Author: Alan Desbonnet

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Okemo Snow Day

Okemo Trio

The only thing more fun than getting out onto the slopes is getting out onto the slopes with family and friends. I got that opportunity yesterday as I hit the slopes with my daughter Allison and her grand man Jake. There we are, above, on the first lift up and away from the lodge.

It’s snowing. It’s 28 degrees. I’m on a ski lift. I’m with family. What could better? Not much.

Conditions were pretty incredible overall. There was 2-3 inches of fresh fluffy stuff on top of the trails. While not a real “powder day” the fresh stuff made for making some nice turns. And it made it feel fresh and wintry.

To top it off, they had snow making guns blasting full force on a couple of trails. Those trails were necessary connectors between summit and lower mountain areas, so it’s nice to see that they want to preserve access for as long as possible. Thumbs up Okemo on that one!

Temperature Inversion?

It snowed most of the morning, with a break for a splash of sunshine followed by more snow. Unlike most typical days where it starts colds and warms up, it started warm (28 degrees) and then the temperature dropped throughout the day. And the wind picked up from a gentle breeze in the morning to a gusty full out wind by afternoon. Blowing fluffy snow, especially at the summit, made for intermittent near white out conditions.

Despite it being weird that it got colder as time when on, the day was a blast. The crowds were non-existent and the fresh snow made for almost perfect ski and ride conditions. And ski and ride we did. Jackson Gore was probably our favorite place. Practically no one was there. We made several top-to-bottom runs where we saw maybe another one or two people on the trail.

While there were a few places, as the day wore on, that glacier ice poked through, those patches were easy to avoid. The fresh snow lumped up in the middle and spread out along the sides. Pure fun regardless where skis pointed.

Bottom line? Go have some fun on the slopes. Conditions are good to great.

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Slopes Update

I was able to hit Okemo yesterday, and I figured I would share some info on conditions coming into the holiday week.

It was a brisk 8 degrees at the base when people started catching the lift from the lodge to get on the slopes. Fortunately there was no wind so despite the low temperature, it really didn’t feel bone-rattling cold. I got a bit panicky because there was a good sized cluster of people around the lift. But it was because they didn’t load anyone until 9:00AM sharp for some reason.

The crowd dispersed quickly, and the line to the summit 6-pack wasn’t really a line and so I was at the summit in good time. I made a run down to the Solstice area lift to warm up the muscles, then proceeded over to Jackson Gore. Last visit I didn’t get over there so I made it a point this time.

Trail conditions were good overall. Nice firm groomers made up most everything that I put my skis over. There were a few spots on Tuckered Out in Jackson Gore that were scraped clean, despite it being before 10AM. I couldn’t figure that out, but most all of the trail was covered otherwise. Lower Limelight was in great shape, and allowed for a nice carving run all the way to the new 6-pack (no bubble) lift.

I hit the scraped clean effect again on Sapphire, a very popular trail. There was some loose snow on trail edges, so I stayed to the edge, but there were no usual lumps of scraped up snow in the middle of the trail. It was almost as if the groomer pushed the snow off to somewhere else. In other words, no corduroy on that trail! Very strange indeed. I did not revisit Sapphire.

Snow making was in progress in a couple of places, and there were huge snow whales just waiting to get groomed out and make a nice coating to ski and ride on. But not during my visit. My guess is that the grooming team will leave the whales alone until after the warm spell passes by.

While it is impossible to label conditions “great” this season because of the lack of snow, given the amount of natural snow ski resorts in much of New England have had available, conditions were pretty darn good. There were spots in several trails where bare earth poked through, but that was only here and there and not really of big consequence.

Given the warmth visiting us today, overnight and into tomorrow, it will be interesting to see how the slopes hold together. I won’t mention the “R” word, which will only add to the snow removal process.

The bottom line will be wait and see. What is really needed is three, back-to-back storms that dump a foot of snow or more on the hills of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. And then let it stay cold. Not bone-rattling cold. But cold enough to keep the snow through the end of March, at least.

That’s my wish for this season. I am just getting my legs back into ski-shape. And I am just getting my mojo back as I get comfortable with a new pair of skis. I would love to see the ski and ride season hang in there for another month so that I can really get to having some serious fun on the groomers.

