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Outdoor Tips, Tricks, Inspiration and Activities | MEC Blog

Chances are, throughout your workday, your left brain does a lot of heavy lifting. You’re setting realistic goals, coming up with unique strategies, and finding logical ways to see your plans through. And if you’re someone who loves the outdoors, you’re likely intermittently daydreaming about your next getaway. That’s when your right brain takes over. This is your free spirit side, full of imagination, keen to seek out sensory experiences, get moving, tap into your feelings and express yourself.

Everyone has a dominant side, and while right-brained types are usually considered more naturally creative, the difference between right- and left-brained is in the approach. Lefties see details first and piece them together to form a larger picture, while righties use visual reference and see a whole before working into the finer details. So, even if you may not consider yourself a “creative person,” you’re actually already tapping into your more expressive hemisphere when you’re out hiking, taking in a meteor shower, or trying not to trip on tree roots on a trail run.

MEC’s Digital Asset Administrator [Jessa Gilbert](http://www.jessagilbert.com/) is a sterling example of letting your creativity flow outside. The New York native moved to Vancouver in 2013 and has been on a constant mission to meld her love of activity with her desire to explore outside, one that saw her transition from figurative painter to landscape artist.



“This place is magic,” says Jessa. “I take my studio outside into the wilderness, bringing along my sketchbook, watercolour paper, pens, brushes – the whole gamut, just on a smaller scale – and try to replicate the feelings and the sentiments of either getting to a peak or being within the environment.” When Jessa gets back into the studio, she works with acrylic paint at a larger scale. “I think about how I show the passing of time on a two-dimensional plane; how I take the trip at large and create something that speaks to how it was, or how we look at the environment around us.”

Another crew taking the studio outside is one of MEC Outdoor Nation’s newest Toronto-based collaborators (they were granted $5000 at the 2016 Think Outside Summit). [Outdoor Studio](http://www.outdoorstudio.ca/) is all about getting young urban creatives outside and connected to nature – the group links interested parties up with wilderness guides, outdoor instructors and creative mentors on multi-day trips and excursions. The studio is run by four creatives with a passion for getting outside: graphic designers Franziska Brand and Sarah Paul, visual artist Sarah Carlson, and advertising and marketing specialist Cherie Tsang.



“Making typically happens in a four-walled studio or in front of a computer screen. As a result, many creatives are unfamiliar with the outdoors and simply don’t have the knowledge to go out and explore on their own,” explains Sarah Carlson. “The great irony is, a desire to be connected to the land is a narrative woven through the creative histories of art, design and film. Outdoor Studio is a space that allows creatives time to meditate, explore and physically reconnect to natural spaces.”

Ready to join Jessa and Outdoor Studio and let your right brain take the reins? Here’s how to get outside and start making:

#### 1. Let go of your work zone
Being creatives themselves, Outdoor Studio was finding their colleagues don’t get outside as much because of a production-focused mentality, project deadlines and a pressure to rise to the top in increasingly competitive fields. “It’s important to merge creativity and recreation because they feed into each other,” explains Sarah Carlson. “Creative blocks are challenging, and it’s important to take a breather and step outside of your work zone to recharge,” adds Cherie.

By getting outside solo, or with groups like Outdoor Studio, you’re fueling your creativity, networking with like-minded people and adding a transitionary layer to your personal practice and artistic work flow.

#### 2. Make it part of your process
“If recreation is defined as what we do when we’re not working, then we absolutely need recreation to fuel our work,” says Cherie. For Outdoor Studio’s artist mentor, Sarah Carlson, recharging outdoors is central to prepping for her next big project or exhibition. She frequents artist residencies in highly natural settings such as Algonquin Park and the Yukon.

#### 3. Tap in to your senses
“I find clouds have such personality, they have this pulsing liveliness, and sometimes they really open up for you,” says Jessa. “I usually look far in the distance so I can see everything.” Here, she details more of her thought process when she’s in making-mode:



#### 4. Streamline your pack list
No matter what you’re doing out in the wild, some practical items should be a given: a [sturdy pack](/en/products/gear/packs-and-bags/c/1326?q=%3Asales-rank) with a [rain cover](/en/products/gear/packs-and-bags/rain-covers-and-pack-liners/c/1344), a [hydration bladder](/en/products/gear/hydration-and-water-bottles/bladders%2c-reservoirs-and-accessories/c/1229) (your cap can be helpful with watercolours), a [headlamp](/en/products/gear/lighting-and-headlamps/headlamps/c/1306?q=%3Asales-rank) if you want to keep at it after dusk, and a warm jacket like the MEC [Spicy Hoodie](/en/product/5037-102/Spicy-Hoodie) or [Commix Hoodie](/en/product/5036-944/Commix-Hoodie).

Carry a sketchbook (you can even get [waterproof ones](/en/products/gear/books%2c-maps-and-dvds/journals-and-writing-materials/journals-and-writing-materials/c/934)), a couple of pens and a pencil (in the winter your ink may freeze). If drawing isn’t your jam, then bring any materials that allow you to explore and make in the wild. Outdoor Studio suggests watercolours, pastels, carving tools and a camera.



