Not just faster, friendlier too!

Now by tree huggers we don’t mean skiers wrapped around trees, we mean skiers that want trees to thrive in a cold snow producing climate. Purl Wax has introduce a new high performance all natural wax line. I know you’re saying, what does wax have to do with it.

In the face of big environmental issues ski and snowboard wax might not seem to play  an important role, but a traditional stick of wax bears a lot more toxic potential then most of us realize. The majority of ski waxes are fluoridated, consisting of perfluorocarbons or PFC. The production of PFC requires a highly toxic  chemical called PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid. PFOA is a known carcinogen that has been linked to cancer, liver damage and more.

Okay you put it on your ski bases not your dinner plate so what’s the harm? According to the Purl Wax people once the PFCs in your ski wax start degrading they end up in our water shed, polluting our streams and creeks. Additionally, PFCs are extremely potent greenhouse gases known to have about 6500 times the greenhouse warming potential of carbon dioxide. An industry so directly affected and threatened by climate change cannot afford to close its eyes to these fact.

The other thing that’s cool about Purl’s all natural wax, it is 100% biodegradable and non toxic. If that’s not enough to make you want to hug a tree, the company use wind energy to power the production melting tanks. 

This is the way I look at all this eco friendly stuff, very little bit helps and it sends a good message, creating more talk and generating ideas that might just save skiing. 

By Darby

Tree Hugger

Copyright Photography by Treas

When we think of wool we think itchy, rough, scratchy, and thick. I say think again! Today’s wool is soft, warm and can be super light weight. Not at all like your grandmother’s woolens.

We have always known that cotton kills and wools keeps you warm even when wet. With modern technology, machines are able to spin wool threads so that they literally feel like silk. Wool is a renewable resource and isn’t made from petroleum products. For those of you that have allergic reactions to wool well it’s amazing many of you will be able to wear these new wool products without a problem.

As the softgoods buyer for Granite Chief I am pleasantly surprised to find a wide variety of products made from today’s new wool. Everything from socks, hats, gloves, base layers, sweaters, even outerwear items like ski pants and parkas.  

Granite Chief is carrying wool skiwear and accessories from Marmot, Patagonia, Wigwam, Arc Teryx, Neve, Mountain Hardwear, and Bogner Fire & Ice.

Come on in and feel the difference new wool can make.

Donner Summit a great place for climbing, riding, running and hiking but sometimes you just can’t hold it. Eric Perlman came to Granite Chief expressing concerns about the eco perils of Donner Summit. You’ve heard it before but we are loving the summit to death. For the last 5 years Granite Chief has supplied the outhouse, sani-hut, poop chute, whatever you want to call it, it is there for you to use, so please do…do…!

Any other concerns you have about protecting our beautiful playground blog on with your ideas or given us a shout, info@granitechief.com

The outhouse is located in the turnout along the roadside at Snowshed climbing area.