Adventure Skier

How to Wash Ski Gear, You Filthy Animals!

Joe Dodds — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 05:37:16 +0000

Washing regular clothes is a straightforward task. You throw them in the washing machine, add detergent, select the setting, and off you go.

If you’re new to skiing and snowboarding, you might wonder how to wash ski gear. Is it like doing everyday laundry?

Before learning the best way to wash snow gear, I rarely washed my ski jacket or pants, only my base layers, and sweaters, as I knew they could go in with regular clothes.

However, now I’m in the camp that it is essential to wash ski gear after each trip to the mountains.

Keep reading to learn the methods I use to wash my ski gear.

How to wash your snow jacket?

Washing your ski jacket the right way is critical to ensure it lasts many years, not only one season.

Start by removing any removable inserts or liners, then check the brand label for the specific washing instructions.

If there aren’t any, it’s best to wash it on a low-temperature and gentle setting, which is the standard for all washing machines in the United States.

Make sure to close all zippers before throwing the jacket into the wash, as this will reduce sharp edges from snagging on other items in the wash. It will also reduce the chance of it having water in the pockets when the cycle finishes.

After your jacket has gone through its wash cycle, dry it either hung up or laid flat in an area away from direct heat to prevent shrinking and distortion of fabric design.

For tough stains, we recommend spot-treating them with mild detergent and cold water before putting it in the washing machine with your other gear.

How to wash your ski pants?

Washing your ski pants is very similar to the steps outlined above when instructing you how to wash your snow jacket.

You can wash ski pants separately from other items like your jacket, but you can also wash them together. As with the coat, please do not wash them in hot water or put them in the dryer since excess heat may damage the fabric of ski pants.

We also recommended washing ski pants with an appropriate detergent, especially for technical fabrics, so they keep their waterproofing properties intact while reducing the chance of staining or fading.

Again, make sure to zip up all pockets before placing them in the wash, as it’s happened to me before that water has accumulated in the pickets.

Then, once your wash cycle is complete, unzip all zippers before or after hanging your ski pants so they can air dry quickly.

These simple steps will ensure that your ski pants will still be in top condition once it’s time to hit the slopes again!

How to wash waterproof fabrics?

When deciding how to wash waterproof fabrics such as ski gear, the correct technique is essential in preserving its properties. Waterproof gear is expensive, so you don’t want to ruin them after spending a lot of money.

Firstly, wash with a mild detergent designed explicitly for waterproof materials and wash in cold or lukewarm water. Hot water could damage the garment.

Make sure you select a gentle cycle, and we even recommend turning the clothes inside out, not to damage any connectors or fastenings of the product.

Once the wash finishes, lay it out on a clothes horse or hang them on hangers and place them outside to dry naturally.

Do not use highly abrasive cleaners, and avoid tumble dryers, if possible, as they can cause permanent damage to the fabric and its waterproof properties.

If you fear that you’ve incorrectly washed your waterproof gear in the past, then you can apply a waterproof protector once dry as reinforcement.

How to wash a fleece sweater?

Fleece sweaters go through a lot so washing them correctly is essential. They are vital for warmth in the colder months and can be worn as the main outer layer once it warms up.

To start, wash the garment in cold or lukewarm water on a delicate wash cycle with mild detergent meant for delicates. Remove the garment from the washer and lay it flat on a towel to dry.

Allowing the sweater to air dry will help prevent it from shrinking more than necessary and maintain its original shape. It’s best to put it in a dryer only if the clothing label claims you can.

After drying your fleece sweater, fluff it up with your hands or a brush to restore it to its original softness. I rarely do this last step, but my girlfriend does it with her fleece sweaters.

Washing Items Made With Gore-Tex

Gore-Tex is one of the most popular fabrics for snow gear. If any of your gear is made with Gore-Tex, there are specific instructions to ensure you wash them correctly.

With Gore-Tex, it’s important to wash the fabric delicately using a special detergent, as we mentioned when discussing how to clean waterproof materials.

Do not scrub or brush Gore-Tex items, as it could damage the material. Wash on a gentle cycle and at a low temperature too.

After washing, it t best to hang dry the Gore-Tex clothing and avoid machine drying as it can degrade the fabric’s performance over time.

Don’t use fabric softeners. You don’t need to smell as fresh as a daisy on the mountains, and definitely don’t use bleach! These can negatively affect snow gear that uses highly resistant Gore-Tex materials in its build.

I own a pair of Gore-Tex ski gloves and only washed them at the end of the first season that I had them. The truth is that I was scared to ruin them by washing them, so I put off doing it. However, I used the steps mentioned above, and they came out fine!

Don’t be a filthy animal like me if your gloves need a wash sooner!

How to dry snow gear after you’ve washed it?

