 |
| Check out the Heat Holders Holiday Gift Guide 2022 |
 |
| Glorious Lake Louise unisex sized down puffy jacket by AOR |
Among this season’s crop of gear, I’ve categorized potential presents as primarily practical or packed with panache although of course many of them tick both boxes. For this brand in particular - Alchemy of Ride - it is really tough to decide if it is practicality paired with panache or panache-practicality partnership. So I’ll leave you to choose!
 |
| Tusk Technical by AOR |
Practical for Pants
Arcade was founded on the belief that belts could be designed to function better, last longer and be more comfortable - you can’t get more practical than that! Developed from the ground up with materials 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.
Panache
Iconic athlete Lindsey Vonn has teamed up with HEAD Sportswear again to collaborate for a fourth season of flamboyant designs. The concept is Lindsey-style luxury and the perfect blend of sporty utility.
 |
| The 2022/23 Legacy Collection By HEAD |
The 2022/23 Legacy Collection epitomizes the blend of downhill daredevil with après ski diva, offering new styles and colours that, like Lindsey, carve a bold path both on and off the slopes. Every piece demonstrates Lindsey’s look, from metallics to luscious cashmere and soft faux fur. Examples of her topnotch taste are the slim jet bib pants that perfectly pair with a puffy down jacket, and knit vests and sweaters which emanate elegance.
This season’s new colour selection includes aqua blue, warm shades of brown, gold medal shine, and bold black and white statement combos. The colours, textures, materials and fit make this legacy line a champion. “What I love about the new Legacy Collection is that no matter if you are spending time on the slopes or just relaxing with your friends at après ski you are going to look and feel amazing,” says Lindsey
“We created this collection using premium materials and cutting edge technology to make sure you are supported while skiing but at the same time we have made the designs chic and fun so you look amazing.” Go to https://www.head.com/en_CA/sports/sportswear/winter for more details.
Practical for Piste and Powder
Again, HEAD - this time the new KORE Collection for top and technical athletic performance. Inspired by HEAD’s freeride athletes Blake Marshall, Abel Moga and Meredith Eades, it focuses on the confident and brave skier who thrives to be acknowledged not only for their athletic capabilities but for their bold sense. Strategically designed for the elements with the athlete’s journey in mind, the best quality and fits are essential to this collection and have been developed and continually enhanced over the years. Order from https://www.head.com/en_CA/sports/sportswear/winter/kore-collection.
 |
| Some of the KORE Collection from HEAD |
Panache
The ultimate in pass panache has to be the Epic Pass which is still available for this season until Dec. 4.
“If you know you’ll ski and ride this season, even just a few days, don’t wait to buy lift tickets,” says Ryan Bennett, Chief Marketing Officer of Vail Resorts. “We have a variety of pass options so everyone can benefit from the value and flexibility that our passes offer. Whether you’ll hit the slopes one day or every day, by purchasing now you’ll avoid paying for full priced lift tickets later.”
 |
| Epic Pass |
EPIC PASS OPTIONS
All 2022/23 pass products, including regional passes and day passes, are available now on the Epic Pass website. Some of the most popular passes include:
- Epic Day Pass, starting as low as $51 for an Epic 1-Day Pass, allows skiers and riders to build their own pass, choosing from one to seven days, resort access, and holidays or not. With an Epic Day Pass, you can lock in your access, and decide later when and where to go – without concern of a day selling out. Epic Day Passes offer savings up to 65% compared to lift ticket prices. Epic Day Pass Holders with All Resorts Access will be able to use any of their days at Andermatt-Sedrun.
- Epic Pass, $949, provides unlimited, unrestricted access to 41 resorts, from local ski areas to bucket list destinations – including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, Whistler Blackcomb, Andermatt-Sedrun, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Stevens Pass, Steven Springs and more. With additional partner resorts like Telluride, Verbier 4 Vallees, Les 3 Vallees, Ski Arlberg, and Skirama Dolomiti, the Epic Pass unlocks access to more than 80 resorts.
