What does Veterans Day and skiing have in common? Veterans Day is the unspoken kickoff to ski season here in New England. A few mountains have started to open with a few trails, letting us ski junkies get out for a day and make a few turns to feed our addiction.
Well, for all of us here at the shop, it is the start of our favorite time of year. After long hours transitioning into winter mode, and all of us putting in long hours to set up the Burlington shop, it is finally time to hangout on the sales floor and talk product with you, the customer.
We are forever grateful for our troops, for defending our country, in wars both past and present. We are also grateful for deep snow and long winters of epic ski trips for you and your family.
We will be open 10AM-9PM Thursday and Friday, 10AM-6PM on Saturday, and 12PM-5PM on Sunday.
Our Veterans Day Sale is one of our biggest sales of the year. We still have a large selection of inventory, at "pre-season" pricing. This is the time to buy! So come on down, bring the kids, and lets get the family outfitted for what is shaping up to be an incredible winter!
-Schmitty
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Common Questions Answered: How Tall should my skis be?
Ahh yes, the age old question most frequently asked in ski shops around the globe:
"How tall should skis be? Where should they come up to?"
There are many things that decide what size ski you should get. As much as the consumer would like to see an equation that answers this question precisely, there is no truely right answer.
With Junior skis, we have a saying, "A ski does not know how tall you are, just how heavy you are by standing on it." We use this expression a lot fitting your kids. The weight of your child is necessary to figure out what ski is going to flex appropriately for them. In extreme circumstances, if a ski is visibly too tall or short, we will size down/up appropriately. For the most part, perception is half the battle. A ski may appear slightly taller than the last ski they had, but the weight is the crucial factor.
Lets move on to adults...
There are many more factors that come into play when sizing for adults.
Where do you ski and on what type of terrain?
All skis are not the same. You will enjoy your skis more if you pick a ski that is specific to the terrain you ski the most. Which of these sounds most like you?
* All Mountain Skis - The mountain is your playground. From corduroy to chutes, from backcountry to bumps, nothing is left untouched.
* Park and Pipe Skis - Nothing like a 50 foot kicker to get the heart going. The rest of the mountain looks fun, but you spend your time working on your skills in the park.
* Powder Skis - The white room. You spend your time seeking the deepest, freshest, fluffiest pow lines. waking up at 3am to catch first tracks and chasing the storms is a regular occurrence.
* Carving Skis - nothing like untouched machine groomed corduroy to start your day. No need for the trees and bumps, you spend your time working on the perfect turns day in and day out.
What is your ability level?
Pick a ski that accurately matches your ability level. A beginner skier generally will find it to be a lot of work pressuring an expert ski. On the flip side, an expert skier will overpower a beginner ski.
How many days a year do you ski?
The number of days you put in on the mountain will directly relate to how fast you improve. If you are an intermediate skier who plans to ski 30/40 days a year, you might want to purchase a ski a level up, so you aren't limited by a lesser ski.
So really...how tall should they be?
After asking yourself these questions, and determining where you ski, how often you ski, and what level skier you are, we can make a general statement with the following:
Reasons to size your skis shorter, closer to your chin:
* You are a beginner or intermediate skier
* Your weight is lighter than average for your height
* You like to make short, quick turns
Reasons to size your skis longer, closer to the top of your head:
* You are skiing fast and aggressively
* You weigh more than average for your height
* You plan to do the majority of your skiing off the trail
Twin tip skis are sized a little differently. We tend to suggest going close to head high, because the effective edge of the ski is shorter, due to the turned up tail. Perception is half the battle here. Just because the ski appears tall, does not mean it will feel that way skiing.
Rockered skis follow a similar story. There are many different styles of rockered skis, from minimal tip rocker, to full reverse camber. SIZE YOUR SKIS LONGER! A rockered ski will feel like it skis very short. Do not get the right ski and realize you got the wrong size because you were unsure of length. Generally, if you are getting a rockered ski, it is common to go about +5 to +10cm taller than your preferred downhill ski.
I hope this cleared up some of your questions. As always, it comes down to your level of comfort.
-Schmitty @ Ski Haus
There are many things that decide what size ski you should get. As much as the consumer would like to see an equation that answers this question precisely, there is no truely right answer.
