Nemo
Big Agnes
Osprey
Gregory
Western Sleeping Bags
Katadyn
MSR
Soto
Black Diamond
Kleen Kanteen
Silva
Pacific Outdoor
Nalgene
Camelbak
Jetboil
Steripen
Adventure Med
Ruff Wear
Pelican Boxes
Sea to Summit
Granite Gear
Thermarest
Victorinox
Leatherman
Alite Chairs
Crazy Creek
LaFuma
and more...
Oboz Sawtooth Mid
With the Fall weather as spectacular as it is we are hoping everyone is getting in their last great hikes on dirt this year. Soon enough the trails will be covered in feet of snow. Until then, the Oboz Sawtooth Mid is the perfect boot to travel light and fast with great foot support and protection. This waterproof boot combines toughness with comfort to get you up into the rocky peaks and not feel overloaded during the hike in...
We like Oboz. This company is small and not well know but they are smart and manufacture great footwear that takes design, materials, and manufacturing to the next level. Plus, for every pair of Oboz footwear sold they plant a tree.Your feet need support and here is a company worthy of your support too. You heard it here first!
Soto Muka Stove NEW!
Ski Haus just received the new Soto Muka stove. This is a pretty amazing little unit. It looks like a traditional white gas /fuel bottle style stove but that is where the similarities end.
This stove will burn unleaded fuel or white gas without any performance difference. This stove is non priming, too. Super easy. The fuel bottle has a pressure indicator so there is no guessing how much pumping you need to pressurize the bottle. The hose on the Muka is very flexible so it won't tip the stove. The stove's legs create a very stable
GSI Dutch Oven
And now for something completey heavy. If you have ever had someone cook a meal with a dutch oven you can count yourself as one of the lucky ones. If you know how to cook with a dutch oven count yourself as blessed.... The only guy we know who will backpack with one of these is Paul Bunyon. Everyone else will car camp or river trip with one of these miracles. This dutch oven from GSI offers exceptional performance. It is made with non-reactive, hard anodized aluminum. Cast aluminum is rust free, easy to clean, and weighs about 66% lighter than cast iron. This oven bakes efficiently and nice and evenly.
Breakfast Sausage Suffle anyone? Wild Mushroom Stuffed Beef Tenderloin? Pineapple Upside Down Cake? I've got to stop... I'm getting very hungry for some dutch oven cooking!
Sea to Summit X Plate, Bowl, & Cup
We are always looking for new and fun ways to eat food in the backcountry. New to Ski Haus are two innovative items for your next meal outdoors: Sea to Summit’s X-Bowl and X-Plate are collapsible hybrids comprised of a rigid, cut-resistant base made of high temperature, food-grade nylon and walls made of food-grade flexible silicone, so they fold flat for compact packing. Each are tough enough to handle chopping with their sturdy nylon base. The silicone sides can withstand temperatures of hot foods and nearby hot surfaces up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The sides are flexible, so pouring liquids is easy. When collapsed down flat, the X-Bowl fits snugly into the X-Plate for extra space savings when packed. Do you know what time it is? Mealtime! Grab your X Plate and bowl for a healthy portion. Eat up!
Handpresso
We love our espresso. So much so we want to be able to have an espresso whenever and wherever we want. Now we can with the Handpresso Wild. Small and convenient, the Handpresso travels with you to the top of 14er's, on river trips, climbing trips, on vacation... anywhere that you would like to enjoy a quality espresso, cappuccino, Americano, or latte. Light and durable, the Handpresso can be packed easily. All you need is some boiling water and any E.S.E Pod, which ensures premium quality in every cup and is easily acquired at coffee houses and grocery stores. This also eliminates the mess associated with espresso making when on the go. Just pump up the Handpresso until the needle is in green area on the Pressure gauge, add hot water, place an E.S.E. pod in the filter, close the top and press the button to dispense the espresso. Due to the coffee grounds being kept in the E.S.E. pod you never have to worry about cleaning your Handpresso because when your done brewing, you simply throw away your pod and rinse out the water receptacle. It really can't be any more hassle free than that. We love it and think you will, too.
