Gear Up For Ski and Snowboard Season
- By Cassie Ryan
- Dec 27, 2022
- 0 Comments
Winter is officially here, and it's got us daydreaming about hitting the slopes. Whether you're a skier or snowboarder, keep reading for gear hacks that'll help you shred smarter.
HIT THE SLOPES LIKE A PRO
My winter sport of choice is skiing, and it’s the one I have the most personal experience with. I ski with a small hydropack backpack, which is lacking in the storage department. For this reason, I always use the RunOff Waterproof Wallet because of its slim design, and because it keeps my cards and cash nice and dry in case of the occasional “yard sale.” (Hey, I never said I was a good skier!)
I like to keep my phone handy to snap photos on the slopes, but fumbling with it on the lift always makes me nervous (Jerry alert). I started using the Hitch Phone Anchor + Lanyard for days on the mountain because I know I won’t lose it through my butterfingers, and it also makes it easy to pull out of my jacket whenever I want to check my season pass app or take photos. The Hitch Phone Anchor + Tether is also a popular choice for this use, and you can attach the S-Biner MicroLock to an anchor point on your jacket or belt loop.
My third essential for skiing is S-Biners. Did I mention my pack doesn’t have much storage? I keep a couple S-Biners clipped to it to hold items like my gloves or helmet when I head into the lodge for a toddy. You can also use one to attach your lift tickets or season pass to your clothing or bag. Let me show you how it works:
Next, I always keep my skis, poles, and boots bundled with GearPro Utility Straps and Gear Ties for easier transporting and storing. Here's Gear Genius Alan to show you how it's done:
Because we’re lucky enough here in Boulder to live driving distance to the ski slopes, many of our team members are avid skiers and snowboarders. I asked a few of them what products come in handy for days on the mountain, and here’s what they had to report:
Cinch-A-Lot Stretch Strap: Great for attaching gloves that don’t happen to have loops, bundling poles, or holding small items like lip balm or hand sanitizer.
GearLine Organization System: If you’re staying in a hotel or rental unit, this is indispensable for organizing gear and drying out wet clothing.
RunOff Medium Travel Pouch: The perfect size RunOff bag for your paper trails map so it doesn’t wind up soggy after you end up in the deep stuff. (I always carry a paper map as a backup just in case my phone dies or I lose signal.)
DoohicKey+ Key Tool: Good to have around for emergency repairs (or emergency bottle opening).
MicroLink Carabiners: These are great for quick fixes on the fly, like replacing broken zipper pulls. Watch Gear Genius Truckie explain:
If you're cross country skiing or venturing out into the snowy backcountry, make sure you have a pack filled with your essentials so you’re well prepared for any unexpected scenario. Here's Gear Genius Jay with some tips on staying organized and safe:
We hope you'll consider some of these gear tips this season – I know they have made my days on the mountain easier. Do you have a problem our Gear Geniuses could advise you on? Send us your question through this link and we'll give you a personalized recommendation. Now go shred the gnar!
