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NILS Maribel jacket & Betty pant: bold & beautiful

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NILS Maribel print jacket and Betty pants on top of Vail mountain

NILS Maribel print jacket and Betty pants on top of Vail mountain

Thanks to a snowy spring, snowgrrl got a few late-season days in and had the opportunity to try out the Maribel parka and Betty pant from Nils‘ 2016-2017 lineup.  The indigo winter winds print Maribel jacket was tested on the slopes of Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado (buy your Epic Pass before April 10 to receive 6 buddy tickets!) as well as on the streets of Denver during a March blizzard. The Maribel jacket, from NILS’ Simplexity line, is made of a 4-way stretch, 3 layer fabric that is waterproof to 20,000 mm and breathable 20,000g.  It is insulated with “thermo extreme”.  This combination of technical fabric and insulation helped the jacket perform beautifully in both the city and the mountains, demonstrating the high performance fabric’s range and versatility.

Snowgrrl was also thrilled to discover that NILS makes a great mid-rise stretchy slim fit pant in extra long, which perfectly fits this snowgrrl’s 35″ inseam.  Trying on the Betty pants made me want to jump for joy and/or beg the designer to replicate them in a dozen different fabrics to wear on and off the mountain :)  In other words, they fit great – no easy feat for pants for tall girls!  I did not need a base layer beneath these pants; the 3 layer fabric with lining was enough to keep me warm on ski days that were around 25-35 degrees.  The high contoured back prevented any embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions, and a zippered back pocket came in handy for storing a business card that someone on the lift handed to me.

The bold blue print jacket garnered a lot of attention on the slopes.  When remarking to a ski companion that the new gates at the bottom of the (now faster) Avanti lift make me feel like a racehorse, he commented, “well in that jacket, you’re more like a show pony.”  The Maribel is stylishly cut hip-length to keep your booty warm.  It also contains all of the technical and convenience features we’ve come to expect from NILS: a fleece-lined chin guard which provides comfort by preventing irritation from the brass zipper; an internal media pocket; an arm pocket for your ski pass or lip balm, flattering seams, and two zippered side pockets.  A powder skirt and removable hood offer options in changing weather conditions.  A nylon thumb thong holds the jacket’s sleeves in place while providing additional warmth underneath gloves.

NILS Maribel print jacket in Vail's golden gondola!

NILS Maribel print jacket in Vail’s golden gondola!

The custom antiqued brass hardware is embellished with crystal detailing.  Snowgrrl thought this bold and beautiful jacket looked like it belonged in the “Golden Gondola” — a gondola outfitted in gold to celebrate Vail mountain’s 50th anniversary during the 2012-13 ski season!  Don’t you agree?

In compliance with FTC Endorsement Guidelines 16 C.F.R. Part 255, we make this disclosure of material connection: Snowgrrl.com received Maribel jacket at no charge from NILS in consideration for review publication.


ThermaCELL HeatPacks: reduce, reuse, really warm

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ThermaCell hand warmers

ThermaCELL Heat Packs (small)

April is earth month, what better time to celebrate another green initiative in the snow industry?  Now instead of buying individual hand warmers and disposing of them after a day on the mountain, we have ThermaCELL resuable Heat Packs.  These pocket or hand warmers come in two sizes that can be charged for reuse. ThermaCELL Heat Packs are good for up to 500 uses and better for the environment than disposable heat pouches. They charge with a USB connection and can be placed in pockets, hats and gloves.  One charge lasts up to six hours (and if you run out, you can charge them up with your GoPuck!) These hand warmers are water resistant, thin and light weight.

ThermaCELL hand warmers hit the slopes of Vail

ThermaCELL hand warmers hit the slopes of Vail

While snowgrrl received the hand warmers at no charge in exchange for the review, the price normally ranges from $70 for a set of two to $80 for one large.

Snowgrrl tried the small Heat Packs on a Vail ski day with temperatures hovering in the high 20s/low 30s.  They fit conveniently into the zippered gloves and kept snowgrrl’s hands toasty warm, so will become part of the “mountain armor” packed for a ski trip!