“I bring a what is basically a [travel pouch](/en/products/gear/packs-and-bags/travel-pouches-and-packing-organizers/c/1354) with a couple brushes, pens, a pencil, a couple sketchbooks and a disposable film camera,” says Jessa. “Plus secret items like sparklers to mix it up and keep things light.” She also recommends making sure your watercolour set is non-toxic (acrylics are not compatible with Mother Nature), using a mechanical pencil so you don’t have to worry about a sharpener, and grabbing a Moleskine notebook for dry days. “The elastic band keeps the notebook closed and the pouch in the back can hold small drawings,” she says.

#### 5. Get ready to learn
“[Being outside] has taught me to be grateful for the environment I live in,” says Jessa. “Sitting there and really being patient and taking the time to actually *look*. So often we interpret things through our smartphones and devices – we’re just snapping an image and moving on, and I think its important slow things down, appreciate what’s around you and just wait. See what the clouds do, see how the colours change, think about how the environment feels and affects you. It’s also great for keeping your hand-eye coordination going.”

#### 6. Leave your insecurities at the door
Don’t worry about making things perfect. Everybody was an amateur at some point in their life, but it’s through the struggle of making that you find change and growth.

“When people say ‘I can’t paint’ or ‘I can’t draw’ or ‘I don’t know how to look at art,’ – it’s really just about letting go,” explains Jessa. “The way you experience and interpret it is totally authentic. It’s not about how you relate to anyone else’s skill or what’s good or bad. If you’re out there and you want to be creative, you should just do it. There’s no reason not to.”

She adds that it’s important to acknowledge that you even *have* the opportunity to be creative. “It’s freeing to just try to play. Doodle and have some fun; keep it light. You don’t start out creating masterpieces, you start small and build.”



Feel like you can’t put a view into words? Make outdoor art instead. Get tips and inspiration from artist Jessa Gilbert, who brings her studio into BC’s backcountry, and Outdoor Studio, a Toronto-based crew of creators.

How to do anything: Make art in the wild | MEC Blog

How to do anything: make art in the wild

Let’s start with the hard part: it’s pronounced *hue-gah*. Now that that’s out of the way, what the heck is it? Hygge is the Danish word for good times and nice feelings when you’re enjoying food, drink and warmth with good company. So even if this is the first time you’ve heard of hygge, chances are you know precisely what it’s all about.

Enter our own little tribute to hygge. Whether you’re looking to share a hygge-filled afternoon with friends, or to want just get outside more this winter, we’ve put together a handful of activity based ideas for gettin’ hygge with your favourite activities this season (sorry, we had to).

#### First, a few hygge essentials:
**Lights:**The image of friends and family huddled around a fire or candles while lost in conversation is quintessential hygge. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, consider lighting a few extra candles – [lanterns](/en/products/gear/lighting-and-headlamps/lanterns/c/1307?q=%3Asales-rank) do the trick too – to create extra ambience.

**[Cozy things](/en/products/c/100?q=%3Asales-rank%3ACFSeasonalCollections%3AStay+cozy&stay-cozy=all):** This one’s a given. Nothing says hygge like sweats fresh out of the drier on a cold afternoon, or your favourite pullover fleece in a packed coffee shop before heading to the hill.

**Warm drinks:** [Cocoa](/en/product/4017-938/Fair-Trade%26-Organic-Instant-Hot-Chocolate%2C-Milk), apple cider, hot toddies, mulled wine, tea, you name it. Hot drinks = hygge, so plan your mug situation accordingly.

**Say hygge all the time:** Seriously. Just saying the word feels cozy. Do it, and bask in the warming power of language.

#### Skiing and snowshoeing
Few activities match the hygge-potential of skiing or snowshoeing. Picture this: you and your pals return from cross-country skiing to an A-frame cabin amidst snow-sprinkled pine trees, where a woodstove burns bright and hot drinks are steaming. You clomp inside to warm your chilly feet and bask in it all. Perfection!

But most of us don’t have regular access to picturesque cabins; instead, the only thing we’ll be cozying up to after skiing is our friend’s butt as we’re packed into the backseat of someone’s car.

Luckily, you can still create hygge on the trail and the ride home. First, step up your trail-snack game by packing a picnic: crackers and fancy cheese, some baked goods and hot beverages (enjoy these [delicious suggestions](/en/article/7-delicious-ways-to-stay-warm-outside-this-winter)). Then, pick a quiet spot near the trail and make a bit of a fuss: lay out a blanket, hang some lights up like a crazy person, or – provided no one’s around – bust out some hygge-friendly jams. Sure, these items will make your pack *significantly heavier*than normal. But whatever, hygge is all about creating a special, memorable atmosphere with good people.

For post-ski hygge luxury on the drive home, pack your favourite pair of cozy sweats or flannel, and bring a blanket for the backseat crew. Between that and a blazing car heater (or a fireplace if you’re lucky), you’re in for good hygge times.

##### **Ski or snowshoe hygge checklist:**
- [Vacuum bottles](/en/products/gear/hydration/vacuum-bottles/c/1232?q=%3Asales-rank) (and maybe a [flask](/en/products/gear/hydration/flasks/c/1230?q=%3Asales-rank)) with tasty beverages
- [Packable speakers](/en/ideal-for/fun-and-games/products/gear/electronics/radios-and-music-players/c/1167?q=%3Asales-rank&text=) (just make sure other folks aren’t around)
- Comfy clothes for afterwards

#### Running


When the holiday season kicks in, weekly workouts often get disrupted and you might not see your go-to run buddy or run crew as much.

