It has been one hell of a ski season on the East Coast. Perfect powder, buttery corduroy, backcountry runs like never before. We covered as much ground as possible and are sad to say it’s almost time to hang up the skis, poles, snowboards, skins, crampons, gloves, hats, baselayers…you get the picture. Here are just a few of the spectacular necessities that kept us safe, warm, dry, and, most importantly, stylish on the slopes.
BACKCOUNTRY SKI: DYNAFIT DENALI
The rock stars of the ski world. These high-end skis from Denali deliver a performance freeride-oriented ski at an unbelievably low weight. The perfect choice for long downhill runs after those human-powered ascents. They do come with a price though—be prepared to get stopped and see children’s jaws drop as you pass. They are that bad-ass. $899 MSRP
BACKCOUNTRY BOOT: DYNAFIT TLT6
The Dynafit TLT6 Performance CR Ski Boot is not for the faint of heart. This expert-level touring boot is for the serious, committed, and sometimes crazy. It’s not only capable of skiing gnarly terrain; it insists on it. The Grilamid shell resists extreme cold and stands up to anything –conditions you’ll find in the wild and rugged backcountry. A hassle-free two-buckle Ultra-Lock buckle system battens down the hatches like you’re going to war. But, no, you’re just out for rip-roaring fun. $549 MSRP
ALL MOUNTAIN SKI: KASTLE FX84
From the piste to the powder, these Kastles are an all-around, adaptable ski for the first chair, last lap crowd. It’s a fairly traditional ski by today’s standards, with traditional camber underfoot, an early-rise tip, and a slightly raised tail that provide plenty of grip on hardpack, agility in tight spots, and float in moderately soft snow. Lots of advanced tech makes the FX84 one of the dampest, smoothest skis available, so you’ll be able to conquer all sorts of rugged terrain like a true all-mountain boss. $1,099 MSRP
ALL MOUNTAIN WOMAN’S SKI: FACTION AGENT 90W
These beautiful skis are designed to handle anything on the mountain, from icy hard-pack to slushy late-spring crud. This ski is not the master of any one terrain or snow type, but will still serve you well enough whether you are floating through powder or carving down a hard-packed groomed slope. $839 MSRP
MOST VERSATILE BINDING: MARKER DUKE EPF RANDONEE BINDINGS
Earn your big mountain turns in the light and powerful Marker Duke EPF Alpine Touring Binding. With backcountry Climbing Aid technology, you can set the Duke to flat, 7 degree, or 13 degree positions easily with your ski pole, while integrated elastomer padding dampens impact, to reduce those annoying clacking noises. A 6-16 DIN range allows you to bomb the mountain and huck cliffs without fear of kicking a ski when you need it most. $449 MSRP
KIDS SKI: K2 INDY
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as passing on the torch and teaching your little ones to ski. Introduce the whole clan to the joys of winter with the K2 Indy Ski with Fastrak2 Binding. This all-mountain ski allows him to upgrade his skills from pizza to French fries in no time thanks to the Catch-Free Rocker profile and Noodle Fastrack 2 binding system. $249 MSRP
KIDS BOOTS: FULL TILT GROWTH SPURT
The Full Tilt Growth Spurt Ski Boots are seriously awesome for any parent who wants their child to have a pair of boots that will help grow with them. The shell is adjustable by three sizes and the tongue opens like a convertible top, making the boot super easy for the kiddies to slide their feet in. If you are looking for a great boot that will help your little guy get into skiing and keep him in the right size for a few years without getting new boots, the Full Tilt Growth Spurt has all the value and performance you could ask for. $199 MSRP
BASELAYERS: X-BIONIC ENERGY ACCUMULATOR EVO
These ultra techy base layers bring a whole new meaning to the word longjohns. The next generation of temperature-regulating base layers, X-Bionic’s Energy Accumulator EVO base layer top features an enlarged 3D Bionic Sphere System on the chest and back. The high compression design keeps you comfortably dry, provides muscle support, and just looks cool. $270 MSRP
SOCKS: FALKE SK2 CASHMERE
Skiing is a tough sport. No reason your feet need to be in any more pain than necessary. For the ultimate dry, warm and fuzzy ski sock slip on these cashmere socks. Falke’s SK2’s are in a class of their own, created from a blend of the finest cashmere and wool for guaranteed comfort. Medium-thick and warm enough to protect from even the blizzardest of mountain days. $129 MSRP
MENS GLOVES: HESTRA HENRIK PRO GLOVE
When speed skiing in Alaska or lapping the park at the northernmost ski resort in the world, pro hucker Henrik Windstedt doesn’t have time for anything less than his Hestra Pro Glove. A shotty glove isn’t acceptable for this Swedish skier that knows a thing or two about being out in the cold. That’s why he designed his glove with durable, snow-proof leather and put in a layer of Thermolite insulation to lock in the warmth when skiing above the Arctic circle. $180 MSRP
