Snow Skills

There’s a terrific outdoor gear cooperative from Canada called Mountain Equipment Co-op.

Though a co-op like REI, the only distinct similarity is that memberships are $5 (Canadian). MEC is much more than an outdoor retailer, in that their commitment to the environment is clear in everything they do. Unlike other outdoor retailers, MEC doesn’t carry every single product under the sun: they only carry a limited number of the very best goods that they believe you need for your outdoor adventures. MEC has its own line of packs called Serratus, of which their bike panniers are exceptional for their strength and function. Their clothing is very warm, durability, and functional, though a bit simple. If you’re looking for an apres-ski piece, go Patagonia. If you’re doing 15 miles of winter hiking, get MEC gear and you won’t be disappointed. Read the rest of this entry »

How will skiing green circle terrain make you a black diamond skier?!? Because the pitch, width, and typically good snow conditions of easier trails will give you the opportunity to break out of your present habits. A green circle trail will provide a comfort zone to allow you to try out new movements and modify ones that have grown too familiar.

An ideal practice trail would be relatively wide (100 ft.), an alignment directly down gravity (without sloping to either side), and have relatively little other traffic. Try working on these improvement tips on green terrain in the morning and then move to black terrain in the afternoon: you’ll find a new level of control and be more successful at changing your skills to match a steeper pitch.

Here’s hoping everyone gets a cold, wet winter in their stocking with which to go out and play!

Happy Holidays from the Snowskills.net staff!

As a postscript to previous posts about the health risks from Nalgene bottles, check out this article on cnn.com.

The article is consistent with what we discovered; there is evidence of risk from exposure to bisphenol A (or BPA) in polycarbonate, but no hard evidence linking such risks to use of Nalgene bottles or similar products.

The recent actions of Mountain Equipment Co-op, the respected, environmentally-friendly outdoor supplier from Canada, simply adds to the confusion: they removed polycarbonate water bottles from their product line, but continue to carry water filters and other products containing the polycarbonate.

At present, the best advice appears to be replace Nalgene bottles about once a year, and more often if you routinely use them for hot liquids.