Ready to buck that trend? Hold a run-hygge party! Bamboozle your running pals to bundle up for a brisk jaunt. Pick a route that end at your place. Make sure simmering mulled wine and treats are waiting. Simple, sure, but it’s amazing how satisfying classics like good food and drink can be after a workout. Combine that with a solid-gold group dynamic, and you’ve got a recipe for hygge success.

Or organize a solstice night-run with headlamps, lanterns and hot drinks in your running pack to kick-start the hygge vibes. Because when it’s dark and cold, friends and a gaggle of bobbing headlamps provide a world of warmth.

##### Run hygge checklist
- Warm [winter running layers](/en/products/run-and-fitness/running-clothing/c/1573) and cozy [toques](/en/ideal-for/running/products/clothing/accessories/headwear/winter-hats-and-toques/c/1000?q=%3Asales-rank)
- [Headlamps](/en/ideal-for/running/products/gear/lighting-and-headlamps/headlamps/c/1306?q=%3Asales-rank&text=) for dark nights
- A [running pack](/en/ideal-for/running/products/gear/packs-and-bags/daypacks%2c-slings-and-school-bags/c/1332?q=%3Asales-rank) to bring hot apple cider as a surprise at the turnaround point

#### Yoga


With parties and vacations, there’s a chance you’ll get behind on your practice at this time of year. To keep your yoga hot streak going, create a makeshift home yoga studio – hygge style. Choose a room or corner, set up some moody lights or candles, and turn up the heat for a bit (if you’ve got a fireplace, all the better).

To keep the spirit of hygge strong, invite a friend of yours who’s been hesitant to join you at yoga. Sure, a session in front of the fireplace while talking your pal through a few poses won’t present the most challenging class ever. But the feeling of sharing something meaningful with good people will stoke some hygge vibes.

##### Yoga hygge checklist
- Soft lighting from candles or [lanterns](/en/products/gear/lighting-and-headlamps/lanterns/c/1307?q=%3Asales-rank)
- A gift in the form of a [yoga mat](/en/products/gear/training-gear/mats%2c-blocks-and-yoga-equipment/c/1468) for your friend
- Post-practice [Patagonia pullover](/en/brand/patagonia/products/camping-and-hiking/c/1549) (probably the comfiest pullover ever)

#### Indoor climbing


Because climbing’s so social, simply heading to the gym around the holidays feels special. To boost the good vibes, say hello to someone new, bring goodies from your favourite recipe, or take a family member or friend climbing for the first time. Or, be the chalk fairy: sprinkle a bit of chalk in everyone’s chalkbag. (You can never have enough chalk.)

Got a hangboard at home? Invite your climbing friends over and bring climber-ly flare to the affair. For every steaming mug of mulled wine poured, make encourage your friends to hop on the hangboard and do a dead-hang, pull-up, L-hang or whatever. Oh, and tell your guests to bring candles. Because hygge.

##### Climbing hygge checklist
- [Unicorn Dust chalk](/en/product/5049-435/Unicorn-Dust-Fine-Chalk-142g) to spread chalk-magic
- [Climbing guidebooks](/en/ideal-for/climbing/products/gear/books%2c-maps-and-dvds/guidebooks/c/932?q=%3Asales-rank&text=) to gather around and plan next year
- [Hangboard](/en/product/5021-029/Simulator-3D-Hangboard), as a good reason to invite your climbing crew over

#### Just being outside
At a certain point, long days of relative inactivity and indulgence are going to happen in winter. Why not shake things up a bit and share the great hygge outdoors? Keep it simple – bundle up with friends and go skating, bring along a beverage or two to the sledding hill, go [stargazing](/en/product/4008-584/Night-Sky-Star-Dial) on crystal clear nights, convince your whole family to go for a walk as the snow falls – whatever! Part of hygge is creating meaningful experiences fueled by the warmth of good company. Somehow, getting outside together always seems to make that happen.



Things are about to get seriously cozy. Learn what the heck hygge is, and how to bring it to life with some of your favourite winter activities.

How to get hygge outdoors (and more) | MEC Blog

How to get hygge outdoors (and more)

No matter what winter activities you’ve got planned, you’ll need to think of ways to keep warm while you’re crunching on trails in snowshoes or building snowforts all afternoon. The right combo of [clothing layers](/en/explore/clothing-layers) is key, but there’s another factor that we often overlook: hot beverages.

The 7 sweet and savoury ideas below are best enjoyed in a [vacuum bottle](/en/products/camping-and-hiking/kitchen-and-hydration/water-bottles-and-travel-mugs/vacuum-bottles-and-tumblers/c/1232) when you’re surrounded by a dusting of snow or hanging out fireside after a long day on the hill. Stay toasty with one of these piping hot options:

#### Hot apple drink
Go beyond tea, coffee or hot chocolate with this vitamin C-enriched hot apple drink with a trace of spice. The best part about this drink is how simple it is to make: add a pouch and hot water to your mug, stir and enjoy. It’ll help you get cozy and it doesn’t have caffeine, which makes it great for late-night sipping after a long day of snowboarding.

