by Mollie Millington | Feb 22, 2022 | ski
Warren Miller. IYKYK. For those that don’t, Warren Miller was a ski bum who made movies about skiing and the slope-side lifestyle starting in the 1961 with Many Moods of Skiing. His next film didn’t come out for another 10 years (Any Snow, Any Mountain) and then the 1980s saw annual releases. The 1980s are when my memories of Warren Miller begin. My dad volunteered on ski patrol on a small mountain in Upstate NY so we could ski all winter for free. He took us to see Warren Miller films when the tour would come to town. Beyond the Edge (1986) was our favorite and we even had our own copy on VHS. I can’t remember what other Warren Miller films we saw, but Warren always had a place in my fondest memories. When I was at university, I continued to see the new releases when I could in Boston (definitely Fifty in 1999 and maybe Cold Fusion (2001) too. Many of my uni friends were skiers too and New England snow wasn’t too far away that a bus trip would help me fulfil my powder day dreams.*
My love of Warren Miller even went so far that my snowboarding ex-boyfriend and I rented out a movie theatre and hosted a Higher Ground (2005) screening in my hometown after a few years without any sign of Warren. While my ex and I only made a (very) small profit, I am proud to say that our city was added back on the official Warren Miller tour the following year.
In January, my husband and I were lucky enough to ski at Cooper Mountain in Colorado with my uncle. This trip was the first time we were on the slopes in over two years and it didn’t disappoint. If anything, it made me miss skiing even more. That is why I was thrilled to see Warren Miller’s latest film, Winter Starts Now, playing in London last week. Thanks to Adventure+, who are one of the UK sponsors and who also gifted me the tickets, I was able to feel alive again as I watched the cast of incredible athletes explore many of America’s finest resorts (both big and small). Usually the Warren Miller crew travels around the world to find the best snow, but I assume Covid put a damper on their plans. I also loved how this year’s film addresses the lack of diversity in snow sports by highlighting the work of the National Brotherhood of Skiers. Winter Starts Now also includes a segment on adaptive athletes who climb up and then ski down Denali as amputees.
If you have never seen a Warren Miller film before, I encourage you to watch the trailer here and then book your tickets to view one of the upcoming UK tour dates.
I can’t believe I am the only Warren Miller fan out there. Do you have any memories of Warren Miller films? Or are they something you have discovered recently? Leave me a message below and let me know how Warren Miller has influenced your love of the winter ski season.
*Full disclosure- I don’t know how to ski in powder. Western NY slopes are typically icy. I also had the same set of skis from 2001-2021. The ski design technology changed a wee bit during those 20 years, I think.
by Mollie Millington | Dec 16, 2021 | ski, sponsored post, travel
During my childhood, I was lucky enough to spend many winter weekends skiing at a small private club in Upstate New York. As I grew up, I was lucky enough to be able to explore the slopes in New England, the Rocky Mountains, and most recently, the Swiss Alps. My husband and I even got engaged on the way home from a ski trip to British Columbia. It has been a few years since we have been to Verbier, but I am always looking for the next opportunity to follow the snow. Fingers crossed we get to to Copper Mountain in Colorado, USA in January as planned.
No matter where in the world I am going to ski, I will always have to pack my gear ahead of time as the mountains are unfortunately not on my doorstep. I have found that having the right equipment on hand makes my time on the slopes much more enjoyable.
Here are my suggestions on what to have to survive the elements:
1.
Merino base layers and socks– Merino wool helps keep regulate body temperatures by wicking moisture away from your body and doesn’t smell even when you sweat. Cotton will keep wet fabric near your skin and that will get cold quick.
The Ski Thermo Compression socks from CEP combine comfort and performance in a range of Nordic designs.
2. Waterproof trousers– I love these Salomon PROOF LIGHT trousers. These have high breathability with a standard fit, giving you plenty of room to manoeuvre on the slopes. Intermediate to high warmth with 20K/20K fabric and Primaloft Eco 40g insulation means you can stay out on the slopes all day without worrying about being wet or cold. Believe me, no one likes a wet bum from sitting on the chair lift when it is dumping powder.
3.
