Christmas List 2011

Dodge Ram Center Console Organiser

Wheel Center Caps with shipping 50 bucks

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GOR-HC211BC/

Ski Packs

Here is a great technology for avalanche victims. It's a backpack with an ava lung built into it. An ava lung is a tube that transmits your exhaust behind you so you don't build up an icy layer around your face keeping the all important oxygen out.
Narrowed it down to these two packs found at REI.


http://www.rei.com/product/791727


http://www.rei.com/product/776565

More gift ideas

Looking forward to skiing some more off-piste (back country)this winter. European resorts trend toward the Jackson Hole philosophy of ski out of bounds at your own risk. Mt Hood Meadows highly suggests that anyone entering Heather Canyon carry a Shovel, Probe and Beacon.
Here they are:
Shovel
Black Diamond Transfer 7 Snow Shovel
Item # 761132


Probe
Black Diamond QuickDraw Super Tour Probe - 265cm
Item # 766749


Backcountry Access Tracker Avalanche Transceiver
Item # 717163


Find them all at REI.com

Book Ideas

Wow so many projects and oppurtunities. How to prioritize.
This is a three phase process

Phase 1: Arm myself with information.
This is where you the gift buyer contribute by purchasing the following books:



Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power:


Here is a documentary titled Who Killed the Electric Car:
I've seen it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Would like to own it and share with others.
Found at Amazon



Here is a book on converting cars to run on electricity. Found at Amazon.


Any book that you recommend on the topics of sustainable living, hunting, gardening, electric cars etc...


Phase II Read the books
Phase III Change the world

Bindings sometimes referred to as Binders

As an expiring ex-stream skier it is important to note deficiencies in equipment. People are always in search of a good deal. It makes sense to save when and where you can, but sometimes the saying "you get what you pay for" makes sense and cents. This is the case with alpine ski bindings.

If you are going to do any kind of freestyle skiing then spend the extra money for nice binders. Take into account your weight. Heavier athletes are going to need stronger binders. Also keep tabs on your gnar factor (how big you go), and if you plan on landing any airs backwards you have to step up your binding game. Keep in mind that you are going to be going bigger and bigger to keep that same pucker factor high. You want your equipment to be able to keep up with you on the hill. This author ways around 180lbs ish, and has stomped some 70ft kickers.

The bottom of the barrel binders should be discarded. The price climbs steadily after that making the decision to purchase good bindings rather frustrating. If it is still early season it's worth shelling out full price for a decent setup. I recommend buying over the summer or late spring when everything is 50-70% cheaper. The best deal going for the last two years in a row where the Rossignal bindings with a 14 din setting.

Similar the Rossignal Freeski2140

Found Here

I have used these and landed backwards off of some 30ft tables with no problem.

These Soloman bindings could prove worthy

Found Here


Picked up two sets of the Rossi's last spring from rei.com for around $130 each

How much do you love me

Always wanted to start a consumer advocate gear review site.
Need to get some new gear to review.

Three things are on the wish list now:
1. New Ski Helmet


This helmet is made to go with two brand new sets of goggles that I got last year at the end of the season. It has vents that open and close with the flip of a switch which really helps. It also hooks up to a speaker system that will allow me to listen to an mp3 player and my cell phone simultaneously and hands free. It works by muting the music whenever someone calls on your phone or walkie talkie. True my current K2 helmet does this now but diesel ate the microphone so nobody can here me. making the walkie talkie part useless. A piece of the plastic in back has been broken since my first crash a couple of years ago and continues to dig into the back of my skull and that is not good.

Smith Variant Brim can be found here:
http://www.rei.com/product/759203
I take a medium and like the white one.
The $160 price tag is super steep and I would never spend that much on a helmet, but you are looking for gift ideas and I will end up buying that helmet in the spring when it is half as much and I've had a concussion.

This speaker system compliments it nicely and is how I can talk to you on the phone while I am skiing and listening to music. Smith Skullcandy Twin-Tip LINK Audio Kit is a good deal and I would purchase it at the full price of $29.00
Seen Here:




Should have let family by the ski movies because they are cheap and make great gifts for getting stoked on skiing.
Bought all of the new ones except this one from matchstick productions

Found Here:
http://www.skimovie.com/shop/index.php/dvds/in-deep-the-skiing-experience.html