Last year, we posted a last-minute gift guide for skiers. So, without further explanation, here’s the 2011 version of some of 14erskiers’ favorite ski gear.

Brittany’s Top 5 List:

1) A Buff – I carry a Buff with me every time I go backcountry skiing. The Buff has become a permanent fixture in my backcountry ski pack. Those who have tried a Buff, will generally rave about it. Put me in that praising category. The Buff can be worn in many different ways- converting from a face mask to a hat, to a helmet skull cap, to a “doo-rag”. It’s a multifunctional piece of clothing essential for every backcountry skier. I’ve even used it to tie the tips of my skis together when I’ve lost my ski strap!

2) Merino Wool Long Underwear tops – After spending a couple of years working in a backcountry shop, I’ve been converted. Highly moisture-wicking, warm when you want it to be warm and cool when you want it to be cool, new Merino wool blends provide some of the best fabric for baselayers. Plus, it doesn’t hold the stink like so many of the synthetic baselayers do! My preferences – Icebreaker or Smartwool.

3) Gordini Fuse Gloves – I’m critical about my gloves. I have the classic “cold fingers” syndrome. My hands never seem to stay warm enough- enough that I often sport mittens. Still, the Fuse gloves rival any mitten I own. Warm, moisture-wicking, and highly durable, my Fuse gloves have suffered a season of Brittany-abuse unscathed- which is nearly unheard of. (Frank’s note- I use these gloves as well- top notch)

4) Smartwool PhD socks – My feet sweat- a lot. It’s a gross practice, but my body simply can’t help it. Thankfully, my Smartwool socks keep my feet nice and warm even with all that moisture and help to guard against the dreaded sweat-foot stench. The PhD socks are padded in all the right places necessary for a backcountry skier, helping prevent against blisters on those long touring days.

5) Glop Stopper – Among every backcountry skiers nightmare are skins glopping with snow. Many can attest that glopping skins have ruined ski days. Worst yet, it seems unpredictable. I’ve had my skins glop during all times of the year. Glop stopper can the rescue in scenarios like this. It’s a must-have in every BC skiers backpack.

Frank’s Top 5:
1) GU brand energy gels – I love gels, and GU makes the best. Quick easy energy, easy to digest, tasty, and they don’t freeze and break your teeth like energy bars can in the winter.

2) BCA Float 36 Airbag Pack – Yeah, I know- a gift in this price range is almost as ridiculous as those “Lexus with a bow in the driveway” ads. But nothing says “I want to see you come home safe” like an airbag pack. See our review.

3) GoPro POV Camera – Sometimes it seems as though everyone on the mountain has sprouted one of these “teletubby” helmet cams, and they’re a little silly in some ways. But more than anything, they’re just FUN. I look forward to re-watching my footage when I’m an old, old man. The GoPro is my choice for POV cams since it has a wide range of mounting options…

4) Altimeter Watch – Just how big (or small) was that face you just skied? How much faster did those Carbon boots and tights make you on your dawn patrol? Why did that 10 mile bike ride take so long- must have been a lot of vert, right? Where are we on this topo map? The answer to all these questions and more can be found with an altimeter watch. This one is nice and affordable:

5) Nikwax Leather Protectant – Leather gloves and boots last longer and stay waterproof with a little love and care. Try this:

There’s our list for this year. By all means, if any of you have a great gift idea, leave a comment- we’re not done with our shopping either! And if you’re still stumped, there’s always a gift certificate from Backcountry.com:

We don’t do too many gear reviews here at 14erskiers, but it’s something we’ll probably do more of as time goes on. This winter I was using Zeal’s Slingshot sunglasses, and now have enough information to give them a full review. Full disclosure: I have been an athlete/ambassador for Zeal Optics for the past 10 years. That said, I wouldn’t ask them for gear if they weren’t truly the best goggles and glasses out there.

