Darn Tough Winter

It's been a tough winter across the country for those in the outdoor industry.  This has meant tough times for those of us depending on snow.  Locally I'd hoped to take the Camel's Hump Challenge this weekend but yet again it has been postponed due to lack of snow.  Down the road a few miles, Bolton Valley Resort opened their Timberline quad for the first time this season yesterday.  But fortunately conditions high up in the backcountry are decent, even if there is a lack of powder out there.   So tomorrow's day off promises a great traverse of the Bolton-Trapps section of the Catamount Trail. 

If you're on-line reading this you probably could care less that I'm inside today working @CCOutdoorStore.com.  But you might care that all week we've been loading up our Clearance Page with great deals.  Given how firm--i.e. icy--many trails have been this year, now may be the best time to get a grip with the 360 degrees of traction offered by MSR snowshoes.  MSR's Lightning Ascent snowshoes are now at the LOWEST PRICE we've ever offered them for.  From my personal experience I can't speak highly enough of how well these perform going through the woods and up and down steep mountainsides.  Despite our darn tough winter, I still wish I was outside now! 

Green Mountain Club Snowshoe Festival 2012

It's always fun to head out on the trail with a group of folks and discover someplace new.  The Green Mountain Club Snowshoe Festival on February 4, 2012 gives you the chance to do just that.  This year the 16th Annual Snowshoe Festival promises to be bigger than ever with live music after the day's adventures to go with the always fun bonfire & hot cocoa.  New seminars during the day include a dog sled workshop and live V.I.N.S. owl &/or hawk presentation. 

Plus the Snowshoe Festival is a great way to try on snowshoes from different brands.  We'll be there along with other local shops helping folks demo different snowshoes.  For the event we'll be bringing along our MSR snowshoes and Crescent Moon snowshoes so you can find out how each excels in different ways.  We also like to bring along our Jetboil Flash Stove to show off how cool this can be for a hot drink at trailside.  So come join the fun on February 4th at the Green Mountain Club Visitor Center on Rt. 100 in Waterbury. 

Are you ready for some snowshoes?

We are! With a recent storm dumping a foot of snow on Western Mass. and Southern Vermont who's not thinking about winter? We sold our first MSR snowshoes of the season 9 days ago and we're not looking back. We think this is going to be a big winter.... Suffice it to say that MSR snowshoes go on sale on Wed. November 16th through Dec. 7th for the only time this season. This year MSR requires all its retailers to only offer discount prices at the beginning of the season, so this is the only time this year you'll find bargains on great snowshoes like the Lightning Ascent. Buy yourself an early Xmas gift!

Winter Snowshoe SALE!

Bet you wish you had some new snowshoes for the snowstorm that hit folks up and down the East Coast this past week. Now that almost everyone has finally had the chance to dig out, you've got the opportunity to pick up that pair of new snowshoes ON SALE. All of our snowshoes from Crescent Moon, MSR, and Redfeather are on sale through January 12th. Our staff has been out in the snow this past week and here are some thoughts on how our snowshoes stack up:

Best Traction: MSR snowshoes really offer superior grip. By using the entire frame as a giant crampon you get unbeatable performance going up, going down, even going across sheets of ice!

Best Binding: Crescent Moon snowshoes' Single Pull Loop (SPL) system is tops. Getting snowshoes on and off can be the most demanding part of snowshoeing and often determines whether you even want to bother with them for short jaunts. We've never come across anything easier...you don't even need to take your gloves off!

Best Value: Redfeather snowshoes have been bundled into kits that include their best selling snowshoes with poles and a carry bag. Whether you are an expert, novice, or beginner there is a kit for you. There is no better way to outfit yourself on a budget.

So get yourself ready to enjoy the next big snowfall with a new pair of snowshoes. Now with our new 800 number, you can call us at 855-244-GEAR for advice on your next purchase.

Get a lift out of MSR Snowshoes' Televator

The MSR Televator heel lift is actually a little bar that you easily pull up (with gloves on!) and it locks in place under your heel. MSR snowshoes' Televator heel lift can be found on the Lightning Ascent and Axis models as well as the Evo Ascent and Tour models. As you climb, your foot has to drop only back onto this lift rather than all the way back down to the snowshoe itself. The benefit? The Televators reduce fatigue while improving traction and grip. Now your crampons are hitting the snow from above rather than at an angle. This allows us to stay out longer on our adventures and reduces frustration of the one step forward, two steps back ascent.

Not only does the MSR Televator lift your heel, it also lifts your energy and lifts your spirits. Go on, enjoy the lift!

Thinking about Snowshoes....

Well, we got our first snow at my house Friday night. As I got my morning coffee today, I saw the front page of the paper with a local skier enjoying the new snow. This made me think of ….snowshoes, of course!

We have been stocked with great new snowshoes from Red Feather and MSR. Crescent Moon snowshoes are arriving soon too. All three brands are US made and chock full of features that will make your snowshoe experience awesome! Whether you are running in the snow, hiking up a groomed trail, strolling over meandering terrain, or fighting to the summit of an icy peak; these snowshoes will help you lead the way.

Crescent Moon's SPL binding makes it so easy to put on, take off, or tighten your snowshoe with a mitten on. MSR’s televator heel lifter allows the climber to experience less fatigue and more joy with their adventure. On the Red Feather Race snowshoe, you will find an ultra-light binding which cinch down to any running shoe or light hiking boot.

Don’t forget the kids! We have snow shoes perfect for the smaller adventurers from all three brands! Get the little ones outside and hitting the snow. They will thank you for it (eventually).

Any snowshoe that I have seen here has what I need: strong binding, light weight, flexible sizing, and great crampon grip for climbing up that peak.

And to the skier on the front page this morning along with all of you downhill enthusiasts….what goes down, must first climb up!