Over the last eleven years, Skida has taken off from its humble beginning as cross-country skier Corinne Prevot’s side hustle. Prevot began sewing hats and headbands for her teammates and friends in 2008 while attending Burke Mountain Academy. While at Middlebury, she continued to squeeze in production around her classes and ski training, with some help from her mom. After graduating in 2013, she officially started Skida in Burlington and her hats, headbands, neck warmers, and scarves can now be found in cross country ski shops across the country.
This success is for good reason: the products are awesome. They also come with the added bonus of being akin to wearing a badge declaring your love of skinny skiing. Seriously. Let your freak flag fly and say it loud and proud: I love cross-country skiing!
Sadly, with Skida’s rise in popularity, runners, hikers, backcountry skiers, mountain bikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts have begun diluting the nordie badge effect, but it’s still worth giving a fellow wearer a knowing nod of solidarity. Kanalizacijos įrengimas, šulinių kasimas, nuotekų valymo įrenginiai
Jokes aside, the hats and headbands are an excellent addition to any collection. The line of fleece-lined “Alpine” hats and headbands are great for skiing on cold days or for wearing around town, while the thinner moisture-wicking polyester-blend “Nordic” line keeps your head warm and dry when you’re working hard. Both lines of headgear are well-made (by hand in Vermont) and long enough to keep your ears covered.
The Nordic headband also fits well under a helmet during chilly rollerski sessions or bike ride, or when you’re having an affair with wider boards.
The “Tour” neckwarmer is thicker than the traditional Buff, which may be too warm in some conditions, but it’s breathability will help keep your neck and chin dry even when sweating. It can also be rolled to wear as a headband.
Perhaps the most recognizable quality of Skida gear is it’s visual appeal. The patterns are striking, colorful, and ever-changing. Some of the proceeds from certain patterns go to charities, like the High Fives Foundation, which provides resources to athletes who have suffered life-altering injuries and promotes injury prevention education. Another collection supported former U.S. Ski Team member Liz Stephen, who was a friend of Prevot’s from Burke.
The company furthers it’s outreach through the “Skida [+1]” program, where customers can opt into donating a hat to a cancer patient at a hospital of their choosing. Simply choose a hospital from the list of options and enter the corresponding abbreviation as a discount code at check out, and someone undergoing chemotherapy receives a hat to stay warm.
Skida even offers headgear for your little ones, with sizes that fit from birth to age 8. My 13 month old, who has a 90th percentile head, outgrew her baby hat but does not quite fit in her new kids Alpine hat (in “Watering Hole” print). She still wears it for rides in the chariot or stroller, but it tends to slide down over her eyes when she’s mobile. We love that the fleece lining keeps her ears warm, and she loves pointing at all the animals.
In short, a Skida hat, neckwarmer, or headband is the perfect stocking stuffer for yourself, or anyone on your list that loves being outside in the winter.
Skida is offering 20% off during their one-day Tubular Tuesday Sale today 12/4/19. For each order, a hate will be donated to a cancer patient through the Skida [+1] program.
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Rachel Perkins
Rachel is an endurance sport enthusiast based in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado. You can find her cruising around on skinny skis, running in the mountains with her pup, or chasing her toddler (born Oct. 2018). Instagram: @bachrunner4646