Sunscreen– The snow can reflect the sun and the cold wind can make your cheeks turn red too. Keep your skin fresh by
applying high-performance sunscreen from Pelotan before you head out in the morning. (Although having a ‘ski google tan’ when you arrive back at the office is priceless).
4. Helmet– It is important to play it safe these days. When selecting a helmet, be sure to get one that observes the CSN EN 1077 European Standard. Also, find one that has enough ventilation holes for you if you tend to overheat when you exercise. If you are travelling with your helmet, try to keep it on you to avoid it being damaged during transit.
5.
Sunglasses– If you are lucky and it is sunny when you are on holiday, you need to protect your eyes. dewerstone have very affordable
polarized sunglasses, such as the Bantham which is made of wood and acetate. What else is cool is that these are plant-based, certified as Climate Neutral, every pair sold plants one tree, and dewerstone gives 1% of their total sales to environmental non-profits.
6.
Gloves– This is another piece of kit that you want to be waterproof. Consider it an investment into your long-term happiness out on the slopes all day. It also needs to be breathable so your hands don’t sweat. I recently received a #gifted pair for
SealSkinz Waterproof All Weather Gloves for winter dog walks and paddleboarding. I don’t see why these gloves wouldn’t work on the slopes as well.
7.
Something cozy for by the fire– After getting first tracks, my favorite part of the day is
après ski. Relaxing with friends around a fire, surrounded by gorgeous views, is not a bad way to end the day. If I am in
The North Face ThermoBall Tent Mules from Ellis Brigham, I am even happier as my feet are toasty warm and not at risk of getting wet from melted snow on the floor.
These are just a few suggestions from my personal experience out in winter conditions around the world. What can I say? I like to be warm and dry. What essentials would you suggest to someone going to ski or snowboard for the first time? Let me know in the comments below.
by Mollie Millington | Nov 17, 2020 | outdoors, ski, travel
The wanderlust is brewing deep inside me. Mind you, I would always rather be traveling (even when there isn’t a global pandemic keeping me home). In fact, I will go just about anywhere. There is so much to learn from other people in different places- so much to see, to hear, to smell, and possibly even taste (although I am not so adventurous when it comes to food). Living in the UK for the last ten years has opened up much of Europe to me, for both short city breaks and longer holidays away. We have even made it to a few different continents too and try to pack in as much as we can when abroad.
While it has been nice to explore England a bit more this year, I am ready to get out there again. I am waiting with bated breath for possible trips to Italy to go ahead in February (for skiing) and March (to run the Rome Marathon). Tokyo Marathon has been rescheduled for October 2021, meaning all my fingers and toes are crossed for me to cross the world and land safely in Japan. I have even booked a cruise to Antarctica for 2022, so it might be safe to say that I have been in denial a few times lately when booking these trips.
Now that autumn is here and the leaves are changing, I am starting to think of the mountains. Much of my childhood was spent skiing at a local mountain while my dad was on ski patrol. Over the last 10 years or so, I have made it to even higher mountains, sometimes on skis and sometimes on foot. I thought I would take you back to a few of my favourite trips to the mountains in case you are looking for travel inspiration.
Seward, Alaska, USA, 2007
In the summer of 2007, as part of my master’s degree program, I was an intern at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. The photo above is one of the first outings our intern cohort took. We were somewhere on the Kenai Peninsula in dry suits and rafts. We were all in awe of the majestic beauty around us (I am pretty sure we just floated down the river with our mouths hanging open at the views). I was definitely no longer in the Midwest. We spent lots of time hiking, looking for glaciers, having campfires, and dancing in the Seward Alehouse. It was an amazing summer and I am so glad I went there.
Seward itself is on the sea but has a large mountain next to it (which you are meant to run up if there is a tsunami). For my running readers, Seward has a famous 5K race up Mount Marathon on 4th of July in which you run/scramble to the top (over 3,000 feet) and back down again. It is very hard to get entry to and a super tough race. Perhaps you can cheer the runners after the parade is over if you aren’t lucky enough to gain entry next year.
Red Mountain Resort, British Columbia, 2010
James and I flew from Michigan to Spokane, Washington where our friend, Jamie, picked us up. We drove into Canada, where Jamie lived at the base of Red Mountain resort. Our first night, we snowshoed through fresh powder to a little shelter on the mountain for a cup of hot coffee before heading back down. I had to borrow powder skis from Jamie but still couldn’t quite figure out how to manoeuvre through the fluffy snow. I guess I am more comfortable on ice.