*Mug suggestion: Something lightweight to pack along to the ski hill, like the [Hydro Flask Lightweight Standard Mouth Trail Series](/en/product/6012-534/lightweight-standard-mouth-trail-series-621ml).*

#### Chili and spice hot chocolate
While hot chocolate is the classic winter drink, you can kick things up a notch by adding some spice. A mix of cocoa powder and cinnamon with a hit of ginger and chili, this [hot, spicy drink](/en/product/5036-149/Organic-Fair-Trade-Chili%26-Spice-Hot-Chocolate) – along with some ginger cookies – will help you perk up after an hour at the sledding hill.

*Mug suggestion: Thermos Direct Drink Bottle has a pop-top latch that’s easy to use with gloves on.*

#### Lentil stew
Don’t limit your mug to sweet stuff. A hearty vegan option, this organic [lentil stew](/en/product/5059-193/indian-red-lentil-stew-56g) includes onions, garlic, various herbs and a drop of curry. You can enjoy in the pouch it comes in, which means all you have to do is fill up your insulated mug with hot water and pour it in. No dishes required, which means less stuff in your backpack when you glide along cross-country ski routes.

*Mug suggestion: [Hydro Flask Bottle](/en/products/camping-and-hiking/kitchen-and-hydration/water-bottles-and-travel-mugs/water-bottles/c/1233?filters%5Bbrand%5D%5B0%5D=hydro%20flask&filters%5Bcustom_fields.features%5D%5B0%5D=insulated) to keep your water hot for up to 12 hours.*

#### Potato cheddar soup


If you want a creamy option that doubles as an outdoor lunch for your snowshoe walk on quiet trails, try this [potato soup with cheddar and chives](/en/product/6018-915/country-potato-soup-with-cheddar-and-chives). Made of potatoes, cheddar cheese, red bell peppers and green onions, this soup will satisfy both your taste buds and your desire for something warm and filling. Like the lentil soup, you can mix in the pouch. 

*Mug suggestion: [Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Bottle](/en/product/5054-399/standard-mouth-bottle-621ml), which can hold enough hot water for the potato soup pouch.*

#### Butter tea
Called “po cha” in Tibet, this tea is a traditional drink made with yak butter, milk, salt and tea leaves (since yak butter’s likely tough to find, you can use regular butter). Start by boiling water with 2 tea bags in a large pan until the water is dark brown in colour. Then add milk and continue boiling. Blend with some butter and salt, and transfer it all into your mug. Need more guidance? Here’s a [recipe](http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2011/11/yakkety-yak-tibetan-salty-butter-tea.html).

*Mug suggestion: A wide-mouth option, like the [Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Insulated Bottle](/en/product/6012-554/wide-mouth-flex-sip-lid-bottle-473ml), for easy sipping and cleaning.*

#### Yerba mate


A caffeinated South American drink, [yerba mate](http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2011/03/what-is-yerba-mate-how-to-brew-mate.html) (pronounced *yer-bah mah-tay*) is traditionally prepared by steeping dry yerba mate leaves in hot – but not boiling – water inside a hollow calabash gourd, and then is sipped through a metal straw. Since not everyone has access to a mate gourd, you can make it at home and pour the finished product inside an insulated mug to enjoy on a break when your thighs are burning mid-ski day.

*Mug suggestion: [Yeti Rambler Tumbler with Magslider Lid](/en/product/5056-608/rambler-591ml-tumbler-with-magslider-lid).*

#### Hot toddy
A classic drink, the [hot toddy](http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/hot-toddy-233821) features a nip of rum, whiskey or brandy mixed together with hot water and honey. You can also add some lemon or ginger ale for an extra twist. It’s a nice option to warm up quickly after an afternoon of cross-country skiing, or a way to cap off a winter full moon walk.

*Mug suggestion: A bottle with a lid that doubles as a cup (like this [GSI Glacier Stainless Vacuum Bottle](/en/product/5040-524/glacier-stainless-vacuum-bottle-1l)), along with a [flask](/en/product/6005-622/boulder-flask-296ml) for any special additions.*

After you’ve been outside working up a sweat on the trails or just building snowmen in the park, a piping hot beverage is a great way to unwind. Forget the usual hot chocolate and try any one of these tasty drinks for something a little bit different.



*Photo credits: SyhinStas / Getty Images, RyersonClark / Getty Images, Aneta_Gu / Shutterstock.com*



Looking for hot drink ideas? Go beyond coffee and cocoa with these sweet and savoury suggestions – they pair great with skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or just hitting up the sledding hill.

7 delicious ways to stay warm outside this winter | MEC Blog

7 delicious ways to stay warm outside this winter

My dad, Gerald Krabbe, has been a long-distance bike tourer for many years – he rode Vancouver to Halifax in the 2000s; his group of friends does a week-long mountain tour each summer; and he led a Jasper to Banff bike ride for students at his school for many years. My grandfather was a road rider too. It’s in our blood.

