The Ski Blog

Pre-Season Equipment Check

With your cardiovascular and core strength work-outs well under way, it's that time of year again to start thinking about the dreaded commute to the airport with all your luggage and equipment. Before it all gets packed away in the ski bags though, it's well worth a check over so as to not let you down when you're skiing and spoil your holiday.

via skiblog.chaletsdirect.com

With many people about to set off for their first ski holiday of the season we thought it a good time to re-post this great blog from Mark Gear, Chamonix ski guru from All Mountain Performance.
How to make sure your gear is in shape for hitting the slopes!

To see the full post click here!

Beginners Tips: essential equipment for your ski holiday!

Are you taking your first ski or snowboard holiday this winter? As well as the worry of finding skis, boards, lessons and accommodation, there are a few "accessories" which in fact can add an enormous amount to the enjoyment of your first time on snow.

The wonderful Francesca from ace chalet company Powder N Shine in the Three Valleys has written us this great piece with some excellent advice for the first timer about what not to leave behind.

"As anyone who has skied in their life knows, the first time can be extremely daunting – and that is before you even see any snow! Many first-time skiers are unsure of what essentials they will need to buy, beg, borrow or steal before making their way to the snowy mountains, so Powder N Shine have put together a list of basics to aid the novice skier before departure:

Ski jacket

These are very warm, but breathable jackets that often contain a number of pockets for things such as lift pass, iPod, wallet, snack bars etc. Classic makes are brands such as The North Face, Helly Hansen and Spyder, while at the trendier end of the spectrum you have the likes of Burton, Quiksilver (Roxy) and Oakley. Branded jackets can be as expensive as £400 (Snow & Rock is a good place to start), whilst budget brands such as Dare2Be (in TKMaxx or online) can start at just £35.

Ski pants

Made by the same manufacturers as jackets, ski pants are warm, but often zip-vented for comfort in warmer conditions. Again they often have multiple pockets for storage and are fully waterproofed. Prices are similar to jackets and of course, all the rage of late are the combined one-piece suits or “onesies” as an homage to the 1980s piste-style, though I wouldn’t recommend these for absolute beginners.

Ski gloves

Hands are one of the first places to feel the cold, and a good pair of gloves are essential. This needn’t mean breaking the bank, but the best gloves (or the even-warmer mittens) are fleece-lined and can cost in the region of £80-100 from the same sort of retailers as the above merchandise.

Thermals

Thermal base layers are definitely required when it is cold, but most people wear them all of the time on the slopes. You can buy lycra-style fitted base layers these days – known as compression garments (e.g. Nike Pro or Under Armour), whilst the older-fashioned undergarments are more cotton style thermals. For thermals, you should budget from around £30.

Thermal ski socks are also vital and can be snapped up for about £7 per pair.

Goggles (and/or sunglasses)

For novice skiers, goggles are a good way of protecting the eyes (a must) from the cold, the glare of the sun and wind. Virtually interchangeable with sunglasses, goggles are more compatible with helmets – which are essential for learning to ski, but can be hired for the week – but a pair of sunglasses is preferable at lunchtime. Goggles begin at around £20.

Layers

Many skiers like to wear around 4 layers, including the items mentioned above, so it is important to have enough clothes. A standard person might wear a thermal base layer, a t-shirt, then a fleece/hoodie and then their ski jacket. It is necessary, therefore, to bring a suitable number of each on a skiing holiday, for example one thermal layer, a number of t-shirts, one or two long-sleeved fleeces and a ski jacket. Thermals and ski pants usually suffice for the bottom half.

Scarf/Snood

In colder weather, the face can feel rather exposed, so it is a good idea to have a scarf or snood at the ready to keep your neck, chin and sometimes nose a bit toastier!

These are the basics of what you are likely to need. Once you have done a few weeks’ skiing, I would suggest the next thing to consider is buying your own ski boots as these are the most personal item of skiing equipment, and should be tailored to your own feet.

