Ski Snowboard and Boot summer storage

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Laurie P

by Debb Schnoor
Debbdidit

Snowboard & Boot Summer Storage
1) Skis and Snowboards should be tuned BEFORE storing for the summer. This way your bases are clean and waxed for the absolute best protection from the summer humidity.
2) Store your skis and / or snowboard standing upright in a rack in a dry area. DO NOT store skis or boards hanging from their tips in a rack over the summer. This can harm them. Basements are fine if a dehumidifier is present or basement is dry.
See Ski/snowboard Racks  
3) Bindings should be cleaned of all dirt, salt and grime with water. Board bindings should be stored in the buckled position.  DO NOT REDUCE the tension on ski bindings.
4) Boots should be cleaned thoroughly and liners should be completely dry. Then store your boots with soles flat on a shelf or floor. Buckles should be buckled and laces should be laced. A loose fitting plastic grocery bag can be put over your boots to keep out dust.
5) NEVER store your gear in a ski or boot bag! Bags are designed to keep out moisture when transporting. But they also keep in moisture when storing. This allows edges to rust and boots to mildew
Follow these guidelines and you will get extra years and better performance from your equipment.

Ski and Snowboard Clothing Summer Storage
I know you know that all of your snowboard clothing should be cleaned before it is stored in a dry location. But I have a couple tips that will extend your clothing performance.
Read the manufactures laundering recommendations and NEVER use fabric softener. Yes, your Downy or Snuggle will make your base layers and socks smell better and feel softer, but it will also prevent absorbency. And that is what your base layers and socks are supposed to do; absorb and wick away perspiration.
Jackets and pants manufacture laundering recommendations should also be followed and we highly recommend the NIKWAX Fabric Care Kit. Tech Wash® is a non-detergent cleaner for outdoor clothing and gear. Tech Wash’s gentle action lifts out dirt and revitalizes all water-repellent finishes. Recommended for Gore-Tex®, Ultrex®, Entrant®, Permatex® and eVENT® fabrics. NIKWAX’s TX.DIRECT®. Wash-in waterproofing for wet weather clothing is a water based waterproofing which restores and improves water-repellency and maintains breathability. Also see NikWax TX-direct spray on waterproofing.

Nik wax waterproof clothing care

NIKWAX Waterproof Clothing Care

Snowboard Rack

Snowboard Rack

   

 

Debbdidit

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Why You Should Use Boot and Glove Dryers

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Laurie P

By Debb Schnoor

This is One WARM Winter!!! We here in northern Illinois have no snow in our yards. The local ski areas are open, but struggling, and it’s spring skiing conditions. Warm, wet and slushy. It’s snowing in Colorado and Utah, but the temperatures are remaining warmer than normal there too.

One of the drawbacks of warm weather skiing is sweating. Even if you wear your lighter ski clothing that wick and vent, as soon as you exert yourself you start to perspire. So then your gloves and boots are getting wet from the inside. What do you do?

  • Do you forget and leave your wet boots and gloves in your boot bag?
  • Do you lean your boots and gloves against a floor vent or radiator and hope they dry enough to use the next day?
  • Or do you sit there with a hair dryer, believing that the air is circulating into your boots and gloves?

BEEN THERE! DONE THAT!!

In this newsletter I would like to introduce you to the world of Boot & Glove Dryers. An electric boot dryer or warmer will make your ski or snowboard boots more comfortable and enjoyable. The 2 main reasons why you should use boot & glove dryers are:

  1. Boot & Glove Dryers will remove the moisture that make your hands and feet feel cold.
  2. Boot & Glove Dryers will remove the moisture that mildew and bacteria thrive on.

Convection boot dryer/warmer:
Boot dryer

Keep in mind, you do not want hot air (like from a clothes or hair dryer or heat vent) to dry your boot as the excessive heat will damage your liners. Instead, you want warm air to dry your liners.

Boot warmers heat thermally at 99 degrees and have no moving parts. They dry from the inside out without removing your liners. Dry time depends on the dampness of your boots but usually takes no longer than overnight. If you wish to just warm your boots, it only takes about 30 minutes.

See Happy Feet Dry n Warm boot dryers
See DryGuy DryStix boot dryer

Forced air boot dryers/warmers:
SnapDry boot and glove dryer

Circulating warm air from a fan works best and is the fastest way to dry your boots.

Gently circulating warmed air can efficiently dry and warm all types of footwear. Some models are good for work, sport and hiking boots, ski boots, snowboard boots, skates, dress and casual shoes, athletic shoes, golf shoes or whatever you need warm and dry.

Some boot dryers are designed for the home while other boot dryers are designed for traveling. So you will need to pick the model that best fits your lifestyle.

See all boot dryers

Boot & glove dryers:
DryGuy Transporter boot dryer

This is the best portable boot and glove dryer/warmer that we tested. The DryGuy Transporter boot dryer has two rotating adjustable arms telescope in and out easily into all boots, skates, and gloves or mittens. Safely warms and dries one pair of boots and one pair of gloves at once

The size allows it to travel easily. It’s compact and collapses for easy transportation.

See the DryGuy Transporter boot dryer
Boot & glove dryers are extremely affordable. The models that we offer range from $24.85 to $69.95.

You have a lot of money invested in your boots, gloves and shoes. Isn’t it logical to protect your investment by drying the mildew causing moisture?

Debbdidit

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Ski Board Shop Displays

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Laurie P

The crew has built some great displays to showcase product in the shop.  The Smith helmets were an NBS Buying Group special that we were able to pass savings on to our customers.  The Smith Variant helmet is regulary $160.00 and is on sale for $79.85 at Alpine Accessories.  The display did such a great job that now there are only size larges left in the white Vareant model and the black Intriege helmet is sold out.

Smith Ski and Snowboard Helmets on SaleFrosty the Snowman eyes our new Skis and Snowboards

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No Snow Ski and Snowboard Sale

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Laurie P

As you can see there is no snow in northern Illinois affecting sales at the shop.  Fewer skis and snowboards are coming for tunes so we had to give our back room helper Joey a project to keep him busy.  Having a person holding a sign gets noticed more than a sign in the parkway and it gets through a loop hole where the village requires a permit for signs posted in the ground.  Joey kept warm out front of the store in his (sold out) Salomon Zero freeski jacket and the matching Salomon Intuition Insulated Pants.  Several new customers resulted from Joeys efforts.  Thanks Joey!

Joey is wearing his Salomon Zero Jacket while sign holdingNo Snow Ski and Snowboard Sale at Alpine AccessoriesSki Sale at Alpine AccessoriesAlpine Accessories human Sale Sign Joey

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Ski Jackets to Match Your K2 Skis

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Laurie P

You want to look good when you’re out on the slopes.  Here are a few examples of Ski Jackets to match your K2 skis. 

Bonfires Heavenly Jacket in Mahogany looks great with your K2 Super Burnin skisThe K2 Super Burnin is probably one of the most difficult skis to match a ski jacket to.  Our buyers found the Bonfire womens Heavenly jacket in Mahogany and the O’Neill Star pant in yellow to match the Super Burnin skis.

K2 Super Free Ski looks great with the Marmot Portillo JacketWear the Marmot Portillo jacket in purple and the Nomis Womens Zoey Scribble Print Pant with your K2 Super Free Skis.

AND FOR THE GUYS

K2 Stinger Ski looks great with the ONeill Escape JacketThe K2 Stinger Ski will be rockin with the O’Neill Escape Jacket in Dresden Blue.  Or try the Special Blend Unit Snowboard Jacket.

Wear the Special Blend Unit Jacket with your K2 Stinger Skis

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Girl Scout Troop works on Winter Sports Badge

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Laurie P

The local Girl Scout troop visited Alpine Accessories on Sunday January 8th to gather information for their Winter Sports Badge.  The girls were shown how water proof breathable fabrics keep you dry and the differences to water resistant fabrics.  Rick also demonstrated how to properly size and wear a ski or snowboard helmet. 

Girl Scout Troop learns about Ski HelmetsGirl Scouts learn about ski helmets

Girl Scout Thank You Card frontGirl Scount Thank You Card

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Clothing Donation for Homeless Students

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Laurie P

Alpine Accessories donated $500 worth of warm clothing to the local clothing drive organized by the Algonquin Commons shopping center. The Winter Cothing Drive Benefiting D300 Homeless Students collected winter clothing for those in need.   Alpine Accessories owners Rick and Laurie Pasturczak donated new childrens ski jackets pants, and adult insulated waterproof ski pants. 

Clothing Donation for Homeless Students

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Free Lift Tickets and Discount Lift Tickets

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Laurie P

There are many ways you can get Free lift tickets or get the best prices to save money so you spend it on your gear.

Go to one of the pre-season consumer ski and snowboard shows such as the Windy City Ski and Snowboard Show.  There you will find lift ticket vouchers given as well as great deals on gear and clothing at the swap.

Go on a group trip with a ski and snowboard club.  You will not get a better deal than the group rates. And when you go with a club all the organizing is done for you.  In the Midwest you can find a CMSC member club where you will find great deals on trips and meet many great people to go out on the slopes with.

Put together your own group to get group rates and Free lift tickets.  Most areas have a minimum of 15-20 to be eligible for the group rate, and you get a free lift ticket when 15-25 or more tickets are purchased. 
Depending on the resort to qualify for discounted group lift tickets you will need:
• A ski group of 15 – 20 or more
• A single form of payment (cash or credit card)
• 10 – 14 day advance purchase and Same start date for all group members
 • For every 15 – 25 tickets purchased, your group will receive one FREE lift ticket
• Lift tickets can be sent to your group leader or picked up when you arrive at the resort ticket window.

Ski Patrol:   Volunteer at your local area for ski patrol and you will get free lift tickets to the area you patrol at.   You will also get discounts at many other areas.  Go to the main ticket office and show your Ski Patrol ID card to get your discount. 