So, nothing real exciting to provide. It’s a wait and see game at this point to determine how this warm spell plays out and what havoc may be reaped.

On a final note, I picked up a pair of Auclair Traverse gloves for this season. My other pair of gloves got packed out and were worthless. Despite the cold conditions Wednesday morning, the Traverse gloves kept my hands warm the entire time. I get cold hands relatively easily, so I was very pleased at how these gloves performed. If you want warm gloves—as warm as mittens almost—check out Auclair Traverse.

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Okemo Opener

A too hectic life of late has kept me from getting onto the slopes. Yeah, there was a day or two I could have made my way north, but the thought of first day out being in -10 degree conditions was less than appealing. If I were already there on a multi-day trip I would certainly hit the mountain. But purposefully drive 3+ hours for that kind of exposure? Not so much.

But I got to Okemo just this past Wednesday. It was one of those wonderful days of sun, zero wind except for a zephyr breeze on the summit, and temperatures in the low to mid-20s to start the day. Ideal is the word that comes to mind.

Conditions were good. The snow was firm, frozen granular corduroy from top to bottom to start the day. As the morning progressed the snow softened at the bottom, progressing upwards as the minutes ticked past. By my last run—about noonish—things were still firm up top, but getting pretty soft back at base.

There were a number of trails that were open, but not groomed and with not much cover. It was obvious no snow-making had taken place on those trails. And maybe won’t this season. The year got off to a very warm, snowless start, and I can imagine that choices had to made in laying down man-made snow when conditions allowed that to happen. Regardless, there was enough terrain open to keep me pretty happy.

My one regret was not making my way to the Jackson Gore area. Only one trail top-to-bottom had been open over there since Day 1 and while I like that one trail just fine, it wasn’t worth the run over there for just that. But as I was leaving I heard that ski patrol had opened several other trails mid-morning. Oh well, next time.

Last season I only got out a couple times. I was pretty hesitant about how this aging body would respond. But I was pleasantly pleased that I skied without break for 3 hours before the quads started really complaining and the legs feeling shaky enough to let me know it was time to quit.

All in all, a very worthwhile trip. It was wonderful to sit on a ski lift once again, and chat with happy, smiling people sharing tips about where they had been and what trails they liked. It was great to hear whoops of joy coming from a trail behind the trees, and to hear the clicking and scratching of skis running over frozen surfaces once again. Everything else just melts away as the serenity of the slopes creeps in and pushes a big smile onto faces.

While sad not to see 100% terrain open, given what ski resorts have had to deal with this season, I was impressed. It was weird to leave Westerly area with snow piled high on the sides of the road, and to get into central Massachusetts and lower Vermont and have almost no snow on the sides of the roads. Hopefully the storm heading this way today and into tomorrow will leave the northern tier of New England under a heavy blanket of white, fluffy stuff.

I was using some new gear this first trip out, and I’ll tell you about in coming posts. Hopefully I get north again in the coming week. Maybe see you out there. If not, be safe. And get out there and enjoy the snow.

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See You In 22

Avie’s Ski / Sports will be closed Saturday, January 1, 2022 — New Year’s Day.

The shop will re-open Sunday, January 2nd at noon.

Everyone at Avie’s Ski / Sports wishes you a safe, healthy, and fun start to 2022.

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Indemnified?

You walk into Avie’s Ski / Sports. A big smile on your face. You tell a story about the pair of skis you got for an incredible price at a local ski swap. A few minutes later the smile is gone. Replaced by a quizzical, skeptical look. Maybe an angry stare. Definitely one of frustration. You just heard the phrase “not indemnified” from one of the staff.

In easy terms, indemnified means that someone can be held responsible for compensation or loss in the event of some form of accident or failure. For a ski binding, this would mean the binding manufacturer.

Just What Is The Issue?

Let’s use the image of the binding here as an example. It clearly looks old, though it may not be. It most certainly is not in like new condition. Rust, oxidation, and dirt are obvious.

Metals and plastics make up ski bindings. Both are long lasting, but neither is eternal. Springs and levers, tensioning rods and screws. These make the binding function. A certified technician sets those springs and levers and rods to release the skier under certain circumstances based on skier age, weight, height, ability, and boot length. Rust, oxidation, dirt. All play into how well the binding will function, despite proper adjustment to manufacturer specifications.

