Christmas
gifts are always a challenge but something ski-themed is bound to make the
skiers and snowboarders on your list happy. And it's great to know something about the person behind the product, too. Here are a few ideas to help you
decide:
Our Latest Book
Will it be a mountain snowsports retirement? Or do you prefer a villa by the sea? Or perhaps a city condo relocation? Whatever your preference, and whichever country you are considering - and many that you haven't even thought of - this is your one-stop resource to find out the pros and cons and narrow down the choices.
Glade Goggles
These eye-catching googles
could save you money as well as giving you points for the perfect present this
Christmas. Glade Goggles were born in Breckenridge where Curt Nichols set up
his new company from Elevate
Coworking Space. “The primary differentiator is our direct to
consumer model that allows us to get a premium quality product to our customers
at a fraction of the cost of a brand like Smith or Oakley,” says Nichols. “Our
goggles are designed with all the bells and whistles: polarized lenses,
interchangeable lenses, 100% UV protection, anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings,
as well as a double lens system to prevent fogging. Our goggles have actually
been rated higher than goggles put out by these incumbent
brands - so they are really an unbeatable combination of quality and
price. You can check out some of our reviews on Freeskier and Blister Gear
Review.”
They are ‘one size fits all’, incorporating all the features of a
premium pair of goggles in a minimalist way that is uniquely Glade. “There aren't any unnecessary features,
everything on the goggle is there for a reason,” Nichols explains. “We also
wanted to make sure they fit snugly with the newer aesthetic of helmet that is
on the market today.” With their lifetime guarantee, these could be a family
heirloom: “The ultimate goal is for our customers to be able to pass their Glade gear down to their kids,” he adds.
Durability and comfort are top priorities and the best fit is with Glade’s
new lineup of helmets released this year. “The goggle + helmet set was
designed to eliminate the gap between goggles and helmet, and ensure a seamless
fit across both items,” Nichols explains. “We have also designed our goggles in
such a way that the top curvature of the goggles fits most new helmets that are
on the market today.”
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| New children's book launched this fall |
This new
book out is an ABC of skiing for kids. Olympic skier Libby Ludlow and PSIA certified Children’s
Specialist ski instructor Nathan Y
Jarvis have created a magical wintersports’ alphabet book intended to
convert young skiers and snowboarders into lifers.
Ludlow,
a former US Ski Team member and 2006 Olympian, has contributed the prose inspired
by her own favorite mountain memories and more recent motherhood experiences. “Libby
wrote the book. I wrote the material for the endpapers, dust jacket (excepting
Libby’s bio), and title page, and I co-wrote the Pro Tips pages,” says Jarvis.
The pro tips are aimed at parents who are introducing their kids to the ski
slopes.
His day job during winter is with the Park City SkiSchool where he happily goes by the nickname ‘Silly Nathan’. “I have a little
rubber duck on my helmet named TED (stands for Three-Eyed Duck) that has a
normal ducky face in front and a three-eyed big grin face on the back,” he explains.
“The duck makes me easy to differentiate from the other mob of instructors all
dressed in blue…something that help kids (and adults who still know how to have
fun) not accidentally follow after the wrong coach. And the TED face lets me
explain to others that if they are skiing so close to me that they can see his face,
they are too dang close! Every year I create new Team TED helmet stickers for
the kids who ski with me. Those stickers have been spotted now at other resorts
around the world.” With 40 years’ experience, Jarvis also trains new
instructors, provides occasional professional development clinics and offers
private family lessons. “I also am part of the Children’s Advisory Group,” he
says. “For the last seven years I have coached a group of kids as part of a
Park City locals program - Mountain Adventure and All Mountain Program - that
pairs one instructor with the same kids for 10 weeks. I may have one of the
longest running group of returning kids on the mountain. I love 'em like my own
grandgigglers.” His general aim is to help create the "best day ever!”
As well
as his ski career, Jarvis is a professional illustrator whose witty work has
appeared in countless books, magazines, murals and packaging as well as Park City Ski School
materials. This latest project, collaborating with Ludlow, has resulted in a
“super fun book” with a serious purpose, says Jarvis. “We’re committed to
adding some extra umph to the pressing need to increase beginner conversion
rates.”
