Posts tagged with “MEC”

Winter has officially arrived! This weekend’s brisk temperatures have many Calgarians scrambling to acclimate while continually hoping for another chinook to roll in. There are even some of us who will take the black-capped Chickadee approach, and eat steadily throughout the day. Then, when it’s too cold to move around, these individuals will enter into a state of mini-hibernation that may last hours or even a few days.

But if the Chickadee approach doesn’t seem like the right fit for you, perhaps embracing the next few months is the best remedy? Snow sports is just one of the many options we have for coping with winter, and for all the snow sports and outdoor enthusiasts in the city, what could be better than a full day of product demos, clinics, instruction and safety services?

How about all of that…for FREE!?!!

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) Calgary’s Snowfest is a celebration of all things winter, minus the warming up your car and sidewalk shoveling, part. Head down to MEC today for a family-friendly festival that has something for everyone, including a place to swap your old snowsports equipment and find that perfect pre-loved-by-another item to add to your backpack. Learn to wax your Cross Country skis, or how to use Avalanche safety equipment in an emergency. Listen to CBC Extreme Canada host, Paul Karchut, provide advice on the art of winter packing or get a chance to check out the latest products from K2, BCA, Kastle, Atlas Snowshoes, Black Diamond and SPOT.

Of course, Snowfest is also a great place to connect with the Calgary snowsports community and find snow-passionate, like-minded individuals to trek and travel with. A cornucopia of exhibitors will be on hand throughout the day to talk gear, help you connect with trip partners, spice up your backcountry safety knowledge, and make sure you get the most out of winter this year.

Canadians, and particularly Calgarians, have always embraced winter and the many activities and events that make the colder months of the year that much more enjoyable. Yes, it’s cold, but not that cold…

Snowfest is today, November 20th, 2011 beginning at 11am:  830 – 10th Ave SW.

A brief schedule of the days events:

11:30am – 12:30pm

Alpine Touring and Cross Country ski comparison by K2

Atlas Snowshoes  demo

Winter Cycling by MEC

Packing for Winter by CBC Outside’s Paul Karchut (Calgary-based, CBC ski and outdoor journalist)

Avalanche Forecasting by the Canadian Avalanche Centre

12:30pm – 1:30pm

Cross Country ski waxing by the Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors

Choosing your Ice Climbing gear by Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

Mountain Rescue by Kananaskis Country Public Safety

Hands on Avalanche Rescue Tools by Back Country Access

2:30pm – 3:30pm

All About Alpine Touring Skis – materials, construction and choice by Kastle

All about Snowshoes by MEC

Winter Running by MEC

Intro to Winter Camping by Rob Owens

Avalanche Forecasting by the Canadian Avalanche Centre

3:30pm – 4:30pm

Cross Country ski waxing my MEC

Ice Climbing Technique and Gear by Black Diamond

SPOT Satellite Messenger by SPOT

Introduction to Avalanche Safety by Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

No pre-registration is required, and the events also include an all-day kids craft table and snowshoe track, lunch with prizes and giveaways, and a gear swap (Call MEC @ 430-269-2420 to reserve a table).

Get this winter started on the right foot with MEC Snowfest!

I think everyone knows that Calgary can be an expensive place to live, but I’m also sure that each of us know of a few prime freebies that we take advantage of, whenever we can. Here are some free sessions they’re offering at Mountain Equipment Co-op (9 free information sessions for things like Backcountry Touring, Winter Cycle Commuting, Indoor Climbing, etc.) this month:

Link

Hopefully you can attend one or two!