With Junior skis, we have a saying, "A ski does not know how tall you are, just how heavy you are by standing on it." We use this expression a lot fitting your kids. The weight of your child is necessary to figure out what ski is going to flex appropriately for them. In extreme circumstances, if a ski is visibly too tall or short, we will size down/up appropriately. For the most part, perception is half the battle. A ski may appear slightly taller than the last ski they had, but the weight is the crucial factor.
Lets move on to adults...
There are many more factors that come into play when sizing for adults.
All skis are not the same. You will enjoy your skis more if you pick a ski that is specific to the terrain you ski the most. Which of these sounds most like you?
* All Mountain Skis - The mountain is your playground. From corduroy to chutes, from backcountry to bumps, nothing is left untouched.
* Park and Pipe Skis - Nothing like a 50 foot kicker to get the heart going. The rest of the mountain looks fun, but you spend your time working on your skills in the park.
* Powder Skis - The white room. You spend your time seeking the deepest, freshest, fluffiest pow lines. waking up at 3am to catch first tracks and chasing the storms is a regular occurrence.
* Carving Skis - nothing like untouched machine groomed corduroy to start your day. No need for the trees and bumps, you spend your time working on the perfect turns day in and day out.
Pick a ski that accurately matches your ability level. A beginner skier generally will find it to be a lot of work pressuring an expert ski. On the flip side, an expert skier will overpower a beginner ski.
The number of days you put in on the mountain will directly relate to how fast you improve. If you are an intermediate skier who plans to ski 30/40 days a year, you might want to purchase a ski a level up, so you aren't limited by a lesser ski.
After asking yourself these questions, and determining where you ski, how often you ski, and what level skier you are, we can make a general statement with the following:
Reasons to size your skis shorter, closer to your chin:
* You are a beginner or intermediate skier
* Your weight is lighter than average for your height
* You like to make short, quick turns
Reasons to size your skis longer, closer to the top of your head:
* You are skiing fast and aggressively
* You weigh more than average for your height
* You plan to do the majority of your skiing off the trail
Twin tip skis are sized a little differently. We tend to suggest going close to head high, because the effective edge of the ski is shorter, due to the turned up tail. Perception is half the battle here. Just because the ski appears tall, does not mean it will feel that way skiing.
Rockered skis follow a similar story. There are many different styles of rockered skis, from minimal tip rocker, to full reverse camber. SIZE YOUR SKIS LONGER! A rockered ski will feel like it skis very short. Do not get the right ski and realize you got the wrong size because you were unsure of length. Generally, if you are getting a rockered ski, it is common to go about +5 to +10cm taller than your preferred downhill ski.
I hope this cleared up some of your questions. As always, it comes down to your level of comfort.
-Schmitty @ Ski Haus
Sugarloaf 2020: A 10-year expansion
Entering the 2010 season, we see a lot of mountains building up additions. Whether it be renovating lodges, building new hotels, adding trails, upgrading lifts, one thing rings clear; The mountains are investing, and making the resorts a much better place to ski.
One mountain that is investing a lot into the expansion of the resort is none other than Sugarloaf. In the picture below we see three phases. Phase one will be open this year.
Phase 1 - Introducing Brackett Basin
In 2010, approximately 270 acres of new, gladed terrain will be built in the area known as Brackett Basin, between Sugarloaf and Burnt Mountain. The area will include tight, eastern tree skiing and wide-open western-style glades. Phase 1 of the Burnt Mountain expansion creates nearly 2,300 vertical feet of sidecountry terrain, and will make Sugarloaf the largest resort in New England in terms of in-bounds, developed acreage. Access to Brackett Basin will be via a crosscut from the top of the King Pine lift. Construction has already begun on this new terrain, and Phase 1 will begin to open during the 2010-2011 ski season.
Phase 2 - A Second Summit
Phase 2 of the Burnt Mountain expansion will add approximately 135 additional acres of gladed, sidecountry terrain, including access to the summit of Burnt Mountain. The Burnt Mountain Snowfields will open, giving skiers and riders two separate, above-treeline snowfield experiences unlike any other terrain in the East.