The idea
was initially funded by a Kickstarter campaign which achieved its goals in the
first ten hours of the release of a video and doubled its target within four
days. The talented twosome first met a few years ago when Libby was a student at
a class on children’s books that Jarvis was teaching at the Kimball Art Center in Park City. “Last summer she
reached out to me to see if I would be willing to give her some coaching about
a book she wanted to do,” says Jarvis. “As she shared her intention to self-publish
an A-B-C book about skiing for little kids, I was instantly impressed with the thought
that the combination of a former Olympian and an internationally known
illustrator – who is also a PSIA children’s specialist –
would be a risk worth taking.”
Typically
Jarvis, who gets lots of requests for illustrations, charges a substantial fee
and is averse to self-publishing! However, no fee this time, and the two have
collaborated fully, putting their hearts into this book. “I believe in Libby,
the book and the market value deeply” Jarvis explains. You can buy the 32-page hardcover
book for $25 at https://www.abskis.com/
The Holiday Boot by Bos & Co
Après
ski boots are SO important! First you need comfort, especially if you’ve just
come off a hard day on the slopes. Then it’s warmth to get that circulation
back to your frozen extremities. Next, waterproofness is vital, particularly
when plodding through deep snow or slush going back to the car or condo or navigating
the ski village for a bit of shopping or après. And finally non-slip grip for
the soles – without this you could end up one of the statistics in the medical
clinic which typically record more accidents around the ski resort than on the
slopes. So, how do you find all these aspects in one attractive package? Bos
& Co has it all – and I should know, I’ve been wearing their boots and cosy
Asportuegas (A.S.P.) outdoor/indoor shoes for the past three winters. Mine are the Canoe slip-ons in silver
grey ultra-soft breathable wool uppers and white chunky soles made from cork
and latex. They have a molded and contoured footbed which adds even more
comfort.
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| A.S.P. - 'ego-friendly' cork and wool-based outdoor/indoor shoes |
Spending
most of my winters in ski resorts, après ski footwear has been vital for me
and I was thrilled to happen upon Bos & Co in a sale in Canmore’s Main
Street. Since then, that’s all I’ve worn after skiing and to and from the
slopes. I even wore them last
winter when caving with Canmore
Cave Tours! My latest pair - the waterproof Hartney
with suapel wool lining - I actually chose initially for hiking during my Semester
at Sea travels this fall when I was figuring out what to wear for touring the
Amazon and other rugged and remote environments. Of course, the bonus was that
they cross over to après-ski and general winter wear in Canada which is
perfect as I am spending four months living in the British Columbia resort of
Sun Peaks this season.
Bos & Co, I discovered, has been family owned and
operated by the Bosco family since 1976. They are the North America
distributors for Fly London and A.S.P., and also have
their own ranges. “The Bosco family takes pride in
commitment to development of quality waterproof footwear,” says Jim
Bosco. “The design effort is a joint program with a designer team, from
Holland, Italy and Portugal.”
Fly London,
owners of the Asportuguesas
”A.S.P “ brand, developed the cute
collection in collaboration with university design
schools in Portugal. They held a contest with the challenge of “How to
further develop the market for cork”, one of Portugal’s top exports. A group of
students from University of Lisbon won the contest
with the creative and delightfully comfortable designs of the Asportuguesas
concept, with the added bonus of being “uniquely sustainable” - now their
tagline as well as “ego-friendly”. They are available in men’s and women’s
sizes and a variety of colours. Although they resemble indoor slippers, they
are fun outdoor shoes too with corrugated soles: “ Out of boots, to the comfort
of A.S.P. and to the bar,” says Jim. I only have space to feature a few of their styles, so check out the rest at https://www.bosandco.com or phone 1 888 498 1754.
Smartwool Socks are another mountain-motivated multi-tasking
gift. You can use them for any activity that creates ‘moisture’ - wintersports, biking, hiking, running, climbing, etc - as they will
just wick away any dampness.
