Gear Guide for Whistler Winters
We’ll be the first to admit it—Whistler is a unique place. It is probably not much like your home, which is one of the reasons you probably want to come here this winter (other reasons may include; one of the most storied ski resorts in North America, an entire Village full of good times, or a twinkling winter snow-globe paradise experience).
Whatever the reason, you’re coming so you want to have the right gear – or at least know what to buy/rent when you get here to maximize the fun and minimize the suck. Because, let’s be honest, even a place maximized for outdoor fun and adventure can lose some of its lustre if you are cold or have wet feet.
But fear not, The Whistler Insider reached out to four longtime local gear shops to share some tips and tricks on what you need to bring or get to thrive, both on and off the ski hill, in Whistler’s winter conditions.
Best Boots and Winter Footwear — The Circle
Founded in 1997 by some of the top pro snowboarders in town and still owned by ex-pros, The Circle is a local favourite for its knowledgeable staff and discerning selection of only dealing in the best snowboard (and skateboard, and kids) gear. We connected with longtime employee and local shred legend Jon Martin to get the Inside scoop on winter footwear for walking around Whistler, as well as the best snowboard boots for shredding.
Whistler Insider: Jon, I still have some Adidas winter boots I got from you guys almost a decade ago. What’s the recommended footwear for just walking through the Village in Winter, tobogganing and general Whistler fun?
Jon Martin: Vans has you covered with these Gore-Tex boots that look just like shoes but keep you warm and dry. Or you can get more traditional boot shapes if you want something a bit more serious. There are mid-heights too. Men or women, these are nice, casual and lower profile than a traditional snow boot and people love them.
Whistler Insider: What about actual snowboard boots, what do you recommend for people coming here to shred?
Jon: The perfect boot is the one that fits you. You want to be comfortable and my biggest advice is don’t be cheap when you buy boots, they can make or break your day. If your feet are uncomfortable, you won’t stay out as long. I think you can survive without the best jacket; you can go warm up in the lodge if you need to, but if your feet hurt and you can’t last more than an hour you are gonna be bummed.
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Whistler Insider: Some people are asking what is better, traditional laces or the BOA systems?
Jon: Ask me next week, this will be my first season using the BOA system. I’m stoked. Here at The Circle, we sell Vans and ThirtyTwo boots with both options available. Come into the shop and ask me how it’s going.
Whistler Insider: Anything else people should know about gear before they get here?
Jon: Goggles. Your goggles are almost as important as your boots. Being able to quickly change your lenses can be a game changer. Sometimes a lens fogs up, or you are halfway up the gondola and break through into the sunshine. It’s nice to be able to easily switch them up. I use Dragon goggles but there are lots of good options.
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Note: The Circle Kids, just around the corner from The Circle, has your children’s snow boots, snowsuits, and snowboard needs covered as well. The Kamik’s are the hot winter boot this year!
Snow Suits and Snowboards — Evolution Whistler
Since 1995 Evolution Whistler has been providing locals and guests alike with the best snowboard (and mountain bike) gear and advice. We asked owner Jeanine Schramm for some tips and tricks for the winter ahead.
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Whistler Insider: Jenine! First, congrats on your 30th anniversary this winter, that’s incredible. Let’s start with snowboards, what’s the go-to board you’d recommend for people riding Whistler Blackcomb for the first time?
Jenine: Here at Evolution, we love all mountain twins—that’s what most of us ride most of the time. They’re awesome at any speed—a twin tip isn’t as catchy at slow speeds—and they’re playful. We have a lot of terrain here so playful is always fun, plus you can set your stance a bit back and still ride the pow. And our tuning tip is to keep your edges de-burred and your board waxed.
A pow board is always nice to have but bringing multiple boards can be a pain. If you get into a big storm, we can always rent you one!
Whistler Insider: Great tips, thanks. What about outerwear? I think most people know about layering, a warm base layer and a mid-layer give more versatility than just one big, insulated jacket. But what’s the ideal outer layer for riding and skiing in Whistler?
Jenine: A waterproof jacket and pants with vents to let out heat if needed. Because the weather and temperature at the top of the run can be different than at the bottom—every day is a new adventure. We like shells but some people prefer an insulated jacket. So long as it is waterproof and vents, I think that is the most important. Right now Airblaster and Volcom are our staples but there’s a hot new Canadian brand called Souvenir that’s really fun and will be the cool gear to have this winter.