Sustaining our snowpack – discussion 5/3/16

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Colorado’s population is projected to double by 2050. Coloradans have long loved our mountains, and the outdoor recreation opportunities stand out as one reason our beautiful state has become so popular with new residents.  As the mountains warm and the winter snowpack melts into the spring run off, one can’t help but notice the volatility of this season.  Ski areas represent a $4.8 billion annual impact in Colorado’s economy and account for 46,000 local jobs.  Their success and long term viability relies on  good snow pack and we have all experienced the inconsistent and changing weather recently.

How are Colorado resorts adapting to the changing conditions in Colorado and across the globe? How are they addressing mitigation in step with adaptation? What impacts are they experiencing from climate change and what do they foresee coming in the future? How do they power their lifts and restaurants, snowmobiles etc.?  What are their plans for a clean energy future for their resorts?

Next week, the Alliance Center for Sustainable Colorado will host a discussion about such isses.  Held on May 3, 2016 5:30 PM at the Alliance Center, 1536 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202, this discussion will feature Jorge Rivera from George Washington University describing the result of  a 25 years study examining how ski resorts in the west manage climate change uncertainty; and Judy Dorsey, the founding President and Principal engineer of Brendle Group, presenting on real life sustainability applications that the Brendle Group has implemented as consultants in leading Front Range resorts.

Light refreshments and beverages provided by Serendipity Catering.  RSVP at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2535245

Greening of the Snow Industry, part 4: Vail’s Epic Promise

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greeningAs snowgrrl has discussed recently, caring about the environment and “going green” isn’t just a trendy term in the snow sports industry — players are taking specific actions to follow up on their commitment to the environment.  One of the biggest players, Vail Resorts which owns and operates nine mountain resorts and three ski areas in seven states and two countries, comprising 291 chairlifts, more than 34,000 acres, and selling more than half a million Epic Passes each year, has made an “Epic Promise,” the details of which are. . . well, epic.

 

Annually, Vail Resorts donates more than $7.8 millio to more than 250 nonprofit partners focusing on youth programs and environmental initiatives. Over the past five years resource and forest conservation have been amongst Vail’s top priorities; it has reduced energy use by 10% and pledged to reduce it by another 10% before 2020; and raised more than $3.5 million through a guest donation program to sustain the health of our forests.

Across Vail Resorts, a combination of composting, recycling and material reuse diverts more than 40% of waste.  Recycling and composting are required elements of the company’s operations.  They also have made an effort to reduce, through joint efforts with purchasing planning and event planners, to minimize the waste created in daily operations.  Retail stores have successfully reduced packaging in ski helmet shipments, and when possible, bulk shipments are used to minimize individually wrapped packaging.

We applaud Vail Resorts’ Epic Promise and hope other resort companies will follow suit in the near future.

Summer fun in the mountains

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Breckenridge as seen from Twist restaurant

Breckenridge as seen from Twist restaurant

Often people who visit Colorado in the winter have such a wonderful time that they return in the summer and stay even longer.  It’s not too late to plan a summer trip to the mountains, with nearly a month of summer and a full roster of activities worth catching.  Snowgrrl and her crew visited Breckenridge resort for a few days last week and enjoyed temperatures around 20 degrees cooler than the intense Denver heat.   Below are a few summer offerings to keep you busy:

Vail Mountain, together with the Lodge at Vail, A RockResort, offeres yoga at 10,150 feet every Friday and Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. through Sept. 3 in the Mid-Vail area at the top of Vail’s Gondola One and is complimentary to all guests with a lift ticket or current season pass. Those who are feeling extra ambitious can hike to Mid-Vail free of charge.

The 10th Annual Beaver Creek Wine & Spirits Festival returns to that resort August 12-14.  The Festival, presented by Wine Spectator, will be nestled in the raw beauty of the Rocky Mountains of Beaver Creek, Colorado. This is a social and culinary highlight of the season, incorporating culinary excellence with Beaver Creek’s longstanding traditions, outdoor adventures, health and wellness.

