We did it!

We did it!  We took the Kraken skiing for the first time.  We were unsure how it would go, since when we put the ski boots on his feet at home he would melt down.  But we figured we could at least take him to the hill to play in the snow.  We bought season passes to Nakiska, so we couldn't go wrong.  

To get past the boot disdain, we switched boots quickly at the base of the hill, quickly clicked him into skis and started pushing.  And he loved it!  He started laughing and smiling right away.

Over to the bunny hill and up and down we went.  Chris and I were in snow boots the whole time, we
left the ski gear at home.  This day was only about the Kraken.  We kept it super simple.  Just a few pushes up and down the hill.  Never letting go.  The little man is still in the floppy stage of things.  You let him go and he simply bends his knees and flops over.  So it's full parental support right now.

After a few pushes up and down, the smile was fading a bit so we pulled the ski boots off and romped in the snow for a little longer.  One more 5 minute stint on skis and we were inside for yoghurt and a little cookie.

I think we were at the hill for less than 2 hours, but overall I think it was a success.  Enough of a win that when the Lake Louise World Cup was on last weekend, he was riveted to the TV.  And when we saw a Resorts of the Canadian Rockies commercial I had to replay the powder skiing segment 3 times.  Yeah, maybe we've created a skiing bum!  

But one thing we remembered and will have to always keep at the front of our minds is that this is a long road.  Each time out can be 5 minutes or two hours.  But in the end his reaction, enthusiasm and overall enjoyment must lead the experience.  This one really isn't about us.  

I'm back...

I know I've been gone for along time, but summer got away from me.  I've recently started back to work after an extended leave with the Kraken.  I'm lucky enough to be working from home, so I still get lots of time with my little man, but have a few more restrictions on my time - no snow cough for me.  Oh well, structure is good, right?

But with these changes I'm also seeing a change of season, hello fall, which means ski season is quickly approaching.  Over the weekend I had a chance to attend a program offered by the Ski Cellar and RCR called "Women in Winter".  It's an all ladies event that offers a supportive environment to check out the latest gear and meet the product reps for the gear.  Not to mention lots of wonderful give aways!  Overall, it was a fun afternoon out that got me in the ski mindset.

We also took a big step this year and picked up season passes to Nakiska.  They were offering them for $200, so we didn't see how we could say no.  We even grabbed a pass for the Kraken.  Yep, we are planning on getting him onto the hill this year.  Sadly, it looks like his feet are too small for ski boots, so we might have to take trip to Canadian Tire and grab some plastic strap-on skis.  But, whatever works and gets him out there.  He loves the outside and asks to escape the house at 7:00am, so were thinking skiing might be a great winter answer to his love of fresh air.

This is just a quick post to let you know I'm back and that I look forward to filling you in on the gear I test out and nay other fun adventures I get up to in the coming months.  Stay tuned for the excitement!

Velco all the way, baby

Somehow time is flying by on this end and I missed posting last week.  Sorry for that.

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been getting out running more and more all the time.  While the Garmin is great for keeping track of my run details, my runs would never happy without my stroller.  The one we grabbed, and I'm loving, is the my Velco Tri Mode EX stroller.  This stroller has a number of features that made it the one we selected all those months ago.

The first reason we selected it was that we knew it could take us from infancy to toddlerhood, to the possible addition of more kids.  To allow for infancy, the stroller seat back can lie flat so you can safely lay a tiny baby in there.  No, the baby doesn't face you, but there is a window in the cover that will allow you to see your baby.  There are two bassinet options (the Bassinet and the Husssh Bassinet) that you can buy that will allow the stroller to become more infant friendly, but we had no issues with the stroller the way it was - and the Kraken was a tiny guy when we started using it.  Because you can lie the baby flat, I was able to starting running with the boy at a young age.  Due to the lie flat position and the fact that he didn't have to support his head I was given the okay to run by our doctor early on, which was great for my fitness and mental happiness.

The stroller also has a wheel lock out option.  With the quick turn of a dial at the front of the stroller it goes from having a fully pivoting front wheel, to one that locks in place.  When locked in place the stroller is easier to control and makes running with it very easy.  I find that it keeps course well enough that more often than not I run with one hand pushing and guiding the stroller.

The stroller also comes with a large canopy.  This means that I can very easily keep the Kraken out of the sun on my runs at almost any time of the day.  There is a large under seat storage area that can fit a remarkable amount of stuff.  We walk to the store all the time and I can fit an impressive quantity of food in there.  There is also a pocket on the back of the stroller that it quiet large.  A great feature of this pocket is that it detaches.  And this serves two purposes.  One, you can quickly remove it to take valuables with with you.  The other feature is that there is mesh underneath the pocket.  So when you remove the pocket you create a vent that allows for a great cross-breeze to cool baby down on warm days.

Like any stroller the Tri Mode EX is rather heavy.  But I've not found it too bad.  Being allowed to run with him when he was younger and thus not as heavy, I've been able to build my strength slowly as the boy grows.  I didn't just all of a sudden have to start running with 20lb+ baby.

While I know many people run with a Chariot, I've been more than happy with my choice of the Velco and the many options that I has given.  From walking to running, to grocery shopping, this stroller has allowed me to do it all.  Take a look if you are in the market for a new stroller.  