However, at first you should ensure you enjoy the sport and want to do it regularly before forking out £300+ on a pair of ski boots! Hire shops tend to have very up-to-date boots which are plenty good enough for you to get your ski legs and the same can be said for the equipment they stock. Only when you have truly caught the ski bug should you start to look at buying all the kit."

Thanks Francesca! Find out more about Powder N Shine's great catered chalets in Les Menuires.

Thanks also to Ski Bartlett for providing the images. If you're looking for gear, Ski Bartlett have an enormous selection of ski hardware and all the extras you may need. They can also give you extremely helpful advice whether you're a nervous beginner or a confident expert (the top GB racers are regular clients). They also provide a great range of services - such as the latest in custom boot fitting and top notch ski servicing,

 

 

Setting the Slopes alight - the Top Ten ski accessories for this Winter

Snow in the Alps, the Ski Show in London - the Relentless Freeze next week (more about that to come) - the ski and board world is just buzzing right now. It's now just weeks till Winter 2011-12 kicks off and we're jumping for joy!

So maybe you'd like to treat yourself to a few new gizmos and gadgets, or update that faded one piece for a fresher look? We asked Michael of great online store Simply Piste for his take on what's hot for this season!

"You may be wondering what to wear on the slopes this season, I know I am. As always the ski and snowboarding world gives brand designers the license to break the barriers of exuberance with some rather spectacular colours and radical techie integration systems. Here's what in our opinion are the best garments and gadgets to hit the slopes this season, including the much acclaimed Zeal goggles with head up display.

The Simply Piste Top 10

What do you call an Elephant on Ice Skates........? An Ice Breaker, and that’s where we’ll start.

10: Flexi-Chute Neck Gaiter

New from Icebreaker is their flexi chute neck gaiter. For those of you that find style a compromise of practicality, this is a lovely garment that allows you to keep warm whilst also looking on trend. It’s made with Bodyfit 200, so it’s perfect for the winter conditions on the mountain. We personally love the practicality of neck gaiters. They’re zero fuss and look great. 

 

9: E-Gloves

At number 9 we have a set of E-gloves. Not the newest gadget to hit the market. However e-gloves are a genius and practical piece of Kit. They’re invention cuts out the problem of answering phone calls whilst out on the slopes. This removed fuss allows the experience to become more comfortable, convenient and reduces the risk of dropping your device. They work on an array of touch screen devices, so if you’re lucky enough to have an ipod touch, ipad or a touch screen phone, e-gloves are worth considering when you need a new set of ski gloves. The North Face offer a good range of e-gloves, however if price is a factor, you may be willing to give F3 ski a go. 

 

8: Heli Pro Re Gen Backpack

Number 8 brings us to the Heli pro Re gen from Dakine, who have for an added benefit of public relations decided to manufacture this bag solely out of plastic bottles. So for the eco conscious out there this bag will go some way in giving you peace of mind, whilst also looking cool. The backpack has the same features as the Heli Pro 20 litre, including a ski and snowboard carry plus many pockets, including a goggle pouch and laptop sleeve. 

 

7: Giro Link Audio Drops

Powered by skull candy, Giro’s link audio drops are applied throughout the Giro ski and snowboarding audio range. They feature 40mm speakers that produce a crisp and clear treble with a deep and pokey bass. The system is easy to use, their speakers drop into the latest designed Giro ear pads, which be integrated into your helmet. The latest 2011 range can feature a Bluetooth link up, allowing you to answer your phone wirelessly.  If you have the pleasure of owning a Giro Helmet, please make sure it’s audio compatible before purchasing link audio drops.

 

6: Scott Zuri Jacket

One for the ladies out there, the Scott Zuri Jacket looks fantastic and has some cool features. It’s completely reversible, allowing you to alter the design of the jacket into a stylish puffy jacket, allowing you to mix up your look a bit. It also comes with an invisible chest pocket, fully taped seems, adjustable hood, hand warmer pockets and adjustable Velcro cuffs. Check out our Scott product video for more information.