Breckenridge closes out their summer music festival with the Indigo Girls on August 6th, then gears up for the International Festival of Arts from August 12-21, bringing together an eclectic mix of music, dance, film, visual arts and family entertainment.

Free skiing for Colorado kids!

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Kids ski free in Colorado - photo courtesy of Colorado Ski Country USA

Kids ski free in Colorado

Fifth and sixth graders residing in Colorado are in for another treat this 2016-17 snow season.  Registration for Colorado Ski Country USA’s popular 5th and 6th Grade Passport Program is now open for the upcoming ski and snowboarding season. The Passport Programs introduce fifth and sixth grade kids to skiing and snowboarding by giving fifth graders free access, and sixth graders discounted access, to 20 of Colorado’s ski resorts. This program provides an amazing opportunity for kids to become avid skiers and snowboarders!

The CSCUSA 5th Grade Passport allows fifth graders three days of free skiing at each of 20participating member resorts, while the 6th Grade Passport allows sixth graders up to four days of skiing at 20 resorts for $105 if participants register before November 30, 2016, which amounts to 80 days on the slopes for less than $1.50 per day. After November 30, 2016, registration for the 6th Grade Passport will be $125 until January 31, 2017. Additionally, Passport holders are also entitled to one free daily ski or snowboard equipment rental from presenting sponsor Christy Sports.

Not only do the kids get free or discounted days on the slope, registered 5th Grade Passport holders who have never skied nor snowboarded before also may receive a free ski or snowboard lesson and one day of rental equipment during the month of January 2017, which is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month.  Advance reservations are required for First Class Lessons, and registration for First Class will begin in November.

To register kids for the Passport Programs and for more information about First Class Lessons, parents can visit www.ColoradoSki.com/Passport. The CSCUSA Passport Programs enjoy the support of presenting sponsor Christy Sports, and program partners Credit Union of Colorado and HEAD Skis.

Participating resorts in the 2016/17 Passport programs include: Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Cooper, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Eldora, Howelsen Hill, Loveland, Monarch, Powderhorn, Purgatory, Ski Granby Ranch, Snowmass, Steamboat, Sunlight, Telluride, Winter Park and Wolf Creek.

Warren Miller’s new book makes skiing great again

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Warren Miller's autobiography

Warren Miller’s autobiography

During this election season, we can easily get bogged down in issues, poll results, party affiliations, debate performance critiques.  But at least one person has kept his mind where it belongs — on the slopes!  Warren Miller’s new autobiography, Freedom Found, chronicles his globetrotting 55-year journey, parylaying a simple love for skiing and surfing into a career as the world’s foremost ski filmmaker.   While today fans clamor for tickets to the annual high-energy, entertaining event that gets us salivating for the launch of ski season, when Warren first started making ski films, he struggled to find an audience.  Freedom Found details how at least eight California ski clubs declined his offer to screen his new film, but finally he was able to find an audience with the the Ski Club Alpine, a group of Southern California ski racers who constituted the leading ski club in that part of the world at the time.  The showing of Deep and Light on a Friday night in a Pasadena theater in the fall of 1950, thus began Warren’s 55-year-long journey. When he went back to work the next day to support his surfing habit, he realized he would have to make a second ski film to continue finding joy in life (and support his lifestyle).

Miller eventually created more than 500 films, highlighted by the annual feature film, which at its height toured more than 250 cities, and is now in its 67th year. It was never easy, and there were frequent obstacles along the way.  Freedom Found details the personal, financial, and emotional obstacles Miller faced during his career, as well as the metamorphosis of the focus of the films from extreme skiing to more commercially palatable films incorporating product placement.  In 1986, Miller brought on acclaimed rock promoter Terry Bassett as his partner, and began to think about toning down his 16-hour days and hectic travel schedule. In 1990, he sold the film company to his son Kurt Miller and his partner Peter Speek. The new arrangement strained the father-son relationship, somewhat due product placement that proliferated under his son’s tenure. Kurt Miller and Speek sold the film company in 2001 to Time Inc., which had recently acquired SKI and Skiing magazines. Miller’s involvement in the film company ended in 2004.  In celebration of the launch of his autobiography, Warren Miller is returning to appear in this fall’s Warren Miller Entertainment film, “Here, There and Everywhere.”   Attendees will get a $7 off coupon for the book if they buy it direct from WarrenMiller.net.

