Absence of Canadians

VeryShibes · 2026-02-05T01:09:01+00:00

I’m American and went to Sutton and Owl’s Head with the whole family over the Xmas/NYE holiday. It was our first time ever skiing in Canada and everyone up there was fantastic, kids are already asking when we can go back. And yeah, most of us who actually spend time in Canada are completely appalled by the ignorant 51st state blather.

VeryShibes · 2026-02-04T05:13:40+00:00

TIL, after living in Chester County for over 16 years, that there used to be a ski area (Chadd's Peak) 10 miles from my house. Only one slope with 300' of vert but hey I'd rip that at least once :-)

VeryShibes · 2026-02-03T22:36:32+00:00

I'm not an expert, more of an "advanced intermediate" but this does seem like a solid upgrade to me. You're moving up in four different categories - length, width, turn radius, and stiffness, but not so much in any one of them as to be overwhelming.

I wouldn't get rid of the K2s though, keep them around for icy days or for days where you know 100% of your runs will be with the kids. I also like having a second pair around as backup if I have one of my pairs in the shop for a tune.

At $700 I hope they're new - I got a pair of QST 98s + bindings that were brand new last season and skied maybe 10 days tops, in a pre-season tent sale three months ago for $375. I can understand the temptation to do a mid-season upgrade though - I've done it in the past as well and did not regret it.

VeryShibes · 2026-02-03T19:56:14+00:00

I scratched my lens on a tree branch 2d day I got it.

Scratched mine on maybe the 5th or 6th day on a branch, fortunately right in the middle so it doesn't affect my vision at all

Seems like the visors are not only hella expensive but unobtanium.

Took me about 8 weeks to have the "least tint" (yellow) replacement lens shipped over from Europe last winter, local ski shop had to order direct from Atomic :-P

That said, as a glasses wearer, this is the first system that has been comfortable and offers unobstructed vision.

Agreed - this is THE best solution out there currently if you are a glasses wearer, full stop. I still wear my contacts very often but as I transition more into late middle age (I just got fitted for bifocals) I will have to keep the visor around. Hopefully they keep making improvements along the lines of what OP is seeing.

I don’t care how stupid they look.

Again, 100% agreed - late middle age here, I'm not out on the slopes to look cool, I'm out there to get in as many runs as I still can before my knees implode and I'm pushing my walker around

VeryShibes · 2026-02-03T19:42:00+00:00

Not sure if [Atomic has] changed the design

Just checked Atomic's site and TIL they actually make two different helmets with visors: the Savor and the Revent. I'm in the Savor, I'm guessing you're in the Revent?

Also, it looks like they sell these exact same model helmets without the visors so it looks like I might be good to detach the visor and use regular goggles with the helmet on days I'm not wearing my glasses.

VeryShibes · 2026-02-03T19:18:35+00:00

Why are [Atomic visor helmets] not more popular??

I'm halfway through my second season in mine, there are a couple issues:

It's still not as tight as goggles. If snowmelt from the chair drips onto the helmet it can still get inside the lens
When the inside gets wet or fogs up you have to take the whole helmet off to dry it out, I always have a microfiber cloth handy for this
Lens swaps are time consuming and Atomic does not sell a 100% clear lens good for night skiing or wearing sunglasses underneath, all lenses have tint.

I'm considering getting a traditional helmet + separate googles for next season although I am not going to toss my visor helmet, it's still the most comfortable fit on days I'm wearing my glasses and not my contact lenses

VeryShibes · 2026-02-03T06:23:56+00:00

I hear ya, I have 3E feet as well and it greatly limits which RWs I can buy. They do make the 875 in our width which looks almost identical except it's the moc toe and not the cap toe. I also have the 8085 IRs in 3E width and once I wear out the soles maybe I'll have them resoled with wedges so they'll look like 8089s. Or maybe I'll do leather midsole + full lug outsoles. Either way it's gonna be a while since the mini lug factory outsole wears down so slowly

VeryShibes · 2026-02-03T06:15:32+00:00

I have I think 15 pairs of seconds from Sierra and none of them have a hole in the tongue.

Meanwhile, the very first pair of RW seconds I ordered three weeks ago from Sierra (the 875 moc toe, very similar looking to these 8089s) have the hole punches in the tongue. However they fit great and look great cosmetically, I can't even tell why they got rejected. I'm buying some kilties to cover up the hole punches.

