Heidi's limited edition

RICK MACDONNELL, SnowSeekers Inc.

Made by skiers, for skiers, heidiskis were inspired by the longest days and most spectacular conditions. Today, at the Switzerland House in Whistler's Marketplace, Heidiski founder, Heidi Blum spoke of the company's goal to change the expectations for how skis should perform.

In what was my first visit to one of the many "Houses" scattered throughout Whistler Village, Switzerland brought the goods, literally. The light Swiss breakfast – an assortment of muffins, croissants, breads, and fruit – was the perfect pick-me-up after a tragically short sleep the night before (stay tuned for my story on Merlin's' "Silent Disco" night).
Swiss House is a classy joint, but even classier still was Blum's presentation on her beloved heidiskis. The 20 or so of us who attended the breakfast/presentation walked away thoroughly impressed.
Handmade in Switzerland, heidiskis are created tip-to-tail with 100% Swiss white ash for the perfect combination of longevity, strength, and flexibility. Most skis that "claim" to have wood from tip-to-tail actually use it in about 90-95% of the ski, with the tip being made of carbon fibre and plastic.
Meticulous personal attention has been paid to each and every ski; it takes one person two whole days to craft just one heidiski. For advanced to expert skiers, these skis allow for smooth, relaxed, high-performance skiing in all forms of terrain in every possible mountain condition.
Heidiskis include P-TEX 5000 bases for speed and durability, Rockwell 48HRC extra wide steel edges, beveled ABS sidewalls, and carbon reinforced mounts.
"For 2010, we've taken another step in the continuing heidiskis evolution." Heidiskis now integrate a titanale layer, which increases torsional resistance and maneuverability.

Originally from California, Blum moved to Montreux, Switzerland in 1989 to attend the prestigious Art Center College of Design in La Tour de Peliz. Living and studying in Switzerland, she found her perfect world: amazing skiing on her doorstep, creative projects on her desk.
"Heidiski was founded out of my love for skiing, adventure, the great outdoors, and a passion for design," Blum said.
The 2010 version of the heidiski features an amazing "wood dragon" graphic, inspired by Himalayan art. The graphic is meant to express the natural wood aspects of the skis, as well as the company's commitment to provide 10% of its profits to the American Himalayan Foundation.
"The team is proud to give back to the mountains that have inspired them."
Those interested should act fast. Heidiskis only produce about 500 pairs a year, ensuring that the company remains a passion product more-so than a money-making venture.
For more information on heidiskis, visit www.heidiskis.com/olympicnews
*Photos courtesy heidiskis
Stay tuned to www.snowseekers.ca/olympicnews for daily blogs, videos and more throughout the Olympics.

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Together we stand

WILL COLFORD, SnowSeekers Inc.

The cowbells clanged as the crowd began to chant, “Robbie, Robbie, Robbie.”  Posted up just below the fifth gate for the Men’s Downhill, everyone was going peanuts as one of the Canadian medal hopefuls pushed out of the gates.
All nations are represented in the crowd. Thankfully someone has a bull horn and is shouting out the times and leader positions as they come in on his iPhone. When they announced that Swiss favorite Didier Defago had taken the lead, a large Swiss contingent is unsurprisingly overwhelmed.
They chant and wave and everyone in the crowd smiles for them. Though we all want our own nation’s athletes to win, you can’t help feel residual joy for the people celebrating beside you.
Like a wave of sound, the cheer follows Robbie down the run. Than at the notorious gate three, Robbie connected and the bells fall silent. It looks like he’s just about to go down as the gate shatters off his helmet, but being the professional he is, he sticks it out, tucks in, and keeps going.
The crowd snaps out of it, and explodes as Robbie blows by.
This is one of the biggest events in the Olympics, only made better by sharing the moments, bad and good, with everyone from around the world, just here to cheer.    

Stay tuned to www.snowseekers.ca/olympicnews for daily blogs, videos and more throughout the Olympics.

For full stories on Western Canada's winter destinations, visit snowseekers.ca and friend us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.