FemiGnarly

Black Diamond really shit the bed with their most recent beacon safety statement. I know what you’re thinking, “you’re a year behind,” but no, these are *new* safety issues with Pieps and Black Diamond beacons. I have a lot of thoughts about their communication and their decisions varied from somewhat to wildly unethical. But I … Continue reading Black Diamond’s Bungled Beacon Safety Messages

Every few weeks, I get a question about kids’ skis from grown women. I get it, the sizes overlap. The costs are much cheaper. At face value, they look like the best bang for the buck. Thank god these mostly come over email so I can write something more thoughtful than my initial reaction: a … Continue reading Should Women Ski Kids’ or Juniors’ Skis?

The reader question train just keeps truckin’. Today’s question comes from Liz, about women’s powder skis: Hi! Question for you. Do you have any data breakdowns of women’s “powder skis” that are 110 or wider underfoot and the length options available? I’ve been doing a little bit of digging and am finding the options are … Continue reading Why are women’s powder skis so long?

In my most recent review of the Elan Ripstick 102 W, I mentioned that there’s a lot of repetition in the women’s 100-something ski space: moderate flex, carbon laminates, -8cm mount point and 1700g in weight. I call them Vanilla skis. They’re palatable crowd-pleasers, and they make a lot of sense in the wide, women’s … Continue reading Gear Review: Women’s Coalition Snow SOS Skis

Last November, I got a message asking me to talk about gloves and mittens, help break down the components, and make her feel more confident making purchases. Do I remember who asked? No. Can I find the message? Also no. But I know it’s been on my to do list for months, and I really … Continue reading Gloves & Mittens 101

A little over a month ago, I posted a piece on the sexist marketing trope of how expert women’s gear allows them to “keep up with the boys,” sending the message that men are generally better, but some women manage to keep up. My friend Reid dropped in my DMs to ask question about how … Continue reading How Men can Advocate for Gear Equity

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again. Skis in the mid-100s give me déjà vu. Lots of directional skis with a moderate flex and carbon laminates that clock in at 1700g. They’re accessible to progressing intermediates, but supportive enough for experts, and pretty versatile around the mountain in soft snow climates. The Elan … Continue reading Gear Review: Women’s Elan Ripstick 102 W Skis

It’s new gear season! This is the time of year where brands introduce their lineup for the ’22-’23 season, and the ski media talks about what new men’s products will be on the market next year. I am not a “get invited to gear shows” caliber of influencer, so I read all of the articles, … Continue reading Women’s Ski Gear Preview – 2023

Ski season is here in Western Washington, so it’s a good time to talk about backseat skiing. Whether you’re feeling rusty at the start of the season or planning out your goals for the year, finding good form works wonders for both. But before I dive in, a quick clarification. Form is optional. If you’re … Continue reading Backseat Skiing

Every year, I review topsheets. Are they an important aspect of a ski’s construction and performance? Absolutely not. But they mean a lot to me. I’ve worked in marketing and branding, and I know how design work focuses deeply on who the customer is and what the customer likes. It gives me a good sense … Continue reading Superficial Ski Reviews – 2022