Snow!

Prepare to get that tingly feeling... it's been snowing on Whistler and there's more on the way. Here's how the webcam looks right now:

Window Shopping - The North Face

If you're shopping for skiwear (or hiking gear, or camping equipment), The North Face are impossible to miss. Their market presence is undeniable: North Face is a byword for quality outdoor clothing that won't break the bank. I was talking to a friend last week who has just bought her second North Face ski jacket because, she says, the last one "was really comfortable and hard wearing considering how much I ended up in the snow". (She exaggerates; her skiing rocks, as indeed did the jacket).

Perhaps the flip side of the tried-and-trusted brand identity is that North Face gear can be a little bit... well, boring. The kind of gear that springs to mind is simple skiwear in safe, not too daring colours, and why not? - it sells. Jackets like the Stavros are very much in that traditional mould, and if your trusty black pants need replacing, TNF are a safe bet every time.

But times are changing, and some of the North Face gear on show last season hinted at more exciting things to come. Sure enough a look at this year's North Face

collection turns up some nice surprises.

The men's Drip Print jacket has a fantastic design that varies subtly from one garment to the next a

s the drips fan out. In the women's line, the '80s style Jitterbug down-filled jacket looks like it fell out of the wardrobe on Saved By The Bell - the last thing I expected from this label! Meanwhile best-selling La Fonda jacket with its detachable faux fur trim is more mainstream, but still nicely styled. The Nuptse vest is sure to do well on the slopes in Europe too.

If you're shopping for reliable quality, you don't need me to point you towards The North Face. But this year, it's definitely worth checking them out for some style surprises too.

Kate

Window Shopping - Westbeach

Westbeach is one of the true Canadian institutions or as they put it on their site "The Canadian Snowboarding Original". What's more as one of the West coast brands, all their outerwear is designed in Vancouver and then tested on the local mountains and even though they are designing clothing for snowboarders, i think any self-respecting skier might just about get over the cusses on their site and be able to live with wearing some of the gear. They're celebrating 30 years this year and we were lucky enough to be at the Schick fashion show in Whistler last season when they showcased some of their vintage outfits which in my view are still cool enough to be worn today.

Locals might be familiar with the names of some of this year's ranges with runs such as "Franz" and "Peak to Creek" among those given recognition. They've even got a short explanation as to why they picked each of the names and even though some of the links are tenuous we're loving the thought, dedication and loyalty to their origins.

There are 12 different styles of jackets (although in reality it's only 10 - there is an insulated and shell version for two) but the styles I think are going to be popular are the Maverick and the Tall. The first because it has some amazing colour jackets and the latter because it has been specifically designed for what they call the "park rats". My favourite has got to be what I suspect will be this season's signature jacket: the Maverick in white (see right). Other styles worth a mention are the "peak to creek" with its zip off to one side meaning that on those cold days, there's no chin chafing.

In comparison with the jackets, their pants are almost understated with only a few coming in the more bold colours seen with their jackets. Difficult to pick a favourite but I would probably have to opt for the Whisky Jack pants in Yellow so named after the Whisky Jack birds that hang out near skilifts and scavenge for food (particularly at Harmony chairlift on Whistler - see the proof below).

All in all, a superb range, even if it is designed for snowboarders. Next time I'll be looking at Oakley.

Cheers

Jez

New site coming soon...

Watch this space folks... the new and improved What'sWhistlerWearing will be launched on 1 November, and we're super stoked about it. For now, here's an exclusive glimpse of the new logo. Sweet, eh?

Keep checking in here through October for more ski and snowboard fashion reviews.

Window Shopping - Kjus

After all these snowboard labels, it's about time we reviewed some straight-down-the-line ski fashion, and where better to start than Kjus?

Founded by Olympic and World Champion racer Lasse Kjus, this is high-end performance skiwear. Kjus (pronounced shoos, to rhyme with moose) are all about clean lines and sleek shapes that makes no concessions whatsoever to the baggy look - this outerwear is descended from downhill racing suits, not streetwear or skate fashion.

There's no doubting the quality of Kjus' clothes - they really do perform in all conditions. Jez has been wearing a Kjus jacket for a couple of seasons now, and we've dubbed it "Superjacket" for its all-round awesomeness. Of course, that quality doesn't come cheap, but you get what you pay for, right?

In the 2010 collection, the ladies Salt&Pepper jacket is a great example of what Kjus do best: slick design in fitted shapes. My only grumble is the not-so-subtle "spirit of skiing" slogan on the hood (not visible here) - a strangely cheesy detail from an otherwise classy company. Of course, if you're like me, the hood gets detached on day one in favour of a helmet. Safety first... style a very close second ;)

Kate