This past summer, he had planned a massive month-long ride from Waterton Lakes National Park where Alberta meets Montana, through BC and into the Yukon, finishing at the Arctic Ocean in Inuvik ([route map](https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/48.9981749,-113.6607486/Inuvik,+NT/@64.5711881,-140.1206752,7.99z/data=!4m24!4m23!1m15!3m4!1m2!1d-114.9570373!2d50.5528624!3s0x53705cfaf57b940f:0x3d16390c7319d877!3m4!1m2!1d-117.3965548!2d52.4158645!3s0x539d53b2ffc72a03:0x4e57f172b2c1f70!3m4!1m2!1d-139.363867!2d64.040939!3s0x5148e173ea265e6d:0xa83963031b90cdc7!1m5!1m1!1s0x5114923f95f996d1:0x522391a237afb784!2m2!1d-133.7230177!2d68.3607437!3e1)). The trip would total more than 3800km of riding. My mom didn’t want to see him go solo on the last 633km of dirt road between Dawson, YT, and Inuvik, so naturally, I volunteered to join him. I’d ride my motorbike from my home in Squamish to Dawson, where I’d pedal with my father for the last 8 days.

Two weeks prior to meeting him, I wrote down some thoughts:

“[I’ll join my dad at] the part of the trip where he’ll be at his fittest, where he’ll have his patterns of movement dialed and rehearsed into a smoothly oiled drivetrain of efficiency – where he’ll grow more excited every day as the idea and scent of the ocean comes near. Right at the culminating week, a road biking virgin will stumble into his grand tour, ineffectively using mountain bike terminology to try and relate to his experience.”

I was scared of what I should be scared of, but I didn’t take my own self-deprecating humour seriously enough.



My faded red KLR would suffer through relentless days of full throttle road travel. Yes, there are flights to Whitehorse and Dawson, but if this weapon is in your garage, why not make an adventure of it? Half of my ride north was spent retracing the route my dad had pedaled days and days earlier. Along the way I’d describe him to gas station attendants and tourists, and without fail they’d remember and tell me how interesting and amazing his journey sounded. Then they’d look at my bike-on-a-bike and say, “Well, it’s no question where you get your ideas from.”



*Left:* Rain and long haul truckers were my main fear along the first 3000km trek from Squamish to Dawson.

*Right:* There are very few places you’ll find gas, groceries or people in this remarkably varied and stark region. In seeing the Northern Rocky Mountains I immediately regretted my need to pass through them quickly.



The Alaska Highway is teeming with wildlife. From the perch of my jalopy I saw a grizzly and three cubs, nearly 100 indifferent bison hanging out in the ditch, a porcupine that wanted to pop my tires and a moose with a rack bigger than my arm span.



*Left:*Holding your body up on a motorbike can make you feel worse than you may imagine. Luckily, Mother Nature put Liard River Hot Springs on my itinerary as I flirted with the Yukon border.

*Right:*I nearly dropped my camera into the spring after I snapped this and heard some tourists on the far side piping up about a bear lumbering through the woods only 15m from the water’s edge.



News of the worst floods in years reached us shortly after I arrived in Dawson and met my dad. With people and cars stranded and a ferry out of commission, we headed to Diamond Tooth Gerties to watch cancan shows shoulder to shoulder with overly excited tourists.



*The*sourtoe. A questionable right of passage in Dawson: whiskey of your choice, toe in whiskey, whiskey to mouth, toe to lips, shudder, laugh, regret.



*Left:*Twenty-four hours after being told Dempster Highway could be closed for weeks due to flood damage, we pedaled out with low expectations and high hopes.

*Right:*By 8am on the second morning, we had passed the highest point on the Dempster.



*Left:*Camp failure. Due to several poorly-tuned features on my bike-trailer combination, a lack of training prior to the trip and two aggravated knees, I had to give up the ride on day three.

*Right:*Failure didn’t mean entire failure – my goal was to join my dad on his massive journey and help get him to the finish line. Though my bike was heading south in the bed of a truck, I would carry on by thumb, hitchhiking as my father rode his bike.



*Left:*A math teacher’s cycling tour is prone to be a little more digit intensive than other riders. He dubbed his trip “#49to69at59” for riding the 49th parallel to the 69th parallel at 59 years of age.

*Right:*Just after I met my dad in Dawson, he admitted somewhat sheepishly that he was having a ludicrous amount of fun on the journey – so much fun he almost felt guilty and indulgent. This shot is from the last day after he sees me climb out of a stranger’s car and he coasted down to the final river crossing of the entire journey. I have no doubt the same silly smile was plastered on his face for the entire last day, even if no one was there to see it.



Over a couple thousand kilometers, some things will wear out, some things will change, and some things will grow.



### 

*This was MEC Ambassador [Reuben Krabbe](/en/explore/mec-ambassadors)’s first road ride – his comfort zone is trails on his*[*mountain bike*](/en/ideal-for/cycling+mountain-biking/products/gear/bikes/c/854?q=%3Asales-rank)*. MEC lent him the*[*MEC Provincial Road 222 Bike*](/en/product/5042-832/Provincial-Road-222-Bicycle)* for his Dempster Highway journey with his dad.*



MEC Ambassador Reuben Krabbe joins his dad on a bucket-list bike tour in Canada, including the Dempster Highway in the Yukon.