No matter what you have, here’s a tip, taking care of your outerwear is key. If you wash it with a proper tech wash it actually restores the waterproofness. And drying it in the dryer re-seals the seams. Come in and talk to us about it. It’s the dirt and oils from the environment and your body that actually wreck your waterproofing. A great technical wash can make a huge difference.
Whistler Insider: Thanks Jenine. I think people should come buy an Evolution toque as well! Because your logo is the coolest!
Jenine: Hasn’t changed in 30 years! A Whistler classic.
The Skis You Need — TMC FREERIDERZ
Founded in 1994, above his parents’ sports shop, OG Whistler kid and competitive mogul skier Yosuke Hamazaki’s TMC Freeriderz was the first freeski-specific shop in North America. As the sport grew (with Whistler as a key epicentre) TMC became a gathering place for the world’s best skiers and ski gear. We caught up with Yosuke the day before the opening day of Whistler Blackcomb to get his advice on the skis you need for the big hills.
Whistler Insider: Yosuke, what’s the best kind of ski for a competent freerider just looking to enjoy a few days of ripping around Whistler Blackcomb?
Yosuke: Here in the Pacific Northwest, I think the best all-around ski is Sammy Carlson’s Armada White Walker. Skiers from the Rockies or out east might be used to skis with a thinner tail, which is great for drier powder or smaller dumps, but out here we ride a ski with a wider tail to keep us parallel to the ground underneath while we hover on the top pow layer. Rather than leaning back to get the pow you can just kick down in the heel and the ski handles it naturally. It’s almost like a hydrofoil.
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So yeah, if you have a ski with a double rocker, fat on both ends, bring that. And if not, we have good skis here we can rent or sell you to experience what the locals are riding.
This winter marks TMC’s 30th anniversary, and they’re celebrating with two sets of celebration skis featuring Yosuke’s art on the topsheet. There’s a limited-edition Armada White Walker called the “Whis Walker” as well as a limited-edition Faction Prodigy 2.
The Battle of the (Ski) Boot — FanatykCo
Another old-school, legendary ski shop FanatykCo Whistler opened in 1996 and quickly became a local favourite ski/mountain bike base camp. While they have plenty of skis for any style (from carver/race shapes up to ultra-fat pow hogs) The FanatykCo crew also has a reputation for being among the best boot fitters in town. We caught up with co-founder Scott Humby to talk ski boots.
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Whistler Insider: You see thousands of visiting skiers each season, what’s the number one boot issue people come here with?
Scott: The most common thing is a lot of people have boots that are too big for their feet. A lot of shops in other places, instead of working on a boot that maybe has some toe pressure, they’ll just put a person in a bigger boot until they don’t feel anything. That makes for sore toes and less control of their skis, which means less fun. Especially out here where we can get deep or heavier pow. Most people don’t realize if you are banging your toes and getting black toenails, it’s usually because your boots are too big and your foot is sliding around, not the other way around.
Whistler Insider: How do you help these people out?
Scott: If the boots are an appropriate size, we can bolster them to make them fit better. We do custom footbeds and aftermarket trim-to-fit footbeds that are better than the stock insoles. We can do custom padding if a boot is a bit loose, we can augment the liner to give the boot a more secure perch inside the shell. We have boot heaters, Intuition liners and zip-fit liners. Every person is different, but we do everything we can to make them more comfortable, so they feel more confident as a skier.
Whistler Insider: What are the hot boots this year?
Scott: Right now it’s kind of a tie between Technica and Nordica. These two brands have their boot construction super-dialled with good heel hold. They also use Primaloft in their liners to add warmth. The Nordicas even have a sheet of natural cork on the outside of the liner to hug the contours even more. The right fit is integral to a good day on the hill.
And there we have it. The insider info from long-time local experts. Of course, these are just a few of the many shops and service techs ready to help ensure anyone enjoys their trip to Whistler—in the Village or up the hills. So don’t be afraid to wander the stroll and explore (but maybe get those Van’s boots first.)
One final note, many Whistler shops have their own branded toques that happen to be the best toques in town! A toque is essential Whistler fashion (and don’t you dare call it a “beanie” in Canada), so you may as well get one that is only available here. The perfect (useful) souvenir!
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