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Sno Ho Ho
Swim or cut tracks
Living in the great Southwest and not skiing or boarding is like living in Maui and not swimming. With the mountains so close, there's no reason not to embrace the winter, get some exercise and spend quality time with your family and friends. If you're new to snowsports, most ski areas are offering inexpensive learn-to-ski/snowboard packages that often include lift ticket, lessons and rentals. Or, simply strap on your skinny skis and head out to the backcountry. To help get you started, here are some of the top gear picks of the season for snowriders - and you can find them at local ski and snowsport retail shops.
POC Skull X Helmet
The Skull X helmet's hard ear pieces are mandatory for racing but should be standard equipment for anyone bagging tree powder or catching big air. While most helmets are designed to withstand a single impact, POC's EPP liner doesn't lose its protective properties after a hard wreck. The material returns to its initial shape, over and over. This is a great helmet for kids - racers, free skiers, and snowboarders. $150; pocsports.com
Spyder Men's Inspection Full-Zip Pant
The funny thing about ski resorts is that it can be balmy in the parking lot and rival a bad day on Mt. Everest half-way up the lift. The beauty of Spyder's Inspection Full-Zip pants is that they are easy to put on, take off or vent without having to remove your boots. An official garment of the U.S. Ski Team, the pants are waterproof with fully taped seams. Thinsulate insulation adds an extra layer of warmth, a bonus when you're up early to catch untracked powder. With the bright yellow color, you'll always be able to find Dad on the slopes! $300; spyder.com
Obermeyer Harper Jacket and Carrington Pants
A warm child is a happy child. Parents complain that their kids prefer watching Sponge Bob reruns to a brisk day on the slopes, but often the culprit is inadequate equipment rather than laziness. Obermeyer makes junior snowsports apparel with the same dedication to performance as their adult pieces. The insulated Harper Jacket is critically seam-sealed and waterproof. Sleeves are gusseted and the neck, chin guard and pockets are lined with lamb-soft fleece. $169.95. Pair the Harper with the Carrington Pants. The insulated, waterproof pants have double-layer seats and knees and the cuffs can be let out as the child grows. My daughters skied more than 60 days last winter, and on frigid days with sub-zero wind-chill, they reached for the Harper and Carrington. $109.50; obermeyer.com
Ride Crush Snowboard
The newest craze in snowboard design is rocker (aka reverse camber). But too much rocker, while great in powder, falls short in the terrain park. Ride has designed the Crush with a flat profile through the center of the board and lift at the contact points just out of the snow. The result is a hook-free, super smooth ride that's dialed-in for all-mountain and park play. A tip-to-tail wood core blends strength and pop with added dampening materials and composites. $379.99; ridesnowboards.com
Salomon Escape 7 Pilot CF
New boots fit better, keep your feet warmer, and don't cause the pinched-toe syndrome that used to be synonymous with the sport. The new Escape 7 Pilot CF will mold to your foot after a few outings - the thermo-formed heel cup is designed to prevent blister-causing slippage and the Thinsulate liner is toasty warm, even when temperatures plummet below double digits. $150; salomonsports.com
Black Diamond Kilowatt Ski
Designed for telemark and alpine touring (AT), the Kilowatt is equally as comfortable on the groomers as in the backcountry. The all-around ski is easy to turn at slow speeds, and will handle ripping steep lines down the slopes of Broken Top. The Kilowatt, with plenty of energy and pop, has dimensions of 127-95-155, and weighs 8 lbs, 6 oz. per pair. $599.95; blackdiamondequipment.com
Smith I/OS Goggles
On sunny days, you want a dark lens. But in flat conditions, a yellow lens increases visibility and safety. The Smith I/OS goggles come with an all-light conditions lens, plus one designed especially for flat/low light. The standard I/O goggles are designed for big mugs, but the new I/OS fits smaller and medium faces comfortably. The I/OS is a good choice for older kids and women. The lenses are durable, scratch-resistant Spherical Carbon-X for crisp, clear visibility. $180; smithoptics.com
Tecnica Attiva Phoenix 100 Ski Boot
A warm, comfortable ski boot can make the difference between a good day on the mountain and a great one. The Attiva Phoenix 100 is built on a women's specific last and fits great out of the box. I wear-tested a pair for more than 35 days of skiing last spring and had no hotspots or foot pain. The boot is highly adjustable - the system allows the skier to dial in the power and the rebound flex of the boot to fit their personal preference for specific conditions. The Delta Force Device is a lever on the rear spine that can adjust two settings to offer a softer or harder flex. For added comfort, Tecnica has added PrimaLoft in the footbed and toe box. Ideal for the advanced to expert skier, the boot features a scalloped calf, calf adapter and flared collar, all of which increase the comfort factor. $660; tecnicausa.comPost a comment
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