This trip sticks out for me because James proposed in Spokane the night before we flew back home. It was along the river, rather than in the mountains, but a lovely memory just the same.
Verbier, Switzerland 2011
One of James’s uni friends owns a chalet in the Verbier resort area. Their gang used to go on a ski trip every year, but now many of the couples have kids and work full-time, so it is much more challenging to get nearly 20 people all in the same place at the same time (sadly the chalet doesn’t fit us all either). Apres ski has been replaced with nap time and we don’t quite get out the door as early to hit the slopes. However, every trip as a unique memory, from dance routines, trips to the local spa when the snow was rubbish, and even late night whiskey tasting when the kiddos are asleep. In this case, I think the people around you are what make the memories, not just the view.
Cape Town, South Africa, 2017
When a colleague invited me to her wedding in South Africa, I could not resist a trip to this beautiful coastline. Two weeks during the British winter in the Cape Town sunshine literally changed my life. I had a week on my own, with a few days in Stellenbosch before heading to Cape Town, where I spent all my free time near the water. When James arrived, we took the cable car to the top of Table Mountain to enjoy the views. It was very hot and windy while we were there, so we were lucky we could get to the top as the cable car was shut most of our stay. We also cycled up Chapman’s Peak, meaning we were able to see the peak from another side of the bay.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania 2018
In case you missed it, I summited Mount Kilimanjaro on International Women’s Day in 2018. You can read all about my trip to Africa’s highest point here. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done and I am not sure I would do it again. I have toyed with the idea of hiking to Everest Base Camp but there is no way I would want to go any further. There is a lot of training, preparation, and the whole “risk of death” puts me off. I like a little bit of work, a little bit of fun on my adventures. Kilimanjaro was a nice balance as you had long days of walking to talk to people, time at camp to relax or keep chatting, and plenty of time to sleep (which I am a big fan of).
Morzine, French Alps, 2021?
Aside from a passion for travel, I also enjoy winning freebies (who doesn’t?). Usually, I excel at ones that don’t require skill or knowledge. That is why I am feeling good about winning a complimentary week at AliKat’s Mountain Holidays in the French Alps. This post is my entry and I can’t wait to visit the Alps and Morzine in the summer of 2021 with 10 friends to stay at their new Chalet Harmonie (pictured above). What do you think of this view? In America, hot tubs are an essential part of apres ski so I might have to visit this resort in both the summer and winter so make best use out of their ski and boot room too.
Which mountains are your favourite to climb?
by Mollie Millington | Sep 23, 2019 | outdoors, ski, travel
 |
| View of the valley |
Skiing is one of my favourite ways to enjoy the winter. Unfortunately, London doesn’t get much snow but mainland Europe does. If you plan ahead, cheap flights can be obtained for a quick weekend getaway on Easy Jet or Ryan Air. Of course, you need to factor in the equipment you are taking in terms of luggage but their are ways to make it affordable. I don’t have much time or knowledge of the European resorts aside from Vernier, so when I saw No Boundaries (NB) was planning a short ski weekend in Italy with yoga in February 2019, I booked in right away (#ipaidforit). I knew it would be an intense weekend with long days and late night dinners with wine but I thought I could make it for three days. Just. With some energy drinks.
 |
| Hotel lobby |
The NB team can book flights for you with hopefully a discount if there are enough people booked in. I opted for this with a payment of £125 but there were not enough people to get a discount. NB kindly paid the difference for the ticket though. The cost of the weekend included accommodation, airport transfer, hotel breakfast, and lift tickets plus several yoga classes (in the morning and afternoon on full days). NB likes to work with local businesses and guides where possible and booked us at a family-owned hotel that was about 10-20 minute drive from the mountain. The hotel was a bit dated in its decor but very clean and had a state of the art spa and room for yoga in the disco. Unfortunately, I was too tired to spend a lot of time in the spa or take photos. It had a small pool, steam room, cold shower and place to relax. The annex of the hotel had a boot drying rack with a place to leave skis and snowboards overnight. This meant everything was dry for the next day and didn’t clutter up your room.
