The Skier’s and Snowboarder’s Holiday Gift Guide

From ski-bums for ski-bums

If you’re having a hard time trying to buy for a powder-fanatic, we understand how you feel. After all, we’re the gear-junkies that other people have a hard time buying for. So we decided to take the guesswork out of it for you and created a holiday gift guide of tried-and-true equipment we use and would recommend again and again. This is gear that ski-bums in your family are bound to like and be stoked to receive. Who better to put together a list for ski-bums than ski-bums themselves?

Woody’s Ski Recommendation: Armada ARV 116 JJ’s

“Woody” Tribe is a professional ‘ski bum’ and our Head Guide at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. This year, he’s recommending the Armada ARV 116 JJ’s. These skis are super strong and are some of the best in the industry for blending playful powder surf with serious, big-mountain backbone. What more could you want out of skis?

Besides showing guests around the Coast Range, Woody has been the go-to man for many ski movies (including several MSP films), guiding ski pros from around the world to experience the gnarly terrain on offer in Bella Coola. I guess you could say we trust his advice on gear .

Pamela’s Snowboard Recommendation: Burton Fish 3D Directional Flat Top Snowboard

A born-and-bred Bella Coola local, Pamela’s love for snowboarding started at East Branch, Bella Coola’s charming local ski hill. As our GM, when she’s not working, she’s riding the Bella Coola mountain ranges. Her selection is the Burton Fish 3D Directional Flat Top Snowboard. The Fish has been her powder-board of choice for well over a decade!

The Burton Fish 3D Directional Flat Top Snowboard builds on the shape of their iconic Fish design with surfboard-inspired 3D convex shaping in the tip and tail. The design is the result of more on-snow prototypes than any board in recent years: it gives the Fish a new level of surfability, responsiveness, and control in deep snow. Did we mention it’s her tool of choice for riding out the deepest powder days and untracked secret stashes?

Ally’s Hardshell Jacket Recommendation: Arcteryx Sentinel AR Jacket Women’s

Ally is our one-of-a-kind Reservations and Guest Services Coordinator, which means she knows what people like because she often wants it, herself! Growing up in Adelaide and moving to BC (yup, another Aussie at Bella Coola!), she knows high-quality gear. Her recommendation for this season is the Arcteryx Sentinel AR Women’s Jacket.

Equipped to handle the vertical aspects of big mountain skiing, the Sentinel AR Jacket is built for freeride touring. This jacket features patterning that delivers optimal freedom of motion, breathability and protection. The watertight pit zips give rapid ventilation on traverses and ascents. It has an integrated powder skirt for days spent in deep pow. BONUS: the helmet-compatible hood cinches securely, providing complete coverage and exceptional visibility. What more could you want?! See you on the mountain!

Ben’s Mid-layer Jacket Recommendation: Arcteryx Atom AR Hoody Men’s

Growing up as a boarder in BC’s East Kootenay region, Ben practically lives on the mountain. Moving from the Kootenays to Vancouver Island, then to Hong Kong and Whistler, he appreciates a premium quality mid-layer (you need one in all those different climates!). That’s why his pick for the season is Arcteryx’s Atom AR Hoody for Men.

This mid-layer also offers all-around high-performance weather protection and materials for tons of different activities (on and off the mountain). Warm and breathable, wind and weather-resistant, packable and durable. Worn as a cold-weather mid-layer or standalone during rest phases, the Atom AR Hoody is one of their most versatile insulation pieces.

Jan’s Safety Gift Recommendation: Mammut’s Avalanche Safety Barryvox Package

Jan’s guiding career has spanned over 35 years and just about that many mountain ranges! When he’s not at the lodge, he’s running Island Alpine Guides and teaching others the importance of safety. This is why when he recommends safety equipment, we trust him – no doubt about it! His gift recommendation is Mammut’s Avalanche Safety Barryvox Package.

The Barryvox® Package includes all the avalanche equipment you need for freeriding, off-piste runs or ski touring. Included is an avalanche transceiver, the light avalanche Probe 240 and the Alugator Ride shovel. The packing volume is reduced to the minimum with the small, compact Alugator Ride avalanche shovel, which features a blade made of hardened, anodized aluminum. This set forms the basis of standard safety equipment for freeriders or ski tourers.

Our Team’s Overall Bindings Recommendation: Burton Cartel RE:Flex Snowboard Bindings & Salomon Warden MNC 13 Ski Bindings

On the BCHS team, there’s a decent split down the middle between who skis and who ‘boards. And, although we always tease each other about switching to the ‘dark side,’ we always find common ground on one item that makes the most difference in our ride – bindings.

SKI: The freeride performance and power for alpine and touring boots in the WARDEN MNC 13 Salomon bindings are unparalleled. They deliver excellent transmission and power in conditions, with consistent release performance for alpine and touring boots. Our thoughts: the most versatile alpine binding yet.

BOARD: Evolving to meet the changing demands in binding technology, Burton’s Cartel RE:Flex Snowboard bindings blend comfort and control as they continue to deliver the versatility that put them on the map. Full days on your board are better with full underfoot cushioning to reduce fatigue and add comfort.

Well, there you have it. That’s our gift guide in a nutshell. There are tons of other great options out there, but this is the list of gear we know and love! So, if we love it, they will too.

See you all kitted-out on the mountain!