If you’ve ever been skiing or snowboarding, you know that sliding around on snowy mountains is undoubtedly some of the most fun a gal can have. But deciding where to go, let alone sifting through the constantly growing and evolving selection of ski and snowboard gear can be downright overwhelming. Which skis do I want? How about outerwear? Will it work well for the conditions here? Fear not! To help dumb it down, your local SheJumps Ambassadors are sharing their favorite gear for the area so you can spend less time sifting through hundreds of reviews and get out there with the clothing and equipment you know works best! Used and trusted by the badass women you know and love, this is SheJumps favorite ski and snowboard gear, divided by state!
Krystin Norman – Washington
Home Base: Crystal Mountain
What’s unique about skiing in your region?
With warmer temps and higher snowfall in the Pacific Northwest, we have a really bomber base and deep snowpack that lasts through the spring and into the summer. You basically never hit rocks while skiing in Washington mid-season, ski some of the deepest pow of your life, and you can ski year-round. Skiing in Washington has made me a much stronger skier!
Where specifically do you prefer to ride and why?
I mostly ski at Crystal Mountain and Alpental. I love Crystal for the steep and complex terrain that it has to offer in the Southback and Northway areas. There are tons of hidden gems and you can ski untracked powder many days after a storm if you are willing to hike a bit! I also love Alpental for night skiing after work, and love the playfulness of the terrain. Alpental naturally has tons of side hits and some of the best tree skiing that make riding there super fun.
What is your favorite run/trail at your home mountain?
My favorite place to ski at Crystal is The Silver King. The front side of the King has steep/tech lines and cliffs, and the backside has low-angle pow skiing. I never regret hiking The King for some of the best skiing in North America!
Favorite skis for your region? Why? (Pick up to 3 pairs of skis)
Powder/Touring Skis = K2 Gottaluvit 105 Ti. These are my every day ski for all conditions. They are super fun in pow, on groomers, firm conditions, spring snow, and they are both fun and hard-charging at the same time. I also use these skis for backcountry skiing in a shorter length than my resort skis and they are perfect. Groomer Skis = K2 Marksman. I’ve never felt more immediately at home on a pair of skis. The Marksmans ski amazing on groomers and all mountain conditions!
Favorite outerwear — jacket and pants — for your region? Why?
Arc’teryx Sentinel LT Jacket: I love the long fit of this jacket and the color-blocking. Keeps me dry even if it is raining all day! Arc’teryx Shashka Bib Pants: Bib pants rule! They look cute, are easy to move in, guarantee you will never get snow sneaking in to your base layers even if you crash, have good vents to open when touring or hiking, and they are extra waterproof for wet PNW days on the mountain. Also, it is easy to go to the bathroom with the drop-seat!
Favorite accessories for your region? Why?
Dakine Galaxy Gore-Tex Mittens: These are the best mittens ever. They keep my hands super warm and completely dry on the wettest of days! Smith Squad Goggles: Cool style, interchangeable lenses for high/low light conditions. XS Unified Freeride Helmet: the most comfortable and cute helmet I’ve been able to find as an adult woman. Removable padding and ear covers so I can use my helmet mid-winter and for summer tours. Darn Tough Ski Socks: These are the best socks. They keep your feet warm, dry, and never bunch up in my ski boots. They also last forever!
Secret(s) to thriving as a skier/snowboarder in your region?
Gore-Tex is the best investment of my adult-life. Commit to going skiing, even if the conditions look wet and warm. You will never regret a day on the mountain even if the conditions aren’t perfect!
Erin Kearns – Colorado
Home Base: Crested Butte
What’s unique about skiing in your region?
The steeps, the location, and the people! Crested Butte is located at the end of the road, which gives it a unique, quirky, charm. There are so many exceptional athletes that live here that the level of skiing and riding is hard to match. The backcountry, skimo racing, and nordic skiing, scenes are all quite large as well. Many people do a little bit of everything. Did I mention the terrain is challenging and incredible?
Where specifically do you prefer to ride and why?
At the resort I like to ski the steeps. I like bumps, and technical big mountain style skiing. This type of skiing takes a lot of concentration and technique, which keeps me motivated to come back day after day. In the backcountry I like to ski wherever the snow is good, and safe. I am not afraid to take really long days in the mountains. In the spring, I like to ski bigger objectives, steep and technical with some mountaineering thrown in.