- Epic Local Pass, $735, provides unlimited, unrestricted access to 29 resorts – including Breckenridge and Keystone, as well as holiday-restricted access to resorts like Park City, Heavenly and Stowe, plus 10 days total at Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb, and five days at Andermatt-Sedrun at no extra cost.
- Northeast Value Pass, $557, provides access to 21 resorts across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including Stowe, Hunter, Mount Snow, Okemo and Wildcat, as well as the newest additions to the Vail Resorts network, Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain in Pennsylvania.
- Tahoe Local Pass, $605, provides access to resorts in Lake Tahoe and Colorado – including Northstar, Heavenly, Vail and more.
- Epic Military Pass, $190, for Active and Retired Military and their dependents, provides unlimited, unrestricted access to all of Vail Resorts’ owned and operated mountains – including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Whistler Blackcomb and Andermatt-Sedrun. Veterans and their dependents can purchase an Epic Military Pass for $520.
 |
| Epic Pass deadline coming up December 4 |
Practical and Playful
 |
| Smith and Crayola Kids’ Collaboration - new colour Periwinkle |
Glam goggles by Glade OpticsWith Black Friday just around the corner, Glade Optics is gearing up to release some killer deals this year. Due to exceptionally high demand, they are running a limited deal and expect to sell out totally by mid December despite ordering three times as much inventory as last winter.
If you're interested in a Black Friday deal from Glade this season, please enter your email address here to get on the waitlist.
A spokesman from Breckenridge-based Glade Optics confirms you need to be quick: "In an array of colors, (and more upgrades than we can count) our goggles just make your ski season better..and they leave some money in your pocket,” says Drew. “From Outside, Blister Review, SKI, and skiers like you, this season's reviews, and awards, are already piling up.”
 |
| Glade Goggles designed by ski bums with vision |
Practical Pass Products
Equally swanky, but also an intrinsically practical way to ski the world more affordable this season - the Ikon Pass, where one pass fits almost all! Skiers and riders have even more choices for winter 22/23 as the Ikon Pass community expands around the globe with the addition of Grandvalira Resorts Andorra and Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia. Ikon Pass is on sale now and offers more than 50 worldwide destinations, including five in Europe and nine in Canada.
 |
| Ikon Pass |
With five additional new partners previously announced - Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley in
France, Sun Valley in Idaho and Snowbasin in Utah, Lotte Arai Resort in Japan and Panorama
in British Columbia - members of the Ikon Pass community now have access to more than 50
iconic global mountain destinations in 11 countries across the Americas, Europe, Japan,
Australia, and New Zealand.
Europe and Canada this winter,” said Erik Forsell, Chief Marketing Officer, Alterra Mountain Company. “We love offering pass holders even more endless adventures in the mountains by expanding this global mountain community with new like-minded partners.”
“Grandvalira Resorts Andorra is the ideal destination for those who seek a new adventure at
one of Europe’s largest ski resorts,” said Juan Ramón Moreno, Managing Director of
Grandvalira Resorts Andorra. “Ikon Pass holders will love our spectacular views of the
Pyrenees, expansive terrain, mountain activities, shopping, and our famed culinary traditions
and unique culture of the country of Andorra.”
“As the second largest ski area in Canada, Sun Peaks Resort could not be more excited to join
the Ikon Pass community”, said Aidan Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer, Sun Peaks Resort. “Our
global destination is well positioned to provide strong value and hospitality for Ikon Pass holders
 |
| Sun Peaks Resort, BC, Canada - the latest addition to the Ikon Pass |
Practical
Rossignol Chalet Slippers - $99
After a long day on the pistes, you're ready for some rest and relaxation. Ideal for après-ski downtime, the Rossignol Chalet Winter Slippers keep feet warm and cozy whether you're sitting by the fire or walking through the village. The slip-on design makes it easy to pull them on and off when you're on the move. A synthetic wool lining on the footbed and light insulation make sure your feet stay warm. Pops of red on the outsole stand out against the chic black design.