Sun and runs

With the wonderful weather we've been having lately I've had the opportunity to fit in lots of runs.  I've been a runner for years now - all thanks to a tough trek in Peru that made me realize that I really needed to get into shape.  I've trained and run half-marathons, I've run 6 days a week, I've run longer and shorter distances, but through it all (including pregnancy and childbirth) I've continued to run.  I've found that it has become my stress relief and the thing I need to do for me and that makes me a happier and better wife, mother, friend, person.

These days I tend to run less and defiantly run less distance, but I still continue to run.  Most days I have the Kraken in a stroller and always have my dog, Mortimer, in tow.  Pushing the stroller, with the weight of that and the growing weight of the boy makes my runs harder and part of the reason I give myself the permission to run less distance.  But I still get out, and I'm thinking that's the key, right?

With my runs these days, there are two key elements that I can't leave home without.  These are my Garmin running watch and of course my stroller.

For my first mother's day, Chris bought me a Garmin Forerunner 610 - yep a sweet GSP watch.  I love this running watch!  While it's kind of big and this was one of my concerns, since I have small wrists, I have adjusted to it's size.  It's got a lot of great features, some I use, some I don't.  You can customize the number of pages and the information displayed on these pages.  The main page on my watch shows me the distance I've travelled.  It's remarkably accurate, as I tend to run the same routes, I mentally know the distances, but the 610, also tells me the elapsed time and the lap pace.  I like keeping an eye on the lap pace to see how my run is going and if I'm maintaining my pace.  I have other pages that display the average pace for the whole run and the average speed.  I can keep an eye on elevation, my heading and the accuracy of the GSP.  These are the options I've chosen to have my watch display, but there are a multitude more to select from.  You can even set a "race" up with a pace target setting.  Although that just seemed like too much pressure to me...

Another great feature is that the watch will auto-pause.  So I get stopped at a traffic light, or Mort is super interested in a pole, I don't have to worry about pausing the watch, it does it all on it's own.  The other feature that sold me on this watch was the it has a biking option.  With a quick button hold, the watch switches over and can be used on my bike.  Again, there are a multitude of options that you can have your watch display for you.

And in the end you quickly upload the information onto the Garmin Connect website so you can track your workouts.  The site shows all the details of your run, gives you the opportunity to add in more information if you so desire (weather, temperature, etc.), and displays a map of your workout.  You can also add in other actives that the watch doesn't monitor - skiing, weight lifting, swimming, skating, etc.

Overall, this watch has become a great companion to my workouts and I think has helped give me positive feedback on how my runs are progressing.  If you're a runner and looking for a new GSP watch, seriously consider this one.  I have really enjoyed it.

The Start of Hiking Season

With the end of ski season comes the start of hiking season.  And we made sure to get started right away. Chris, the Kraken, and I headed out for our first hike of the year.

We decided to do the Fullerton Loop, just outside Bragg Creek.  We started the day with a good, simple lunch at the Cinnamon Spoon in Bragg Creek.  I'm loving their BLT on a bagel right now...   They have a lot of other fresh yummy options - from sandwiches, to treats, to a multitude of brewed beverages.  This is a super popular spot for road cyclists that make Bragg Creek their destination - so it can be hopping when you arrive.  But, I still find service to be fast and well worth the short wait.

We than took the quick drive down to the road to park at Allen Bill day area.  The hike has changed since last years major flooding in Alberta, but they have done a good job of rerouting and marking the trail.  Overall, the hike is about 6km round trip.

Since the Kraken is just learning to walk, he was stuffed into a backpack.  We have gone with the MEC child carrier.  The one I've linked to is not quiet the one we use - ours is an older version.  But we have found that it's a pack that both Chris and I can carry with ease.  It's easy to adjust for our different sizes and the little guy is pretty happy and able to view the world from his perch on our backs.

As I said, the hike has changed a bit since the floods, but this comes in mainly with the start of the hike.  Instead of starting along the river, you use the crosswalk by the entrance to Allen Bill. From there you follow the newly marked path through the woods.  The Loop itself sustained no damage in the floods.

Part of the reason that we selected this hike is that we have done it in the past and know it to be an straightforward loop.  We tend to take the left fork when doing the loop.  This leads to a steady uphill along a hill side.  This allows for some amazing views of the valley below.  Tough with a baby on your back, but also very doable.  Once at the top of the climb there is some rolling landscape, before heading back down through the trees.  There is the option to continue uphill for another viewpoint.  We have done this in the past, but with the added weight of the Kraken and being the first hike of the year, I didn't feel up to tackling the added climb.  

As we hiked we realized that we were not the only family to consider this a good starter hike, as well as a child friendly one.  We passed a huge number of families on this hike.  From tiny babies, to toddlers in packs, to young kids making the hike on their own.  We even came across a women 7 months pregnant (brave, what?!)  We found families of all varieties.

It was a great start to our hiking season and hopefully the first of many hikes.  If you're in the area and looking for a pretty, enjoyable and family friendly hike, consider the Fullerton Loop.  You wont be sorry that you did.

Good-bye 2013/14 Ski Year

We have officially come to the end of the 2013/14 ski year here.  It was a long year with lots of great snow.  Looking back I can't believe how many times I got out considering we had the Kraken in tow every time.  But he was a trooper right to the end and allowed us to get some great turns in.  Our last day at Sunshine was a quiet day, so the lifty offered to let the wee one and Chris ride to the top and explore for a bit.  An adventure both loved.

I was super lucky to have had the opportunity to test out so many skis and many other items of ski gear.  The local reps and my local shop (the Ski Cellar) were great at making sure I got to test gear and gave me any opportunity they could to expose me to the latest and greatest gear.

