Ski Wear Decoded

Andy and I filmed short commercials for the local Resort Sports Network station explaining what to wear on the hill for a normal ski day and for a cold ski day. Most days here would be considered cold for most people, but then we get the bitter, -63 degrees with windchill days that are almost impossible to dress for. We layered up well and explained the rationale behind each layer.

Andy with what to wear on a normal day:

Me with what to wear on a cold day:

Send comments our way with questions, related and unrelated to the videos, and we'll let you know how we've solved that ski day or even just winter day conundrum.

Also, don't forget about the Speaker Series featuring Kit DesLauriers coming up this Saturday, October 9. Come join us at 5:30pm at The North Face Breckenridge for a VIP reception where you will be able to chat with Kit one-on-one, as well as other outdoor enthusiasts. Tickets are available for free on a first come first serve basis, while guaranteed seating begins at $8.00. Tickets for the VIP reception, which include preferred seating, a meet and greet with Kit, beer, wine, and light food, are $20.00. All proceeds from the VIP reception will benefit The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC),which is a "national leader in outdoor education serving all people, while ensuring the outdoors is accessible to those with special needs and disabilities." All tickets are availiable for purchase here.

A Whole Lot of Awesomeness

I have been down and out for the past month- one sickness after another. Luckily, I am now on the mend and itching to adventure again. It doesn't need to be a big adventure, I just want to be out in the snow and sunshine and on a trail or mountainside. Finally, I'm craving it again.

Yesterday, Andy and I had a day off together and I begged him to skin up Baldy with me.

Andy skinning up Baldy a couple of years ago- the views of the ski area are incredible.

It took us about two hours with Jasper and Lulu, the dogs, in tow.

Jasper

Lulu and Margo

We felt especially slow when a woman skated past us on the steepest part like it was no big deal- leaving us far behind. I was exhausted by the end and Andy wanted to go to the gym. Typical.

Today I hiked/ran the Peaks Trail, right outside our apartment door.

It's my new obession. It is uber-close, you could go for 20 miles roundtrip if you wanted, and it is amazingly beautiful up there. In our county full of dying trees, the trees here are (shhh) big, close together, and most importantly, green. I found a little loop that has steeps, fall lines, and flats that is perfect to do in a fast hour. I just can't get enough of it. 

I am also obessed with the best purchase I have made all season. My Shugga Thatch suit. It is incredible. I know one pieces are out, but everyone should wear one of these. You're warm, you look like a super steeze, and it's incredibly comfortable. No more cold winds blowing up your back.

Andy is embarrassed of me.

Hanging out on the cornice overlooking the Imperial Lift- the highest lift in North America. When you hike up here to the top you're at about 13,000 ft. Usually the hike feels like you're climbing Mt. Everest because it's blowing at 50 mph. It's great.

Even with all of this awesomeness, I find myself wishing for this

 

and this

and this

Soon, soon mountain biking season will be here. Now hopefully El Nino doesn't decide to dump feet of snow in June. Please no.

Gore-Tex Unraveled

Gore-Tex Unraveled,

How warm is gore-tex? Do I need Gore-tex? Did Al Gore invent Gore-tex before or after the global warming?

These are a few examples of the misconceptions the staff here at Breckgear.com confront on a daily basis. We love it when people ask questions; as there is no sound as pleasing to our ears as our own voices, but understand that some people can be a little shy about phoning us up. That is why I, Jasper the dog, will set the record straight on this Gore-tex enigma.

To Dispel the aforementioned myths; Gore-tex itself is about as warm as a plastic grocery bag, you may or may not need Gore-tex, that depends on you and Al Gore invented neither of those things.

A brief bit of history:
Gore-tex is produced by the W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc. which was founded by Bill and Vieve Gore in 1958 when they started fiddling with their chemistry sets (or whatever it is that scientist do while wearing their haughty lab coats). Since then, the company has been producing some pretty amazing barrier layers with a lot of applications. You can find Gore-tex in electrical wiring sheaths, cutting edge surgical procedures and of course fine outdoor gear products.

The chemistry behind Gore-tex is fairly simple. It relies heavily on the fact that water vapor molecules are much smaller than liquid water molecules. Gore-tex is a membrane comprised of millions of tiny cones, the openings at the small end of these cones are bigger than a vapor molecule but smaller than a liquid molecule. Guys, as you get moving in the out of doors your body produces a bunch of sweat which is in turn vaporized by body heat. These molecules are pushed into the large end of the cones and out of the small end because your body is producing a lot more sweat. As in all things, when there is an overcrowding of these molecules in one place they will disperse to greener pastures, so to speak. Girls, a similar process occurs when you exercise except we all know that you don't sweat. Reread that last section and replace the word "sweat" with something like strawberry short cake or glitter or whatever you do. All of this is accomplished without letting any water or wind in.

Why does this matter? A garbage bag is waterproof, but you will probably freeze if you wear one because it doesn't let any perspiration out. Gore-tex does; and it is the best because it allows the most moisture out of any membrane. Thus, no water is hanging around your skin, sucking up all your heat and making you feel uncomfortable.

Gore-tex is a great waterproof breathable membrane but only you know if you need it. Every outdoor gear company has their own membrane or coating to accomplish the same goal, these are great options because they will keep you dry, they will breathe and they help keep the cost down. Its up to you to decide if you need more breathability

Opposable thumbs are for pansies,
Jasper the dog.

Another Great Day

I almost slept in this morning but with the help of Tony, I got up and headed to the hill. Breckenridge Ski Resort didn't get as much snow as we were hoping, but the skiing and conditions were still great. Today I got on my new Rossi Sickbirds......I love new skis, especially when they are mounted with the Marker Duke binding! We should keep getting light snow today, as predicted. Now headed to work at The North Face Breckenridge. Couldn't be better, unless...........

Playing in the Mountains

Days off are usually quite exciting living here in Breckenridge, Colorado. I can honestly say we live in one of the most amazing places on the planet and it gets even better when there is time to get outside in this beautiful playground we call home. Once in a great while you may find me napping on the couch next to the fire, but the best days involve playing outside all day with great friends and cool dogs. Take a look at our pics from yesterday afternoon! Keep in mind we were skiing in a true 9" of powder the very same morning at Breckenridge Ski Resort. We got the most snowfall in Summit County folks....No Brag, Just Fact!


Location and Destination: Spruce Creek Trail. The trialhead is at the end of Spruce Creek Rd. which is just south of Breckenridge off Route 9. Once you get here follow the trail to Mayflower Lake or continue on to Mohawk Lakes.


View Larger Map

Participants: Tony, Andy (me), Jasper and Bucca

The dogs and I hiked while tony enjoyed the first day of the season on his cross-country skis

Bucca Girl

I would like to introduce you to another one of our very special shop dogs. Sambucca is my old girl, she is about 13 years old. Bucca was born in Massachusetts, spent most of her life in Maine with me then moved to Colorado with me about two years ago. I think Bucca likes it here as much as I do!! Unfortunately she can't join me for the 14er hikes anymore, just too old to make it to the top. We still go for great walks every day and she comes to work with me about once a week. Tough life for the dogs in Summit County.
Stop by The North Face Breckenridge (www.breckgear.com) to say hello to Sambucca and check out the latest and greatest in winter Snowsports gear and Outerwear!