Dempster Highway: biking, bonding and sour toes | MEC Blog

Dempster Highway: biking, bonding and sour toes

Most essential backpacking lists are 80% common sense ([backpack](/en/products/gear/packs-and-bags/luggage/travel-packs/c/1353?q=%3Asales-rank), comfortable shoes, [pillow](/en/products/camping-and-hiking/sleeping-bags-and-pillows/camp-pillows/c/1408)) and 10% necessity ([adapter](/en/products/travel-gear/travel-electronics/chargers-and-adapters/c/1132), [organization cubes](/en/products/gear/packs-and-bags/travel-pouches-and-packing-organizers/c/1354), [stuff sacks](/en/products/gear/packs-and-bags/travel-pouches-and-packing-organizers/c/1354)). That leaves 10% wiggle room in your pack for a couple extras that’ll make your trip that much sweeter. After all, what’s trekking through the French Alps without a few sun-warmed sessions in your hammock along the way?

#### For chilling beside famous monuments
Bring your [chef-iest tools](/en/products/gear/camp-kitchen/cookware-and-utensils/knives-and-food-prep/c/1276?q=%3Asales-rank) to picnic all over the EU like a pro, from slicing through a wheel of brie under the Eiffel Tower to grating fresh parmesan over a local pie by the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Bonus points for playing [tunes](/en/products/gear/electronics/radios-and-music-players/c/1167) to set the mood and setting up your [slackline](/en/products/gear/training-gear/slacklines/c/1469) when you’re done eating.

#### For reliable, delicious coffee every damn day
Depending on your plans, you might not have time to make it to a local café for a fresh cup – or you might want to save your coffee money for something more substantial (see: last-minute deals to Lisbon). Pack your [Aeropress](/en/product/5046-862/coffee%26-espresso-maker-with-tote-bag) to get the best of every bean, no matter where you’re staying.



#### For crisp action shots
Selfie sticks don’t always cut it (especially when jump shots are involved) and your picture-perfect travel moments deserve more than a repetitive top-down vantage point. Bring a [grippy, flexy tripod](/en/products/gear/electronics/camera-bags%2c-tripods-and-accessories/tripods-and-camera-mounts/c/1129) that sits solidly on uneven surfaces and can even hang from branches.

#### For coastal swims and surf sessions
Spy on fish in scratch-free goggles as you [snorkel](/en/products/gear/snorkel-gear/c/1417) the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean; keep your feet warm as you catch Celtic Sea waves in Newgale, Wales; or [towel off](/en/ideal-for/travel/products/gear/bath-and-sanitation-products/towels/c/811?q=%3Asales-rank&text=) after a moonlit swim at one of Barcelona’s sandy beaches.



#### For taking in the view
Anyone with a good pair of [hiking boots](/en/products/footwear/boots/hiking-boots/c/1497) and a [hammock](/en/ideal-for/travel/products/gear/camp-and-beach-furniture/lounge-hammocks/c/1484?q=%3Asales-rank&text=) knows incredible vistas pair best with a little kick back. Whether you’re in the endless shade of Germany’s Black Forest or the rolling hills surrounding the Dolomites in northern Italy, you’ll never see two nearby trees quite the same again.

#### For wine country walks and tastings
If you’re hitting the El Camino, you best bring a wine vessel. You can get fancy and grab one with a nesting stem for [red](/en/product/5027-641/glacier-stainless-nesting-red-wine-glass) or white, or grab a [stainless steel mug](/en/product/5063-190/glacier-stainless-steel-camp-cup) and cover it in stickers from each stop. If it’s more your thing to follow Scotland’s Malt Whisky Trail, pack a [flask](/en/products/gear/hydration/flasks/c/1230). Rehydrate later with a [vacuum bottle](/en/products/gear/hydration/vacuum-bottles/c/1232) that keeps water cold for hours.

#### For being spontaneous
Hopping from city to city? Invest in a hostel membership. With thousands of hostels all over Europe, there are plenty of options and it saves you some bucks. 



Packing for a big trip to Europe? These sweet extras will elevate your adventures. From portable espresso to grippy tripods, see what made our list.

Backpacking Europe Checklist: Beyond the Basics | MEC Blog

Backpacking Europe checklist: Beyond the basics

Okay – so you know skiing is awesome. But maybe you’re having a tough time gathering a crew to join you up the hill because of *< insert excuse here >*. This guide is guaranteed to convince any of your friends who are on the fence to come and join you.

And if you’re the one who’s still undecided about skiing? Read on for helpful answers to some of the things that might be holding you back from hitting the ski hill.

#### Excuse #1: “It’s too expensive”
It’s true that skiing and snowboarding are up there with some of the pricier outdoor activities. There’s the gear, lift ticket and potentially overpriced nachos at the lodge. But there are some ways to make it easier.

**Answers**
Ski hills offer rentals, sometimes packaged with lift tickets. If you’re looking to buy gear, then secondhand is a good way to go; check out used gear on online marketplace sites or look for ski and board swaps around town for deals on gently used gear.

And finally, scope out end-of-year clearance sales or even pre-season turkey sales. They’re a great way to pick up a new set-up, often at a deep discount. Who cares if the skis are last year’s model? The added year simply makes them more mature.

As for the food? Bring sandwiches, tea bags, pouches of [spicy apple drink](/en/product/4001-913/Hot-Apple-Drink) or [hot chocolate packages](/en/products/gear/camping-and-hiking-gear/food-and-drink/coffee-and-hot-chocolate/c/1581) (snag some hot water at the cafeteria) to save on long lunch lineups and $13 burgers.



#### Excuse #2: “I can’t get to the ski hill”
Canada’s pretty fortunate to boast some of the best ski hills in the world – but unfortunately, they’re not all conveniently located near transit. There are options, though.

**Answers**
The first and most obvious? Bus shuttle service. Most ski resorts offer this option, and it’s usually the most economic choice. Here are just a few shuttles to popular hills:

- [ Tremblant](https://www.tremblant.ca/plan/getting-here/getting-around-the-resort), QC
- [Blue Mountain](http://auctours.ca/shuttle.html), ON
- [Lake Louise/Sunshine Village/Norquay](https://www.skibig3.com/ski-shuttle/), AB (purchase a tri-area lift ticket and the shuttle will be free!)
- [Rabbit Hill](https://www.rabbithill.com/about/rabbit-hill-bus/), AB
- [Whistler](https://epicrides.ca/), BC
- [Revelstoke](http://everythingrevelstoke.com/transport/schedule-pricing/), BC
- [Big White](http://www.bigwhite.com/plan-your-trip/how-to-get-here/ground-transportation/express-bus-to-big-white/), BC
- [ Sima](http://www.arcticrange.com/en/tour/arctic-day-mount-sima-snow-tour-half-day.html), YK

If you or a friend have a driver’s license but no vehicle, then renting a car can work out great, especially if you’re able to rally more buddies and split the cost. In addition to standard car rental companies, there are also car shares; here are a few to scope out (there are lots more out there):

- [Zipcar](http://www.zipcar.ca/) (large roster of vehicles in BC and Ontario, great for all day use)
- [Communauto](https://www.communauto.com/index_en.html) (Quebec car share with one-way and round-trip options)
- [Evo](https://evo.ca/) (Vancouver car share that offers hybrid vehicles with ski racks)
- [Enterprise CarShare](https://www.enterprisecarshare.ca/ca/en/home.html) (dozen of models, provides options around Ontario and Saskatchewan)
- [Car2go](https://www.car2go.com/CA/en/) (great for A to B trips, pay by minute, hour or day)

Tip: Set up your car share account now (it typically takes a few days for everything to process) so when the first snowfall hits the ski hill you’ll be ready to hit the road.



#### Excuse #3: “I don’t know how”
Never skied before? Then now’s your chance to find out how awesome it is.

**Answers**
The best approach for beginners is to sign up for a lesson. You learn the basics from someone who understands what it’s like to teach newbies (and it’s often a better situation to learn from a neutral third-party – remember what it was like when your parents tried to teach you to drive?). Most hills offer a combo of gear rentals plus a lesson.

If you’re the one encouraging a friend to ski, spend some time with them on easy runs after their lesson. As they get more comfortable, you can be the more experienced guide that gives them the gentle push they need to ramp up their skills.

Heads up: Don’t listen to the saying “no friends on a powder day.” Snow safety’s extremely important, and skiing with a buddy is obviously safer (and more fun).

#### Excuse #4: “It’s too cold”
It’s a mountain covered in snow, so yep, it’s going to be chilly. But there are ways to keep comfortable even when flurries are falling.

**Answers**
Take a look at your layering system. Does it include the [right layers for the ski conditions](/en)? If it doesn’t, then tackle the problem with borrowed, gently used or new gear (see the answers to excuse #1 for ideas). [Hand and toe warmers](/en/products/gear/health-and-safety/hand-and-toe-warmers/c/1212) can also be a perpetually chilly person’s new best friend. To really take it up a notch, there are also [heated socks](/en/brand/lenz/products/footwear/socks/ski-socks/c/1520) and [mitts](/en/product/5042-556/Lucent-Heated-Mittens).



#### Excuse #5: “I’ve tried skiing, and I just don’t love it”
Instead of trying to force something that’s not going to happen, sometimes it’s best to adapt and overcome.

**Answers**
Most ski resorts offer lots of non-skiing activities, and these are a great way for you or your non-skiing friends to join a weekend ski trip without getting on a chairlift. The skiers in the group can head out for first tracks, and the non-skiers can go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or even tubing.

When the whole group meets up for après at the end of the day, everyone will have toque-hair, flushed cheeks from playing in the snow, and stories to talk about, which is really what time at the mountain is all about.



## More ski articles
- [What to wear when you go skiing](/en)
- [What skis are right for you?](/en)



Are you or your friends on the fence about skiing? Not for long. Read on for helpful answers to some of the things that might be holding you back from hitting the ski hill.

Answers to every excuse not to ski | MEC Blog

Answers to every excuse not to ski

Like many people, Brittany Phelan gets pumped by the experience of speed and facing challenges head on. She also never hides her competitive side, which is essential for her career as a ski cross athlete. But when the weekend arrives, her pro-skier side makes room for her love of the outdoors. Her goal is to make great memories in nature with her good friends and partner, and to do so far away from the stress of performing on the ski hill.

To find out more about how skiing and her life outside connect, we caught up with Brittany by phone in Switzerland, where she’s training.



