Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Waterproof Rating Explained

It's a very common question we get here at SlopeStyle Ski and Ride, "what does 10,000 mm mean on that jacket?" Fear not if you have the same question, you are not alone. Just to warn you this post might get a bit long, and bit confusing, but I am certain that if you continue reading you will understand the complex waterproof rating system that the outdoor industry has come to use as the standard.

Let's start with the basics. The higher the number, whether it's listed as 10k or 10,000 mm, the more waterproof a garment is. For example a jacket rated at 10,000 mm is twice as waterproof as one rated for 5,000 mm. Pretty simple so far, right? Now another simple fact is that 10k and 10,000 mm mean the same thing. 10k is just much easier to print on a label, and for that matter to write in a blog post so from now on I will refer to the rating in that form. Still with me? Good.

In order for a jacket, coat, or gloves to be considered waterproof in the outdoor industry, or more specifically, the ski industry it must be rated at 5k or higher. Anything below 5k will be in the class of water resistant, aka not waterproof. So far it all seems pretty straightforward and I bet you probably have already figured most of that out on your own. The real mystery lies in the "5k," what the heck does that mean anyways.

The waterproof rating of 5k (or remember it also means 5,000 mm) really refers to a lab test. In order to come up with these ratings clothing manufacturers test their fabric based on how much water one square inch  of fabric can hold without leaking in a 24 hour period. So for example a 5k rating means it held out 5,000 mm of water in one 24 hour period without leaking. A 20k rating means it held out 20,000 mm of water. The test is done by placing a column of water (note chemistry terms are not my strong suite ..it could be a test tube, cylinder, beaker, etc...) on the fabric allowing gravity to pull the water down onto it. If nothing seeps through then the fabric is waterproof to whatever level they tested it at.

Now that you understand what the rating means there are just a few more items we must discuss. The next is the difference between DWR and Membrane (Think Gore-Tex) protections. Both are waterproof and both can be rated very high in that department. So what is the difference you may be asking? Well, there is a pretty substantial difference. The DWR stands for "durable water repellent coating." This is a treatment for the exterior fabric where a chemical treatment is baked onto the fabric creating a waterproof barrier. DWR works great and there is no question about that. Where Membrane fabrics excel is longevity. Over years of use the DWR can break down and become less effective. Fabrics can be retreated with a new DWR layer but without it, the waterproof layer will break down years later.

The Membrane system is a layer sandwiched in the fabric to provide the waterproof factor. The illustration below from Gore-Tex makes this easier to understand.
The membrane layer keeps the water out and is protected by the external and internal layers so realistically it will never break down. This will generally give a ski jacket or pants a much longer life while maintaining the waterproof efficiency. 

Now that we are really digging into what waterproof fabrics are all about we might as well keep going and touch on breathability. While the waterproof rating is a huge factor in keeping you dry while skiing and/or snowboarding it is not everything. You need to also be aware of breathability. Think of a rubber rain coat, there will be no water getting through that baby but would you want to run a marathon in it? Probably not as it would be like a swamp inside from your perspiration. Skiing and snowboarding may not be as strenuous as running a marathon but you generally will work up a sweat. The breathability of jackets, pants, and gloves will ensure that the inside will stay dry from your perspiration as well. 

"It makes no sense now" you might be saying. "How can water stay out, yet sweat can escape too? Its madness."  It just so happens that the water molecule created by perspiration is significantly smaller than the water molecule from rain/snow. Therefore the engineers can create a fabric with pores small enough to block the incoming rain and snow molecules, yet large enough to allow your sweat out. Pretty amazing stuff I know. 

So now you understand what the ratings mean how do you choose the correct level. Well lets start with this, you know you need at least 5k so do not even bother looking at anything below that. If you are an occasional skier who waits for sunny blue skies then 5-10k should be fine. If you are a bit more serious of a skier and venture out every weekend no matter what the weather is then look at 10k-15k. If you live and breathe the sport then that is where you will see the benefit of 15k-25k. Again make sure to check out breathability to avoid that rubber coat effect. 

And there you go, you are now a waterproof expert armed to make an informed purchase for your next ski jacket or  ski pants.  Check out some really cool options at our online ski shop to see what these great items look like.



Wednesday, October 3, 2012

TGR (Teton Gravity Research) Double Feature

Fall is in the air here in Northern Vermont and we could not be more excited here at SlopeStyle. The fall means something different to just about everybody but to us it can only mean one thing, ski and snowboard season is just around the corner! Don't get us wrong it has been a beautiful Vermont summer, but we are ready to move on. The ski shop has been buzzing with activity, the smell of wax is filling the air, and people are getting excited for snow.  As a part of our celebration to usher in the new season we are proud to announce we will be premiering the two newest TGR films in one night this year!

We have taken over the Savoy Theater in downtown Montpelier, Vt renting both theaters for this event. We will be showing the "Dream Factory" upstairs in the big theater and "Further" in the downstairs theater. We of course will have some great prizes as you would expect from a ski movie premier as well as beer and wine on tap.

The Dream Factory is a documentary style ski movie documenting how skiing in Alaska came to be. From the first helicopter rides used for skiing to the first World Extreme Skiing event in Valdez, this one does not miss a beat. Don't let the documentary style fool you as there is plenty of high speed gnarly skiing to fill anyone's appetite.

Further is a snowboard movie produced in cooperation with Jeremey Jones and acts as the sequel to the very popular film Deeper. Further will follow Jeremey Jones as he pushes boundaries on what is possible in snowboarding. No more helicopters, snowmobiles, or chairlifts, simply a split board and the desire to ride the impossible.

Both of these movies are sure to get you pumped for the season, so join us Thursday October 11th and lets usher in 2012/2013 season in style!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Free Ski and Snowboard Tunes


New this season we are excited to announce our FREE season tune program. Buy any Head, K2, Elan, Icelantic, Line, or Dynastar skis from us this season and we will it tune it for free all season! We also have extended this offer to any snowboard purchase from Burton, Rome, K2, and Ride snowboards.  Buying local just got a little sweeter!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Shop for skis in the summer and save big!

Now that July 4th has come and gone it might be time to start shifting your mind towards ski season. If you are like us then you never stopped thinking about ski season, however, if you have forgot about it switch back. Summer is the best time to save big on new skis from K2, Line, Head, and Dynastar. The deals are great and there is still plenty of selection. Take advantage now because come fall the deals disappear quickly.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Give It a Try!!


Have you seen kayaks everywhere and wondered what the big draw is? Well now for only $40 you can give it a try without shelling out the money to buy your own. Rent a kayak for the day and go explore all of the great lakes and ponds that surround us. From evening sunsets, to fishing, to exploring swamps and marshes a kayak can go where no other boat can. Give it a try and you might just see why everyone is buying a kayak of their own. Contact us (SlopeStyle Ski and Ride) at 802-225-6320 to reserve one today!

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Kayaks Can Be Affordable


Kayaking is one of those sports that seems to have a lot of misconception about pricing. In today's market there are so many options that you can get out on the water even with a shoe string budget! The Emotion Comet 8 pictured is a great example. At only $299 this boat will get you started in the right direction. It's only 8ft long so transporting and storage is very easy. Pair this up with the "Slingshot" paddle at $40 and the MTI Livery PFD, also only $40, and you are out there an paddling for for only $379!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Longboards...more than just fun!

With the early summer almost upon us it might be time for you to consider how you get around town. Walking is of course acceptable but not very entertaining. If you are looking to spice it up a bit consider cruising around on a "longboard!"  Longboards are taking college campus's by storm across the country. These require almost no skill to ride and offer a thrill unmatched by walking, not to mention how much faster they are. The length of the boards keeps it stable even for those with less than stellar balance. The wheel are softer than conventional skateboard creating a silent ride that is down right peaceful! Check them out here .

Friday, April 20, 2012

Season Recap

Well it was nothing to write home about but another ski season in Vermont has come and gone for most of us (Killington and Jay Peak are still hanging on at the moment). Its easy to write this one off as a bad season but lets look at the positive things that come out of low snow year in Vermont.

-Skills are developed: The saying always goes if you can ski in Vermont you can ski anywhere. A year like this makes that even more accurate. If you were able to ski anything on the mountain this year then you are down right good. The ice, while not always enjoyable, surely tests your skills.

-Freestyle  Skiing/Riding Booms: While there is always a core group of park skiers and riders low snow years means many other people like myself will spend time in the park otherwise normally spent in the woods or bumps.  The added influx of people in the park gives resorts incentive to invest more money and time in it for the next season!

-3 inches will never be taken for granted:  On a big snow year we get complacent and forget how much fun just a few inches of new snow can be.  My best days this year were on 3-4 inches of new snow and I now will never forget how great such little snow can make it.

-Excitement for next season will be higher: Since the majority of people did not ski nearly as much this season the excitement will be even higher next fall. Like anything half the fun of ski season is the stoke and excitement leading up to it, I already can not wait for movie premier season to kick off!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Possibly Our Biggest Powder Day?

Photo: Killington Resort 4-10-12

In a season where we have not seen even half of our normal snow fall, this April storm could easily be the biggest powder day of the year for some. Killington and Jay Peak are both open with extensive trail selection as compared to last week. Killington reports 18" while Jay Peak got hit with 16". Put the golf clubs away and go out for one last hurrah!!!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Ski Season Still Hanging On

photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort
The winter that wasn't seems to be grasping on for one more shot of extending ski season. There are still four resorts open in our area , Sugarbush, Jay Peak, Stowe, and Killington. They have all received between 3-5" of snow in the past few days and Jay Peak has even resumed snowmaking!! So do not give up yet on your ski season and get out there for some of the last remaining days!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

SlopeStyle Athlete Gets 4th!

photo by: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
SlopeStyle team athlete Nina Otter grabbed a fourth place finish this past weekend at the second stop of the Ski The East Freeride Tour!  The event was hosted at Sugarbush on the famed "Liftline" trail, a grueling course due to how long it is. Nina skied strong from start to finish and will be heading to Jay Peak this weekend for the third stop!!   Good luck Nina!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Icelantic Pilgrim - The Skiers Choice

There are tons of fun skis out there these days and really not a single one is bad! With so much competition in the market place its becoming rare for one model to really stand out above the rest. However for two seasons in a row the Icelantic Pilgrim has outsold every other ski in our shop by a long shot.  Some might think its the killer artwork on ski, others because its rare that skis are made in the US anymore and everyone loves to support US manufacturing. The true reason this ski outsells everything else though is simply because it rips. With a waste width of 90mm its the perfect dimension for everyday skiing here in the east. It can carve like no other twin tip, bounces through the bump with ease, and can shred anything soft in the woods. This ski is so amazing that almost every person who has demoed it from us has purchased a pair. Simply put it is the best all mountain ski we have ever skied!  Do yourself a favor and pick up a pair here!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Eastern Freeride Tour Kicks Off

With a slow start to the season the "Ski The East Freeride Tour" had to postpone their first two events due to the lack of snow. Now after the much awaited first storm of the season the tour has officially begun with the first event being at Magic Mountain yesterday, March 3rd. This competition tour is the only event of its kind in the east, testing skiers skills on some of the gnarliest terrain around. Skiers are judged on their line choice, control, fluidity, technique, and style. Top place finishers in the event are pre-qualified to enter the world tour on the following season. This enable some of the east's top talent to compete on the global stage and potentially get noticed to launch a career. With more snow in the forecast it looks like the rest of this tour should go off without a hitch! Check out their website for all the deatils!

http://www.skitheeast.net/freeridetour-overview

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Elevation Makes A Difference

After all the years of skiing and living in Vermont it always amazes me how much elevation can make a difference with snow accumulation. It has never been more evident than this season. Besides a small window this winter we have been looking out the window at brown dead grass, not the beautiful white ground we are used to seeing. However, head up to the mountains here in Central Vermont and you will find a different world! The coverage has not been deep this season but overall it has been much more impressive than you might think! The woods have enough to ski in them with caution, the natural snow trails have been open for a while with decent coverage, and many mountains have been operating at 100% open or very near it. We are entering the last week of February so if you have not ventured out yet now is the time! It will cure your winter blues and like myself you will be surprised at just how good it is up there. So go ahead and Live Life Elevated!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Who needs laces anyways?

Sick of getting chafed fingers just to get your boot tight enough? Annoyed when after only two runs you have to go back in to tighten the boot further? BOA is your answer. The dial has been around from BOA for long enough now that all the bugs have been worked out and it performs flawlessly. Your boots will be tight in seconds simply from spinning the dial. After your first few warm up runs give em another crank or two to get them tighter still. No more wasted time tying and re-tying your laces. And you hands will no longer be raw from reaming on that old fashion way of tightening your boots.

Monday, February 13, 2012

The Channel

Re-thinking how you are strapped onto the board has resulted in the "Infinite Channel System," A.K.A. ICS, from Burton. A leader in design from day one of snowboarding Burton is always looking for ways to improve the rider experience. The channel has two major benefits over the traditional binding mount. The first is the stance versatility. The bindings are mounted in the slot and can be slid up and down and set to any angle imaginable. Whatever you want it is possible with the ICS system.  The other benefit is board feel. If you pair it up ideally with an "EST" binding you are practically standing directly on the board. There is no more disc and thick plastic under your feet. This will give you such a great board feel you might think you are ripping a wave in Maui rather than screaming down the slopes of Stowe!  Get on one and be ready to be amazed!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

The Short Edit Contest

If you have not heard about it yet we are in the midst of our first ever "Short Edit" contest! The rules are here for all of you video creators! We love creating short ski movies based on our own skiing and seeing friends do the same. This will be a fun chance so show the world your skills on the hill and behind the computer screen. The contest runs through 2/24/12 so hurry up and get to editting!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

The Skiing is Great!


There is no question that this winter has left a lot to be desired for snowfall, however, the skiing is much better than you would think! Our staff had a mission this week of skiing every day and finding the best snow! To our surprise every day was great! We had a few with 4-6 in of new snow that only the mountains received, had some spring conditions, and some sweet groomer runs! It may not look like winter out your window, but take our word for it there is snow at the mountains. Get out there before the season passes you by! The video above was from the best day of the week at Mad River Glen!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Layering for warmth






We covered how to keep your feet warm, so how about the rest of your body? At SlopeStyle we sell all the apparel you need to keep warm from head to toe. We all know a good jacket and pants are key, but what about under those layers? The base layers as they are known are perhaps as important if not more important as the outwear in keeping your warm. The first layer that contacts your skin should be a non-cotton layer which helps wick moisture away from your skin and fits relatively snug. Think of it as a second layer of skin. This will help insulate you from the cold and keeps you dry when you are ripping it. On top of that should be a mid weight layer such as fleece or a soft shell. Again this will insulate your core on those really cold days. Finally make sure your last layer is waterproof and helps shield away the wind. With this combination you should be warm and dry on the coldest days!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Never under estimate the importance of a good ski sock!

If you are like me then you grew up with your mom throwing two pairs of socks on your feet anytime you went outside in the winter, even if it was just a 2 minute walk to school! We all grow up and become our own people but for some reason little things we were taught when we were younger never go away, especially doubling up socks.  We sell lots of ski and snowboard boots each year here at SlopeStyle and always start the conversation with socks. Almost without fail everyone is trying to cram socks which are way too thick in a ski or snowboard boot. I am here to tell you that thick socks are your worst enemy in skiing and snowboarding, and two socks, well don't even get me started on that! One single thin sock is what you should be wearing and here is why.

All ski boots and snowboard boots are designed to keep your feet warm and with modern developments they do a very good job at that. Leave the boot to keeping your feet warm. The sock is there not as much for insulating warmth but wicking warmth. Your feet sweat while on the mountain (on average a pint per day!) and a wet foot is a cold foot. The thin ski socks get the moisture off your skin very fast and in turn help keep your feet dry. The thick socks trap the moisture on your foot and end up causing them to be wet and cold. The  thin ski socks also promote more blood circulation as your foot is not as cramped in the boot. This again will keep your feet not only more comfortable but warmer. When you cram a thick sock, or dare I say two socks, in the boot you restrict the blood flow. The extra sock thickness makes your feet more cramped and due to lack of blood circulation much colder. So do yourself a favor and get some good thin ski socks, they are worth every penny!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Burton's Lightest Boot Ever!

The Rampant! Burton's lightest boot ever produced! This boot is light as all get out and is super comfy. The Est sole gives your insane board feel while providing good shock absorbtion for landing the big airs coast to coast. The articualting cuff gives you a free flex feel yet has "jumper cable" inserts to increase lateral support. Then end result killer popping power with forgivness on your landings. Check it out at slopestylevt.com

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Bern - Multi Sport Functionality


If you are a fan of the helmets with brims say thank you to Bern. The Bern company started the brim sensation many years ago and it has now taken off! Every company that makes any snow helmets has at least one model with a brim now. What still separates Bern from the pack is the mutli sport functionality. These helmets are designed to be your snow sliding helmet (Ski and Snowboard) but simply take the knit beanie out and you now have a bike, skate, or wake helmet! Simple as that.