What’s on your ski racer’s wish list?
The holiday season is upon us. What are you getting your favorite ski racer for Christmas or Hanukkah this year? Not sure? Well, here’s a list of some of the most popular items on a ski racer’s wish list this year:
Lenz Heated Socks
These slim fit socks fit easily inside a ski racers boot to keep them warm on the most frigid days. No more frost bitten toes. No more transferring Hotronics every time your ski racer gets a new boot. These durable socks can be worn with ski boots, snow boots, ice skates, snowmobile boots…you name it. Well worth the higher price tag. We found them available online at Arctica dealer, the Alpine Shop in Vermont.
Eisbar Hats and Headbands
Eisbär is the official licensed supplier to the famed Austrian Ski Team for over 50 years. These iconic hats are a fixture on the World Cup circuit and are sought after by young ski racers who follow the likes of Ted Ligety, Aksel Lund Svindal, Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn. Eisbar hats are well made, warm and hard to come by in the USA. Shop here for the best selection we have found online.
Hestra RSL Comp Vertical Cut Mitts
Undeniably the most colorful ski racing mitts. Known by many as ‘the warmest race mitt’. Known by others as the ‘best looking race mitt’. Any way you look at it, you cannot go wrong with a Hestra glove or mitt. Well constructed, durable and comfortable. Available in black, white/cerise and off white/turquoise. The white/cerise and off white/turquoise are both very popular for girls age 11 – 15. Available online from The Start Haus or The Race Place .
Arctica Race Training Shorts
Not an everyday item, but a fun, cool addition to your ski racer’s gear that will get used more often than you think. Race Training shorts are perfect to keep them warm and dry without the bulk of a full pant. If these aren’t on your ski racer’s wish list, they should be!
Heat Gear Heated Boot Bag Pro
Stiff race fit boots are hard to get into. Even harder to put on when they are cold. For some athletes it’s near impossible. Give your ski racer a fighting chance with a heated boot bag from Heat Gear. They can keep their boots warm all the way to the mountain, or warm them up over lunch. It will definitely make them easier to put on, and also will allow your ski racers foot to start out warm – so it hopefully stays warmer longer. Plugs into a wall outlet or your car. Available online from Fuxi Racing.
Ski Floor Rack
While it’s probably no on your ski racer’s wish list, it is certainly something they can use. A free-standing ski rack for their home ‘tuning room’ will keep their skis organized (and keep your walls from getting marked up!) At $79 that sound like a deal to me! Get yours at The Race Place.
Leki WC GS Lite Trigger S ski poles
Every junior ski racers dreams of getting a pair of ‘bendy poles’. Make your young ski racers dreams come true this holiday season with a pair of Leki GS ski poles. The ‘lite’ are a lighter weight fabrication that works well for juniors who are less than 5′ tall. They’ve got a narrower shaft than adult poles (16mm) and are available in 90cm – 120cm lengths. You can find a good selection and quick shipping at Peak Ski Shop.
Arctica Raceflex GS Speed Suit
We would be remiss if we didn’t include the ONE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT that truly makes your young ski racer feel like a ‘REAL’ ski racer – a speed suit. The Arctica Raceflex GS Speed Suit is the one holiday gift that is sure to be remembered for years to come. And at $300 for adult and $250 for youth it’s not going to break the bank either. That’s a lot of bang for your buck. Your young ski racer will be totally surprised and thrilled to find an Arctica speed suit under the tree.
Shop small for the items on your ski racer’s wish list
Small businesses are the backbone of the country. 54% of US sales happen at small businesses. The people who run small businesses are your peers and neighbors. So when you frequent a small business, it’s the economic equivalent of a friend helping a friend. The benefits do not stop there! By supporting small businesses, you help owners become job creators. Consequently, the entire community enjoys greater economic stability. Over 50% of every dollar spent at a small business goes directly back into the community where that business is. Shopping small means helping your neighbors and supporting local communities. When a community’s small businesses are successful, everybody wins.
People open small businesses because of their passion for the product or the service. As a result this passion translates to excellent customer care, not just from the owner, but from the employees they train directly. Arctica and the ski shops in this post are small businesses born from a passion for skiing and ski racing. This holiday season do your part to support small businesses like specialty retail ski shops and specialty ski brands. Shop small for the items on your ski racer’s wish list.
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