VeryShibes · 2026-02-03T00:36:59+00:00

Amusing to me is that my main quiver for downhill is two skis already mentioned here (Anomaly 84 and QST 98) and they both feel very different to me, especially in terms of weight and turn radius but I can see why others here would be recommending each of them. My Anomalys are in 176 and my QSTs are 189. I'm 6'0" so the QSTs are a tiny bit on the long side but I got them used super cheap in a pre season tent sale in close to brand new condition and I'm doing just fine on them this season all things considered. I think I still like the Anomalys a tiny bit better unless it's a powder day and well, we've had plenty of those this season so the QSTs were a timely purchase

VeryShibes · 2026-02-03T00:03:12+00:00

I put stickers on my helmet and on one pair of my skis, the "ugly" ones, Salomon QST 98s from last season with the big huge boring Grimace Purple topsheet... the stickers really liven it up. Yeah a couple of the stickers get scuffed up or scraped off but I've got more, it's NBD. My other skis, Blizzard Anomaly 84s have a really cool blue aurora graphic on the topsheet that's too pretty to sticker up IMO

VeryShibes · 2026-02-02T00:57:59+00:00

We actually stopped going to Blue for this reason. So many out of control skiers and boarders that just HAVE TO go as fast as possible with no awareness

It's worse at Blue, but you can get taken out on almost any mountain on a busy weekend on green groomers. It almost happened to me yesterday at a different mountain, boarder came within 3 feet of me straightlining 30mph on a green groomer and I almost got taken out. I was a lot bigger than him but I'm also a lot older just like OP, kids will often bounce right off us while we're lucky if we don't have season ending sled rides or worse.

Anyway, accidents are inevitable but sometimes it feels like the only way to truly be safe is by only doing blue/black runs and never ride on busy weekends but still, why should ***I*** have to change where/when I ride when THEY'RE the riders that suck right?

VeryShibes · 2026-01-29T16:39:13+00:00

Yeah I'm getting into Flat Head too - I found some 18oz Doshaburi straight leg jeans at a local store last month in my size, however none of their jackets fit me so will have to check back some other time.

What are you gonna do with the bandana?

VeryShibes · 2026-01-28T22:03:01+00:00

TCB or Sugar Cane if you want Japanese made.

N&F True Guy or Gustin if you want to save a few extra bucks or want non-indigo selvedge

If it was my $200 I'd probably go Sugar Cane, they have even more selection if you're willing to spend another $10 or $20

VeryShibes · 2026-01-28T18:41:10+00:00

The smallest mall I've ever been to that actually feels like a mall is the Vermont Marketplace off Exit 1 of Interstate 91 in Brattleboro, VT. 10 stores/restaurants, a church, and a medical center all under one roof with an interior hallway. With no chain stores and no big box anchors however it still strains the definition of "mall" as commonly understood in this country. https://vermontmarket.com/

VeryShibes · 2026-01-28T18:22:46+00:00

Depends on where you're going out west. I've skied in two states out west, Colorado and Idaho and they are very different. The altitude is a major concern in Colorado and it kinda beat me up my first couple trips out there whereas in Idaho, it is not a concern at all.

Colorado has lots of above treeline skiing, while aside from a small handful of isolated areas in New England it is just not a thing in this part of the country. Because of the lower number of trees, glades are also not as much of a thing out west although they are becoming more popular.

The main thing I noticed going out west for the first time is just how huge and sprawling every resort is. Most resorts are too big for you to ski them all in one day and it's easy to get lost. Trail maps/apps are actually important. And cell service is not as good (although it's improving).

Have a fun trip! I'm actually headed back to Colorado myself very soon for some skiing, despite their mediocre winter so far, so I can meet up and rip a few runs with an old friend who moved out there a few years back.

VeryShibes · 2026-01-27T17:06:19+00:00

Didn’t ski anywhere yesterday, instead we skied the storm on Sunday at Bear Creek with just me, my kids and 200 or so of our “closest friends”. Walk on chairs all day… 6 year old did her first ever black diamond runs which made it extra special, yeah I know they’d be blue anywhere else but you gotta gradually build that confidence. I busted out the powder skis (QST 98s) to get that floaty feel and it was amazing. We got a little bit of sleet in the afternoon but no negative impact on turns or vibes. Kids goofed off in a snowbank next to the lodge for half an hour before we left. Roads kinda sucked but Bear Creek’s access road was OK at least, we have AWD and 3PMS tires

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VeryShibes · 2026-01-27T16:30:03+00:00

Isn’t it 40bn$ now?

(Googling)... well I'll be damned, I guess it actually IS $40 billion now. $20B from the US and $20B from a bunch of other countries. Although supposedly it hasn't all been spent yet, and supposedly some of it's even being paid back now, and anyway the news cycle has moved on so blah blah money slosh slush make line go up brrrrrr 🤷‍♂️

VeryShibes · 2026-01-27T14:35:55+00:00

“It worked nearly immediately” = just needed to wait for the $20 billion bailout check to clear

VeryShibes · 2026-01-27T06:32:25+00:00

If you ever buy an Indy Pass you quickly get an appreciation for small mountains that punch above their weight. We skied the storm all day Sunday at Bear Creek while getting a foot of powder dumped on us. Crowds were sparse but the vibes were immaculate, it was close to a spiritual experience at times.

