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| ELAN Skis, made in Slovenia - She is wearing All-Mountain Interra and he is skiing on Amphibio 84 XTi |
For those of us with skiers and snowboarders in the family or friendship circles, though, there is one advantage - there are plenty of ski and snowboard themed ideas to make the gift more appropriate.
With gifting gravitating towards experiences rather than material mementoes, what could be better than the experience of wintersports? There are great packages available at all resorts for January which is also Learn to Ski & Snowboard month. Another practical present is a ski pass - perhaps the flexible Mountain Collective Pass which gives two days free skiing in 17 radical resorts or go all out with the Epic Pass which bestows an entire season's skiing with dozens of choices of ski areas. If you missed the deadlines for these, keep it in mind for next season.
Below are some other inspirational ideas to get you going. Pair with a skiing Santa Christmas card like the one above, and recycled skiing Christmas wrapping paper at the bottom, and you'll have a wonderful wintersports' winner!
Spirograph, one of my fave gifts as a kid, is still around and now you can make wonderful snowflake pictures to decorate your own handmade Christmas cards or thank you letters. Counteract the digital doldrums with this fun, creative, relaxing hobby for any age. There's even a travel sized kit to take with you on ski trips.
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH ELAN:
The word 'elan' means energy, style and enthusiasm - what a great name for a ski! Synonyms are flair, panache, confidence and dash - again really appropriate to describe the performance of this brand which dates back to World War II when 12 engineers and craftsmen got together to make skis for the Partisan troops. Established officially in 1945 in Slovenia, Elan was the brainchild of ski jumper Rudi Finzgar who had established a world record of 95m in 1941. Within a few years Elan was exporting to the US, making 800 pairs of skis per year. Worn by legendary Ingemar Stenmark, who achieved his record-winning 86 World Cup victories on Elan, the ski brand won its own accolades in the 90s by pioneering shaped carving edges. Moving on to snowboard design, too, Elan was named most innovative sports brand by Plus X Award in 2012 and 2015.
Elan's Amphibio technology is asymmetrical: dedicated right and left skis. This means there is increased camber on the inside edge for enhanced stability and grip, while the outer edge has more rocker for increased maneouvrability.
The Ripstick, for men and women, is a freeride ski with Amphibio technology, so it's great on and off piste, a high performance all-rounder. Buy these for the man in your life and all his ski buddies will be equally green - with envy!
BUY HIM OR HER A CODY TOWNSEND BELT:
Particularly for those whose ski or snowboard pants seem to gravitate downhill, Arcade Belts are perfect for wintersports. Made at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, they are durable, lightweight, and stretchy, enabling freedom of movement in all types of ski terrain. The company's founders are a team of three piste pals from Squaw Alpine, including pro-skier Cody. The team often recruit local ski buddies for their input into the graphics and materials. "Arcade Belts was founded on the belief that belts could be designed to function better, last longer, and be more comfortable," says Arcade's Digital Marketing Manager, Kasey Wiese. "Developed from the ground up with materials that are built to go everywhere and anywhere, each Arcade belt provides a custom fit, sturdy hold and the right amount of flexibility to move with you.” Check out their blog for more background.
Pictured is the High Alpine design but there are many different colours, patterns and mountainscapes available. For those who prefer plain, the Midnighter is a best seller. They are 1.5 in/3.81cm wide, one size fits most, and are washer/dryer safe. And, of course, they are totally suitable for everyday wear as well - a nice reminder of ski trips when you're sitting in the office. At $26, a great gift or stocking stuffer.
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| Some of the vast Silverton Onyx luggage and accessories range from Dakine |
PACK A PUNCH WITH DAKINE SKI & SNOWBOARD LUGGAGE:
Whether your budget stretches to a high-end ski roller bag or can only cope with a cute goggle stash, Dakine has something sensational for luxury luggage allure. I've got the frivolously-floral patterned Winter Daisy 110L split roller bag (pictured right) for check-in and the matching tote for coordinated hand luggage, which I will be using on my Aspen Snowmass trip, staying at the new Limelight Snowmass, in Feb. The Silverton Onyx range has everything matching from wallets, travel kits, and hip packs to backpacks, bootpacks, carry-on, check-in, and ski and snowboard bags. And if you want to go co-ord crazy, there are tanks and beanies too.