In the past there have been various weights and thicknesses to fit each activity and type of footwear. But this year they are launching the new Travel Sock selection designed for every adventure on your bucket list. Thanks to their 10-20 mmHg compression rating, they also keep your feet as healthy and comfortable as possible on the way there. This compression enhances recovery from long journeys so you're ready for action as soon as you arrive. And they are made of super-fine soft Merino wool to suit all the changing temperatures and environments on your travel.
The Non-binding Pressure Free Triangle Crew range has a non-binding top welt to alleviate pressure at the top of the sock and a Virtually Seamless™ toe to ensure complete comfort for long days in the outdoors - ideal, they say, for jetsetters, wanderers, ramblers, nomads, trekkers, explorers, vagabonds.
Designed for skiing and snowboarding, the PhD® sock range features Merino wool that helps regulate temperature, moves moisture away from skin and resists odours. The antidote to those sweaty, leaky old boots that you can't bear to get rid of! And vital in fighting the cold in the depths of winter. As well as a large collection of base layers, there's also an accessories range including neck gaiters, beanies and balaclavas to help keep the warmth in.
Did you know Smartwool started in Steamboat, Colorado, inspired by the mountain lifestyle of that lovely ski area? That's why they have such a good grasp of all the different needs of travelers and wintersports' enthusiasts.
Gift Cards - groan or gasp?
While gift
cards might be considered a Christmas cop out, if they are ski-resort
themed you will definitely redeem yourself.
And remember most ski resorts have shops full of branded merchandise, so find out their favourite resort and buy clothing or accessories emblazoned with the name and logo.
Give the Gift of Skiing at RCR
They can be redeemed for products or programs around the resorts - for example the innovative Wings leased ski or snowboard programs. Instead of buying your own equipment, you can lease it for the whole winter at any RCR resort and return it at the end of the season. It you end up loving it you can even buy it at the end. Or just start again the following season with something different.
Buy an Experience Gift this Christmas
Explore the Cucumber Gulch wildlife preserve in a heated
all-glass Prinoth Snowcat designed in Pininfarina,
Italy. Guests sit back and enjoy historic tales of the forest over champagne
with a pitstop for s’mores and hot chocolate at a nearby cabin.
Give the Gift of a Lesson:
WOMEN'S EDGE at Aspen Snowmass is the longest running women's ski and snowboard program in the world. Appealing to intermediates looking to build confidence in their abilities or advanced skiers/riders eager for the challenges of
double-black-diamond terrain, Women’s Edge provides an opportunity to advance skills while developing lasting relationships.
Over 30 years in the running,
this unique program designed especially for women is taught by women-specific,
PSIA-certified instructors. It's four days of fun with friends in the beautiful mountainscapes of Aspen Snowmass.
Decadent Dinner
Enjoy an exquisite Western mountain dinner high up on Snowmass Mountain after the
lifts close. Travel to and from the cabin in snowcats, which pick up
slope-side at Base Village at 5:30pm. As you ascend to the lovely Lynn Britt Cabin, you will see
a quieter side to the mountain. At the secluded and cosy cabin, the Executive Chef serves four festive courses of New American cuisine to the sounds of live music throughout the evening.
Guilt-free Gift
The POW Roadmap includes ways in which anyone and everyone can help with ideas for businesses, scientists, writers, social media professionals and every skier, snowboarder and outdoor enthusiast.
Membership is by donation - either for yourself or someone else - and there's a free gift with every $50 donation.
Bucket List Olympic Opportunity
Deer Valley's “Ski with a Champion”
program appeals to everyone - including families, especially those with
young kids keen to get into ski racing. The resort's Ambassador of Skiing is Heidi Voelker who heads up the Ski with a Champion team of six other Olympic snowsport athletes. They take individuals, groups or families on half or full-day memorable adventures with priority lift access. Skiing experience is required as these are not lessons!
Heli-Yurting
Gorgeous decorations, beautiful surroundings
and no clean-up afterwards equals the best Christmas ever! Enjoy a delicious
three course Christmas dinner as well as breakfast the next morning. In cosy overnight accommodations, the holidays have never been so relaxing - available at Buffalo Mountain Lodge in Banff, Deer Lodge in Lake Louise, andEmerald Lake Lodge in Field, BC. There's a CRMR New Year’s Eve Package, too, including a complimentary glass of sparkling at midnight, DJ entertainment, one
night’s accommodations for two, a New Year’s Eve gala dinner for two and a
buffet breakfast on New Year’s Day. Not sure what to choose? Get a CRMR Gift Card or eGift Card.
