Small Businesses Keep Breckenridge Authentic

There are many of things that make Breckenridge such a special place. From the breath taking scenery, humbling size of the mountains, incredible wildlife, blue skies, and it’s beautiful town just to name a few . The list could go on and on but I believe what truly separates Breckenridge and makes it stand out are it’s amazing residents and welcoming community.


Unlike a good portion of mountain towns that happen to be home to a world class ski resort, Breckenridge was and is much more than just a ski destination and resort. Our small little quaint town was home to many hard working, passionate miners throughout the 1800’s and early 1900’s, long before any plans to build one of the country’s premiere ski resorts.

The hard work, passion, and authenticity of Breckenridge and it’s residents is still prominent to this day. As the nation acknowledges and celebrates the 52nd annual Small Business week, I would like to give special recognition to all of the wonderful small businesses and the workers of Breckenridge as they are the backbone and foundation of our uniquely amazing town. With only a handful of “Corporate” businesses operating in town, Starbucks, Subway, and Wyndham to name a few, Breckenridge fosters a community for small business to flourish and succeed. With that comes a friendly, blue-collar, work hard play hard mentality that is felt throughout the town.

With a Main Street that looks like it is straight from a movie (oh wait, it is!), you will not see stores such as Gucci, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., etc like you may see in similar towns. Instead, locally owned businesses like Elevation Ski and Bike, Mountain Goat Clothing Co., and Valley Girl Boutique line the store fronts along Main Street. Inside these stores you will find some of the most unique, inspiring, and creative items, not something that can be purchased at any chain store across the world. The more important aspect is the people you will interact with in these stores, restaurants, and shoppes. Like many of small, locally owned businesses across the United States, our stores in town are own and ran by the same local residents who live, play, and love everything that is Breckenridge.

Without the small businesses that create so much pleasure for locals and tourist alike, Breckenridge wouldn’t be the same. The genuine love for life, compassion for your neighbor, and authenticity of a true mountain town would be tainted or even lost if Corporate America had it’s footprint on Breckenridge. So as a thank you to all of the small business, your hard work and commitment to our town and community do not go unnoticed!

Make sure to support your local small businesses this week and make a difference in your community!

Downhill Ski Boots: How to Choose

Ski boots are the key link between your body and your skis, so finding boots well-matched to the size and shape of your feet is a high priority.
Ski boots consist of a hard outer shell for support and soft liner for cushioning and warmth. Most adult boots are "front-entry overlap" designs, meaning that they open in the front like hiking boots and are secured by 3 or 4 buckles. Some kids' boots are "rear-entry" style. These models open in the back, which makes them more comfortable and user-friendly for beginners.
You should narrow your search for the best ski boots by focusing on fit and performance—style and color are secondary considerations. If at all possible, have yourself professionally fit by an REI ski boot specialist or other qualified person.

Ski Boot Flex Index

Ski boots are best shopped by the amount of flex the boots offer, which roughly correlates to your ability level: novice, intermediate or advanced.
Ski boot manufacturers rate boots on a flex index. The higher the number, the stiffer the boot. The more rigid your boot, the more power transfers to your ski's inside edge. REI.com product pages list the flex index under the "specs" tab. Unfortunately, flex index ratings are comparable only within a manufacturer's line, so the best way to compare when shopping is to put a boot on each foot, lean forward and flex them. (Boots will have a softer flex at a warm indoor temperature than they will out on the ski hill.)
When choosing your boots, be honest in your self-evaluation of your skill level. Below is a general guideline for matching flex index to your ability level, but know that within each level you can still refine your range.

Soft flex

Best for beginners. Flex index is typically below 80.
Soft-flexing boots are usually comfortable and warm. They’re typically best if you're new to the sport or you've been at it for a while but enjoy skiing leisurely on groomed green and blue runs. A soft flex does make it a bit harder to control the ski; go a step up if you expect to progress quickly.

Medium flex

Best for intermediate. Flex index ranges from about 80-100.
Medium-flex boots are geared to intermediate skiers and deliver increased responsiveness for improved turn-carving skills and higher speeds. They're ideal for those who can comfortably ski blues and easier black runs and are ready to tackle steeper terrain, moguls and ungroomed snow.