In short, Freedom Found is a must-read tale of the O.G. ski bum who turned his passion into profit.  While not exactly a how-to book, readers will benefit from insight into Miller’s creative ideas for starting a successful career on a shoestring budget, as well as learning what NOT to do by absorbing stories of missteps along the way.

 

Countdown to ski season begins with BETWEEN!

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Jimg_3016-2ust a few weeks until ski season officially begins (though A-Basin already has, we hear there’s only one run open there so far).  To launch the countdown, Allied Feather and Down, which we have discussed in our greening series, together with Spyder, sponsored last night’s screening of BETWEEN, a film produced by Austrian pro skier and filmmaker Sandra Lahnsteiner.

BETWEEN filmmaker and athlete

Filmmaker/professional skier Sandra Lahnsteiner and Olympic gold medalist Julia Mancuso at the North American premiere of BETWEEN.

This total “girl power” movie combines inspiration and wondrous views of exotic places and thrilling athleticism with the more personal stores of the athletes.  Olympic Gold Medalist Julia Mancuso last night noted that “film stands for the between moments, the relationships, and the journey that we embark upon by being professional sk iers, but also the performance and being able to go off the beaten path and explore and really live our passion.”

Today is another 65 degree sunny day in Denver, but last night’s film has gotten us super excited for snow season to start!


Countdown to winter continues! Opening date schedule

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Get your calendars out… here are the opening days for Colorado resorts, listed by date:

October 21:                                          Arapahoe Basin
Late-October:                                       Loveland
November 4:                                         Wolf Creek

November 11:                                        Breckenridge and Keystone!
November 11:                                       Copper Mountain
November 16:                                       Winter Park

November 18:                                       Vail
November 18:                                       Eldora
November 19:                                       Purgatory
November 23:                                       Steamboat

November 23:                                        Beaver Creek
November 24:                                       Aspen, Crested Butte, Telluride, Snowmass
November 26:                                       Howelsen Hill
Late November:                                    Monarch
December 9:                                         Sunlight
December 10:                                       Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, Cooper
December 15                                        Powderhorn
December 17:                                       Granby Ranch
December 29:                                       Silverton

Countdown to slopeside hot chocolate!

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img_6680One of snowgrrl’s favorite resort town activities is swooshing down the slopes into a cozy little apres-ski destination to sip a warm, rich hot chocolate.   All of the vigorous ski activity deserves a sweet warm reward, don’t you think? Listed here are five favorite places to find a H.C.:

  1. Rimini Gelato in Vail (Lionshead) or Beaver Creek – Somehow, the Europeans seem to have a sixth sense for Euro-friendly cafes, so this place not only has amazingly rich hot chocolate, if you pull up a wicker chair to a marble table and sit for a bit, you can also do some good people-watching. The Vail location is in Lionshead, tucked away next to the ice skating rink and about a block away from the gondola.
  2. Starbucks in Keystone.  What, Starbucks, you say? Can’t I find that anywhere?  Yes, yes, you can, but where else can you take your fancy coffee outside and sit by a fire pit?  So this is on the list because of the interesting location.
  3. The “Living Room” at the Little Nell in Aspen.  I met a Kennedy here.  No joke.  I hear Mariah Carey has been spotted sipping champagne by the fireplace, too.
  4. Burke and Riley’s in Breckenridge – if an Irish Coffee is more your thing.  Right on Main Street.  Don’t expect to be able to ski afterwards, as you will likely be at the bar for hours.
  5. Though its ownership has recently changed, snowgrrl’s crew used to stay at the Cascades in Vail, where there was *complimentary* apres-ski hot chocolate, and on some days, even s’mores by the fireplace!  We’ll see if the newest iteration of the hotel & creek-side restaurant continues the same cozy atmosphere!

