I'm so, so, so excited to be heading back to Switzerland for the winter again! Yaaay!A new season means, new gear! And boy, have I spent far too much money on things I already have and don't really need replacements of! I think my bank account hates me now.
Having been skiing for the last 15 years or so, I have collected plenty of equipment and clothing to last me forever, but that doesn't stop me buying new stuff...
Firstly, a new pair of skis. Having skied at a competitive level for most of my skiing life, I have never had the use for "recreational" skis. But last season I bought some, because everyone knows, skiing powder on race skis, is just a fail (and powder days are the best days). I bought them during last season on discount through the company I work for, but sadly, I didn't get the bindings fitted to them until I got back to England so haven't used them yet, but the excitement to use them for this first time this year, is too much! I bought the Nordica Nemesis 2014 skis and Atomic FFG 10 bindings. The skis are so much longer and wider compared to what I'm used to, but I'm sure I will get along with them just fine! Of course the race skis will still come away with me...perfect for ice or on piste, and attempting to smash my top speed down the mountain!
Secondly, a new jacket. There was nothing wrong with my last 5 years worth of ski jackets, and I haven't grown out of them, but like any jacket or coat in any season, you don't want to wear the same one every day, which I will do on season. So I bought a new, even more awesome jacket for 2016! I got the Roxy Jet Ski jacket, of which they do many colours and patterns in this style. I'm lucky enough to be able to fit in kids' clothes, so it only cost me half the price of the adult one with the same design, plus it was in the sale after last winter!
Then, a new pair of goggles. I bought a new pair for last season, but just fancied a change. There was a pair that I really wanted last year, which were too expensive for me at the time, so I settled for some much cheaper ones, but this year, I said I would get them, as a Christmas gift to myself. I've been looking at some online for ages, but putting off buying them until a lot nearer the time. Until I found a different, but very similar pair on ebay. Ex-display so never actually worn, and £25!! £100 less than buying brand new!! I'll take that! They are the Smith Optics Virtue Sapphire Prism goggles. I looooove them so much! I have a problem with buying goggles, because I have a small head and face, so big goggles don't suit me well, but these are perfect!
A new pair of gloves is next on my list. I bought a pair last year because they matched my jacket, but I bought them online really cheap, and they were too big for me. I wore them anyway, but they're not too great. I really need a pair that fit me properly, because having gloves which are too big, or too small, can cause you to end up with very cold hands, and that's never fun! So I got a new pair in a size that fits my tiny hands. Also, the pattern on last season's ones doesn't go with the pattern on my new jacket, so fashion says I need some new ones, of course. These are actually my Christmas present from my mum, as she asked me what I wanted, and I was only going to buy these anyway. I got the North Face Montana Mittens, in black. They are super cozy, and they also have a wrist strap attached ,which means taking them off on a chair lift or as I'm half way down the mountain, means I'm not going to drop them, which is always a good thing to avoid.
Backpacks are always a must have on the mountains, especially when you're not relying on someone else to carry your lunch for you. I've always had a relatively small bag when I'm on the mountain, which is big enough to carry my packed lunch, and a spare layer or two, but as I'm getting more into taking photos and carrying my camera around with me everywhere I go, it isn't really big enough to fit everything in. So I bought a bigger one. I bought the Dakine Heli Pro 20L backpack, which is plenty big enough for me, but it means I will fit everything I need in it, without forcing the zips shut! I got an awesome patterned one, which kind of clashes with the pattern on my jacket, but I don't really care. It's practical, so thats what's important. It also has loads of handy features and pockets, such as a ski/snowboard carry on the back, if I'm too lazy to use my arms, and a whistle on the chest clip, which I will probably annoy everyone with because I'm such a child and can't leave it alone. I've been using it over the summer as my gym/travel bag, so I'm definitely getting use out of it all year round.
Something else I spent my money on, which technically isn't brand new for this season, but is something that I really needed to be done, was getting my ski boots re-fitted and moulded to my feet. I bought a pair of boots for last season, but ended up with an injury on my left ankle, as that is my smaller foot and it was moving about too much in the boot causing impact and friction, giving me a big problem. I went back to the shop I got them from, Snowfit in Norwich, and they helped me out by sorting me with some specially moulded footbeds and some extra padding and protection in my boots. So hopefully, I won't get any problems with my ankle this year!
Lastly, I bought a GoPro! The one thing I really wish I'd had last season. I know I would have got so much use out of it last year, but I didn't have one, so always said, if I go back again, I would definitely buy one. I bought the GoPro Hero4 Silver Edition, as I like the touch screen feature on the back, and didn't fancy spending more money on buying the latest version, as I don't need to. I've had a play around with it at home, and so far, I am really happy with it. I can use the GoPro software on my iPhone and MacBook to control it, as well as using the touch screen, which is super handy, as I can also view my footage back on them without having to take out the memory card and upload them. I am certainly going to have a lot of fun with this!
I'm far too excited for the season to start now! I'm am all ready to go now, just waiting on December - I can't wait for the waist deep powder days to arrive!
xoxo
