Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Julbo in the Media: Versatility and Maximum Coverage

Julbo Revolution Goggles in the March Issue of Outdoor Utah Adventure Journal

Julbo Revolution Goggles in the March Issue of Outdoor Utah Adventure Journal



Julbo Montebianco Sunglasses in the April Issue of Climbing Magazine

Julbo Montebianco Sunglasses in the April Issue of Climbing Magazine

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Family camping checklist: sun protection for your child’s skin and eyes

Loading up the mini van and heading to your local state park, lake recreation area, or national park? Check off the kid essentials on the following list, and a few things that may be helpful.



• Sunscreen – broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, with an SPF of at least 15 to 30. Buy water-resistant even if they aren’t going swimming, in case they work up a sweat. Hypoallergenic, PABA-free and fragrance-free are best, especially if your kids have sensitive skin. Reapply once or twice during the day. Lip balm with sunscreen can save Junior from chapped lips, too.

• Kids sunglasses – Julbo makes awesome kids and baby models http://www.julbousa.com/baby/. One time I saw a parent hiking with a baby boy on his back, and the poor little guy had no hat or sunglasses on! He was squinting like someone who had been sleeping in pitch dark and was suddenly exposed to bright light. The lens in a child’s eye has almost no protective pigments, unlike an adult’s, so they are even more defenseless against harmful solar radiation. If you’re camping at a lake or taking a boat out on water, the Sailor is a great model – bright stems will help you spot the floatable glasses in case they go overboard (hopefully not while Junior is wearing them).

• Sunglass cord – If they have to take the shades off for whatever reason, they can stay easily accessible with an eyewear retainer. Also reduces the odds of having to replace a lost pair! Chums makes some fun kids’ cords: http://www.chums.com/category/kids

• Hat with brim – A brimmed hat can add even more protection for their eyes and cute little cheeks. Check out the high quality choices from Outdoor Research: http://www.outdoorresearch.com/site/browse/Headwear/Kids%27.html

• Kids backpack with hydration bladder – Why have Mom or Dad carry it all? Junior can really be part of the adventure by packing out his/her own water, lunch, spare sunscreen and have some extra room to put that neat rock they found. Having water readily accessible likely means they will stay well-hydrated. CamelBak makes some cool kids models.

– Christine Rasmussen

Monday, March 28, 2011

Glen Plake's Down Home tour makes a stop at Mission Ridge Ski & Snowboard Resort

The guests and staff at Mission Ridge Ski & Snowboard Resort in Wenatchee, WA were stoked to spend some time with Glen and Kimberly Plake while at a stop for the Down Home Tour. Lorien, a ski instructor at the Snow Sports Center located at Mission Ridge wrote a great feature article about the visit. Check it out on her blog: InsidetheRidge.com.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Upcoming cycling events that will get you pumped for season

Cyclists, it’s that time again. Take stock of your bike and its parts, buy some balm for the evitable sore saddle, and replace what is hole-y or is so worn, the Velcro no longer sticks. Also, wash what was sitting in your closet over winter that still has crusty salt stains. Ick.

In my corner of the world in Southwest Colorado, there is already some dried out singletrack to play around on, which is good because I prefer riding dirt to sitting on a spin bike. But I’ll spin, too, in order to minimize the pain of climbing on untrained legs/lungs. It’s a great way to get some of the initial suffering out of the way that usually comes with early season.


There’s also nothing like a super fun cycling party, I mean race, to get your Jones on for the upcoming season. Here are a few to check out in the West:

The Sea Otter Classic – Started in 1991, the Sea Otter usually draws over 8,000 athletes and 49,000 fans. Nine different races and recreational rides take place on April 14 to 17 in one of the birthplaces of mountain biking, Monterey, California. You’ve got your downhill, x-country, short track, and dual salmon for mountain bikers, and road, circuit and criterium for roadies. Then there are the non-competitive Gran Fondo rides for those who want to experience some of the beautiful coastal trails/roads this area has to offer. The web site also has a “Festival Guide” and “Expo Guide” to help sort through the multitude of events and exhibitors.


The Whiskey Off-Road, April 29 to May 1 – This race in Prescott, Arizona seems like a hoot. There’s a fat-tire criterium in historic downtown Prescott on “Whiskey Row,” an industry expo, live music and 15, 25, or 50 proof (miles) races to choose from. A $20,000 reward (purse) is shared 50/50 between pro male/female categories. Registration is now open and limited to the first 1,500 registrants, so go to http://www.epicrides.com/wor/wor.htm for the low-down.

The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic – Every Durango cyclist must participate in this tradition once in their lifetime, so I need to get on it! The first Durango-to-Silverton race-against-the-train was back in 1972. Over 2,500 participants converge on Memorial Day weekend to enjoy the best cycling in the country (OK, I’m a little biased). The Citizen Tour is sold out, but the road race and other events like the Time Trial, Criterium and Mountain Bike Race still have spots.