 

5: Wesbeach Alibi Peacoat

The Westbeach Alibi Peacoat is a stylish alternative for this season. The jacket shares many of the same features as your standard jacket, however it’s smart and stylish appearance allows you to wear this whilst out on the slopes or stood in the local bar. It also boasts an impressive range of practical features, including pockets for lift passes, goggles, music and also hand warming.

 

4: Men's Root Jacket

The Mens root jacket by Eleven is a brilliant new snowboard jacket to hit the market this season.  Having looked at personally buying one for myself I found the jacket to be very comfortable but also has an amazingly simply design. I think the denim style is quite cutting edge whilst refreshingly pulling away from the everyday flashy design with exuberant colours. The jacket comes with a full list of features including, Insulated standard lining, single hand hood adjustment, climate control vents, stash pockets and EZ track zippers. 

 

3: The Dry Guy

The “dry guy”, I think this bit of kit is great. Priced at a very reasonable £50, these allow your trip to become all the more enjoyable and organised. The machine gently dries items placed upon it within an hour whilst also working to eliminate odours. The design allows you to dry up to four garments simultaneously and will not harm any liners or stitching. This unit gives you peace of mind and makes the next morning on the slopes that much more comfortable.  

 

2: HD Summit Video Goggles

The penultimate piece, the HD Summit video camera Goggles. For £250, these goggles are the toast of gadgets for ski geeks. Replacing the need for an external camera that attaches to your helmet, these goggles integrate the camera within the goggles, perfect for capturing POV action on the slopes in stunning 720p HD. Capture footage as your see and hear it, the ability to take snap shots and a no-wind noise mic adds to an already boastful spec. 

 

1: Zeal Optics GPS Goggles:

No surprises then. These amazing things have been around since last year but they still fascinate us here in the office, I’d absolutely love to get my hands on a pair. Prices in the UK starting at £399, the goggles featured a colour LCD display that is projected in the right side lens, showing real-time stats such as, speed, altitude, temperature and more. Questions have been posed at the designers of this gadget, about the safety issues. 

To clarify, the experience is likened to that of driving. The head up display is an estimated perception of 5 metres away and non invasive. Similar to driving and a dash board, you have the choice whether to look down to view your gages as and when you need to or feel is appropriate. The goggles are also USB compatible, and allow you to upload, share and compare stats. Finally a full integration with Google maps allows you to map out your journey on the slopes."

Thanks to Michael and the guys at Simply Piste - hopefully this little list will get you excited too. If you'd also like to see his "what's not hot" list take a look at their blog.

 

It's Ski Show Season!

As we get into the second half of October everything starts to hot up in the ski and snowboard world as the UK ski shows get underway. As every seasoned ski bum will tell you, that's when it starts to get really exciting.

The ski shows give you the chance to enjoy the buzz, you can hear all the gossip, see and touch the latest gear, find a job, discover holiday destinations you might never have considered, even try out the apres ski. There's also loads of entertainment such as live demos, bands, competitions, and the chance to see pro-riders and skiers go through their paces. There's lots of action and loads of fun. So here's a quick round up of the main shows.

Scotland's Ski & Snowboard Show - 15-16th Oct 2011, SECC Glasgow:

The Scots traditionally are the first to get their show on the road - maybe it's because they have their own mountains. This year's Show also gives you free entry to the Scottish Outdoors show which is taking place at the same time. Pre-booked tickets cost only £10 and will also get you a free day pass at one of Scotland's ski resorts. This year's attractions include a live freestyle show featuring some of the UK’s best free-style skiers and snowboarders. More info...

