Oakley Elevate Snow Goggle

Today I had the opportunity to test drive a new pair of Oakley Elevate Snow Goggles.  I tried them in polished white with the pink iridium (VR50) lens.  The weather today was over cast with decent light in the morning.  It got quite flat in the afternoon with light snow flurries.

At first I wasn't sure of the way these goggles fit with my helmet (Giro Sheer).  But after a minute or two I settled into them and quiet liked the way they fit.  They were not too tight across my face and nose. They also fit really well against my helmet.  None of the awful gapping between the top of the goggle and the helmet.  I have a small face, so I can find that goggles sit low on the bridge of my nose, but I didn't find that with these goggle.  They fit low enough to get proper coverage, but not so they sat uncomfortably.

The lens choice for todays light was great.  Like most people, I hate flat light! So any goggle that helps with this is amazing in my books. This lens made for very crisp visibility, with a great tint given to the wonderful terrain.  At the start of the day, I was skiing mainly short chutes that had trees around, so there was good definition to the hill.  But later in the day, I did head up to some higher stuff that is above the tree line.  This is one of those areas where the light can get really flat.  But, I have to say that I didn't even pause over the lighting when wearing this goggle with the pink iridium.  I think I hit one dip that I missed due to flat light.  The rest of the time I felt very confident in the visibility I had.  And like I said earlier, this was when the light had become flat and there was light snow.

Also, with this added weather and a more open hill, I had no issues with this goggle.  I pulled my face mask up a bit to cover my face and had no issues with fogging.  Again, I felt that my face was well covered, but never hindered in any way. Truth be told I kinda forgot that I had goggles on, I was that comfortable.  And I can be a very persnickety.

So, I would for sure consider these goggles if you are in the market for a new pair.  They work well for both men and women.  They come in a variety of colours, with a variety of lens colours.  You can buy extra lenses to give you options depending on lighting.  Seriously think about these ones if your in the market...  

Morning routine

We've all arrived at the ski hill only to discover that we've forgotten a needed piece of ski gear.  This is where having a pre and post routine really becomes important.  Even more so when you are working with little people and all their necessary items.

Chris and I have had a little routine going for a long time now, mainly related to how we roll after a day on the hill.  My brother has watched this in action, and while he made fun of us during the first round, he saw the benefit the next morning, when we were prepping for a new ski day.

We are lucky enough to have a spacious laundry room/ back hall.  When we roll in from a day on the hill we take 5 minutes to run through our routine, and it really does pay off.  Chris deals with skis and we both unload the car. All our clothes, helmets, goggle, etc. are brought to the back hall.  We use our helmet bags to corral all our bits and bobs, so we basically just have to unpack the bag.

Helmets are pulled out and placed on the bag.  Goggles are pulled out to allow for drying.  These are placed on the goggle bags, remember how I said earlier that Chris has a thing for proper goggle care...  Gloves are pulled out and placed on the clothes rack to dry.  Since I'm a bit of a princess about being warm, I wear a liner toque under my helmet and a face mask.  These too are pulled out to dry.  All is placed within about a 2 foot area.  

Chris always pulls the liners out of our boots.  Ever smelled the boots of someone that doesn't pull the liners?  Well, I'm happy to report that neither of our boots smell, and pulling them apart is a big factor in this.  Pulling the liners from the boots allows for proper air flow around the liner and ensures that it dries completely.  This is really important if you are skiing back to back days.  The benefit of pulling boots apart is that it also gives the shells a chance to dry.  I'm sure many of you have seen small bit of snow get into your boots.  And skiing hard can make feet sweat.  So always, always, always take the minute to pull your boots apart.

Finally , pants and jackets are hung so that they too can dry.

And this is our post ski routine.  Not much, but it makes sure that when we go skiing the next time, everything is within a confined space.

So when we are prepping to ski, we just grab the gloves, bag the goggles, toss both into the helmet and toss the helmet into the helmet bag.  The boots are right there, so we quickly put them back together.  Grab our pants and coats and off we go.  The only thing not stored within this realm are our ski socks - these too get tossed into the respective helmet bags.  Maybe I'll make a basket for these too...  I have to say that with this system, neither of us has forgotten a needed item on ski gear in ages (touch wood).

