In this early-season roundup, I鈥檒l听provide insights on the best new products in the off-piste realm. Take note that some of the descriptions below are more previews than听full reviews, as I鈥檝e only been testing for a few weeks. Whether you鈥檙e a savvy resort skier preparing for your first tour听or a backcountry savant looking for an upgrade, this list should听help you snag听more powder stashes, drop into a steeper couloir听and have a better time in the backcountry.听
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The most important parts of any ski setup are, of course, the planks鈥攃arbon, wood, and polyethylene听glued and bent in a proprietary way, helping you float powder, hold an edge, and snap a sweet photo for the 鈥檊ram. And听in my opinion, there鈥檚 no brand crafting finer skis than French independent Black Crows, with its听newly launched 听($1,020). This aggressive rocker听should help you rip听more turns and hit more pillows.听Designed for intermediate-to-advanced skiers, the Freebird听floats well in powder without being overly cumbersome elsewhere.
Bindings
With respect to the new technology coming out of Salomon鈥檚 lab, I believe the best bindings for mixed conditions in big mountains are the 听($729). Lighter and finely tuned than the previous version, the updated M-Werks get the little things right (an easier ski-walk lever, anti-icing pads, and a DIN that goes up to 12). The result is a near alpine feel, without the sensation听of bricks on your feet.
Poles
My favorite poles, the 听($140), just got lighter and stronger, according to the company. Good for a variety of uses, like hiking, trail running, mountaineering, and skiing, they鈥檙e easy to tuck into your pack, and for that reason, they excel听in the backcountry for skiers and splitboarders听alike. The new听Compactors address听the main issue of previous models鈥攖he connectors鈥 durability鈥making them a trustworthy choice for this season.
Skins
G3 spent another calendar year听trying to refine the best ratio of mohair to nylon and came to market with the 听($184), which has the potential to be the best yet. As a G3 loyalist, I鈥檓 excited to add it to my collection.
Wax (Sort Of)
I implore you to skip the ski wax this year and invest in the听听($100) from DPS. I spent last season testing this one-time application, and it works well in the backcountry, helping you slide smooth and fast over mixed conditions. I found it especially useful when skiing over sticky hazards caused by dripping trees on warmer days.听Applying the听treatment听is quick and easy鈥攁nd by using it, you鈥檙e saving earth from added toxins听as opposed to multiple wax coatings. (DPS听claims that it鈥檚 made with no toxic chemicals听and is safe for water, plants, and animals.)
Layers
Unless you love to ski in jeans,听I鈥檇 recommend a kit from Patagonia. The company听has听ramped up the听inclusion听of reprocessed fabric in its gear, while still making durable, high-quality products.听All of the 60-plus shells that Patagonia听offers are now made from recycled materials, like the fair-trade sewn听听($349),听which shows a very real commitment to cleaning up its听supply chain.听As a three-layer shell designed for fast and light minimalists, the Snowdrifter pairs well with the 听($499), Patagonia鈥檚 lightest outer layer, which is also . Underneath the shells, I layer听with a 听($299), which feels like wearing a sleeping bag during the day.
Packs
New this season, the 听($395) is a finely tuned and featherweight machine with a simple design. I haven鈥檛 had the chance to put this pack through the wringer yet, but I did hike up a few trails around my home. Different from other Hyperlite models, like the 听($310)听or the 听($310), the Prism听features extra gear lashes and multiple tie-down options for ropes and skis,听as opposed to an elastic exterior chute.听And听like all of Hyperlite鈥檚 gear, it鈥檚 built with Dyneema, so you can charge confidently past stubborn branches and icy sections and not worry about puncturing the pack.
Avalanche Equipment
Safety is sexy, so listen up. I鈥檝e trusted the avalanche equipment from Backcountry Access for years, because it鈥檚 uncomplicated and has never let me down. The new 听($300) is easier to use than the 听($335),听and the 听($70)听offers hoe mode, which is useful for rescues and for building booters. The 听($90), a sturdy and lightweight wand, completes the safety trio. I鈥檓 also听a big fan of always carrying 听($264), primarily to coordinate lunch听but sometimes for critical听stuff, too.
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Alpine Accessories
If you plan on skiing more technical routes, I鈥檇 suggest听slapping 听($190)听onto your boots. I鈥檝e found past versions remarkably fast to put on and perfect for a variety of conditions, including ice, snow, and rock, and I鈥檓 already impressed with the new model鈥檚 durability. I also like the 听($180) and a 听($120).听The Summit Evo is a great alpine tool with a sticky grip, without being unwieldy. The Swift is a听blindingly bright听multi-beam lightsaber for your forehead鈥攁nd it鈥檚 powered by听a rechargeable battery.听
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Helmet
I鈥檓 a recent convert to 听($170), a noggin protector that looks dorky, but holy smokes听does it breathe well,听thanks to听108 small holes听on the top. With听a slim profile, it carries efficiently, so if you normally tour with a climbing helmet and are looking for a model specifically designed for ski mountaineering, the Ascender is for you.
Eyewear
For eyeball safety, I wear 听($280)听on the descent, which improves your field of view by an alleged 25 percent, thanks to curved glass at the bottom of the goggles. When headed uphill, I wear 听($150), which are the industry benchmark, offering lens and side-eye protection听without looking like you came out of a fashion ad.
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Coffee
With the few pennies left in your bank account, do yourself a favor and snag a couple packs of . Its coffee is听instant, delicious, and loaded with caffeine. Alpine Start just launched a coffee packet in partnership with Protect Our Winters, too.听