Category Archives: Store Events

Ready For Winter!?

This summer I built a woodshed

Though not considered winter snow sports, our next door neighbor built the Taj Mahal of chicken coops last season. Complete with multi-colored lighting, flowers, and other enticing egg-laying decor. Secretly, I think the Taj Mahal coop is equipped with air conditioning and a home theater. The chickens love it, and lay dozens upon dozens of eggs. And then for no apparent reason, egg production slowed. 

I thought it might be the rusty chain link fence surrounding my wood pile. It did look pretty shabby all of a sudden. The ripped and tattered blue tarp on top didn’t add much either. Maybe the horrid sight depressed the hens.

I did need wood for the coming winter. So I decided to upgrade rusty fence for a classy and classic lean-to-style woodshed. I hoped that would put “The Girls,” as neighbor Lisa refers to them, back on the nest.

The Shed—Taj Mahal chicken coop in background

The new shed looks great with the Taj Mahal chicken coop in the background. And it looks better still with a couple cords of split, seasoned hardwood in it. 

I’m  about  set  for  winter.                 Are  you?

Farmer’s Almanac is saying that for New England, expect snow. And lots of it. Their predictions are for greater amounts of snow than is usual. They are also predicting that significant snow will be seen by, and in, December. To be sure the snow sticks around, Farmer’s predicts colder than normal temperatures throughout the season. This is a great prediction for all us winter snow sports enthusiasts. 

Oh yeah, I’m all for that!

It would be great to get in a half dozen or more days of skiing before Santa slides down the chimney. And I would be thrilled to see abundant snow continue all the way through until late March. I’ll even wish for the below normal cold. Provided that doesn’t mean the marrow-freezing cold we experienced last season between end of December and mid-January. That kind of cold put the damper on winter snow sports. It was so cold even ski lifts became belligerent, with many refusing to spin! No thank you. Keep that kind of cold up at the North Pole for the reindeer to enjoy.

So, are you ready? Ha ha. I know you aren’t. Temperatures have been floating into the 90s, even along the shore. So I know the only cold you are thinking about is the rapidly melting ice diluting your Dell’s.

The days however, have grown noticeably shorter. And the sun, while still hot, doesn’t carry the same fiery intensity it did a month ago. Yellow school buses have replaced out-of-state license plates. But the most telling change, is the morning bird song having been replaced by the evening chorus now provided by the End of Summer Insect Ensemble.

Winter snow sports enthusiasts take note!

This is not a cause for sadness! New ski and ride gear is beginning to show up at Avie’s Ski / Sports. While still in boxes, it won’t be long before the new “winter crop” of The North Face, Smartwool, and other apparel hangs from the racks. A rainbow will splash across the walls of the shop, made by the colors of this years bounty of new skis and snowboards, boots and poles.

While still it’s too early in the fall season to not stop in and pick up a new stand up paddle board—fall is perfect paddling weather—it’s not too early to start thinking about ski and ride season.

And this winter, there will be much to explore at Avie’s

Expect to see some twin tips and race skis available. There will be new brands, as well as the tried and true. While it’s always exciting to ogle the new skis and boards of the season, the real change up will be found in the ski boot section. Recent changes throughout the industry will be bringing along some great opportunities for your feet, especially those of you with wider feet.

AlanD

Stay tuned to the Avie’s Ski / Sports Blog page as we help you prep for  the upcoming season. New gear. New brands. New styles. And a new ski boot universe.

Oh yeah, the shed upgrade was well received. “The Girls” are back to filling the Taj Mahal to overflowing. 

HOLIDAY CLOSING

Just letting you know that Avie’s Ski / Sports will have a holiday closing Wednesday, July 4th, in honor of Independence Day.

The weather looks delightful, so take advantage! Be sure to have fun on, in, or under the water. Stop in to fill any last minute needs. Sunglasses, boogie-boards, sandals, or a new stand up paddle board. Keep the fun going.

Ted and all the Avie’s staff wish you a safe and fun Fourth of July.

 

Another Lousy Powder Day

I popped into Okemo Thursday morning, only to be greeted with yet another top coat of 5-8 inches of fresh snow. Looked like another lousy day in paradise was about to play out.

This powder, due to the windy conditions while it was snowing, was a bit “denser” than the really fluffy stuff. It was more tiring to ski in, and a wrong move would get me tossed to the surface for a very inelegant face plant. After three of those I decided to stick to the groomers. I had enough snow in my jacket for the day.

Needless to say conditions are pretty incredible throughout the Green Mountains. More than enough snow is on the trails and in the woods. The carving is into beautiful packed powder, and the lumps and bumps are generally pretty forgiving.

We appear to be sliding into a bit of a cold spell, so expect the snow to hang around a bit. There is even talk of another nor’easter dropping by middle of next week. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, go skiing and riding. Get out there and enjoy some of the most incredible conditions we have seen in a couple of years. This truly is Madness in March.

Ted informed me there are only a few seats left on the bus for this Sunday’s trip—the last shop-sponsored trip of the season. “Single digits” was the descriptor he used. So if you want to get in on this fantastic trip—Ted and all Avie’s employees are going—you better do it soon. Like today. This morning. Shop opens at 10:00AM.