I can see that this system will become even more important as the Kraken gets older and joins us in our skiing endeavours.  It will help ensure that in the craziness of getting a young one out the door, nothing will be forgotten that could ruin a day of skiing.  With this systems even the Kraken will be able to help with the unpacking and prep from a very young age.

I know this seems like such a silly thing for me to go on about, but I really can't say enough for how easy it makes skiing and there is no searching for needed items.  Find even a small space, set it up for your ski gear and give it a go a few times.  Hopefully your pleasantly surprised by how easy it makes getting ready and will help ensure that you forget


nothing.  

Sweet buckles!

Check out the sweet buckles that Chris got today! They are for his Salomon X Max 130s. I'm a little jealous...                                                                                                                                                             

Powder!

We had our first powder day today!  Chris took the day off for a little family time.  We weren't expecting much as they weather experts were calling for dropping temperatures last night and during the day.  There was supposed to be a little snow - 5cm range.  Not great news on either front.  But, we decided to take the day and just hope for a few turns at Sunshine Village.

We got more snow over night than called for.  While this seemed great, it made the drive horrible!  But, we took our time and made it to the hill to find that it was not too cold and it was super quiet.  The best part was it got warmer when we took the gondola up to the hill.  I took the Kraken into the hotel to get settled - he's still too young for day care, so we were all over tag-team parenting.

Chris took the first shift on snow.  We were meeting friends, and they were kind enough to watch the little man, allowing Chris and I to head out together for a bit before lunch.

And was the snow ever great!  I would say we had a good 25-30cm to play in.  It was easy to find a few fresh turns.  There was also lots of fluffy chop to play in as well.  There has been enough snow in the past little bit to fill in a lot of the gaps and cover the rocks well.  This got us into the shoots to play in the fluff.  What a great time!  It felt great to play in the powder for the first time.  I love the feeling of snow flying up and hitting you in the knee (the tight hit is even better, but I won't complain).


And we finished the day with the sky clearing to this view...

So, yep, an all round great day first day of powder!  When I said powder at the start, did I really ever need to say more?

 

Toasty Toes!

While my new boots are keeping my feet fairly warm, I love having toasty warm toes.  So I admit it, I use boot heaters.  I have recently had the opportunity to try out Sidas Pro Battery boot heaters.  I've tried other brands and there are a few great benefits to these heaters.  First off, they have a flatter heating element that covers more of the toe area.  This results in more even heat, keeping all of my toes generally warmer.  The flatness of the heating element also helps to ensure that a tight fitting boot does not become too tight or uncomfortable when the heat element is installed on the insole.

There are 3 heat settings for these heaters, one less than other brands that I've tried.  At the lowest setting it is just enough to keep toes from getting cool.  I tend to use the medium setting the most.  This keep my toes and me very happy.  Good for an average day of skiing.  The highest setting is wonderful on those colder days when you just need a bit more warmth.  When fully charged the battery pack lasts me the whole day at medium no problem.  I've never run it a full day at high, but have gone between medium and high and still had battery remaining at the end of the day.

But what I think is the best feature of this heater is the battery pack!  It's a fraction of the size of the other heaters I've used - 8cm x 4cm x 2cm (3in x 1.5in x 0.75in).  Tiny!  They are super light weight and sit perfectly under the cuff of a ski pant.  And because of the low profile there is no snagging your cuff on the battery pack is pulling it off the power strap.  

Another great feature is the clip for the battery pack.  The clip opens to wrap around the power strap, this results in the battery pack sitting very tightly to the boot.  These last two features make you forget you're wearing the battery pack.  Well, except for the fact that your feet are warm!

These heaters tend to be a bit more expensive than other boot heaters, but I have to say the added cost is well worth it.  I would definitely give these heaters a buy if in the market for new haters.  You can't go wrong with these heaters and having toasty toes.      

Child care - Ontario east

As promised here is a list of ski hills east of Ontario and details about their child care offerings.  As a Nova Scotia girl, I have to admit I'm a little saddened by how few hills in NS and NB offer day care.  Maybe those that ski in these areas live their and have family to care for the pre-skiers?  Either way, here are the listings for you, again far from all inclusive, but a great start I hope.  Happy skiing!

