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| Opening Day at Lake Louise |
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| Fergus and friends hiking the ridge at the back of Lake Louise last Saturday |
News Alert! - Just wanted to mention my first newspaper publication of this 2016-17 ski season was in Canada's Globe and Mail last week. You can read my article on the Euro bonuses of Vail Resorts' Epic Pass here: http://www.
Sizzling Ski Wear
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| Bombshell Special Edition Jacket by Obermeyer |
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New Oros Orion Series for men and women: NASA-inspired performance apparel
Skeggings: Slinkiest Ski Pants of the Season!
The Bond range by Obermeyer has form-fitting, 'Skeggings' (Ski-Leggings) this season, in black, white or crimson. They are shaped like flares, narrower at the knee and wider at the reinforced hem to encompass ski or snowboard boots. The knees are pre-curved to mimic the skier stance. With proper sizing (4,6,8,10 etc), the fit is more specific than the more typical small, medium, large. And there's an elastic waist panel to enhance the fit for different body types. These could definitely take you into the après ski scene! And, as well as downhill skiing, they would work perfectly for cross country skiing, ice-skating, winter hiking or fat biking.
Bond Bombshell
The Bombshell Special Edition Jacket is the perfect pairing for the Bond pants. Think Functionality and Flattering. The designer's mandate was to combine fit perfection with glamour as well as outdoor utility. After hours of gradually improving multiple proptotypes, the technical and luxurious textiles morphed into this fur-trimmed (faux and removable), thermally-insulated, cunningly contoured coat.
Nordic Sweater
With a nod to Nordic style, wintery whimsy, and a Christmassy appeal, this slimline sweater brings all the elements of skiing and mountain living together. The Cabin Knit Sweater conjures up cosy cabin life, with après ski drinks around a roaring fire. Made from 50% merino wool, it comes in five colours and sizes XS through 2X.
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All my readers have a special offer for 20 % off with Volt through Christmas. Just go to the site and put the coupon code onetwoski in the box at checkout to get your discount.
A cozy neck and face is a must both for skiing and for wandering around ski towns afterwards. So Volt has come up with an ultra soft 5V Volt HeatedScarf. With its Zero Layer Heat System, it can keep warm for 7 hours on low and almost 3 hours on high. The heat panel is in the centre of the scarf so you can put that at the base of your neck. For $69.95 (minus your special 20 % discount) you get the scarf, rechargeable battery and USB charging cable. If it's as good as my Volt heated vest and Volt's amazing heated gloves, you're going to love it!
Love down but crave more dynamic range of movement? Check out the Stretch Puffy from SYNC Performance from Vail, CO, designed for mountain athletes. Comes in black, too. Made from 360 Degree Interlock stretch fabric throughout the jacket, it is lined with PrimaLoft® down for optimal warmth. Available for men and women, it is also waterproof and free of fluorocarbons. SYNC Performance was born in the mountains and rooted in the demanding world of alpine ski racing. So they really know about skiing hard in all weathers - and the need to be able to swivel and bend during a typical multi-tasking ski day.
Heated Insoles for Ski and Après Ski Boots
Do you suffer horribly with frozen feet on the slopes or around a ski town? Get toasty toes with the new ProFLEX Heavy Duty Heated Insoles from ThermaCELL which have Bluetooth control. A simple phone app is able to control the heat sent to feet to keep them warm whether outdoors, indoors in the lodge or après ski bar. Various settings keep the heat constant during the weather fluctuations of the day. The batteries last up to 8.5 hours per charge and they have been upgraded this year to achieve an 80 % recharge in two hours. ThermaCELL also makes rechargeable heated hand warmers and pocket warmers.
Treeline Trends
Treeline is a decisive point that separates two types of terrain: dense trees below with tight lines and open snow above with big turns ready for the taking. One of the largest of Native’s cylindrical lens offerings, Treeline goggles were designed to perform in both environments with ease. A large field-of-view provides the clarity needed to make quick decisions while its snug and comfortable fit will make you forget you’re wearing them. Additionally, the Treeline fits over most prescription glasses, providing the features necessary for long-lasting comfort and fog diffusion of both lenses. Plus a lifetime warranty!
Oros Outfit
Smart Slippers
Changing the way people protect themselves from the elements, the Orion Series has you covered top to toe. Using Oros' SolarCore Aerogel technology, the jacket is warm but thin. The snow pants have equal flexibility, warmth and comfort. Durability and dexterity were the main concerns in developing their gloves and the beanies are soft but hardy. Oros, the Greek word for mountain, developed their technology from space suit insulation to make outerwear less cumbersome, more flexible and warm.
Made by Volt, Smart Slippers are the ultimate in après ski bliss! A built-in smart thermostat control automatically adjusts heat output so when the slippers reach max temperature they will automatically shut off, allowing for maximum battery efficiency and helping to eliminate overheating. The system will then monitor the temperature of the inside environment of the faux-fur lined slipper and automatically turn back on when necessary. A non-slip sole enables use outdoors too! They also sell a heated indoor/outdoor bootie and heated socks. Remember to use your 20% discount.
Smartwool Separates
As well as being ski sock experts, Smartwool make a wide range of trendy ski layers for men, women, kids and babies.
Pictured is the NTS Mid 250 Pattern Crew form-fitting, interlock knit with set-in sleeves. A classic, popular style made with 100% merino wool available for men and women. Comfortable and warm enough for skiing, but colourful and smart enough for après ski too! Loads of colours to choose from and matching leggings for the long, lean look (made with chafe-free waistband and seams).
Check out Smartwool's accessory line, too, for beanies (some with pompoms), scarves, headbands, gloves etc all in their signature merino wool. Lovely patterns and bright colours!
As well as being ski sock experts, Smartwool make a wide range of trendy ski layers for men, women, kids and babies.
Pictured is the NTS Mid 250 Pattern Crew form-fitting, interlock knit with set-in sleeves. A classic, popular style made with 100% merino wool available for men and women. Comfortable and warm enough for skiing, but colourful and smart enough for après ski too! Loads of colours to choose from and matching leggings for the long, lean look (made with chafe-free waistband and seams).
Check out Smartwool's accessory line, too, for beanies (some with pompoms), scarves, headbands, gloves etc all in their signature merino wool. Lovely patterns and bright colours!
Transpack has some nifty, innovative products out this year. First there's the Goggle Grip which helps keep your goggles in place on your helmet, helping you avoiding that embarrassing ping as they fly up over your head and hang down your back! A Goggle Shield and also protective Cover mean you can store them unscathed and unscratched in your bag or pocket. And Transpack has also introduced the long-awaited SkiBat ski and pole carrier - $19.95. I used to bodge this using my ski pole loops but this is a much surer way of carrying them successfully back to the car or bar - and no more skis falling off aching shoulders!
RELODE X goggles from Gordini – come with interchangeable magnetic lens. Priced at $150, there are two lenses with each pair, facilitating adaptability to changing weather and ensuring clear vision throughout the day. Gone are the days when you need to take an extra pair of goggles heli-skiing (like I did when I first went with CMH many years ago).
Fed up with freezing boots in the morning after a car ride to the hill and then wet boots, damp inners and the resulting dirty boot bags later on during the journey home? Transpack's HEATED BOOT™ PRO solves all these issues as well as warming up gloves, hats, socks and any accessories you store in the many pockets. There's even an exterior helmet pocket making things much easier to transport to the lodge from far-flung car parks. This is also a good sized bag to use on airlines as part of your ski and bootbag luggage allowance.