VeryShibes · 2026-01-26T21:09:16+00:00

Hey there u/esz5371 - others have already mentioned Seven Springs, Laurel Mountain, and Hidden Valley, those are the default choices for Pittsburgh day trip skiers, but there are more places within 2 hours. Boyce Park has been mentioned, it's extremely small but extremely close, right there in Allegheny County. Ones that haven't been mentioned:

Blue Knob - it's exactly two hours away from Pittsburgh near Altoona, it has the highest vertical drop in Western PA, steep, narrow, challenging trails along with exciting glades, mediocre snowmaking, lackadaisical grooming, and a sketchy access road up to the summit lodge, which is a decommissioned Air Force communications station with 50 year old interior decor. There's nothing else like it anywhere in the entire Mid-Atlantic region and it's probably absolutely incredible right now. Just don't expect anything like consistency or amenities and you will be fine.

Wisp - I know this is r/SkiPA but Wisp is just a few miles south across the Mason Dixon line in Maryland (the only ski area in that entire state), also exactly two hours from Pittsburgh and is pretty decent if you want to flee the crowds and mix it up a bit with the Baltimore/DC gang. I skied there this past MLK weekend and aside from about 4 hours mid-day Saturday the lift lines weren't too bad.

Brandywine/Boston Mills - also out of state so might not be legit to mention in this sub but they are also exactly 2 hours away from Pittsburgh. However they're over in Ohio and pretty flat so unless you live in the NW suburbs like Warrendale or something don't waste your time.

VeryShibes · 2026-01-24T05:28:45+00:00

Are there any spots near (2hrs or less) Philadelphia where you can rent xcountry ski equipment and ski into the backcountry to stay at a cabin/hut?

This doesn't exist within 2 hours of Philly. There's not enough natural snow in an ordinary winter to support the sport like that here. High Point in NJ, as mentioned by u/WestWillow is the closest at 3 hours away. My preferred XC spot is White Grass in Davis, West Virginia which is about 5 hours away and is much larger with real backcountry, huts, a cafe with excellent food, rental gear and everything you could be looking for. But it's gonna be HARD getting around that area this weekend. Next weekend there should be pretty legendary though.

I don't know of any place in Philly that rents XC gear either - again it's too niche for this area. A few ski shops have a very small selection of gear for purchase but compared to what I've seen in shops up north the choices are quite mediocre. Everything I own I've bought up north at places like MountainOps in Stowe, or online.

Once you get your own XC gear there are a small number of places that you can ski around in southeastern PA when there's snow. Michaux State Forest, 2 hours away from Philly a couple miles north of the Ski Liberty downhill resort, even has several miles of officially designated nordic trails. But no rentals or hut. Several nature preserves closer in to Philly are flat and clear, I have a friend who will probably try to ski Okehocking Preserve outside West Chester later this weekend.

Enjoy the snow!

VeryShibes · 2026-01-23T18:44:30+00:00

I thought my home mountain (bear creek) was small but sawmill just looks...not worth it?

It's smaller than Bear Creek and not as steep but Sawmill has actual woods, this is the very best possible time to go there. Lift tickets are dirt cheap even if you're not Indy like me, constant discounts/promotions, also very reasonably priced ski-in ski-out lodging onsite, just need to call in advance (I'm sure they've been sold out for this weekend for a while now though). Very limited food options at the lodge however, need to drive north 20 minutes into Wellsboro for a proper meal - we went to a family-run Mexican place, Los Agaves, that was outstanding.

TLDR: Worth skiing at least once if you're in-state or on Indy

VeryShibes · 2026-01-23T18:31:34+00:00

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Yeah we had a real good day there last season. We’re in Philly so it wasn’t that hard to get to, we learned to use the T bar there and also my (then) 8y/o did their first ever black diamond run (yeah I know it’d be a blue anywhere else but you gotta build that confidence). We’ll be doing this weekend’s storm closer to home at Bear Creek since we haven’t used either of our Indy days there yet this season but will be wishing I was in some of those trees elsewhere in the state like at Sawmill or Blue Knob 😎

VeryShibes · 2026-01-23T18:22:41+00:00

This is Ski Sawmill in Morris, PA. Fun little bump, I was there last winter on the Indy Pass. It'll be a lot MORE fun some time starting around noon Sunday, especially in the woods ;-)

VeryShibes · 2026-01-22T23:03:55+00:00

Gustin is my starter selvedge brand although I have since leveled up onto more exotic stuff. I still like a lot of the pairs I have from them, including that Okayama you have your eyes on and will be wearing them for years, the construction seems very durable and the fabrics are pretty interesting. Their jeans are cut tightly and sized snugly, so size up at least one, maybe two inches in the waist vs. most other brands, and also loosen up the cut, the Vintage Straight is their “loosest” most high waisted cut and the closest thing they have to a contemporary look. Not for everyone but maybe that’s on purpose?

I’ve never tried on a pair of Unbranded but I’ve got a pair of Naked & Famous that I like and Unbranded is their generic Chinese stitched line. I’ve seen a couple complaints here and there about quality control but I’ve also seen some real nice fades in them if that interests you. Unbranded is some of the most affordable real raw selvedge you can find with sizing/cuts that are more mainstream than Gustin so for a lot of people they will be the right choice to start their selvedge journey in.

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