The issue is that the manufacturer has no way of knowing how people take care of their equipment. Some do and some don’t. Most skiers really don’t give ski bindings much thought. They are viewed as part of the ski. And they are, but as a separate entity with a distinct purpose—keep the skier locked onto the ski; let the boot free as required. At the end of the day and end of the season the average skier stands the skis up in a corner of the garage or basement. Done till next season.

Binding Longevity

After a certain length of time the manufacturer will no longer indemnify—or hold themselves responsible—for a given ski binding. The manufacturer has a pretty good idea of how the metals and plastics in the binding will degrade over time given “normal use.” Lack of maintenance and/or environmental conditions (e.g., damp basement) hasten the rate of degradation away from “normal.” Manufacturers no doubt err on the side of caution when determining age for indemnification to cease. As they should.

So you walk into a ski shop, skis in one hand a ski boot in the other. You tell your happy tale and say you want the bindings adjusted to the boot. In return you hear, “We can’t work on the binding. It’s no longer indemnified.” You’re miffed. Even if at a bargain price you gave away dollars for something that cannot be used as anticipated. You can buy and install new bindings for a couple hundred bucks, but now your bargain is no longer the bargain you had in mind.

Sometimes people get angry when they hear we won’t adjust the bindings. Some get downright belligerent. Conspiracy theories are rolled out. “Dirty crooks” and sometimes much less nice things are said. Despite the tirade, we will not adjust the bindings.

For some reason with ski bindings people think they are indestructible. They look simple enough. And beefy enough. They ought to last forever. And they may indeed last forever. But they may not function as expected—or as desired.

Risk Rules

How about this example. You are going bungee jumping. The manufacturer says the big rubber band that keeps you from splatting on the landscape below are indemnified for 500 jumps. Are you going to be willing to be tethered to that bungee cord beyond the 500 rated jumps? Maybe if you were number 501, but how about at 520? 550? 600? Me? I would definitely wait for the new rubber band to be installed.

Technically, a ski shop could adjust non-indemnified bindings. Doing so would mean the shop accepts responsibility should anything go amiss during their use. Yes, the shop could have a lawyer draw up waivers to be signed so that responsibility is mitigated. But there is already a small mountain of paper work attached to every ski rental or lease, binding adjustment or mounting.

And we could predict the outcome of any lawsuit. It’s a real no-brainer. I can hear the judge saying, “Really? You are adjusting ski bindings that the manufacturer says may not be reliable? Seriously? The Court rules in favor of the plaintiff.” The gavel whacks the bench. Case closed.

Ski binding indemnification. It’s not a scam. Or a conspiracy. It’s about safety of the skier. Really. Stuff gets old. Plastics get brittle. Metals fatigue. Moving parts don’t move so good anymore.

Have A Plan

Ski shop employees do not get any satisfaction from having to tell customers—in as nice a way as possible—that their great ski gear bargain isn’t. And the worst part is, for that customer, they almost never can return the unusable gear for a refund. It’s a no-win situation in almost all directions (the seller of the skis does gain benefit).

Does that mean that you shouldn’t buy used ski gear? Of course not. But if the bindings on the skis look pretty beat up and old then be skeptical. If the bindings are more than 7 or 8 years old, even if in really good visual condition, you may want to think twice. In either case the binding may indeed work fine. But if no ski shop will adjust them, then it’s a moot point.

Your best bet is finding out if the bindings are indemnified before laying out any cash. How do you do that? Easy.

Build a relationship with a local ski shop if you don’t already have one. Buy stuff there. Have your gear tuned there. Ask them where you might find some bargains to keep the kids (and yourself) playing in the snow. Ask that if you do find a pair of used skis if they mind a call to determine if they are indemnified. It is very likely they will be happy to help.

In Conclusion…

Once you have your plan in place and find that great ski bargain, be prepared to get some specific information about the binding. You will need to provide the shop with the manufacturer and the model name and number of the binding. If the bindings are so worn that you cannot tell who made them or what model they are, don’t bother with the call. Walk away from the purchase. Or buy the skis and take your chances. But don’t berate the folks at the ski shop for your decision if you hear the phrase “not indemnified.”