### Where it all started
Born in Mont-Tremblant, Brittany first hit the slopes at the young age of two. When she was 15 years old, sitting on a chair lift at Tremblant, she learned that she’d been accepted on the Quebec Alpine skiing team. That defining moment in the life of this now 25-year-old skier is just one of the countless happy memories she associates with Tremblant.

She’s been recognized internationally for her skiing, including a fifth-place finish in slalom at the World Junior Championships in 2011 and tenth place in slalom at the World Cup in Zagreb, Croatia, in January 2013. She’s a huge fan of Hermann Maier, Melanie Turgeon and Eric Guay, and skiing’s in her blood.

### Shift to ski cross


In 2015, Brittany made the decision to devote herself full-time to ski cross. A relatively new discipline, [ski cross](http://www.alpinecanada.org/ski-cross/ski-cross-101) is the winter equivalent of BMX racing or motocross, where skiers go head to head on the same course at the same time. The most difficult part of her transition was getting used to skiing with other competitors, but her slalom experience negotiating curves gave her a clear advantage over many of her competitors.

To excel in ski cross, you’ve got to love big thrills, feel comfortable in the air (because there’s no shortage of jumps and rollers on the course) and be fast. You’ve also got to be able to adapt to different weather conditions – and to the manoeuvers of your competition – and have a strong competitive spirit.

In the seconds before the start of Brittany’s races, she visualizes the chosen route very carefully, one last time. At this crucial moment, two words echo in her head: *go* and *fast*.

### Life outside
Life outside is “the way to live,” states the young athlete. So it isn’t surprising to learn that Brittany’s a real outdoor junkie. When she’s not on the slopes, she kayaks, hikes, climbs, skateboards, cross-country skis, and above all, she loves mountain biking. If she weren’t a skier, mountain biking is what she would practice professionally.



In Brittany’s summer months, nothing is better than a weekend with the gang speeding down forest trails. During the winter, cross-country skiing in fresh snow makes her happiest. Evenings around a campfire or fireplace with friends and her boyfriend after a beautiful day outside are as worthwhile to Brittany as the glory she gains through competitions.

She’s also keenly aware that present-day technologies may distract young people her age from playing outside. Leading by example, she inspires others, and explains that that when you get a taste for being active outdoors, you become aware of what is really important – it’s like a refocusing of your values naturally happens, in addition to a feeling of general well-being. Depending on the activities you do outside, the outdoors can also be a great source of adrenaline (she gets a real taste of this through ski cross).



Learning new things, getting out of her comfort zone and facing her fears are what ski cross, mountain biking and getting outside have done for Brittany, the young skier from Mont-Tremblant who’s made a name for herself internationally. She’s been an MEC member since 2010 and is a big fan of getting outside, just like you and me.





Pro skier Brittany Phelan races ski cross, and has come a long way from her beginnings at Mont-Tremblant. Find out what she loves to do when she’s not ripping down the ski hill.

Portrait of a pro: Ski cross athlete Brittany Phelan

The Seeking Nirvana ski crew is back for another series of strange adventures. Watch Canadian skiers Mike Henitiuk, Riley Leboe, Matt Margetts and MEC Ambassador Joe Schuster in search of winter, year-round.

#### Seeking Nirvana | Part 4: Towers Above the Sea


There was a time, back in the day, when the ski season had a beginning and an end. When we would pause after a long winter and look to other challenges to occupy our time. This was before the thought and possibility of an endless winter had really entered our mind and heading to the southern hemisphere would be unattainable for most. Follow 4 skiers as they embark on a journey of a lifetime from the highest Chilean mountain regions to the endless coastal waves. From the Towers to the Sea.

@seeking.nirvana

Featuring:
Mike Henitiuk ~ @mikeheni
Joe Schuster ~ @joe_schuster
Matt Margetts ~ @mattmargetts
Riley Leboe ~ @rileyleboe

Locations:
Valle Nevado Ski Resort, Santiago, Chile
Hotel Alaia, Pichilemu, Chile
Ski Arpa Catskiing, Los Andes, Chile
Valparaiso, Chile

Special Thanks:
Valle Nevado - @valle_nevado
Hotel Alaia - @hotelalaia
Ski Arpa - @skiarpa

Co-Director, Editing, Sound Design and Color Grade:
Leigh Powis

Cinematography:
Jamie Tanner
Taylor Laughran

Narration:
Colby James West
Jay Henitiuk

Seeking Nirvana 1.4 - Towers Above the Sea



There was a time, back in the day, when the ski season had a beginning and an end. When we would pause after a long winter and look to other challenges to occupy our time. This was before the thought and possibility of an endless winter had really entered our mind and heading to the southern hemisphere would be unattainable for most. Follow 4 skiers as they embark on a journey of a lifetime from the highest Chilean mountain regions to the endless coastal waves.

Want more backcountry ski radness? Check out [Seeking Nirvana Parts 1 to 3](/en/article/seeking-nirvana-captures-backcountry-ski-radness).

*All videos via****[Seeking Nirvana](https://vimeo.com/user48494445)****on Vimeo.*



Follow 4 skiers as they embark on a journey of a lifetime from the highest Chilean mountain regions to the endless coastal waves. Featuring Canadian skiers Mike Henitiuk, Riley Leboe, Matt Margetts and MEC Ambassador Joe Schuster

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