Countdown to . . . .skadi fest!

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As the days get cooler and the leaves keep falling, we can practically sense the snow that’s about to sprinkle down from the sky. . . any day now. . .

And a month from now, women who participate in Vail’s SKADI fest (December 14-16) will reap the bounty of the awesome snow, together with guided tours, demos of female-specific equipment, stretching, socializing, and FUN!   Vail explains that “Skadi (pronounced ‘Scotty’) is the Norse goddess of winter.  In essence, this will be a gathering of skiing goddesses, near and far.”  Sounds good to snowgrrl!

The two-day ski demo and expo village will feature skis from brands like Atomic, Blizzard, Dynastar, Elan, Head, K2, Line, Nordica, Rossignol, Salomon, Scott and Völkl.  Participants can also enjoy a morning pre-ski yoga session; a wine and cheese happy hour; silent auction benefiting Pink Vail, the world’s biggest ski day to conquer cancer; and a special viewing of the film Between.  In addition, all ski goddesses participating in the event receive a 20 percent discount on any treatments at The Lodge at Vail, a RockResort, or The Arrabelle at Vail Square, a RockResort, spas.  We hope to see you there so we can conquer the mountain together and become true ski goddesses!

Snow bunny or baby gifts!

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elizabeth‘Tis the season for online shopping… which we much prefer to the crazed crowds at the mall!  Snowgrrl therefore presents just a few options to get you started on shopping for your favorite snow bunny:

  • Local Colorado company Bambool Thermics makes amazing comfy, eco-friendly base layers and we’re so excited that about the new colors now available!
  • Snowgrrl loves the functional, beautiful items from NILS and thinks this Charlotte jacket in Cranberry would make a great gift! (hint, hint…)
  • Allgood donates 10% of online sales of  organic skincare, healing, and sun products, to Protect Our Winters thru Cyber Monday, 11/28.  Or get some other POW gear, for which the majority of proceeds will go to help control climate change.
  • Got a baby on board? Check out this adorable onesie from LINE skis!

Krimson Klover Ski Village base layers: cute for charity!

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Snowgrrl loves cute, comfortable, and functional ski clothes, and we love hearing about acts of kindness in the snow sports industry.  Krimson Klover has combined the best of both worlds with the Ski Village base layer set!  The fun black and white print, made with merino wool,  features some of our favorite ski resorts from all over the world –  Vail, Aspen, Whistler, anyone?   Based on a mountain test day on the slopes of Breckenridge, Colorado, the ski village base layer set meets snowgrrl’s standards of feeling comfortable both during exertion and while relaxing in the lodge.

We love Krimson Klover’s commitment to kindness as much as we love the clothes. Rhonda Swenson, a Boulderite who founded Krimson Klover, supports her community and important causes locally and worldwide.  The company donates a portion of profits each month to a specially selected charity.

5% of the Ski Village Base Layer legging and top proceeds help support programming efforts for First Descents, a charity that provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults who have been impacted by cancer.  Anyone who has survived cancer or dealt with a relative’s battle with the disease knows how challenging it can be.  Professional kayaker Brad Ludden, whose life was impacted by his aunt’s battle with cancer in her thirties, founded First Descents in 2001.  The organization started out  offering young cancer patients kayak trips. The trips gave participants hope, self-confidence, and meaning while mitigating depression and anxiety, enabling them to start “living beyond their disease.”  First Descents now offers mountaineering, surfing, rock climbing, and kayaking programs in 11 states and four countries, and serves over 1,000 young adults every year.  Ludden was honored recently with CNN’s Hero of the Year Award for his work with the organization.

