You Get a Car! You Get a Car!

Posted on January 11, 2018 by SkiMums

By SkiMum Paula

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Oprah had the world on its feet at the Golden Globes. The excitement on the morning news shows the following day was infectious. Even my teenage daughter was howling in a voice an octave lower than her own, “You get a car! You get a car!” while devouring her pancakes. She was a newborn when the giveaway aired in 2004, but still understands the magic and joy it inspired. “That must have made the car maker famous,” she continued. I cocked my head and smiled. Like other childhood beliefs, I didn’t have the heart to tell her that Pontiac (awesome trivia/HQ question, by the way) went bust just a few years later. Sometimes, the delight is more important than the detail.

What does this have to do with SkiMums? Well, some would claim that many Wednesday mornings with fellow Mums feel like an episode of Oprah’s eponymous show. Smart, active women sharing the slopes with other fascinating (and often, very funny) women. It’s unclear whether it’s a girl power vibe, an adrenaline rush or the feeling of playing hooky, but Mums describe feeling electrified, inspired or just themselves on Wednesdays. “Ski therapy”? Perhaps. More likely, Mums are giving themselves a moment to recharge in order to charge ahead.

SkiMums also get FREE stuff. Sadly, not cars. The Bird, in particular, does this not because Mums are cheap (although we do love a great deal); it recognizes how important and influential we are. Mums buy a lot of season passes, lessons, camps, ski team equipment, condos, spa packages, dinners and more. We post pictures on social media influencing more people all over the world to discover the fun in our backyard. When some suggested several years ago that Snowbird was too advanced and not as appealing to women, it started providing SkiMums group lessons to make sure we felt confident on the front and back of Hidden Peak. Mountain School still sends its best women instructors each January to get intermediate-to-advanced SkiMums skiers — and, for the first time, snowboarders — to tackle different aspects of this unique terrain. The Bird has also invited some daring Mums (read: pretty fast skiers on pretty dark runs) to ski Fresh Tracks, going up the Tram with Ski Patrol at 7:30am to do laps before the public opening. In the summer, SkiMums have had the best deals on Snowbird’s All-Women Mountain Bike Camp which, we like to believe, they created because of clamoring by the Mums (“Teach us how to ride The Wasatch Crest and Big Mountain Trail!”).

This is what I know is true: SkiMums started as and remains a community, not a club, made up of incredible Wasatch Women who share a passion for the outdoors and want to share that feeling with others. We laugh and cheer and, often, discover something new. Such delight will get you much farther than any car.

Ski Boot Buckle Lever Tool Review 2018

Posted on November 13, 2017 by SkiMums

CLICK HERE TO READ THE 2022 REVIEW

by Skimum Richelle

A previous post of mine entitled, Seriously, I Need A Tool For Buckling My Ski Boots?, reviewed the Ski Tool^TM device that helps you buckle your ski boots. In short, the tool worked well for a season or two, but then broke. I was able to repair it (with copious amounts of gaffers tape) to a point where I could use it again, but it has never quite been the same. Since publishing that first review, I was contacted by not one, but three other boot tool manufacturers and was offered a chance to review their devices.

E-Click is the latest tool to be reviewed. It is available in lots of pretty colors!

I also want to quickly address an issue that some have raised in the comments section, questioning the need for such a tool at all. Some have suggested to me that I must have the wrong size boots or that I’m over-tightening them if I have to use a tool to tighten them. First, I can assure you that I have the proper boot size (fitted by a professional). Second, I do not over-tighten my boots. I buckle my boots once, for the day, and then leave them buckled until I am done skiing. I do not have any problems with pain, circulation, etc. What I do have a problem with is getting my boots buckled up tight enough initially. The small buckles on my boots just don’t provide enough leverage to close on those last couple notches. Call me weak, or soft handed…but I am confident that I have a good and proper boot fit. If anything, I find that many skiers (especially women) do not buckle their boots tight enough…which can make their skiing sloppy and less precise. For me, a boot tool makes all the difference to easily get that perfect fit!