We’ve already said that we like to hang dry all of our snow gear once it’s clean. This is easy at home as we can hang our ski pants up by the suspenders, hang the coat with a hanger, and then do up the zip.

But, if we’re away and something needs cleaning urgently, we’ll do so wherever we’re staying and use a dryer as a last resort.

This is why taking a spare pair of ski pants is a good idea. Some people will even take an extra jacket with them, depending on the length of their trip. You never know what’s going to happen, so why not.

Hang or lay items flat in a well-ventilated area for an hour or two to help them dry faster.

If items are still wet, place them in the dryer on a low setting with a few towels and regularly check until fully dry. Snow pants and ski gloves should be turned inside out before drying, then hung up alongside jackets, so air circulates freely inside them.

To avoid damaging waterproof breathable shell fabric, opt for natural drying instead of using a dryer whenever possible.

In Summary

As you’ve seen, washing expensive ski and snowboard gear differs from washing regular clothes.

Outer snow gear is made with waterproof material, so you’ll need to buy a detergent for this type of material. We also advise you to wash your ski jacket and pants at a low temperature and a gentle setting to avoid damaging the items.

If you want to be cautious, washing them separately is also a good idea.

We like to wait to wash ski gear on a nice day so it will dry quickly. But this is only sometimes possible, especially in winter.

On bad weather days, dry them outside in an area protected from rain, snow, and other brutal elements. Otherwise, the last resort is to use a dryer, but ensure the temperature and spin setting are on the lowest option.

Roffe Ski Wear – What Happened to This Brand?

Joe Dodds — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 10:05:57 +0000

What happened to Roffe Ski Wear? That’s what we’re going to look at today in this article. Roffe was a famous ski brand everyone wanted to wear on the slopes.

Sam Roffe founded the company in 1953, and two years after his death in 1994, his family sold the business to Gerry Sportswear Co.

With high-quality fabrics, waterproof protection, and a vast range of sizes for every item, Roffe vintage ski wear offers a chic look in a day and age when designs are all quite similar.

Keep reading to learn more about the Roffe brand and where you can pick up old gear from this brand that no longer manufactures ski gear.

What happened to Roffe Ski Wear?

Roffe Ski Wear was once a well-known global skiwear brand, but it has since disappeared. Though the company originated in the United States in 1953, it quickly went global and became an international favorite for its unique designs and state-of-the-art stitching techniques. Within only seven years, in 1960, it was already the official brand for the outfits for the 1960 U.S. Olympic Alpine Ski Team.

Roffe Ski Wear eventually ceased operations after the family sold the business to Gerry Sportswear Co. in 1996. Sadly, this was two years after the death of founder Sam Roffe.

Gerry Sportswear Co. made many redundancies immediately in its North American operations. They then employed cheaper staff in Asian countries to lower production costs.

While many have fond memories of wearing Roffe ski wear out on the slopes, others might only remember seeing its tagged parkas in movies and television. Either way, Roffe Ski Wear lives on as its products remain cherished by people worldwide, especially those who love vintage ski gear.

Source – https://www.skiinghistory.org/sites/skiinghistory.org/files/roffead.jpeg

Sam Roffe – Founder of Roffe Skiwear

The crazy thing about Sam Roffe was that he never skied himself. That’s according to the New York Times, which wrote this article after his death in 1994. However, that didn’t stop him from creating one of the most popular ski brands from the 1950s to 1990s.

Roffe’s love was actually for thoroughbred horse racing, not skiing. After leaving Seattle Woolens company, where he had worked for 22 years, he created businesses in two very different sectors.

He was 44 when he launched Roffe Skiwear in 1953 without ever skiing. What he did have, though, was a vision and a love for quality-made products. It wasn’t until three years after starting his business that he began to manufacture ski wear.

As reported in the Seattle Times, he came into manufacturing ski wear when the manager of the University Bookstore asked him to create a pair of stretch ski pants to sell in the store. Back then, they were all made in Europe, which made importing them expensive.

This led to him going a step beyond to start manufacturing ski jackets such as parkas and, eventually, full ski uniforms.

He continued to be involved directly on the factory floor and running the business. Roffe Inc. even acquired Demetre Sweaters in 1987.

Does Roffe Ski Wear still manufacture

Unfortunately, Roffe Ski Wear is no longer manufacturing its famous ski clothing. But you can buy second-hand wear on the auction website ebay.com.

Here are some examples of second-hand Roffe gear you can find online.

Vintage Roffe Ski Wear

We just mentioned that the brand is no longer manufacturing, so you’ll have to buy a vintage piece of Roffe ski wear to get your hands on it.

As the company dates back to the 1950s, you can find a selection of styles, especially from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Some places to look for these classic items are thrift shops and ski/snowboard shops, but mainly at online auction websites like eBay.

Don’t miss out on your chance to make a real statement on the slopes with a piece of vintage Roffe ski wear!