Trail Update
Here is the latest update from the Routt National Forest:
Slovnia Trailhead - Gold Creek is not fordable. No logs.
Gilpin Lake Trail - First creek crossing is running about knee deep. Snow beyond Gilpin Lake.
Mica Basin - Creek crossing not passable.
Three Island Lake - Snow around lake and you can't reach Beaver,
North Lake - wet
Lost Dog - Bridge out near Diamond Peak.
Flat Tops - Snowfields on the way to Devil's Causeway.
Hooper/Keener - Snow at the saddle.
Black Mandal Pass has snow.
You've got to be creative out there but also remember your Leave No Trace ethic. Stay on the trail as best you can when you cross snowfields. Tromp right on through mud puddles to keep trails narrow. Do not walk around puddles or water draining down the trail so wear appropriate footwear that allows you to do this. Thanks and keep our wilderness areas wild!
Fast Packing with Fly & Poles
Most tents are designed to give you the option of leaving the tent body at home and all you sleep under is the fly. This fast pack option is available but seldom used. We're here to say don't forget about this great way to go backpacking
I backpacked with the Fly only option in the Three Sisters Wilderness in Oregon one summer. Now I admit the conditions were ideal with hardly any bugs but it was a very unique experience and I highly recommend it if you haven't tried it. You do need to plan ahead and pick an appropriate area and elevation but it is super cool and really fun.
Nemo Zor Sleeping Pad
Ski Haus sees alot of thru hikers and bikers riding the Continental Divide Route. These guys have one common denominator - they don't want to carry any extra weight. Bare bones and essentials are the only things in their packs and panniers.
The Nemo Zor pad is ideal if you count yourself amoung the ounce and gram counters. The pad comes in at an anemic 14 ounces at 72" inches long, 20" wide, and 1" thick. What is really unique about the pad is how they shave the weight without sacraficing the R-value.
Nemo developed a unique method of constructing the Zor pad to provide the optimal combination of weight and insulation. Most lightweight pads utilize cutouts in their internal foam to reduce mass. But if these cutouts are vertical, they allow heat to transfer easily through the pad. Nemo's proprietary design reduces mass but also maintains a layer of insulation throughout the entire area of the pad, keeping you protected and comfortable without wasting an ounce. Plus , Zorpads come with a stuff sack and repair patches. Great value. Great design. Great product... Only at Ski Haus!
Katadyn Vario Water Filter
Clean water is a must. When you are out camping and backpacking a reliable and fast system to clean the water you need to drink and cook with is essential. The Katadyn Vario is the best selling water filter at Ski Haus.
The Katadyn Vario is the first ever water filter to combine the benefits of long life and fast flow in one product. The Katadyn Vario water filter combines ceramic and pleated filter technology which makes it adjustable to all field conditions. Engage the ceramic filter when your source water has lots of floaties in it and bypass the ceramic if the source water is nice and clear.
The Katadyn Vario water filter also features Dual Piston Technology which produces the fastest flow rate on the market. Its replaceable carbon core keeps water tasting fresh and the multi-water adaptor base makes it easy to fill any water bottle, container or bladder.
Access to Slavonia and the Zirkel Wilderness
Seedhouse Road is open all the way to the Slavonia Trailhead. This officially opens access to the Mount Zirkel Wilderness. Some of our most favorite trails are here: Mica Basin, Gilpin Lake, Gold Creek, and others are one stop closer to being hikable. You can drive to Slavonia but there is still a ton of snow up in the high country. If you go to hike make sure your boots are sturdy and waterproof. Stay on the trail as best you can. Hike over snowdrifts and do not sidestep puddles. Keep our wilderness trails narrow and stay on them! Thanks. This is a Leave No Trace ethic. Do your part to keep our wilderness areas wild and feeling wild. Thank you!
The North Face Superlight Sleeping Bag
The test of time. If you can pass this test then you deserve the distinction of "classic." This is exactly what the The North Face Superlight is... a classic.
The Superlight is a zero degree bag filled with 600 fill power down. It is super compressible, light, and versatile. Use this bag as your year round bag from summer trips up into the high country or as a hut touring bag in the winter. The Superlight can handle it all.
Not sure about down? Unless you are allergic, there is no other reason not to consider down. It's weight to warmth ratio is unsurpassed. The synthetic guys forgot to tell everyone how hard it is to get your down bag so wet it becomes worthless... Just with a little preplanning and backcountry savvy this bag will keep you warm and dry and sleeping comfortable no matter what the weather. Looking for a great value when it comes to a sleeping bag? Consider the The North Face Superlight.
Garmin Oregon - NEW!
With Oregon 450 you can really get in touch with nature. This next-generation handheld features a rugged, sunlight-readable, touchscreen along with a built-in basemap with shaded relief, a high-sensitivity receiver, barometric altimeter, 3-axis electronic compass, microSD™ card slot, picture viewer and more. Even exchange tracks, waypoints, routes and geocaches wirelessly between similar units.
Oregon 450 leads the way with a tough, 3-inch diagonal, sunlight-readable, color, touchscreen display that offers crystal clear enhanced colors and high-resolution images. Its easy-to-use interface means you’ll spend more time enjoying the outdoors and less time searching for information. With user-selectable dashboards, you can customize the appearance of your display. Both durable and waterproof, Oregon 450 is built to withstand the elements. Bumps, dust, dirt, humidity and water are no match for this rugged navigator.
Mountain House & AlpineAire Food
Packing in bulk food and fresh food on your camping and backpacking trips is fantastic. But we know everyone, including ourselves, have made that late night camp... dragged ourselves bone tired back to camp with zero engergy to make dinner but you gotta eat something. That is where Mountain House and AlpineAire freeze dried food comes to save the day. Boil water, pour it in the pouch, stay awake for at least 15 minutes, and then eat some nurishing food. Eat right out of the pouch with no fuss and no clean up. Now that is satisfaction. Ski Haus stocks a great selection of dinners, breakfasts, and side dishes. (The trick with these foods is to make sure you get the hot water deep into the corners. Rehydrate all the food and wait just a little bit longer than the directions say and the food tastes great!).
Jetboil Sol - NEW!
What's the beef with most cartridge stoves? As temperatures and fuel in the canister drop so does efficiency. Well, between the Soto OD-1R and the new Jetboil Sol, that problem has been eliminated. Now your only choice is between purchasing a system as with Jetboil or go with your own pots and pans and the Soto stove. Let's look at the Jetboil system.
The Sol delivers ultimate performance and reliability in extreme conditions.The all new, ultra-compact 10.5 ounces Sol Advanced Cooking System is barely noticed in your pack, while assuring you're prepared for the toughest conditions. In this true 4-season upright canister cooking system, Jetboil introduces advanced Jetboil Thermo-Regulate™ Burner Technology to deliver consistent heat output down to 20&Mac251; F (-6&Mac251; C).
A huge part of Jetboil's efficiency is the flux ring at the bottom of all their kettles, pots, and fry pans. Heat efficiency is key and the flux ring delivers. Hungry? Tired? Fire up your Jetboil and return to comfort and satisfaction.
Soto 2 Burner Stove
Let's face it. As much as we would like to believe every camping trip we take this summer will be two weeks backpacking in a pristine wilderness - many of us will be lucky to put together a few weekends at the local state park car camping. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact this 2 burner stove from Soto makes a lot of thing absolutley right about this scenario. This 2-burner stove is built tough yet beautifully crafted. Carry it just like a suitcase. Comes with resin cutting board. The stove contains a towel and cooking utensil rack and foldable windscreen. Soto makes great effecient stoves that are also very reliable. Light up your weekend. Go camping!
Osprey Ariel Backpack
We are a long way off from hiking and backpacking in the high country around Steamboat Springs. The snowpack was record setting this past winter. There is still well over 15 feet of snow up there but that is no reason not to be thinking about the first trip up into the high country. And here is the pack you should carry. The Osprey Ariel for women and the Osprey Aether for men are great all around backpacks. They are lightweight but can handle significant loads. Volume choices are 55L, 665L, and 75L for women. These packs come with women's specific shoulder straps and hipbelts. The hipbelts are custom moldable to fit your shape ideally. These are by far the most popular backpacking packs that Ski Haus sells. Get ready for your best backpack trip ever with the Osprey Ariel!
Eno SingleNest Hammock
Perhaps one of the most dangerous products in the store... Once you lie down in the Eno SingleNest or DoubleNest Hammock you will be done for the day... No more bike rides, no more chores, no more hiking, no more nothing but relaxing and resting.
- High strength breathable woven nylon
- Super strong nautical grade line
- High grade nylon triple interlocking stiching
The hammock packs into its own pocket for easy packing. The set up is super simple and the comfort is incredible. So you say you're not a hammock owner yet? What can you possibly be waiting for? Come on! Hang out!
Soto OD-1R Camp Stove
One of our newest most favorite pieces of gear is the Soto OD-1R stove. This newly developed micro regulator stove maintains consistent output in cold weather. The regulator maintains a consistent flame no matter how full or empty your cartridge fuel canister is. Very cool. Plus, the "stealth lgniter" is installed inside the burner post and head for increased simplicity, improved ignition, and durability by protecting the ignitor. It isn't exposed as with other stoves. The surface burner is very effecient and heats pans and boils water quickly. Excellent for cooking in summer at altitude, heating up some hot chocolate on a winter ski trail, or making that ever important first cup of coffee in the morning. Two thumbs up from the Ski Haus staff.
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 4
Local heros, Big Agnes, has created another award winning tent. The Copper Spur UL 4 is super lightweight for a big tent. Plenty of room for four and light enough to carry to base camp. Copper Spur is a three season, free standing, ultralight backpacking tent. Plenty of ventilation, full coverage fly, a very smart pole design to create monster interior space, and two doors make this the ideal 4-person tent.
Ski Haus has 'em in stock and ready to go for your Spring and Summer trips.
Nemo Astro with Pillowtop... Let's just sleep in this morning
NEMO's newest modular sleep system, Astro Insulated with Pillowtop, has won Backpacker's Editors' Choice award - arguably one of the most prestigious awards in the outdoor industry.
Astro Insulated with Pillowtop is a package product that includes NEMO's latest air pad, Astro Insulated, with a cozy Pillowtop slipcover. Astro Insulated's design incorporates engineered I-beam baffles to create a flat sleeping surface that prevents the pad from cupping around your body. Two and one half inches thick, Astro Insulated includes a laminated foam insulation to add warmth during the colder months. NEMO's Pillowtop, made popular last year with the Cosmo Air sleeping pad, is a soft microsuede slipcover with one inch of foam.
Sacrafice a super deluxe meal or two, sacrafice by leaving a layer at home, sacrafice the cell phone or tunes, but don't sacrafice on a good night sleep. Come on in to Ski Haus and check out the full line of Nemo products that we carry. You won't be disappointed.
Ski Haus restocked for Spring/Summer 2011
We are quickly changing seasons here in Steamboat Springs. With that said you also need to know it snowed over a foot yesterday but that doesn't stop us from thinking about and planning our Spring trips to the desert and summer trips to the high country.
As far as Ski Haus goes we have all of our winter gear and clothing on sale and we are taking delivery on new 2011 Spring and Summer merchandise everyday. We have new bags from Western Mountaineering, Big Agnes and The North Face, new stoves from MSR, JetBoil, and Soto, new tents from Nemo and Big Agnes, new packs from Osprey, new footwear from Vasque, Oboz, Scarpa, Merrelll and Kayland... You get the idea. Whether you are thinking desert bike trip, a classic road trip, or planning for that first high country getaway... Ski Haus is ready!
You've taken the first great step by deciding to go. Now you have to figure out where you want to go. Steamboat Springs is blessed to be nearly surrounded by Wilderness.
- The Mount Zirkel Wilderness to the north.
- Flat Tops Wilderness to our south.
- Sarvis Creek Wilderness to the east.
There is no shortage of trails or bushwacking possiblitites and Ski Haus offers the best map and Guidebook selection in town. Too often our customers have said they went on a great hike, weren't certain where they were, and would like to buy a map to figure it out. There must be some logic there somewhere but the best advice we have is to buy a map before you go. Take a compass. Let someone know where you are going and when you plan on being back. Then go hit the backcountry and forget your troubles. The best selling guidebooks for our area are HIking the Boat II ($24.95) and the Mount Zirkel Wilderness ($19.95). Hiking the Boat covers some of the Flat Tops Wilderness which there is no longer a guide in print.
Ski Haus also stocks maps from Trails Illustrated, USGS, Routt National Forest, BLM, Sky Terrain, Lattitude 40, and Benchmark.
There seems to be two schools of thought when it comes to what to take on a day hike. There are those who barely take anything leaving much to chance and then there are those who take everything leaving nothing to chance. Ski Haus suggests the middle ground. Take enough gear and food to be smart, plan for the unexpected, and always take the 10 Essentials!
Extra clothing: Prepare for bad weather even on the nice days.
Extra food: Hiking builds an appetite. Bring lots of food, snacks, and water.
Sunglasses: Protect those eyes!
Knife or Leatherman: An especially important tool for repairs and emergencies.
Fire starter: We've heard of lots of day hikes that turn into overnights.
First Aid Kit: Fail to plan, plan to fail.
Matches: Fire starter isn't worth beans without a spark
Headlamp: Good for late night returns to the car.
Maps: Buy a map to see where you're going, not where you've been.
Compass: North, South, East, West, all look pretty the same in the dark.
This is not a comprehensive list but only a few of the necessary items that should be in every day hikers pack. Cameras, field guides, trekking poles, rain gear, hat, sunscreen etc. the list can be big. Pick and choose what is right for you and your hike.
Sometimes there is no avoiding dangerous weather situations. Bad weather blows in quick and seems to take its time leaving. Here are a few tips to help you survive crazy weather.
- The most important advice is to avoid bad weather. If you've planned for weeks a hike to the top of Hahn's Peak and there are ominous clouds rolling in, it might be a good idea to postpone your hike or pick another place to go, such as a valley instead of a ridgetop. One adage is "the less sky you can see during a storm, the better."
- Try not to be the highest object around. If you're on a treeless slope, squat on your heels, feet close together, and hug your knees, keeping your buttocks off the ground. If this position is difficult to maintain, try to insulate your contact with the ground by sitting on something nonconductive, such as your pack or a sleeping pad. Better yet, look for a small ravine or gully or even a slight depression in the ground. If there are trees around, avoid standing near isolated trees, especially solitary, tall trees. A forest of even-height trees provide relative safety, but make sure it's not a clump of trees in an otherwise bare field.
- Stay out of shallow caves and avoid cliff bases which provide little protection from lightning. Judging how far away a storm is helps but it is not infallible. Counting the seconds between lightning flash and thunder clap (approximate five seconds lapse places the nearest part of the bolt about one mile away) doesn't always work. Lightning can stretch out for several miles and come, literally, out of the blue.
This is not meant to keep you inside if you see a single dark cloud in the sky, but rather to help you increase your safety margin in all kinds of weather. Hike and bike safely.
You can take pride in the practice of traveling through pristine alpine meadows, or deserts, or on ocean beaches without a trace of your passing.
It's the simple things that can make a difference like not cutting switchbacks on trails, not breaking or sawing branches off trees to make a fire, not trashing wilderness areas with toilet paper, or washing your camp dishes in streams and lakes.
It's the simple things that will make the difference in keeping our public lands in good shape and a pleasure to visit.
Common sense is a simple thing. All we have to do is practice it. Click on the link to visit the Leave No Trace website.
Plan ahead and prepare -
Camp and Travel on Durable Surfaces:
Pack It In: Pack It Out:
Properly Dispose of What You Cannot Pack Out:
Leave What You Find:
Minimize Use and Impact of Fire:
For More Information:
Check out Leave No Trace; A guide to the New Wilderness Etiquette by Annette McGivney.
Ski Haus
1457 Pine Grove Raod
Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80477
1-800-932-3019
info@skihaussteamboat.com
1457 Pine Grove Raod
Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80477
1-800-932-3019
info@skihaussteamboat.com