Stiff flex

Best for advanced. Flex index is typically above 100.
Stiff-flex boots are highly responsive and designed for those who ski with confidence, speed and aggressiveness on the steepest and most challenging terrain. Some boots offer features such as shock absorption for landing jumps or slamming bumps. Most advanced-level boots combine multi-density materials to make boots stiff in critical areas of energy transfer, but soft in other areas. Very stiff racing boots can be uncomfortably rigid for general use.

Ski Boot Sizing

Mondo Sizing: Downhill ski boots use mondo sizing, which refers to the boot’s inner sole length in centimeters. Sizes are not always uniform by brand or even from one model to another, but here is a general guide to get you started:

Mondo Ski Boot Sizes to US Sizes

Mondo	26.5	27	27.5	28	28.5	29	29.5	30	30.5
Women's US	10	10.5	11	11.5	12	NA	NA	NA	NA
Men's US	8.5	9	9.5	10	10.5	11	11.5	12	13

Mondo	21.5	22	22.5	23	23.5	24	24.5	25	25.5	26
Women's US	5	5.5	6	6.5	7	7.5	8	8.5	9	9.5
Men's US	NA	NA	NA	5	5.5	6	6.5	7	7.5	8

Last size: Last is the width of the ball of your foot and ranges from 97mm to 106mm. A tighter fit is more responsive for higher performance.

Ski Boot Liners

Most boots come with some amount of heat-moldable material in the liners. Typically, more expensive boots will feature more heat-moldable material. Some liners have down-filled toe boxes for added warmth.
There are several liner types to choose from:
Thermal-formable foam liners use your foot’s heat to achieve a custom fit. They break in after a day or so of skiing.
Custom moldable liners use an artificial heat source to achieve a custom fit. Though best done at REI or other ski shops with boot-fitting expertise, it is possible to do this at home with your oven or a hot-air blower.
Molded foam liners are made by molding liner tongues and foot sections individually, then sewing them together for a precise fit. These are not heat-moldable.

Additional Ski Boot Features

Ski/Walk Mode: Do your ski days include hikes up sidecountry ridges to find untracked powder? Many medium- to high-end boots let you separate the upper shell from the lower boot for more comfortable walking. When you're ready to ski the descent, you can lock the upper and lower shell together to maximize power transmission.
Flex Adjustment: Some ski boots have a switch so you can adjust the boots' stiffness to match a particular type of skiing, like powder, groomers or bumps. It is usually located on the back of the boot, around ankle height.

Skis, so many types........

All-Mountain Skis

Best for groomed terrain (all levels, including moguls), or a mix of groomed and powder. Sometimes called carvers, all-mountain skis are suited for all age groups, both genders and any experience level. Narrow waists, up to 85mm, deep sidecuts, and rockered tips make them easy to turn. They hold an edge on groomed routes and hard snow, and high-end models can satisfy performance expectations of expert-class skiers.

All-Mountain Wide Skis

Best for groomed runs and powder. These skis can handle it all. Sometimes also called mid-fats or fats, these skis have wide waists of 84mm-105mm, which enhance flotation in soft snow without sacrificing too much agility on groomed slopes. They efficiently cut through sloppy snow and provide stability in crusty, variable snow.

Powder Skis

Best for powder, backcountry and occasional groomed runs. As the name implies, these skis perform best when skiing deep powder snow. Sometimes called super-fats, powder skis typically have waist widths of 110mm and higher for men's skis and 100mm and higher for women's skis to provide flotation and a surf-like, playful feel. Most feature a fully rockered profile to further boost flotation, enhance maneuverability and keep edges from catching. Be aware that they’re not built for precise turns on groomed runs, but they are absolutely the best choice for a memorable day when the powder is deep.

Backcountry Skis

Best for untracked wilderness terrain, powder and groomed runs. Backcountry skis open the wild, untracked areas of a mountain to you. With the help of climbing skins, you can ski uphill to reach fresh, untracked snow and then remove the climbing skins to enjoy the ride down. With this freedom comes the responsibility of acquiring the mountaineering and avalanche awareness skills necessary for ensuring your own safety.
Skis are lighter than alpine gear, which is advantageous when climbing. They feature waist widths of approximately 80mm-120mm: Narrower waists make turning easier when skiing hard snow; wider waists work better in powder. Backcountry skis can be used for telemark or randonee skiing; the choice depends on what style bindings you put on the skis.