So now I look to the summer and plot my off snow adventures.  There is a trip to Nova Scotia to see my family for sure.  Lots of biking and running.  I'm sure a few weekend trips closer to home, as well as many hiking outings.  All I know for sure is that I will be outside.  The Kraken wakes in the morning and asks to go out before he's even eaten breakfast.  But regardless of the adventures I promise to continue filling you in on the blog.  I'm sure the shift will be more to family and Kraken adventures, but stay tuned and I'll do my best to keep you entertained.  And I'll be sure to start next ski season with lots of tips, gear and fun adventure.  

Thanks for your support for this ski season and for checking out the blog.      

Spring has Sprung at Sunshine Village

Lookout Mountain and Goat's Eye in the background

Spring has finally arrived in the Rocky Mountains. We have had the chance to get out a few times in the last couple of weeks to enjoy the great conditions.

Just this past week we spent Mother's Day on the hill. We had an amazing blue bird sky, temperatures around 0^oC, snow that softened up as the day went on, but never became slushy.

Skiing the Dive

We're very lucky to ski at a hill that runs such a long season. While there are a number of great hills in the area near us, we call Sunshine Village Ski Resort home. This is a hill that offers wonderfully variable terrain for all ability levels. Sunshine offers a kiddy zone with a magic carpet for the little ones just starting out. There is also a day care for the little ones not yet on skis. Sunshine offers an entire chair (Strawberry chair) that services a great grouping of green runs – perfect for the beginner of any age. All other chairs offer a range of terrain, from green runs to blacks and double blacks. I have skied here with friends that stick to greens, while we head off for some tree runs and then meet at the chair no problem. It's really easy to accommodate all ability levels within a group and ensures that everyone is having fun.

Sunshine also has a number of distinct regions with in the hill. There's the main are, where the lodge, hotel and other building are, but there is also Goat's Eye. This area has great terrain, including the South Chutes, which are a super fun double black are to play in. A little open bowl and little tree skiing. Amazingly fun area! Beyond this they have two controlled areas that can only be accessed if you have PEEPs, shovels and probes. These are Delirium Dive and WildWest. I've not had the chance to ski WildWest, but I can tell you that the Dive is beyond fun. There are a few drop in points, all giving you access to superb skiing. Wide open bowls the whole way. There is a risk of avalanche, but they to control for it, unfortunately not like they can within the resort proper. So only enter with the required gear and if you know how to use it.

Chris and I in the Dive a few years ago

Outside of skiing they have a wonderful hotel. We stayed there for our wedding – yes, we got married at Sunshine. Words can express what a fantastic job they did with our wedding. They were very accommodating and went out of their way to ensure that we had a marvellous day. Chris even skied the day of the wedding. And we both hit first chair the next day. The hotel has undergone some renovations in recent years and is super nice. Prices often include lift pass as well and there are great mid-week deal to be found. A great place for a little get away.

There is not much to do up there during the evening, but they do have amazing food, a bar and a breath taking hot tub available. So if you desire world class skiing and quiet evenings, you will love the vibe at Sunshine.

All in all, we are super happy to have this as our home hill and never get tired of the terrain that it offers up. Check it out if you ever get the chance, you wont be sorry.  

Salomon's Lumen, a bright light

Took Salomon's Q-96 Lumen skis out for a day the other week. This is an all mountain ski that is currently in the Salomon line-up. They have given the ski a face-lift for the 2014/15 ski year. The ski is now a mainly blue ski with some detailing, that kind of looks like a forest to me. It's not a bad graphic, but I have to say that I prefer the old look of the ski. Oh well.

This ski comes in four lengths, of which I took the 162cm out for a spin. It's curves are as follows: 128 tip: 95 underfoot: 114 tail. At this length the ski has a 18.4m turn radius. This is a pretty big turn radius. And exactly what I found when riding this ski. It was at it's best when I was riding it in areas where I could do large, sweeping turns. In tighter areas, that required more manoeuvrability, this ski was a bit sluggish. But as soon as I let it run, in large sweeping turns, it became a smooth ski.

I did find that the Lumen cuts through choppy snow really well. It

has a wood core that gives it stability, but also some other technologies (honeycomb tip) that make it not a super heavy ski. But this construction also makes the Lumen a power house. It cuts through chop with no chatter and without bouncing you around a lot. That was a great feeling – I felt like I could charge through anything. Fun times.

The Lumen had none of that pop that I so love at the end of a turn, but I also think that this would be too much from this ski. This ski really just isn't a ski that you expect or want to pop once you get going on it. It's a beast that holds you in good stead, but not a heavy ski.

I would recommend this ski as your 3^rd or 4^th ski – unless you are lucky skier who hits open bowls weekly. When you have a good carving ski and a good all round, all mountain ski, than this is a great addition for days when you are skiing open bowls or fresh snow. As an addition to other skis, I think you would really like this ski. I might have to see if I can add it to my wall next year...

The Goods:

-big, sweeping turns

-cuts through chop

-a power house of a ski

-good as a 3^rd or 4^th ski

-intermediate or advanced skier

The Not-So-Goods:

-sluggish in slower speeds

-hard to do short radius turns with

-not a “poppy” ski

First Nordica is a First Belle

I really can't believe how many skis I've had the opportunity to test out this year. So many of the local reps have heard that I'm writing this blog and have been super generous with skis as a result.