Ski Hill	Ages Accepted	Price	Lunch included	Other details
Snow Valley	6 - 36 months	$30.00 for one session		9:00am – 12:00pm & 12:30 – 3:30pm
Blue Mountain	18 months - 5 years	$70.00	lunch and snacks included	9:00am – 3:00pm
Horseshoe Resort	Not offered
Le Massif	2 years and up	$39.00 $89.00 during the week, when regular day care is not open	$9.50	9:00am – 4:00pm
Mont Blanc	2 years and under	$39.00	$6.00	8:30am – 4:00pm
Mont-Sainte-Anne	6 - 24 months 2 years and up	$69.95 $57.95	$10.99	8:30am – 4:00pm rates increase at peak times
Tremblant	1-6 years	$99.00	Included	8:30am – 4:30pm
Stoneham	12 - 24 months 2 years and up	$69.95 $57.95	$9.99	rates increase at peak times
Crabbe Mountain	Not offered
Mont Farlagne	Not offered
Poley Mountain Resorts	3 months - 10 years	$25.00	Not included closed from 12:30 – 1:00pm, kids must be picked up	9:00am – 12:30pm and 1:00 – 4:00pm picked up
Wentworth	Still awaiting email reply.
Martock	Not offered
Marble	Still awaiting email reply.			Details on website are slim.
White Hills Resort	Still awaiting email reply.

New boots! Salomon X MAX 110 W

Anyone who knows me, knows that I've been having boot issues for ages.  We've tried new boots and many different liners.  And while some have been a total loss, others have been a good band-aid.  I have had a few issues in my search for the right boot. First, I'm a total "princess and the pea" about my feet.  I want my boots to fit just right - tight in the heel, snug but not too snug, tight calf but also enough room for muscle movement, the right amount of flex, and the list goes on.  This is an issue when you have tiny feet (size 5ish).  This means I'm in a size 22 ski boot, when a size 21 would be better.  However, you wont find these easily.  Well you will, but in a junior boot.  But, I also have calfs like many women.  And these calfs are way to big for a junior boot.


 So it was with much excitement that I anticipated my new boots for this year.  The Salomon X MAX 110 W.  I picked this boot because of how customizable the shell is.  I'm still in a size 22, the smallest size we could get.  But so far so good.  We heat formed the shell and liner a few weeks back.  I like to do this tight.  I want to feel super secure in my boots, as in no foot movement when I'm powering a turn.  While this process can be less than fun, it sure pays off in foot stability.

These boots have a wide range of customizable areas on them. I'll start with the liner...  The liner has been created with women in mind.  It's has padding to help with that calf issue I mentioned.  Enough to help a leg/foot feel secure, but with enough shape to allow for proper flexion of the calf.  The liner itself has formable foam on the ankles, heels, and tongue.  This allows for a better fit, giving comfort but also allowing one to feel stable in the boot and able to power those turns.

The shell is the shining light in new boot technology though! Instead of just heating the foam liner, the whole shell goes into an oven.  This heats the whole upper, softening it to allow the entire top part of the boot to be custom fitted.  One of the reasons I went with this boot.  So the areas that usually cause me issues (width, instep, calf) actually stretch to the accommodate my specific foot.  This is amazing as all my past boots required so much extra work just to get to this point.  An added benefit to feeling secure in the boot and the liner, my feet are staying warmer - even without my boot heater (which I may still add).

I've only had the chance to ski these boots a few times.  Like all new boots, they are taking some time to break in, but I am also feeling very secure in them.  I have skied variable terrain (chop, groomers, etc) and have felt very good.  They have been very responsive.  My heels have stayed in place and I feel like I can really push and my feet don't move.  I haven't had to "crank" the boot on tightly.  I've been known to be one of those people that undo my boots on the lift, only to clip the buckles at the top again.  I'm not knocking this, I'm justing saying that these boots are fitting well enough that I feel secure without the discomfit of an overly tightened boot.  I've not had to undo these boots between runs.  In fact, the buckles over my upper foot have hardly been tightened - a positive for how these are fitting in the heel.  They have great room in the calf and have the perfect amount of flex.  I can apply pressure to the boots and they bend enough that I feel like they are doing what I want, but not so much that they feel squishy.