Downhill Skis by Gender or Age

Women's Downhill Skis

Women-specific skis are typically lighter, softer and/or shorter, making them easier to maneuver than comparable men's skis due to less energy being required to flex a ski a given distance. This minimizes fatigue without compromising performance. Bindings on women's ski are usually mounted a little farther forward on skis than men's bindings, another adjustment to accommodate a women's lower center of gravity. This enhances a female skier's balance, stability and responsiveness.

Kids' Downhill Skis

It may make sense to buy clothes that kids can "grow into," but that strategy does not pay off for aspiring young skiers. Equip them with skis that are a good fit for their current size. For the very young (under 6), tips in general should not quite reach their chins (or be 6 to 8 inches below the tops of their heads). For youth (under 12), tips should touch a part of their middle or upper face. Kids can always ski a shorter ski but may have problems with a long ski. When in doubt, go short.

Sizing Downhill Skis

Choose ski length based on your weight, height, skill level and terrain preference.

Height: In general, with ski tails on the ground, tips should touch you somewhere between your nose and eyebrows. This may vary based on your ability level and terrain preference. Kids? For the very young (under 6), tips should not quite reach their chins. For youth (under 12), tips should touch a part of their face. Talk to an REI sales specialist to help you choose the ski size that will best meet your needs.

Weight: Skiers with larger frames often are good candidates for either longer skis or wider skis. Extra mass provides leverage for turning longer skis; extra surface area can also help distribute weight. See the Specs tab on REI.com product pages for manufacturer weight recommendations.

Experience: Shorter skis appeal more to novices because they're easy to turn. Veteran skiers will often choose their size based on the type of turn they want to make. Shorter skis usually have a smaller radius or quicker turn. A longer ski will have a longer radius or wider turn.
Terrain: If your favorite hill is dominated by narrow, twisty trails, look at shorter skis. They're better at quickly maneuvering into tight turns.

Downhill Ski Dimensions

A ski's dimensions are determined by measuring (in millimeters) its width in 3 places: at its 2 widest points, the tip and tail, and at its narrowest, the waist. Tip/waist/tail measurements are usually separated by slashes and displayed as, for example, 131/98/119.
Tip: Also called the "shovel," the tip initiates turns. A wide tip (roughly 120mm and higher) floats more easily on soft snow. On hard snow, wider tips matched with narrower waists create a ski best suited for short-radius carved turns.
Waist: Of the 3 dimensions, waist width is the most critical. Narrow waists allow you to establish an edge sooner, resulting in speedy, usually nimble skis that are ideal for groomed runs. They can also shift from edge to edge more quickly. Wide waists deliver more surface area (more area to make contact with snow), which makes them preferable in soft snow and powder.
Tail: The back end of a ski helps sustain turns and usually matters more to fast-turning experienced skiers. (Their usual preference: wider tails.) When carving tight, rapid turns, a wider tail resists sideways skids and sustains speed. Others may prefer narrower tails, which are better for wide, sweeping turns.
Sidecut radius (or turning radius): Skis with low turning radius numbers (low to mid teens) are better for making tight, short-radius turns. Higher numbers (upper teens and beyond) indicate skis better suited for long-radius turns and fast descents.

Downhill Ski Camber / Rocker

Camber: Many skis offer a continuous, downturned arc (or bow) that runs for much of the length of the ski. When a skier stands on a ski, it flattens due to the skier’s weight. At that point the entire length of the base can provide stability and the ski’s metal edge can initiate turns. As a skier moves from turn to turn, camber provides the energy for a ski to snap back from turns, creating a sensation of “liveliness.” In short, camber is the built-in spring that makes a ski lively.