One look and it’s obvious that the Slingshot is a technical piece of optical gear. These are not the frames I grab when I’m heading out on the red carpet. OK, I’ve never done that, but the point remains. Function trumps fashion out in the backcountry, though, and these glasses are built for function. The first thing you’ll notice when you pick them up is how light they are- not a big deal in my world, but still an added bonus. The lenses are as high tech as they come- they are photochromic, which means they offer exceptional clarity and change the tint based on how bright it is outside. They’re equally at home in the dark timber of deep winter when you barely need sunglasses at all, as they are in the bright sunshine of springtime peak descents. Zeal’s photochromic offerings have been getting better by leaps and bounds over the past few years- they change tint rapidly and seem to have a wider range as well.

My favorite trait about these sunglasses? They don’t seem to fog, ever. The lenses have quite a bit of venting, as do the frames, and when you combine that with a lens that sits fairly far away from your face, they just won’t fog. Considering their full coverage and lack of fogging, these sunglasses are going to transition nicely to mountain biking use if the snow ever melts and I get back into that again. My only complaint? They are a little loose on my face- I will need to use Croakies to keep them on while biking. Of course, someone with a bigger face wouldn’t have that problem at all.

Two thumbs up from 14erskiers! Support 14erskiers and purchase them here:

It’s not very often that I give negative gear reviews. But, I must give a negative gear review to the Osprey Kode 38.

I purchased this pack in early December to use as a backcountry skiing pack. I had loved my Osprey Switch 36, but it was falling apart after a few years of harsh use. The Osprey Kode 38 seemed like the logical choice, as it has a lot of the same features as the Switch 36- some being the helmet pocket, big hip pockets (good for a camera and lots of food), and an insulated sleeve and pocket for a hydration bladder and hose. I spent a lot of time looking at different packs and had difficulty finding many that had these features that I liked. Most European packs are very minimalist and don’t have hip pockets or infrastructure for a hydration bladder. My choices quickly narrowed down to the BCA Stash, Dakine Blade, and Osprey Kode 38. Having already owned several Osprey packs and wanting to endorse a Colorado company, I chose the Kode 38.

Image from bivouac

However, after using this pack about 5 times in the backcountry, I have come to really dislike it. First and foremost, the pack simply does not fit correctly. The hips are far too narrow. In fact, they are narrower than the shoulders. This is great if you are some skinny guy. But, I’m a woman. I have hips. While I’m not the skinniest girl in the world, at 5’3″ and 125 pounds I’m not exactly oversized. This pack is simply undersized. The hip pockets are useless on this pack as the basically sit on my ass. I can’t reach into them because they are so far back. Additionally, the pack rubs uncomfortably on the center of my lower back because the pack is so narrow in the hip area. If Osprey is going to design their packs this way, then they need to have a women’s model for a woman’s hips.

After having trouble with the hip size on the small sized Kode 38 pack, I went to the Alpineer and tried on the medium. The pockets were still too far back for me to reach. The medium’s torso length was far too tall for me. Yet, the medium Switch couldn’t have fit more perfectly.

Photo showing how it was difficult for me to reach (and see what I was reaching for) into the hip pockets on the Osprey Kode 38 pack.

Second, getting to the avy gear is more of a process than I would like. In order to get to the avy gear, two small buckles and a toggle string needs to be undone. The Switch required one zipper to access the avy gear. If your friend is buried and you are frantic, two small buckles and a toggle seems like more than I want to deal with and can cost precious seconds.

Third, there are too many gizmos, straps, and zippers. I tend to like packs with a lot of gizmos. But, the Kode has too many for me. As I unbuckled straps I was constantly searching for where to re-buckle. I can’t tell you how many times I tried using the wrong zipper for the helmet pocked (there are two- one for the pocket, and one used for expansion purposes). I had trouble with all of these straps getting caught on things a lot- skis, snowmobile, trees.

Fourth, the main pocket is too small. I like the fact that there is an avy gear pocket on the Kode that is separate from the main pocket, but the proportions are wrong. The avy gear pocket is too large and the main gear pocket is too small. This would cause most people to start storing non-avy gear in the avy gear pocket. Bad idea!