I'm starting to think I'm Goldilocks, this porridge is just right...

Overall, while still early I'm really enjoying these boots.  And trust me, I've skied boots once, to reach lunch time and never what to put them on my feet again.  So for me to feel happy and excited about my boots is truly a positive sign.  Give these boots a consideration for sure if you are in the market for new pair this year.   

Skis hills and day care

I was having a little conversation with a friend the other day on how hard it is to ski with a baby in tow.  This got her asking if ski hills offer day care.  I was happy to let her know that many do and decided to undertake a little project for all of you. I have been scouring the internet and sending emails to compile a list of hills that offer day care and some basic details on their offerings.

I have completed the list for Alberta and BC and wanted to share it.  I'm still working on Ontario east, and will share it as soon as its done.

Hope this helps you get out to the ski hill...

Ski Hill	Ages Accepted	Price	Lunch included	Other details
Whistler	18-48 months	$89.00		Offer complimentary TELUS pagers Drop off between 8:00-10:00am
Big White	18 months – 5 years	$72.00	Great menu options, changes daily.	Offer package deals. Voted “Best Place to be Abandoned by Your Parents” by Ski Canada Magazine. Great details on website
Kimberly	18-35 months 36 months – 6 years	$76.95 $63.75	$9.99, bring a bag lunch or pick up for lunch	9:00am - 4:00pm, closed Christmas day
Fernie	18-36 months 3-6 years	$69.95 $57.95
Panorama	18-36 months 37 months – 5 years	$65.00 $60.00	$7.00	9:00am - 4:30pm
Silver Star	18 months – 5 years	$74.00	Included for full day care.	Offers reduces rates on consecutive days. Offers day care with an hour of ski lesson, this costs more. 8:30am - 4:00pm
Sun Peaks	18 month - 5 years	$71.00	Included for full day care.	8:30am - 4:00pm
Castle	18 month minimum	$50.00		Only open weekends. Max of 6 kids.
Sunshine	19 months – 6 years	$53.00	$10.00, pick up at noon for 30min, or bring bag lunch	8:30am - 4:00pm little website info, but very prompt email reply
Lake Louise	18 days – 19 months 19 – 36 months 36 months – 6 years	$63.50 $52.95 $49.95	$8.75	8:30am - 4:30pm reservations needed for infants
Nakiska	19 months – 3 years 3 years and up	$69.95 $57.95 rates increase at holiday times	$9.99	9:00am - 4:00pm Thursday to Monday. Must pre-booked.
Norquay	19 months – 6 years of	$49.00	Included snacks also included	9:00am - 4:00pm

This is by far not a complete list of the hills out there, but I think it's a good start at some of the hills in Alberta and BC.  If there are other hills you want me to add to the list, please let me know!

Best laid plans

Adventures in parenthood.  You might make the best plans and have all the details worked out, but somehow the little ones can have other plans.  Our big idea for the weekend was to hit the ski hill on Saturday as my husband was working a Rossi demo.  What a great opportunity for me to test out a variety of skis.  Today, Sunday, we planned to head to Lake Louise to watch some world cup ski racing.  The FIS Would Cup Super G is taking place today, yesterday was the Men's World Cup Downhill.

But all of that was before the little man decided to get a high fever this week.  It looked promising for our weekend of ski based activities on Friday when the fever broke.  Then came the rash...  A very unhappy little man resulted in a trip to the hospital overnight and three very tired humans in our house.  Our little man is fine, just a virus.  So love and time are what he needs right now.  He has defiantly been earning his nickname of "the Kraken" this week...

