Blog

A few of the staff are down at the buying show for 2012 in SLC.  It's great energy down here.  We arrived for the on-water demo on Wednesday with 80 degrees and sun at Jordanelle State Park near Park City, UT.  Stand up Paddleboards were the crowd favorite in the morning.  There were 20-30 companies offering wide variety of SUP's to demo.  We got out on a ton of boards.  Some of our favorites were from Surftech with the Lairds as well as some of the displacement hulled Barks that were super fast (although not quite as stable).

As the wind picked up with a strong front in the afternoon, most people got off of the SUP's and gravitated towards kayaks, including us.  Hobie introduced a new pedal drive called the Revolution 11.  An 11' version of the best seller 13' Revolution.  The Tandem Island was certainly one of the huge favs. considering there was a stout wind.  There was a long enough line that we decided to check out the new Jackson Kayak Cuda.  This Sit on top Fishing kayak is a 14' version of the Coosa. 

All in all, the on water demo was a great chance for us to see what the trends are for 2012.  It certainly validates the awesome brand line up that Alpenglow is fortunate to offer.  We will offer more updates soon, but please come in to ask about the next years' models as we can't put everything in to writing here!

Thank you from Alpenglow Mountainsport! Greetings! What's more American than the 4th of July?  Apple Pie?  Fireworks? Barbecue?  Kayaking?  This is a time to celebrate all things America!   Let's start out with American made Kayaks! Even though we may import a lot of stuff from overseas, Alpenglow is proud to feature 3 top kayak manufacturers that are made in the U.S.A.  Jackson Kayak, Hobiecat, and Emotion Kayaks are all made with love domestically.  Representing various regions of the country, Jackson Kayak is made in Tenessee using nearly 100% American raw materials to create the best whitewater boats available.  Jackson also offers a very well rounded line of recreational and fishing kayaks that Alpenglow is proud to be a Superstore dealer of.    Emotion kayaks, made in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania are a great economical value with sit-on and sit-in kayaks starting at $279.  Emotion makes kayaking affordable for the whole family.   The Emotion Comet won the 2010 Outdoor Mag Gear of the Year award as best recreational kayak.  Great kudos for a great priced kayak. Hobiecat has a very longstanding reputation from Oceanside, California as some of the highest performance crafts ever made.  With the revolutionary Mirage pedal drive system that Hobie developed more than a decade ago, you have a hands-free option giving the ability to fish, sight-see, bird-watch, or get a full body work out. Not able to kayak this weekend? No worries.  McU Sports at 9th and Jefferson is also open over the 4th for all things non-paddling.  Get a new pair of sunglasses, buy some new discs for disc golf, and rent a cruiser for around town.  Give them a call at 342-7734 for store hours. Sincerely, Anne Cremer Alpenglow Mountainsport

Hobiecat Kayak Demo Day July 23rd 8am-3pm Alpenglow is hosting a Hobiecat specific kayak Demo Day on Saturday, July 23rd.  From 8am-3, the Hobiecat Kayak Representative is bringing his trailer full of nearly all models of Pedal drives including the Adventure Island and the new Tandem Island.  Join us at Spring Shores Marina at Lucky Peak for the free kayak demo and try the unique pedal drive systems.  It's a great opportunity to ask any and all technical questions as well as feel the boats in action.  If there is any wind, it traditionally occurs in the morning at Lucky Peak.  If you show up early, hopefully you'll get a great feel for how the Islands hum on the water!      Learn more about the Tandem Island   $5/vehicle State Park entrance fee.

Summer is finally here.  Come out this Tuesday to Eagle Island State Park near State Street and Linder Road in Eagle

Looking for a gift for Fathers day?  Dad came in and said he wants a new kayak!
There is a kayak for every use at Alpenglow

Right now, kayak fishing is the fastest growing segment  of the outdoor industry.  Alpenglow is positioned perfectly with a great selection of fishing kayak such as the Jackson Kayak Coosa, the Emotion Stealth Angler, or the pedal drive Hobie Outback.  All three have great features at different prices to appeal to every fisherman no matter how experienced they are.  Try one before you buy one to make sure it is what is right for you!

Kayak Demo Daze
Get in a kayak!