Rocker: Rocker is essentially the opposite of camber, and is sometimes known as reverse camber or negative camber. The side profile of a rockered ski resembles the upturned rails of an old-school rocking chair. On a flat surface, the midsection of a rockered ski will rest on the ground while its tips and tails rise off the ground much earlier than they do for a cambered ski. Rocker offers improved flotation in powder and offers greater maneuverability.

Downhill Ski Bindings

Integrated bindings: A popular choice for many all-mountain skiers, in particular, are skis with bindings packaged together by the manufacturer. These bindings are often desirable because they tend to flex more naturally, facilitate better edge-hold and allow easy turning.
Nonintegrated bindings are still favored by many intermediate and advanced skiers seeking specific performance features or higher DIN release settings.

How to train now to get fit for ski and snowboard season

A summer spent hiking and pedaling long miles provides a good foundation for ski and snowboard season, but professional trainers and physical therapists recommend some time in the gym during the weeks leading up to your first downhill run.

For skiers and snowboarders, getting ready for snow-sport season means building strength, stability and even cardio fitness — and always working to ensure injury prevention.

Knee injuries are the most prevalent injuries in skiing, said Lindsay Winninger, who has been a full-time physical therapist for World Cup and Olympic alpine skier Lindsey Vonn for two years. "Injuries to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are ranked first and second," she said.
Snowboarders tend to get more upper-extremity injuries to joints like the wrists, elbows and shoulders, said Winninger, who is based in Vail.
"There are some essentials you want in every preseason program," Winninger said. "Strength, flexibility and balance."

Strength and stability

The hardest part about training for these sports is that "it's really hard to re-create skiing when you're not skiing," said Eirik Hole, the U.S. Ski Team's women's alpine strength and conditioning coach, based in Park City, Utah.
"Even if you're really well-prepared and have done everything right, you are probably still going to get sore after the first day," he said.
But there are many exercises you can do to become a more solid, balanced skier or snowboarder, Hole said, and work on your endurance. To prepare for both sports, he recommends squats, deadlifts and single-leg lunges.
"You just need to make sure your legs are ready to go as hard as you want to go, for as long as you like to go," he said. "You don't necessarily have to do heavy squats or heavy deadlifts or heavy lunges. You just have to be able to do them for a little while."


That leg strength is the most important thing skiers and riders can focus on in the gym in the preseason said Alexander Bunt, a high-performance consultant for Red Bull and trainer for Vonn.
Every turn you make on the slopes puts significant force on your legs, Bunt said. But increasing your strength reduces the relative force, resulting in less fatigue and improving the quality of your skiing or riding.
That strength also aids a skier or rider's ability to progress with new skills and avoid injury.  Watch any World Cup race or snowboard event, Bunt said, and it's easy to see that both sports are becoming much more explosive and dynamic. That trend that is trickling down to the eager masses of recreational athletes, and it warrants explosive, dynamic training in the preseason.
That's why, in addition to various kinds of squats, members of the University of Denver alpine ski team do a lot of lateral plyometric work, which helps them train to be able to absorb high levels of force, said Matt Van Dyke, strength and conditioning coach for DU's alpine skiers.
In skiing and snowboarding, muscles are put under a high level of eccentric force: muscles are absorbing energy in a loaded, or active, position. Think of the impact muscles take in the bent knee position while you're going down a set of moguls, he said. That's eccentric muscle contraction. At home or in a gym, side-to-side skater jumps are good eccentric movements to do to create stability.

Cardio training

For preseason training, DU alpine skiers are in the gym doing strength and stability three days a week. They work on their cardiovascular systems, both aerobic and anaerobic, the other two days.
Their aerobic training is a longer hike or bike ride at a moderate pace. For anaerobic work, the team does high-intensity interval-style training.
Both are important for recreational snow sport athletes.
"For the general population, (training) that aerobic system is going to allow recovery to occur between runs," Van Dyke said. "As soon as they finish and get back on the ski lift, the more well-trained their aerobic system is, the more the recovered they will be by the time they get to the top of the mountain again."