Ski & Snowboard Show, London - 19th-23rd Oct 2011, Earl's Court:

A new venue for the London show this year where you will find 160 ski resorts, 22 different retailers, a 50ft hip kicker, fashion show & brand arena, live music, 4 bars, 230 shops and stands plus loads more. Events over the 5 days include the 3 Valleys Cook Off - a competition to show off your culinary skills and maybe win a week's holiday in a gourmet chalet this winter. Judges include Michelin starred chefs from the 3 Valleys and Heston Blumenthal! Plus there's all the usual thrill and spills - freestylers, fashion shows, apres ski sessions and even petanque. Tickets start at £10 for adult weekday pre-booked entrance, discounts for students, kids and family entrance available.  More info...

The British Ski & Board Show, Birmingham - 28th-30th Oct 2011, NEC Birmingham:

Highlights of the Brum show include; Big Air freestyle and aerialist shows with international World-Cup and Olympic stars, tops tips from experts on ski fitness, ice climbing, cross country skiing courses, plus talks, films, offers, and lots of information and advice for beginners to experts. Adult entrance is just £6.50 on Friday and £10 on the weekend. Kids get in for £2.50! More info...

See what it's all about - highlights frm last year'sLondon show at Olympia!

The Importance of Good Ski Boots

Snow & Rock are holding a boot-fitting training session for their staff at their Manchester Chill Factore store on 21st September (more details at the end if you'd like to be a guinea pig).

It's a great idea but it also got us thinking about how important it is to get the right ski boots. Ski boots are what connect you to the ski - so get it right and you will feel in control and confident. Get it wrong and your dream of ripping up the slopes can very quickly turn into a nightmare.

If you're thinking of buying your first pair of ski boots, or are fed up with the pain and torture of rental boots, or if you just need to know how boots should feel, then these top tips should help you out!

1. Don't over estimate your skill level:
Most seasoned bootfitters will tell you that men will usually over-estimate their skill and experience, whilst women will tend to under-estimate how they ski. Whether in the rental shop or in the process of buying ski boots it's important to be honest about how well and how often you ski.

Less experienced skiers require softer shells (the outer casing of the boot) so they can flex the boot and get more feeling back from the ski itself. World cup racers will require extremely rigid shells to give them the control and precision they need when negotiating high speed turns through a race course. But put one in the other's boots and they'll have a miserable time.

Most good shops will have a chart/scale where you can identify your level so that the boot fitter will know which range of boots will suit you.

2. Don't choose by colour:
The last time I bought new boots I took my old boots into the shop, showed the boot fitter, told him what I skied and how much. He looked at my feet, asked me to flex forward from the heels. He then showed me just 2 models of boot that could be right for me.

There was no question of what colour I would like or what brand I wanted. The point is; how they look on the outside really bears no relation to how right they are for you.

Once a good boot fitter has determined your level he can then narrow it down, and by looking at your feet can work out the kind of boot that would work best for you. With his/her knowledge of brands they will know what boots will match your foot shape best - so if you like the silver Atomics but your feet are more suited to gold Salomons - that's what you should go for.

3. Be prepared to customise:
Getting the right make and model is only the first part of the process when you're buying boots. So your feet can fit into the shell ok but what about if you have long toes, higher arches, narrow heels etc? It's very rare with feet that one size will fit all. So this is where you will now start to customise your boot.

Modern ski boots will usually have mouldable inners - the softer padded inner part of the boot. This should fit snugly around your foot and calf. Don't be tempted to go for slipper-like comfort - your skiing will suffer.

Once you have decided upon the boot, the boot fitter will then begin the process of moulding the inner to your foot and calf. Something else to consider is getting customised footbeds - and whilst not obligatory this is highly recommended.

A customised footbed is a separate product to the boot - there are a number of brands available, Conformable possibly being one of the best known. The footbed is heated and then moulded to the sole of your foot. The footbed can add around £40 - £80 to the cost of your boots. They will last for years however, you can take them with you when you move up to your next pair of ski boots, so they are a great investment.

4. Don't rush it:
You might have guessed that with all this customisation going on you've got to allow the time to get it done.

