Season’s Change

It’s that time of year again…the days are getting shorter, leaves are falling and there’s a chill in the Bellingham air. What’s that mean? It means winter is just around the corner, and we’ve got the gear you need for any cold weather adventure.

For the hardcore cyclists,  we’re stocking up on baselayers, shoe covers, rainwear and lighting systems. Stay warm, dry and visible when the dark and rainy days arrive. We’ve got great apparel from Gore, Specialized and Ibex, while Light & Motion and Serfas will keep you illuminated on the lighting front.

For the two plankers we’ve got new skis in stock from Armada (including the much-anticipated Bubba), Atomic and Dynafit. The latest Salomon skis should be landing any day now.

2012/13 snowboards from Arbor and Neversummer have arrived, including the new Arbor Abacus splitboard with Karakoram attachment hardware.  We also have outerwear from Trew, Mountain Equipment and the Burton AK line.

Dividend checks came out this week, so you hopefully have a little extra funding to help you get prepared for winter. We’ve also extended our hours – we’re here until 8pm Monday – Friday, 6 on Saturday and 5 on Sundays. See you soon!

Ski to Sea Time is Approaching – Are You Ready?

Ski to Sea Race (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With only three weeks left until Ski to Sea weekend, now is the time to make sure your equipment is ready for the big day. Skiing and biking are our specialties, so we’re going to focus on those legs of the race in this article.

Bike Preparation
Whether you’re signed up for the road or mountain bike portion of the Ski to Sea, it’s crucial to make sure your bike is in good working condition. The last thing you need is for a mechanical to hinder your performance on race day. Check your brake pads, chain and tires for wear. If you’re not sure what to look for, take a look at our previous article on bike maintenance, or stop by the shop for a tune-up. We’ll make sure your bike is dialed in and race ready.

Bike fit is important – even if you’re using a borrowed or rented bike it’s important to make sure the bike fits. Go for a few test rides before the day of the race to make sure you are able to ride in comfort – numbness and pain are never fun, especially during a race. Little things, like installing a shorter stem or a different seat can go a long way towards improving the comfort and fit of a bike. We offer professional bike fitting which is designed to maximize your comfort and efficiency on the bike.

Ski Preparation
Got a need for speed? Our ski shop is stocked with some of the fastest wax money can buy – the same stuff the World Cup and Olympic racers use. Drop your skis off and we’ll get them buffed out and ready to fly. Even if you don’t need the World Cup level wax, our basic wax will help ensure your skis are running smoothly.

Need skis? We have rental skate and classic cross country ski packages available. If you rent them now, you can keep the equipment through race day – skate ski packages are $120, while classic ski packages are $85. This way, you’ll be able to try out the equipment a few times before the race.

Want to brush up on your cross-country skiing technique? Todd Eastman will be holding a skate skiing technique on May 11^th from 10am-1pm at the Heather Meadows base area. Sign up at the shop for this educational on-snow clinic.

We do have one final tip, and it’s the most important: Have fun! Sure, the Ski to Sea is a big race, but it’s also a great way to get outside with your friends and enjoy the recreational activities Whatcom County has to offer. Don’t forget to look around and soak in the views while you’re cruising to victory.

Mt. Baker Ski Area – 3 of Our Favorite Things

Mt. Baker Ski Area is unique in this age of glitzy, cookie-cutter ski resorts. At Baker it’s about the skiing (or snowboarding), and that’s why we love it. You can’t buy a fur coat or a diamond ring at the base area, which is how how we think it should be. To show our appreciation, we’ve started a list of our favorite things about skiing at Mt. Baker.

Snow:
Mt. Baker Ski Area is legendary for the amount of snowfall they receive each year. With an average annual snowfall of 701 inches, even a low snow year beats most Colorado ski resorts by 100+ inches. And the snow that falls on Baker is amazing – it might not be the lightest, but the way it cakes onto the mountain, forming pillows and spines everywhere you look, is unbeatable. As the season progresses gullies and ravines fill in, and the shape of the Mountain evolves. Massive storms roll off the Pacific, dumping enough snow to transform the slopes. It’s like shaking an etch-a-sketch – the slopes are covered with a thick layer of fresh snow, a blank canvas for skiers and snowboarders to leave their marks. Visit Mt. Baker and you’re almost guaranteed to need powder skis, the fatter the better.

Trees:

The trees at Mt. Baker are massive – giant Douglas Firs and cedars reach for the sky, as if taunting the weather, daring the storms to try and topple them. Trees are the key to having a good time when a storm is raging. Duck into the trees and the visibility instantly improves – just aim for the spaces and you’ll be fine. The next time you take a run through the trees off of Chair 7, take a moment to look around. Stop and look up. And up. Fresh powder and tall, old growth trees – it doesn’t get much better.

Terrain:

The topography of the North Cascades is the same as a crumpled up piece of paper. Jagged peaks, deep valleys – all the ingredients necessary for excellent skiing. The inbounds terrain at Mt. Baker Ski Area is great – there are innumerable short, steep lines – it’s like mini-golf for the expert skier. Pick a line, ski it, and move on to the next one. And, while the inbounds terrain is excellent, if you have the knowledge and the skills, as well as an avalanche beacon, shovel, probe and partner, the backcountry terrain is even better. You could spend a lifetime exploring the mountain around the ski area. Shuksan, Herman, Mt. Ruth, Mt. Baker…the list goes on. Take a class, learn how to stay safe, and start exploring.

And More…

That’s the beginning of our list…What do you have to add? Partial to the Man Pies at the base lodge? Like the sayings on the lift tickets? Tell us below, or let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

How Often Should I Wax My Skis?

It’s a common question, particularly this time of the year: “How often should I wax my skis (or board)?” Ski season is in full swing, and hopefully you’ve made it up to the mountain a few times. Now is a great time to have us check your equipment to make sure it’s ready for more snow-sliding fun. Whether you ski or snowboard, waxing is a crucial (yet often overlooked) part of maintaining your equipment.

Professionals wax their skis every time they go out, but unless you’re trying to win the World Cup (or the Banked Slalom), waxing every 3-5 times you go to the mountain should suffice.

It may seem counterintuitive, but a properly waxed ski or snowboard is safer than one with no wax at all. Many people think, “Won’t my board be too fast if I wax it?” The quick answer: No. The long answer: Wax actually makes your equipment easier to control. Because wax reduces the amount of friction between your skis and the snow, you are able to get your skis on edge more easily, which then allows you to control your speed. Without wax, or with the wrong wax for the snow temperature, your skis may stick, or feel “grabby.” This “grabby” feeling is frustrating, and can make your skis difficult to control.

Do you have a trip to Baker or Whistler planned? Drop your skis or board by the shop and we’ll get them dialed in before you go. At the very least, we recommend getting a deburr and a hot wax. While we can’t make you a better skier, we can make sure you’re not limited by your equipment.

Do you like working on your own equipment? Want to learn how to wax your skis? We offer free waxing clinics several times a season – call us at 360-733-4433 or stop by the shop to find out when the next clinic will be held.