The slopes are open, but things are different this season. Here are 5 suggested gifts to make your dedicated ski bum’s winter a whole lot smoother.
- External Battery Pack: Technology, man. Love it or hate it, resistance is futile. If you hope to accomplish anything – from enjoying a cup of coffee before first chair to reserving your table for après – you’ll need access to the Sugarbush App. Don’t let cold temperatures stand between you and a local craft brew or that life-giving breakfast sammy.
- ThinOptics: Like I said, 2020 is the year of the smart phone. But if you’re anything like my ski bunny of a mother, your eyes can’t keep up with your shred. That’s why she loves her ThinOptics! These handy guys are nearly indestructible (even if you take a spill on Spillsville), are no thicker than a credit card, and tuck neatly into a pocket that you can adhere directly to the back of your device.
- Reusable Hand Warmers: While we will be providing warming areas around the resort, warming up will also require a bit of fore thought. However, the cold sting of numb fingers from using your smartphone to order lunch from the summit chair comes on quickly and can be a major bummer until you can reach that warming area. Reusable handwarmers have the benefit of being less wasteful, but also heat to around 130 degrees F in 15 seconds flat (…that’s like three turns and you’re toasty).
- Collapsible Water Pouch: Staying hydrated on the slopes is undeniably important. I’ve seen some rad water bottle fanny packs being sported, but if you prefer a more discreet style, as I do, the fact that it can tuck away into the inner jacket pocket is ideal. While warming in our base areas, feel free to utilize our water bottle fill stations, but remember that water fountains are super spreaders and so will not be available… super spreaders = bad. Super SHREDders = good.
- Ski & Snowboard Boot Traction: Gone are the days of piling into the locker rooms and booting up. Enter the Lexus Lodge. The Prius Palace. The Ford Escape. The Honda Hut. The Yaris Yurt – okay, I’ll stop. Whatever you call your base-away-from-base-lodge, the unfortunate reality is that the walk from your car to the lift is now going to be made in your ski boots. Don’t end your season before it even starts!
Tip: Check out options from Yaktrax or Seirus… we even have these available in our Sugarbush retail outlets.
- Bonus: Not a stocking stuffer – but a folding chair is going to be a solid-gold piece of equipment to keep in your trunk. Keep your vehicle bumper’s dirt off your pants while you’re gearing up and that kit looking fresh for when you hit the slopes.