If you're buying ski boots be prepared to take your time. Allow 2 hours plus and be patient. If you get the feeling that the bootfitter is trying to rush you then don't let them. There was a shop in Chamonix not so long ago who would offer their customers a beer whilst they were waiting for the inners and footbeds to be moulded - good practice but probably not practical for every boot shop!

5. Check the after sales service:
Check, before you make a purchase, that after having spent the time and money on your new boots that you can go back to them if something is wrong.

Good fitters will tell you to test out the boots at home, or if possible at a local dry slope or indoor snow centre. Wearing the boots on a warm weekend afternoon will be different to trying them out clipped into bindings where the temperature is considerably lower.

Walking around at home in your boots will give you an idea if there are pressure points or anywhere that is causing you pain. A good boot fitter will be confident that you are in the right boots but there may be minor adjustments they can make to make them fit better. It could be something very simple - reheating a footbed slightly to change the shape in one area, shaving a little bit of the footbed off under the toes, adding a little more padding at heel.

It will be rare that you'll have to start again from the beginning and experienced fitters will have little tricks of the trade which will make the fit more comfortable.

Of course if you're buying boots in resort you will be able to test them out on the slopes. Expect them to feel tighter to begin with but if you do experience pain don't be afraid to go back to the shop.

For more details of Snow & Rock's training afternoon for their boot fitters take a look at their Facebook page.

For more advice on choosing ski boots take a look at the following links:

Snow and Rock's Ski Boot Buying Guide

How to choose downhill ski boots from US outdoor store REI

Boots - how to find the best fit

Check out Graham Bell's tip for ski boots too;

 

Top tips for family ski holidays!

From the emails and enquiries we're getting, it looks like quite a few of you are looking at booking your family ski holiday for next winter. We've looked back at our archives and this blog might help! Some useful advice to make your family ski trip a success

Click the link for the full article: Top Tips for Family Ski Holidays

Christmas Gift Ideas for Avid Skiers & Boarders

As lots of people, not just in the Alps, wake up to snow today, with sub zero temperatures and the promise of more to come, at CDHQ we can't help but feel pretty excited! Coupled with the Xmas buzz in the air we thought it might be a good idea to take a look at gift ideas for skiers and boarders - from full on presents to stocking fillers. If you're trying to think of what to get the snowbunnies and powder hounds in your family hopefully this will give you some ideas.

Extra Special for that Extra Special Someone:

If your budget is ready to stretch then there are multiple possibilities. Ski clothing doesn't come cheap - and generally you get what you pay for.

Experienced skiers and boarders will generally prefer to buy their own jackets and pants as they will be looking for gear which is hardworking and technical. However if you want to surprise them, look at the top technical brands - Kjus, Arc'teryx, North Face, Salomon, Peak Performance etc. For a good technical jacket you're probably looking at prices over £250 and for pants something similar. Garments with Gore-Tex will add a premium to the price tag, but many hardcore mountain lovers wouldn't be in anything else. A good technical garment means that it will keep you warm and dry whether you're on the chairlift or in a couloir; it will have enough pockets to stow goggles, glasses and other paraphernalia; jacket hoods will cut out the wind without restricting field of vision too much, moisture generated by exertion will be wicked away so keeping the body dry. There are a lot of features to take into consideration - so if you're not aware of the importance of these, it's best to let the "giftee" choose for themselves.  

The same could be said if you're thinking of buying hardwear - skis, boards, bindings etc. Again take them with you to the shops, or get a gift voucher.

If he or she is a backcountry enthusiast you could also consider items such as beeps, probes, shovels - again unless you know exactly what they want, it's probably better for them to choose for themselves.

Mid-Range Presents:

Skiers and boarders need a lot of other items on the mountain - so this is ideal if you're not wanting to buy big but still want to make it meaningful. Items that could come in under the £100 mark include goggles, baselayer and midlayer garments, helmets (although these should always be tried for fit and size), gloves and glasses too.

