Extreme Sports

The coldest month of the year for most cities all across the U.S. is January, and bitter cold can mean rough, patchy, dry skin. Luckily, various we’ve come across various inventions to prevent us from living with rough, patchy dry skin for the entire duration of winter. We can wear winter hats, coats and scarves, and last but not least, gloves.

Women’s gloves are a fickle thing: they’re absolutely necessary, especially in colder months, but they also tend to get lost. Much like socks, it seems that things that go in pairs will lose each other.

Make sure that’s not the case with these women’s gloves! We’ve rounded up all the gloves that are great for whatever you need them for (women’s gloves are not only useful, but also fashionable!):

If you want to stay warm: Go for the best brands ‘ Columbia, Outdoor Research and North Face are all gloves designed for the rough and tough cold weather. Also look for warm fabrics like wool or fleece, and if you really want the best, look for moisture-wicking technology (found in the outdoorsy brands like Columbia) to keep your hands not only warm, but dry, too.

If you want to go skiing or snowboarding: You should obviously trust those same brands as above if you’re definitely hitting the slopes! Burton is another known ski and snowboard company, and some of their gloves are cutely decorated with pom-poms and polka dots, in addition to good gripping textures.

If you want to keep your hands warm and fashionable: Look for features to make your gloves stand out. Choose fun colors (New Balance has pretty pink gloves), pom-poms, funky patterns or different shapes in fleece or wool fabrics for warmth and fashion.  Read more...

Depending on what style of snowboarding you enjoy and what level of rider you are, there is a snowboard that will best suite you. While there are many different brands and styles out there, five brands stand out as the best above all others. Lib Technologies, Burton, Never Summer, GNU Snowboards and Jones Snowboards offer superior quality and unique styles for all types, each having their own signature boards and technologies. Because each rider has their own preferences, these companies have gone above and beyond to make sure that everyone purchased is up to standards and fits the rider’s needs.

Lib Technologies are best known for their Magne Traction and Banana Technologies. Magne Traction helps to improve the edge control in icy conditions while the Banana Technology helps with freestyle riding as well as when used in powder conditions. Both freestyle and all mountain boards can be found by this brand. One of the best known and most popular snowboard brands is Burton due to the high number of boards as well outdoor gear that they produce. All ages and types of riders can find a board that is perfect for them including young kids. Bindings can be customized with the Channel System, allowing each rider to adjust everything from the way that the bindings fit to the stance on the board. Never Summer is known for their extensive quality testing that is done on every board before it is sold. There is a three year warranty offered with each snowboard and demo sessions can be scheduled if you are in the Denver area. GNU Snowboards are made by the same manufacturing company as Lib Technologies, and have the Banana Tech boards as well as the Magne Traction. Both the men’s and women’s Park Pickle won awards in 2011 for the ease of making heel side turns. Though it is one of the newer brands, Jones Snowboards does not disappoint. Created by professional Jeremy Jones he uses his knowledge of riding to create snowboards that exhibit quality, strength and stability. Having only been going for one year, several of the boards have already won numerous awards.  Read more...

Even though it’s January and half the winter sports season is over you still have time to explore new territories. Since it’s a new year, we here at Colorado Ski Shop have culled our knowledge and experience and we want to share this year’s top five snowboarding destinations with you!
Check out the list below, did your favorite spots make it?

SNOWBIRD

Utah is one of those states with so many potential snowboarding and skiing venues that it’s an absolute dream to any winter sport enthusiast. We picked Snowbird for its unique attributes and extensive network of runs and lifts. The tram will get you to the top of its 11,000 feet (Hidden Peak) in a mere 8 minutes so you can begin exploring one of its 85 runs. With the highest altitude of any Utah resort and about 500 inches of annual snowfall, Snowbird offers a longer season of use than many other resorts – in 2005, skiers were in full swing until July 4th! In addition, Snowbird is only 29 miles from Salt Lake City, allowing visitors the opportunity to explore nightlife, culture and cuisine with a short drive. Snowbird is great for both skiing and snowboarding, so grab your gear and go!

MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN

Sunny California has its own winter sport havens, many of which are causing quite a stir on the international snowboarding scene. Mammoth Mountain is one of those resorts whose reputation is known far and wide – even Shaun White, Olympic snowboarder, has a season pass! From October to June, this place is a snowboarder’s dream. The summit rises 11,000 feet and includes a 3,000 foot vertical drop. For the experienced rider, we recommend Hangman’s Hollow – a narrow chute bordered by rocks and positioned at a steep incline. Beginners need not apply (just stick to the Panoramic Gondola – enjoy scenic vistas on your way up to the top of the mountain!). No gear? No problem – Mammoth Mountain rents out everything you need, from ski equipment to snowboards!  Read more...

Most of us associate water skiing with summertime fun – warm sunshine, beaches and picnics – so it may come as a surprise that water skiing was born in Minnesota in 1922 when Ralph Samuelson used two boards and a clothesline to ski across Lake Pepin. Samuelson has been credited by the American Water Ski Association as the first water ski racer, and the first to jump a ramp and slalom ski, as well as the first to hold a water ski show, too.

Like Samuelson, avid enthusiasts will water ski nearly any time, any where there is an opportunity, even when winter temperatures and chilly water are a deterrent for most people. Fortunately, no matter what city and state you call home, there’s probably a local lake or other body of water where you can get in some ski time, perhaps even practice your gainers and other tricks.

Of course, skiing at the same location all the time can become routine. Add a little excitement to your water time this year by planning a water skiing vacation. Whether you are a novice or expert, you can have some added fun by water skiing at one of these five great locations:

Top U.S. water skiing destinations

1) San Diego, Calif. – With a climate that provides ideal conditions year-round and an average of 264 days of sunshine each year, San Diego is a water skier’s dream. It’s also the home of Mission Bay Park, the largest manmade aquatic park in the U.S. Located just 10 minutes from downtown, Mission Bay offers hardcore skiers the opportunity to take an early morning jaunt around the bay, and still make it to the office on time. In addition, there’s a variety of water ski classes for everyone from the novice to the experienced. For a little more excitement and a change of pace, skiers can cruise around the freight and military ships in San Diego Bay. A variety of local lakes are perfect for those that prefer freshwater water skiing. Plan your trip to San Diego the weekend of Oct. 9,, 2009, and you’ll be able to watch the 5th U.S. Open Water Ski Racing National Championships, too.  Read more...

Surfing is one of the most thrilling sports there can be on sea. But unlike most sea sports, it does not require machinery of some sort. All you need in surfing are: a board, surfing gear, rippling waves and a sense of adventure. But just like any other sport, surfing can also drain your energy and patience. It can be grueling especially to the neophytes, as it requires perfect mind and body coordination. To have a body in total harmony with your inner self to get your body in the best surfing condition, surfers will recommend one thing and that is to practice yoga!

You might think that surfing and yoga are far out from each other but you are wrong. Both have similar concepts that really blend well to give you a better life. Here are five reasons why surfing and yoga is a great combination.

1. Yoga and surfing have a common denominator. They are ways of life.

Yoga is more than an exercise as surfing is more than a sport. Both are ways of living that help make people attain a fuller and more complete life. They also help you know more not only about yourself but also about your surroundings: yoga seeks enlightenment of your spirituality while surfing makes you one with nature. The yoga world is also similar with a surfing moment; a place of freedom, a place of peace, a place without time… Either way, you become your better person as you completely immerse yourself in the activity and in the process, rest your mind and spirit to release your fullest.  Read more...