Recently I had the chance to take my first pair of Nordica out for a spin – grabbing the First Belle. This is an all mountain ski that Nordica considers a great ski for intermediate to advanced skiers, be it on groomers or on the looser snow. I grabbed the 162cm ski, which has the following curves: 128, 88, 112. All this on a 13.5m turn radius.

I have to say that I would agree with Nordica on their take for this ski. I quiet enjoyed the First Belle. I put the ski through its paces on some fairly hard snow, including a smattering of icy patches. The First Belle gripped the ice remarkably well. There was no wash or sliding out and I felt very in control. The ski transitioned well from turn to turn, really quiet smoothly. There was no real pop at the end of the turn like you can experience on some skis, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. While I enjoy this little pop, not everyone does. And it doesn't affect your skiing to not have it.

Not only did the First Belle preform well on ice, but it cut through looser snow really well. It didn't chatter or bounce you too much while transitioning from harder pack to looser snow. All of these traits allowed me to feel very comfortable and in control of the ski.

The features of the First Belle come together to make for a solid ski, but one that I would also describe as predictable. I am not using this term poorly, just simply saying that this ski gives you exactly what you expect and want. Which are good thing. It just didn't offer up any surprises.

Predictable is also what I would use to describe the graphics of the First Belle. Nothing too exciting, a nice mix of a few shades of blue and brown, but also pretty basic. Again, there are many out there that will appreciate the graphics of this ski and like the subtlety of the colouring.

Overall, I would say that the First Belle is a great ski if you are looking for a good all mountain ski that will preform as desired and expected. It should be a solid ski for you if you go this direction.

The Goods...

-good edging on ice

-cuts through chop well

-predictable

-intermediate-advanced ski

-all mountain

The Not-So-Goods...

-predictable

-graphics are less than exciting

-no “pop” at the end of the turn

Fun times on Fischer Koa 88's

I had the opportunity to take Fischer's Koa 88's out for a ride. These skis are currently in the Fischer lineup, but they have updated the graphics for the 2014-15 ski year. I quiet liked the new look – a nice mix of colours. Maybe slightly excessive on the pink side, but I also think it works fairly well.

These are an all mountain ski that Fischer sees as being a bit more off piste, aka choppy, not groomed runs. They come in 3 lengths, I rode the 160cm length, which has a 15m turn radius. The measurements of the ski are 128 tip, 88 underfoot, 115 tail.

I enjoyed this ski a fair bit. At first I felt that maybe it washed a bit in the tail when turning, but as I got the hang of the ski, I found the happy spot and how to make the ski work better for me. As I got the hang of the Koa 88 I found that it really popped at the end of the turn. This helped to kick you into your next turn and made the ski fun to ride.

While I found this kick in the skis fun, I also found that the Koa still transitioned well from turn to turn. There was a good flow and linking the turns was smooth.

One downfall was that I didn't feel that the ski gripped well on icier conditions. This is not too surprising when you realize that Fischer themselves see this as being a ski with a forte in the chop. So riding the Koa in the chop brings out the strength of these wonderful skis.

These are a ski that I can recommend to a more experienced skier that likes to get off the groomed track. A great consideration and something to look at for sure if you're in the market for new skis.

The Goods...

-fun

-really pops you into the next turn

-all mountain

-smooth transition from turn to turn

-good graphics

The Not-So-Goods...

-not a great grip on icy terrain

-bit of a tail wash at times

-maybe a bit too much pink on the graphic

Panorama family fun

We had the chance to get away for a little family time at Panorama ski hill this weekend. What a great place for a family to spend a little time.

We stayed in a nice room that had a kitchenette and separate bedroom – perfect for travelling with a wee one. We did hull our own pack-n-play and other baby gear. There were no baby/kid items in the room, but we had all the gear we needed. Including this handy little chair attachment. It's called a SIT-seat by G-Baby Designs and attaches to any chair – we've used in many times and it's super handy to have tucked away in a diaper bag. Check out the independent owner of this little business. She has lots of great baby gear available.

Taynton Bowl

But outside of the limited baby items in the room the resort was super baby/kid friendly. All restaurants had high-chairs in them. And not just one, but many. The coffee shop/restaurant (the Picnic Cafe) where I ate a few times had 4-5 chairs. The pub we went to the first night, the T-Bar and Grill, where you might think kids weren’t welcomed, was more than happy to accommodate us until 8:00pm. In reality the pub had a lot of kids in it. And all places had kids menus and a variety of foods that kids enjoy. I had no problem finding food for a 12 month old. And my picky eater was more than happy to chow down.

Hiking to access Taynton Bowl

And the activities! Yes, there is skiing an amazing hill. The runs can accommodate all levels of ability. They even have a back bowl – the Taynton bowl. This is a super fun area full of black runs, that offers a variety of open bowls and tree skiing. A superb area for the more experienced skier. The front side has a great mix of runs for all abilities and can really be a fun time for all members of the family. We've skied there in the past with friends and had no problem finding runs that made everyone happy and gave us all a great skiing experience. And don't forget the all important magic carpet. It's interesting how ones perspective changes when they have a kid.  Not sure I ever would have noted this part of the hill before. It's right there, very easy to access and use for the little people in your group.

Beyond skiing there are lots of activities for kids and parents alike. There are ski and play programs – a half day skiing, the other half spent playing. With lunch included. There are heated outdoor pools – great for young and old. In the summer they have a little water park, including a water slide. They have tubbing and tobogganing. They have daily/nightly activities. I know when we were they they were offering a cupcake decorating lesson. There were art activities for all ages. On Friday nights they offer a program where kids can be dropped off to play while being cared for by experienced child minders   And parents can go have a little alone time. And they offer private baby-sitters as well. I could go on and on about all of the activities offered. And the ones I've mentioned are just some of the winter ones. They have summer specific programs as well.