Phase 3 - Two Peaks, Two Personalites, One Incredible Resort
Phase 3 will open the north face of Burnt Mountain with the addition of approximately 250 acres of sidecountry terrain. With the completion of this final Phase, Sugarloaf's developed, skiable acreage will have doubled in size. Guests will be able to ski two incredible peaks, with two distinctly different personalities - all in the same day.
When all is said and done, the Burnt Mountain expansion will create 655 acres of patrolled sidecountry terrain and a skiing experience unlike anything East of the Rocky Mountains.
One mountain that is investing a lot into the expansion of the resort is none other than Sugarloaf. In the picture below we see three phases. Phase one will be open this year.
In 2010, approximately 270 acres of new, gladed terrain will be built in the area known as Brackett Basin, between Sugarloaf and Burnt Mountain. The area will include tight, eastern tree skiing and wide-open western-style glades. Phase 1 of the Burnt Mountain expansion creates nearly 2,300 vertical feet of sidecountry terrain, and will make Sugarloaf the largest resort in New England in terms of in-bounds, developed acreage. Access to Brackett Basin will be via a crosscut from the top of the King Pine lift. Construction has already begun on this new terrain, and Phase 1 will begin to open during the 2010-2011 ski season.
Phase 2 of the Burnt Mountain expansion will add approximately 135 additional acres of gladed, sidecountry terrain, including access to the summit of Burnt Mountain. The Burnt Mountain Snowfields will open, giving skiers and riders two separate, above-treeline snowfield experiences unlike any other terrain in the East.
Phase 3 will open the north face of Burnt Mountain with the addition of approximately 250 acres of sidecountry terrain. With the completion of this final Phase, Sugarloaf's developed, skiable acreage will have doubled in size. Guests will be able to ski two incredible peaks, with two distinctly different personalities - all in the same day.
When all is said and done, the Burnt Mountain expansion will create 655 acres of patrolled sidecountry terrain and a skiing experience unlike anything East of the Rocky Mountains.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Ski Haus Burlington Officially Opens!
It is with great excitement and great pleasure to announce that tomorrow morning, October 23rd, 2010 at 10AM , Ski Haus Burlington will be officially open for business.
We are located at 1 Wheeler Road, Burlington, MA 01803 (at the corner of Middlesex Turnpike in the former Tweeter spot). Literally IN the on ramp to Rt. 128! Still next door to Dunkin Donuts. We'll have a lot of familiar faces, and a few new ones. Some were customers of ours at the old Wilmington store, some employees. All are skiers who will continue to test what we stock (that's our excuse to go skiing) and service what we sell.
For three years we've been looking for the perfect location to replace our Wilmington store. We miss the old store. We miss the barn board, the beams, the easy on and off the highway. We even miss the cold drafty work shop.
We finally found the perfect spot! The barn board is gone, but the wood floors are there. The parking is great, the easy on and off the highway is even easier! We're here tonight putting the finishing touches on the store and getting every bit of product into the store to make your first impression what you would expect of Ski Haus...Great! We're loading it up with the same great selection of everything you could need to get out and get going down the hill for that perfect run, that perfect day, that perfect week of skiing with or without the family.
So much work has gone into this new store in the last month. The entire staff of both locations has been working at 110% night and day to get this store in shape and ready for the winter season.
I have never felt so much of a good energy/buzz in the shop than I can currently feel. The summer was long, and hot, and everyone coming through the door in Salem is more excited for this upcoming season than I can ever recall hearing in years past. Killington got 16" of snow last week, and is planning on opening this weekend. Stowe got 19" and had over 150 people hiking to make turns this week. The word is out. WE WANT TO SKI!!!
This energy from you, the customer, has only fired us up more. Combine that energy with our passion and dedication to the sport, and our excitement of the thrill of opening a second store to further help you get the right gear for your needs, and you get one hell of a good vibe!
So from all of us at Ski Haus, thank you for your continued support of the shop. We would not be here without you. We work hard to bring you the best possible selection, at the industries best prices. We look forward to seeing you in the shop, and skiing with you out on the hill.