For more intense on-snow runs, training the anaerobic system will make it easier to tolerate sustained high heart rates and recovering from lactate build-up in the muscles. Van Dyke, Hole and Bunt all recommend aerobic and anaerobic training for ski preparation.Build an aerobic base first, with five days per week of training at a moderate heart rate for 60 to 90 minutes. Later, shift the training to more anaerobic work, with two days per week of intervals, like 3 minutes all-out alternating with 3 minutes of easy recovery. "Start with three to five intervals the first week, and progress to eight to 10 intervals subsequent weeks," Bunt said.

Warm up well 

If you're driving up to the mountains, it's important that you warm up a bit after being in the car. Be thorough about it, Van Dyke said.
"The hamstring sit-and-reach is obsolete," he said. "Focus on a general, dynamic warm-up where you are basically getting that blood flowing to the muscles and getting the muscles moving, and then get your joints working through full range of motion."
Even if you're not driving to the mountain, warm up properly. "Lindsey performs an extensive warm-up every morning prior to heading out on the mountain," Winninger said. "We target flexibility, balance and activating those muscles she will be using the most, such as her glutes, quads and hamstrings."
To work on the flexibility of your hip flexors and quads (tight areas for most skiers and riders), during the warm-up, Bunt said to use a "stretch and release" method: Letting the breath initiate and complete a movement, exhale and move into the stretch. Then inhale, relax and move out of the stretch. Pre-ski stretches should be performed for three to five rounds of breath, he said.
Bunt said to do some apres-ski stretching as well, which helps to shift the nervous system into a recovery state, so that the body will be ready to go the next day. Post-ski stretches should target any areas that have become tight from a day on the hill, including hip flexors, quads and low back, but can also include more global stretches in the hamstrings, glutes and shoulders.
Kim Fuller is a freelance writer in Vail.

Basic ski workout

LEGS
Work three sets of one or two leg exercises into your routine twice a week. Do more reps (for 1 minute) with lighter weight for endurance, or fewer reps (6 to 8) with more weight to work on power and stability.
Squats and squat variations: For traditional squats, place feet shoulder-width apart and place a barbell on your shoulders behind your head and keep your chest up as you sit back like you're sitting into a chair. Maintain a firm core to protect your back. Press through heels to come back up. Variations: front squats (barbell on upper chest instead of behind head); dumbbell squats (hold weights in each hand); single-leg squats (lift one leg forward and hover as you squat on the other leg).

Deadlifts: Holding a barbell and standing with a slight bend at the knee, bend forward at hips to lower barbell. Keep chest forward and spine long, lifting and lowering with hamstrings and glutes.
Lunges: Also called split squats. Elevate rear foot on box or bench behind you. Lunge forward leg into 90 degree angle, keeping knee over ankle. Press through the heel to come up; switch sides to complete one set. Variation: Walking lunges. Also: hold dumbbells in each hand.
Skater jumps: Stand on one leg, slightly bending at knee and hip. Leap forward and sideways onto other leg, landing on the ball of the opposite foot with hip and knee slightly bent to absorb the impact. Do this for 1 minute, between other lifting or individually; three sets.

CORE
Planks: Whether performing forearm plank or you're on your hands with arms straight, place each foot in a suspension strap positioned so that your legs and feet are straight behind you. Hold for one minute; three reps.

Medicine ball: From boat pose (body forming a V while you balance on your rear) with good posture, hold a medicine ball or kettle bell in your hands. Drop weight from side to side, repeating for one minute; three one-minute reps.
AEROBIC Build your base: five days per week of moderate heart rate work, or zone three at a "gossip pace" (still able to talk) for 60 to 90 minutes. Intervals: Start with two days per week of 3 minutes of all-out exercise (heart rate zones four and five), alternated with 3 minutes of easy recovery. Start with three to five intervals the first week, and progress to eight to 10 intervals subsequent weeks.

Skiing With Kids for the First Time

Getting out on the hill and skiing or riding is fun, right? Right! So it is understandable that skiing and snowboarding evolved into a lifelong passion for so many of us. For those of us that have kids, it’s equally understandable to want to pass that same passion on to them. Still operating under the premise that our chosen winter sports are fun; on any given day at any given resort, why can you always find an upset child accompanied by a harassed looking adult? Well that’s a head-scratch-er, but I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest it might be a combination of over-zealousness and lack of planning.
I get it; you want your kids to love the winter as much as you do, so with that in mind, I’ve put together a list of tips to help make those first days on the hill fun for the little ones who aren’t quite ready for ski school.