The weather is looking conducive to get in some paddle time.  Come out this Tuesday to Eagle Island State Park near State Street and Linder Road in Eagle

The guys From Black Canyon guide books posted a You tube vid of the newest rapid on the Main Salmon.  Check it out!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-WJdfjGegI.  If you don't have the book yet, it is a must for anyone who is going to run the Main Salmon.  Buy it at Alpenglow!  Idaho's Salmon River: A River Runner's Guide to the River of No Return

Join regional and National Jackson Kayak team members for a whitewater demo day Friday night, April 22, 6pm at the Gutter in Horseshoe Bend.  Sample all of the latest Jackson boats including the new Rock Star and Hero Series.  just bring all of your paddling gear and Alpenglow will provide the kayaks.  Tips will be given from National champ Devon barker, Regional paddlers Micah Kneidl and Alec Voorhees.  They are paddling the best kayaks in the world!  DOn't you think you deserve it to try one for yourself?

Call Alpenglow at 331-BOAT for more details.

Alpenglow Mountainsport The Idaho Paddlesports Expo & Used Boat Swap is on!
Hi avid paddlers!  Tis that time of year to get back in to your kayaks, rafts, canoes, IK's, and everything else that floats.  Please join Alpenglow in raising  money for the Idaho River Kids as well as getting the season kicked off in good fashion!

The Idaho Paddlesports Expo... Alpenglow Hosts THE Idaho Paddlesports Expo Saturday April 23rd, 2011, 9-2pm at Alpenglow What is the Idaho Paddlesports Expo? The Idaho Paddlesports Expo is a collaboration between some of the Top paddlesports Manufacturers and Alpenglow as a resource to provide knowledge and information to all new and existing paddlers. Why have an Expo?     Idaho has such a rich paddling culture with all of the lakes, streams and rivers, that we want to encourage people to participate in a clean, fun, and family friendly sport as well as share it with others.  This forum is a great opportunity to speak, question, listen and learn from some of the most respected companies on the planet in the paddlesports arena.   What's fun about it?  Prizes!  Each of the participating manufactures has been kind enough to donate some incredible prizes for you to win.  To be eligible, all you have to to is get a punch card from the front counter inside of Alpenglow, go to EACH sponsor's booth.  Talk to and listen to the representative.  They will initial you punch card.  When ALL sponsors initials have been obtained, turn in your card.  The next thing you know, we'll be calling you saying you won one of the prizes! Prizes include: A Jackson Kayak, a Stohlquist PFD, Smith & Suncloud Glasses, an Emotion Kayak Paddle, Kayak lessons from Cascade Kayak & River Roots Kayak schools as well as many more.  What, Specifically can I learn? Come to a seminar! Whether you've never paddled before or you're a seasoned paddler, we have a list of seminars that will surely be of interest.. 10am-Invasive Species stickers. What's the purpose and why are the mussels bad for Idaho, with Kim Jackson from IDPR 10:30am-Kayak fishing with Ed Anderson.  This is the fastest growing segment of paddlesports.  See why.  11:30pm-Learn info on the status of the Boise River Whitewater Park and find out its benefits for the community. 12pm-Get into recreational kayaking with your friends and family.  The gear to look for with Ethan Ebersold of Emotion Kayaks 12:45- Kayaking kids?  Absolutely!  World champion, Teacher, kayak instructor Devon Barker will give you reasons why getting kids in to kayak provides fun challenges, positive self esteem, great judgement, and responsibility.  Learn what some of the programs are locally. 1:30pm-How to effectively organize a multi day private raft trip with Phil Walczynski of Down River Equipment in Colorado  The Swap... Alpenglow Hosts THE annual Used Boat Swap this Saturday April 23rd, Registration 8am, Selling 9am  Bigger & Better!    Spring house cleaning has begun!  Clear out your garage and bring in your used kayak and raft gear to sell at the annual boat swap at Alpenglow Saturday, April 23rd. Buying Not only is there a paddling expo, but also a great opportunity to get recycled gear at great prices. Whether you need an additional PFD, or you're a new paddler trying to maximize your dollars buying your first kayak or raft, it's the sinlge best time of the year to buy used paddling gear.  Buying begins at 9am and goes until 4pm.  What is there to say?  Support the Idaho River Kids, Get a friend into the sport, get something for your family.  It's all good.    Sellers   Paperwork can be picked up now!  Official check in begins at 8am Saturday.  Alpenglow will have staff and volunteers on hand to help you price the equipment to maximize your returns.  When registering, you will have the choice of getting paid with a check for your wares, or Alpenglow Store credit.   A 15% commission which will be donated to provide a grant for  kids trying to get into kayaking for sellers opting for a check. Otherwise, store credit will be issued.  There is NO commission on store credit, allowing you to buy new equipment inside the store during our sale that runs through Saturday, May 1st.   All un-sold product must be picked up before 6pm April 23rd, or it will be donated to the Idaho River Kids, allowing new paddlers to get into the sport.     Sellers are encouraged to bring in all of their used paddling toys such as kayaks, rafts, canoes, inflatables, frames, oars, paddles, coolers, helmets, PFD's, drytops and all the other paddling gear to Alpenglow starting at 8am for check in.     Checks for Sellers can be picked up May 8th at Alpenglow.  Checks will not be mailed.    Other info  Cash and checks are encouraged, but to facilitate sales, credit and debit sales will be accepted.  A 3% administrative fee will be added to the total for all credit and debit card purchases of used product.    The Sale... The Alpenglow Preseason sale April 23rd-May 1st     The Idaho Paddlesports Expo and Used Boat Swap are the kick off of Alpenglow's pre-season sale.  The ski equipment and clothing has dwindled down to where there is enough space for all of the 2011 paddling gear to arrive.  New paddling clothing and equipment will be on sale through May 1st!  New Kayaks from Advanced Elements, Emotion, Hobie Kayaks, Jackson Kayak, and Prijon will all be featured as well as new paddles, PFD's, Helmets, Drytops, footwear, fishing accessories and a whole lot more... The Deals... A quick list of what to buy.      Stohlquist Dry tops and suits-20% off   NRS Drytops-20% off    All PFD's-15% off WRSI Helmets-20% off Stohlquist Paddle pants-20% off  All Teva footwear-15% off All Reef & Crocs flips/shoes- Buy one pair, get the 2nd of lesser value FREE! Surftech Stand up Paddleboards on sale!  Great deals on prior year kayaks from Hobiecat, Jackson Kayak, & Emotion kayaks.   Sale prices limited to stock on hand.