For Ski Map Collectors
A new one-of-a-kind coffee table book entitled The Man Behind the Maps: Legendary Ski Artist James Niehues. This visually stunning, near 300-page book showcases over 200 iconic ski resort trail maps all hand-painted by artist James Niehues, a legend in the ski/snowboard industry who still paints nearly every trail map used today. Officially launching on October 1, this book is certain to spark memories of epic ski trips and fuel dinner table conversations. The book sells for $90 and is available now for pre-purchase on Niehues’s website at jamesniehues.com.
The book has already exceeded expectations with over 10,000 copies pre-purchased by long-standing fans of his work. Outdoor enthusiasts and avid skiers/snowboarders will revel in the behind-the-scenes look and global scope of the book as it brings the most storied mountains in the world to life in full page, art-print quality illustrations. Detailing Niehues’ incredible journey, his artistic process and a lifetime of illustrations, the book is truly a must-read for those inspired by mountain culture. For additional background on the artist James Niehues you can watch this 90 second video at https://bit.ly/2TC3Lxb.
Gadget Gift
The 'PHOOZY' is an insulated case to protect phone batteries from the cold - just what we all need on the ski slopes.
PHOOZY premium products provide thermal, drop and float protection for smartphones, tablets and laptops - ideal for all skiers and snowboarders, not just instructors. With PHOOZY insulation batteries maintain a longer charge in both cold and hot conditions. “Some of our customers reported that thanks to their PHOOZY case, which helped prevent their phone battery from quickly dying in the cold, they were able to notify Ski Patrol and their ski partners after having an incident on the mountain,” said Conway.
As part of the partnership, the PSIA-AASI National Team will use PHOOZY Thermal Capsules, the specially designed phone case that extends the period of time that phones maintain the optimal operating temperature, and provide feedback for product development. PSIA-AASI members can learn more about the PSIA-AASI and PHOOZY partnership, and take advantage of special pro offer pricing, on thesnowpros.org.
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| Alchemy of Ride magical mountainscapes |
Be the brightest dressed on the mountain this winter with Alchemy of Ride’s works of high-altitude art. You can literally
WEAR the mountain you are riding if you choose a Canadian vacation (for
example, Mt Assiniboine, Dharma Mt. LeFroy, Rundle Range, or Mt
Temple). Be the beacon in a white out, and brighten up any photo with these
innovative and eye-catching designs. Artist, Lynne Harrison says you can never
get on a chairlift without a conversation wearing her suits – they are the
ultimate icebreaker! “The down jackets are 700 fill. Side pockets are now zipped and there is a
cinchable waist on the down jackets,” says Harrison. “All my gear is temperature tested and good to -25
C.” The advantages of her colourful designs: “make yourself happy, have fun and
make others smile while you stand out in the sea of black and khaki!”
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| The Sky, The Sky! - Buy the art as well as the clothing!! |
Stocking Stuffers:
Takeya Actives Bottles, $19.99
- $54.99: Built to keep beverages perfectly chilled and ice cubes
intact for up to 24 hours - or steamy hot for 12! Additional features include a
leak-proof, fully-insulated lid (available in Spout, Straw and Sip styles),
removable silicone bumper + band, and double-powder coating to prevent messy
condensation. Available in a range of colors and sizes from 14-oz (perfect for
kids) to 64-oz.
Takeya Hot Beverage Traveler, $29.99: This brand new design debuted in October, and
is equipped with a one-touch flip cap, secure leak-proof lock, wide Comfort-Sip
lid for optimal beverage flow, built-in silicone protective coaster, and
superior insulated performance with the ability to keep contents steamy hot for
12 hours. It’s also compatible with single-use coffee makers!
Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Makers, $24.99
- $34.99: For the caffeine addicts on your list, Takeya’s Cold Brew Coffee
Maker has earned a 5-star rating from thousands of customers (both on the
brand’s site and Amazon). This product creates a perfectly balanced, smooth
extraction of concentrated coffee that can be kept air-tight for up to 2 weeks!