What is your favorite run/trail at your home mountain?
1: Big Chute off of the Headwall 2: Funnel
Favorite skis for your region? Why? (Pick up to 3 pairs of skis)
All Mountain – Volkl Kenja – Stiff, fast, can handle high speeds, carve nicely, versatile enough for most snow conditions, and are still maneuverable. This is my all time favorite ski. Touring: DPS Nina 99 – Light for the up, but still ski well. The shovel on the front of the ski provides enough flotation in the deep stuff, but the profile of the ski also allows it to handle tougher conditions. All Mountain/Carving – Rossignol Experience 88 versatile, perfect for teaching skiing on, these skis can do anything, particularly with edging skills.
Favorite outerwear — jacket and pants — for your region? Why?
Flylow – Jacket Shells, Pant Shells, and gloves. These gloves are lightweight, enough material to keep you warm while ski touring but not so warm that you want to take them off from all the walking. Their pants and jackets are my favorite! They are one of the few companies that make outerwear that is actually high functioning, in fun but functional styles, and cut for women…without making you look like a snow princess…and they don’t take away any of the awesome features that the guys get either. Their shells come with lots of pockets, zippers, vents, are breathable and waterproof. They are perfect for touring but you can also layer them at the resort. I’m not usually one for brand loyalty, but these guys get my vote most of the time. I know many people, guys and girls, that love them as well. Outdoor Research Uber Layer-(and other products like it) breathable, warm, good to always have as an extra layer. This is breathable enough where I can even hike uphill with it! Patagonia Insulated Gore-Tex jacket – Crested Butte gets cold, and I like not having to bundle up too much. This layer does it all when it is cold. There aren’t many jackets on the market that function like this one, without being considered 3 in 1. It’s nice not to deal with all the extra stuff. Patagonia micro-puff vest- who doesn’t love the micro-puff? But the vest is really great because you can wear it as a great midlayer when it’s cold or on the outside when it’s too warm.
Favorite accessories for your region? Why?
Buff – to keep you warm and to keep the sun off, serves as a neck gaiter or bandana Platypus squeeze bottles, to stuff in your jacket at the resort and lightweight for touring. Sunglasses for touring, and for when ski goggles become too much. It’s sunny so much here.
Secret(s) to thriving as a skier/snowboarder in your region?
Always be willing to push yourself a little bit. Be yourself in this town, people know when you’re not, and everyone knows each other. Never lose sight that skiing is fun. Many people here get caught up in the competitiveness, but we have to remember why we do it!
Betsy Manero – Wyoming
Home Base: Grand Teton National Park
What’s unique about skiing in your region?
The Tetons are a limitless range with a spectrum of challenges for all ability levels. One day you can be skiing hip deep, 25 degree powder, and the next rapping into a 45 degree couloir. Even the most talented big mountain skier or ski mountaineer could spend a lifetime skiing in the park. It just takes some uphill conditioning and a little bit of determination!
Where specifically do you prefer to ride and why?
I love it all! Everything from steep, tight lines, to mellow pow runs to skinning across Jackson Lake. If you’ve never skinned across a frozen lake towards a jaw dropping mountain range, it’s one of the coolest things.
What is your favorite run/trail at your home mountain?
That’s a secret between me and my ski partners.
Favorite skis for your region? Why? (Pick up to 3 pairs of skis)
Sego UP Pros for powder days and Blizzard Zero G 95’s for longer days in the mountains. The Zero G has struck the perfect balance between light weight for the uphill and charging on the way down through any snowpack.
Favorite outerwear — jacket and pants — for your region? Why?
Anything lightweight, waterproof and slightly breathable. Recently I’ve been rocking the Rab Sharp Edge pants and jacket. I love the larger vents, stretchy material and waterproofness of it.
Favorite accessories for your region? Why?
Smith sunglasses with the ChromoPop lenses are awesome for skiing. Unlike most polarized lenses, they don’t mess with your depth perception. And they come in cute styles!
Secret(s) to thriving as a skier/snowboarder in your region?
If you want to ski in the Tetons, you’ve got to be willing to get up early, let go when conditions aren’t right and be patient. The snow might not be in the right conditions today, but it will be eventually. Good things come to those who wait.
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