Best vape for the ski lift?

Coreshot

Member
I have a crafty+ but I still don't find this to be great for the ski lift. Heat up time is almost 2 minutes out in the cold and I don't wanna fall on it an break it during runs. Any suggestions?
 
Coreshot,

Robert-in-YEG

Well-Known Member
I have a crafty+ but I still don't find this to be great for the ski lift. Heat up time is almost 2 minutes out in the cold and I don't wanna fall on it an break it during runs. Any suggestions?
The XVape Fog Pro is very portable. The XMax V3 Pro is also portable. The V3 Pro can be had for about $100, so it is a good value. These are both convection vapes. Both heat up in less than 30 seconds.

If you like conduction vapes, the Starry v3 Pro is very portable, it hits hard, but draw can be a bit restricted.

Another worth considering is the Arizer ArGo. With the ArGo, you can have the heater in one pocket, and half a dozen aroma tubes in the other pocket. The ArGo needs at least 2-3 minutes to heat up and start cooking properly, but once hot t works quite well. The aroma tubes here are the winner, in that you can pre-load and avoid any hassles while you are out. Swap out the old tube, put in the new, and be done.

I also have a Flowermate Nano that is small, very cool, better battery life than the ArGo, but it is a pain in the ass to load. It also gets clogged and needs cleaning after a few uses. It is great when I want to 'respect the ritual' of vaping, taking my time, going slow, thinking about every step in the vaping ritual. That is for at home. When you are skiing, you want easy, not ritual.

Personally, I think the ArGo might be easiest on the hill.

Robert-in-YEG

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snaffle

Well-Known Member
Yeah, a vapcap with a quad torch would seem reasonable to me, so long as the look and sound of the torch wasn't a problem for you (ski lifts aren't something I've used before). An induction heater like the Orion would be better for stealth and speed in the cold, but that's expensive and non-rugged enough that there's the fear of breaking it when you fall, too.
 

Polarbearboy

Tokin' Away Since 1968
I've used my ogCrafty while xc skiing, snowshoeing, and mountaineering going into its fifth year. I keep it in a little padded camera case which provides both temperature and damage insulation and room for additional dosing caps, which make refreshing the load infinitely easier when its cold and blowy. In the afternoon I put the vape into an inside chest pocket and it keeps on going. My Crafty has been out in cold, windy, occasionally wet places, getting knocked about, frozen, etc., and its still going great(I did replace the battery with a JCat one) and doesn't have anything broken, except the cooling unit attachment lip of the main body, which cracked when it fell off the table with a glass wpa attached(and is now repaired and working fine for more than a year.) I've used this vape when its -28F and blowing. As long as the batteries don't get too chilled, its fine.

If that hasn't convinced you, I also used to use a Fury 2, which is pretty much the same as POTV One. It too has dosing caps, which I consider essential for outdoor recreation.

I have a wonderful vapcap collection. The thought of using a torch in cold windy places causes me to always leave it home when playing outdoors, especially in the winter.
 

Polarbearboy

Tokin' Away Since 1968
I've tried several times to use cartridges of live resin outdoors in the winter, as they are so light to carry and simple to use...most of the time. Problem is that the batteries are not that powerful anyways, and if cooled too much quickly fail. Also the resin, rosin or wax is easily chilled in such a device, and will refuse to draw even in the forties(F), nevermind serious cold.

PS: I live on the north side of NH's White Mtns. I can see the snowy slopes of Wildcat ski area from the seat where I type.
 

invertedisdead

PHASE3
Manufacturer
I've tried several times to use cartridges of live resin outdoors in the winter, as they are so light to carry and simple to use...most of the time. Problem is that the batteries are not that powerful anyways, and if cooled too much quickly fail. Also the resin, rosin or wax is easily chilled in such a device, and will refuse to draw even in the forties(F), nevermind serious cold.

PS: I live on the north side of NH's White Mtns. I can see the snowy slopes of Wildcat ski area from the seat where I type.

