What are your all time fav pieces of non-essential gear?

[m185]

Hi ladies

Since I'm starting to get ready for the next big ski trip (ages away sigh...) I was just thinking about what else I should look for!!

Other than the skis & boots and obvious items like jackets, gloves/mittens, ski pants - what do you consider MUST haves on a ski trip?

I'm a terrible shopaholic - but hey someone has to keep the economy going but I really only want to buy things that are useful!

What do you love to use? What do you find is great on kids?

I've gotten smartwools socks for everyone in the family...and I've stocked up on handwarmers! Everyone has goggles & I'm working on helmets as some of the kids have outgrown theirs. Any other must haves???

 

[Shellski]

My Skigee goggle wiper, although I could argue that it is essential in some conditions.

Cattracks, these things are great. They save your boot soles and make walking much easier and safer.

My plastic armband pass holder, saves fumbling around for my pass, easy to scan.

2 way radio, leaves mobile phones for dead.

 

[Robyn]

Powderfish gaiters or balaclavas. Chapstick. Whistle. Great hats for apres ski.

 

[pinto]

Zip ties. I always have a handful in my ski bag.

 

[abc]

Cattracks, these things are great. They save your boot soles and make walking much easier and safer.

Yep! That's the first thing I thought of.

Non-essential but makes a world of difference when it's needed!

 

[ski diva]

I have two favorite non-essentials:

My Transpack boot bag. Easy to carry and holds tons of stuff.

My iPod shuffle with audio connectors for my helmet. I have a Boeri helmet with ear pieces that are wired for sound. I don't use it much if I'm skiing with others, but if I'm skiing alone, I really like to have it.

 

[fatoots]

If I were splurging for a trip I'd get a totally hot pair of polarized sunglasses. I am such a "sunglass ho." And every time I buy a pair, I see ones I like better! The snowboard shop near SR has some Smiths-big Jackie-O looking in colors... damn I want them. But not at full price!

 

[michpc]

If I were splurging for a trip I'd get a totally hot pair of polarized sunglasses. I am such a "sunglass ho." And every time I buy a pair, I see ones I like better! The snowboard shop near SR has some Smiths-big Jackie-O looking in colors... damn I want them. But not at full price!

Keep an eye on Steep and Cheap and Whiskey Militia...I see some fun sunglasses up there periodically at pretty sweet discounts!

 

[Kimmyt]

Dermatone and chapstick.

And granola bars. $$$

 

[pinto]

Keep an eye on Steep and Cheap and Whiskey Militia...I see some fun sunglasses up there periodically at pretty sweet discounts!

Absolutely. I have a half dozen pair of Smith glasses that I've bought for $25 to $30 a pair on SAC. Still not peanuts, but much better than $125!! And if you lose them (don't we all lose sunglasses, eventually?), it's not so painful.

 

[Slidergirl]

Buffs - I can't live without 'em. I can use them as a bandana, balaclava, headband, scrunchee, neckgator, under-helmet-hat, etc. I have so many I guess I'm a Buff 'ho. I just wish I could use them at work - I can only use a plain black, white, or gray headband or gator :-(

Cat Tracks - I consider them a necessity. If you do any walking in your boots, they are required!! They keep the crap in the parking lots from imbedding in the soles AND keep you from slipping and falling.

Oh - for those plastic pass holders: They are a nightmare to us ticket scanners. If they have any moisture on/in them, it won't scan. If the plastic has isn't absolutely taut against the pass, it has a 50% chance of scanning. If it's sunny, it has a 50% chance of scanning (the sun will bounce/reflect off the plastic, so not all of the barcode can get read). If I can't scan it after 10 seconds of trying (a LONG time, if you're waiting to move in the line), I have to ask you to take that pass out so I can scan it. If you have a plastic holder, cut out the piece that the barcode is up against - that way we have a MUCH better chance of succeeding in scanning.

 

[Acadia07]

Turtle Fur neck gaiters. Mm warm & fuzzies.

And Chapstick medicated minty lip balm.

 

[SkiNurse]

Hmm, I think everything that I bring is essential!:D

 

[skihub]

Hmm, I think everything that I bring is essential!:D

That is what I was thinking.........

 

[Robyn]

Just remembered, my ski lock.

 

[frenchgirl]

My child will not ski without his headband. He wears it under his helmet. One time we forgot it at home so I had to buy another one at the ski shop at the mountain. For me I wear glasses so I put some catcrap on them to avoid them fogging up. I always carry tissues too.

 

[Shellski]

Oh - for those plastic pass holders: They are a nightmare to us ticket scanners. If they have any moisture on/in them, it won't scan. If the plastic has isn't absolutely taut against the pass, it has a 50% chance of scanning. If it's sunny, it has a 50% chance of scanning (the sun will bounce/reflect off the plastic, so not all of the barcode can get read). If I can't scan it after 10 seconds of trying (a LONG time, if you're waiting to move in the line), I have to ask you to take that pass out so I can scan it. If you have a plastic holder, cut out the piece that the barcode is up against - that way we have a MUCH better chance of succeeding in scanning.

Oh dear, I've never had any trouble with mine, but I always make sure if it's a paper ticket that I place it so that the barcode is nice and flat against the plastic.

If you come across 2 Australians with armbands on in 2 weeks time, that will be us.

What lifts do you normally work on and when?

 

[Shellski]

Absolutely. I have a half dozen pair of Smith glasses that I've bought for $25 to $30 a pair on SAC. Still not peanuts, but much better than $125!! And if you lose them (don't we all lose sunglasses, eventually?), it's not so painful.

I forgot my sunglasses - I don't actually wear them skiing, but I have Smith Sliders, with the interchangeable lenses - the yellow/orange lenses are terrific for snow driving.

 

[Slidergirl]

Oh dear, I've never had any trouble with mine, but I always make sure if it's a paper ticket that I place it so that the barcode is nice and flat against the plastic.

If you come across 2 Australians with armbands on in 2 weeks time, that will be us.

What lifts do you normally work on and when?

It depends on the physical scanner device how successful we'll be, too.

As for where I work, I never know. We see what lift we get the morning we walk into work. It is always one of the bottom lifts - Payday, Crescent, First Time, Eagle, or the 2 outlying lifts - Town and Silver Star. I usually work Sunday-Wednesday, but lately my schedule has been a little different each week. We're hurting for customers, so we sometimes get an extra day off of work. But, I ended up being called in last Thursday because we were short 6 scanners that day. Hopefully, I'll be back to "normal" shifts in 2 weeks.
You would have liked being here on Australia Day - Many of the local Aussie work force who had the day off came skiing/riding in Aussie colors, flags, facepaint, even a stuffed Joey on a backpack! Quite fun.

 

[Shellski]

We're usually in Colorado on Australia Day, but we are leaving later this year, so I've missed not only Australia Day, but Superbowl Sunday as well, not happy about that!

I'll look out for you, that's you in your avatar, right??