In all, even though it was late season, there was so much to do and it was a great weekend away. I'm seriously plotting our next family trip there. Can't wait until the Kraken is a bit older and will will enjoy the experience.

Hello my dear friend... Spring!

I can’t get enough of the bright orb in the sky. Yep, the sun is shining and the temperatures are climbing – finally. And with that comes a time of year that skiers love and hate – Spring Skiing. With the change in temperatures, snow changes as well. This means you need to make a few changes to your ski routine and style.

A first to making spring skiing successful is taking care of your skin. Remember that the sun is more intense with each day. Add altitude and reflection off the snow and you have a recipe for nasty sunburns. It's time for sunblock. Lather up your face before you start the day and be spared the teasing around the water cooler tomorrow.

Another consideration is the reflection and what it can do to your eyes. Be sure to wear a goggle that has the proper tint or a pair of sunglasses. Anyone who's had snow blindness can tell you it's not fun – trust me.

Now that you've cared for you body a bit, take the time to care for your skis. Get a proper tune-up to account for the needed sharp edges on your skis and the altered snow conditions. The changing snow means that you might need to change up the wax as well. Talk to you local shop to find out what they are advising.

And now hit the snow... But not too early. With the sun warming the snow during the day and then temperatures dropping over night, spring snow can get quite hard. So you want the sun to be out for a bit to start softening the snow before you head out. This is not really a time of the year to make the first chair. Give the day a chance to get started.

At the other end of this, skiing hard late into the day is not where it's at either. With the sun warming the snow during the day the snow changes consistency and can get very soft, even soupy at times. It's spring time, time to relax, enjoy the sun and not push the extremes at either end of the day.

A good rule of thumb to go by is to follow the sun. If you ski the areas where the sun is shining then they are the softer areas. Areas where the sun has not hit or has hit and moved on from tend to be harder and potentially icy. So gauge the runs you are looking at and plan your day and ski style accordingly.

A few tips for when you are heading down the run. Let your skis run a bit. Really working the edges is only going to tire you in this heavier, spring snow. But if you've timed the day well and the snow has started to soften the skis will grip the snow well and you will carve some of the best turns of the year.

Also try to pick a line that hits some new snow that has not been skied. At least work at avoiding the larger piles of snow. These can really bounce you around or pull a ski in a direction you were not expecting. The smaller piles will be easy to slice through, but avoid the larger ones. Heavy spring snow can quickly toss surprises your way, so be aware and keep your eyes downhill for the next obstacle.

Now get out there and have some spring time fun!

What's the DIN all about?

Have you ever bought skis/bindings or tested a pair of skis, only to be asked what your DIN setting is? Or have you been asked questions about your height and weight, do you really have to share that? Well, the answer is yes and it all comes back to setting your binding correctly for your skiing ability.

The DIN, or the Deutsche Industrie Normen setting, on bindings is a determination of how easily the binding and subsequently the ski will release if you fall. The DIN was set by the German Institute for Standardization and is a scale that was adopted by the ski industry to determine the release force of ski bindings. And this is important in preventing injuries when skiing.

While I will tell you how to determine a DIN, I'm not going to really tell you how to set you DIN. This is because, in all honesty, this is not something you should be messing with on your own. To change your DIN, go to your local ski shop. They are the experts for a reason...

Binding Toe piece

Binding Heel piece

To find the correct DIN for you and your ability a number of factors are considered. First off your hight and weight are considered. This is based on the fact that a larger person will put more pressure on the binding than a lighter person. So a taller or heavier person will have a higher base DIN setting. You age is also in there as a factor. This is because when younger you might need the binding to release easier (sooner in a tumble). Also as you age and your bones and joints can't take the same force, you need your binding to release sooner.

Another factor considered is your boot sole length. This is a measure of how long your boot is from heel to toe on the outside. This number is in mm (millimetres) and is written somewhere on your boot. This measurement comes into play as it a factor in torque. Larger and smaller boots create different levels of torque on the binding as affect how easily it can pop off.

A final competent for determining your DIN is your ability. Skiers how are more cautious and ski at a slower rate have a lower DIN setting. More aggressive skiers, who ski faster will have a higher DIN setting. These levels of ability are ranked into a “type” of skier chart and used to help determine your setting.

Here's a summary of the types:

Type 1 - Cautious skiing at lighter release/retention settings.

Type 2 - Average/moderate skiing at average release/retention settings.

Type 3 - Aggressive, higher speed skiing at higher release/retention settings.

Type 3+ - For skiers who desire visual indicator settings higher than settings for a Type 3 skier.

Type -1 (neg. 1) - For skiers who desire visual indicator settings lower than settings for a Type 1 skier.

And here's a copy of a chart that is used you determine your DIN:

Finally, here is a quick link where you can enter your data and get a sense of you DIN setting.

                           DINsetting.com

So what all this means is that with a lower DIN setting your ski will release more easily. This is a great thing for a person skiing slowly, and who weighs less. When you fall and have a lower DIN setting, your ski will release easily and without a lot of pressure and twist. This is beneficial at preventing injury from a ski being attached to you while you tumble.

