Month: January 2019

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Hit the Slopes with BURTON this Saturday

Alpine Shop, Burton, and Hidden Valley are proud to bring a brand new event to the slopes for 2019, the Inaugural King of the Mountain competition, on Saturday, February 2!

To celebrate, Burton has purchased 30 ski passes to Hidden Valley to give to customers who come into Alpine Shop’s Kirkwood store and answer the following question: “What was the name of the first snowboard built by Burton?” Just go up to the front cashier and let them know you’re there for a free pass and give them the correct answer. As long as we’ve got passes left, you’re good to go! FREE PASS!

(One pass per customer, per correct answer, please!)

We will be handing out these tickets until they are gone. On Saturday, February 2 will be on location for the competition where we’ll be giving away over $500 in Burton prizes.

Modeled on the Freeride World Tour, King of the Mountain will combine technical skiing and freestyle creativity to determine the best on the mountain. The course will be on Continental Divide and competitors will be judged on five categories and given 2 runs on the course.

The event is free but helmets and waivers are mandatory.

Registration will start at 11 AM in the Lodge and the event will run from 2PM to 4PM, with awards immediately following the conclusion at the Lodge. We will be crowning a King of Mountain skier and snowboarder as well as a Queen of the Mountain.

Inaugural King of the Mountain Competition

Date: February 2nd 

Pre-Race Briefing: 1:30PM

Competition: 2 PM – 4 PM

Slope Closure: Continental Divide

Format: 2 runs per competitor, best one counts – no time limit! Winner just has to cross the finish line – scoring based on points (score card to be posted) 

Award Presentation: 4 PM in the Lodge

King of the Mountain Skier and Snowboarder; Queen of the Mountain

Admission: FREE!

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Tour of Hermann Gravel Challenge Early Bird Pricing Ends Friday, 2/1

The seventh annual Tour of Hermann Gravel Challenge is a two-day cycling event with up to five challenging scenic loops throughout the countryside surrounding Hermann, Mo., on May 4-5, 2019 This event is set up for all rider experience levels, including beginners. You can take on as little as one loop or try to take down all five over the course of two days.

The important thing to know is that Early Bird Pricing for this event ends Friday, February 1, 2019 at 11:59 pm. If you want the best price possible, you need to sign up by then! All the information you need is at www.offroadracingleague.com

If you complete all five loops in the allotted time, you will have tackled 6960 feet of climbing over 203 miles of riding, and you will be entered into the Tour of Hermann Gravel Challenge Elite Club.

If you’re not quite to that level of fitness at this time, you can commit to taking on just the first loop, a 30-mile scenic ride that heads north of the city. Or, tackle as many as you want to conquer!

Find out more here.

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What To Pack For A Day On The Slopes

Whether you’re going Hidden Valley for the day or a Colorado ski resort for a week, there are a few essential things I like to have access to while I am skiing. At Hidden Valley, I have access to my car since it’s no more than a 5-minute walk away, but on my last ski trip to Utah, we had to take a bus in to the mountain, so I had to think and plan a little more.

SporTube’s The Wanderer Boot Bag has two large boot compartments and one main central compartment to hold all your other gear.

I brought a boot bag with me, so I didn’t have to walk in my ski boots, then I just put it in a locker that was close to the lift for just a few dollars.

Since I had a bag I brought some extra clothes, these items included a vest and a lightweight down jacket. I also had an extra set of lenses for my goggles and I brought some snacks along. Weather on the mountain can sometimes be unpredictable so I like to have my favorite vest at the bottom of the hill instead of 30 minutes away.

Clif Bloks Energy Chews for use during any endurance activity.

Before I go up the lift I put some of my snacks in my pockets. I usually bring granola bars, but one of my favorites is the Cliff Bloks Energy Chews. I don’t always want to eat a big lunch when I’m on the mountain, so I like having some lighter options.

Hydrapak features bottles that collapse down to a 1/4 of its filled size when empty and are 50% lighter than most hard bottles.

One of my secrets to staying out longer is having water on me. When you’re in Colorado its very dry so you get dehydrated faster. I like to do 1 of 2 things, my favorite is using a collapsible water bottle. Make sure you buy a good quality one, you don’t want that thing leaking on you or breaking if you fall on it. The other option I use is a winter specific Camelbak backpack. Then I have nothing in my pockets and everything is in my backpack and the water tube is right by my shoulder.

Extra pro tip for beginners going to Hidden Valley. Bring two pairs of gloves and two pairs of socks. When you’re learning your hands spend a lot of time in the snow, have a second pair waiting in the car just in case your first pair gets wet. Most ski and snowboard boots don’t leak; however, my feet have gotten wet before so only wear one pair of socks, but have an extra set as a backup.