We understand that skiing is an expensive sport. We sympathize with families trying to afford gear and lift ticket prices, and we realize cost is a huge barrier to entry to and continuing enjoyment of the sport. So please do look for good, used gear. But do so smartly.

Follow the above advice and you maybe can rewrite the opening lines of this article so that the smile never leaves your face. That really will be a happy ending. And a win-win for all.

If you want to learn a bit more about ski bindings see the Avie’s “Skier Need to Know—Bindings” page.

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Winter Cometh—Finally?

left to right counterclockwise—Mount Sunapee, Okemo, Killington, Loon

Yes it has been an unusually, in fact strangely in your face, warm progression towards winter. The season of snow officially begins this Tuesday, December 21st. And it looks like things will begin to look and feel like winter.

The collage above shows it is snowing at Mount Sunapee, Killington and Loon. They are making snow at Okemo (so are all other ski areas) with the anticipation that snowfall begins shortly. The weather alert notes 5 to 8 inches of snow or more predicted. FINALLY! And the weather forecasts for the coming week and beyond call for continuing cold. FINALLY!

With the solstice only 3 days away, that means that Christmas Eve is only 3 days beyond that. And that marks the end of your official holiday present shopping. Hard to believe it is that close, but it really is.

New Inventory Arrives!

While time is tight, there is still time to get to Avie’s Ski / Sports and find some great gifts to put under the tree or into a stocking. New ski orders have come in and replenished variety, and a HUGE ski boot order arrived filling in rapidly disappearing common foot sizes. RIDE snowboards have also arrived so all you “single-plank” fanatics at last have some inventory to ogle.

So now is a great time to stop in and get fitted for ski or snowboard boots, and to grab a pair of skis or a snowboard while the grabbing is good.

Gloves, socks, base layer and outer wear inventory has also been bolstered recently, so the pickings are good throughout the entire store.

White Christmas?

It’s snowing up north right now, with a decent sized dump expected. The cold, for a change, looks to be hanging around for a while to keep that white stuff in a frozen state. And guess what? More snow expected later in the week up north.

While we here along the coast may not see a white Christmas the folks up north will. And that’s just great! We avoid all that shoveling and messiness but can travel a few hours to the north and get caught up in a wonderful envelope of white.

Now is the time to stop at Avie’s and pick up that gear you left to get tuned. It is also the time to pick up some last minute stocking stuffers—how about some socks to stuff in those socks?—or to be really, truly, giving (even to yourself) and pick up that new ski or snowboard package you have been dreaming about.

Avie’s closes at 5:00 PM this coming Friday, Christmas Eve. Be sure to stop by before then.

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21/22 Ski & Ride Season

While Killington has been open for several weeks, the “real” ski and ride season for 2021 – 2022 begins Thanksgiving Day. That’s when most ski areas spin lifts for the first time and get the seasonal stoke going.

Things were a bit delayed this season, but now most all the major ski resorts have lifts spinning, skiers skiing, and riders riding. AND the north country got their first snowfall of significance this past Friday and Saturday. We hope that’s the start of a very, very white winter.

While this image—captured from the mid-mountain cam at Stratton—was taken before that first snowfall, it is just a very interesting image that captures the intensity of snow making, swirling winds, and bright sun. The trails at Stratton, and other ski resorts, are now bedecked in a mix of both natural and manmade snow. Truly the season is upon us.

And now we enter the holiday season, with throngs of shoppers flitting from store to store like skiers and riders jammed up on the limited open terrain of early season. Fortunately, Avie’s Ski / Sports has lots and lots of “open terrain” available.

Despite the woes we hear of supply chain limitations and shortages, Avie’s is loaded up with skis, boots, bindings, and winter weather apparel ranging from outer wear to beat the elements to base layers and socks that keep the core warm and dry.

Right now the ski and ski boot selection is excellent. Armada, Blizzard, Elan, Nordica, and Volkl skis are ready for bindings and some snow. Dalbello, Nordica, Roxa and Tecnica ski boots are waiting for feet to slip into them and hit the slopes.