Eco Extra: Dakine luggage is made from recycled plastic bottles!
Eco Extra: Dakine luggage is made from recycled plastic bottles!
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| Obermeyer's Devon Down Jacket in Pink in Posy print |
JOLLY JACKETS FOR THE HOLLY JOLLY SEASON:
Sport Obermeyer has created some of their most desirable downhill designs ever this winter. Whether you prefer plain colours with hoods and faux-fur trim, the technical sporty look, or bright and bold, the 75-year-old company based in Aspen is still very much on trend.
Pictured to the right is the Apricity System Jacket in Oblivion print. It's a two-piece - the stretchy shell has 15,000mm waterproof breathability, with insulated seams and zips and a tapered waist, and can be detached from the insulated orange quilted jacket inside.
Men's designs are sporty, colour-blocked like the Foundation Jacket below with lots of high energy colour accents. There are pants and bib pants in cool colours, too, and a range of stylish knit sweaters, cosy baselayers and accessories including hats, gloves and gaiters.
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| Bos & Co's Gabriella Boot |
BOOTS TO RIVAL YOUR CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS:
Perfect for après ski - whether it's patio posing at Park City or sleigh rides at Steamboat - Bos & Co boots are the best for ski resort.
Think chunky corrugated non-slip soles and heels, waterproof outers, insulation to minus 25C/13F - and made in Portugal to the highest European standards. These will last you for many ski seasons.
The Gabriella (pictured) comes in white, black, dark brown, or a reddish-brown and has a leather, suede and boiled wool upper, side zip as well as lacing for a perfect fit over tuck-in pants, and is waterproof, durable, cosy - and oh, so styling!
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| Smartwool Sweaters |
SEASONAL SOCKS:
Smartwool, made from sweat-wicking, warm and comfortable merino wool, make the ultimate Christmas socks - especially for skiers and snowboarders. Pictured are the men's PhD ultra light ski socks, a snip at $22.95, but they also have light and medium weights in their wide range of colours and styles for every sport and outdoor activity.
Great for girls' gifts too - there are gorgeous pink patterns this season and a whole range of cool clothing.
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| Scenic Route Jewellery from Big White |
MOUNTAIN MOTIFS:
Based at Big White Ski Resort, Scenic Route Jewellery specializes in mountain-motivated handmade silver pieces. Designed and made free-hand by metalsmith Brittani Buettner, themes include Mount Currie, the Three Sisters Mountains, and scenes inspired by the Okanagan area of British Columbia. “Quite often people buy my jewellery as a keepsake of their time in the mountains," says Brittani. "It could be someone’s first trip to the mountains or a reminder of a place they hold close to their hearts such as a mountain from their hometown, their first hike, favourite ski resort and more. It’s not necessarily important to be associated with a particular ski area, but rather the mountains and nature in general." When mailing online orders, Brittani often snowboards to and from the Big White post office - showing off her unique work routine with great pics on social media.
TELLURIDE TIPPLE:
Pick up a prized bottle or two of Telluride Wine when you visit Mountain Village this season, ready to give as gifts next Christmas.
Available in red or white, it is only sold in restaurants around the resort, such as Altezza at the Peaks Resort & Spa, adding to its ritzy rarity.
Telluride itself is a fascinating resort to visit over the holidays with festive family fun around the slopes, in Mountain Village, and down the gondola to the beautiful historic town.
Holiday Prelude starts Dec 15 when Mountain Village is transformed into the North Pole. Elves help visitors onto the gondola for the ride up to Santa's Workshop, where there's Christmas list-making, holiday crafts, live reindeer, hot chocolate and holiday movies.
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| Telluride Print available on Etsy |
ACCESSORIES FROM ALCHEMY OF RIDE:
Lynne Harrison's gorgeous mountainscapes can be bought as paintings, prints, cards or emblazoned all over skigear. Pictured is Mt Assiniboine which can be bought on ski jackets, ski pants, down vests, ski underwear and baselayers, and - perfect for stocking stuffers: ski neck tubes for CAN$25.
