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Backcountry.com Chick Picks for the Holidays

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The women at Backcountry.com rifle through the catalog to come up with their wish list

With Christmas only fifty four days away the girls at BackcountryStore.com made our top picks for the upcoming gift-giving season. This list is in no particular order since we would happily accept any (or all) of these as gifts. It also doubles as a handy list for our spouses, hint intended…consider yourself warned, Adam.

Patagonia Dimension Jacket is a classic! The Patagonia Regulator System is an integrated collection of base layers, insulation and soft shells for the outdoor enthusiast. As a part of their Regulator line up they have introduced their new stretch woven pieces. This jacket is a highly breathable, water resistant, 7oz Encapsil treated fabric. Basically it’s tough and durable. There’s this looped polyester material inside that wicks away moisture. Two hand warmer pockets and a stash pocket on the chest. It has a hood but when you don’t need it you can adjust the draw-cord and roll it down. The material feels incredibly soft and supple. It has a trim fit and it looks damn good on all of us.

The Patagonia Salopette Bib is the pant every woman needs. It’s 5 oz. stretch woven fabric, lightweight, compact and highly breathable. On the cold early morning dump days you can go straight from your jammies to ski pants--no layering necessary. Finally a pant that doesn’t make you feel like piles of bulk. The knees and seat have double fabric for extra durability. The cuffs have a gripper elastic cord and loops for a gaiter like fit over your boots. Cool.

Everyone needs a pair of shades. The Smith Sliders are the bomb. The Toaster model is the girls-choice in the slider series. They have a petite frame that fits well on smaller faces. Nice selection of frame colors and the ability to switch in/out different lens color. Slide in the polarized lens for a day on the river or put in the red lens to lighten a cloudy day on the trail. Once you own a pair you’ll never go back.

Black Diamond Carbon Fiber Flicklock Poles are the strongest and lightest ski poles in the BD line up. They have an easy-adjust, non slip locking mechanism. We all liked the angle and feel of the grips. It has a light, balanced swing weight. The lower carbon fiber shaft also converts to an avalanche probe. The whole weight is 1 lb 5 oz including basket.

Backcountry Access Stash Pack It’s a nice size pack (1000ci) for a quick hike up Catherine’s or to go out on a quick morning tour. The Stash Pack comes with a hydration system--the bite valve and tube are tucked in an insulated shoulder strap so it won’t turn to ice on you. It doesn’t have a lot of straps on the exterior…which is nice on the lifts and in the trees. For the all day backcountry adventures we suggest the daddy of the Stash Pack--the Stash BC with 2000ci.

When we’re alpine skiing the fave ski is the Salomon X Scream Series. A very sweet ski for pow days at the Snowbird. With the Proline vibration dampeners you have the added stability to go fast all over the mountain and to hit the kickers. With a sidecut of 106-68-96 you are guaranteed a quick turning yet stable ski--makes this an awesome all mountain, do everything ski. Two of the girls in the shop own this ski. Need we say more?

For a variety of cold weather activities The North Face Aurora Zip Jersey is a top pick. This piece can be worn as a comfortable primary or secondary layer. There’s Aurora fleece fabric on the front and back which adds warmth minus the weight. The Polartec Powerstretch on the side panels gives you the freedom of movement. It can be worn skiing, running, and or biking. It has a nice trim fit, no bulk. Good color selection.

Everyone needs a Marmot Driclime Windshirt. This is a wind resistant, breathable shell that has Marmots Driclime lining. What does that mean? Moisture is wicked away and cold wind is kept out. It can be worn as a base layer, mid layer or by itself. Warm for its weight and very packable, that’s why it made our list. A killer piece year round. (It’s rumored that everyone at our store owns one of these.)