On with the comparison…

This year I am reviewing four different lever models, the Ski Tool^TM, the Buckletite, the BriXski, and the latest addition to the line-up, the E-Click®.

Ski Boot Tool Line-Up

Each tool was evaluated based on various design features and functionality.

Hand Grip

How easy is it to hold? Does it slip in your hand? The best grip winner is the Buckletite tool. It fits in my hand well and doesn’t slide around. The Ski Tool also feels pretty good in your hand and has little wavy sides for your fingers to wrap around. My least favorite grip of the four were the BriXski and the E-Click. They both taper down quickly and are very smooth. They are not terrible, but my bare hand does tend to slip a bit when using them.

Buckle Grip

How well does the tool hold on the boot buckle? To be honest, I did not think any of these tools held particularly well to my buckles. They all tended to slip around…or even slip off the buckle as I was applying pressure to them. The E-Click tool with it’s extra large opening allowed the most slippage on the buckles. To be fair, if your boots have the new, larger buckles then it will probably fit a lot better. The good news is that I have a simple fix for all of these – add a little fabric based tape (gaffers tape, duct tape, medical tape) to the surfaces or edges that come in contact with buckle. Very effective! No more slip!

Lever Action/Power

How well does the geometry of the tool work? How much strength and pressure is required by the user? All four tools actually do a good job here. After all, that is what they are designed to do. In terms of shear leverage power, the E-Click, with its longer (6.4 inch) arm, generates the greatest amount of lever power…requiring the least amount of effort.

Lever Angle

Frankly, I never even thought about this until I started comparing these three tools in quick succession. I quickly realized, however, that the angle at which you attach the tool to the buckle is much different with the BriXski and the E-Clilck tools compared to the other two. The BriXski tool’s unique design allows you to slip the buckle into the little opening. The result is a much easier “angle of attack” to grab the buckle. This description may not make much sense, so I have included a couple photos (below) to illustrate the difference. Actually, my photos don’t even show the true angle differential (It is actually a bigger difference). In the end, does it really matter? Maybe not, but I did find it easier and quicker to attach the BriXski and the E-Click tool without having to contort my arm.

The BriXski tool does not work on these older style buckles.

With all of that said, I did find a drawback to the BriXski and the E-Click tools, in that they don’t work on all ski boots buckles. While they seem to work on most of the new style buckles, they will not fit over some of the older (thicker style boot buckles. I found three different boots (in my attic) that the BriXski and E-Click tools did not work well with. The tool opening is just too small (or too big in the E-Click’s case) to accommodate the fatter (thicker) plastic buckles, including an old pair of kid’s boots.

Flex

There should be little or no flex in the tool. From the first time I ever used the Ski Tool^TM it flexed just enough to make me nervous about it breaking (and ultimately it did). The Buckletite the BriXski and the E-Click tools, however feel much different and much more solid. I have a hard time detecting any flex in these other three at all. This increased rigidity helps efficiently transfer energy from your hand to the buckle, and gives you more confidence when applying significant torque.

Durability

For me, the SkiTool fails the durability test. Its soft and flexible plastic just does not hold up over time. In contrast, Buckletite levers are made out of PROLON, a tough 33% fiberglass-impregnated nylon and they are guaranteed for life. The BriXski lever is made out of a material called PA6 45, which is a high quality plastic reinforced with 45% glass. It appears to be very tough and have almost a metal-like quality. Both Buckletite and BriXski also have great warranties on their products. If they break, send them back and they will send you a new one. I’m not sure exactly what material the E-Click is made out of. My guess is that it is closer to the Buckletite’s PROLON material. Again, very tough.

