Pro skier Jackie Paaso on how looking after her GORE-TEX Gloves enables her to lead life-saving avalanche training clinics.
When it comes to big mountain skiing, few people are as knowledgeable or skilled as Jackie Paaso. Having turned pro in 2009, the American, currently based in Sweden, spends most of her winters competing on the Freeride World Tour. Hers is a career marked by numerous podium finishes and memorable runs, powered by an adventurous spirit that has seen her push the limits of the sport.
Off the slopes, Jackie is an advocate for environmental sustainability and a mentor to aspiring skiers, sharing her expertise and passion with others. Her dedication extends to the meticulous care of her equipment, particularly her GORE-TEX Gloves, ensuring they perform under the most demanding conditions. Here she explains the importance of maintaining your gear and spending time in the outdoors.
“Here in Scandinavia, the climate is constantly changing. It might be snowing, yet one minute the snow could be wet and the next it could be much drier and colder. So for me, it’s really important to stay dry, and GORE-TEX Products are some of the best out there for protecting you in ever-changing conditions.
“The reason I choose GORE-TEX Gloves for my outdoor adventures is not only the ability to stay dry, but also the comfort that comes with that. My gloves allow my hands to breathe so I’m not sweating on the inside. It means I can continue to be outside and do these rigorous activities without being completely soaked on the inside but dry on the outside.
Safety first
“I do a lot of work with SAFE AS, which is an avalanche awareness and safety clinic tailored to women. We spend long days teaching people in the outdoors, in all elements, where we repeatedly have to take out our rescue equipment. It’s really important that our hands are not freezing and that we can use our avalanche gear properly and safely. Having GORE-TEX Gear plays a huge role in helping me to get through the day even in horrible weather. And in an avalanche scenario, having the right gear that works can literally be the difference between life and death.
“I remember this one avalanche clinic we ran at the Palisades in California. It was pouring with rain and at the time I was seven months pregnant so I just grabbed the first jacket that I could fit into. The problem was it wasn’t very waterproof, and I remember looking around and noticing that the majority of the people on the course were wearing high-end GORE-TEX Jackets—they all looked pretty happy, whereas I was soaking wet and completely miserable.”
“We talk a lot in the avalanche clinics about the importance of looking after your gloves, because when it comes to getting out your equipment and being able to shovel you have a limited amount of time and a very small margin of error. You can’t rescue someone that’s been buried if you’re fiddling around with your equipment and your hands are freezing. I’ve seen videos where people have taken off their gloves because they’re not working properly and they’re stopping to blow their hands to try to get them warm, and that’s valuable time being wasted.
Make your gear last
“Taking care of your gear is extremely important because that’s what keeps you safe out there. And it keeps the products lasting longer. So, depending on how frequently I’m using a certain product, I’m going to make sure that I check it over, make sure that there’s no tears, that the DWR is working properly—and if it’s not then I’ll reapply it. I always try to maintain all of my equipment, whether it’s my skis, boots, outerwear or gloves. It’s all equally important.
“Being in the outdoors is where I’m happiest—even when the weather is shitty, a day in the outdoors is always better than a full day inside. And the great thing about GORE-TEX Products is that they’re not just designed to allow us to get outdoors but to stay out for longer. If you don’t look after your gear properly it will most likely break down at some point, so it’s super important that you take time to regularly care for it. It’s well worth your investment and will help it to last a long time.”
For more wash and care tips visit the official GORE-TEX Products wash & care instructions.
