Bike Girl to Ski Girl
Off Season Activity, by Larisa Chinces – Executive Editor
When that time of the year comes in late autumn where the temperatures drop and everything is “going to sleep”, I only hope and pray for a winter full of snow. It’s a pleasure for me to make the transition from bike to ski, because I’m a mountain girl and I love winter sports. We had a late winter here in Transylvania, but luckily winter is stretching into spring, with low temperatures around 0 degrees Celsius and snow remaining in the mountains, into the early spring. That’s good news for those of us who ski <3. I have to admit, sometimes I miss my bike, but I don’t feel sorry for the cold winter weather because I get to ski more!
I have to most wonderful job in winter; I teach kids how to ski, and I take part in organized ski camps for children m, which usually take place here in Transylvania, in the Paltinis mountain area.
When I’m not teaching, I am up on the mountain trails, gliding my way to the top on ski tours, high into the hills, often staying in mountain huts with ski your friends. The trails are tough but beautiful, and it’s always good for fitness and fun. Cycling can be awesome, but I have to admit, climbing on skis to a top of a mountain and seeing the view of paradise from the top is beyond compare. Besides, the effort put through, ski touring is great for cyclist who want to train and increase their aerobic resistance. It really makes a difference.
I’m usually writing about cycling kits and now it’s time to write about ski wear too. After all, I’ve spent so much time on skis since Autumn.
Rh+ is one of my favorite Italian cycling wear brands, but they also produce ski and outoor wear. They are known for the elegance of their designs and the high quality of the materials. The proper words for describing this outfit is ‘pleasingly graceful and stylish’ in appearance or manner. I chose this stylish lady-like ski outfit from rh+ and here is why.
My choice of outfit is:
At first sight, this Engadina II W Jacket is elegant and classy. It fits me perfectly, as if it would be custom made. I’m a very slim type and I like that it’s slightly curved on the sides, giving it a hourglass look to my waist, and allowing me to look and feel great. I got it in size S, black and white color choice. I like this combination of non-colors, overall black with white on the outside of the sleeve and zipper area, and black on the inside sleeve, which offers an advantage because it is kept clean after a long wear. The waterproof zipper with customized puller for front opening and pockets, prevents water to enter.
Besides being elegant, this jacket meets the needs of temperature comfort and wind protection for a cold day of skiing in the mountains. It keeps you enough warm due to it’s Td Platinum PrimaLoft® padding with 80% of recycled polyester fiber 133gr. The technology rh+ used on the outside of the sleeve is glued tunnels, guaranteeing sealing against the leakage of the padding and greater waterproofing performance.
On the bottom of the sleeve is placed the ski-pass pocket, very subtile hidden with the zipper opening in line with the color border. On the ends it’s finished with inner cuffs made from soft streachy material with ergonomic thumb hole. The piece of resistance of this jacket is the hood due to its ecological soft fur. The hood and also the fur are detachable and through rear collar zipper and hidden frontal connector. At the centre of the collar, the Eco Biomorphic Knit 360°Adaptive Stretch fabric is used to avoid rubbing from helmet.
I adore the velour lining at back and inside collar, it’s truly comfortable and keeps enough warm with no need of a second layer, you can wear only the base layer and it’s enough. Fixed inner gaiter with antislip elastic helps the warmth to say constant inside and prevents cold air or snow from entering. An extra help for this matter is the bottom shaped hem regulation with internal drawstring. It has two small inner pockets with invisible zipper inserted in inside facing; the left side has detachable lens cleaner whiper. It’s perfect for skiing on slopes during harsh weather conditions!
The other piece of the ski outfit, matching the super chic jacket are the Slalom W Pants. I chose these pants in color white to match with the superb Engadina II jacket, and they look amazing together.
The main fabric rh+ used for this pair of pants is WD Silver Ergonomic 4WS 100% Polyester. WD Silver Ergonomic 4W double layer fabric, light and laminated, has been designed to give maximum protection, thermal insulation, breathability and comfort in every movement. The yarn used makes the fabric really light and its structure thanks to 12% Elastane offers the right elasticity to support the body movements during ski. At the same time the hydrophilic membrane with multidirectional stretch allows a fast sweat release, ensuring the right breathability while the seam-taping on the garments cuts made of WD Silver Ergonomic 4WS fabric, ensure waterproofness.
They have a slim fit, which is good for my body type, but they’re stretchy enough to move freely and comfortable during ski sessions; which is also great, as I teach skiing. The waist is pretty high and is exactly how I like it, protecting from cold. In the front, the pants have 2 spacious pockets with customized zip puller. What I appreciate is the hardened material around the knees, for more protection during wind and cold, plus a touch of style. The bottom of the pants also has zippers with camlock and a thinner gaiter with anti-slip elastic.
The Rider helmet I chose is also white to be in touch with the outfit. At first, this helmet is very comfortable when put on the head. It fits on my head at every part and doesn’t look bulky, but is sleek and modern and stylish. Usually with my other ski helmet I have a problem with cold wind entering the ear area, but with this Rider helmet from rh+, the ear patches are tight enough for no wind or cold to enter, and keeps really warm on hard weather conditions, so there’s no need for a hat or balaclava underneath. The earpads have a semi-rigid injected core covered with soft foam bonded with anti-allergic fabrics.
The technology used is a combination of an injected high impact resistance outer shell and an EPS inner liner. This solution guarantees maximum safety and minimum bulk. The helmet also has ventilation holes in the shell to improve airflow and ensure fully enhanced comfort. It is easy adjustable and the straps around the neck are comfy too.
A touch of color gives these Code googles style and a great look. rh+ goggles are available with interchangeable lenses in different colour. The lens changing process is very easy and fast due to magnetic technology. They are available with single and double lenses: spherical, cylindrical and thoric lenses. All lenses are made with scratchproof polycarbonate on the outside and anti-fog acetate on the sides of the inside of the lenses. Foam made with two multi-density layers bonded with comfy, anti-allergic velveteen. This solution ensures maximum comfort and a perfect fit for any type of face.
The outfit is great for performance and for elegance. I can be an athlete and stylish woman too – and who doesn’t want to look and feel good! It’s getting towards the end of ski season and I’ll soon be back on the bike. However, I’ll be skiing until the last of the snow melts away. Take a look at rh+ and allof their adventure wear ranges, and make sure that you’re well kitted for your own adventures.
At heart I’m a mountain girl, and I love snow and everything about skiing, the mountains, ski touring and teaching skiing. Being in the snowy mountains all day, I need great kit, and thankfully rh+ design this. The whole outfit and helmet too, it’s super stylish, well made, looks and feels great and really warm and comfortable. Best of all, I feel good and look good – like a Bond girl 😉
All images by www.claudiudinca.com
Kit provided by rh+ Italy