A Note Regarding Your Underwear

A few months ago I was in a bar with Adam and Steve (both of whom blog here on H.O.), and Steve mentioned that I was insane for not wearing a proper base-layer while snowboarding.  He said that  I had to go out and get one of those newer ones with the wicking fabric which keeps moisture from your body.  

Cotton sweats or old-fanshioned longjohns have always been good enough for me, but perhaps I was missing out. So a few days ago I went into a sporting goods store and with the few minutes I had, I grabbed a very fancy pair of UnderArmor brand pants that looked super tight and “wicky”. I didn’t have time to try them on. It was only the next day that I realised I could not even get these pants past my knees because they are too small (no exaggeration). I can’t imagine any of the larger sizes being very comfortable, but I will exchange the pair I bought and give it another shot. I just can’t imagine these new space-aged, super-thin fabrics keeping me warm enough.

Dick’s Sporting Goods has a Guide to snowboarding base layers that you can view here.

What base layers work for you? Do you have different sets for different conditions? How many layers do you normally wear? I’m curious what formula works for other people to keep them warm, dry, and comfortable.

Mt. St. Louis Moonstone to Open Saturday

I might have to hit this up: Mt. St. Louis Moonstone says they plan to open Saturday, courtesy of about 40cm of new snow since Sunday. No plans from Blue Mountain to open, so far as I can tell.

WINTER IS HERE!

East Coast Forecast: Late November/Early December Openings?

So I just realized Mont Tremblant says they’re planning to open in five days. I find this curious, as I can tell you there’s very little snow east of, say, Manitoba. In fact, temperatures have been relatively warm. And when I look at Tremblant’s webcams, the resort seems as green as spring. So what the plan to open in a few days is beyond me.

Then I headed over to Holiday Valley, which still plans to open at the end of November. Aside from a couple of ‘lake effect’ storms (Western New York gets dumped on with snow continually), the resort pointed out that temperatures are supposed to drop, allowing them to make snow. Checking out the long-term forecast for the Toronto area, I then realized temperatures are supposed to hover around freezing. So there’s no snow in the forecast, but it might get cold enough for a lot of the resorts in this area to open by the end of the month. I sure as hell hope so. I need some turns.

EDIT: Horseshoe Resort, always one of the first to open in Ontario, also plans to open next weekend.

EDIT 2: In the comments, Tom posts a nice overview of what’s going on in Canada:

“Alberta is coming along slowly. Louise and Norquay are open with one lift and one run each. Sunshine is better with 4 lifts going. Nakiska is stll watering their flowers. In-town COP (Canada Olympic Park) has started a “make it snow” campaign hoping that magic will make the weather turn. They make all their snow but it hasn’t been cold enough to start.”

Thanks, Tom!

Canadian Ski Resort Improvement Roundup: Post 601 and Counting

First, big ups to Josh for holding down the fort while I was out of town on business travel the past couple of weeks. He put up some great articles that stirred up some interesting discussion. I’m really pleased to have Josh on board!

(He was also responsible for post number 600!)

I wanted to post a quickie this morning: an article that recaps improvements coming this season to major Canadian ski resorts. Whistler, Tremblant, Revelstoke, Blue Mountain and more are all covered. Unfortunately, much of the improvements are stuff like “we’ve added more restaurants!” or “check out our new hotels!” but there’s a terrain improvement or two in there… somewhere.