Enroll Them in Lessons. After you’ve successfully introduced the fun of skiing or snowboarding to your little rippers, get them in a lesson. A good instructor will build on the foundation you’ve laid.

Remember that skiing and snowboarding is fun and focus on that. Your kids will pick up on your enthusiasm and after a while, they are going to want to head to the hills as much as you do. Pretty soon, you will be following them down the hill, watching them in the terrain park, and cringing at their GoPro footage. Those first few days on the hill are special though, so enjoy!

Mentally Prepare. Get ready to be patient and flexible. I know this seems like a no-brainer…but still, it’s worth repeating; be patient and flexible.

Buy a Sled. Getting everything from the car to the base area can be a pain if you don’t have a cheap plastic sled and some bungee cords. Simply pile all of the gear into the sled, strap it down and tow it behind you. This also lets you carry one of the kiddos, preventing them from getting tired before they ever get on their skis or snowboard.  You can stash the sled somewhere at the base area and retrieve it for the return trip to the car.

Bring Their Shoes. Let them wear comfortable shoes from the car to the lift, and just put on the ski boots in the lodge right before the first run.

Dress Them Appropriately. Although it might be cold outside, overdressing your kids is as detrimental to your day as under-dressing them. Also, if you are hauling
your kid up the hill all day, you will probably want to dress on the lighter side so you don’t get overheated.

Make Yourself Comfortable. Don’t wear your ski boots all day if you are going to spend most of your time walking up and down the beginner area. Instead wear comfy boots and bring your ski boots with you just in case.

Be a Sherpa. Be as prepared for your little ripper as the most experienced Sherpa in Nepal. You should have plenty of snacks, water, sunscreen and extra layers with you just in case.  It’s also easier to sometimes just pick them up and carry them or push them back up the hill.  Consider it a bonus workout!

Make Good Terrain Choices. If it’s their first time skiing or snowboarding, don’t take them up the highest lift and just assume they’ll figure it out. I’ve seen that happen a few times, and it never works out well.

Take a Lot of Breaks. We all know that kids tire out pretty quickly, but it’s a surprisingly easy thing to forget when you’ve made the trek to the resort and are excited to finally see your kid on their skis or snowboard. Just let their attitude du jour dictate the pace of the day.

Have Your Kid Wear a Helmet and Goggles. Even though they will probably go about 1mph, it’s always a good idea to start positive habits on the first day. 
Helmets and goggles help keep them dry as well as protected and are available in different sizes and styles for kids of any age.

Be Realistic. Don’t plan on having the little ones on the snow from first chair to last chair. Even with plenty of breaks, they probably won’t spend more than a few hours on their skis.

Focus on the Fun, not the Technique. If they’re not having fun right away, it may be a fight to get them back up to the hill to learn about technique, so when you see them starting to lose interest, forget about the skis for a minute and play. Snowball fights, snow angels, and building snowmen are all free, fun and easy things to do in between magic carpet laps. Some resorts even have different activities like tubing, ice-skating, and zip lines which provide a great break for kids.

Rent Smart. Check out the kid’s ski free program at Elevation Ski and Bike or check the availability of season rentals so you don’t break the bank on renting equipment for your kids.

Kids rent free with each paying adult...

Buy these gifts, they will love you...

Growing up, my poor mother knew that the best gifts for me were always snowboarding related, but knew nothing about snowboarding herself. So every year I would either wind up with a bunch of wool socks, or I would have to send her a detailed list of the specs, color, size, and other info to make sure she got the right item. Ultimately, this ruins all the surprise of Christmas morning. To make this holiday season easier for skiers, snowboarders, and their gift giving counterparts, here is a list of simple items that any powder hound would love to unwrap this year:

1. Boot Bag – Boot Bags are great for skiers or snowboarders. Winter sports require a lot of different pieces, and a boot bag is specifically designed to carry all of your shred accessories. Boot bags can fit boots, obviously, but also your helmet, goggles, gloves, socks, lenses, scarves, hats, hand warmers, and
whatever other small items you may keep in your kit. For someone who gets 5 days on the mountain or 50 days on the mountain, a boot bag will make the ski gear shuffle a lot easier.