Baselayers are often overlooked by the beginner so would make a great gift. Good baselayers will keep the skin dry and so the wearer stays warm. This is particularly good for beginners, who most probably will be exerting themselves more than they expect with the effort of staying upright on unfamiliar equipment. If you get sweaty in low temperatures dampness on the skin can very quickly turn cold which will effect your enjoyment. Brands to look for include Helly Hansen, Odlo, Icebreaker - make sure that any baselayer garments you buy promise to wick moisture away from the skin.

Stocking Fillers:

There are absolutely loads of cheaper items that would make skiers and boarders happy. Socks, neckwarmers, hats, sunblock, hand warmers, hip flasks - you name it the gift is out there. The more experienced skiers and boarders will tend to shy away from novelty items - so unless you don't mind the comedy hat with the arm and axe being consigned straight to the bin, don't buy it. For the intermediate to advanced look for function as well as funky.

When buying hats it's a good idea if these aren't too bulky - so that they can be easily put in a pocket if the temperatures rise, and also look for fleece lined hats which keep heads and ears much warmer than hats without linings.

Hopefully this will give you some ideas. Over in the Alps, where the snow is welcomed with open arms, most resorts are gearing up to be opening in a week or two. It's looking like it wil be a great start to the season!

Getting the Best & Most out of Your Ski Trip

There's snow falling in the Alps, and in just a few short weeks all resorts will be dusting off the cable cars and opening their doors for winter 2010-11. Here Claire of AktivExperience in Meribel offers up her top tips for making sure that this winter's ski holiday is your best one yet!

Seeing the mountains, getting that 1st lift of your holiday, clicking in and doing that 1st run of your holiday has to be one of life's greatest feelings; the adrenaline, the breathtaking views, the freedom, in my world there is nothing better.

For me though, I am one of the lucky ones who is a permanent resident of the mountains so instead of just managing 1 week a season I get the whole 18. But what if like the vast majority I could only manage a week a season, how would I get the most from my limited time? Having worked over 19 ski seasons between us (Claire & Ben) we have seen those prepared getting the most from their skiing and those who come unprepared that spend the first couple of days still sorting themselves out.

In an ideal world your annual ski trip should start well before you arrive in resort, unlike a summer holiday where you plan to laze around the pool or relax on white sandy beaches, your ski trip can be and generally is far from relaxing, your body is pushed to its limits and probably your patience too!

Before you head off.
Skiing or boarding, it is going to exercise parts that haven`t been used since the last trip, and if you are anything like me, the idea of hitting the gym 3 times a week all year is great in theory but in practice something more exciting like chilling on the sofa with a bar of Galaxy is more appealing, so your body maybe a little out of shape.

To ensure you don`t pull a muscle on your first day and spend the following 6 sat watching tv in your chalet some pre-ski holiday conditioning is a good idea, a few simple exercises to get the body and the muscles warmed up for the trip ahead.

The exercises are not like that last minute beach diet that you go on a week before you hit the beach, the regime should be taken up as soon as you start thinking about booking your trip, at least this way your body will be fully prepared.

Getting the Gear:
You`ve got the exercise regime sorted, your body is already preparing itself now you need to sort out what you are going to wear, good gear is a must, it protects you from the elements and buy wisely and it will last you years.

In years gone by wool and tweed was the acceptable attire but this was when we skied on wooden planks with leather straps for bindings, long before the invention of synthetic fibres which dry quick, and are used to make a warm dry barrier to protect from the cold.

The demise of C&A many years ago saw the demise in the value all in ones (shame! ha ha ha) but no need to despair, designer outlets are popping up all over the UK, and TKmax always have a good range of branded apparel, that are fashionable, trendy & smart (depending on your approach to slopes style fashion) and sufficiently technical for your ski trip.

Ok only a week to go and you will be hitting the white stuff, the week before you head out do a little pre trip “lunch hour” research into your resort, most companies are now blogging and post weekly if not daily and many keep their blogs updated with the current weather, snow conditions, and what is happening in resort while you are there.