There are a few things I do like about the Osprey Kode 38. I like how the hydration system as structured. The bladder fits on the pack along the back. They were thoughtful in putting an expandable neoprene layer near where the nozzle to the hose would be located so zipping around the nozzle would be easier. I also like their oversized hip pockets (the fact that they are oversized, not their placement) and the helmet pocket (the fact that there is one, but the double zipper always threw me for a loop). One improvement of the Kode from the Switch is that there is a back panel access into the main pocket. The Switch did not have this.

Still, the negatives of this pack for me far outweigh the positives. I am disappointed with Osprey for their overall poor design of this pack. I have several other Osprey packs and I like them all. I purchased this Kode pack from backcountry.com and I’ll be trying to return it there. I purchased the Dakine Blade instead and have been liking this pack so far. Gear review on this pack later.

Earlier this season, I was contacted by the Columbia Marketing Team and asked to test out a new Omni-Heat jacket. Of course, I accepted the offer. My Columbia Black Diamond Dash Parka arrived in December, and I liked it instantly.

The Black Diamond Dash Parka comes with the classic 3-jackets-in-1 system: an outer shell with a removable insulated jacket. Automatically, this is a huge plus and you do get a number of layering options in one system.

What Struck Me Out of the Box
Out of the box, a few things struck me. The fit was perfect. I received a size small and I think that their sizing is true to their sizing charts. The cut is feminine, yet functional- perfect for skiers like me. I liked the practical placement of the pockets, with a small one even in the cuff of one arm which is perfect for a credit card, key, or chapstick (or all 3 for that matter!). I also liked the high collar. The collar zips tall, which is great for those cold or windy ski days. And to add further to the functionality, the collar had a second zipper which you could unzip to allow the collar to expand, creating more space so the it didn’t feel like the jacket was constantly choking you. For someone like me, who hates having things tight against her neck (especially after having thyroid surgery), this was a huge plus.

Things I Questioned
I also noticed that the collar/neck area of the jacket had a lot of “bulk”. A lot of this bulk comes from the “fur” placed on the inside of the collar. This is intended to be plush and make the jacket comfortable. But, I was worried that on snowy days, ice would collect on this fur. I also questioned if this jacket could hold up to those really wet-snow days. How water-proof was it?

Putting it to the Test
After wearing the Black Diamond Dash Parka in some very wet snow conditions several times, several powder days, and several frigid days, I’d say this jacket passes the test. The Black Diamond Dash Parka is adequately warm and stands up great to wet snow. Even after just wearing the shell (not the inner layer) skiing on a day with some of the wettest snow I have ever seen and another day with rain, my body stayed perfectly dry. I can’t say the same for my hands or legs After several powder days, the jacket hasn’t had any icing-up issues on the furry collar either.

I also tested the Black Diamond Dash Parka in the backcountry. I found that this jacket had a lot of “extra stuff” that just kind of got in the way. Something was always rubbing me wrong inside the jacket when I had a backpack on my back. The jacket is breathable, but not as good as Gore-Tex- which I felt on a frigid backcountry day.

Also, just this past weekend, I tried out the pit-zips for the first time. They unzipped easily, but I could not, for the life of me, zip them back up on my own. I found out that the zippers kept getting snagged on a mesh layer that was built in to the pit-zips. I had to have Frank help me close-up the pit-zips when the temperature began to drop in the afternoon.

I like the 3-in-1 Columbia system. But, the included insulating inner jacket I found to be a bit bulky. If I can have it, I prefer less bulk. I don’t need to feel like the Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man. Lately, I have been removing the inner layer and replacing it with my own down sweater. It provides less bulk, but just as much warmth.

Last, I have noticed lately that the collar has acquired an odor. It seems to be holding some of the stench of my sweat and even my breath. I have never noticed this with any other jacket I have not washed in less than a year.

In Conclusion
While I like my new jacket, there are a couple of changes I would recommend to Columbia for future generations of the Black Diamond Dash Parka. First, get rid of the mesh in the pit-zips. The mesh doesn’t do anything functional and it gets in the way when zipping up the pit-zips. Second, make the powder skirt removable. Most women don’t really like them anyway- they tend to ride up on a woman’s hips. Because I don’t use it, the powder skirt sometimes gets in the way, or rubs wrong when I have a pack on my back.