 |
| Yoga in the former disco in the basement |
Yoga was at 7am and about 5pm (depending on when the skiers and ice climbers returned) on the full days. We also had a session the evening we arrived and the morning we left. It was beautiful spring spring weather in the Brenta Dolomites (Pinzolo – Madonna di Campiglio -Folgarida/Marilleva Ski Area). It is a small mountain, perfect for families and beginner to novice skiers. There was a van that the hotel lent No Boundaries to drive us to the mountain. We left between 8-8:30am depending on the day and then headed back about 3-4pm. Some people who lived in Italy had driven to the resort, rather than fly, and drove to the mountain on their own. I was a little disappointed the first morning as we didn’t get on the mountain until after 11am. This was because we had to wait for people to get fitted for their rental gear and the company rep to obtain the lift passes in a long line.
 |
| Small bags and good snacks |
With a limited amount of time to ski, I prefer carrying snacks and eating on the chair lift. This also saved me some money too. The sunshine was amazing though and many people enjoyed a drinks and some french fries. The food prices were extremely reasonable for a ski resort but the lines were also long. We didn’t have time to stop at the grocery store for sandwiches either.
There are a few small shops within walking distance of the hotel and a large supermarket on the way to the mountain. The hotel has a three course dinner available for 15 Euros. Most of the group met about 7-7:30pm to have dinner together. We all shared common interests in travel, being outdoors and keeping fit. It was lovely to meet several other women who were also travelling alone. Although booking solo holidays isn’t always fun, I don’t want to wait around for someone else to join me. It is too hard to find dates off work, a destination, activity, and budget that matches up. Of course, there was plenty of delicious wine along with dinner to fuel the conversation (you have to pay for it but again, the prices were very affordable). Our last night, there was a grappa tasting at the hotel put on by a local distillery. Not sure how often this happens but it was a nice treat.
All in all, I had an awesome time. The only problem was the traffic on the way back to the airport (which should have been a three hour drive) meant I missed my flight. As I had to check in my skis, the airline counter had closed by the time I got there (30 minutes before departure). My tour guide who didn’t have any luggage was able to make the flight and was very helpful getting me in touch with the NB main office who paid for my hotel and new flight hoe the following morning. I am sure NB took this hiccup on board, as well as my feedback to obtain the lift passes ahead of time so that people who have their own equipment can do so asap.
I once again have extreme travel insurance which covers winter sports, so I am thinking about booking another weekend with NB. It will have to be after the Tokyo Marathon though so I don’t know if there will still be snow on the mountains. If you want to get away and ski or snowboard for an affordable weekend this winter, check out the ski/snow board page on No Boundaries website and let me know when you are going in case I can join you.
As I said earlier, I paid for 100% of this trip. No Boundaries is not compensating me in any way for sharing my experience or their links. I enjoy supporting small businesses that promote leading an active lifestyle and spending time outdoors.
by Mollie Millington | Apr 1, 2019 | product review, ski, travel
Spring skiing season is here and many people are headed out for one more epic session on the slopes over Easter break. It can be hard to know what to pack and how to maximize your luggage space, so I though I would share my tips on how and what to pack for a ski and/or snowboarding holiday.
Check airline regulations for baggage. I learned this the hard way on our recent trip to Switzerland. Some airlines consider ski boots and skis to be one item, while others count them as two bags. Be sure to read the ‘sports equipment’ policy of the airline you are flying with. Snowboard bags can usually hold boots too so you just need to check your bag fall within the allowed oversized luggage dimensions. I would also recommend checking how much an extra luggage bag is when booking flights, just in case it is cheaper to pay for a “more expensive” flight that includes one luggage bag.
Use clothes to pad equipment in luggage. When I went on my trips this year, I was able to put all of my clothes (long underwear, ski socks, snow pants, change of clothes, and swim suit) into my ski bag. My toiletries and sneakers went into my boot bag so I didn’t need to check any bags at an additional cost. By wrapping the clothes around my skis and poles, I knew my kit would be protected from being damaged in the hold.