Sources:

Short vs Long Skis – What’s the Difference?

Joe Dodds — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 09:21:44 +0000

When I started to learn how to ski, I didn’t question the length of the skis I rented. But this all changed when I learned more about the difference between shorts and long skis.

In short, long skis offer more stability even though you’ll need more power to get up speed compared to short skis. Long skis are generally 200 cm or more in length. These are best for beginners due to the extra stability. Short skis don’t offer this same stability, but they allow you to make quicker, sharper turns. However, they are slower than long skis over distance, but they make you more agile when turning.

Difference between short skis and long skis

Short skis and long skis differ primarily in their length. Short skis, for instance, range between 110-165 cm and are usually used by experts for sharp turns.

Long skis can extend to 180 cm or more and are typically used for alpine touring or backcountry skiing, as they are better suited to gliding on powdery snow.

Ultimately, the type of ski to use depends on the terrain and your skiing level. Short skis are best in tight trees, while long skis are better when carving up wide-open slopes.

What are the pros of short skis?

Short skis offer the advantage of improved maneuverability on tighter terrain and more control in fast turns. Skiers prefer short skis because they can swiftly turn and execute quick maneuvers, especially when skiing moguls.

Short skis provide increased agility with less movement due to faster acceleration and deceleration. Short skis make it easier to vary your speed while staying in control. You can move quickly over short sections between trees or other obstacles, making skiing more enjoyable and exciting!

Make faster turns
Great for mogul skiing

Cons of short skis

With that said, we don’t advise some people to use short skis, especially beginners. Some drawbacks to short skis are that they’re less stable than long skis and can be more challenging to control in harsh weather conditions or on rougher terrain.

Also, short skis lack the power and performance of longer skis on steeper slopes, making them less ideal for aggressive or advanced skiing styles.

Lastly, short skis also tend to have a short effective edge, providing less grip when carving turns at higher speeds. Although short skis offer excellent mobility and are more user-friendly than longer, heavier models, prospective buyers should consider these cons before investing in an expensive pair of skis.

Less stability
Not good for beginners

Pros of Long Skis

Long skis can offer several advantages for ski enthusiasts over short skis. Longer-length skis allow the skier to have greater control over their speed. They can effectively navigate turns while providing the necessary support to prevent them from going too quickly.

Additionally, long skis provide increased stability when skiing on uneven or poor terrain, making it easier and safer for them to ski various slopes.

Long skis also provide extra cushioning and dampening, which reduces the impact felt when taking more brutal hits on more rugged terrain.

Offer increased stability
Increased control
Great for people new to skiing

Cons of Long Skis

Long skis also have some cons, though. Longer skis make it more difficult for quick body movements, such as leaning over or breaching hips higher due to the extra length of the ski. This can result in diminished agility and a less pleasant ride when trying to weave through tricky terrain.

Additionally, long skis are less forgiving than short ones when coming up against objects, stumps, and rocks, which is likely to occur during backcountry excursions.

Lastly, long skis can be more challenging to maneuver while skiing at low angles because the extra length creates additional drag, which can make finding speed on gentle slopes much harder than on shorter skis.

Movements are more labored
Slower turns

Ski Size

Now you’ve learned about the difference between long and short skis, you can select what size skis are best for you.

As mentioned, if you’re new to skiing, we suggest longer skis as they offer more stability.

Choosing the right ski size can be tricky, as ski sizes are indicated in centimeters and only sometimes reflect your actual height.

You must consider ski type, skiing level, weight, and ski length to pick the perfect ski size.

Type of ski (all-mountain or powder ski) should match the surface you will ski on most.
Your skiing level (beginner or advanced) will also determine your ski size. A more aggressive skier may want a shorter ski for quick turns on groomers. More casual skiers will benefit from a longer ski for better stability and floatability in deeper snow conditions.
Your weight and length of skis should be considered when you buy new skis.

As a rule of thumb: Heavier skiers require longer skis; lighter skiers can get away with shorter ones. With the above factors in mind, you can make an informed decision when picking the perfect pair of skis!

As we’ve made clear, beginners should always go with long skis. Then, more advanced skiers can use short or long skis depending on the skiing they’ll be doing that day.

Calculate Your Perfect Ski Size

10 Largest Vertical Drop Ski Resorts in North America

Joe Dodds — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 12:35:32 +0000

Vertical drop ski resorts are some of the most popular destinations for winter sports enthusiasts from all over the world. If you’re an adrenaline junkie then you’ll want to cross every one of these off your list!

Here we bring you the top 10 largest vertical drop ski resorts in North America. This list isn’t for the faint-hearted and definitely not for beginner skiers or boarders. Four of these resorts are in British Columbia, another four are in Colorado, and the other two are in Montana and Wyoming.

Keep reading to see the 10 longest vertical drops.