Scheduled Events The Idaho Paddlesports Expo! The Swap! The Sale! The Deals! Join Our Mailing List!  Go to the Alpenglow website Join our fanclub Who's at the Expo?

2011 Jackson Hero Review

Alec Voorhees

On Sunday, March 6, the 2011 Hero was introduced to the North Fork of the Payette River at a flow of 380 cfs, and it did not disappoint. With such a low volume river with tight and technical moves to maneuver around rocks, the Hero was the perfect length because it would fit into little slots when no other boat on the river would. I am really glad that I was able to paddle on that certain day in the Hero.

The Hero is a different boat than any other I have paddled.It did really well on that certain river and I think it would have performed that well on any other river because of these characteristics:

Outfitting

The outfitting the boat was great. The Sweet Cheeks and great hip pads kept my legs from falling asleep. The foot room in the bow was a big factor for me with a size 13 shoe. But the best part of the outfitting was the backband. It was much higher than all the other boats in my opinion. I did not have to have it pulled forward so much because of the added height.

Performance

            The most important part of the boat and not just the pleasure of how it feels: the performance. When I took the boat off the car instantly I realized how light it was. It is noticeable carrying and paddling. With the low weight of the boat it was very fast and extremely maneuverable in the water. It is shorter but just as fast as or may be faster than the last hero. As I mentioned before the length makes it ridiculously easy to fit into tight spots through rocks.

            Now because it is so light and has so much rocker it gets massive boofs. Whether it is getting air cause you wan  t to brag to your buds or a must make skip over a hole to avoid a long ride, it is the easiest boat to boof. On one boof in Jakes on “Rock Drop” I took such a hard boof stroke I landed on my stern and then went up and over. With a great boofing boat you want it to resurface fast. You won’t have a problem.

            With the hero it can be paddled by a beginner or expert paddler. This boat is super easy to roll. A boat that rolls easy can be the difference on boosting a person’s confidence. Going down river, it will stay on line, but also gives you the option to correct with one sweep or draw stroke. I would recommend this boat to any beginner paddler.

            During my one run in the Hero, it gave me a great feel for the boat. This is a true expert or beginner boat which is not very common. The Hero is a great design that anyone should consider.Hope to see you on the river in a 2011 Jackson Hero! 

 

Alpenglow Mountainsport is kicking off a new season at the 2011 Sportsman Show at Expo Idaho this Thursday - Sunday.

Show Hours:
Thurs. Mar. 3th 5-10pm
Fri. Mar. 4th 5-10pm
Sat. Mar.5th 11am-10pm
Sun. Mar.6th 11am - 5pm

SHOW SPECIALS on FISHING KAYAKS,
INFLATABLES, STAND UP PADDLEBOARDS, SUNGLASSES, CROCS & FLIP FLOPS. FACTORY REPS ON HAND!

For more details: http://idahosportsmanshow.com/