Snowgrrl is thrilled that such a warm, functional, and versatile base layer set supports such a worthy charitable cause.   Krimson Klover sets a great example as a woman-owned company truly interested in giving back while designing apparel any woman on the mountain woul dbe happy to wear.  We hope others will follow Krimson Klover’s lead!

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Helly Hansen Vertex Stretch keeps him happy!

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We recently had a SnowMan test out the Helly Hansen Vertex Stretch midlayer.  SnowMan Sam wore this mid-layer beneath a shell on a bluebird day in Breckenridge, Colorado.  He commented that he felt totally comfortable all day long on the black diamonds he conquered, as well as lounging around apres-ski. Keeping him happy all day is one of SnowGrrl’s main goals during his periodic visits to Colorado, so we consider the test quite successful.

It is no surprise that the top kept him so warm, since Helly Hansen gear is designed in Scandanavia.  If you ever encounter a ski patrol or mountain safety employee at Vail resorts, you’ll notice that their gear is all made by Helly Hansen.  Professional mountain guides, ski patrollers, and other enthusiasts love the brand for its rugged design, protection, and style.

Helly Hansen constructed the Vertex Stretch as a mid-weight zip jacket with a lightweight slick face fleece, perfect for intense activities. The fleece material contains air channels to ensure air circulation and improved moisture management.  The slimmer cut and light construction is ideal for outdoor pursuits at increased speed.  We found it perfect for Sam’s ski day.  He hopes to wear his new Helly Hansen piece frequently on and off the slopes this winter, as well as using it in place of a cotton hoodie for cool summer nights.

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SIA 2017 roundup: cool or colorful ski jackets & more!

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The Showports Industries of America (SIA)’s SnowShow hit Denver again last month with a flurry of new and repeat exhibitors showing off and selling items from their winter 2017/18 lines.  Snowgrrl loved checking out the ski jackets and other apparel from numerous designers.  We noticed a trend towards soothing solid smoky or icy colors in ski wear, with a few sunny exceptions.

KJUS, Mark Miller, NILS, FERA, and (at a slightly lower price point) Dare2b were among the manufacturers featuring “slope to street” apparel that you could comfortably wear on the slopes of Aspen or walking your dog around town.  In shades of black, champagne/rose gold, smokey gray and icy white, these jackets appear both beautiful and technical.  As Eric Tung of FERA explained and we can confirm based on conversations with women in town and at the resorts, today’s uncertain political climate makes shoppers a little more conservative in their spending.  Instead of buying a crazy printed jacket AND one that’s more practical for apres-ski endeavors, a lot of us are just buying one item that can transition seamlessly from a fast run down a black diamond to lunch at the lodge to dinner on the town.

A few notable items stood out amongst the outwardly conservative colors in ski wear like rays of sunshine on a snowy day.  We loved the fun new line of base layers dreamed up by Kari Traa, a champion freestyle skier and Olympic medalist; adorable prints from Krimson Klover; and Obermeyer’s special edition, leopard print  Leighton jacket with hot pink trim.  We want to wear these items while throwing confetti and eating cotton candy at a slumber party!

Stay tuned for future posts mountain-testing some of these items to see if they’re as functional as they are fashionable!

~SG

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Gordini’s Venture “climate control” gloves

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Snowgrrl had the opportunity to test a pair of bright green Gordini gloves on the slopes of the Canyons resort in Utah last week.  The gloves are super lightweight, featuring InSilk insulation.  Gordini touts these as highly breathable, with climate control properties.  The gloves are supposed to keep you warm when the thermometer drops and cool when temperatures rise.

We enjoyed a sunny bluebird day at the Canyons, with temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s.  Sure enough, the gloves lived up to their promises.  Snowgrrl is always skeptical when things seem to good to be true.  But the insulation on these gloves did not compress or get wet, even when we accidentally ended up on a scary trail called Rendezvous Ridge and fell (it looked challenging, but short – it turned out to be long and way above our ability level).  We love that the insulation is an all natural material, with no petrochemicals or byproducts.