The Black Diamond Dash Parka makes a great resort skiing jacket. For the backcountry, it’s too bulky and has too much excess. But, this jacket has a lot of functionality. It is highly waterproof and plenty warm. The pockets are perfectly placed. The removable hood provides options. The high collar is a huge plus. It thrives at the ski area.

The Black Diamond Dash Parka is an impressive jacket. I’ll be honest when I say that testing this jacket has made me re-evaluate this company’s products as a whole. I’d definitely consider buying Columbia products in the future, based on the performance of this jacket.

Get your Black Diamond Dash Parka at altrec.com

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Last February, Frank and I went road-tripping to Montana and interior BC. During a quick stop in Big Sky, we met up with a few of Frank’s old friends, including Liz McRae. Liz has fashioned herself into an entrepreneur of sorts, developing a line of women’s hats that are both functional and fashionable- Wizbang Hats. They are meant for mountain girls!

Wizbang makes two style of hats: 1) fleece- for those colder days and 2) lightweight- for those warmer days or for higher levels of aerobic activity. Liz gave me one of her lightweight hats to check out. I was surprisingly impressed.

First of all, I love the bright colors of this hat. Second, I love the function of this hat. It is perfect for backcountry skiers. The hat is a stretchy sort of nylon material that keeps your ears warm, but at the same time, helps ventilate while you are skinning. It also fits easily under any ski helmet for dual performance. For someone like me, this Wizbang hat is perfect because I typically bring one had for skinning and another skull-cap to wear under my helmet. Now, I can bring one had for both purposes!

The lightweight hat is just that though- “lightweight”. This hat will not keep you warm on cold days without aerobic activity. However, for backcountry skiers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers, this hat is a great choice.

For the reasonable price of $28, Wizbang hats are a good bang for your buck. Several different designs are available, both in the lightweight and the fleece. Consider supporting a small, Montana-local business. And, enjoy something that is both functional and fashionable!

I know it’s hard to believe, but there are just 10 days left before Christmas. So, with that in mind, here are 10 last-minute gift ideas for those of you still scratching your head, wondering what to get the backcountry skier in your life.

1: Voile Ski Straps. This is a great stocking stuffer with tons of uses. I always get the 24″ ones, as the longer ones have the most uses of all at a tiny weight penalty. We recently used one to strap a boot down onto a shattered binding to get us home.

2: Petzl E-Lite. This tiny light packs a punch and weighs far less than a spare set of batteries for your regular light. In fact, I sometimes wonder why I don’t just use this tiny marvel all the time, it’s so good.

3: Rub-on wax. It’s amazing how sticky snow can get, especially in the spring, or, if you’re like me you don’t wax your skis as often as you should. A good rub-on wax is a great thing to have in your pack.

4: A Good Thermos. Few things in backcountry skiing are as enjoyable as a good hot drink at the top of a skintrack.

5: Approach Gloves. Most backcountry skiers use a light pair of gloves for the skin up, saving their bulkier, warmer gloves for the descent. Brittany has had great luck with these gloves, strong enough to deal with sleds and trailers, too.

6: A good multi-tool. For the knife, pliers, and screwdriver alone, a multi-tool is indispensable for any backcountry pack. This one seems like a nice light choice.

7: A backpack. The Dakine Poacher has been my go-to pack for years. There may be lighter packs out there, but I love this pack for the way it carries and its versatility.

8: The gift of sight. Zeal’s Link goggles are the best helmet compatible goggle out there. They haven’t changed the design for years, with good reason- they simply work. The SPPX lens changes based on the amount of light you’ve got to work with.

9: A brand new pair of skins. There may be other skin choices out there, but these are the gold standard upon which all others are judged.

10: Still Stumped? Take the easy way out and give them a gift certificate from backcountry.com

Happy shopping!