For the Mom who spends as much time chasing pow as she does kids! After many, MANY years in the same ski outfit, it was time for me to upgrade. The gear budget for the past decade or so has been largely allocated to the annual rotation kids gear. After looking back at photo albums, I quickly realized that I have the same outfit in almost...
When shopping for a new performance shell jacket, it seems like the choices are endless. Browsing through the selection at your local Valhalla Pure is an adventure in itself. The myriad of top level brands all spouting the latest and greatest technology. Then you hop online and it is like a fire hose of choices and opinions. One of the brands ...
If you could own only one serious mountain shell in a place like British Columbia, the Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket could be the answer for a lot of people. With clean lines, regular fit and just the right amount of features to carry the day. This is the quintessential "do‑almost‑everything" hardshell. Light enough (≈ 460 g) to wear on drizzly hi...
I have now had the Beta AR jacket, stormhood, for almost a year. Right away I could tell it was high quality that would stand up over time. The fit of the jacket is roomy enough for comfortable movement, but also feels flattering. The pocket placement is spot-on and the hand warmer pockets are extremely roomy. There is plenty of space for a p...
One of my favourite jackets of all-time is an Arc'teryx insulating piece that I have owned for over 20 years. It has stood the test of time and taken me on a myriad of adventures. So this season when it came time to replace my old outerwear kit, Arc'teryx was top of mind. Now, if you have shopped for Arc'teryx before, you know that they gear for al...
It all started when my old knife broke... Before ordering the Roark Cassius Knife, I had never heard of the brand. I figured if Valhalla Pure Outfitters stocks it then it must be a reliable piece of equipment. That is the beauty of shopping with a place like VPO - their staff use the gear they stock and are as enthusiastic about such things a...
You can never really know how a new product will hold up until you can put it through the paces. That means getting out and testing it where it will be used. What I mean is, often times we buy a product for what it can do but use it for much less that that. Take the RUX 70L storage system that I had the opportunity to test on a recent trip. The RUX...
When I started mountain biking, there were no hydration packs. It was the 90's, we barely had suspension let alone luxurious things like Strava! When it came to water we used to strap as many plastic water bottles to our bikes as we could, stuffing them full of ice in hopes of a cool mid-ride drink. I grew up riding mountain bikes in the South Okan...
Like many of you, we have been venturing into the backcountry more and more. After a few years of dipping off the backside of local resorts we have now got the backcountry bug and are finding ourselves being drawn towards quite walks up mountains with the promise of awe-inspiring vistas, fresh tracks and less people. But the question has always bee...
It is that time of year again - the time when all the major ski manufacturers descend upon our local hill, Big White Ski Resort. We have been partaking in this ski intro since it began and this year was easily the most attended by ski companies. We were only up for the first day so we tried a few favourites and a few new models and then mostly scan...
Disclaimer: Saw was purchase at retail price. It seems that there is nothing quite as handy as a pack-able saw when you are out and about in the woods. On a bike, skis, or even walking. Making quick work of a wooden obstacle is lovely. Doing with so with comfort and ease is even better. Enter the Silky Gomboy...