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10 New Year’s Resolutions To Improve Your Skiing

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10 New Year’s Resolutions To Improve Your Skiing

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January 1st marks the first day of the year, and that’s a natural reason for committing to new beginnings. Rather than the usual attempt to save money or cut back on drinking, why not use this time to really make some self-improvements. From stretching after a day on the hill to eating properly – our suggested resolutions are ideal for anyone looking to improve their skiing or snowboarding.

Stretch

It’s simple, yoga can decrease your chances of injury. Even a short stretch routine can aid in prevention. So find a class or search for a video online, there’s really no excuses.

Improve Your Gear

At one point, your gear is going to be the limiting factor. Don’t fall victim to having to leave the mountain because you’re wet or goggles are fogged. Get gear that works and works for you all day long.

Take A Lesson

Yeah, yeah, we get it. Lessons aren’t really where you want to spend your free time. But if you are serious about improving your ski game, then taking a lesson is a sure fire way to get tips that will have you moving in a forward direction (literally). Bottom line, there’s no substitute for the impartial advice of someone who knows what they’re talking about.

Wake Up Early

After a night out, this is the last thing you probably want to hear. Waking up early will allow you to ride longer, get in more laps and get the best snow. No brainer right?

Eat Your Greens

A steady diet of Kraft Dinner isn’t going to provide enough (or any) nutrition for you to ride day in and day out. Think about adding some broccoli or spinach to that pasta dish.

Challenge Yourself

Now, we don’t mean go out and take risks but do go out and ride with better riders and on more challenging terrain.

Have Friends On A Pow Day

Keep your friends close and your ski buddies closer. Having a good friend that is always down to ride, even if it’s just groomers will help you log more hours and more days than if you are always flying solo.

Get Your Hike On

Not only can you access some incredible terrain but hiking or touring is a great way to get in shape. The better shape you’re in, the better your overall riding will be.

Tune Your Equipment

The last thing you want is to deal with a broken binding or rough edges on a powder day. Schedule in those regular tunes and perform regular maintenance!

Educate Yourself

Every one of us can learn more and should focus on learning something new every day. Take another avalanche course, learn how to tune your own skis, or get certified in first aid.

Top Cliffs To Drop In Whistler

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Top Cliffs To Drop In Whistler

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That feeling that you get when you’re weightless, it’s part of our love of powder…and our love of sending it. For many, that’s the very soul of their addiction to skiing or snowboarding. Once they’ve embraced gravity and put their own mortality into the back of their mind, it’s only on to bigger drops and gnarlier sends. And there is no shortage of those on Whistler Blackcomb. With over 4,757 acres to shred, there’s bound to be a few (or more) cliffs to get sendy on. Here are the top ones to drop in Whistler!

1. Tower 47

As the name eludes, this drop of next to Tower 47 of the Whistler Gondola- like right next to it. In fact, you not only have to deal with the usual cliff dropping factors but also that there are moving objects within proximity. Thankfully, you won’t be able to get closer than closer than ten meters to the cabins but it can still be enough to make an impact on your focus. This drop is not very easy to find and there isn’t as much opportunity for show but it’s all about the high fives anyway, isn’t it?

2. Air Jordan Cliff Drop

The infamous Air Jordan. It features a 15ft step down on to a lily pad and then right into the grand finale of oh, say, around 60 feet. Two for the price of one. What’s more, this cliff is located to the right of the Peak Chair, directly in front of the peanut gallery. Once someone even looks like they are considering it, the heckeling begins.

3. Cafe Cliffs

These cliffs are a great way to get warmed up since they offer a wide variety of options ranging from 2-6m high. It’s also a crowd pleaser since all the action can be seen from the Jersey Cream charilift. Located right off of Blackcomb’s intermediate groomed run, the entrance can be unassuming but when done right, can put on a show for all to see!

4. The Lone Pine AKA The Curl

Loacted in the not so secret, Secret Bowl, the entrance of this drop might be worse than the actual drop itself. This makes it a very techincal line as a side slip above a cliff band is required to get to the launch pad.  Once there, you can choose a few drop heights but most go big or go home and do the full 9m.

If you’re hell bent on hitting some of these this winter, be sure to stay safe and to ride well within your ability. Remember skiing off cliffs can be dangerous and these ones are no different. Start small, warm up and develop your ability before you send the big Kahunas. And don’t forget your helmet and your GoPro, beacuse if no one saw it, it didn’t happen!

The After Adventure Beer

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The After Adventure Beer

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Your adventure was a complete sufferfest. There was sweat, tears and maybe even a little bit of blood. But once you arrived at the destination, it was all worth it. That is, until you had to get back to where you started from. At this point, the motivation to continue onwards becomes that cold and frothy beer that’s waiting at the bottom. In Whistler, there are loads of places to relive what happened out in the woods, only then, it’s amid smiles and laughter. We’ve rounded up our favourite locations to enjoy an after adventure beer.

HandleBar Cafe And Apres

Chances are you’re going to be hungry after your activities so head to HandleBar for some Germanic street food and tasty craft beer. Fried pickles, Currywurst and made in house sauces are all done to perfection. If that doesn’t entice you, the four daily happy hours will!

The Beacon

The Beacon’s patio might be one of the best locations to people watch but guaranteed you will either be a) to tired to care about what’s going on around you or b) way to immersed in what went down in the back country. The Beacon boasts 12 craft beers on tap and an impressive menu to satisfy your empty belly.

Fitzsimmons Pub

Snuggle up in the cozy Fitzsimmons Pub, located in upper village. Over a board game and a craft beer, re-hash the close calls and epic dirt or snow.

Coast Mountain Brewing

With names like Field Guide Ale and Daydreams NE IPA, your going to be inspired to get out in the mountains even if that’s where you just came from. What’s more, all the beers are brewed in house. Got a little bit of time? Visit their tasting room to sample and chat about how your own adventure unfolded.

Brickworks Public House

If you plan it right, you can catch one of the local bands playing. With music in the back ground, savor one of the many craft beers or spirits that have been careful curated for your enjoyment. Have a few too many then stumble next door to the Delta Hotel and get a room. If your up for it, head out on another adventure the next day!

Brandy’s

A local spot, Brandy’s is a much loved sports bar. Keep the stoke level high by watching the big screens which usually have new and old ski movies playing as well as a current hockey game. If you feeling peckish, order from the Keg Steak House, located right upstairs.

The after adventure beer is almost as important as the adventure itself. Make sure that you have plans for one in place to keep team moral high and the motivation to persevere in place.

8 Overlooked Canada Day Adventures

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8 Overlooked Canada Day Adventures

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July long weekend is upon us and let’s face it, there are a ton of events going on  to celebrate Canada Day that just about everyone will be attending. But what if you want to spend your Canada Day really soaking up the essence of what it means to be Canadian or maybe, just less crowds? Camping, lakes and all sorts of flannel-donning, beer-drinking activities can fill that void! We’ve got 8 overlooked Canada Day adventures that will keep you off the grid and in the heart of nature.

Camping

Grab your sleeping bag, a flannel shirt and a six pack then venture into the woods, it doesn’t get much more Canadian than that.

Must-have accessory: RipCurl Finley Shirt, this is button up plaid shirt is sure to become a summer staple. 

Sunbathing

Visit anyone of the local lakes and work on your tan. If there seems to be a bunch of people on the same program, pack up and head to One Mile, Mosquito or Lilooet Lake in Pemberton.

Must-have accessory: RipCurl MyBikini or board shorts are meant to look good while you do cool stuff. 

Canoeing

Go on a wild safari down The River Of Golden Dreams. Make sure to pack a ton of sunscreen, the forest canopy is deceiving and many have been known to get some serious sun burns!

Must-have accessory: A Slowtide Towel in case of an unexpected capsize!

Hiking

Escape the hustle and bustle of the village by heading for a hike in the mountains. With all the nice weather, many of the local hikes such as Black Tusk, the Backcomb Ascent Trail and Ancient Cedars are all clear of snow.

Must-have accessory: Keep the sun out of your eyes with a pair of Oakley polarized sunglasses. 

Biking

Hit up the Whistler Bike Park or one of the many trails surrounding the village. With everyone eating Canada Day cake or watching the parade, the bike trails are sure to be clear!

Must-have accessory: The POC Trabec helmet will protect your head whilst keeping it cool.

Golfing

Four! Or maybe your yelling one fifty in commemoration of Canada’s Birthday. What ever your choice of warning for oncoming golf balls, golfing is a great activity to do on Canada Day.

Must-have accessory: An Oakley t-shirt is fancy enough to golf in and hang out in the clubhouse afterwards. 

Fishing

The ultimate Canadian experience- just you, the river and your fishing rod. Oh, and the fish but actually catching one is an added bonus, right?

Must-have accessory: A Coal Hat will protect you against the elements. 

Horseback Riding

Take in the stunning landscape of Canada from horseback and feel your heart swell with Canadian pride.

Must-have accessory: A GoPro and a selfie stick are necessary. If there are no pictures, it didn’t actually happen right?

Get outfitted by McCoo’s for these overlooked Canada Day adventures that will keep you away from the crowds and having a good ol’ Canadian time!

Spring Adventures In Whistler

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Spring Adventures In Whistler

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We know what you’ve been doing all winter and not in a creepy way. Winter was most likely filled with time spent on the hill. Lots and lots and probably lots of skiing and snowboarding. Are we right? Not that you are sick of it but spring always invites the opportunity in to do other activities and even other adventures. And the mountains happen t0 boast a ton of outdoor adventures that can be started from the moment you leave your doorstep. Don’t wait for a second longer, get out and enjoy these spring adventures in Whistler.

Train Wreck Hike

Sometime in the 1960’s, a train derailed outside of Whistler and the cars are still scattered throughout the forest today. Easily reachable from Cheakamus Crossing, the Train Wreck Hike has become iconic to Whistler, especially now that a new suspension bridge has been put into better access the trail.

Recommended Gear: A GoPro

Keyhole Hot Springs

100km north of Whistler lies the Keyhole Hot Springs. These natural springs are created by the volcanic activity in the area. Make sure you are prepared for this adventure- there is no cell service and there are always reports of bear activity.

Recommended Gear: Outdoor Technology Sound System

Brandywine Falls

You’d never guess from the highway, but just south of Whistler lies a 22m waterfall. The short hike to view it can be made longer if you choose to get to the bottom of the waterfall. You didn’t hear it from us though!

Recommended Gear: Oakley Sunglasses

Parkhurst Ghost Town

Before Whistler was a world-class resort, there was a small logging town that sat on the edge of Green Lake. The Great Depression put a stop on the town’s main export- wood and the town slowly ceased to function. Now, there are only the remnants. What’s even cooler about this ghost town, is that you can canoe or hike to explore it!

Recommended Gear: A Herschel Backpack

Nairn Falls

There is a provincial park that is south of Pemberton that features camping and a massive waterfall. The falls are 60m high and can be accessed by hiking in 1.5km in. Don’t even thinking about swimming here but if you head 2km down highway 99, you will find One Mile Lake, a popular swimming hole.

Recommended Gear: RipCurl Board Shorts

The River of Golden Dreams

Once the snow and ice have melted from the lakes, you can take a canoe, Explorer 500 or stand-up paddle board (if you’re brave!) down the River Of Golden Dreams. The river runs from Alta Lake all the way to Green Lake and takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete.

Recommended Gear: A RipCurl MyBikini

Whistler is made for adventures with all its history and natural splendor. Make sure you are geared up for each activity or at least looking good! If your gear could use an upgrade before you set out on one of these spring adventures in Whistler, stop by McCoo’s. We’ll sort you out.

What Action Cam Is Best For You!

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What Action Cam Is Best For You!

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Action cams. They can capture everything. Maybe it’s your vacation and you want to be able to show everyone at home how much fun you’re having. Or you’re looking for a POV (That’s an abbreviation for point of view for all you action cam newbies out there) addition to your footage to create the perfect edit. Action cams are versatile, compact and insane little pieces of technology. With so many options to choose from out there on the market, we’ve put together a cheat sheet so you can find the action cam best suited for you and your video needs!

Go Pro

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Your highest resolution action cam (think crisp, clear images). This bad boy boasts water proofing up to 40 metres and out of all the action cams on the market, the Go Pro takes the fastest burst image capture! Many of it’s other specifications are professional quality so you can create a high quality edit to schmooze the sponsors or just one to post on Facebook!

Contour

whistler-action-camera

Time lapse guru? This little guy is for you! Its long battery life of 3 hours and slow burst speed makes it ideal for capturing longer footage. The Contour  has also been reviewed as being the best helmet cam because of its super wide viewing angle! To put a cherry on top, it boasts an easy to use system, making it a great purchase for beginner videographers.

Ion

ion-whistler-camera

This is a great all none little camera. It’s basic and doesn’t require any additional housing to make it waterproof. For those of you looking for sleek, low profile, and light weight the Ion is for you. Finding it so easy to take lots of footage? The Ion comes with 8g of cloud storage so you don’t have to worry about when and where you’re choosing to use your camera!

So go on, find an action cam that you find easy to use, offers the key features that suite your needs and fits in to your adventure so you can relive your Whistler moments over and over again. Have more questions? Head in to McCoo’s and one of our action cam specialists will get you sorted!