The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people out of their homes and into the outdoors. In fact, the backcountry is seeing record numbers of recreationists. All of those folks need gear, so you can be sure that outdoor products will be in high demand as holiday gifts. So this year for our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide I decided to look beyond typical gear and am instead focusing on more unique options for the perfect outdoorsy present.
Mountain Art From Kapowder Ink
Economic hardship has hit us all, especially small business owners. That’s why it is so important to buy local. Consider some mountain art to decorate the home of your gift recipient.
Lexi Dowdall is a Salt Lake City-based artist who specializes in watercolor prints of mountain scenes. Her Kapowder Ink online store features many iconic landscapes from Alta, Utah to the Tetons. We are especially enamored with her prints of Alta’s Wildcat chairlift and Alf’s High Rustler. Purchase prints at kapowder.com
Magazine Subscription
Print ain’t dead! True. But it is evolving. With landmark magazines like “Bike” and “Powder” shutting down, it seems impossible to make a living in the print world these days. But small publishers are not giving up. Instead they are changing the game. That’s also why getting a subscription as a Christmas gift is a swell idea.
First, I suggest “Ascent Backcountry Snow Journal” for the skier you’re shopping for. It’s a high-quality magazine filled with backcountry-ski adventures that covers the entire globe. According to the publisher, Ascent is full gloss and printed on quality bright stock driven by intriguing editorial and captivating images of backcountry skiing from around the globe. Ascent Backcountry Snow Journal is printed 3 times a year with issues releasing in October, December, and February.
Full disclosure, I’m a frequent contributor and pen the humorous back-page column, “Breakable Crust.” The $30 subscription is worth that alone. Subscribe at ascentbackcountry.com/ascent-store
Another title is the resurrected “Mountain Gazette.” Publisher, Mike Rogge, has brought this once defunct and missed title up from the ashes and transformed it into a thing of beauty. The revived magazine continues the tradition of original storytelling and photography from the weird, eccentric and cerebral mountain denizens, only now in a massive 11”x17” format.
A subscription gets your lucky holiday recipient two issues per year. For that and more gift ideas such as Mountain Gazette apparel and poster of classic issues, check them out at mountaingazette.com
GO Kinesiology Knee Sleeve
Does your friend or spouse suffer from knee pain while enjoying the outdoors? Then they will be forever grateful to receive GO Kinesiology Knee Sleeves.
Go Sleeves are compression sleeves that reduce inflammation and lactic acid build-up. They also accelerate muscle recovery. Like athletes using kinesiology tape to provide support and lessen pain, Go Sleeves mimic that application while also being easy to use. I’ve been using them myself and simply put, the Go Sleeve is the best compression sleeve I’ve used so far.
Purchase them at gosleeves.com
RIGWA Bowl
A practical gift is always a safe bet, especially for your loved one who is always on the go. Let them toss away those plastic food containers by gifting a RIGWA Bowl. This is no ordinary bowl however. It’s double-walled and vacuum sealed with a lid that is insulated, BPA free, and makes the bowl airtight.
The RIGWA Bowl works great to keep hot food hot and cold food cold. If you’re going on a picnic to the lake, or just want to keep your lettuce from withering before lunchtime at work, the RIGWA bowl is up to the task.
Order the RIGWA bowl at their online store at rigwalife.com.
Backcountry Skiing Yurt Trip
Yurt life is the best life. So why not send the backcountry skier in your life to their own secluded powder heaven? Talking Mountain Yurts in the La Sal Mountains near Moab is one of our favorites.
Talking Mountain Yurts has two yurts in the La Sals: the Geyser Pass Yurt and the Gold Basin Yurt. Both offer close access to the best ski touring in the range, from powder-filled glades to high-alpine bowls on big peaks. And the for 2020-21 winter season, they are offering 50% off weekdays made possible through a Shop in Utah grant. Book now at talkingmountainyurts.com
Mountaineers Books
When your friend or family member isn’t outdoors, give them something to do in the evenings that’s better than streaming Netflix. How about a book from Mountaineers Books?
Dragons in the Snow
Any backcountry skier would love to read “Dragons in the Snow” by Edward Power. The book dives deep into the research and science behind avalanche forecasting and rescue. It’s full of local Utah characters, including Utah Avalanche Center forecaster Craig Gordon. Along with the science and stories behind avalanche forecasting, there are tales of backcountry skiing, avalanche rescues, and more. It’s a good read for anyone who ventures into the backcountry to ski and is a reminder to never “wake the dragon.”
Purchase at mountaineersbooks.com
If you’re going to backcountry ski in Utah, you better know where to go. Terrain management is a key component of avoiding avalanches, and guide book is one of the best ways to get educated about safer ascent routes (as well as not getting lost).
Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Routes: Utah
The book that I wrote, “Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Routes: Utah,” is now in it’s 5th year. While some things have changed in Utah’s backcountry landscape, the book it still very current and is essential for skiers who are new to the backcountry scene. With the pandemic drawing bigger crowds to the backcountry than ever before, it’s never been more important to have a travel plan before you get to the trailhead. This book will help you with that.
Purchase at mountaineersbooks.com
Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain
Of course avalanche education is of the utmost importance. While nothing can replace in-the-field avalanche courses, a book like Bruce Tremper’s “Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain” is a must-read. Now in it’s 3rd edition, this quintessential book is ideal for supplementing your avalanche training, and to keep handy for quick reference. This new edition includes a new chapter that brings everything together into an organized, step-by-step system for making decisions off, and on, the mountain.
Purchase at mountaineersbooks.com