Stay stylish and functional on the slopes this season. Burton’s Daybeacon collection adds flair and comfort, while Helly Hansen’s Aurora Infinity shell offers backcountry versatility. Hestra’s Ergo Grip gloves enhance mobility, Vallon’s Heron Glacier sunglasses reduce glare, and Bishop’s Chedi skis redefine telemark performance.
Functional meets futuristic. Burton’s new Daybeacon collection includes tough, but lightweight, three-layer Gore-Tex pants (shown here), shells, anoraks and a onesie for men, women and kids. Make a statement on today’s black-and-blah-filled slopes with bright colours and patterns, all with water-resistant, two-way zippers and increased ventilation. $589, burton.com
Part of Helly Hansen’s Ullr freeride line, the waterproof-breathable Aurora Infinity for women is a shell with everything serious skiers need and no useless bling. The helmet-happy hood cinches three ways for a tight fit. Cinch the bottom hem and snap shut the powder skirt to keep snow and wind out of the other end. Inside there’s a roomy gear stash pocket. Pit zips spill heat quickly. The shell is clearly ready for the backcountry but the left forearm RFID pocket and insulated chest phone pocket suggest it’s equally at home doing resort laps. $850, hellyhansen.com
The Ergo Grip Active Wool-lined Terry by family-owned Swedish glove-maker Hestra is a super-supple, ultra-light choice for ski-touring, cross-country sliding, climbing or other spring-temperature activities where mobility and fingertip sensitivity is appreciated. Goat-skin leather and moisture-wicking wool combined with a windproof Gore-Tex stretch-backing help create a lightly insulated glove with optimal grip. $160, hestra.com
Vallon’s classic Heron Glacier model uses a category-4 (as in dark) Zeiss lens with full-mirror reflection, plus wrap-around leather side shields and a removable centre-piece (for those without monobrows) for maximum glare reduction and protection. With adjustable behind-the-ear hooks and an ultra-light weight of only 25g they’ll stay right where you want them. $178, vallon.com
Telemarking may be experiencing a nadir, but the funny thing about freeheelers is they always come back up. Dedicated tele ski designs are few and far between (there’s Summit Cone in the U.S. and TKS in Europe) so the Bishop Chedi is of particular note to the tribe. Underfoot camber and a poplar wood core give these all-mountain sticks plenty of pop. Same old so far, but with no active heel piece to mount, Bishop designers can taper the ski core right from the toe piece, resulting in a smoother, tele-specific flex. Bishop calls it telemarc technology. You’ll call it a big help in achieving the smoothest arc imaginable. The Chedis pair nicely with Bishop’s bombproof, lifetime-guaranteed, step-in BMF bindings for NTN or 75mm boots. Specs: 130/100/116 in lengths of 164, 174 and 184cm. US$869, bishoptelemark.com
It’s not just two protected roller wheels that make the Dakine Fall Line Roller travel well. An outer sleeve pocket is handy for small accessories, and the inner suitcase-style bag can be removed and toted as a “personal item” if you get to the airport weigh scale a few kg over your limit. Note the advertised lengths of 175cm and 190cm are conservative measurements. (The 190cm bag accepts 200cm skis, if you remember those). We are all for extra cargo space, but a longer roller ski bag can wilt while being rolled if not filled to the end, so choose wisely. $200, dakine.com
A minimalist neck zipper and ergonomic seam pattern put Odlo’s Active X-Warm turtleneck in familiar territory for baselayers. Another way the Active X-Warm does a good job of not attracting attention is by not smelling foul. ZeroScent technology coats the fibres with odour-resistant, bio-based amino sugars, limiting bacteria build-up and funk. It’s made entirely from recycled fibres to lower your carbon footprint. It’s designed to retain heat around you, not around the planet. $119, odlo.com
Pack it and stash it. The women’s Alpspitze Down Hoody by Jack Wolfskin is so light and feathery it packs into a tiny pouch, ideal for cramming into your backpack or ski bag when you’ve over-packed it. But wait, you won’t want to stow the hoody away because it’s just so comfy to wear on-piste, on a flight, or on your way to après. Jack Wolfskin has employed its Allied Feather ExpeDRY technology to produce a moisture-resistant down that’s free of chemicals. The lightweight Texashield Pro fabric is windproof, water-repellent and breathable. Best of all, the jacket has a warm, high collar and the hood is helmet-friendly. The result of all this tech: a feather-light hoody that’s both easy to wear and toasty. $369, jackwolfskin.com