I hope to see you Sunday morning. If not, perhaps we will cross paths out on the slopes. I’ll be the skier in the orange pants, which you will clearly notice as I do another face plant. Enjoy.

 

 

AlanD

Let’s Ski & Ride!

A picture is worth a thousand words. And this picture shows how you are going to feel when you get to Okemo this Sunday, the 18th of March, on the Avie’s trip bus.

This is the last Avie’s trip of the season, and it will be a great one. Conditions up north are incredible. In fact, I can’t remember a season finale Avie’s bus trip that will travel into such superb slope conditions. 

But wait…..there’s more!

Ted comes along on this trip, and brings all kinds of fun and useful bling that he gives away on the ride back home at days end. And all of Avie’s staff is along as well. It’s a fun trip.

For LESS THAN the price of a lift ticket, you get a lift ticket. AND a ride to and from Okemo. AND you get to ski and ride in unheard of March conditions—lots of fresh packed powder, and if you look hard, you may find some untouched stashes here and there. 

AND you get to see Ted play trip emcee. AND you will likely get some ski or ride related paraphernalia. Who knows, it might even be something you really want!

So join us this Sunday, March 18th, on the last Avie’s bus trip of the season, to Okemo. Conditions will be great, and there will be some fun during the travel time to and from the mountain. 

There are still seats available. But don’t hum and haw too long, this trip fills every year and will likely do so quicker this year because of the banner conditions. 

See you Sunday morning for a fun day playing on the slopes, and a chill ride home with Ted and the rest of the Avie’s shop gang.

 

 

AlanD

Reindeer Skis?

You can bet that post-Christmas, Santa’s team of reindeer will be chilling out in the woods after an exhausting night of deliveries. And who wouldn’t like to see Santa’s reindeer?

Well, if you want to go look, here are three pair of skis that will take you for that adventure between the trees. One is a tried and true pair of sticks, and the other two are new to the market this season.

The tried and true reindeer hunter is Volkl Kendo. The two newbies are Volkl Kanjo and Blizzard Brahma CA. Each of these is light in weight and have lots of “pop.” These qualities make them excellent skis to take off trail for some adventure.

Year after year I ski Volkl Kendo and just don’t get sick of them. They carve. They are fun in the bumps. They float powder. They nimbly make their way between the trees. Kendo is just an amazing ski.

Then along comes Volkl Kanjo new for 2018. At first blush I thought Kanjo was just Kendo with less width. But I was wrong. Kanjo is a bit lighter, and with a lot more “pop” underfoot. They carve the groomers just fine. But they love the bumps and lumps. And because they are so light and so nimble they are just a blast among the trees. Kanjo was a standout among all the new skis for 2018 that I got to try out at the On Snow Demo. I give Kanjo a double thumbs up.

Blizzard Brahma has been a “go to” ski for someone who plays all around the mountain. But Brahma has a bit of an attitude because of all the metal stiffeners it carries. Blizzard took all that made Brahma a great ski, but left out the metal and replaced it with carbon fiber. The result? One super light, fast responding, awesomely fun pair of sticks. You might forget you have skis underfoot they are so light. And because of that, they literally dance you through the trees.

So, if you want to go on a hunt for Santa’s reindeer team the day after Christmas, you may want to consider picking up one the skis I mention above. If you love the adventure found between the trees, and if you really want a chance to find those sneaky reindeer, these are your best bet.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. And happy reindeer hunting.

 

AlanD

What A Dump!

Yes! Another major dump of that beautiful white stuff has dropped atop the mountains of New England. Ski areas are responding with their own dump—dropping ropes on trail-after-trail-after-trail.

The 2018 ski and ride season is blossoming. This isn’t the year to be indecisive and wonder if you should get that pair of new skis or that new deck to ride on. Or those new boots. Or jacket. Hats, mittens, and socks.

To help you get ready to take advantage of all that great snow up north during the holiday week between Christmas and New Year’s,

Avie’s Ski/Sport will open at 10:00 AM Sunday December 24th

That gives an extra couple of hours to stop by the shop and pick up something special for that special someone—even if that’s you.

The ski boot inventory has been restocked—especially for you women, who have been ski boot crazy this year! Gordini goggles are now available, and Marker helmets galore. A pair of SmartWool socks makes—ironically—a great stocking stuffer. 

We hope to see you in the shop, but if we don’t, Ted and all the staff at Avie’s wish you the very merriest of holiday seasons. Safe travels, and have fun on the slopes.

Tuning Clinic This Saturday

Just a reminder that this Saturday, the 9th of December, Avie’s Ski/Sport is offering a

FREE

Ski and Snowboard Tuning Clinic

Now, right at the start of the season, is a great time to learn how to tune your skis or snowboard. You save money. You have some fun. You keep your gear in shape. You rip the slopes faster, better, faster.

Any questions or to let me know you plan on attending, email me at tuningshop@aviesskisport.com

Looking forward to seeing you Saturday.

 

AlanD

Santa’s Helper

The Season of Giving is here. Thanksgiving leftovers stuff the refrigerator and the newspaper is thick with flyers and ads. If you have skiers or riders on your gift list—and that list should most definitely include YOU—then check out Avie’s Ski / Sport for some ideas. …more