Lou,
You mentioned getting some sort of gore tex rai poncho or something for skiing in your report about Tremblant. What is it, what is the brand and item name, and where can one find it?
Thanks, The Colonel

The ponchos are awesome for Spring and rainy days. The high-end are made by Descente and (I could kick my hiney, but I just saw them at half price from what I bought them). They're very durable and strong, totally water-proof and have a snug fit so it's comfortable to wear. You can find them on sale at http://www.artechski.com/descente-rain-poncho-black-2313.aspx#.USaXllpMSwc

The mid-quality sports ponchos can be found at REI for less than $40. http://www.rei.com/product/743069/outdoor-products-packframe-poncho


There are also disposable plastic ones that I will tell you, they are worthless. I bought a pack of 3 and last year, wore one of them in the rain, only to have it ripped to shreds in the wind going down the slopes. Worst yet, I got it stuck in the chair lift when I exited and couldn't get out. My foot struck the stop bar and I embarrassed myself as I looked like a novice nerd wearing a poncho.

Seems like a poncho would be a bit tricky to ski in?

Actually the Descente one and the REI have strings that protect while allowing waterproofing. The cheap one that ripped in the wind and got stuck at the Powder Monkey lift was a cheap plastic one.

I don't know if you've ever seen Mennonites skiing, but I always wondered how they could ski with all that garb flowing in the wind, and then I tried the Descente poncho. I'm sold. Not that I'm going to be a Mennonite anytime soon though :-)