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Whether you’re a snowboarder or snowshoer, mountain hiker or mountain biker, Nordic skier or Nordic walker, you need gear. Each month, I review, right here, three items that I personally feel are especially cool. Here are my picks for this month.

DION SNOWSHOES

The invitation was too tempting to pass up—a backcountry trip in the Hahn Peak Wilderness near Steamboat, CO, all expenses paid. But there was a hitch. The trip was in February and rather than hiking, we would be backcountry skiing. I wasn’t too worried about the skiing part.

The economy can be cruel to retailers, but Mother Nature can be straight up nasty to those of us offering gear designed for weather-dependent activities. Especially when it comes to activities that involve snow.

The iliotibial band (IT band) is a thick fibrous structure that originates in the upper parts of the outside of the hip known as the iliac crest. The band begins as muscle fibers from the tensor fascia lata and portions of the gluteus maximus and medius muscles. The elastic IT band then inserts into the tibia, just below the knee, blending with the vastus lateralis and the biceps femoris muscles.

Age: 31
Residence: Wolcott
Family: Partner, two cats, lovely community of friends
Occupation: Executive director of Diva Adventures
Primary sport: Mountain biking

VS: What do you like about mountain biking?

Age: 50
Residence: Middlebury
Family: Wife, Charlotte (Basi) Tate; two dogs and five horses
Occupation: Arborist
Primary sport: Cycling

VS: You’ve biked numerous places: from Connecticut to Alaska; down the coast of California; all around the Southwest. How do you adjust to life on the road?

CRAFTSBURY OUTDOOR CENTER CHANGES HANDS