Skimums Tool Comparison Ratings

Skimums Choice (…and the winner is…)

It was a close race, but overall, our favorite boot tool was the Buckletite. It just feels comfortable in your hand and offers the best, most stable platform. The flair on both ends just gives your hands a little bit more control when applying pressure. The Buckletite should also work with virtually any ski boot buckle out there. If you have a boot with large (flat) buckles, we recommend trying the E-Click tool. The longer arm offers better leverage. The BriXski is also a great tool. It is compact and, like the E-Click, offers a better connection angle to the buckle. We suggest passing on the Ski Tool^TM. The plastic that it is constructed out of is just not strong enough to handle the loads that you need.

Where to Purchase

Ski Tool^TM
www.skitoolcompany.com

Buckletite
www.buckletite.com
Contact seller for special dealer and industry pricing as well as combined shipping for multiple unit orders.

BriXski
www.brixski.se
Seller is based in Sweden and is currently working on setting up distribution in the USA. See seller website for updated purchasing options.

E-Click®
www.skibootfix.com
Seller is based in The Netherlands. At the time of this writing E-Click did not have distribution established yet in the USA. See seller website for updated purchasing options.

Don’t Spend a Bundle to Bundle Up

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Harpo_Utah

Get great gear without blowing the budget. Photo by SkiMum Richelle

There’s an unspoken rule in Utah that locals never pay retail. Actually, we pay retail on a lot of things, a little less on others, and rent a storage locker to hold it all. Everyone is a professional shopper here. It’s not that we forego buying gear at slopeside stores. We just know what to purchase where and when.

Rental “demo” skis and boots begin to go on sale in late-March (ski clothing a bit later giving you another reason to visit Utah in summer). Resorts and stores turn over their entire inventory every season or two. Make an offer if you really like your rentals, especially if it’s late-season. I bought a pair of Rossignol Soul 7 skis with bindings for under $200 one July. Pro Shopping Tip: The shortest “men’s” skis (same ski, different design, i.e., Soul 7 = Savory 7) are often in mint condition making them a great deal for petite women.
Reserve rental gear in advance online at local stores, such as Christy Sports or Ski ‘n See. They almost always offer discounts for doing so and even have slopeside stores if you need adjustments or want to swap them out.
Consignment stores are plentiful, especially in Salt Lake City, and it is where all the locals buy their gear. I think 2^nd Tracks Sports is my hubby’s favorite store; mine is still Tiffany’s, I’m afraid (which might explain why his is the discount shop). The Gear Room is another. Just Google for more. I know folks who buy consignment gear when visiting and consign it back before they leave.
Outlet stores, such as Columbia in Park City, are fantastic for quality ski clothing at an affordable price.
Buying ski gear in person from people who know it and know how you’ll use it is the best. Test: If you don’t know what a DIN setting is, then you probably shouldn’t buy skis and bindings online. However, online stores from Backcountry to Sierra Trading Post to Ebay to Amazon are fantastic places to shop if you know your size and what you want. Pro Shopping Tip: Backcountry.com has its warehouse retail store minutes from the airport allowing you to talk to the experts and pick up everything your heart desires for a great price on your way to the slopes.
In December, Costco in Salt Lake City is another great place to pick up gloves, ski pants, snow boots, hand warmers and other items for a fraction of the price in specialty stores. Last time I looked, kids ski pants were $16. Wal-Mart is another one to check. This is not a secret around here though, and the gear flies off the shelves. Call first to check.
High-priced long underwear for kids is a waste of money, I’ve concluded. Buy them cheaper, long underwear-style pajamas instead. Even if they’re cotton, the kids are usually fine. They usually don’t ski hard enough to really sweat and get cold. They’re heading for the hot chocolate long before that. The dual use is a bonus. Pro Shopping Tip: Lululemon capri tights on sale, of course are my new dual-use favorite under ski pants. I like the compression, and the shorter length doesn’t interfere with my boots (no, don’t put long underwear or anything else other than your socks inside your boots) while keeping me toasty.

SkiMums constantly chat about where to find the deals while riding on the lifts. Big surprise! Feel free to share your favorite haunts below.