Wear snow boots and helmet (read my tips on how to choose one here) on plane. You probably know this, but wear your bulky clothes on the plane to save room in your luggage. This means if you have big boots for the snow, you should wear these on the plane. Also, it is best practice to carry your helmet on the plane with you. Checking it in the hold puts it at risk for damage from being crushed or banged up from other bags which means it will be less effective or need to be replaced earlier.
 |
| WED’ZE jacket and trousers |
Dress for the weather. My ski jacket is a WED’ZE AM580 All Mountain from Decathlon* (now on offer) and my snow pants (also from Decathlon) are the WED’ZE Piste Skiing 580 Slim trousers*. The jacket I have been wearing all winter in London and it has always kept me warm. On both my ski trips this year, the weather was warm and my jacket kept me at the right temperature on and off the slopes. The trousers fit well while allowing me a good range of motion even with a layer of long underwear underneath. I would have liked them to be a little warmer though after I got covered in snow after a fall. But when I was able to stand standing on my way down, they were perfect insulation.
 |
| Icebreaker Bodyfit |
As I am always cold, I was excited to test the Ice Breaker Bodyfit zone 200 leggings and long sleeve top base layers. I am probably merino wool’s #1 fan. It keeps your body temperature in check, doesn’t smell (which means you don’t have to wash it after every use), and it is super soft. The Bodyfit line also has mesh panels to help you release heat from key areas, while other panels help keep the heat in. I wore my set in Italy and Switzerland this year, as well as a few chilly nights here in London and have never been disappointed. Icebreaker merino wool comes in different thicknesses which you can mix and match based on your destination and activity.
Snacks and packed lunch. We make GORP (equal parts peanuts, raisins, M&Ms and granola) to eat on the mountain and pack protein bars too. Food and drinks on the mountain can be very expensive and take a long time to queue for. I prefer having portable snacks I can eat on the chair lift to maximize my time on the slopes. A big breakfast and proper dinner balance me out. The trails and lift lines tend to be empty while everyone is getting lunch, so try to plan your day around that. What you pack for snacks is up to you and your budget constraints.
Invest in a Trixski* to carry your kit. This simple strap is really handy if you have small kids and need to carry their kit. Or if you are clumsy like me and can’t carry your skis without them falling out of your arms. You can also get an additional strap to carry a snowboard. It is easy to store off the slopes and fits into your jacket pocket while you on piste.
Little things you should not forget. Don’t forget tissues, sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, a water bottle that doesn’t leak, hand and/or foot warmers, and sunglasses. I also like to wear a small rucksack to hold these things, and my snacks. It is also handy to hold your hat, gloves, and goggles when walking to and from lift.
These are my top seven tips for packing for a ski trip. If your accommodation has a washing machine, you can do laundry and pack even less. I prefer to bring two changes of long underwear and regular clothes in case something gets wet.
Did I forget anything? What do you always pack when you are headed towards the slopes?
Items marked with a * were given to me for review. All opinions are honest and my own.
by thinkmarsh | Mar 15, 2019 | product review, safety, ski
I grew up playing in the snow during the long winters of Upstate New York and downhill skiing on the weekends. It is one of the activities I truly love, and miss most since moving in London. With my extreme travel insurance for Ultra X Jordan, winter sports were covered. There was no way I was going to miss a chance to ski this year. I was lucky enough to go skiing in both Italy and Switzerland this year and am already making plans for the next season.
Now that I work with brands, I tend to notice more what people are wearing in the lines at the lift. This year, 99% of the people I saw were wearing helmets. Bike helmets are something I feeling strongly about, and I feel the same about ski and snowboard helmets. Think about how much time, effort, and money you put into your education. Think about how lucky you are to be able to go skiing and not limited in your ability to move. Wearing a helmet won’t 100% protect you from injury or death, but it can reduce the risk of impact and/or injury should you have an accident.
 |
| James giving me his best Blue Steel while putting on Carv 700 and G540 |
James and I tried out the Wed’ze Carv 700 with MIPS (thanks Decathlon!) ski/snowboard helmet during our recent trip to Switzerland. He has had his previous helmet since we lived in the USA and noticed that the polystyrene lining was starting to degrade. The Wed’ze Carv 700 seems to have universal fit, as it fit me and our friend, Jamie, too. All of our heads are different shapes, but the Carv 700 has a ratchet fitting that can adjust the tightness. My helmet is a POC Bug and I have had it since 2010. Although it doesn’t show any signs of wear and tear, it has been checked as hold luggage more times than I can count. I decided it couldn’t hurt to replace my helmet as well. I soon learned there are many helmets of various pricing and styles out there! Hopefully this post will help you decide which ski helmet is best for you.
