Brent and Megan Easton know snow. The couple lives in Canaan Valley and have been members of Timberline’s ski patrol for more than seven years, skiing telemark gear through 12-hour days in a variety of conditions.
“In Canaan Valley, it’ll be pow one week, rain the next and then snow again,” says Brent Easton, who logs 20 to 30 hours a week keeping skiers safe on some of the Mid-Atlantic’s most aggressive terrain.
“The snow is really good here, but it’s also really cold,” he adds. Timberline is known for steep fall line skiing, with plenty of trees and bumps, as well as some killer side-country opportunities.
“Ski patrol at Timberline is the best job,” says Megan, who’s also an E.R. nurse. “I’d just be skiing all day anyway, so you might as well get paid for it, and work with a really fun crew.”
We asked the tele-couple to detail their favorite pieces of gear, from the layers that keep them warm during Canaan Valley’s notoriously cold winters to the skis that perform all over the mountain.
NO. 1 Icelantic Vanguard | Oracles
Brent: We just switched over to these skis last season. They’re sweet skis that are hand-crafted in Denver with really cool graphics. Megan: They’re great all over the mountain in all kinds of conditions, from powder to ice. $799 for vanguards, $699 for Oracles; icelanticskis.com
NO. 2 Swix Split Mitt
Megan: It’s like a lobster mitt, with two fingers in one hole and two fingers in the other hole. This is what I wear on those really cold days. They’re insulated, but with a tough outer shell. $45; swixsport.com
NO. 3 Patagonia Thermal Weight Zip Hoodie
Brent: The name doesn’t do this thing justice. It’s like a base layer with a built in balaclava. I wear this thing every single day I’m on the mountain. The hood fits well under your helmet and comes all the way up to your nose. It’s key. $119; patagonia.com
NO. 4 Smith Gage Helmet
Megan: We both wear Smith helmets. The Gage is inexpensive, lightweight and very warm. Brent: I really would rather just go hat and goggles, but after seeing people all busted up, wearing a helmet makes good sense. $80; smithoptics.com
NO. 5 Patagonia Down Sweater
Megan: This goes on between that zip hoodie and a Gore-Tex shell. It can get really cold in Canaan Valley, but if I have this thing on, I never get chilly. I’ve had it for several years and the down is still good. $299; patagonia.com
NO. 6 STIO Flannel Shirt
“I always wear a flannel shirt, because it’s classy,” Brent Easton told us, and we couldn’t agree more. The flannel really ties the ensemble together. BRO editors have always had a love affair with flannel. Here’s our current flannel obsession: Stio Buckhorn Bonded Flannel Shirt. It’s a bit pricey for a flannel, but it’s insulated with super soft microfleece, so it might be the warmest flannel out there. $165; stio.com
EDITOR’S PICK Urban Armor Navigator SMARTPHONE case
Your smartphone needs to be as rugged and adventurous as you. Urban Armor’s Navigator composite military-grade armor shell ensures that your phone will survive your next outing (even if you don’t). Yet it’s featherweight and provides easy access to your screen and ports. $35