A DIN on the higher range means that the ski will stay attached to you. This is great for a more aggressive skier, who is pushing their limits and skiing lots of variable terrain. This also means that you wont pop out of you ski. We've all experienced this, where you're happily skiing and all of a sudden your ski is no longer attached to you. While, a higher DIN setting helps prevent this. But this also means that your ski doesn't come off as easily when you fall, so there is an increased risk of injury from your ski still being attached to you as you tumble down the hill.

And there you go, a brief breakdown of DIN and what it's all about. I know I've not told you how to adjust this, and as I said before, that's for a reason. It's for your safety as you really shouldn't be messing around this with on your own. If you feel that you DIN needs adjusting based on what I've said or the link I've shared with you, please visit your local ski shop. They will be happy to help you and help to ensure that you really are riding at a safe DIN level.  

Seeing the sights in Smith I/O goggles

Ignitor Mirror lens

I had the chance to take a pair of Smith I/O goggles out for a test run a few times recently. These goggles come in a variety of looks. The ones I was testing our were the Charcoal Batik - black and white band with mainly black detailing. These are a frameless goggle that have a quick release lens system to allow for efficient changing of lenses. They even come with two pairs of lenses, so you can buy a lenses for different sun conditions. You can always buy a few more pairs if you want really specific lenses for different light, or if you sadly scratch a lens.

Smith considers the I/O to be a medium fit goggle. I found them a bit big on my face. They sat nicely against my helmet, they are advertised as being helmet compatible. But I found that they sat low on my checks and over my nose. They weren't so low that it made breathing annoying, just low enough to notice the fit. I did adjust to the fit and was less bothered by it as time went by, but they were big. But there is a bonus to the large size, they have an amazing field of view. With the frameless design and the large size, I could see everything. There was no interference from the goggle in my field of view. I really enjoyed this aspect of the I/O.

Red Sensor Mirror lens

One thing I did note about this goggle was how cold my face got at one point. We were riding the chair with a strong wind blowing into our faces. With the frameless design there is a lot more venting and this meant that the wind was blowing right into and through the goggle. Not much fun. While I can say I didn't enjoy the goggle at this moment, it's also not an issue I had when skiing. I never left that they were windy or cold when I was moving. Like I said, the only time I had this issue was when we had a strong head wind. But it is something to note and consider.

During my test days with the I/O I had the opportunity to give two lenses a preview. I was lucky enough to test out the Red Sensor Mirror lens and the Ignitor Mirror lens. Both were great lenses.

The Red Sensor Mirror is a lens for all light conditions that has a strength in falter lights. As the name implies there is a rose tint to the goggle. As with all rose tints, you notice it a lot when you first put them on, but adjust to the colour tint in no time. I was wearing these lenses just the other day when we ran the range of sun. Bright sun, to overcast, to snowing. In all situations I found that I had fairly good definition. And I can tell you that the light was quite flat when the sun left and the snow started. I really enjoyed this lens and the definition it gave me. A good option to have in your pocket.

The other lens I tested was the Ignitor Mirror. This lens is meant to be a bit more of a broad spectrum lens. Smith states that it enhances contrast and depth perception. I tested this lens when there was variable lighting, but nothing too flat. Overall, I really enjoyed this lens and the visibility that it gave me. I felt that I had good definition and was able to easily visualize the terrain I was skiing.

My final take on the Smith I/O is that it's a great goggle option. If you have a larger face or enjoy larger goggles give this one a thought. There are a number of goggles in the I/O line so if you have a smaller face, but like what I've been mentioning, give the Smith I/OS a glance. Or if you want something even bigger than the I/O, take a look at the I/OX. Smith really has you covered with the I/O series. If you want to go for all the bells and whistles, take a look at the I/O Recon – I think I would find this one overwhelming...

The Goods:

-medium size

-great field of view

-helmet compatible

-come with two lenses

-quick release to make lens switches easy

-lifetime warranty

The Not-So-Goods:

-a bit big for my face size

-frameless set-up allowed for lots of air flow and a cold face in certain situations

Heads down...

The final ski brand that I tested on demo day was Head. I had the chance to test out two skis that day, but sadly, I can't say that I've saved the best for the last.

The first Head ski I rode that day was the Total Joy. The Joy line is a new series that Head is bringing out for the 2014/15 ski year. The dimensions for this ski are 133 tip, 85 underfoot, 113 tail and is considered an all mountain ski. The ski has good, basic graphics – white background with a nice blue detailing. As well, this ski comes with a binding that it well matched colour wise. Overall a good looking setup.

When I started out on this ski, I felt okay with it. As I picked up speed and started to put the ski through it's paces, I felt like the tune was off. I can't say for sure if the tune was off or if it was simply that the ski was not wonderful. I found that the Total Joy edged easily enough. It didn't take much to get the ski to carve a turn. It was also easy to transition between between big and small turns. But, I still felt like there was something off about this ski. I just felt like the ski wasn't doing exactly what I wanted and also like the ski had it's own plan for the run, and not at all what I was wanting.

Overall, I really didn't enjoy this ski. And based on the difficulties I had with it, I really can't think who I would recommended it for. I can't see a beginner having much luck on this ski and based on my results with it, I'm not sure a more advanced skier would enjoy it either.

The Goods:

-good colour and graphics

-great ski binding match

-responded easily

-all mountain

The Not-So-Goods:

-tune felt off

-ski didn't respond as excepted

-really didn't enjoy my ride on this ski

-can't recommend

The other Head ski I rode that day was the Super Joy. Another new addition to the Joy lineup for 2014/15. This ski has a darker graphic – black background with a florescent yellow detail. Again, the binding matches the ski very well. I'm not a keen on this skis colours , but it does work well enough. The dimensions for this ski are 128 tip, 75 underfoot and 108 tail. The Super Joy is considered an all mountain ski.