2. Base Layers – The right base layers are essential for an enjoyable day. If the person on your list currently layers with t-shirts, hoodies, and a variety of other bulky things to stay warm, buy them some base layers. If they already have some, buy them some more. You can never have enough options. If you’re not sure what they need, start with either a mid-weight or a heavy-weight layer for the colder days on mountain when the need for both comfort and warmth is critical. Men’s layers and Women’s layers come in a variety of styles that accommodate the après scene as well.

3. Neck Gaiter – As with base layers, I keep a range of neck gaiters and balaclavas in my kit for different weather conditions. Most days I just use a basic fleece gaiter, but on the colder and windy days where I have to protect my whole
face, I want something that can get me through the day without getting iced up. Help your skier or snowboarder build their collection with either a light-weight gaiter or one with breathing vents for cold days.

4. Touch Screen Friendly Glove Liners – For as little as these stocking stuffers cost, they are by far one of the best things to invest in for winter sports. I wear mine every single day on the mountain so I don’t have to worry about getting cold hands when I’m trying to call my friends or make an Instagram post on the lift.
 
5. Tuning Accessories – Sometimes it’s hard to get skis and snowboards to the shop for a full tune, and everyone likes their equipment tuned differently. For the person that likes to DIY, tuning gear and accessories are great little extras for under the tree.  For beginners, start with an iron and a scraper. If they’re more advanced, look into some edging stones and other tools.

6. Heated Mittens – Heated mittens are a game changer for the gal or guy that suffers from chronic cold hand syndrome. Brands like Seirus and Hestra offer a few different styles with well concealed battery packs and on/off controls. Although they are an investment, heated mittens will allow people that get cold hands to stay on the mountain for much longer.

7. Winter Boots – Taking off your ski and snowboard boots after a long day of burning turns is one of the best feelings in the world. Putting on a pair of comfortable, yet functional winter boots to après-ski is an equally good feeling. If the skier or snowboarder on your list spends a lot of time walking in snow, a pair of snow boots will make a great addition to their gear collection.

8. Glove and Boot Dryer – Wet gloves and boots can be a real downer for someone spending a few days on the slopes. Without a boot dryer, they can take days to dry out and can start to develop a stench. Eliminate this problem by gifting a boot and glove dryer this year that will make back-to-back ski days a lot less damp.

9. Ski/Snowboard Socks – I know I said earlier that I didn’t like getting socks, but they do make a great stocking stuffer. Because of my mom’s endless sock giving, I have plenty of pairs to keep me stocked for long ski trips and multiple
weekends before I have to do laundry, which is nice for the busy shredder.

What a great concept - US Ski Resort Maps....

Epic Snow Battle: Skiing vs. Snowboarding

Visit the snowy peaks of North America, and you’ll find be faced with an ultimate decision: should you ski or ride? In the wintery world of snow sports, does it matter whether you descend on one plank or two? It does, and here’s why.

Old vs. new
Skiing has been around since the beginning – literally – dating back to when Vikings strapped boards on their feet during harsh winters to survive. On the other hand, snowboarding is relatively new, originating in the 1960’s and added as an Olympic sport in 1998, nearly 50 years after skiing. And because snowboarding was straight-up banned in some ski areas, it’s donned a rebellious air that attracts the younger set, whereas the stalwarts of skiing are typically those 35 and older.

Learning curve
They say that skiing is easier to learn yet harder to master, and snowboarding is harder to learn and easier to master. Learning to stand up on a snowboard is a skill in itself, but once you’ve found your balance and start linking turns, you’ll be progressing to blues in no time. Snowboarders can conquer steep runs by feathering – sliding on edge from one side to the other – allowing them to navigate pistes without making any turns.
New skiers have an advantage – they can plough straight down a green run after a few words of instruction. However, looking cute while parallel turning on skis can take a lot of practice, and skiers have to put in lots of turns to get through steeps. Unless you’re Lindsey Vonn, the first few times skiing a steep probably won’t be pretty.
If you have the need for speed, then skiing is your bag of chips. It’s a documented fact that faster speeds have been achieved on skis. That doesn’t mean that riders can’t rip, but it takes more energy and you’ll be riding in the cold smoke of your skiing brother. Since lifts were designed for skiers, they mount them with ease, while newbie snowboarders’ access and dismount can be comical to watch.