The shell of the gloves is made of Select Flex fabric, with flex grip fingers, palm and thumb reinforcement.  They are even touch screen capable, though it is a little awkward pressing little buttons on your phone while wearing thick gloves.  The Venture gloves are also breathable, waterproof, and windproof.  We love the bright green color.  Overall, the Venture gloves pass snowgrrl’s test of being cute and functional, so we are happy to recommend these!

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Obermeyer “Bombshell” jacket true to its name!

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Snowgrrl recently had the opportunity to test the Obermeyer Bombshell jacket on the slopes of the Canyons and Park City resorts in Utah.  Obermeyer claims that this jacket is “the ultimate in fit perfection. . .the most flattering ski jacket made.”  Having worn the jacket on two bluebird days with soft snow and ample sunshine, I tend to agree!

Temperatures at these Utah ski areas owned by Vail Resorts were in the high 30s to low 50s on the spring day when I tried the jacket out.  I wore it with my new lightweight gloves, and stayed comfortably warm, but not sweaty, all day.  The Bombshell jacket is comprised of  two different weights of fiber down insulation and shielded with 10,000mm HydroBlock™ performance fabrics.   Technically, the HydroBlock fabric resists up to 10,000mm before water penetration and 10,000 grams of water vapor can pass through within a 24-hour time frame.  Obermeyer also used Thermal Zone mapping insulation in this jacket.  Mapping insulation maximizes warmth and weight helps keep the body at the ideal temperature, making up for our irregular creation of heat.

Of course, the Bombshell, aptly named, strikes a stunning silhouette with the faux fur collar and mirrored zipper.  As a tall woman, I love that Obermeyer included extra length in this jacket’s sleeves.  The Bombshell of course includes all the other bells and whistles you’d expect from a jacket made by skiers for skiers: adjustable, insulated back hood with removable faux fur trim; an extra soft fleece-lined collar; stretch inner cuffs; an ddjustable interior hem drawcord; an interior cell phone pocket; engineered quilting; shaped seams for fit; YKK Metaluxe® zipper; and zippered, tricot-lined handwarmer pockets.

Technical details aside, Snowgrrl loves the Bombshell jacket for balancing fashionable design with functional performance!  This jacket will claim a permanent place in Snowgrrl’s ski closet!

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Spring skiing in Utah reins supreme!

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Having grown up in Colorado, I have not often yearned to ski outside of the state.  With Vail, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Keystone, A-Basin and other resorts a short drive away, why bother? Well, this spring I realized why people travel to Utah to ski.

Discovering Utah

A friend of mine organized a little group to meet up in Utah.  Two homes in an area called Coalville, about a 20 minute drive to the resorts, acted as our home base.  Four of our five days there provided abundant sunshine.  Spring skiing conditions graced our days at Park City, Utah and the Canyons, as well as a small resort called Powder Mountain.  Fortunately, it snowed a few nights while we were there! We woke up to light, fluffy powder that was so much fun to ski in.

A gondola connected Park City and Canyons resorts.  If you are ambitious or a very fast skier, you could cover both resorts in one day.  We spent two days at Park City and one at Canyons.  The varied terrain allowed everyone in our group to enjoy time on the mountain.  Gentle slopes kept the beginners occupied, and the experts sought out the more narrow, bumpy runs.  A few of us intermediate skiers (ahem) might have gotten caught on those narrow runs, but everyone made it down, and no one got hurt!

Given the opportunity to return to Utah, I would definitely say yes!

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Vail hosts fine food for a cause this Labor Day!

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This Labor Day weekend, Gourmet on Gore brings Vail Village to life with four days of gourmet fine food and drink.  As we all know, Vail is a great place to visit in the winter.  Some love it even more in the summer! Vail’s relaxing mountain oasis provides a beautiful background to sip internationally renowned wine, beer and spirits, and taste bites from world-class restaurants along the quaint streets of Vail Village. Proceeds from the event benefit the Vail Veterans Program.  The program offers military injured and their families free world-class therapeutic programs designed to build confidence, create life-long relationships, and tap into the freedom the mountains bring out in all of us.