I have to admit to feeling about the same for this ski as I did for the Total Joy, maybe a bit worse. When I went to turn the ski it really popped around, especially at the end of the turn. I could see that this ski would be easy to overturn, which is not necessarily a good thing. I also felt like I was catching my edge or tail. Again, maybe the tune was off on the ski. But this is not a good feeling when you are testing out a ski. I actually had to pull up and drop some speed when I came to one face as I felt totally out of control, not something I felt the need to do on any other ski that day. My overall experience on this ski was not good and I was more than happy to hand it back after my testing.

As with the Total Joy, I'm not really sure who I would recommend this ski for. If the issues I had are the ski, and not the tune, than this could be a tough ski for a beginner to ride. And a more advanced skier would have a hard time with it as well. Again, really just didn't like this ski.

The Goods:

-decent colour and graphics

-great ski-binding match

-all mountain

The Not-So-Goods:

-tune felt off

-ski felt like it was overturning

-really didn't enjoy my ride on this ski

-can't recommend  

Super fast Salomon W-24

Can you believe I still have skis to talk about from my demo day? Well I do. I'm such a lucky girl to have skied so many skis that day.

I want to tell you about a Salomon ski to rode that day. It's the Salomon W-24. This is a new ski to the Salomon lineup for the 2014/15 year. This ski is listed as an All Mountain Front side ski. It has a carve rocker and a semi-twin tip on a wood core. The W-24 comes in a few lengths, I skied the 160cm ski. Its curves are 120.2 tip, 71 underfoot, and a 101 tail.

The graphics of this new ski are pretty basic – black background with just a hint of colour on the tip and tail.  Even though I love colour, the graphic somehow really work. It makes the ski look very sleek and sexy. Not a bad descriptive in my world.

I quiet enjoyed this ski – once I let it do its thing. When I first took it out, I tried to ski it slowly. Not a good idea. When moving at a slower speed I found the ski sluggish, hard to edge and turn. Needless to say I was a little unhappy. Then I stopped to considered the type of ski I was on and decided to let the ski run a bit and thus picked up some speed. When I did this the W-24 came alive! At a faster pace the ski carved wonderful turns. I simply had to put in a bit of effort and the ski carved a nicely shaped turn. It did medium sized turns with ease, as well as bigger radius turns. At these faster speeds the W-24 became very responsive. There really was not much effort needed to get the ski to make the turns I was asking of it.  Simply enjoyable and energizing.  

I only had the chance to ride the W-24 on groomers, so I'm not sure how it would react in the choppier stuff. With it's need for a faster pace it might be a tougher ski to ride in these areas.  But until I take it out again in these areas, I really can't say for sure.  And I will be taking this ski out again.  So, if you are a mainly groomer kinda girl that is looking for speed and responsiveness in a ski, than the W-24 might just be the perfect ski for you.

The Goods...

-sleek graphics

-fun, fast ski

-great turns at a fast pace

-responsive

-great on groomers

-intermediate to advanced skier who likes to go fast

The Not-So-Goods...

-sluggish at a slower speed

-not the best ski for a slower skier

K2 Magical Fun

During my demo day the K2 rep and I had some fun with ski selections. I tested three skis and fell in love with one of them. Two of the skis I tested were new to K2 – the Potion line. It's a great new line with a wide variety of skis.

The first ski I tested was the K2 Potion 84. This is a new ski for the 2014/15 ski year which K2 has classified as an All Terrain Rocker ski that is meant for all mountain and free ride skiing. The Potion 84, as with all the Potion skis, get their Potion number from the width underfoot. You guessed it, this ski is 84 underfoot. It had a tip width of 128, and a tail width of 112. I rode the 160cm length, which had a 14m turn radius.

I liked the graphics of this ski. Dark, simple colours, but the swirling adds a nice depth to the visual appeal. I think they have done a good job in designing the visuals of this new line-up.

The Potion 84 is a responsive ski, fairly easy to turn when put on edge. There were times that I felt I had to work the ski a bit to get it to bite, this was mainly on the icier sections of the hill. But I liked the turns the ski made and felt that it was a good intermediate ski. The ski flexed well and the rocker allowed the ski to react like it was shorter ski.

I didn't get to take this ski into more choppy terrain, but from what I experienced I think that it would be fun in these conditions. The Potion 84 is light weight enough that it would make some good turns in choppy snow, but has the width underfoot to allow it to float.

The Goods:

All terrain

Responsive

Intermediate ski

Good graphics

The “Not-So-Goods”:

Hard to edge on some terrain – icier areas

Not overwhelmed by the ski – maybe a bit boring

The other ski I rode in the Potion line up was the Potion 90. The ski is again listed as an all mountain ski, but also comes touring ready – for those added parts you need to tour. I rode the 163cm ski, that has a turning radius of 15m. It had measurements of 132 tip, 90 underfoot (had you already guessed that one?), 115 tail.

The graphics of this ski are much brighter than the Potion 84 – which I really liked. They have a darker background, but lots of colour on top. Green, purple, and a few shades of blue all swirled together. In the end it creates an eye-catching look.

Now that I've laid out the details of this ski, I can let you know how much I loved the Potion 90! I ended my time on this ski grinning from ear to ear. It was a super fun to ski to ride. It was responsive and turned really well. I only had to slightly edge the ski for it to react with gusto. By no means did it over-turn, it just responded really well and quickly. I rode the Potion 90 fast and it gripped the snow really well, giving me total control.

