Goodies To Stuff In Skier’S Stocking

Sun., Dec. 3, 2000

Jean Arthur Special To Travel

Here are some ideas for stocking stuffers for under $40 for skiers. Most can be found locally at REI, Mountain Gear, Wintersport and other outdoor stores:

For the skier who seems to always have a screw loose, there’s the Ascension Binding Buddy from Black Diamond. The ratcheting tool has seven bits stored inside the handle and works with most binding screws. The palm-sized tool weighs 4.4 ounces and retails for $11. (801) 278-5533 or www.blackdiamondequipment.com.

For the outdoors folks who always need a bandage, Adventure Medical Kits stuff 39 essential first-aid items into a pocket-size zippered bag called the Optimist. It’s a wise choice for wintry woods travel, weighing only six ounces and including basics like Moleskin and antiseptics. Also included are butterfly bandages, dressings, a biohazard sealable waste bag and some wicked-looking tick-removing forceps, all for $16. (800) 324-3517.

Snowshoers have an alternative to clunky snowboots with neoprene Moon Booties by Crescent Moon Snowshoes. The overboot turns comfy shoes into serious winter footwear using fully insulated, water-resistant 9 millimeter neoprene. The $39 overboot features reinforced toes. Variable adjustments fit every foot. (800) 587-7655 or www.crescentmoonsnowshoes.com.

Santa could steer his reindeer by the light of the $18 Infinity Task Light. This extremely bright flashlight is 3.2 inches long, weighs 1.4 ounces, burns over 100,000 hours, uses one AA battery, and comes with a handy string to tie to a season pass card. The bulb is the latest in light-emitting diode technology. It is available in four tints to enhance night vision or distinguish colors. (888) 699-0622 or www.cmgequipment.com

Web cruisers find 90 resort trail maps and snow phone hotlinks with Cylogic’s Ski Area Screen Saver. Maps change every few minutes or one favorite map can wallpaper the screen for Mac and Windows users. A free riding video by Teton Gravity Research displays extreme snowsport action footage. RealAudio snow reporter allows users to hear actual snow phone reports over the Internet without long-distance calls. Perhaps the best thing about the $19.95 CD-ROM is the easy uninstall process apres-ski season. (800) 295-6442 or www.cylogic.com.

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