-Schmitty @ Ski Haus
http://www.skihaus.com
We are located at 1 Wheeler Road, Burlington, MA 01803 (at the corner of Middlesex Turnpike in the former Tweeter spot). Literally IN the on ramp to Rt. 128! Still next door to Dunkin Donuts. We'll have a lot of familiar faces, and a few new ones. Some were customers of ours at the old Wilmington store, some employees. All are skiers who will continue to test what we stock (that's our excuse to go skiing) and service what we sell.
For three years we've been looking for the perfect location to replace our Wilmington store. We miss the old store. We miss the barn board, the beams, the easy on and off the highway. We even miss the cold drafty work shop.
We finally found the perfect spot! The barn board is gone, but the wood floors are there. The parking is great, the easy on and off the highway is even easier! We're here tonight putting the finishing touches on the store and getting every bit of product into the store to make your first impression what you would expect of Ski Haus...Great! We're loading it up with the same great selection of everything you could need to get out and get going down the hill for that perfect run, that perfect day, that perfect week of skiing with or without the family.
So much work has gone into this new store in the last month. The entire staff of both locations has been working at 110% night and day to get this store in shape and ready for the winter season.
I have never felt so much of a good energy/buzz in the shop than I can currently feel. The summer was long, and hot, and everyone coming through the door in Salem is more excited for this upcoming season than I can ever recall hearing in years past. Killington got 16" of snow last week, and is planning on opening this weekend. Stowe got 19" and had over 150 people hiking to make turns this week. The word is out. WE WANT TO SKI!!!
This energy from you, the customer, has only fired us up more. Combine that energy with our passion and dedication to the sport, and our excitement of the thrill of opening a second store to further help you get the right gear for your needs, and you get one hell of a good vibe!
So from all of us at Ski Haus, thank you for your continued support of the shop. We would not be here without you. We work hard to bring you the best possible selection, at the industries best prices. We look forward to seeing you in the shop, and skiing with you out on the hill.
-Schmitty @ Ski Haus
http://www.skihaus.com
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Air Shell Technology - Tecnica Ski Boots
Another ski season is upon us, and the store is full of new product. As many of you enter the shop at the beginning of each season, you all notice the changes in ski technology. "Wow, skis are getting wider" , "Rocker technology, what is that?" , "Those look like waterskis!" , "These are much shorter than they used to be", are all phrases we here on a day to day basis. What we don't hear comments on is the change in boot technology.
Ski Boot technology has come a long way since your last pair of boots. Yes a ski boot is still just a hard plastic shell, and various types of liners. Some of these boots have moldable liners, and some of these boots have customizable outer shells. Generally, most of the new innovative technology can be found in the higher end boots for the aggressive skier.
But what about the weekend warriors? What about mom and dad? Why should the expert skiers get all of the technology?
Tecnica has always been on the forefront of boot innovation. This year, they have done it again, by adding a 3rd element to ski boot construction: Air Shell Technology.
The Airshell system positions a bladder in between the shell and the liner, that allows you to personalize the fit of your ski boot, exactly where and when you want it, in a matter of seconds by using the pressure of your fingers.
Think of the old Reebok Pump technology. The Airshell technology allows you to pump air in two regions of the boot, the heel pocket, and the forefoot. By simply pressing a button at the rear of the boot, you can tighten up the heel pocket, or pump up the compression over your forefoot.
Tecnica added this technology to a boot that is geared towards the weekend warrior. Whether you are a recreational skier, or an aspiring expert skier, you can take a medium flex, comfort oriented boot, and really "pump-up" the performance.
Air Shell Technology can be found in the Tecnica Phoenix 90 Airshell, and the womens Viva P80 Airshell.
Come swing by the shop, and see if these boots are right for you!
-"Schmitty"
BONUS SHOT OF THE SALEM STAFF CHECKING OUT THE P90 AIR SHELL!!!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Oktoberfest Rolls On!
2010 Oktobeberfest is rolling along! We are stocked with the best equipment for the 2011 season all at the best prices of the year. There's even a bunch of 2010 equipment and clothing at as much as 50% off! All ready to go.Stop by, grab an apple, and enjoy the company of our staff all while saving a ton? How could it get any better than that?
See you at the sale.
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