I would love to get my hands on this ski again to take it into powder and loser snow. I imagine that it's light weight and ability to react will make it very fun and versatile in these snow conditions.

The Goods:

I loved this ski!

All terrain – it would be super fun in the choppier terrain

Responsive and agile

Intermediate/advanced ski that will have you smiling

Great graphics and colours

The “Not-So-Goods”:

huuummmmm, can't really think of one...

The final K2 ski I had the luck to ride on demo day was the K2 Remedy 102. This is a ski in the current K2 line-up that has received some tweaks for the 2014/15 ski year. One of note is the tapered tip that still allows for float, but also allows the ski to cut nicely through deeper snow and chop. They have also changed the graphics for this year. The ski is now mainly a green colour with some blue on a darker background. Not sure that I love the new colouring, but there are more important things to a ski than colour, right?

I skied a long ski (170cm), but it is available in a size that I would be better suited for (163cm). At the 163cm length the ski has a turning radius of 16m. The Remedy has the following dimensions: 131 tip, 102 underfoot, 125 tail.

I found the Remedy to be a large ski, good for big sweeping turns – remember that it has a 16m turn radius. While the Remedy was great for big turns, it took some work to do shorter radius turns. Not surprising when you consider the turn radius and the length of ski I was riding. I also found that when I tried to power the Remedy 102, I didn't get a great ride on the ski, physically draining and unresponsive. As soon as I relaxed and let the ski do the work I found it much more fun and it carved enjoyable turns.

I think that this would be an enjoyable ski to get into an open bowl, but sadly I only tested it on groomers. This ski is considered an all terrain ski, but I think that it's strength lies in deeper snow and chop.

The Goods:

All terrain

Tapered tip update

deep snow and chop

good for big sweeping turns

The “Not-So-Goods”:

Not in love with the new graphics

sluggish at quicker turns

Rocking it on Rossignol

Another ski brand that I had the chance to test the other week during my demo day was Rossignol. I found two skis that I think some might enjoy.

The first ski I want to tell you about is the Rossignol Temptation 88. This ski was in my top three from the day. Let me give you the specifics before I get into what I loved. I skied a long ski, 170cm, and still had a great ride. The dimensions of this ski are 135 tip, 88 underfoot, and 124 tail. Take a look at my blog on these numbers if you need a refresher on what they mean.

The Temptation 88 is a current ski in the Rossi lineup that they have slightly updated the look of for the 2014/15 ski year. It still has a black background with a beige graphic. So super basic, but it works. Especially when you consider how well this ski performs. The biggest update is the addition of Air Tip. This is a technology that uses hexagonal hollow pockets in the tip of the ski that reduces weight without compromising strength. The bonus of this is that it helps lighten the swing weight of the ski; very helpful in trees or tight turn situations.

What I loved about this ski... pretty much everything. It was a super responsive ski. It was easy to ski, but far from being boring. It had a lot of pep, so that when I went to turn it it really popped. All this while I was skiing a long ski. The longer the ski the harder it can be to get it to respond, and I found it responsive at the long length. So I can imagine how much better the ski would be in a size I would more likely buy, (162cm).

I would really like to get this ski out into choppier terrain, because as I mentioned, I only skied groomers the day of the demo. While I think this ski has strength in groomers, it's always fun to get a ski onto variable terrain where it belongs to push its limits.

So, if you are an intermediate to advanced skier, and looking for a ski that's great on groomers, but can be taken off into choppier terrain, consider this ski. The Temptation 88 is a great option that you'll have lots of fun on.

The Goods:
Responsive
Easy to ski - yeah for saving the legs for lots of runs
Light weight
Fun on groomers - a good groomer day can be so fun
Simple Graphics
Good ski to grow into ability wise

The "Not-So-Goods":
Stronger skiers should only apply
Simple graphics - I'm a girl that likes a little colour

The other Rossignol ski that I had the chance to ride on demo day was the new Saffron 7. This is a ski that was added to the Rossi line up for the 2013/14 ski season. While it's a newer ski, they have still updated the look for the 2014/15 season, and for the better in my opinion. I really like the new colouring with pink details. But it's not an overpowering amount of colour, just enough to make the ski visually enjoyable. This ski also gets the Air Tip treatment for 2014/15 model.  Bonus.

I had the chance to ski the 162 cm length ski, that had the dimensions of 128 tip, 98 underfoot, 118 tail. The Saffron 7 was a good, solid ski. It made good turns that were very smooth. I found the ski to be responsive and it edged well when I went to make my turns. I have to admit I wasn't overwhelmed by this ski, but that can also be a really good thing for some. I think the word that comes to mind is predictable. What I mean by this is that the ski did exactly what I asked of it. I knew what it was going to give me and it didn't surprise me. Again, this is not necessarily a bad thing. This quality in a ski can make it the perfect ski for many and I can see that there are many that will love this ski. I can even think of a friend that I would recommend this ski for. I think she would fully love it.

So if you are an intermediate/ advanced skier looking for a solid all mountain ski, give the Saffron 7 a test drive. It could be exactly the ski for you that will allow you to make great turns, while building your technique.

The Goods: 
Predictable - this is good and bad all at the same time.                                            
Easy to turn                                                

All mountain

Intermediate/ advanced ski

Graphics

The "Not-So-Goods":

Predictable   

I just didn't love this ski...