Lift Tix for Less

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Harpo_Utah

Red Lens at Snowbird by SkiMum Margit

Lift ticket deals area available at Utah ski resorts if you know where to look. Locals ski dozens (some hundreds!) of days a year, and most snowboarders do it without having a job. Just joking, just joking! For the rest of us, here’s how—

For 5^th and 6^th graders, there is NO BETTER DEAL than the SkiUtah Passport, which gives 3 lifts tickets PER RESORT (42 days!) to 5^th graders and 1 lift ticket per resort (14 days) to each 6^th grader for just $45 (even less before January 31^st). You must purchase this online in advance. Allow a couple weeks depending on time of year.
Buy a season pass. Before you scoff, check out the early bird deals at various resorts and SkiMum Richelle’s post about economies of scale. For example, the Family 4-Pack at Snowbird (2 Adults, 2 K-12 kids) purchased in early August 2016 was $1999 and came with great lodging deals, Wasatch Benefits, which included Mountain Collective (half-off at a list of resorts worldwide; I use it at Jackson Hole), 3 lift tickets for Alta AND 3 lift tickets for Deer Valley for all four people plus other goodies like rental, clothing and food discounts. If Alta is typically $96/day (adults and kids over 12) and Deer Valley is $128/day (adults), the math looks pretty good for a week long trip and makes it easy to come back for a quick weekend or two! Note that there are some blackout dates on the Wasatch Benefits lift tickets (but you’re not skiing during those pricey times anyway, right?). The Epic Pass is another unlimited, very budget friendly option that will put an adult on the slopes of Park City resort and all other Vail-owned resorts for just over $800. No, you don’t need to create a spreadsheet to figure all this out, but it’s a great way to get the hubby involved, I’ve learned.
If you have a friend skiing the same resort another time during the season, consider doubling up on transferrable pass or punch card. You can buy a transferable 10-to-Share Card at Snowbird (there are others available at other resorts), use a few days and leave it for another friend or relative to when she visits. At $589 (chairs only; $689 with tram), this worked out to $59/day. It’s even cheaper during early bird pricing. Just make sure it’s a transferrable pass.
There are no, none, nada discount lift ticket in Park City stores. So, find them elsewhere. Salt Lake City ski shops – even grocery stores – have discounts on lift tickets but not always for all resorts. Call ahead or look online to check on discounts for Park City and Deer Valley resorts, in particular. Locals Tip: REI is on the way to Park City from the SLC Airport, has discount lift tickets, ski rentals and great gear, and all the money you spend goes toward your co-op rebate. Cha-ching!
Some resorts, including Snowbird, have great advance purchase deals online, and if you’re visiting someone who has a season pass, they likely can get a Friends & Family discount at the lift ticket counter for you. Locals Tip: Deer Valley, which caps the sale of tickets, will offer advance purchase (but no discount) the day before. On a powder day, this is key.
Package lift ticket deals are around, including the Salt Lake Super Pass, that gives adults lift tickets for 7 out of 14 days for all four Cottonwood Canyon resorts (Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude) for $540 ($78/day). It also comes with a number of other lodging and rental discounts.
Liftopia has discount lift tickets for the resorts, but you have to choose your dates (guaranteeing that your kid will be sick or winds will close lifts on that day). Great deals, but choose carefully.

Any other deals? Feel free to share them in the comments section.

Top 5 Things to Splurge on at Snowbird

Posted on February 18, 2017 by Harpo_Utah

If I found some spare change in the bottom of the dryer, what would I do with it? Hmmm, that’s a tough one. Something ski-related, definitely. Let’s put aside a shopping spree at Cliff Sports (I do love my Arc’teryx coat and fringed Astis mittens) or opening a great Bordeaux at Aerie. Here are five. Some I’ve done, some are on my Snowbird Bucket List—

A day on the Snowcat Skiing for Nature – hands down. At $395 for a half-day adventure, I still think it’s the best bang for the buck anywhere on the mountain. Starting with breakfast at The Forklift (included), Snowbird Ski Patrol prepares you for your side-country outing, straps you with a beacon and takes you up and over into Mineral Basin where you catch your ride. The rest is a blur and the most fun, best skiing ever. I’ve compared it to skiing in a snow globe – quiet, magical. A half-day is plenty. Your legs will be shot. Your memories will last forever.