Duluth Trading Underwear:
Everyone could use a fresh pair of skivvies for the holidays, and Duluth’s
selection is the best you could ask for. From the 5-star-rated Buck Naked
Briefs (that come in a variety of fun prints!), to the cooling Armachillo
Boxers and dang soft feel of Free Range... Duluth knows a thing or two about
undies.
Duluth Trading Spit & Polish: With new scents like Pure Lavender, Lost in the Woods, and
Sconnie Old Fashioned, Duluth’s line of unisex apothecary offers even more
all-natural grooming and self-care products including lotions, body wash,
shaving creams and after shave, deodorant, solid cologne, beard oil and knuckle
wax (yes, that’s a thing!)
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| Obermeyer in action |
Obermeyer’s Affordable and Stylish Collection
It's not all bright, bold and printed though - they also do the plain and colour-blocked sporty look for men, women and for kids.
Here are a few more highlights from this winter's portfolio to suit every taste:
Obermeyer Dusty Down Jacket, $159
Introducing a new way to get fit for the slopes this winter – get Ski Fit with Yoga Tonic UK, a unique 6 week programme offering streamed videos including yoga, cardio conditioning and meditation.
Yogi duo Tim and Shannon share their tips for getting SkiFit with top six recommended yoga poses to practice before leaving for the mountains, before each day’s skiing and after a day on the slopes. The suggested poses can be used to build strength in the legs, ankles and core, whilst also helping to develop a greater sense of balance and flexibility.
The six-week online programme provides over six hours of video content to follow before heading to the slopes, with cardio conditioning, yoga and meditation sessions each week. Each class is no longer than 35 minutes, so even the busiest person can find squeeze in the time to get Ski Fit.
TOP 6 YOGI POSES FOR THE MOUNTAINS
1. Pre Holiday: Chair Pose Ukkatsana; Strengthens quads, glutes and calves
2. Pre Holiday: Half moon pose Ardha Chandrasana; Strengthens standing leg and ankle, whilst engaging abdomen and glutes
3. Pre Holiday: Twisted High Lunge Parivrtta Anjaneyasana; Quad, hamstrings and core are strengthened as a stable balance is maintained.
4. Before (and post) skiing: Downward dog Adho mukha svanasana; Arms and legs are strengthened as weight is distributed equally through palms and heels.
5. Before skiing: Dancer pose Natarajasana; Standing leg and ankle are strengthened, whilst also focusing on balance.
6. Post skiing: Spinal twist Jathara Parivartasana; Enables a spinal twist after a day’s skiing when you may want a gentle stretch.
Sun Salutation B (Surya Namaskar B) is a particularly good way to warm the whole body up before skiing as it specifically includes the chair pose to engage glutes, while also introducing a full range of movement throughout the body. Increasing the heart rate and raising the flow of blood around the body helps to loosen the muscles, thereby stimulating a greater range of movement before reaching the slopes.
Developing a stronger core, leg and upper body strength will allow individuals to benefit more from their time in the mountains.
● Movement (Asana): With regular yoga practice, students develop greater sense of proprioception (feeling of self movement and body position).
● Focus (Drishti): to maintain a steady gaze or mental focus. This is important when skiing as the gazing spot is focused downhill in the direction of travel.
● Breathing (Pranayama): A regular and consistent breath will help skiers and snowboarders centre themselves and feel calmer on the slopes.
A 1 week taster programme, including 1 session of cardio conditioning, yoga and mediation can be purchased online for £4.99. The complete 6 week programme is available for £39.99 as a one off purchase price - a perfect Christmas gift.
And gifting an online programme also means you don’t need to worry about deliveries being made in time for Christmas.
LINKS:
It's a Wrap!
A great way to theme your Christmas gifts with a ski motif is to do it with gift wrap.
Spoonflower does a wide range of ski wrapping paper as well as ski-themed wallpaper and fabric.
There are dozens of different designs to choose from - skiers or snowboarders, alpine villages, cartoon, vintage, retro, multi-coloured, black-and-white, you name it.
