If you can see Mt. Baker, you are part of The Experience
Story by Pat Grubb
Teva Chair 5
Teva has launched a new line of boots called the Lifty Collection. About half the weight of typical boots, the Chair 5 has a rubber outsole and a rip-stop waterproof upper. The Thinsulate liner can be removed and used indoors as a bootie. The top compresses, making this a good choice for travel. teva.com
K2SideSeth Ski
A brand-new ski for 2013, the SideSeth is a great ski for side and backcountry skiers according to Tom Wills at Sportsman Chalet. Its stiffness, coupled with a fairly big rise, gives it the chops to handle whatever is beyond the ski area ropes. k2skis.com
GoPro Hero 3
The latest version of the ubiquitous helmet cam (and anywhere else it can be held or attached), the Hero3 is smaller, lighter and faster. Fairhaven Bike and Ski owner John Hauter says it’s one of his shop’s hottest items. The store carries both the black and silver editions, both of which feature Wi-Fi that can be used to control the camera using a remote (optional for silver) or a smartphone. gopro.com
SealLine iSeries iPhone 5 Case
After spending big bucks on an iPhone 5, why take a chance of ruining it in the rain or snow? Made in Seattle, the iCase is submersible, waterproof while still allowing access to the phone’s functions, and sound. Each case is tested to withstand 30 minutes of submersion in three feet of water. cascadedesigns.com
Live2Ride Abstract Snowboard
Marcella from Mt. Baker Snowboard Shop recommends this for super-fast boarders who also want stability and forgiveness in their board. Inbounds or outbounds – this board handles almost all terrain and conditions. Live2Ride is a Pacific Northwest company. l2rsnowboards.com
Shark Snowsurf Tiger
Tired of the same-old, same-old? Hop aboard the Shark Snowsurf and ride the hills like Tony Hawk. It’s a different kind of freedom, says Marcella. No bindings mean no access to the Mt. Baker Ski Area (as yet), but you were planning on going into the backcountry anyway, weren’t you? Shark Snowsurfs are made in Leavenworth, Washington. sharksnowsurf.com
Jones Solution Splitboard
Tom Wills at Sportsman Chalet recommends this splitboard for advanced backcountry riders who tend to pick more aggressive lines. This is one of the most popular boards in this area due to its versatility. The company, headquartered in Bellingham, was created in 2012 by pro rider Jeremy Jones who says he started it to develop the highest performance all-mountain weapons on the mountain. jonessnowboards.com
Platypus SoftBottle
Another Pacific Northwest company, Platypus has come out with a line of the most flexible water bottles around. BPA-free, the SoftBottle weighs 80 percent less than hard hydration bottles. It pretty much fits anywhere and when empty, you can roll it up and stuff it in your pocket or pack. cascadedesigns.com
Spark R&D Blaze LT Splitboard Bindings
Marcella from Mt. Baker Snowboard Shop says the Blaze LT is the most popular binding on the market. It’s got a huge range of lean: 25° forward, -5° for touring. Located in the Northwest, the company aims to provide high-quality, technologically based gear made in the U.S. sparkrandd.com
Helly Hansen Winter Tights
Use these for running on colder days, as a base layer up on the mountain or inside a drysuit on the water. The tights have a slightly thicker fabric than regular tights and a brushed polyester interior. Great flexibility while keeping the cold at bay. hellyhansen.com
BE LOCAL, BUY LOCAL. We’ve listed the manufacturer’s websites for more information, but we encourage you to support your local retailers. These winter items can be found at American Alpine Institute, Backcountry Essentials, Fairhaven Bike & Ski, Glacier Ski Shop, Hidden Wave Boardshop, Mt. Baker Snowboard Shop, Mountain Equipment Co-op, REI, Sportsman Chalet, Yeager’s Sporting Goods and other quality retailers in Washington and British Columbia.