– Christine Rasmussen

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

New for Spring 2011: Julbo offers its take on a classic design

Few sunglass designs are as iconic as the Aviator style. When I think Aviators, I think General MacArthur. I think Hunter S. Thompson. I think “aloof motorcyle cop.” I think Tom Cruise, of course, as Maverick playing beach volleyball against Ice Man.

But when you take a closer peek at the functional aspect behind the Aviator design, it makes sense that pilots needed them to prevent any glare, so they could spot bogey’s (unidentified aircrafts that must be assumed as hostile).
The slightly convex, tear-drop-shaped lens is meant to cover the entire range of the human eye to prevent as much light as possible from entering the eye at any angle, with hook-style earpieces to keep the frames in place. They are often characterized by dark or reflective lenses that give the wearer a sense of mystery.
New for Spring 2011, Julbo is introducing a refined verison of the classic Aviator with its Chrono, Truck and Freeze models to the travel collection. Rubber inserts at the temple area and an adjustable nosepiece ensure a secure fit for any face. They come with the Spectron 3 lenses for $100, or the polarizing, anti-reflective and photochromic Falcon lens for $190.

The Truck has a lower-profile, retangular lens shape, and the Freeze is a rimless frame model; both come in the two lens options as well.
Ladies, although not an aviator style, be prepared to get stoked on the Alagna. These striking and stylish frames are designed for smaller female faces and have curved lenses to avoid contact with eyelashes. As we all know, when the mascara is working well, it sometimes translates to smudges on lenses. Especially when you are batting your lashes at hot-looking dudes in Aviators. These also are available in the Spectron 3 ($76) or Falcon lenses ($180).


– Christine Rasmussen

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Spring Break 2011 Adventure Destinations: Surf and Snow Packing Check Lists!

Spring is that time of transition during which you’ve either had enough of cold and snow, or you’re still thirsty for powder. Either way, it’s a good time to get away, have fun, and come back to the real world rejuvenated.

I’d venture to guess many of you Julbo fans seek activities that unleash adrenaline and make the heart beat a bit faster. No “staycations” for you. Maybe slaycations. Shredcations. Snowcations. Surfcations


As surf spots like Hawaii, Costa Rica, and Mexico have become played out and overcrowded, a place like Nicaragua would be a great choice for good waves, affordability and a tropical-getaway feel. Popoyo Surf Lodge on Nicaragua’s southern Pacific coast in Playa Guasacate has been hosting surfers since 1999, so owner JJ Yemma no doubt has the local knowledge to find the action. The pool and hammock areas look super relaxing, too.

Ladies, if you are just learning and want the camaraderie of other female beginner surfers, check out Chica Brava surf camp on the Southern Pacific coast of Nicaragua in San Juan del Sur. They offer various surf packages for the beginner to the experienced that include transport, accommodations, yoga, and massage.

Surf-trip checklist musts: Julbo glasses with the Octopus lens. These photochromic and polarizing lenses have a water-shedding hydrophobic coating that is ideal for water sports. And don’t forget your Julbo hard case for sunglasses as you pack your suitcase, carry-on, purse or backpack. Stuff can get crunched during rushed airline transport.

If you would rather surf snow, this snowcat lodge located north of Nelson, British Columbia in Canada seems like the ideal spot for a pow-cation. With over 500-plus inches of annual snowfall and 32,000 acres to access via snowcat, Baldface Lodge seems like the dream spring break getaway for the consummate powderhound.

Snow-trip checklist musts: longer, floaty boards made for deep snow, a snorkel, and Julbo Dark Lord goggles designed by Winter X Games champion Enak Gavaggio. The ventilated photochromic Zebra lens with anti-fog coating will keep the powder stashes in view. No stopping necessary.

– Christine Rasmussen

Friday, March 4, 2011

And the Grand Prize Julbo Glen Session Winner is....

JUDY WU!!

Congratulations Judy! Judy received the most votes for the Julbo Glen Session video and statement contest. She will be going to the Sierra Mountains with Glen Plake, April 15-18, for a two day all-expenses paid backcountry ski trip!

Check out here video here:

Julbo Glen Session Contest entry for Judy from Judy on Vimeo.



Read her statement here:
My name is Judy and I hope to get the opportunity to ski the California backcountry with Glen Plake. This past Christmas, I got my first pair of backcountry skis. I was able to get out on them several times early this season. However, here in the Pacific Northwest, all our hopes of a La NiƱa winter filled with lots of fresh powder gave way to almost continuous rain, leaving the snowpack here 35% below normal.

Despite the rain, I have been out on skis often, though mostly in-bounds. My first winter on the west coast has been filled with teaching kids’ skiing, learning about and helping out with adaptive skiing (sit-skis), and spending a lot of time exploring the slopes near my new home of Seattle Washington.

Since I am a relatively new skier with a passion for the backcountry, I hope to get a chance to improve my skiing by hanging out with the master himself, Glen Plake. Skiing beneath bluebird skies under the California sun would not just be an added bonus, but a dream come true. I hope you like my video and will vote for me for the Julbo Glen Session contest!

Huge thanks to Rick Mathieu and Andrew Lerner for their commitment, dedication and enthusiasm for being part of this close competition!

Happy Riding and Skiing!