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Family Fitness: The Family That Plays Together Stays Together
Lead and your kids will follow. As a family-sports expert (ask anyone, my Ph.D. should have been awarded for outdoor fun), my advice is for parents to pick activities THEY want to be involved with for the next 20 years, then pursue them with a passion. If parents are active participants and have fun, then kids will have good role models. It's a new twist on the forbidden-fruit scenario. An activity is all the more attractive when someone else is enjoying it. And if you aren't already an expert at biking, hiking, climbing, skiing or paddling, why not learn with your off-spring? During ski season, we classify parents into two groups: 1) the one's who drop their kids off in the morning and then pick them up at the end of the day and 2) the ones who stay and hang out with the kid pack. Whether it is shadowing a gradeschooler snowboard lesson or cheering on their kids at a high school ski race or freeskiing with toddlers or teenagers, it's all about shared experiences and building a team. Don't miss out on the fun.
Trixie Jr. Twin Tip Skis
Even though we're a big race family, kids naturally want to expand their horizons. And what little girl isn't at least 20 percent happier with strawberry graphics on her ski? Twin Tips are not only cool, but they offer versatility that crosses over all-mountain touring to terrain park fun. The Trixie Jr. is built for female skiers with the center of gravity positioned lower and further back than unisex models. This may not sound like much when you're carving turns down the groomed runs, but when you're throwing a 360, every technical advantage helps! (Or in our case, when you're watching your 9-year-old try one). The Trixie Jr. comes in 105, 115, 125 and 135cm lengths. The 135cm has a turning radius of 15 with Side cut 111/76/104. $325; rossignol.com
Sabbath Snowboard Boot
Snowboarders just want to have fun. And the best outfits have a definite panache - a flair that makes each rider unique. There's nothing subtle about the Sabbath boot. After reading the tech sheet where the boot is described as being "like chugging Dom Perignon while firing an Uzi," my husband had to try a pair. I think it was the hot purple lipstick marks that really caught his eye - but there's no doubt he's caught the attention of the local shredders. In addition to looking great, the Sabbath is a full-feature freestyle boot with mattress-cushion soles that soften the blows when you fall short on the landing ramps. The J-Bar Adjustable Heel Hold System really works (jury is still out on the effectiveness of the odor-fighting Aegis Antimicrobial Coating). Available in whole sizes, men's 6-13. $299.95, burton.com
Black Diamond Legend Glove
I got a pair for Christmas, and then my husband had to have his own. The uber-warm Legend never required hand warmers - even in 7 degree Fahrenheit weather with high winds. The gloves have Primaloft insulaton with a Gore-Tex XCR lining. So far, after about 25 days on the mountain, they haven't soaked through with water at all, even when everybody else's gear looks like it's ready for the spin cycle. The padding on the back of the hands and fingers might have been inspired by the company's ice-climbing heritage (a sport known for bashed knuckles) but it also comes in handy on the ski slopes. Even if you are not banging gates, you'll like the extra cush for warmth and protection during falls. On cold days, tuck the cuff under your jacket - but in warm weather, the short cuffs keep hand temperature comfortable. Shell is a four-way stretch with leather palm and finger reinforcement. Rated to -15 F, $100; bdel.com
Marmot Yukon Parka
My husband designed and manufactured top-of-the pyramid jackets for mountain climbers for nearly 20 years. When we married and had kids, he retired from high-risk sports like alpine climbing and paragliding, and took up the safer sport of ski racing. Whatever he's doing, he's the toughest field tester I've ever met. He demands absolute perfection with garments, from the right fabric and zippers to weight, cut and overall performance. I've seen him take $800 review sample jackets out of the box, try them on and then immediately box them up for return, with a nice note saying that the coat didn't make the initial cut. With the Yukon, it was love at first sight - and the relationship just keeps getting better. The Yukon is a big, warm coat that is best in its class. It's a no-nonsense design - just how John likes them. The features are simple in their perfection - a lightweight snowskirt with a hidden zip pocket. Front pockets for phone, keys, gloves and electronics, plus a handy zip pocket on the arm for easy access. Marmot has been a leader in proprietary fabrics, and the MemBrain shell sheds water like a duck. The 650 goose down is comforter soft, but compactable enough that the Yukon can be stuffed into a pack as temperatures rise. $360; marmot.comPost a comment
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