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 for Colorado:
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!
Sarah Field – Colorado
Home Base: Breckenridge
What’s unique about skiing in your region?
There are so many mountains to choose from within a relatively small area. Plus, there is a great mix of resort and backcountry so you can continually switch it up.
Where specifically do you prefer to ride and why?
Kirkwood is my favorite mountain. It has a small, local vibe, has killer terrain, gets great snow, and everyone there is ready to rip and have fun.
What is your favorite run/trail at your home mountain?
I love Whale’s Tail. It’s long and covers a variety of different terrains from open bowls to trees, and you have to work a bit to get there so it makes it even more worthwhile.
Favorite skis for your region? Why? (Pick up to 3 pairs of skis)
Freeride skis (for covering your crusher terrain), touring skis (backcountry is a must in CO), and a nice all-mountain ski for early and late season.
Favorite outerwear — jacket and pants — for your region? Why?
Patagonia‘s Untracked Jacket for those chilly CO days – provides insulation and breathability on top of being waterproof and Patagonia’s Descensionist Jacket for backcountry – it’s super breathable and protects you from the elements. For pants, I love Patagonia’s PowSlayer Pants. They are great for both backcountry and resort skiing – breathable, waterproof, and layering compatible.
Favorite accessories for your region? Why?
Buffs! Use them for your hair, face, snot rag, whatever!
Secret(s) to thriving as a skier/snowboarder in your region?
Carpool (use the many park and ride lots) and plan ahead so as to miss that nasty I-70 traffic, i.e. leave super early and eat breakfast in town and/or stay for some apres happy hour and drive back to the front range later. Or even better, get some friends together to invest in a ski share for the year!
Laraine Martin – Colorado
Home Base: Steamboat
What’s unique about skiing in your region?
Steamboat is an incredible place for people to hone skills on relatively friendly terrain. The resort has a mix of beginner cruisers and advanced mogul fields and off-piste chutes and gullies (if you know where to find them) and some of the absolute best gladed tree skiing in the region. We are proud of our aspen fields! In addition, the nearby passes (Rabbit Ears and Buffalo) are full of relatively safe, rolling terrain for those looking to gain winter backcountry travel skills in mellow conditions.
Where specifically do you prefer to ride and why?
I love to ride my home resort here in Steamboat because of how familiar it all feels – it’s HOME! But when I travel, I travel for steeps. I like that I can head north to Jackson Hole or south to Crested Butte to get a dose of 45-degree fun. If the conditions are right, however, you’ll almost always find me in the backcountry and not in a lift line.
What is your favorite run/trail at your home mountain?
There’s nothing like a mach-speed rip down the Daze at daybreak (before it gets crowded)!
Favorite skis for your region? Why? (Pick up to 3 pairs of skis)
Powder skis? Icelantic Maiden 111s. Freeride skis with the ability to make a turn on hard pack. Groomer/mixed skis? Icelantic Maiden 101, the MOST fun you can have on the resort! And for touring skis I love my lightweight Icelantic Vanguard 107s, which was a 2018 season ski that has now made way for the Mystic and Natural.
Favorite outerwear — jacket and pants — for your region? Why?
I love my Flylow gear – everything I own from them ends up being a favorite! I like the Flylow Sassyfrass Pants because they’re simple and lightweight – I don’t like a ton of lining in my ski pants because of how many hours I spend touring on the uphill. The Flylow Puma Jacket is my pick for function and fashion – I also respect a company that creates women’s freeride gear that isn’t full of pink, flowers, and frill.
Favorite accessories for your region? Why?
My Pret ski helmet is always with me. They are a fantastic company putting out great helmet designs – and they support SheJumps as well! Also, you won’t find me in the backcountry without my BCA Tracker 3 (friendly user interface makes this my pick), shovel, and probe.
Secret(s) to thriving as a skier/snowboarder in your region?
Never stop getting an education and remain humble about what you do or don’t know. Befriend locals. Travel prepared and smart – in my case, this means always having SNACKS. Read avalanche reports and support your local avalanche information center. Take care of the earth and support politicians who recognize our human role in the climate change phenomenon. Keep a sense of humor about everything – when it comes down to it, we’re just sliding on snow!
Melissa Matz – Colorado
Home Base: Winter Park / Mary Jane
What’s unique about skiing in your region?
That Colorado snowpack can be a trickster! Colorado, despite the billions of people here to navigate, is a great state with such a fun culture. Each town has its own vibe and there are endless fun things to do and plenty of buddies to do them with.
Where specifically do you prefer to ride and why?
I love Mary Jane. I know the mountain really well and can always seem to find the goods. It gets really random amazing snow days as well. You can become a technically great skier/boarder there bounding down the bumps or sneaking through the trees. I love all ski mountains. Mary Jane just feels like home.
What is your favorite run/trail at your home mountain?
Outhouse. Just kidding. The weather station trees, that’s all I’m saying.
Favorite skis for your region? Why? (Pick up to 3 pairs of skis)
Oh man. I need new skis, but I certainly love mine. I’m on the RAMP Peacepipe, 179. They are so fun. I want a ski similar to these because sadly RAMP is no longer with us.
Favorite outerwear — jacket and pants — for your region? Why?
I love my Flylow pants but be warned that the pants sizing is funky – they run small. Jacket….hmmmm I tend to change that up a lot.
Favorite accessories for your region? Why?
Melanzana microgrid hoodie – a must!
Secret(s) to thriving as a skier/snowboarder in your region?
1.) inherit a lot of money/win the lotto/have a Insane paying job 2.) buy a ski condo 3.) hire a helicopter to get around I-70 traffic BLAH! -OR- 1.) givie up cable/donating blood/getting a second job plus a few other things so you can afford a pass, 2.) leaving at the butt crack of dawn 3.) have a solid group of friends (like my SheJumps crew!) that join you because it’s just what you do! 4.) When you get to that point in life, teach your kids to ski.
Still have questions about ski/snowboard gear?