If this latest blast of winter on the North Shore has you dreaming of powdery slopes, check out some high-tech accessories available locally to keep you comfortable in the cold with the touch of a button.
Any skier or snowboarder who spends plenty of time on the North Shore knows that the local mountains can offer up a variety of conditions on any given day, so a pair of versatile goggles can be a huge help.
The Prizm technology in lenses made by Oakley fits the bill. First appearing in Oakley’s goggles last season, Prizm lenses cover a wider range of light conditions while enhancing contrast and definition in the snow.
“You can go from a foggy, West Coast, North Shore Mountains day to partly sunny without changing your lens, which is pretty sweet,” explained North Shore Ski & Board manager Casey Nicholson.
The company’s Flight Deck model has been a popular pick, incorporating the Prizm technology into a frameless look. But if it’s added function you’re looking for, new for this year is the Line Miner Inferno, which has heated lenses that combat internal lens fog.
Much like a defroster on a car window, the Inferno goggles clear condensation in seconds with the push of a button, without reaching a temperature high enough that makes the wearer uncomfortable. The strap-mounted battery pack is barely noticeable once stretched over a helmet.
During a long day out in the cold, using a base layer can make all the difference. For Justin Bungag, assistant manager at The Boardroom in North Vancouver, the Ninja Suit made by Airblaster has been a “game changer.”
The performance onesie provides a full seal against the elements, coming in merino wool or polyester, with or without a hood. The Ninja Suit works to wick moisture away from the skin, while the merino wool model contains antimicrobial properties to help fight odour.
“I didn’t wear base layers before these and would get really cold. Then I got my hands on one and it changed my life,” said Bungag, adding that the suit often provides enough warmth for him to ride in a hoodie overtop.
“I went to Big White for three or four days and didn’t take it off. I lived in it.”
Airblaster makes the product in men’s, women’s and youth sizes.
Some of the most popular winter gear flying off the shelves can make a great gift even for people who don’t spend their free time playing in the snow.
Although the Bluetooth-enabled heat socks made by Lenz can help feet stay cosy on a chilly day skiing, they can also keep toes toasty inside a normal boot or around the house. The socks have a flexible battery pack at the top and can be controlled by a smartphone app, providing three heating levels.
“You can be sitting on the chairlift – or wherever – and think, ‘Oh, I’m getting a little warm,’ and (change it) from a Level 2 to Level 1 from your phone,” explained Nicholson, adding that North Shore Ski & Board has seen the socks selling quickly this season.
