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By Lloyd Langlois, March 16, 2011 1:52 pm

Back in February, I posted a quick and dirty list of all the demo days coming up at hills around the province. Today though, I came across this great video that made me realize that even more than knowing where to go to demo skis, it’s important to know how to approach a ski demo.

As a little refresher, if you’d like to see which mountains still have demo days coming up (there aren’t many, but there are still a few left!) the original post is here. Before heading over to that demo tent though, I highly suggest you check out this video, posted by skiingmag.com. They do a great job of (quickly) running you through all the things to look for and ask about when you’re borrowing a pair of demo skis. In the end, being more informed can only make your experience better. Watch. Learn. Ski.

Super Demo Days at Tremblant - March 19

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By Lloyd Langlois, March 6, 2011 9:32 am

When I was learning to ski, way back in the day, wearing a helmet was kind of an embarrassing necessity reserved mainly for small children and uncoordinated adults.  I can’t put my finger on exactly when the tide started to turn, but there’s no question that sometime over the past 20 years public perception started to change, and today helmet use is a whole different story.  Today when I look around the hill, it’s the cool kids who are wearing helmets.  Anyone on the mountain without a one kinda looks like they missed the boat.

Strangely, this seems to be mostly a Canadian phenomenon.  Although numbers are steadily climbing everywhere, in 2010, 71% of Canadian skiers and riders wore a helmet, versus only about 57% in the US. Within Canada, helmet usage is most widespread in New Brunswick, where a whopping 95% of skiers and riders wear them, and least widespread in BC, with 66% usage.

If you are among the majority already wearing a helmet, yay you!  You can pretty much stop reading here.  If you aren’t, here are a few things to think about when you’re picking one out.

First, a rule that should go without saying, but somehow doesn’t…  If you are choosing a helmet to wear skiing or snowboarding, buy a ski and snowboard helmet.  Not a bicycle helmet.  Not a hockey helmet.  Not a skateboard helmet.  Helmets are not all created equal, and helmets for skiers and riders are designed specifically to protect you from the types of injuries people generally sustain on the mountain.

Second, make sure the helmet fits properly.  Fitting a helmet is pretty intuitive, but if you have any doubts, just ask anyone working in the pro shop to help you out.  Essentially, it should fit so that the front end sits above your eyebrows.  If it’s too low, you won’t be able to see.  Too high, and your head won’t be properly protected.

Third, bring your goggles with you when you’re shopping for a helmet.  You’ll be wearing them together, so if you want to avoid the nasty surprise of getting home to discover that they fit together awkwardly, I’d highly suggest you try them together at the store.

Fourth and final word of wisdom, no pompoms under the helmet.  Not a good idea, for many obvious reasons.

And that about covers it.  If it fits, it’s comfortable, and it looks good (ok, that one’s not mandatory, but come on – no one wants to look like a dork), it’s the right helmet for you.  If you’re looking for more information, there are lots more tips and stats available at myhelmet.ca.

Ski safe!

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By Lloyd Langlois, March 2, 2011 10:15 pm

Skier Stefan Ager is well on his way to Internet infamy after his Go-Pro helmet cam captured heart-stopping footage of Ager being bounced down a near-vertical cliff in the Stubai Alps.  Apparently, he was up there with a friend, and lost his footing just as he was about to push off.  It’s seriously scary stuff.

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By Lloyd Langlois, February 10, 2011 9:51 am

Today, I stumbled onto a post from Gavin Hope over at afterbang.co.uk describing a new iPhone app he’s put out called Snowmates. Essentially, it’s a message board specifically designed for groups of people who are on a ski or snowboarding trip together, and are looking for an easy way to communicate on the mountain. I downloaded it for $0.99, and although I haven’t tested it on the mountain yet, I suspect this simple little app will also be very practical. I love this stuff, and find it so cool that more and more apps are starting to be developed with the very specific needs of skiers and riders in mind.

There are some great ones for avalanche safety (not a huge concern in Québec, but still), a bunch of varyingly successful GPS-based apps, and even one specific to Québec that gives you a complete ski and snow report for all the mountains in the province. I’ve been using it all season, and I highly recommend you check it out. It’s called SkiQC, and it’s free.

What ski apps do you find the most fun or useful?

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By Lloyd Langlois, February 1, 2011 1:16 pm

Whether you’re the type who upgrades his or her equipment every season, or is still holding out on picking up a pair of shaped skis, it’s always fun to take a look at the latest and greatest gear available.

Ski companies know this, and by holding demo days, they make it super easy for us to see what’s up and coming, ask questions to experts who know the ski industry inside and out, and of course to try the skis for ourselves. Here’s a quick list of a few dates that are coming up this winter:

February 5: Oberson Boutiques, Demo Day at Bromont. They will be showing a wide range of ski and snowboard products.

February 5: Blizzard / Technica Demo Day at Mont Orford.

February 5 & 6: Boutique Yeti Demo Day at Mont Blanc. A chance to try telemarking!

February 12: Salomon Demo Day at Mont Orford.

February 12: Blizzard Demo Day at Bromont.

February 13: Blizzard Demo at Mont Sutton.

February 19: Nordica Demo at Mont Sutton.

February 20: Boutique Sharks Demo Day. Try the latest for snowboard riding and racing.

Febraury 26 and March 19: Super Demo Days at Tremblant. Reps from Salomon, Atomic, Rossignol, Dynastar, Burton, Nitro, K2, Ride, Nordica, Oakley, ThirtyTwo, StepChild and more will be at the base of the South Side to show off their toys.

February 26: Rossignol Demo Day at Mont-Grand-Fonds.

February 27: Atomic Demo Day at Mont-Grand-Fonds.

February 27: Nordica Demo Day at Mont Orford.

March 5 and 26: Rossignol will be at Le Massif de Charlevoix.