Still haven't done your holiday shopping yet? Don't worry, we're here to help. For the skiers and snowboarders on your list, here are a few suggestions for affordable gifts they're sure to love more than that itchy sweater you were considering buying them. We had to throw in a few Flylow items because, well, we make good stuff and we can't help ourselves.

At $25 a pop, Kiehls Cross Terrain 50 SPF sunscreen isn't exactly cheap, but it's the toughest face protector we've found for preventing sunburn, windburn and all the other torture your face endures during a day on the mountain.

One more way to prevent sunburn and frostbite? A face mask. Ditch the super dorky balaklava and neck gaiter and opt for one with style, like Outdoor Technology's $8.95 Yowi.

This Flylow hat is handmade by our friend Luke, who crochets these beanies from Durango, Colorado. You won't find a cozier, softer or more affordable handmade hat anywhere.

We'd prefer to ski powder all the time and never have to tune our edges, but unfortunately, there's not always powder to be found. If you're ripping groomers at the resort or tackling an icy ski mountaineering descent, you'll want sharp skis. Try Dakine's Edge Tuner.

Buying lift tickets online and in advance is the best way to save and there's no site that does that better than Liftopia.com. They sell gift cards from $20 to $500 that have no fees, no expiration dates and can be used to purchase lift tickets at ski resorts all over the country.

Got a friend with cold hands? Get them our tough-looking but super warm Oven Mitt.

For hut trips and tailgate après ski, it's nice to tuck a flask of whiskey in your backcountry pack. Why not give the gift of a cool-looking, handmade flask?

Our friends over at Apres Powder, a great ski blog in the Northwest, took the time to review our Ridge Glove. Says the review: "We’ve all picked up gloves that have fallen apart by the spring thaw or not delivered on all the features they promised. We've also yearned for real leather gloves but couldn't spring for the near $200 price tag for some ‘Pro Models.’  The Flylow Ridge Glove is none of the above."

You can read the rest of the review here.

Paul Kimbrough’s 2011-2012 Winter Wish List

I plan on skiing over 120 days across western North America this winter/spring so I need versatile gear that will last.  Here is my list.

Flylow
M Baker Bibs Orange: solid bibs keep the snow/rain out while the large side/knee vents cool me off on the skin track.

L Quantum Black: super waterproof and breathable the Quantum is on the list to keep me warm and cozy in harsh mountain conditions everywhere from Baker to Revelstoke to Alaska.  Huge pit zips allow me to wear this shell on the skin track when it’s windy, snowy, or even sunny (a huge plus for quick turnovers and staying dry all day long).

M Swindler Black: I want this super light, packable mid-layer to back up my Quantum on cold lift rides or for lunchtime on a long tour.

L Ridge Glove: warm and durable these are hands down the best deal on the market!!!

L Oven Mitt: for snow camping and the few days a year when my Ridge Gloves are not warm enough.

Moment Josh Bibby Pro 190cm: My favorite do-everything ski.  Mustache rocker makes this ski perform as well on hardpack as it does in bottomless pow.  If you can only afford a one-ski quiver this is the ski.

22-Designs AXL tele binding: not only is the AXL the most solid free hinging tele binding on the market, but also they are the most adjustable, so dial them in to suit your style.

Scarpa T-Race: I love this powerful 4-buckle tele boot for everything from side country at Mt. Baker to touring 10K in the Wasatch.  The new liners fit great right out of the box and the Powerbloc options allows me to fix the walk-mode into permanent ski mode for even more solid performance.

climbingskinsdirect.com Twin-tip skins: these simple skins will work on almost any ski and come with a block of skin wax.  They are hand made in Wilson, WY and the price can’t be beat.

Ryan Hawks. Photo by Frank Shine

Ryan Hawks was one of us: a skier, a powder-lover, an all-around great guy. When he passed away on March 1, 2011, from injuries sustained during the Freeskiing World Tour at Kirkwood, California, his loss was felt throughout the ski community.

The Flyin’ Ryan Hawks Foundation was recently established to remember Ryan and to enrich the lives of young athletes like him. Money raised through the non-profit memorial fund will go to support individuals who demonstrate Ryan’s leadership and sense of adventure, and will support their journey in wilderness education, mountain exploration, or contributions to the freeskiing community.

For this coming winter, there will be seven Flyin’ Ryan Ambassador coaches—Lars Chickering-Ayers, Dylan Crossman, Angel Collinson, Louis Erickson, Ben Blakely, Rob Greener, and Chuck Mumford—and those athletes will help conduct 16 clinics (Flyin’ Ryan Days) at ski resorts around the country. The clinics will take place alongside the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour’s junior stops and at Ryan’s home mountain, Mad River Glen, Vermont.

The Flyin’ Ryan Hawks Foundation was formed by Ryan’s dad, Peter Hawks. “The purpose of the foundation is to honor Ryan’s humanity and to extend his principles for living (self proclaimed) in order that others might be inspired to elevate the quality of their lives by adopting Ryan’s ideas,” said Peter Hawks. “I think our Ambassador program has the potential to attract a significant number of participants who will, collectively, provide us with the ongoing capacity to place our scholarship dollars where they are most needed.”

Here at Flylow, we’d like to pay tribute to Ryan and all he did for us and the skiing community at large. Ryan helped us design our new Quantum jacket, a three-layer hardshell that, like Ryan, is as tough as it comes. So, starting now, we’re going to donate $2 from every Quantum jacket sold on Flylowgear.com to the Flyin’ Ryan Hawks Foundation.

“This is a small gesture but it has a large meaning,” says Flylow president Dan Abrams. “Ryan Hawks was a big part of Flylow and we want to do what we can to support his legacy.”

Check out what Backcountry Magazine had to say about the Quantum Jacket in their December issue:

Ask and you shall receive. We had numerous requests to make bibs over the past couple of seasons, and we've finally developed what may just be the perfect pair. The Baker bibs retail for $320 and are available in Black, Ink, and Orange. Pre-order yours today and they will ship on or around December 15th.

Want a free pair? Head over to our facebook page and upload a photo of yourself in an old outfit and tag yourself in it. Ten-year-old photos count too :-) We will pick a random entrant to get a free pair.

The new gear for 2011 is hitting shelves now. Two new pieces we're pretty excited about (and we think you may be, too) are the Flylow Quantum Jacket and Stash Pant. Here's a closer look.

A new telemark binding is being developed by mechanical engineer and accomplished telemark skier Jeff Campbell

Jeff Throwing Down. Photo: Steve Lloyd

In order to assist with improving his concept, Campbell is asking that you spend several minutes and complete a short survey. To quote Jeff, "If you do, Ullr will bless you with many face shots for the rest of this horrendous El Nino season." Take the survey HERE

Outside Magazine has a video on their site now with tips on How to Buy a Ski Jacket, with some help from our friends at Bentgate Mountaineering. Floor manager Jonathan Frederick gives some excellent advice: "When you're looking for a jacket for skiing, first you need to figure out what type of jacket you want. You can have an insulated jacket that keeps you really warm or a weatherproof jacket or a jacket that's really breathable so you don't overheat," he says in the video. "Let's say you want that weatherproof jacket, a good option for that would be this Flylow Higgins. It's going to keep you warm, but it's true main purpose is keeping out all the elements and keeping you dry." Check out the video here.

The ski hills are opening every day, the third major storm cycle is heading our way from the Northwest and people are purchasing FlyLow across the country driving sales up 110% from last season.