WOMENS GLOVES: HESTRA FALL LINE MITTEN
You don’t need ridiculous space-age technology to keep your hands warm and dry on icy days in the mountains—all you need is the supple, warm, and water-resistant Hestra Fall Line Mitten. It gets its extra warmth from the heat-trapping mitten design, but is able to maintain dexterity thanks to the inner finger stalls that act as flexible mini finger-ovens so you can go all day long in the worst weather without having to deal with frostbitten digits. $150 MSRP
APRES SKI MEN’S JACKET: ICEBREAKER MERINOLOFT HELIX ZIP
The Icebreaker Men’s Helix Hooded MerinoLoft Jacket will quickly become your go-to midlayer for any cold-weather activity. MerinoLoft insulation helps this lightweight jacket feel like a lofty puffy, helping hikers and backpackers stay warm without the weight. But because it’s more protective than down, it ensures warmth while skiing and exploring snowy cities. Icebreaker crafted its shell out of a recycled polyester that’s water-resistant for extra protection in wet weather. $284 MSRP
APRES SKI WOMENS JACKET: FRAUENSCHUH PARISMULTI SKI JACKET
Sexy. Chic. Luxury. This jacket has it all—weatherproof enough for a bluebird day but stylish enough for après drinks. From the ever stylish Frauenschuh in Austria, it’s a modern biker jacket meets the slopes with impeccable attention to detail. The weatherproof gaiter helps keep out any powder from the occasional fall, and the wool exterior keeps you toasty warm. Transitions nicely to après-ski with the removable hood and stylish lines. $949 MSRP
ADULT HELMET: MARKER PHOENIX
The bigger the mountain, the more important the helmet. Marker’s Phoenix is superlative combination of performance and protection. Marker is the only helmet maker to implement the innovative MAP Protection Pad material, which regains its initial form almost instantaneously to protect against multiple impacts during the same crash. MAP Pads also make the helmet more comfortable, since they automatically adjust to your head shape, and prevent pressure points from forming. The ultimate in comfort, quality, and performance. $199 MSRP
GOGGLES: MARKER 3D+ OTIS
Marker’s pretty new to the goggle game, but the 3D Plus OTIS Goggles are as advanced as any other non-computerized lens-and-frame combos out there. It all starts, of course, with the lenses. Marker’s Dual Binomic spherical shades provide distortion-free vision, 100% UV protection, and anti-scratch, anti-fog, and hydrophobic coatings to keep you skiing around trees rather than into them, and are easily swappable, even with gloves on. The only downside? The next time you bite it, you won’t be able to blame your goggles. It’s OK though, because your boots probably made you fall anyway. $198 MSRP
KIDS HELMET: K2 ENTITY SKI HELMET
Big crashes in the park may not scare your fearless kid, but since they scare the parental poop out of you, get your shredder the K2 Kids’ Entity Helmet for certified head safety. Hard-shell construction reduces impacts on icy landings or park features to give you peace of mind, while the K2dialed Fit System and breathable, washable Full-Wrap Liner System ensures comfort during every day on the hill. Different graphic options boost the chance that your kid won’t ‘accidentally’ leave this helmet behind. $69 MSRP
ALL-MOUNTAIN JACKET: BERGAN’S OF NORWAY ISOGAISA JACKET
This insulated shell takes the elements of a big heavy jacket and what you need from a windproof jacket and packs it all in to a sleek design that keeps you warm and sheltered without being too bulky. Padded with heat-insulating PrimaLoft® Silver Insulation Eco, it’s made from 2-way stretch material to ensure maximum freedom of movement. The award-winning Dermizax®NX membrane provides excellent breathability for those beautiful spring skiing days. $598 MSRP
ALL-MOUNTAIN PANTS: BERGAN’S OF NORWAY OPPDAL PANTS
These are not your mother’s puffy pants of the 80s. You move, they move. 2-layer ski pants, these are perfect for a hard snowshoe or serious backcountry split-boarding and they keep you plenty warm in tough weather. Padded, waterproof, windproof and comfortable with 4-way stretch material for maximum movement. $249 MSRP
NORTHEAST SKI RESORT: SUGARBUSH, VT
Sugarbush is a little piece of heaven pie in Vermont. You get to ski with John Egan, drink Heady Topper, and ski some of the best terrain on the East Coast. If you are lucky enough to be here on a powder day make sure you get on the snowcat for first tracks—it will be the best run of your life.
BIG MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT: BIG SKY, MT
Oh, Big Sky. Blue Skies at Big Sky – that’s the unofficial motto of the place, meaning if it isn’t dumping fresh pow then it’s blue skies for miles and miles. Visibility like you’ve only ever dreamed of. You go for a weekend and stay an extra week (or two), it’s just that sort of place