I hope this helps you enjoy your time spent on the snow just a little more, always stop into Alpine Shop to talk to one of our experts if you have any questions.

Elizabeth Dugger, Alpine Shop Snowsports Hardgoods Coordinator

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Why “Getting Bundled Up” Doesn’t Cut It

Alpine Shop’s Alex Kuntzman met with KSDK News Meteorologist Jessica Quick on Monday, January 28 to discuss the best way to dress for being outside during cold weather.

The most important thing to remember is that there is very little difference between dressing for 30 degree temperatures and 0 degree temps. It’s all about working with layers to make sure you are prepared for multiple situations.

If you are going to be active outside – continuous walking/running, skiing, snowboarding, lifting items, shoveling, etc. – then the number one reason you may get cold is your own sweat. If you’re going to be exposed to the cold for a significant amount of time when you will not be sedentary, then we need to take extra precautions to make sure your body has enough insulation around it to stay warm. Either way, it all starts with layering.

  • The first or “base” layer (next to your skin) should be either wool or polyester. Both of those materials will wick sweat away from your body and dry quickly. This is especially important for the active crowd. For the sedentary crowd, this layer is just as important and may need to be slightly thicker than one for the active crowd.
  • The second layer is your main insulation. In general, this will be a thicker piece than your base layer and will be made from wool, polyester, down or another synthetic insulation. Just how thick it is will depend on how cold it will be outside and how active you will be. You can always throw on multiple pieces of insulation to start and remove them as you go.
  • The final layer should block wind and precipitation while allowing your sweat to evaporate through it.
  • As your activity level increases or decreases, each layer can be alternately unzipped, removed or zipped up to release heat or trap it.

The same things go for your hands, your feet and your head. Many of Alpine Shop’s selection of gloves are designed with an insulation sleeve and a waterproof shell. Glove liners can be combined with these in extreme temperatures. For your feet, we recommend that the shoes or boot you wear contain insulation themselves so you can use socks that will do a better job of moving moisture away from your feet. On your head, we recommend balaclavas to provide the most cover, if needed.

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Meet Elizabeth Clendenin

Elizabeth Clendenin – Alpine Shop Kirkwood Outfitter

Name: Elizabeth Clendenin
Date Started at Alpine Shop: 07-28-2018
Which Alpine Shop location do you work at? Kirkwood
What is your official title? Outfitter

What do you do at Alpine Shop? Sell skis and Snowboards

Where you are from?
I grew up in Chester IL and started working at the Alpine Shop in O’Fallon when I was living in Edwardsville, I recently moved from Vail CO after living there for 2 years.

What is your passion?
Skiing and Snowboarding is my passion. I love talking to people about the mountains and where they will be riding. I also camp, hike, and do a little backpacking on various trails out in CO. I also road cycle and mountain bike, and when I get the chance, I go kayaking.

Where is your favorite place to “Get Outside Yourself”?
Anything in Colorado, whether its trying a new run at a ski resort or backpacking up a trail to summit a 14er

What is your dream adventure? Climbing Mt. Kiliminjaro

Favorite product/brand that we sell?
Osprey, Fits, Burton, Salomon, Marmot, The North Face, just to name a few

What do you enjoy doing that doesn’t relate to the outdoors?
I love coming home to my dogs and my new kitten
Favorite Book?
The Last Valentine

Anything else you would like to share about yourself.?
I LOVE PLAYING POKER!

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Meet Marcus Miller

Marcus Miller– Alpine Shop Kirkwood Assistant Manager

Name: Marcus Miller
Date Started at Alpine Shop: 10-12-2015
Which Alpine Shop location do you work at?  Kirkwood
Official Title: Assistant Manager
What do you do at Alpine Shop?
I get to talk about my hobbies and cool gear all day to customers, usually about Bicycles, Camping, and Ski Gear

Where are you from?
I am from Ballwin, Mo., a small township within St. Louis County. I have access to great mountain biking in the area with places including but not limited to Castlewood State Park, Greensfelder Conservation Area, and the Zombies Trail at Rock Hollow. Visit Gateway Off Road Cyclists online for great information and maps of these areas.

What is your passion?
My passion would have to be Mountain Biking, Skiing, and Back Country Camping. I engage in all of these activities at least once a year. My brother moved to Colorado almost 10 years ago and me visiting all the time got me into “mountain-type” activities. Also, a family trip to Lake Tahoe in the winter starting around the same time really got me into skiing. I enjoy being outside and having a job that revolves around that. Learning and engaging with all the different outdoor brands is of great interest to me.

