SKIS
K2 Public Enemy
A rough ski for the rebellious park junkies and off-trail bandits—the tough core of this twin tip can handle the body-rumbling landings but also has enough grit to crunch through the deeper base of the backcountry.$429, www.k2skis.com
Atomic Metron B5
This all-rounder will keep you carving, even when the terrain and conditions aren’t powdery paradise. The Power Channels make these skis bounce with the ease of the suspension forks in your mountain bike. $759, www.atomicsnow.com
G3 Rapid Transit
This backcountry fatty, with its unique asymmetric cut, combines big mountain performance with outstanding edge hold for any conditions when you’re feeling the need for speed. $725, www.genuineguidegear.com
SNOWBOARDS
Arbor Element ALT Snowboard
The ALT adds a new bamboo top to Arbor’s eco-pioneering Element—using an even more renewable material to shape this killer all-mountain board. You can ride with a cleaner conscious as you transition from long mountain traverses to big air park action. $499, www.arborsports.com
Burton Custom X
This board for all terrain just keeps getting better. Thanks to its new ultra-responsive construction and lighter weight, you can speed down the slopes or rail-slide in the parks with equal agility. $649.95, www.burton.com
Burton Women’s Flux
The new twin-shape Flux lets the ladies put a little freestyle in their slide with some extra light and limber fiberglass flex for freedom to scratch that adrenaline itch. It’s also a lot for versatility for not a lot of coin. $349, www.burton.com
Head Matrix
The smooth ride of the Matrix is too darn nice for its price. This sleekly cut, all-around board is lightweight and rides like a pro in any conditions. $299, www.ridehead.com
Board Boots
Salomon Dialogue
It’s a skater-minded snow kick made for specifically for freestylin’ in the park. The custom fit can really take the hit when you land hard off the rail. It also removes those annoying pressure points that always act up in most rigid board boots after a long day in the snow. $219, www.salomonsnowboard.com
Nitro Rival
Stay loose and comfortable on the board with these lightweight boots. The Rival’s minimalist approach will help you become one with your wood—a key to better performance. $160, www.nitrousa.com
Ski Boots
Rossignol Exalt X6
Still getting comfortable on the slopes? The Exalt X6 is a great performance beginner’s boot—not quite as stiff as expert footwear but with an easier fit to make your practice runs fun. $239, www.rossignol.com
Garmont Syner-G
Ideal for the deep-pocket skier who wants maximum comfort with racing control on gonzo downhills, the Syner-G is a luxury all-around telemark boot, built with flex for touring and performance control. $540, www.garmontusa.com
Other Gear
Millet Advanced GTX
Millet designs and tests its gear at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the rugged snowy Alps. The Advanced is soft, and its three layers of Gore-tex make it ready for winter’s worst. $399, www.millet.fr
Mammut Clime Jacket
This scrappy, mountain-tough softshell is light and speedy when you only need one layer on warm winter days. Global what? $169, www.mammut.ch
Mammut Women's Light BC
When the sun’s out, and you’re looking to go light, reach for this functional women's shell that efficiently cuts wind but stuffs easily into your hydro pack when you need to shed it. $149, www.mammut.ch
Best Value
Columbia Peak to Creek II Parka
A heavyweight hardshell with a lightweight price tag. With the cost of lift tickets these days, you know this is something to appreciate. But don’t be weary of the bargain buy. Nothing’s getting through the Titanium technology. $229, www.columbia.com
Sierra Designs Chockstone Jacket
When you find yourself out in icy rain, the Chockstone fights back with a tough waterproof shell. But don’t worry. It won’t leave you soaking from the inside, thanks to a breathable fusion fabric. $140, www.sierradesigns.com
Ice Breaker Sport 320 Original Zip
The merino wool in this performance mid-layer won’t hold moisture or body odor, so you can wear it all week on the mountain and still hang out at the lodge bar by night. $130, www.icebreaker.com
Ice Breaker Bodyfit 260 Leggings
Self-proclaimed to be the warmest leggings in the world. Our tester proclaims they keep in the heat on any mountain. Even if your legs get a little sweaty, the eco-friendly merino wool never smells. $70, www.icebreaker.com
Burton Shaun White Collection Jacket of the Gods
You may never shred the pipe like the Flying Tomato, but at least you can look cool like him in the lift lines. $279.95, www.burton.com
TNF Varius Guide Pant
An all-around two-layer mountain pant that has the two characteristics you care about most when you’re moving in the winter: waterproof and breathable. $149, www.thenorthface.com
OR Vert Gloves
Outdoor Research has been sending the most rugged mountaineers on expeditions for years, working to get cold-weather gear technology just right. This kind of ingenuity is what you want protecting your hands in the winter wild. The softshell Vert can go ice climbing or keep your digits intact after multiple runs in the backcountry bowl without any restriction of movement. $45, www.orgear.com
Mountain Hardwear Torch Jacket
Don’t get overheated when you’re making winter tracks in the Cascades. Check out Mountain Hardwear’s most breathable softshell. The windproof layer has a tight fit that moves and stretches with you, not giving any opening to the rain and snow. $260, www.mountainhardwear.com
Dakine Switch Pant
The double-knit polyester has two layers to keep you warm and dry, but there’s no annoying bulk to keep you from cruising freely. $36, www.dakine.com
Dakine Mission Pack
For long days in the white beyond, this pack can store all your wares, while organizing your shovel and axe for fast access. It’s also equipped with a quick deployable pocket for water and a slot for your MP3 player with a cord port so you can rock down the back bowl. $60, www.dakine.com
Thorlo Protection Level 3 Skiing and Boarding Socks
When did socks learn to multi-task? Heavyweight padding keeps the foot comfy while techy yarn warms and wicks at the same time. $19, www.thorlo.com
Smith Phenom Goggles
The goggle that doesn’t discriminate—the Phenom is all about a new customized fit. The sleek design will please anyone, as the articulated outriggers work with any helmet. Add this to Smith’s usual scratch-free fog-fighting lenses, and your eyes get the whole package. $135, www.smithoptics.com
Giro Fuse Helmet
The comfortable in-mold construction and removable ear pads for your tunes are just the beginning. This helmet has its own thermostat system, so you can control your head’s temp all day on the mountain. It’s a lot to spend on a helmet, but if you’ve got the dough, it’s worth it. $329, www.giro.com
Smith Holt Helmet
A new addition to Smith’s ever-reliable line of innovative helmets, the Holt has a snug fit with bomb-proof protection and a new drafting system that draws air from goggles to the back of the helmet. Also, it comes equipped with an audio system in the ear pads, so you can shred to your sounds. $70, www.smithoptics.com
MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe
MSR is always on the cutting edge for making tracks in the backcountry. These new shoes have a sleekly designed 360-degree traction around the border, but the new grip comes at no weight expense to you. Made with aerospace-grade aluminum, these are the lightest shoes around for extreme endeavors. $260, www.msrcorp.com
Kahtoola FLIGHTsystem
A new take on the snowshoe—the FLIGHT system’s insulated boot slips on easy over any sneaker. It then easily slips into the deck for extra traction when huffing it through the snow or trail ice. $149 (boot), $185 (deck), www.kahtoola.com
Versalayer Ability
Basically this is a softshell jacket with an air conditioning system. When the panels are extended, they trap core body heat. When the control cords are pulled, the panels retract and compress, allowing heat and moisture to escape. Warm and cool on demand. No batteries required. $350, www.versalayer.com
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