I've been using them on ski lifts since 2012.

But I'm on the West Coast, we sometimes ride in tank tops here lol.
 

Polarbearboy

Tokin' Away Since 1968
I've gotten 5 or 6 carts over the last few years and always had trouble using them in the cold. I tried using one for my late season biking this fall and it got so jammed that it wouldn't work even once it was warmed. But you probably know better than I. Mostly I take my ogCrafty as noted above, and really enjoy using it in the wild cold windy places that I haunt.
 
Polarbearboy,

Siebter

Less soul, more mind
I think jet torches stop working at a certain altitude, so a Dynavap would need an IH to work.
 
Siebter,

invertedisdead

PHASE3
Manufacturer
I've gotten 5 or 6 carts over the last few years and always had trouble using them in the cold. I tried using one for my late season biking this fall and it got so jammed that it wouldn't work even once it was warmed. But you probably know better than I. Mostly I take my ogCrafty as noted above, and really enjoy using it in the wild cold windy places that I haunt.

The technology for processing concentrates is evolving rapidly, most of the stuff that was done even just two years ago is somewhat obsolete today. They keep making improvements to manipulate the viscosity without additives or diluents which helps the oil flow.

As far as clogs, not all companies opt for the better quality more expensive hardware, which is where most of the issues occur. Since the cartridge itself is the "vaporizer," hardware such as counterfeit Ccells tend to not perform the same as the authentic versions. Clogs can happen without cold weather, its important to not inhale too hard as that can pull warm oil into the chimney where it condenses back into a thick liquid and clogs. It's also generally worthwile to keep drawing after you let off the button to "clear" the hit, again trying to clear vapor from the chimney so it stays open.
 

acstorfer

Take My Money Dammit!
I'm not a fan, but a cartridge would be the best route. No worrying about loading, should have plenty of battery for skiing.
 
acstorfer,

Zipford

Well-Known Member
I'd take a Fury Edge with dosing capsules. The shape (with the stock mouthpiece) is pocketable for long periods of time, and the dosing capsules make starting a new bowl super easy.

I can't believe people are suggesting butane powered vapes. I'd think the last thing you want on the slopes is carrying more stuff or needing more stuff to keep working. In all events, I'd go battery powered for this application.
 

Razhumikin

Well-Known Member
I'd take a Fury Edge with dosing capsules. The shape (with the stock mouthpiece) is pocketable for long periods of time, and the dosing capsules make starting a new bowl super easy.

I can't believe people are suggesting butane powered vapes. I'd think the last thing you want on the slopes is carrying more stuff or needing more stuff to keep working. In all events, I'd go battery powered for this application.
Batteries often work suboptimally in cold weather
 
Razhumikin,

Coreshot

Member
Love all the replies. Dynavap is pretty perfect except trying to torch in the wind and sunlight. I think I lean most towards something like the potv one so I can have dosing caps and if I destroy it wasn't that expensive. I will have to check out the Fog pro though as I'm not familiar that vape. V3 pro is nearly ideal except loading, I know you can rock dosing caps but I imagine those not working well in an ondemand style vape.
 
Coreshot,

danjens

Well-Known Member
For the last 4 ski seasons I have tried to nail down the perfect dry herb vape but it’s a tough, assuming we are chatting strictly in bounds skiing.
The dyna was my first thought but wind kinda kills it and depending on your mountain,(it’s tall here) the altitude can make your torch really finicky.
Went for a fury edge next. Was okay, capsules were nice to pop in and out but battery was terrible in cold. Carried a nectar collector, quad torch and a silicon slick the rest of that season, tolerance went to hell haha.
Firewood has been my favorite but loading requires taking off your gloves, can be cruxy for some on lifts. I load a nice twax bowl to start the day and nurse it for a couple laps then have some preground flowers mixed 50/50 with dry sift from the trim bin, get a lot more mileage out of each load.
Otherwise, a wax pen or cart is going to be the easiest solution.
For backcountry hikes, I’ll take something a little more substantial. 510’s in the past, but this year I think the tiny might and I will be earning turns.

