Between three and five feet of snow have fallen in Colorado’s Front Range already this month, with plenty of time left for more. (Happy Leap Year! One more day of Winter!) These large and small storms have left a variety of winter recreation in their wake, allowing Coloradans a chance to use and review their favorite tools of the trade. These received the most votes on our list of Winter Gear.
REDFEATHER SNOWSHOES started in 1988 to combat the unique challenges of the Colorado Rockies. This La Crosse, Wisconsin company has remained a driving force in performance and flotation on winter trails. www.redfeather.com
Photo: Brainard Lake Area (Benchmark Colorado Road & Recreation Atlas, Page 62 F3).
YAKTRAX are must have shoe-grip devices when there’s just enough snow and ice to fall on your rump, but not enough to require crampon spikes or showshoe flotation. We prefer the PRO model for the most grip. Coil grips are sturdy after years of use, and the plastic webbing holds up when stored indoors for the “offseason” a.k.a. Summer. If the store allows, make sure you try them on over your favorite hiking shoes/boots in the store. Not fun to realize you got the wrong size while on the trail (although, a little freestyle glacading as seen below is always fun!) www.yaktrax.com
Photos: yaktrax.com; Royal Arch Trail, Chautauqua Park – Boulder, CO (Benchmark Colorado Road & Recreation Atlas, Page 136 F1).
WORTH-THE-MONEY FIND OF WINTER 2012 has to be the SMITH VARIANT-BRIM SKI HELMET. It’s super-comfortable design includes plenty of padding, custom-fit adjustment dial, and sliding vents to help control heat and moisture levels. It’s best feature is the zip-in earliner that accepts the SKULLCANDY SINGLE-SHOT headphone system. Surprise feature of the headphone cable, the pause/play/skip button clip with a volume dial that’s easy to use even with large gloves. www.smithoptics.com
THERMOS NISSAN VACCUUM BOTTLES are great for bringing coffee or hot chocolate up the mountain. Unlike inferior glasslined bottles, Nissan’s stainless steel liner provides shatterproof insulation. They work really well as long as temperatures don’t dip into the single digits or lower. Pourthrough cap lets you refill your mug without removing the top. www.thermos.com
A FEW GOOD SLEDS. There is no substitute for sledding on a surprise snow day from work or school. A myriad of slick designs and materials can be found in any Colorado town this time of year. Got mine from Target on the way to the local hill!
Photo: Badlands Disc Golf Course – Westminster, CO (Benchmark Colorado Road & Recreation Atlas, Page 134 B5).
