HEMISPHERESMAGAZINE.COM
•
NOVEMBER 2013
99
MUST-HAVE BITS AND BOBS
SKIA SWEETSPOT TRAINER
“Balance is the key to skiing, and this device helps you
master it. You strap a variety of balance blocks to the
bo om of your ski boots and then practice indoors. There
are four blocks, ranging from novice to expert, and it will
make you a be er skier. Like all good inventions, it was
developed in a garage.”
skia.com
THE WIPEOUT
“It’s a trail map, goggle cleaner, screen wipe and, in a pinch,
handkerchief. This handy cloth map was developed in 2009
and is now produced for more than 100 resorts in Europe.
In a blizzard, it’s a much be er option than an app.”
wipe-out.eu
James Cove,
editor of the ski news and information
website planetski.eu
TIPS FOR TOP-TO-TOE TOASTINESS
Head:
“Most sensible folks
will be wearing a helmet—
go for something with good
venting, such as the
GIRO
NINE.10
(
giro.com
). I’m not
sensible and rarely wear a
helmet other than when
tree skiing, so I have a thick
or thin beanie depending on
how cold it is. The brighter
the be er—you
’re on
holiday, a er all.”
Torso:
“Layering is key here.
Awarmbase layer such as
NORRONA
’s vibrantly
colored Narvik Sweater
(
norrona.com
) with one or
two thicker fleece mid-layers
like
PATAGONIA
’s Piton
Pullover (
patagonia.com
)
can be topped offwith a
lightweight shell like an
ARC’TERYX
Caden Jacket,
specifically designed to
combine layers with ease of
movement (
arcteryx.com
).”
Bo om:
“Again, layering
is vital. First, you’ll
need a comfy pair of
thermal long johns (try
NORRONA
’s Narvik
tights), followed by a
good pair of ski pants.
Check out Flylow
Compound Pants
(
flylowgear.com
).”
Feet:
“One of your most
important purchases is a
good pair of socks, since
cold feet = miserable day.
Go for natural fabrics, such
as Merino wool, which will
allow your feet to breathe,
as well as keep themwarm.
Check out the
BRIDGEDALE
MerinoFusionWinter Sport
range (
bridgedale.com
).”
Alf Alderson,
adventure sports equipment
reviewer based in the French Alps
EPIC PASS
“This gizmo allows me to track
my day on the slopes, tally up the
vertical feet and distances I’ve skied,
collect pins and share my photos.
It’s connected to social media, so
I can brag about it all. Oh, and it
allows me to ride the li s at all the
Vail resorts, plus spots in California,
Switzerland, Austria and France.”
snow.com/epic-pass.aspx
SKI POLL
