Shop Talk: Recap of the Season; Skiing with Kids; & Heated Socks (Ep.194)

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)

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3 comments on “Shop Talk: Recap of the Season; Skiing with Kids; & Heated Socks (Ep.194)”

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

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