There’s something about the ski industry that ignites a passion in its people. You know that when you walk (or ski) into R Gear at Revelstoke Mountain Resort you’re among friends, and a huge range of high-quality gear.

Just look at the people that work there. Manager Benoit Lafon used to be a prosnowboarder. He grew up ski racing on the Pyrenees and today he’s on the RMR Pro Team.

The R Gear team: From left Louise Stanway, Bryn Vickers, Stéphanie Richer-Henry with manager Benoit Lafon. Photos: Sarah Mickel Photography

Stéphanie Richer-Henry, R Gear’s merchandiser and buyer, was brought in to the store this year from Whistler where she ran the Arc’teryx store.

And retail supervisor Louise Stanway loves the outdoors, having instructed high ropes and kayaking.

“We are all skiers or snowboarders,” Lafon said. “We’ve done it all and can give the best advice.”

The store was expanded two years ago and is fully stocked — from technical base and outer layers to stylish après looks.

Fully stocked – R Gear at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Photo: Sarah Mickel Photography

There’s backcountry equipment and skiing accessories such as helmets and goggles.

They stock high quality brands — Arc’teryx, Icebreaker, AK, Salomon, Dakine, etc. — and they recently took on Picture Organic Clothing. It’s a fair-trade company from France that is technical, high quality and uses recycled and organic materials (see it featured in the fashion shoot).

Picture Organic Clothing is available at R Gear. Photo: Sarah Mickel Photography

Check out their first-rate collection of custom souvenirs. From RMR emblazoned drinkware to key rings featuring miniature gondolas or the unique RMR snow globe featuring Gnorm the gnome and plenty of pow.

R Gear is focused on supporting local where possible and Revelstoke’s Integrated Apparel and its artists create custom t-shirt designs, printed on organic bamboo. They also worked with local artist Jessica Leahey and Salmon Arm’s Abundant Specialty Advertising to launch a made in Canada, organic t-shirt range.

“People love to bring something back from their experience,” Lafon says. “We have a versatile and exclusive to Revelstoke collection.”

RMR season pass holders get 10 per cent off at R Gear.

The perfect bootfit

R Gear’s Bryn Vickers fits boots for Devon Knopf. Photo: Sarah Mickel Photography

Your whole movement, whether you’re skiing or snowboarding, starts at your feet. This means your boots, and how well they fit, can truly make or break your day.

The mechanics of the perfect fit go beyond the technical and into the medical.

“A boot is an orthotic device — it controls the movement of your foot and what it does for you,” Bryn Vickers explains.

Check out the boot selection at R Gear. Photo: Sarah Mickel Photography

He’s R Gear’s boot fitter, brought on this year after completing a masters program at MasterFit University in the United States and worked under the mentorship of Lindsey Bennett, Canadian boot fitter extraordinaire. R Gear’s other boot fitter Thede Preiser, has a degree in orthobionics.

Bryn’s favourite subject is clearly boots — he’s passionate as he tries to explain how getting a footbed can lift your performance.

“Everybody’s foot is a different shape and moves differently,” he says. “I build foot beds that help stabilize people and movement in the boots. It keeps you comfortable, you ski better and you’re warmer because you have better circulation when you’re properly supported.”

A variety of factors can result in cold feet. With well-fitting boots, this won’t happen and your foot and ankle muscles will likely fatigue slower.

“Ultimately, boots are the most important part of your gear,” Vickers says. “With the technology and equipment available today, you can have fun with most boards and skis, but you need to have boots that keep you balanced and drive your skiing or boarding.”

Each foot has a unique shape to be moulded. Photo: Sarah Mickel Photography

R Gear’s boot brands include Lange, Atomic, Salomon, Full Tilt, Burton and more. A custom footbed is $210 including labour and future adjustments done right on the hill. And if you were skeptical to begin with, Vickers guarantees you won’t be afterwards.

“I love the shock value, when I show customers things they can’t see, or didn’t think about,” he says. “Many people don’t realise they have a problem until it’s been fixed. It’s a complex area and the average buyer benefits from a guiding hand.”

This article first appeared in the December issue of the free Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine.