jimk
Active member
What are you OCD about with respect to ski gear and logistics?
I find it's good practice to keep an extra pair of gloves and googles in the car or boot bag. Those are probably the most likely items me or a ski companion might forget.
Out West I almost always carry a small plastic bottle of water with me in a jacket pocket. I don't need or want a big camelback, just 12-16 oz in case I get cottonmouth while far from a lodge. Same for a thin undershirt, in case it's colder than I expect, although typically I'm slightly over dressed for western skiing.
I believe the trouble with overdressing is due to my 50 prior years of skiing mostly in the East where even in the mid-Atlantic you've got to be prepared for raw cold and perhaps rain. Sorry for the cliche, but everything feels about 10-15 degs warmer in the West, esp if the sun comes out. There is definitely a thing about the dampness of the East making you feel colder. Also, in the East you're almost always 10 min or less away from water, so I don't carry water on me usually in Eastern skiing.
A buff or gaiter is also something I almost always have on me and often wear. And of course, a helmet is a given since about 20 years ago.
I use my phone for taking photos, sometimes 50 or more in a day. I keep it in an outside vest pocket and clipped to a cheap plastic tether cord (from Walmart) that is connected to a zipper, so if I drop it at any time I can retrieve it. That little tether cord has come in handy!
I've forgotten my poles a few times and can get by without them, it's kind of a good exercise to work on turn initiation. Although usually when that happens I can bum a mismatched pair from a liftee or other free ski area source.
Oh, I guess I should add, I often throw a small cooler in the car with beverages and snacks in case I run into thirsty friends on the mountain. I sort of hate to pay ski area prices for impromptu food or drinking sessions. If it's nice weather I may add a couple camp chairs too.
I find it's good practice to keep an extra pair of gloves and googles in the car or boot bag. Those are probably the most likely items me or a ski companion might forget.
Out West I almost always carry a small plastic bottle of water with me in a jacket pocket. I don't need or want a big camelback, just 12-16 oz in case I get cottonmouth while far from a lodge. Same for a thin undershirt, in case it's colder than I expect, although typically I'm slightly over dressed for western skiing.
I believe the trouble with overdressing is due to my 50 prior years of skiing mostly in the East where even in the mid-Atlantic you've got to be prepared for raw cold and perhaps rain. Sorry for the cliche, but everything feels about 10-15 degs warmer in the West, esp if the sun comes out. There is definitely a thing about the dampness of the East making you feel colder. Also, in the East you're almost always 10 min or less away from water, so I don't carry water on me usually in Eastern skiing.
A buff or gaiter is also something I almost always have on me and often wear. And of course, a helmet is a given since about 20 years ago.
I use my phone for taking photos, sometimes 50 or more in a day. I keep it in an outside vest pocket and clipped to a cheap plastic tether cord (from Walmart) that is connected to a zipper, so if I drop it at any time I can retrieve it. That little tether cord has come in handy!
I've forgotten my poles a few times and can get by without them, it's kind of a good exercise to work on turn initiation. Although usually when that happens I can bum a mismatched pair from a liftee or other free ski area source.
Oh, I guess I should add, I often throw a small cooler in the car with beverages and snacks in case I run into thirsty friends on the mountain. I sort of hate to pay ski area prices for impromptu food or drinking sessions. If it's nice weather I may add a couple camp chairs too.