Review: Pocket Ski Carriers for “Hike-To” Skiing

Jul30
by fritzski on 07/30/2016 at 4:33 pm
Posted In: DSJ Gear Tech, DSJ Reviews

mg3DSJ, like a lot of folks these days, has joined the growing trend and decided to get more adventurous with our skiing this season.  Unless you’ve been living in a tree well for the last five years, you’re no doubt aware of the exploding popularity of backcountry skiing.  But how many of us are actually able to commit the time, the money for special equipment, and the safety training to do it properly?

There is a compromise available, however, in the form of inbounds “hike-to” or “side-country” terrain that is being embraced by many big western resorts and requires none of the commitments above, but only a good set of thighs and a sense of adventure.

I’m excited about the idea of earning my turns, and wherever, and whenever, I get the chance to take on any hike-to terrain, I have resolved to maximize it.  But, what I don’t have is a pack to carry my skis.  Actually I do, but I won’t use it because I hate wearing a pack for resort skiing!  It’s extra weight, a hassle on the lift, and everything I normally carry fits easily into my pockets.  As a matter of fact, in the past I just carried the skis over my shoulder.  This leaves your poles as extra baggage rather than tools for optimum efficiency and balance, and just basically sucks.

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Is Skiing Really Too Expensive?

Jul08
by fritzski on 07/08/2016 at 4:17 pm
Posted In: DSJ Articles

skiing-on-money[1]Well, it certainly is expensive.  Isn’t everything these days?  In an absolute sense, depending upon one’s particular financial situation, it may be just too much.  No argument there.  But if you’re reading this, you’re probably the type that isn’t going to give up an active lifestyle that you enjoy, no matter what. So, in a relative sense, how does skiing compare to some other forms of recreation?

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GORE-TEX 101.1

Jul07
by fritzski on 07/07/2016 at 11:48 am
Posted In: DSJ Articles, DSJ Gear Tech

gore-texGore-Tex, we’ve all heard of it, but what exactly is it, and do we really need it? It has become almost a generic term for a line of advanced technology fabric systems, that when it comes to ski jackets and pants, is one reason why “shells” are now so popular. Because of materials like Gore-Tex, layering, or the ability to add or shed inner layers, translates to all day comfort. Since the outer shell is your first line of defense, it only makes sense to choose something that will not only keep you warm, but also cool. Thankfully, some relatively new high-tech fabrics known as microporous membranes provide just the solution.

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BINDING TECH 101

Jul06
by fritzski on 07/06/2016 at 7:50 pm
Posted In: DSJ Articles, DSJ Gear Tech

10thm11[1]While bindings aren’t nearly as sexy to talk about as skis or boots, they are your direct connection to the ski and the only piece of gear, besides a helmet, that is engineered with your safety as the foremost concern. Like everything else these days, they have become ever more complicated with a confusing array of applications, styles, and choices. Modern binding designs now accommodate a variety of different on-hill applications. These designs offer a range of boot movement from none on alpine bindings, to always on telemark bindings, and everything in between. So to help sort it all out, consult Binding Tech 101 and become the expert!

Alpine Din Binding

Alpine Din Binding

You are likely most familiar with standard alpine “Din” style bindings. These bindings are designed to offer zero boot mobility and have independent heel and toe pieces which are either mounted flat  or integrated. This means they are screwed directly onto the ski or mounted on a sliding platform or track integrated into the ski and sold as a package by the manufacturer. There are pros and cons for each. Flat mount can be lighter, tighter, closer to the ski, and you can use the binding of your choice. Integrated bindings can usually offer a bit of fore/aft mounting flexibility and no drilling means easy set-up, easy to move, and easy to sell with no holes. As far as height off the ski goes, height is considered good and riser plates are sometimes added on narrow carving skis for added leverage and to avoid “boot out” where the edge of the boot can actually come in contact with the snow at high edge angles. Lower is usually considered better on wider skis.

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OUR NEW FAVORITE NUTRITION BAR?

Jun09
by fritzski on 06/09/2016 at 4:17 pm
Posted In: DSJ Reviews

Here at DSJ, we’ve always been partial to Clif Bars as our go to nutrition bars.  There are many great options on any given store shelf, but for a buck or less the choices are more limited.

 

clif-barWe tend to stay away from chocolate or carob because it’s too sweet and tastes more like a candy bar and tends to easily melt in your pocket or pack.  Clif has some good non-chocolate flavors and you can usually find them for $1 each at the grocery store.

 

Simple

 

Shopping at the City Market in Breckenridge, we came across Peanut Butter Crunch Energy Bars by Simple Truth.  Simple Truth is the house brand at Kroger stores and you would also find them at Fry’s Markets and Smith’s Food Stores.  At $.75 each, they caught our attention.

 

 

Here’s a comparison:

  • Both Clif and Simple Truth bars are the same size at 2.4 oz.

  • Simple Truth has more protein with 11g to Clif’s 9g

  • Simple Truth has slightly more calories with 250 (fat 60) to Clif’s 240 (fat 30)

  • Clif has more carbs at 45g to Simple Truth’s 38g

  • Simple Truth has more fat at 6g to Clif’s 3.5g

  • Simple Truth has more sodium at 210g to Clif’s 120g

  • Our small sampling group actually preferred the taste of Simple Truth

 

Bottom line:

As a meal replacement, we’d probably stick with Clif due to the lower fat and sodium.  But as a high activity nutrition bar for things like skiing, cycling, or hiking, Simple Truth looks like a great choice, especially for the price.  At $.75 each, you can get four bars for the price of three Clif Bars.

 

 

Note: Sad, but true.  You can rest assured that Kroger has never even heard of DSJ and the above review is completely unbiased.

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