Work part time at a ski area as an instructor, ticket counter, rental desk, and get free lift passes for the area you work at.

Season Passes:  Many know about the EPIC pass deal.  The EPIC pass ranges from $389 to $669 depending on the areas and restrictions chosen. Save even more when you buy during the summer months.    

At Mount Bohemia MI you can get a season pass during their one day only sale on Dec. 3rd for $99.00 – regularly $340. So if you ski at $50 per lift ticket you break even at 2 days or 7 days of skiing at the regular rate.  At Wilmot Mtn. WI the season pass is ranges from $345 to $555 depending if you buy the pass during the summer or once the snow is flying.

Early Season Deals:  Get on the email list for your local area to get notification of special events and lift ticket deals.  For example, from opening day to December 16th you can get a lift ticket for only $15.00 at Chestnut Mountain in Galena IL.   Chestnut  also has Two-fer-Tuesdays.  

Cascade Mountain has a NEW- 3-day lift ticket for only $88! Buy a 2-day lift ticket for only $88 and your 3rd consecutive day is free!   

Many areas offer military discounts. Be sure to bring your ID to get the discount.

Senior discounts:  The age for senior rates has been creeping up since many older skiers are sticking with the sport, usually 70 and up.

Kids Ski Free:  Many resorts have free lift tickets for kids 5 and under.  When you arrange a ski package including lodging with the resorts central reservations, kids under 12 ski free.

Many shops offer lift tickets for a discount.  Go to area ski shops or grocery stores for discount tickets.

Skiing Wisconsin has put together a great lift ticket package so you can get to know the Wisconsin ski and snowboard area resorts.  For only $89.95, you can get 1 lift ticket to each of the following areas; Alpine Valley, Cascade Mountain, Christie Mountain, Grand Geneva, Highlands of Olympia, Mt La Crosse, Sunburst, Trollhaugen, Tyrol Basin and Wilmot Mountain.   That’s $89.95 for 10 lift tickets!

Free Lift Tickets with Descente Ski Jackets!  Descente has done it again!  When you buy a Descente Passport ski jacket you will receive a book of Free Lift Ticket vouchers to 35 resorts. When lift tickets cost up to $90 you could easily make up the cost of the new jacket in free lift tickets.  All you have to do to get the free lift ticket is to bring the book of vouchers to the lift ticket window and you are given a free lift ticket. It’s that easy.
The models you will find at Alpine Accessories are the Men’s Course, Hudson, Trek and Adventure jackets and the Carrie jacket for the women.  Order yours now so you can start using the Free Lift Tickets as soon as the snow flies.

Geigerrig Hydration Packs also offer Passport books which includes vouchers for free lift tickets and discounts. 

Let us know if you have any lift ticket deals you would like to share with us by leaving a comment on this blog.

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IBEX Ski Snowboard Club Day

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Laurie P

The IBEX Ski and Snowboard Club had a special day at Alpine Accessories where their members were given one day specials, refreshments and a table set up with their upcoming trip information. Members talked to customers / hopefully potential members about the clubs trips.

IBEX-Ski-Snowboard-Club

Members of IBEX Ski and Snowboard Club at Alpine Accessories

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Your Alpine Accessories Ski Test Team

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Laurie P
By Debb Schnoor
Debbditit

Alpine Accessories has been thinking about what ski equipment you will be using this winter, since last winter!
In January our test team went to Denver for the SIA* Show and then to Winterpark to evaluate the 2011-12 ski equipment. It’s a gruelling job, but sombody has to do it.

Winter Park Ski Test Team 2011

Rick - Buyer, Debb - Email Marketing, Laurie - Buyer, Bill - Mooch, Each has 40 years skiing experience.

Many of the skis that Alpine Accessories has to offer this year, had already been selected by Rick, but he wanted other opinions. He designed a score card and listed the skis that he wanted each of us to try. Each ski was ridden for 2 runs on various terrains and consistently the same route. The results were not a surprise. Rick does his homework. Which is why buying your equipment from Alpine Accessories is the smart choice, they know their stuff!

Ski Testing by Joey Keen

Joey Keen - Sales staff & Ski racer (Elite Class CMSC)

So now this month, Alpine Accessories is celebrating their Store Grand Opening! The store was doubled in size over the summer and now has more room for skis, ski boots, poles, etc. All of the stuff that was selected at the SIA* Show and Winterpark is arriving. The displays as well as the website are being filled with new stock daily.

NOW is the time for you to Do Your Homework. You have 2 months before winter arrives. During that time your assignment is to; Check out the ski equipment that Alpine Accessories has to offer. 
Read our comments about the skis that we tested. 
And visualize yourself gliding down virgin runs. 

 You will not be graded on your work, but there is a test at the end.  Which skis will you ride?
If you have any questions, you can cheat on the test by contacting Rick at customer-service@alpineaccessories.com

And after you have tried your new skis, please write your own review on AlpineAccessories.com. Help other skiers study for their test.
 *SnowSports Industries America

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