Highlights from the weekend include a Friday night Gourmet on Gore Tasting Tour presented by Alpine Bank.  This gives participants a progressive evening around town to enjoy some of Vail’s finest restaurants and hot spots for the perfect start to the Gourmet on Gore weekend. Each location will include a signature beverage as well as savory hors d’oeuvres to keep your taste buds happy.

Saturday and Sunday feature more of Vail’s finest foods with an open-air tasting on Gore Creek Drive & Willow Bridge Road with pay-as-you-go for bites and pours.  That afternoon, Slifer Smith & Frampton provides an Open House Tour. Swing by their LIVE LOCAL booth during the open air tasting for more information! While you are there, feel free grab a treat for you and your four-legged friend!  There’s a complimentary Kids’ Culinary Corner for culinary activities, crafts and fun just for kids!

Finally, Monday brings Brunch off Bridge Street, a stroll through the heart of Vail Village for one final palate-pleasing day. Enjoy mouthwatering pay-as you go brunch delights, wines, beers and spirits paired with easy-listening music.

We love great food, so combined with a good cause this weekend is looking downright irresistible!

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Treksta’s Evolution Mid 161 GTX hiking boots

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With a full line of hiking, trail running and travel footwear, Treksta offers a shoe for virtually every outdoor user.  Snowgrrl was lucky to get a sneak preview of a Treksta hiking boot. The particular boot they sent is designed to be ideal for fall and winter’s changing and colder, even frosty, conditions.

Treksta sent me the Evolution Mid 161 GTX in a lovely pink/salmon and grayish tan combo.  This mid-cut hiker is light with a durable and supportive synthetic buff upper.  The Evolution also features mesh construction, and something called Independent Suspension Technology for on-trail stability.  The hiking boot’s Hypergrip outsoles with IceLock provide superior traction, even on wet or icy surfaces.  Add GORE-TEX® XCR to the mix and the result is a waterproof, breathable, supportive light hiking boot. NestFit construction provides a comfortable fit from the start to the end of a long day on the trail.

A note of caution, though: order a half size down from your normal size if you get these shoes! The foot bed and deep heel pocket that make up the “Nestfit” create about half a size of space inside the shoes.  Normally, I wear a size 10, sometimes 10 1/2.  I wish I had gotten these Trekstas in a 9 1/2!   My feet were sliding around a little during my trial run.  The Trekstas are now in corner of my closet with thick socks on top of them, to remind me to wear those particular socks when I get the shoes out again so that I won’t have any looseness.

Chilly the dog hiking Matthews Winters Park

The Evolution was tested out on a hike that started at Matthew Winters parking lot, over to Red Rocks Trail, and ending at the Morrison Slide trail.  The hike group leader promised a 4 mile round trip hike.  Our hike ended up being closer to 10 and we finished in the dark. . . . ah, but that’s a post for another day, perhaps (trusting your leader/when to go on your own?).  Other than the slightly too big fit, the Treksta Evolution boot kept me comfortable throughout the very long hike.  The trail was alternately rocky/dusty and muddy in places.  During all ten miles, my feet felt supported, dry and comfortable.

Treksta’s Fall/Winter options all share the company’s signature NestFIT construction, a unique and dynamic system, which unites last, insole, midsole and outsole to cradle the feet and support them in a fully natural position. Treksta designed to ensure long-term comfort and prevent muscle fatigue. They actually scanned over 20,000 human feet to produce an anatomically correct fitting shoe, which also incorporates a slight ridge at the back of the toes for added support, leading to greater comfort and performance.

Grippy sole of the Treksta Evolution Mid 161 GTX

Snowgrrl recommends the Treksta Evolution Mid 161 for a comfortable grippy hiking boot.  Just remember to size down!

The post Treksta’s Evolution Mid 161 GTX hiking boots appeared first on Snowgrrl.

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