Have a great season! Hopefully you’re getting snow where ever you are.
 
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namasteIII

Well-Known Member
Mighty has been the best in my experience. Dosing caps are a good use case for this. If your solo tho, and don't have a high tolerance a reliable on demand vape may be better.

I would stay away from dyna, to much fidgeting. On lift you want simple. press button, inhale, replace weed.
 

Ripstar

Well-Known Member
It really depends on how cold it is. Battery units usually are not a good option, especially if you don't want to break a nice unit. A dyna, O'Connell Micro or:
Man, brings back memories of skiing multiple times a week in Summit County. It was always a small glass bowl and lighter 😂 But, even those broke a few times. Last year, I put a heating pad in my pocket(far enough away from the device) with my Vleaf Go. Worked great. The Xmas V3 Pro would work well too.
 

danjens

Well-Known Member
Wanted to revisit this, as I have been taking out the arsenal this season, in hopes of finding the best.
The firewood 7 is really really good for this application. But I was always really nervous to ski with it and get it wet. Took the tinymight a couple times, it was good, but the partial conduction of the fw7 gave more satisfying hits.

I just got a rim c mod in and slapped the glow18 on for a little tour. Paired with a doob tube of ground herb, refilling on the go was no problem.
I think this will be my ski Buddy for the foreseeable future.
 
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hinglemccringleberry

Well-Known Member
Firewood 7, Goboof Alfa, or a good old Pax 3. Something with conduction that is tiny enough to palm in your hand in your pocket which maximizes heat retention/performance in the low ambient temps.
I envy those who can ride the slopes high. Never been my thing. Im a low-intermediate snowboarder and THC just fucks with my confidence out there. Would much rather wait till the day is done.
 
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Marlon Rando

Well-Known Member
This topic has been covered over on Athlete vaporists and as every season passes, new gear is introduced to us athletes who always want to try the new toys, or better yet what works in cold Temps.
I've tried and tested over the years a few tools. Here in the North East US, Dynas, hopper, Mighty, Healthy Rips products.
For me it's the hopper and Mighty have survived the cold test with sufficient vapor production. Curious about an RBT 510 with all wood or even an Xmax V3 pro? The hopper also did surprisingly well if the battery is kept close to the body.
Dyna's are only successful at lunch breaks in the car, they are too fussy with gloves on and as it's been stated higher altitudes don't help torches an IH could work.
Anyway... Its that time to throw on da racks and slap on some AT shoes on the wagon. Good thread :cheers::spliff:
 

danjens

Well-Known Member
I love that his question is coming back up, and that we have snow on the way :)
Last year, while skiing I tried just about every portable vape in my collection, aside from Zion and minivap, in bounds and on tours. For a while I was a glow guy on the mountains, but ultimately the winner ended up being the v3 pro.

While the tinymight, 510’s on dual mod( most cold proof) and others worked well, the worry of breaking or losing them detracted from the experience.
I don’t know the elevation of your home mountain but it pretty high here and unless your lighter is topped off and kept warm in a pocket, it quickly becomes useless. So dynas and nectar collectors were out for me.
Though I will say as a snowmaker, nectar collectors were my go to for a few seasons with access to mid mountain warming huts.

V3 pro works.
Is it the best, of course not but it’s cheap, reliable, and with a spare battery and doob tube, I can ski bell to bell without a return trip to the car to get my mind right. That’s a win for me. And if I lose it it a chute, it’s cheaper than the bar tab at the end of the day to replace.

I will say, covering the intake holes is a must. You need to give that little heater all the advantage you can. I keep my vape and spare battery in a pocket of a merino base layer. This seems to keep things warm enough to maintain function.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your turns, my friend.
 
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