Throughout history it is incredible to learn where some of the greatest inventions have come from. The Wright brothers built an airplane in their small bike shop; Jobs & Wozniak constructed the first Apple computer in Jobs’ garage; and the product that this post highlights was also brought to life when Bill and Vieve Gore began their company in the basement of their home.

From the time that the Gores founded their company and still to today they pride themselves on creating innovative solutions to technology and consumer products. GORE originally started as a technology company – specializing in wiring – from computers to spaceships, and loads of interesting products in between. However in 1969 Bob Gore, the couple’s son, came across a new and innovative material through a somewhat accidental experiment. This material would later be called GORE-TEX and can be found in the premium gear that so many backcountry users, hikers, and snowmobilers alike have grown to love.

What is GORE-TEX?

Nothing gets much better than that white powder and mountains, add a sled & some top-notch gear and you are set for a good time. However, this great time can become a not-so-fun time if you aren't dressed properly.

Which is why we are writing this guide - to help you figure out your outfit for the ultimate snowmobiling experience.

Helmets

Obviously helmets are pretty important. They protect that pretty little face of yours from accidents to the elements of nature - like rain, snow, trees, rocks, wind, etc. Helmets also keep your head nice and toasty. When it comes to helmets there are a few things that sets them apart from each other. Weight, ventilation, and style/design. If a helmet is made with carbon fiber it typically means that the helmet is lighter which helps reduce neck fatigue. Fog is an annoyance that nobody enjoys - so the more ventilated the helmet the better it will be at preventing fog. Air rushes through the helmet and removes that hot fog-causing air.

MOTORCYCLE GEAR GUIDE

RIDE SMART - RIDE SAFE

Motorcycles are great fun. However, they are less stable and obviously more open than automobiles, posing a higher risk of injury or death. In fact, it is estimated that the number of deaths on motorcycles, per mile traveled, was over 27 times the number of in cars. So it should come as no surprise that many motorcycle riders have geared up to hit the road -- and many brands have introduced incredibly strong, durable, and quality products to keep riders safe -- on and off the road. We at SnowBigDeal have created this guide to help riders find the right gear for themselves -- because we truly care about safety. This guide will be broken down into the various components of a proper motorcycle outfit -- Helmet, Jacket & Pants, Jerseys & Layering, Gloves, Footwear, Armor, and accessories you may want to have. Each of these categories will be broken down further by off-road, adventure, and street/touring riding types.

SHOEI ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

SAFETY, DESIGN AND PASSION

SHOEI helmets take their form from state-of-the-art technology combined with over 50 years of helmet building experience, using the most advanced materials available. With safety, comfort and passion in mind, SHOEI product development always takes customer feedback, demands of the market, and new trends into consideration. Although safety and functionality always play the dominant role, the design aspect is never neglected. This special combination of perfect functionality, unique design and unsurpassed quality standards are testimony to the passion that SHOEI has for motorcycle riders worldwide.

PRODUCTION AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

For all the energy and passion invested into the development of a product, the same level of care and due diligence must be achieved during the production process. A number of unique, state-of-the-art processes combine to yield the unrivaled quality that only SHOEI helmets are known for, and each helmet must pass several rigorous inspections throughout the production process before being awarded the famous SHOEI hexagon. The actual production of a single SHOEI helmet takes up to seven days.

Shoveling would seem to be a fairly basic task, however in the case of an avalanche rescue shoveling is much more intense. Many times you are required to move tons of snow in a race against time if survival is on your mind.

Single Shoveler

After probing the area and making a strike on the victim, leave the probe in place as a marker and check the burial depth. The burial depth will help in determining the final hole size, and therefore help in determining how far you must start digging from the probe to keep the hole from falling in on itself and preserving the victim's air pocket. Start digging your hole away from the probe by 1.5 x the burial depth. Start by moving snow out the sides of the hole, then once the snow surface rises above your waist move snow out the back of your hole. Attempt to get to the victim's face as soon as possible, then establish an airway by uncovering the victim's head and chest.