We’re talking with Rachel and Drew Harding from The Spokane Alpine Haus, in Spokane Washington, about the highlights and challenges of this past season; skiing with kids; a category of gear we’ve never talked about on GEAR:30 — heated socks; and more.
TOPICS & TIMES:
- Recap of the season (2:59)
- Family ski dynamics (8:16)
- “I’m sorry…” (17:04)
- Layering (27:12)
- Heated socks? (33:25)
- What We’re Celebrating (47:22)
RELATED LINKS:
I HIGHLY recommend heated socks. These ARE NOT the footbed heaters with the clunky-ass batteries that hang off your boot, and fall off, your boot. Nor are they the crappy cheap ones you buy at Cabela’s for hunting or whatever. These ARE high-end merino wool, thin, ski-specific socks with small flat batteries that attach to the top of the sock, then you fold the sock over so they never fall out. I started them about 5 years ago after one too many serious big toe frostbite episodes, and was told I’d probably lose those toes if it happened again. I use them below about 25 degrees. I even take them on 7-8 day hut trips (and bring a couple power packs to recharge them). I use the Lenz brand (Austrian, kind of hard to find as a result) with the toe cap element, but my wife prefers the Lenz regular which heats the sole of your foot. I do not use the bluetooth phone app thing, since I can reach down with 1 finger and adjust them myself and because I’m a Luddite. My wife uses the bluetooth app and thinks it’s great. I know there are a couple of other brands that are probably more widely available in ski shops, but don’t have experience with them. Expensive, yep! Worth it? Absolutely. They’ve saved skiing for me.
100% with kids and independence. The Ski hill is a rare place that community supports an 8 year old on their own for hours. It is valuable for both kids and parents to have that space and time on their own.
Base layers – also 100%. Not just for skiing. For kids and outdoors the base layer is the key to kids playing outside for any extended time.
Yay–Spokane!
Kids: It’s been so satisfying to watch my niece and nephew transform from tiny, meltdown-prone marshmallow people to teenagers who hit bigger jumps than I do. In the early years, crashing on-purpose in front of them really seemed to bring smiles when needed.