The race taking place at Louise is the first race for the men for the 2013-14 race year.  The women are in Beaver Creek, CO, USA right now.  Next week they change places, so the women are at Louise for a downhill race on Saturday, and a Super G on Sunday.  Two great weekends to watch some amazing ski racing if you are looking for something fun to do. You can always take in the races and make a few turns as the ski hill is open to the public during these races.  Lake Louise has made a few upgrades over the summer that are worth checking out.  A big one is upgrades done to the Temple lodge, located on the backside of the hill.  This will allow those enjoying the terrain back there, to stay there for lunch and needed warm beverages.  I'm interested to get there myself to check out the improvements that have been made.

Right now I'm off to get some needed sleep, but will post more later on the new Rossignol skis out for this year and let you know some of my husbands thoughts on them.  I will do what I can to get out on these skis in the coming weeks, so I can give my female stamp of approval on his picks.

The joys of a new coat

I had the luck of getting a new coat this year.  While I loved my old jacket, my husband felt it was time for me to have a change.  So enter my new Salomon Speed jacket.  I grabbed this jacket in the magenta colour, that has a great green detailing.  Very sharp!

I love the fit of this coat.  Being small, jackets can swim on me, but this has their "active cut", which I find to have the perfect curves.  Curvy enough to give you good shape, but relaxed enough to not feel constrained in any way.  Great to not look like a line-backer on the hill.  It also has a PRIMALOFT insulation ®  (100gr/m²).  This makes the jacket super warm, while at the same time keeping it slim.  Added to that is that it's water resistant.  All great features in a ski jacket.

The jacket has great sized and placed pockets, including a pass/key clip.  Can't lie, I use it to hold my hair elastics.  What girl can ski without a back up hair elastic?  There is also an attached goggle cloth.  Does anyone ever use these?  I know my husband would freak if he saw me using it. He's a bit persnickety about the cleaning of goggles and sunglasses.  But it's there if you want it.

Oh and it has wrist cuffs with the thumb loop!  I don't know what it is about this feature, but I really love my jackets having this.  I think it adds a little extra warmth, especially at those moments when you have to go gloveless for a minute or two.  It just seems to make it cozier.

There are a few tweaks I would make to this jacket.  The powder skirt is great, nice and tight, and snaps away if need be.  But is lacking that little snap on the back that attaches it to your ski pant belt loop.  Gotta keep one's back warm on the cold days or during big tumbles.  Also, the hood is on the small side for fitting a helmet under.  This is a hot look that I like to rock on the lift when the wind is hollowing.  Maybe not cute, but super warm.  Don't get me wrong, the hood will pull over a helmet, but it's tight.  Not a comfortable fit for sure and you wont forget to pull it off before you head down.

Overall, this is a great jacket!  I would recommend to any girl looking for a great ski jacket.  Oh, and how could I have forgotten to add that this jacket is casual enough that it can pull double duty and be worn around town as well.  My dog has gone for more than one walk with me in this coat this year.  If you're looking for a new jacket this year, you should go give this one a try.    

New ski year, new blog

Welcome!  With the start of the ski year, it seemed like the perfect time to start blogging about all things skiing.  We had our first day out yesterday, with the help of my mum to watch the little guy.  The sky was bluebird and the snow was amazing for the start of the season.  It was a little bony, with rocks to be found in many locations, just below the surface.  But if you picked your line, you could really let the skis fly.

I was riding my K2 Misbehaved  - twin tip, 133 tip, 102 underfoot, and 127 tail.  I have a sweet Marker Squire 11 binding on them.  A very sharp setup thanks to my wonderful husband.  Maybe not the best ski choice for the start of the year and a lack of fluff, but I do love these skis.  Even on a groomer I can make these skis react.  While they are wide underfoot, I find that they are still really responsive.  So these skis give me the chance to really play on the groomers, but then pop over into the chop and see how rusty my skills are.   While small, I am a powerful skier, but still don't have a lot of weight to put behind these skis.  But even with that, I find that I only have to put a bit of effort in and they will react very quickly.  It's been awhile since I've played with these skis in the powder, having to take last year off to have a baby, but I loved them last time.  I will post more on the wonders of these skis and powder on the first dump that we get.  

I think this ski is a great choice for someone who likes to have a poppy ski, but one that covers a wide variety of terrain.  I would fully recommend this ski to an intermediate to advanced skier, who is looking for a good all round ski, but aiming towards something a little wider underfoot.