Mountain School Women’s Camp with Mermer Blakeslee. Mountain School does several ski camps designed for women, but this is the one I’ve always wanted to attend (hint, hint). It’s a four-day camp led by professional skier and author, Mermer Blakeslee. She focuses on fear, the type that keeps us from accomplishing things on and off the mountain and fun, the type that brings us back. At $784 for four entire days, it’s cheaper than therapy and much more pleasurable. The time off from work, family, life is the big price but one I know would be worth it.

A day with a Backcountry Guide. I once tried buying all the gear necessary for my hubby to backcountry ski (shovel, probe, beacon, avalanche airbag, etc.) and scared myself so badly that I put it all back on the shelves. The avalanche dangers in the backcountry are real, but they are greatly reduced by going with someone who understands the terrain and risks. If you’ve ever skied a powder day, you get the bug and want more, especially if it comes with fresh tracks all the way down. That’s the appeal of backcountry. Prices vary but, for this exercise, I’m not concerned.

A weekend stay on the Spa Level of Cliff Lodge. For a modest upgrade, you can enjoy a spacious room and spa access on the top floor of the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird. If a day in Mineral Basin wasn’t enough, then adding a massage and then a dip in the roof top hot top will satisfy the pickiest guest. It’s one of the best views at any ski resort, and if the full moon is out, you won’t be the only one to howl. Prices vary depending on room and services.

Ok, I have to admit that my Preferred Parking Pass is definitely a splurge that I have come to love. Front row parking at the Bird means I can save my legs for the mountain and almost ski into my car at the end of the day. $249

Top 5 Tips for Luxury Ski Lodging on a Budget

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Harpo_Utah

Yes, you can enjoy a luxury ski vacation in Northern Utah without raiding the retirement fund. Lodging is often the biggest expense. With ski resorts all over the Wasatch Front and Back, you can typically find fantastic lodging that fits your budget. Here’s how to do it —

Park City and Deer Valley, generally, command the highest rents. However, the price drops and availability rises in nearby Salt Lake City (Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude), Ogden (Snowbasin, Powder Mountain) and Provo (Sundance). You can even sleep in Salt Lake and ski Park City (Foothill Blvd to Kimball Junction is typically a 16 min drive on I-80, enough time to enjoy your morning cup of coffee), or consider staying and skiing at other top-rated resort areas. If you like the terrain at Park City, then check out Snowbird or Brighton. If you like the food at Deer Valley (and who doesn’t), then look at its sister, Solitude, or the scrumptious Snowbasin near Ogden. All of these are less than an hour from SLC International Airport, have a distinct terrain and feel and are all popular with locals-who-know. The best part of Utah skiing is that you can ski any and all of them regardless of where you’re staying. It’s like being able to go to Disneyland AND California Adventure AND Newport Beach (with less traffic). So, think strategically as well as ecominically.
Expand your search beyond ski-in/out accommodations. The convenience may not outweigh the cost, and traffic and parking are not really issues at Utah resorts. Hyatt Place and Residence Inn in Cottonwood Heights will get you to Snowbird, great restaurants or even a Utah Jazz game in less than 20 minutes. AirBnB and VRBO are great ways to find terrific homes and condos for a non-hotel price all over the region. Live like a local. You’ll spend less, have a terrific time and probably consider buying a place here. You wouldn’t be the first to visit for a week and leave with a second home as your souvenir.
Prices vary greatly depending on the date. High Season pricing includes: Christmas, MLK Weekend, Sundance Film Festival (some resorts) and President’s Day Weekend. Avoid these to spend less. Typically, there is more availability at lower prices the week before or after each. Unless the kids are in high school (when it’s just too complicated), just take them out! No one fails kindergarten, and you can use the savings for college. Locals Tip: Sundance Film Festival raises the rates but empties the slopes all over the Wasatch. Visitors are inside watching flicks. It’s when locals ski Deer Valley bringing to mind the Caddy Day scene from Caddyshack. OK, that might be a stretch. Bottom line: Stay in Salt Lake and ski Deer Valley or whoever has powder (locals bookmark the Wasatch Snow Forecast to see where to go) that week.
It’s time to blow some points! If you have a credit card, then check whether it has a points program. If so, you may be able to apply them toward a stay at a hotel near a ski resort. Between Park City and Salt Lake, most major hotel chains are represented and, many have luxury and budget options to choose from. For example, if you are eligible for Hilton points through its loyalty program or through a separate credit card, you might be able to apply those points toward a night at the 5-star Waldorf Astoria at Park City resort or to an entire stay at its more-affordable, Hampton Inn, just two miles away.
Marriott and others have vacation rental properties (timeshares) that aren’t being used and are offered just like hotel rooms to the public at terrific rates. For Marriott, simply search its hotel website with locations and dates, choose list view and look for the Marriott Vacation Club logo next to the property. Most of these are one and multi-bedroom condos. More room, less expensive, great location. Perfect!