 |
| Rossignol’s new Chalet Slipper in Camo |
Panache: Women's Touring Escaper 97 Nano - $799.95
Uncompromising freetour performance. Ultra-light on the ascent. Precision to push beyond. The new women's Escaper 97 W Nano offers the perfect blend of freetouring attributes, opening up new horizons and opportunities to escape into the mountains. First tracks to first descents. No boundaries allowed.
 |
| Rossignol Escaper ©CamMcLeod |
Practical: Escaper Tour Bag 25L - $149.94
When untracked lines call you out, the Rossignol Escaper Tour 25L backpack has the space you need for essential safety gear plus space for layers, snacks and water. Its clean, low-profile design is sized for short tours and beyond-the-gate missions. A dedicated safety pocket keeps a shovel and probe secure and easy to access. The main body includes a goggle pocket and space for skins, layers and small essentials. A helmet holder stows your lid for the climb and handy ski and board carry straps set you up for hands-free boot packs.
 |
| Heat Holders |
Practical and Protective
While Heat Holders® is well known for its supremely cosy thermal socks, they also make other warm garments and accessories including these thermal gloves for men. Ideal for driving in cold climates and walking around the resort, they feature HeatWeaver® thermal lining which is fur-like, silky, luxuriously soft and very effective at retaining warm air, maximizing the amount of heat held close to the skin. Made with a long protective ribbed cuff, forming a sleeve that hugs the wrist warmly, helping to seal warmth in, they are just $29.99 a pair and, bonus, they are even machine washable. 
Heat Holders for Xmas stockings
And stocking stuffers!
 |
| Heat Holders® thermal gloves for men |
Panache + Practicality:
 |
| Bos & Co’s DEREK boot for men |
If you’re not bothered about bagging this winter’s latest styles, check out the deals on the sale site.
Feeling warm from the toes up is intrinsic to keeping the whole body warm in winter.
The popular DEREK ankle boot for men is made from leather with the coziest wooly lining. It is zip-up and comes in black, brown or coffee. The chunky, deeply grooved non-slip sole and heel make it eminently suitable for ski resorts and snowy and icy conditions elsewhere. Now reduced from $300 to $225.
Looks good whether pants/trousers/jeans are narrow and tucked in or worn looser over the top.
Practical Playlists
ALECK 006, award-winning wireless audio + comms system. Put a playlist at your fingertips and keep in touch with your squad while on the mountain with Aleck 006 headphones. Now featuring a new, open channel "Party Mode" for live chatting with buddies even if they're scattered; no need to push a button, just enter party mode in the morning and keep connected to the group all day. For listening to tunes, Aleck's headphones feature High Fidelity Audio for optimal acoustics with crisp highs and hard-hitting bass.
Practical Precision
Probably the most important piste purchase - and a gift that could last for years - is ski boots. Comfortable and effective ski boots, that is - there’s nothing worse than boots that are too loose and don’t connect with the skis properly or too tight and cut off the circulation. I had mine custom fit by All In Skier Services in Fernie about 13 seasons ago - a painstaking process over several days with me testing out the progress at various stages of customization until everything was perfect.
Practical for Prolonged Piste Perseverance!
Practical Performance
 |
| From Helly Hansen’s Winter 2022 Ski Collection |
Practical Pain Relief
CHIRP Wheels+ 4-pack - Exceptional for muscle pain relief and recovery, or just for stretching out after a long workday or a day on the slopes, Chirp Wheels are new and different from your average foam rollers, which are too wide and ineffective. Chirp Wheels have two specific advantages, width and pressure. At five-inches wide with a patent-pending spinal canal, the spine presses deeper into the wheel and muscles lining the spinal column are stretched horizontally as well as vertically for an incredibly relaxing four-way stretch. The four-pack bundle provides different levels of pressure to target sore muscles anywhere on the body, from gentle wheels for big back stretches to a four-inch focus wheel for maximum pressure on small areas.
$130 (or a 3-pack for $99.99); gochirp.com
   |
 |
| CHIRP Wheels+ 4-pack |
