While singer/songwriter John Denver may not be with us any longer, fans can catch some air and enjoy the powder with the John Denver Nomad Skis from Icelantic. This is the first ever John Denver signature custom ski, and is presented on Islantic’s standard Nomad model, offered in three different lengths. The Nomad is designed to tackle any and every snow condition and tear up the terrain, but for most we think it will just deliver that Rocky Mountain High.
Category: Snow Sports
Music Powered POC Helmet
We’ve seen a number of snowboard helmets that speakers built in, and POC continues to dominate the slopes with its line of helmets. Now for this winter the POC Receptor BUG Communication helmet will deliver the tunes via integrated Beats by Dr. Dre headphones that are built in the neck roll. This could give new meaning to the concept of head banging, as it provides a bass-heavy speaker into a snug fitting brain bucket.
There is also a remote and mic in the cord that makes switching songs while doing the downhill thing a snap, and taking calls is as easy as pressing a button. The communication neck roll is even solid separately and is compatible with other POC models.
XC Ski Area Opens to “Fat Bike”
There has been a serious shift from several bike makers in what they consider “off season.” The days of hanging up the bike when the snow comes isn’t what some companies have in mind, or if they do think you should hang up one bike then you should hit the trails with another. This is the age of the “fat tire” snow bikes. Of course there is the issue where to ride such bikes.
More and more ski resorts and trails are opening to fat tires and this includes Methow Valley in Winthrop, Wash., which just happens to be the largest cross-country ski area. This season the resort is making a few of the trails open to bikes, and only when the conditions are right. And the trails will only be open to “purpose-built snow bikes” such as the Surly Pugsley or Moonlander or other bikes that have tires wider than 3.7 inches and must roll with tire pressure less than 10psi. These factors will ensure that riders don’t blow through the trails at high speeds, and if the rut is deeper than an inch it is too soft to be riding on the Nordic trails.
This might seem like a lot of rules, but it is about sharing the trails with skiers, so it seems reasonable to us.
Holiday Gift Idea: Airbag for Skiers
Last year the North Face announced that head developed an avalanche airbag system, and for those thinking of making a ski holiday this Christmas season the new pack is ready to lift off. It is sort of the gift that you might hope your loved one will never need, but if they do you’ll be happy they had it. The North Face Patrol Avalanche Airbag Pack ($1179) is fully serviceable, includes internal pockets in the main compartment for organization and even a large tool pocket. It of course features an ABS airbag that can be engaged with the pull of a handle.
Bike Spiked
There has been a notable trend in winter bicycle riding with several companies crafting fat tire “snow bikes” but another option is to get the right snow tires for winter riding. One solution is Bike Spikes, a unique solution that doesn’t even mean changing the normal tires but rather putting this series of flexible, studded plates – which are connected by a wire – over the tire. The details on this system aren’t entirely clear but we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for anyone riding with these! Video after the jump
Hot Foot
Cold feet should be reserved for such things as getting married or jumping off a cliff. Cold feet for hiking in the winter or just shoveling the snow is another matter entirely. Fortunately the ThermaCell Heated Insoles are designed to ensure that the feet stay warm even in the worst conditions. These are powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer battery that is embedded in the insoles and can provide heat up to 110 degrees, making for a hot foot you’ll be happy to have!
Snow Running Shoes
Dashing through the woods in winter means dealing with snow, frozen mud and terrain that may look familiar but will feel quite different to the feet. This is where the Solomon Snowcross CS comes in. This lightweight trail running shoe features a water-resistant zippered gaiter, with second skin material, and one-pull laces. There are ankle pads to protect the feet and ankles from twists and turns on the path, while carbide metal spikes in the sole will bite into the ice.
BMW’s Cool Runnings
While the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games won’t be another 15 months the US Bobsled Team can look forward to making their cool runnings in luxury style as they’ll be using BMW-made sleds. While there was much of an uproar about where some Olympic equipment used by the U.S. team at the recent summer games was made, in this case the BMW DesignworksUSA group is responsible for creating the bobsled.
In fact the USA Bobsled & Skeleton Federation called in BMW since the Americans haven’t won a gold medal in the sport since 1936, when the team won in the two-man event. Ironically that was when the games were held in the German town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen , located in Bavaria – the home of BMW no less! Perhaps the USBSF sees the irony as well.
No actual bobsled has been demonstrated yet, but reportedly the prototype features “lightweight materials, optimized aerodynamic and chassis dynamics to leverage the energy output of the two-man team, increasing overall sport performance.” Press release after the jump
Holiday Gift Idea: Winter Wonderland Helmet
For the holidays season and even towards St. Patrick’s Day the Little Nutty Snow and Bike Winter Wonderland helmet will show the holiday and winter spirit. Riding with it in the summer will certainly seem nutty, but once spring springs put this themed brain bucket away until next season.
Burton Does the Dew – In a Good Way
Our friend Tim drinks a lot of Mountain Dew but as he’s an active guy we don’t really give him a hard time for it. Of course between his thirst for the “Dew” and various sports drinks we do wonder what his recycling bin looks like – we’re sure there are a lot of plastic bottles. That’s not so good. But fortunately Mountain Dew and Burton Snowboards announced this month that they’re teaming up to roll out the 2013 Green Mountain Project. This outerwear collection is produced from sustainable fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. The GMP outerwear collection includes three stylish and eco-friendly jackets and two pants for men; and two jackets and one pant for women. All of it comes from fabric created from pellets of recycled bottles. So that bottle of Mountain Dew in Tim’s hand today could be on the slopes soon!
From Tarps to Ski Bags
Last week we reported about a new start up in Los Angeles called Rareform, which turns old vinyl from billboards into surfboard bags. Perhaps Mat Dusting of Kingston St. Mary should give them a call as he’s started his own venture, where he takes discarded truck tarpaulins and makes rucksacks and holdalls for ski boots and skis. Dusting is even taking upcycled – the dujour term for recycled – seat beats to create the straps. He recently showed off his products at the British National Ski and Snowboard Show.
[Via ThisIsTheWestCountry: Kingston St Mary businessman turns tarps into ski bags]
Ski Dubai Looks to Go Green With DGRADE
Building a ski resort in the desert isn’t exactly the “greenest” thing we can think of, as it takes a lot of energy to make the snow, cool the slope and run Ski Dubai. In fact the facility is actually fairly green in its own right as it was build used green building techniques and has implemented a number of green policies and practices including effective waste management, energy saving initiatives, recycling and advanced refrigeration and insulation systems. But now Ski Dubai is looking to take this a step further to reduce its carbon footprint.
Ski Dubai announced recently that it will be carrying a special range of environmentally friendly clothing manufactured by DGRADE, a company that specializes in the development of clothing using recycled plastic bottles. This includes the roll out of a new line of sweaters – yes, sweaters in the desert – that are created using up to 30 recycled plastic bottles per garment. Continue reading Ski Dubai Looks to Go Green With DGRADE
Recycled Snow From Sewer Water
While technically all snow is water that nature recycled it is generally pretty clean stuff. Nature does a pretty good job of getting the bad stuff out. But now some skiers who hit the slopes at Snowbowl in Arizona will have to wonder if the snow is quite as pure. That’s because the snow isn’t being falling from the skies but rather will be manmade and it is coming from treated sewage water.
The key word of course is “treated” but a report by civil and environmental engineer suggested that chemicals could be left behind, but worse the water, and with it the snow, could contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria. There is an old saying about not eating yellow snow – and something tells us the same could be said of all the snow at Snowbowl!
[Via Discover Magazine: Manmade Snow From Recycled Sewer Water May Contain Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria]