Snow Sports | Outdoors Starts In Here

Gear Review: O’Neill Newschoolers Jacket

Deciding between jackets can be a difficult task, especially when you want to mix style and technical features all into one. Newschoolers.com, the Internet’s home to everything freeskiing, and outerwear giant O’Neill joined forces to create a one of a kind jacket that blends the progressive style associated with freeskiing and all the technical features a Newschooler kid could want for a great price.

After wearing my jacket in about every condition this year, from the torrential downpour we had on opening day to the 10 inches of fresh snow we had a few weeks ago, this jacket handles it all with style and ease. All I can say is this is one of the coolest, best performing collaboration jackets ever- hands down.

The jacket performed well in the torrential downpour Wisconsin received opening weekend although it did become soaked after 5 or so hours out in the rain. In the large dumping of snow we had in the middle of December, the jacket performed exceptionally well, even after a few tomahawks down the hill and being completely covered in snow, I stayed warm. The jacket is rated 10k waterproof/10k breathability, which is more than sufficient in Wisconsin (or any other Midwest state for that matter). While we don’t get absolutely dumped on with snow all the time like out West, on those occasions we do, this jacket holds its own.

Staying warm in this jacket has not been an issue for me at any temperature. The light insulation of the coat, coupled with proper layering pieces (I highly suggest the 1-2 punch of a Patagonia Capilene baselayer and Smartwool midlayer), kept me toasty when the thermometer dipped well below zero, but the jacket is also great as a stand-alone piece with a light baselayer underneath for the warmer spring-like days. I also had no problem with being able to cool off when needed since the underarm vents are HUGE and provide great airflow to cool the body’s core. The little additions like the stash pocket, fleece chin guard, and the ability to reach your phone from the outside without unzipping your coat are awesome features that add to the value.

In terms of fit, I have an XL and it fits perfect (I’m 6’1″ & 180lbs). It isn’t steeze to the knees but it’s not so short your dad would want to wear it. It goes just past mid thigh, which provides amble steeze and needed coverage in case I fall. I no longer wanted to look like a Skittle on the hill but still wanted to stand out and this coat definitely does the job. I have received multiple compliments on the coat this season, from strangers and friends alike. My only gripe with the coat is that I would’ve liked to see it be 15k waterproofing/15k breathability, hopefully that changes for next year. Other than that minor complaint, I would HIGHLY recommend you picking up this coat if you are looking to get a sturdy, durable coat all the while being stylish and hyphy on the hill.

Review by Matt Kretzschmar, Shep’s team member & local free skier

(And the best news? Shep’s has Newschoolers jackets in stock now.)

Bundle to Save: Ski and Snowboard Package Pricing Equals Big Savings

You know how the cable company bundles their products? We do it too, and we have for nearly 40 years. The difference is, our packages are easy to understand and save you real money. Just buy boards/skis+boots+bindings to get our lowest price on each.

Of course we offer Shep’s sale price on individual items too, so you’ll save when you shop with us even if you only need one new piece of equipment this year.

Build a Bundle of any of your *favorites. Check our a few samples for the 24/25 ski season:

*Brand limits may apply

Snow Sports Gear, Outdoor Clothing and Your Spring Cleaning List

Sad as it may make you, the snow will eventually melt here in Wausau (Wisconsin’s winter wonderland) and it will be time to put your technical outerwear and ski equipment into storage. Prepare your gear properly and you’ll reap the benefits of long life and premium performance.

Washing your jacket, pants or other outdoor apparel is important to the long life of your garment and is just as easy as washing your other laundry. Just follow the care label on your outerwear which is specific to your garment (and related to any warranty that may be in

Care labels are fun to read. No, really!

place), avoiding common detergents like Tide, Cheer, Gain, All, etc. which are too harsh for your technical outerwear. They’re great at getting stains out, but just as ruthless in their treatment of waterproofing materials.

You can get your favorite clothing clean at home without disturbing the DWR (durable water repellent) coating or clogging the waterproof/breathable membrane (commonly referred to as Goretex), which can be destroyed by dry cleaning, by using non-detergent soaps made specifically for technical gear. And you can do it with confidence that the environment won’t be a casualty of your spring cleaning efforts. Pick a liquid, free-rinsing soap to use on your garment. Do not use powder detergents which will clog the pores of your waterproof breathable membrane in your jacket or pant, and steer clear of products with surfactants, detergents, bleaches, softeners, conditioners, or perfumes which can contain waxes or oils or can be hydrophilic, or water-absorbing, which is the opposite of what you paid for when you bought your outerwear.

Our favorite is Tech Wash, which maintains the breathability and original water repellency of your outdoor clothing and can be used in your washing machine or sink. ( Another great choice is Granger’s G-Wash Cleaner.)

Nikwax, the maker of Tech Wash, also makes waterproofing products for any garments that have lost their water repellency or never had it in the first place.

image2_25_251_en-us — Nikwax TX-Direct restores waterproof/breathable coatings on clothing and gear.

image2_18_en-us — Nikwax Tech Wash can be used in your machine or when washing by hand.

You’ll find spray-on or wash-in waterproofing solutions, treatments for fabric, leather and shoes, and more. Shep’s carries Nikwax year round for your snow clothing, fleece garments, bags, raingear, tents, and more. Remember to read the label on your gear!

Now, what to do with your skis or snowboard when the chairlifts stop turning? Proper storage is easy and will make a difference in the performance you see and feel next season.

It starts with a professional tune-up, like the 10-step stone grind and storage hand-wax we offer at Shep’s. But if you tune your own equipment or can’t get to a local shop consider doing the following:

Make sure all rust is removed from the edges of your skis or board. (This can be avoided if you wipe the edges off when you come off the hill each day.)
Once your edges are clean, remove the wax from your bases. Shep’s stocks Swix base cleaner for this purpose.
With a clean base and smooth edges, and using a hot iron made especially for this purpose, generously apply storage wax, covering the edges. When the wax is cool and set, leave it alone. It will protect your edges and bases during the off-season. The storage wax should be scraped off and removed again when your next ski season begins.
Visually inspect your bindings. Snowboard bindings are full of parts that like to work loose over time and are notorious for causing missed runs during the season due to missing straps. Check that you are not missing any screws, washers, nuts or straps and replace them. (Hint: check these before or after each outing during the season too!) For their safety skiers are urged to leave all binding work to a certified technician who is trained and tested by the binding manufacturer each season.
Store your board and skis in a well-ventilated space, away from direct light. Avoid the garage.
If you must keep your skis or board in a garage, hand them on a wall or place a carpet square or even cardboard underneath to reduce the growth of rust due to moisture moving up from the cement.
You may not have drool-worthy storage like this, but try to keep your gear in a well ventilated space and take care to avoid rust and damage from UV light.

Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods offers free summer ski and board storage when you purchase a complete tune-up. We will treat your edges and bases to a new finish, store them in “winter wax” which to them is like a month at the spa, and have them freshly waxed, scraped and ready for you come fall. In addition, we can set your bindings for the new season, all while leaving you room in your closet for your water skis and wakeboard! It is good practice to have your ski and snowboard bindings inspected by a certified tech at the beginning of each season. Any time your equipment is not used for a stretch of time there is risk that moving parts become unhealthy. You also need your ski bindings adjusted each season because even if your height, weight, ability and boot sole length stay the same, your age changes, and all are calculated together to arrive at the proper setting formula.

We’d love to help you select brand new equipment each season, but a little TLC and proper cleaning and storage will keep your gear healthy and money in your pocket for that special purchase when the time is right, instead of replacing gear you ruined accidentally.

Call us if you’re not sure how to care for any of your sporting equipment. We’re here to help! 715-845-5432

2013/14 Gear – Demo Review

Robb and some of Shep’s staff traveled to demos at Devil’s Head and Afton Alps to get on next year’s gear. Robb and the skiiers had the goal of skiing all skis 85mm -105 mm under foot, to make sure they’ll ski well in our Midwest weather. We all know carving skis do well around here, but because wider is still the trending technolgy, they wanted to check out their performance for our customers. We want you to be able to own one pair of skis and be confident that they will ski well at home, but also perform well if you travel out west to tackle the front side and back bowls.

After the day of testing from all the manufacturers, the guys all came to conclusion that the wider waist widths under foot are fantastic skis for the Midwest, and will perform very well for our customers.

All the graphics were good but all our guys agree that that’s the least important thing to worry about. Below are a few points they think are important for you to know. We hope you’ll try them for yourselves at our demo at Granite Peak on March 2nd.

(Okay, we said graphics aren’t everything but you HAVE to check out Line’s new look – their Traveling Circus, Future Spin, and Mastermind skis look great.)

Robb

I found definite winners in all the brands I tried – including Rossignol, Blizzard, Nordica, Volkl, and Salomon. I skied 88, 98, 105 under foot, but thought 88-98 were best skiing for me.

Robb’s top pick was the Salomon Q98 (at a $499 price), which had great flotation through the crud and mashed potatoes, and was overall a nimble ski. This ski can be used and enjoyed by aspiring intermediate skiers to the advanced on the hill. A staff pick, for sure.

The Nordica Steadfast 90mm ($649) and Blizzard Brahma 88mm ($649) both skied well, made turns easy, and had nice stability under foot.

Volkl Kendos always ski great, best for the ex-racers who like the solid, stiff ski under foot, super stable at high speeds.

We’re carrying Salomon X-Pro boot series next year, featuring heat moldable shell technology. Boots fit amazingly well and help you ski to your full potential. If you’ve struggled to find a comfortable boot fit, this is your answer. With customizable liners and shells, you’ll walk out with something better than you’ve ever tried before.

Tony

Two of my favorite wider skis in this year’s demo were the Q98 & Q105 from Salomon. Both were super easy to maneuver –lightweight and snappy.

Salomon Q98
Intermediate/advanced ski that retails for $499 (flat)
All mountain ski that can be used anywhere, under any conditions. It’s quick and easy to turn over at any speed. Very light on the feet!

Salomon Q105
Intermediate/advanced ski that retails for $599 (flat)
The Q105 is an all mountain ski that perform well on the groomers and floats well in the crud. Just like the Q98, it’s a light & snappy wider ski that’s surprisingly easy to turn over, making it great for the backside or the frontside.

The Volkl Racetiger was my first love. If you’re on the race course or just cruising the groomers, this ski will hold an edge.

Volkl Racetiger SL WC Racestock with UVO (Ultimate Vibration Object)
It’s a race specific ski, but is can be great for any aggressive skier because it does well on a race course, ice, or in groomers. This year, the Racetiger comes from the factory hot boxed and with race structure (just like they do for the World Cup athletes). Highlight: this amazing ski has precise edge control.

Volkl Ledge
Great twin tip ski for park riders. Nice and light under your feet, soft and springy for all your park needs. Here’s what you need to know: it looks and rides BA.

Salomon Threat
Another twin tip to check out is the Threat from Salomon (great for beginner to intermediate riders looking for a park and mountain ski to get started on).

Nordica Avenger
At 81mm under the foot, the Avenger came in smaller than the other skis we rode, but this lightweight, very stable ski is great for anyone looking to cruise the whole mountain with a little bit of a wider ski than you grew up on. Highly recommended.

Dane

Blizzard Cochese – Dimensions: 135-108-123 (has a metal top sheet).
This ski was Ski of the Year ‘12-‘13 in the free mountain category! It earned it’s award, being super easy to get on edge, despite it’s size. Hold on because not only is it amazing through groomers, the same can be said for the crud & trees. Not a negative to say about this ski, it’s an especially good choice for the intermediate to advanced skier.

Blizzard Bonafide – $699 Dimensions: 135-98-118 (has metal top sheet)
Consider this the little brother to the Cochese, it’s 10mm smaller in the waist, and was even faster turning than I thought it would be. This is a great Midwest all around ski, or a fantastic front side ski if you’re heading out West. Of all the skis tested, this was my ski of choice.

Blizzard Magnum 8.0 Ti $549 Dimensions: 122-80-107
This ski won Ski Magazine’s gold metal! It’s so fast edge-to-edge and so much fun, it’s good for just about any day you might have ahead of you. Perfect for an everyday ski cruising on the blues, but when you want to run the gates, it’ll turn it up a notch and let you become a great racer with confidence.

