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How Ski Patrollers Stay Warm

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When Lindsay Wiebold started as a rookie ski patroller, she learned the importance of wearing the right gear the hard way, after developing frostnip (the stage before frostbite) on her toes on a brutally cold day. Now, with 12 seasons of ski-patrol experience under her belt, Wiebold has learned a thing or two about staying warm in the harshest winter conditions. Ski patrollers spend the majority of their time out on the slopes, exposed to the mountain elements. Biting winds, wet sleet, freezing temperatures — even in some of the toughest winter conditions, ski patrol braves the weather to ensure the safety of the skiers and snowboarders enjoying the mountain. So it’s critical that their gear be up to the challenge. To find out what cold-weather gear can stand up to the demands of high-alpine environments, I asked tenured ski patrollers who spend season after season on the mountain about their favorite ways to stay warm. I also visited Colorado’s Loveland and Arapahoe Basin ski areas...
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Ring Denies Rumors That Its Footage Is Used by ICE. Here’s What to Know.

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Following a surge in immigration enforcement actions in recent weeks, rumors have swirled , claiming that Amazon-owned Ring, which has sold tens of millions of smart cameras and video doorbells in the US, has been providing federal immigration law enforcement with access to user data. That unsubstantiated claim, frequently reposted on social media along with calls to disable or destroy Ring devices , also asserts that Ring’s service is integrated with Flock Safety , a company that markets license-plate scanning devices and software and has come under scrutiny due to purported use of its services for immigration enforcement. Some of Ring’s products, including cameras, home security systems, and lighting devices, have been or are Wirecutter picks. In the past we have paused recommending Ring products at various times following what we considered systemic lapses in its security and privacy policies. And so, with this new round of rumors swirling, we contacted Ring for clarification an...
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The Best Trampoline

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A great trampoline should strike a balance between playfulness and practicality, with features that ensure the best bounce and the highest degree of safety possible. Over the past year, we’ve built and bounced on nine backyard trampolines that meet ASTM safety specifications , to give families the jump on the best spring-powered exercise around. For most families, we recommend the JumpFlex Hero 14ft Trampoline , which offers the best balance of quality, safety, and performance. Those looking for trampoline-park-level bouncing may want to spring for the Avyna Pro Line 14′ Trampoline . And families looking to get a few years’ worth of casual bouncing at a lower price could be perfectly happy with the Sportspower Bounce Pro 14′ Trampoline . We also researched medical literature and spoke to an orthopedist, a trauma surgeon, and a pediatrician specializing in sports medicine to assess the overall safety of bouncing on trampolines. We investigated how to ensure your insurance company ...
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The Best Shower Mat

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If your shower or tub floor is at all slippery, a grippy mat might help to prevent falls — and stomach-lurching near misses. We considered 26 top-rated options and put 10 to the test. The Gorilla Grip Bathtub Shower Mat is by far the safest-feeling mat we tried. It's also one of the easiest to clean. But the Gorilla Grip mat’s suction cups don’t work on every surface, so if you have a textured or tiled tub, we recommend the Asvin Soft Textured Bath, Shower, Tub Mat . If you’re looking for an absorbent mat that you place outside the tub, check out our bath mat guide . from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/ZvngTHG via IFTTT
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The Best Ski and Snowboard Goggles

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Basic ski and snowboard goggles block wind, UV light, and cold flying snow. But the best goggles transform an otherwise featureless sheet of white into visible bumps and ruts. That really matters. The more you see, the more confidently you ski. I skied with 19 pairs of goggles in all types of weather over the course of two winters. Each spring, I found myself wishing I was always wearing our top pick, the Anon M5 Goggles . from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/g4DXblC via IFTTT
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The 16 Best Gifts for Husbands (That Are Great for Anyone)

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His perennial refrain: He doesn’t need anything. Or maybe your husband’s refusals have a slightly different flavor: He doesn’t want anything. Either way, birthdays, holidays, and special occasions never fail to come a-knocking. We’ve compiled a range of excellent ideas that he may have never considered but will most certainly treasure. And of course, one needn't be a husband at all to enjoy any one of these thoughtful, novel gifts. For husbands who need or crave a style upgrade, we offer the platonic ideal of a plaid shirt , a sweater that’s equal parts cool and classic , and a watch made entirely of wood . But if your guy is more practical, there are always terrific outdoor tools. We’ve also rounded up gifts to help him kick back and unwind . If all else fails? Get that man a grill . (We’re not kidding.) And for other, more-specific ideas, check out our guides to gifts for dads , gifts for runners , gifts for adults who are still kids , and gifts for people who love food . ...
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I Want to Be a Morning Person. This Un-Snoozable Alarm Is Turning Me Into One.

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The person I am when I set my alarm at night is not the same person who has to turn it off in the morning. In the evenings, I’m idealistic as I dream of all the productive things I might accomplish the next day. I could swim laps at the rec center or start a load of laundry, maybe journal or read a few chapters of a book while sipping my coffee. I set my alarm optimistically, giving myself enough time to do one of these constructive activities before I have to log on to work. But once the morning comes around, nothing matters to me more than getting five cozy extra minutes in bed. I snooze my alarm over and over again, drifting in and out of sleep as those early hours slip away. More often than not, I pull myself out of bed mere minutes before the workday starts, groggy as I stumble to my computer. For years I've tried to trick myself into becoming a morning person, convinced that I’ll be a better version of myself if I just wake up a little earlier. I’ve booked early-morning w...
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