When you go to purchase a helmet, there are a few features to consider: the fit, the ventilation, how to store it, and when to replace it. Hate to say that the color is the last thing to think about. Let’s break down each point.
Fit: This is the most crucial bit for obvious reasons. I asked Adam Summerfield, the SMITH UK brand manager at UltraSport, for advice on how to find the perfect helmet. Summerfield says:
To get a good fit the first thing you will need to do is measure your head, take a soft tape measure and wrap it around your head about 1cm above your eyebrows and ears. Once you have the measurement you should fit into one of the following sizes S (51cm-55cm), M (55cm-59cm), L (59cm-63cm), XL (63cm-67cm). When choosing your helmet it should feel snug but not tight, if you feel your head is being squeezed it’s too small or if the helmet can move around freely on your head it’s too big. A lot of helmets now come with fit systems which allow you to adjust the helmet to get the perfect size.
Fit is the most important thing to consider (not color, sorry) as if the helmet doesn’t fit properly, your head will not be protected. Also check how your googles will fit on/with the helmet. You will need ventilation to prevent the googles from fogging up and, of course, it needs to be comfortable when you have them on. For example, James felt the Carv 700 pushed his goggles down his nose a little bit compared to his old helmet. His goggles, Wed’ze G540, were also new (and a different design than his old ones) so he might just need to get used to the change. The goggles didn’t fog up though, so that was a good indication that the goggles and helmet were the right fit.
 |
| How goggles attach to the back of Carv 700 |
Does it have MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System)? This is a feature that is now becoming more and more popular in both cycling and snow sport helmets. it works by separating the shell of the helmet and the liner by a low friction layer. In a crash, this allows the helmet to slide relative to the head reducing rotational force on the brain. The SMITH Mission and CARV 700 both have this feature.
 |
| SMITH Mission |
Another safety feature to look for is RECCO(R) search and rescue compatibility if you tend to be an advanced snow sport athlete. Rescuers will send out a signal that is reflected by the sensor in the helmet, such as after an avalanche. Of course, you need to check with the resort you are visiting to see if they use a RECCO(R) compatible system. The Wed’ze Carv 700 has this feature (although thankfully we didn’t have to try it out).
Ventilation: Personally, I am always cold and even wear a thin hat under my POC helmet. However, I can removed pieces of the lining if I start to overheat (but I never have). My husband, on the other hand, is always hot and prefers his ventilation fully open. Consider how your body temperature runs and where you are likely to be skiing when you make your selection. The Salomon Sight has a unique climate control system that includes 12 vents with six adjustable zone, an EPS4D internal airflow system, and quick drying fabric to help you regulate your body temperature while enjoying time on the slopes.
 |
| Salomon Sight helmet |
Ear covers: Bern makes a multi-purpose helmet that works for skiing, snowboard, cycling, skateboarding. Our friend, Jamie, has one. This is a good choice if you are limited on space to store things. However, it didn’t have any ear covers, so Jamie’s ears were cold this year at Verbier.
How to store it: Summerfield recommends trying to find somewhere dry and not in direct sunlight as the UV rays can break down the materials of a helmet over time. When travelling, try to avoid checking the helmet in the hold and instead carry the helmet with you (If you are on EasyJet, I am sure you have seen people wear their helmets on board to save checking a bag). Or you can invest in a hard case to protect your helmet when travelling or storing.
When to replace it: The most obvious time would be after a crash but every three to five years is a good idea too. As James has observed, the polystyrene will start to degrade. Storing the helmet in the proper climate (as mentioned above) and carrying it onto the plane (rather than checking) will help extend the life of your helmet too.
Hopefully, these tips will give you a few things to look out for the next time you have to invest in a snow sport helmet. Leave a comment below and let me know what make and model you have and why you choose it.
Thanks to Decathlon for the gifted Carv 700 ski helmet and G540 goggles. All opinions are honest and our own.
Recent Comments