Salomon Q105 (Dimensions: 133-104-125)
Salomon Q98 (Dimensions: 131-96-117)

Both of these skis are back side skis from Salomon with full wood core and no metal. New skis for them this year, and they were awesome.
We all agreed that the Q98 will be a high seller for Salomon (with the price point at $499 for the Q98 and $599 for the Q105!). Even on a groomed run, these skis felt like we were skiing on powder. We were floored by the versatile performance at such a great price. Salomon really hit the mark with these new skis for all mountain backside, but we had no problem at all turning them on the frontside. Had a blast.

Volk’s Mantra (98 under foot) and Kendo (88 under foot) have been Volkl’s best selling skis for a few years now. Intermediate or advanced skiers will love these skis.
The Mantras and Kendos come right out of Volkl’s race facility. Because they’re so easy to turn over and the edges hold so well on any condition, people flock to the store to get a pair for themselves. We sell out of Mantras and Kendos every year, and for a good reason. These Volkl skis are your go anywhere-do anything ski.

Feedback from the Cheeserfest at Devil’s Head:

Josh

Burton:
-All Channel Mount binding system next year for men’s women’s and kid’s boards.
-They’re backing up their new mounting system with 3 year warranty!
-Tons of binding mount combinations – over the years, Burton has come up with 9 different ways to attach bindings to a board. This offers incredible flexibility, customization options and speed in adjustments.

Highlights:
-Loved the double-sided ratchet on the Genesis & Diode bindings, my foot felt tight and secure in it’s place.
-Brighter colors are continuing to gain popularity (I love that).

K2 Summary:
-New board that replaces the Parkstar is the Hit Machine (it should be great).
-New “Lifted” technology gives effortless pop and stability in the boards
-Great graphics overall thanks to two awesome new artists (one of which has his work featured by Harley Davidson and Nixon). They’re going to look sweet.

-New Hurrithane highbacks on their bindings – super flexible and lightweight, help cut calf fatigue, allowing you to ride longer.
-New boot technology – Endo Construction – increases comfort & boot life. The same material used to make the Hurrithane highbacks is in your boot construction. Lightweight and durable.

Highlights:
-The Happy Hour does it again with new Lifted technology – its snappy and now even more responsive.
-Great colors in the men’s Hurrithane and women’s Yeah Yeah bindings.

Kassdi

K2:
–Yeah Yeah bindings have great colors, and the tweak back makes the riding awesome.
-K2 Skylite was a playful board to ride, will be perfect for conditions we have at Granite Peak, you really can’t go wrong with this one.
-K2 High Lite was a great board with sweet graphics (functionality wise, it’s a backcountry/powder board). Super fun to ride.
-K2 Tryst had great colors and riding felt comfortable & natural because of the 3° canted footbed.
*Support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation has pink ribbons on the topsheets of women’s boards!

Burton:
-The Nugget was a real fun board – a blast to play around on!
-Their Social had a great, colorful graphic and awesome flex. Definitely worth checking out.

Awesome new things are coming. Test for yourself at our demo at Granite Peak on March 2nd!

(Hint: if you decide to come to Shep’s to pre-order (with deposit) next year’s ski or board by 3/15, you’ll get a free gear bag!)

SIA Snow Show 2013

Another SIA Snow Show is in the books. We traveled to Denver last week to be a part of the industry’s biggest boom. Thousands of people filled downtown Denver’s Colorado Convention Center to visit the booths (we use that term loosely, some of them are more like city blocks) of more than 500 venders of ski & snowboard equipment, accessories, and fashions.

At any moment, one could walk past booths and see hot waffle irons, DDR competitions, ski simulators, people getting inked (yes, permanently!), full coffee bars (or in some cases, free beer), live bands and DJs, models, cars, fashion shows, Pop Tarts in ovens, people designing and creating jackets on the spot (click here)…. all of this just adding to the fact that they’re there with the latest and greatest gear in the snow sports industry.

In the midst of the “party”, we spent days checking out the new styles, colors & trends for next season. We scoured catalogs, checked out samples, made lists of favorites & compare them to customer requests. We did all this to find the best styles for our store, the best pieces for our customers. We consider it a great show.

We’re anxious to get the stuff into the shop in fall. We think you’ll like what’s coming.

Now, just for fun:

: Spyder & Audi partnered to create this beaut.