCZ is made of lightweight Descent DT Hybrib fabric and uses the Conduit DT Hybrid breathable/waterproof membrane system. The jacket itself is very lightweight (735 gm) and supple making it very comfortable by itself or with multiple layers underneath. The Ascent MCZ has a standard array of ski shell features:
Dec 18, 2008 · 11:14 PM · permalink
Intrawest Colorado is serving up something they’re calling a Pow Pow Platter. It’s a pass good for one day of skiing at each of their three Colorado resorts: Copper Mountain, Steamboat, and Winter Park. At $99, it’s a sweet deal. The purchase deadline is January 31, 2009, you must complete your purchase 48 hours before you want to ski, and there are no blackout dates.
Dec 13, 2008 · 12:05 AM · permalink
Ski Utah and Backcountry.com have teamed up with the Utah Avalanche Center to offer lift tickets from 8 of the 13 Utah resorts.
Snowbasin and Canyons are sold out, but here's what's left:
Act fast--limited quantities.
Dec 10, 2008 · 02:37 PM · permalink
I keep hearing about the great deals skiers are going to start seeing, but where are they? We’re booking a ten day trip in Southern Colorado for early next year, and I’m not blown away by bargains…
Apparently, though, Vail is getting hit, and is reacting. Today we read:
Are you finding deals? If so, where?
Dec 09, 2008 · 05:46 PM · permalink
What’s upsetting to me about the controversy surrounding Burton’s line of “Love” snowboards is not the objectification of women. No, it’s that Burton is trying to pass this calculated marketing ploy off as nonconformity. Here it is in a nutshell:
Photo: Burton Love Series, originally uploaded by MRSA..
Dec 09, 2008 · 04:16 PM · permalink
$40 Lift Tickets for Pass Holders from Other Resorts
Heavenly will honor season passes from other resorts by allowing pass holders from any other resort to purchase a Heavenly lift ticket for only $40 this Wednesday, December 10 through Friday, December 12.
Dec 09, 2008 · 02:37 PM · permalink
According to Wikipedia, Norway is only 39th in terms of annual suicides, well behind Switzerland, Sweden, and Germany. Maybe Norwegians are just luckier than other Nordic peoples.
In this video, filmed last March, Norwegian free skier Fred Syversen misses his line and then survives a 107 meter (351 foot) cliff drop.
Watch the full video on NRK Nett-TV.
Via Doglotion.