Where is your favorite place to “Get Outside Yourself”?
Mountain biking at Castlewood, Zombie Trails, or Greensfelder is the majority of outdoor activities I do. Breckenridge will always have a special place in my heart for it was the first place I went and explored in Colorado with my brother 10 years ago. Also, he recently got married on Peak 9 in Breckenridge so I will never forget those moments. The Rocky Mountains in general, I would have to say is my favorite place to “Get Outside Yourself.”

What is your dream adventure?
My current dream adventure would be to road trip to Banff and then Whistler to do some Back country camping and mountain biking, especially downhill biking at the resorts

Favorite product/brand that we sell? Arc’teryx

What do you enjoy doing that doesn’t relate to the outdoors? I enjoy a nice evening on the couch watching the Cardinals game with a cold brew.

Favorite Book? Arc’teryx Catalog…haha

Anything else you would like to share about yourself?
Former Wilderness First Responder

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Meet Jake White

Jake White – Alpine Shop Snow & Bike Retail and Service Manager

Name: Jake White
Nickname: jahweez
Date Started at Alpine Shop: 08-10-2009
Which Alpine Shop location do you work at?  Kirkwood
Official Title: Snow & Bike retail and service manager

What do you do at Alpine Shop?
Manage the retail and service shops for the snow and bike departments….. And have a ton of fun doing so while helping our outstanding customers and working with our great outfitters.

Where are you from?
I was born in Daytona Beach, lived in Sturgeon and Green Bay Wisconsin as well as a suburb of Milwaukee. I graduated from high school in Homewood, Ill., and then moved to Arizona – Phoenix for eight years and Flagstaff for about two.

I-17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff is my favorite stretch of highway in the country. Driving up it to go skiing or snowboarding at one of the most underrated ski resorts in the country, Arizona Snowbowl, is where some of my fondest memories come from.

What is your passion?
Skiing, snowboarding and cycling top the list. My uncle bought me a snowboard before I had ever hit the slopes because he knew I would love it as I grew up skateboarding. A life changing gift that I will never forget. I rode bicycles as a kid like everyone else, but got back in to it heavily when I started at the Alpine Shop

Where is your favorite place to “Get Outside Yourself”?
Right now it’s riding a trail with my family around a wetlands area with beautiful scenery that includes turtles and frogs among other beautiful features.

I can be really happy anywhere in Summit County Colorado, Jackson Hole Wyoming and Southern California. Flagstaff is probably my favorite place I’ve ever lived though

What is your dream adventure?
I could be happy on a killer ski trip to a number of resorts, taking a long gravel bike ride camping along the way, or catching waves just about anywhere. (That is quite a loaded question and I could definitely go deeper.)

Favorite product/brand that we sell?
Specialized Diverge (bike)
Any Mervin or Never Summer (board)
Nordica Enforcer (ski)
Salomon X-Pro 120 (ski boot)

However there are many life changing products that we sell here. Undergarments in particular with specific regard to ExOficcio and Saxx Underwear, Smartwool and Fits socks, and anything with merino wool in it.

What do you enjoy doing that doesn’t relate to the outdoors?
Reading, watching movies and television, watching and following sports. Coloring, reading, playing with my 6 year old daughter in any facet and spending time with my family in general. Cooking and culinary arts are another passion of mine

Favorite Book?
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy

Anything else you would like to share about yourself?
My daughter and girlfriend are my world, and wouldn’t have gotten this far in life without the example of my mother’s and grandmother’s strength

Do you have an outdoor related blog or website you would like to share?
Blotto Photography

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A Gear & Beer Event: Snowsports!

Join us for the first “Gear & Beer” of 2019 for a look at what’s new in skiing and snowboarding equipment this season on Thursday, January 17 at 6:30 pm! (And if you wouldn’t mind, please RSVP here so we know how much beer to bring.)

Beginners and Experts alike are invited to an informal class/discussion led by Alpine Shop staff while you relax with a beverage from Urban Chestnut Brewing Company.

Part information session and part social hour, “Gear & Beer” nights are dedicated to sharing our love and passion for a sport, while making sure we’re helping newcomers find out just what they need to succeed.

Specifically, we’ll guide discussions this week about the different styles of skis, boards, boots, and bindings and what each style’s purpose is on the mountain-side. We’ll also talk about the latest and greatest features on today’s equipment and what it actually means to you. The idea isn’t to try to sell you on anything in particular; it’s to try to help you make the most educated decisions for your next trip to Hidden Valley or to anywhere in the country.

This is a chance for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels to chime in with information. So, please join us for some free beer and a chance to talk “shop” with some like-minded people.

Gear & Beer: Snowsports
Thursday, January 17 – 6:30–8 pm
Alpine Shop Kirkwood
RSVP Here

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