Smartwool and Helly Hansen baselayers, North Face and Helly mid- and outer layers, all await the opportunity to show their mettle on the slopes. Gloves, goggles, and helmets are well stocked. Gear bags too.

And this season there are snowshoes! Try a new way to have some fun in the snow that doesn’t require a drive to the slopes. Just walk out your door and have some fun.

Killington had a delay in the FIS World Cup races yesterday due to wind. But they are back on track today. And we saw a few while flakes falling this morning down here along the coast. Keep your shopping on track and come see us at Avie’s Ski / Sports for all your winter sporting needs.

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Carving Crave

November 8 at Killington

Check out the image. That’s Superstar at Killington. It’s not open yet but will be soon. And it’s calling to you to come and carve up that sweet corduroy striping that it will be wearing real soon now.

Face it, you want to be carving more than turkey this season, and here is a chance to make a significant leap in that direction. And you don’t need cutlery to do it.

If you have you been using a bunch of hand-me-down or ski swap gear you know it’s lacking in comfort and performance. Sure, it works and gets you top-to-bottom, but do you feel like something is missing when you get there? Perhaps the boot liners are all packed down and your feet feel like they are wrapped in paper towels, slipping and sloshing around. Maybe the ski bases are old and dry and don’t hold wax anymore, making for a slow herky-jerky slide down the mountain. Probably both. Admit it.

So here’s a deal for you to consider in making a decision to act on that very much needed upgrade to your personal ski gear.

For $799.95 Avie’s Ski / Sports will put you into a pair of brand new skis and ski boots that will have you ripping up the slopes, carving the groomers top to bottom, and leave you grinning ear-to-ear at the end of each run down the mountain. Whoa! Want to make that grin even bigger? There will be no charge for binding set up and adjustment, and you get a pair of brand new aluminum ski poles to complete the package.

Avie’s has chosen 2 pair of skis that will be best suited to carving the corduroy on New England ski slopes. You get to choose between Nordica Navigator 80 CA or Blizzard Thunderbird 7.7 skis. These skis are wide enough to handle late day crud, but still narrow enough to tip in and out of turns quick and easy. The extra stiffness found in these skis will hold the turns on the crusty, super firm surfaces typical of New England ski slopes. Click Here and go check out the skis.

An Avie’s boot fitter will work with you to get your feet into a perfectly fitting pair of Dalbello DS AX 90, Roxa R-Fit 90, Tecnica Mach Sport HV 90, or Nordica Sportmachine 90 ski boot. Any of the four boot choices, with their stiffer flex, will drive your new skis into and out of turns and have you carving up the groomers in no time. Besides a stiffer, more performance-oriented flex, the liners of these boots are designed to be more anatomically correct in wrapping your foot, ankle, and lower leg, giving you great control over the ski as well as increased comfort. These boots give nothing but a win-win outcome. Click Here to go check out the boots (a short scroll down).

As an added bonus, Avie’s will give you 25% off any custom footbed. Why? Because a custom footbed will put your foot in the heel pocket just perfect, and keep it there. And the extra arch support will keep your feet from aching while you are tearing up the groomers on your new skis. A custom footbed is the least expensive, most responsive upgrade you can make to your ski gear. Still not sold? Swap out footbeds after you get fitted for those perfect fitting new boots. Your foot will notice the difference, and say “Thank you.”

Building your new ski gear outfit can’t be any easier than this. What goes into your ski package however, is limited to skis, boots, and poles that are in stock. Getting over to Avie’s and shopping now will provide you with the broadest selection of ski and pole lengths, and boot sizes.

Think Snow! We hope to see you soon at Avie’s Ski / Sports.

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Ladies Luck

November 7 at Killington

Ski season is now officially started. Check out the image if you don’t believe me. It’s real. And that means it is time to get serious about getting yourself ready for another season of fun on the slopes.

Have you been using a bunch of hand-me-down gear that is, well, lacking in comfort and performance?

Here’s a deal for all you women skiers out there who are thinking they need to make a serious upgrade in their personal ski gear.

For $799.95 Avie’s Ski / Sports will put you onto a pair of brand new skis and into new ski boots that will have you ripping the slopes, carving the groomers, and leaving you smiling at the end of each run down the mountain.