You're in resort what more can you do? Right thats it, you`ve exercised those legs,you`re fully kitted out, you have done a bit of research and your flight is about to take off and you are on your way to the snow. Once in resort the only thing left to do is ski/board and have a wicked time. So here are my final tips to help you get the most out of your trip while you are there 

• Get organised with your ski hire the day/evening you arrive, there is nothing worse than wasting the first 2 hours of your first day faffing around in the ski shop, head there when you arrive or better still arrange for your ski hire to be done in your chalet.
• Pre order your lift passes, again another time saver, and your passes will be delivered to your chalet during your first evening or during breakfast on your first day
• Get out your ski wear the night before, especially if you have kids, get all clothes & apparel ready so that when you rise in the morning you can step into your clothing and you will also have peace of mind that you have brought everything, gloves are like socks in the wash, you are sure you put 2 in there but some how only 1 appears to come out?!
• Regarding clothing on the hill, the best thing to do layer up, better to be too hot with layers than too cold, at least with layers you can remove them, too cold and your heading home early.
• Want to get as much ski time in as humanly possible in 6 days? Then try to get to the lifts 1st thing, from experience there tends to be minimal queues for the 9am lifts but by 9,30am the queues have formed especially during peak dates, and ski till you drop last lifts tend to be 4,30pm so grab that lift and enjoy being one of the last on the snow.
• During your time on the hill you will need refueling, if you have a hearty breakfast before you set out then you should be able to last till 2,30pm which again from experience is a good time to stop off at the restaurants as most people have eaten between 12 - 2 so no waiting for a table and quick service.
• When looking for somewhere to head to after skiing check out the bars with happy hours, many offer 2 4 1 and happy hour beer jugs.
• Can`t ski or very inexperienced? The best advice is get lessons, you may have a friend with you who promises they can show you the basics but lets be honest a professional will be better qualified and there is less chance of a fall out. 
• FINALLY......... HAVE AN EXCELLENT HOLIDAY

Obviously these are just hints and tips that we suggest to our guests that we have picked up along the way, others will have their own feel free to post your own hints and tips, create a review on Chalets Direct and share your thoughts.

The winter's bright, the winter's orange...and lime green, purple, powder blue, pink...

What's hot in ski and board gear for this winter 

If you're looking at updating your ski/board wear for this winter, then it's an exciting time in the gear market to do it. Carrying on from last winter's trends for brights, this winter's jackets and pants can be found in a riot of colours - purples, yellows, pinks, baby blues, acid oranges - it's all out there. Loud and lively prints are still available but it looks like the stylish skiers and boarders this year will be wearing big, bold blocks of colour which can be carried through to goggles, helmets and accessories.

For the extroverts amongst you clashing brights is the order of the day - think blue with lime green, pink with purple, yellow with just about anything. If going out on the slopes and drawing attention to yourself is something you really don't want to do - then you can play it safe and tone down a bright pair of pants with a neutral jacket, or vice versa.

Hard working as well as good looking:

There's a great choice of wintersports clothing coming into the shops right now to suit a wide range of budgets. Plus there are a few real technical innovations to help keep you warm and dry whether on a chairlift, a nursery slope or a 60 degree off piste run on a powder day.

The Columbia Omni-Heat technology for example helps keep body temperature stable when warming up and cooling down after physical exertion, whilst wicking moisture away. Columbia garments also tend to be good value - "great technology at the price" says Claire Collins of Snow and Rock.

Another innovative design to look out for is the Salomon S-Line range - a new range of high tech garments with a technical spec to compete alongside Arc'teryx, long regarded as one of the best brands for mountain sportswear.

