FemiGnarly

At the end of the year, everyone hits this deep period of reflection. Media counts down the best songs and movies and recaps the major events of the past year. So I thought it would be a good time to do the same for the outdoor woman. At the end of 2021, how is she … Continue reading 2021 State of Outdoor Women

If you're new to reading ski reviews, you'll notice that the most in-depth reviews feature a ton of stats and measurements. From personal experience, I know it can be a little overwhelming, so I’ve put together a cheat sheet of the basics. For likely the first time ever, I'm keeping word count tight, but I'm … Continue reading Ski Construction Cheat Sheet

I had a fun piece about personal fashion in the works for tonight, but I’ve gotta clear my calendar because someone’s being a sexist asshole in the snow sports industry again. I’ve got a cocktail and Kate Nash playing, so let’s get into it. Two years ago, LibTech introduced their first women’s products under the … Continue reading LibTech Jamie Lynn Short Wide Board and Sexist Topsheets

 It’s base layer season, and I’ve seen a lot of questions about brand and fabric recommendations. Most answers differentiate wool and synthetic as if that’s the only point of differentiation in the market. There are lots more ways to add value and comfort to a garment and offer something different to the customer. First, let’s … Continue reading Base Layer 101

Last winter, I got a pair of Ripstick 102s to review. Part of the review exercise for this particular site is to review the brand’s marketing commentary for each of the skis. For the Ripstick, it read: The Ripstick 102 W is designed by women for skiers who aggressively push their limits and seek out … Continue reading Let’s Cancel “Keeping Up with the Boys”

Last week, I published a piece on how to find a backcountry ski mentor. It’s quickly become one of my most shared and most read pieces of the year, but I haven’t felt satisfied with it. Some of the discussions that followed made me realize that there was more work to do to create effective … Continue reading Backcountry Ski Mentorship – Core Skills List

It’s my first Christmas with kids in my life. My sister-in-law and my ski wife both had baby boys early this year, and I’m generally pretty worthless when it comes to small humans, but I’ve got a few ideas up my sleeves for the holiday seasons. I’m starting with clothes because that’s what I’m good … Continue reading Gift Guide 2021 – Outdoor Apparel for Kids

Finding a ski touring mentor is a huge challenge. The interest in ski touring has exploded over the past 5-7 years, and women over-index in their share of newcomers to the sport. There are lots of women seeking out guidance from experienced skiers, but a smaller pool of seasoned women to provide it. Not to … Continue reading How to Find a Backcountry Ski Mentor

I cringe at calling this a gift guide. I loathe traditional gift guides. Retailers sell placements to brands. Bloggers monetize their posts through affiliate links. This means items either end up being extremely generic, or unique items with high price points and egregious markups (inflated due to a bit of elevated, gift-y packaging). It’s not … Continue reading Gift Guide 2021 – Gift Ideas for Outdoor Types

The bar for launching women’s ski products is in the on the floor. In the basement. Underwater.  The 2021-2022 season has brought a handful of new additions to the touring market and the announcements never fail to disappoint women. I understand that the women’s market is smaller, but the standard for line planning, marketing, and … Continue reading Women’s Ski Launches: Are These Skis Real?