MumLove

Posted on February 12, 2017 by SkiMums

Photo by SkiMum Margit

It’s Valentine’s Month! Yes, SkiMums are going big on February. Reserve the 14th for your sweetie, but spend the rest of the month showing your friends, family, mankind and especially YOURSELF that you care. It should take 28 days — maybe 29 some years — to get it done.

If you’re a little behind, then start this Wednesday with some SkiMums Sun & Ski Therapy. Wasatch Women have been spending the last six Wednesdays tearing up the slopes at Snowbird in some of the best ski conditions seen in years. This Wednesday marks the halfway point with sunny skies in the forecast. Grab your sunscreen and chocolate kisses and go.

This is our playground

Posted on December 27, 2015 by SkiMums

It’s time to ski! Starting January 6th, Intermediate-Advanced women skiers will head to Snowbird on Wednesdays at 9:30am. For the first time this season, however, we’ll start with the super-popular FOUR FREE GROUP LESSONS by Susi and The Mountain School. Then, in February, we’ll just meet and ski. No agenda. We ski until we have to leave. For some, that’s 10:30am, others it’s 3:30pm. If the weather is crummy (winds 20+mph or sketchy viz), then we pass. It’s just not fun to ski in those conditions, and WE LIVE HERE. There is no scheduled end date. Last season, we just took off our ski boots and put on our hiking boots and played throughout the summer.

As mentioned, The Mountain School will start off the season with FOUR FREE* GROUP LESSONS for Skimums. These have been very popular (sometimes, too popular). The Mountain School doesn’t mind, but it wants to have enough instructors there. So, we’re going to ask Mums to RSVP EACH WEEK through Evite. (*Suggested gratuity of $10-20 per lesson)

IF YOU ARE A SNOWBOARDER, please leave a comment on your RSVP. If there are enough BoardMums (we need a better name), we’ll ask very nicely whether The Mountain School can get an instructor.

IF YOU ARE A BEGINNER, The Mountain School REALLY wants you to get on the slopes and has terrific and affordable LEARNER’S PERMIT

IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT OR AREN’T SURE HOW TO START, contact Susi Muecke at The Mountain School, our incredible Instructor, Sherpa and Friend to see what you need to reach whatever goals you have.

Happy Holidays, Skimums! See you on the slopes.

Ready for Winter?

Posted on November 20, 2015 by SkiMums

Snowbird Skimums

drop the kids, hit the lifts

Category Archives: womens skiing