Cooler than you
When it comes to style, snowboarders can go ahead and drop the microphone on equipment and clothing.
The loose layers slide over boots that you can walk around in, and with equipment that involves a one-arm carry, snowboard gear is, simply put, much cooler than ski gear. Plus, outfitting for boarding is less expensive because there’s less equipment to buy, rent and maintain.
To be fair, with free-skiing and backcountry, skiing has embraced new fashion and some fresh tech as of late. But even with the new clips and releases, you’ll still end up walking like a Frankenstein in ski boots.

Terrain technique
Let’s talk about flat terrain – riders hate it. This is where you’ll see them on their bum, or walking across flats due to the high amount of energy it takes to remain on edge. With no poles to lean on when the momentum slows, they can either stop completely or speed down pistes at breakneck speeds to push through the flat tops.
Skiers, even the new ones, glide effortlessly over flats and they have their poles to push off if they get stuck. And when weather conditions produce ice and bumps, you’re better off breaking off on a pair of skis. Icy terrain is just as loathsome for riders because it’s just as difficult to maintain an edge.
Deep powder is another talk show, because snowboarding in powder is as close to a zen-like experience that you can get. In fact, snowboards were designed to “surf” deep snow, providing riders with the ability carve big, wide turns that’ll get them down fast.

Who won?

Skiing has been around a long time, it’s been tried, it’s true, and it’s popularity is rising again. Yet snowboarding’s entry on the scene was so edgy that it captured younger fans. 30 years later, it’s here to stay. So, what will it be the next time you’re on that long-awaited winter break at a mountain resort – will you ski or will you ride?

Elevation Ski and Bike is local Breckenridge Ski and Bike shop offering quality rentals and outstanding service.

I-70 Traffic - What a pain!

For the past 25+ years, snow sports enthusiasts have been able to enjoy the ease of traveling I-70 to reach their favorite ski resort destination. However, as more and more people make their way to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains each winter in search deep powder and bluebird sunny skies, even some of the best laid plans are no match for the sheer volume of skiers and riders who drive these highways each day.

“Fortunately, I-70 is congestion free the majority of the time and traffic is quite predictable, weather and accidents withstanding.” states goi70.com. Due to the fact that the majority of winter traffic on I-70 is due to skier volume, it is relatively easy to predict when and where there will be heavy traffic, and how to adjust your travel schedule accordingly to achieve a smooth, easy and stress-free winter travel experience.

Here are some of our top tips to change your peak travel time and get the most out of your visit to Breckenridge Ski Resort.

•  Check the road and traffic conditions before you leave. Plan to leave early during winter storms and during holiday breaks. Check the message board above the gondola at Peak 8 or Download the CDOT Mobile app for up to the minute alerts and closures.
•  Avoid the peak travel times. East bound afternoon traffic to the Denver area can build as early as 2:00pm, and stay backed up as late as 7:00pm. Today’s football game at Sports Authority Field kicks off at 2:40pm, the Broncos will take on the Indianapolis Colts and eastbound traffic is expected to be heinous as early as 10:00am. Take this time to relax, grab a beer, watch some football at a restaurant on Main Street, and share your stoke about your day on the hill with some friends over dinner.
• Take advantage of goi70.com’s Peak Time Deals where participating business offer discounts on everything from $1 coffees, to cheap hotel rooms to help avoid that gridlock headache.

I-70 will soon (starting ski season) be having a mountain express lane. The toll lane will run between Empire and Idaho Springs (Eastbound only).  The lane will be open Sat, Sun & Holidays at peak times, but may open other times due to congestion. The rates will depend on the amount of congestion with the heaviest
congestion yielding the most amount.  Up to $15 for the 13 mile stretch. There will be a discount for cars with an express toll account.

For additional tips and resources, visit goi70.com, and change your peak time!