Enjoy the moment #01

I'm not telling you it's going to be easy.
I'm telling you it's going to be worth it!
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Testing kit
Salomon Freeski TV Selkirks Touring

Whether we’re buying a new pair of trainers, climbing harness or skis, when it comes to putting our trust and hard earned money into technical equipment, we want to know that our dependence is well placed.

We require performance, durability, comfort and design from our gear. So when we came across this video from Salomon on new ski equipment and bindings we just had to share it! It's an amazing window into the world of R&D and the passion, effort and extreme testing that is carried out to get such kit onto our shelves.

It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it!

 

Backcountry conditions...on piste

Where's the piste? | Grands Montets, CHAMONIX

Last weekend brought even more snow to Chamonix! With the majority of the ski areas closed on Saturday, a few of us decided to go on an adventure...and we weren't the only ones. The photo is the home run (Pierre a Ric) of Grands Montets ski area. It was more like a backcountry ski tour than the usual well groomed, wide, fast piste.

We managed to get beyond Couloir Philippe with each of the group taking turns to cut the pack. Boy was it seriously hard work! We passed a group snowshoeing with their skis and boots(!) strapped to their backs...one said he hadn't expected to be doing this on his holiday and was going on a diet when he got home.

After 2.5 hours we felt like we'd done ourselves proud and decided to head down. But skiing down didn't prove that easy because the snow was so deep and it wasn't the lightest of powder. After several face plants and a few snow angels later...we worked out that the only way down was in the tracks we'd created going up. It was an amazing experience and a super mini-adventure for a Saturday afternoon!

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

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Nikita at Snow+Rock

Snow+Rock have added Nikita the Icelandic clothing brand into their snow sports outerwear. Nikita started as a little shop in Reykjavik 11 years ago, by head designer Heida Birgisdottir and friends. It has since grown to around 1500 stores in 30 countries.

As well as cool and individual clothing for snowboarders Nikita has a streetware collection of hoodies, tees, denim, dresses and funky knitwear. There is also ‘Nikita Selekzion’ a petite collection of fancy stuff for going out.

Until the recent announcement by Snow+Rock…we didn't know too much about the Nikita brand. It’s been great to scratch beneath the surface of this label and find out more about its origins and head designer Heida, who started out by selling hand-made individual clothing in her boyfriends skate shop.

‘I live in Reykjavik and it's not the warmest place in the world so that also effects what I wear on daily basis, and my designs.’

Heida Birgisdottir | powderroom.net interview

After their collaboration with K2 last winter, Nikita have just launched a new board line. The boards, which are being manufactured by Elan, are well performing, colourful and fun freestyle boards. They’re doing one all mountain freestyle model in sizes ranging from 138-156 and a loose edge slopestyle board in sizes 135-152. Boots and bindings will follow in future seasons.

Nikita is a fresh clothing brand with an alternative look. It is the only girl snowboard brand available that is founded by a girl snowboarder who solely desings products for girls who ride. Great news that Snow+Rock have added them to their range of outerwear.

See you up the mountain!

Sarah Burke
Canadian Freeskier

Very sad news. Our heartfelt deepest sympathies go to Sarah's family.

Sarah Burke Dies from Injuries Powder.com

Ski touring: Getting started

Before the lifts had opened | Le Tour, CHAMONIX

It’s a great feeling being able to get up the mountain without using a ski lift. After the first fall of snow or a fresh dump of powder you’ll find ski areas dotted with people who have toured up.

Ski touring is travelling uphill on skis to access backcountry areas which you can’t get to on a lift. A ski tour can be a few hours, a day or longer by staying the nights in mountain huts.

Skinning or snowshoeing up the home-run of a ski area is a great way to start. The same considerations, precautions and kit are recommended when going backcountry skiing (i.e. check conditions and weather, let someone know where you’re going, take avalanche transceiver, shovel, probes, mobile phone, rucksack etc.).

If you’re a skier you need touring bindings and touring skins. The skins stick to the underside of your skis and allow the ski to glide forward and not slip back; you release the bindings so your heel lifts up to allow a walking movement and off you go. Snowboarders use snowshoes; your snowboard straps to your rucksack and by using telescopic poles you walk on up. We’ll talk more about kit in a future post.

When you first start it is difficult to know what speed to go at. Try and keep the pace steady and constant if possible. Be prepared to get very warm. Having layers with you is essential, as when you stop, you can get cold quickly. Remember to take some food and water with you too so that you remain fuelled up and hydrated.

Ski touring can be hard work, but the rewards are amazing. Fresh tracks away from busy pistes in stunning mountain scenery are definitely worth the effort! It is a fantastic experience.

We’ll be posting regularly on different aspects of ski touring from buying kit to advice on longer tours…if you have any questions or tips it would be great to hear from you.

Yoga Body

There is no limit to what the yoga body can achieve. This is breathtaking and inspiring.

Last day for Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc registration

l'Ultra is looking for personal resources one didn’t expect to find.
l'Ultra is a little pride and a lot of humility.

UTMB website

The pre-registration period for the UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc), CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix) and the TDS (sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie) closes tomorrow Monday, 9 January 2012.

Click here for details on qualifying races, points and race regulations.

If the number of pre-registrations for a race is higher than the maximum number of available places, a draw will be organised on Friday, 20 January 2012.

To keep the body in good health is a duty…otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.

Buddha

New Year

New Year is time when many of us think about our health and happiness and what our plans are for the coming year. Whether that’s trying out a new sport or entering a race…the sports that we love play a big role in keeping us fit, healthy and happy. It’s why we love'em!

But it can be all too easy to forget what's important to us. A busy week can see a training plan slip, a missed gym session or no time to go for a run with friends.

Recognising what's important can be as simple as writing it down. It doesn’t have to be wordy…think of it as noting down the headlines of your life and what you enjoy doing.

So why not take a moment and write down what’s important to you. Establish what your goals are (big and small), plan how you’re going to achieve them and stick to it!

Make sure you spend more time this year doing all the things you love doing.