Available at: https://alchemyofride.org/
REBOUND CYCLE, Canmore
WILSON MOUNTAIN SPORTS, Lake Louise
Pictured is the Three Sisters' Playground neck tube print - CAN$25. This print also comes on baselayers for skiing and biking.
Lynne started the Mental-Aid Foundation to create awareness and raise funds for mental health initiatives and a portion of profits from Alchemy of Ride go to these programs.
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| Dr Simon Hudson and I, wearing our Alchemy of Ride jackets at Panorama's Monster Terrain |
GOGGLES FOR GUYS OR GIRLS
Smith Optics latest cutting-edge goggle is the I/O Mag, available in 17 strap options and 11 lens tints. These are interchangeable snow goggles, with a rimless lens that's secured by eight magnetic points, 16 weather-proof magnets and two mechanical engagement locking devices. Just a push of one lever releases the lens to change it according to conditions. Every pair comes with a ChromaPop Sun or mirrored lens for bright light and a ChromaPop Storm Rose Flash lens for low-light and night-riding.
The result of 53 years of technical research and innovation, the I/O Mag has a dual-lens design with a filter to prevent optical distortion during changes in elevation. The inner lens has anti-fog technology. An engineered lattice design between the lens and face flange provides a comfortable contoured face fit with any helmet or hat. Ultra plush, hypoallergenic, three-layer face foam makes for added comfort and moisture absorption. Retails at $240.
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| Smith Optics I/O Mag |
SKI SURVIVAL KIT
The Men's Society Ski Survival Kit could be a great pressie for difficult-to-buy-for guys.
Available at Nordstrom, it's $28 for a selection of lip and skin products to prevent sun and weather damage.
RECYCLED SKI WINE RACK FROM THE 'CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD'
LOVE this idea for recycling old skis - nifty wine rack available online from Uncommon Goods. Handmade by Michael Bellino - the 'Chairman of the Board' for Ski Chair - who recycles over 20,000 items per year from his Millbury, MA workshop. The wine racks retail for $58. With the amount of old skis you all have lying around, maybe you could send some old favourites to Michael to be re-invented?
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| Mike Bellino at Burke Mountain Ski Area |
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| Chocolate Skis & Boots $12 |
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| Chocolate Skier - $2.85 |
SKI BOTTLE OPENERS
Available on Etsy, Ski Bottle Openers are a fun Man Cave accessory. At $25, they are fashioned from the tail end of a ski and the front of an old binding. Made in Vermont, each one is different, scratches, dings and all!
VINTAGE SNOW GIFTS
Vintage Snow has over 1200 wintersports' themed gifts, including this Wine Bag at $11.99 and the Boarder Girl Wine Bottle Charms at $7.99.
2018 READS
If you or your friends haven't read it yet, how about a copy of my book Winter Sport Tourism: Working in Winter Wonderlands, co-written with Professor of Ski, Dr Simon Hudson? It's $48 on Amazon or you can buy it direct from Goodfellows UK Publishers.
On a completely different note, Yuval Noah Harari's latest book, "21 lessons for the 21st Century" could redefine your political, economic and social understanding of the world and human nature. It may not be about skiing but it is about Planet Earth and our role in saving and savoring it. Harari, who has a PhD in History from Oxford University, spends 60 days per year meditating in silence in order to open his mind to global philosophical, political, geological and technical insights into where this world is going. At a time when we are all unsure of the future, this is invaluable information. If you don't know how infotech, biotech, and climate change is going to impact your life and the lives of our successors, this is a quick way to get up to speed, providing a realistic road map to put perplexing politics into perspective.
IT'S A WRAP!
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| Ski-Themed Recycled Gift Wrap |
Don't forget to check out these Christmas-themed articles:
Dec 2018 DALLAS MORNING NEWS:
https://www.dallasnews.com/life/travel/2018/12/04/skiing-santas-snow-forts-resorts-go-big-holidays
Dec 2018 CANADIAN SKI COUNCIL SNOWONLINE NEWS:
https://www.skicanada.org/christmas-carving-part-1/
https://www.dallasnews.com/life/travel/2018/12/04/skiing-santas-snow-forts-resorts-go-big-holidays
Dec 2018 CANADIAN SKI COUNCIL SNOWONLINE NEWS:
https://www.skicanada.org/christmas-carving-part-1/