Whoa! Want to make that smile even bigger? There will be no charge for binding set up and adjustment, and you get a pair of brand new shiny aluminum ski poles to complete the package.

Avie’s has chosen 3 pair of skis that will be best suited to carving the corduroy on New England ski slopes. You get to choose between Nordica Wild Belle 78 CA, Blizzard Phoenix 7.7, and Volkl Flair 78 skis. These skis are wide enough to handle late day crud, but still narrow enough to tip in and out of turns quick and easy. The extra stiffness found in these skis will hold the turns on the crusty, super firm surfaces typical of New England ski slopes. Click Here and go check out the skis (a short scroll down).

An Avie’s boot fitter will work with you to get your feet into a perfectly fitting pair of Dalbello DS AX 80W, Roxa R-Fit 85W, Tecnica Mach Sport HV 75W, or Nordica Cruise 75W ski boots. Any of the four boot choices, with their stiffer flex, will drive your new skis into and out of turns and have you carving up the groomers in no time. Besides a stiffer, more performance-oriented flex, the liners of these boots are designed to be more anatomically correct in wrapping your foot, ankle, and lower leg, and for accommodating the lower calf muscle position of the female leg. These are women’s boots designed by women for women. These boots give ladies nothing but a win-win outcome. Click Here to go check out the boots (a bit longer scroll down).

As an added bonus, Avie’s will give you 25% off any custom footbed. Why? Because a custom footbed will put your foot in the heel pocket just perfect, and keep it there. And the extra arch support will keep your feet from aching while you are tearing up the groomers on your new skis. A custom footbed is the least expensive, most responsive upgrade you can make to your ski gear. Still not sold? Swap out footbeds after you get fitted for that perfect new boot. Your foot will notice the difference, and say “Thank you.”

Intermediate and better women skiers will want to take note—building your new ski gear outfit can’t be any easier than this. What goes into your ski package however, is limited to skis, boots, and poles that are in stock. Getting over to Avie’s and shopping now will provide you with the broadest selection of ski and pole lengths, and boot sizes.

Think Snow! We hope to see you soon at Avie’s Ski / Sports.

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Guy’s Gambit

Ski season is now officially started—Killington opened on November 5th and snow is falling in the mountains of New Hampshire—and it is time to get serious about getting yourself ready for another season of fun on the slopes.

If you just got the skiing bug a year or two ago and have been renting or leasing, now is the time to think about a shift to the next level. Rental gear is great for getting started, but once you pick up the basics, rental gear just can’t take you any further in building your skills and ability to charge hard all across the mountain.

So here’s a deal for all you male skiers out there who are thinking about making the shift from renting to owning ski gear. For $599.95 Avie’s Ski / Sports will put your feet into a pair of brand new ski boots that you will click into bindings atop a pair of brand new skis. There will be no charge for binding set up and adjustment, and you get a pair of aluminum ski poles to complete the package.

While today there really is no such thing as a “bad ski,” Avie’s has chosen 3 pair that will be best suited to getting you on the path to cruising hard and fast down the slopes. You get to choose between Nordica Navigator 77 CA, Blizzard Thunderbird 7.2, and Volkl Deacon 72 skis. Each of these is a huge step up from rentals—all are performance skis that are just a bit forgiving so you can take your skills to intermediate / advanced intermediate level quick and easy. Click Here and go check out the skis.

An Avie’s boot fitter will work with you to get your feet into a perfectly fitting pair of Dalbello DS AX 75, Roxa R-Fit S, or Tecnica Mach Sport HV 70 ski boot. Any of these three boots will give the snug, wrap around fit that will have you wondering why you didn’t do this sooner. These moderate flex boots will help you drive the skis into and out of turns but still be forgiving enough that you can relax and have fun when you just want to cruise. Click Here to go check out the boots (a short scroll down).

Building your first ski quiver can’t be any easier than this. Avie’s has set the playing field in your favor; you need to make the next move. What goes into your ski package is limited to skis, boots, and poles that are in stock. Getting over to Avie’s and shopping now will provide you with the broadest selection of ski and pole lengths, and boot sizes.

Think Snow! We hope to see you soon at Avie’s Ski / Sports.