Meanwhile Kjus, the prestigious Swiss brand developed in partnership with retired world champion Lasse Kjus, continue to push the envelope with their Schoeller PCM (Phase Change Materials) linings. Designed to "actively balance out temperature peaks above or below the wearer's personal comfort climate", these smart textiles were originally developed for NASA. The PCMs change their state of matter at a certain temperature, from liquid to solid and vice versa. When the temperature rises, the excess heat is stored. When temperature falls the previously stored heat is released again.  "It's ideal for skiing where you're moving down the mountain but then are sitting still for several minutes in a chairlift," says Nico Serena, Kjus' head of design.

Something for everyone:

For the budget conscious Snow and Rock can offer a good choice of good value technical gear starting at around £100 - look at Helly Hansen, Bonfire, Burton, Protest and the previously mentioned Columbia. If you can afford to splash the cash a little take a look at Peak Performance, Arc'teryx, The North Face etc. There's a lot of great styles out there so if you want to treat yourself before your next ski holiday the sky's the limit.

Just for good measure we've included a great pic of three of the As We Are girls below - taken whilst skiing yesterday (9th October) on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier above Kaprun, Sandra, Melissa and Pia are proudly modelling the new brights - Sandra in Peak Performance, Melissa in Ziener and Pia in Sweet.

 

British Ski Racer, Sam Clissold, Takes on the K2 Pontoons

There are certain times in skiing history when there have been great leaps forward in ski technology. There was the move to clip in bindings, the introduction of the carving ski and now there is a new direction of innovation, towards fat skis.

At the summit of this new direction in technology is K2, the American company, who are carving inroads into the new age of the powder ski. Sam Clissold, the 14 year old British team ski racer, recently purchased a pair of Brand new K2 Pontoons from the Blackside Store in Flaine and has had the perfect opportunity over the last two weeks to try them out in the deep powder fields of Flaine, France.

At 160mm at their tip, 130mm under foot and 110mm at the tail, these are BIG skis. They have an inverse camber meaning that, when on piste, they only have about half of the ski that actually connects with the snow. They also have no turning radius, being the wrong shape, making it quite clear that these skis were made for one purpose, and one purpose only: to enjoy the off piste.

“I can’t sink the tips,” says an exuberant Sam after our second run, “they just won’t go under”. From where I’m skiing behind him I can see what he means. Whereas I am fighting to stay afloat on a pair of “bit of everything” skis, Sam has no problem whatsoever. Throughout the day, Sam gets more and more relaxed as he becomes accustomed to how the ski works, by the end he is carving like the expert racer that he is, but the amazing thing is that he is doing so in snow that would reach up to his knees on other skis.

Sam doesn't just ski straight down through the powder; he takes the odd detour to drop off a cliff. "You can tell he's 14" says one of our wistful older companions, as we watch from below while Sam takes an interesting path down, including a 6 foot drop, two jump shaped mounds and a natural slalom of trees. “I can barely feel the landings,” exclaims Sam. I guess that must be the work of the huge surface area, but for Sam it isn’t about why it works, it’s about how it works, and I can tell from his boyish grin, that they are working well.

A couple of days later, he’s back out again shredding into a new dump of snow. We are the first to make it up to an untouched bowl and when we arrive at the bottom we take a moment to look back at what we skied. “Who ripped that up?” says one of us incredulously, pointing up to a set of striking tracks slightly to the right of where we all went. “That was Sam,” was the reply. No surprise there.

Over the next few weeks the pontoons began to make more and more frequent appearances. Anytime Sam caught even the slightest whiff of fresh snow, he would take them out, and even if the snow was wind-swept, cut up, crusty, heavy or a combination of the above, he was still skiing it with ease. In fact, he skied it with more than ease; he was skiing it with enthusiasm, still pulling tricks and just having one hell of a good time.

Today, after another morning of powder, I decided that Sam would have made up his mind about exactly what he thought of the skis, so I asked him. “What’s the verdict then?” He takes a moment to think while examining his skis and taking in the signature K2 graphics. “Overall,” he finally replies, “they are one sick pair of skis!