Happy Norwegian Ski Waxing and Tuning Stand If you don’t wax your own skis, it’s time to start. Thanks to the creative folks at Happy Norwegian, ski waxing at home and on the go is easier than ever. Mr Grippy is a portable ski waxing and tuning stand for home and travel use. It works almost anywhere. Works With All… Read More
DIY Ski Waxing with mountainFLOW eco-wax If you’re new to ski waxing at home, having freshly waxed skis is easier than you might think. And if you’re a seasoned wax pro, you’ll appreciate the sustainable, plant-based approach that MountainFLOW brings to their eco ski wax products. MountainFLOW launched in 2016 with a focus on creating plant-based alternatives to traditional petroleum-based… Read More
DIY Ski Wax Bench If you plan to do your own ski maintenance, a solid ski waxing and tuning bench is a must. Between keeping my skis ready to roll, setting up test gear and working on friends’ gear, my ski bench sees a lot of use. Ski widths exceeded the width of my traditional ski vices years ago, and… Read More
Ski Waxing for the Backcountry Backcountry skiing is a far cry from ski racing, but freshly waxed skis are still important to keep you sliding and slashing through the pow. And the good news is that ski waxing for the backcountry is not rocket science. In fact, it’s downright simple. You only need a few basic tools and supplies to… Read More
Eco-Wax Ski Wax Last year we reviewed a product called SnowShed, a silicone-based spray for ski top sheets that helps reduce snow build-up while touring. The spray is environmentally friendly, sourced in the USA and it works to help keep your top sheets free of snow. This season, the company, now called mountainFLOW eco-wax, has expanded their line to include two… Read More
Skis, boots, skins, poles, goggles, beacon, pack, shovel . . . It’s time to scour your garage, search the basement and rummage through the closet. Winter has returned, so wherever you stash your ski gear for the off-season, it’s time to dig through the boxes and round up your backcountry kit.But is your backcountry ski gear ready to roll? Check… Read More
Gift ideas for the skiers on your holiday list ‘Tis the season. We’ve compiled some of our favorite skier gift ideas to help seed your holiday shopping plan with fresh ideas. Black Hole Gear Tote Bag – $69+ A tote bag, you say? Don’t laugh; totes are awesome for hauling gear to and from the car on day trips. The… Read More
Backcountry Ski Gloves Backcountry skiing is a lesson in temperature regulation. You must dress lightly enough to climb uphill without overheating and heavily enough to descend without getting cold. It’s all about layering and de-layering to match your effort. And your hands are no exception. It’s the rare day that you can wear the same gloves to climb up and… Read More
Ever feel like your waterproof jacket looks like it’s getting wet? Well, that’s because it is likely getting wet — on the outside anyway. Here’s why: Your jacket’s DWR (durable water-repellent) finish is worn out. All waterproof, breathable jackets (and pants) include a DWR treatment, even with a waterproof, breathable membrane like GORE-TEX.First, it’s essential to understand that there are… Read More
Dressing for a day of backcountry skiing takes a little practice. Getting it right for the downhill part is easy, but it’s common to overdress for the uphill. Layering is the key to temperature regulation. And layers that let your body breathe are critical to regulating your temperature when ski touring. If you dress too warm or without good breathability,… Read More
It’s that time again. Here’s our annual guide to cool gifts for skiers on your holiday list. Skier Gifts $100+ Give-r 4-Season Leather Gloves $119 We are big advocates of leather ski gloves, and it’s hard to beat the simplicity, durability and price of Give’r Gloves. They’ve got several glove and mitten options, but if you just want one pair… Read More
Easy On, Easy Off — Hybrid Climbing Skins Most of us have struggled at one time or another while attempting to pull apart climbing skins stuck glue-to-glue. Sure, they eventually pull apart. But it’s no fun to struggle with them. That’s where the BCA Hybrid Climbing Skins come into the picture. The word hybrid in the name has a double… Read More
Eco-Friendly Bike Chain Lube, Maintenance and Cleaning Supplies from Mountainflow A clean, lubed bike is a happy bike. It’s a simple concept, but even basic bike maintenance takes time and the right supplies. You can clean with traditional dish soap and water, but why not do it right and use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies and bike chain lube. The innovative folks at… Read More
How to Store Climbing Skins, Skis and Avalanche Beacon for the Summer When it comes to storing your climbings skins and backcountry ski gear for the summer, a few easy steps will make sure your backcountry equipment is ready to roll when the snow flies in the fall. How to Store Climbing Skins – Summer Gear Sorage Tips Proper summer… Read More
Essential Backcountry Equipment — Climbing Skins Climbing skins don’t get nearly as much attention as skis, boots and bindings when building out a backcountry ski kit. Nonetheless, skins are essential equipment for backcountry skiing and deserve some real consideration. The big questions when looking for skins are: What’s the best plush — nylon, mohair or a blend? What’s the glue reputation?… Read More
