Quaint villages that run deep with ski heritage; après culture that promotes more partying than sleeping; year-round skiing on and off-piste. It’s reasons like these that you’ve been dreaming of heading to Austria. But what gear do you need for a week spent carving up some of the Alps’ longest and smoothest groomed runs? We’ve partnered with the folks at evo to get you kitted in all the right ways.
Laying trenches is the name of the game on this dream vacation, but planning your trip is a daunting task, so let the experts at evo’s adventure travel business evoTrip lead the way. Offering guided trips to locations around the globe, the team at evo is ready to show you the ins-and-outs of exploring new mountains and foreign cultures.
In part two of this four-part series, we’re showing you how to suit up for your next adventure travel trip into the mountains. Below, you’ll find our top picks from evo’s extensive inventory. We’ve hand-selected a onesie with retro, European flare, skis designed to carve up the frontside, party-ready mid and baselayers and a daypack with a built-in ski carry system and enough room to hold precious chairlift brews. Don’t fret over what to bring on your next European vacation—take a peek at our dream kit setup and you’ll be ready to drop the hip all the way back to the base village.
Head Kore 93 Skis
The name of the game these days is building a ski that’s incredibly lightweight without compromising downhill performance—no easy feat. However, HEAD has accomplished this goal with flying colors with its new KORE series. The secret: Mind-numbingly light and poppy Karuba wood complemented by Graphene and Koroyd. Graphene (incredibly thin, yet strong as a silverback gorilla) in the tips and tails allows the ski profile to be thinned and weight reduced without loss of stiffness; Koroyd also has a high strength-to-weight ratio and provides dampening; and triaxial-woven carbon fiber bolsters torsional rigidity. One ski tester, who shared the sentiments of many, fell in the love with the ski: “There’s zero nervous energy, the flex is absolutely perfect, they’re springy and fun, ideal for any day, any time.”
Marker Jester 16 ID Bindings
The Jester 16 (6-16 DIN) is celebrated as one of the most reliable bindings on the market. A horizontally-oriented spring in the toe piece brings about ultra-high energy absorption to prevent early, undesirable release. A large contact area on the toe lug also yields awesome power transmission. Furthermore, a gliding AFD moves with the boot to reduce release friction. In the rear, the heelpiece is also particularly crafted to deliver the utmost grip on your boot. Magnesium—boasting a high strength-to-weight ratio—is utilized for burliness sans bulk. Marker’s SOLE.ID technology also accommodates Alpine and A/T norm boot soles (as defined by ISO)—a welcome feature for the skiers who covet boots that aid in backcountry and hiking pursuits.
Tecnica Cochise Pro 130 Boots
In a day-and-age where ski boots with a walk-mode are all the rage, Tecnica has nailed the combination of responsive downhill performance in a package that’s light enough to take up the skin track and deep into the woods. With a wider last than previous iterations and an updated anatomical fit that provides a foot-hugging feel, the Cochise Pro 130s are ready for an entire season of abuse, inbounds and out. The 2017-18 model also features alpine and tech binding compatibility, allowing you to use them in a variety of situations and with your entire ski quiver.
Smith Vantage Helmet
Using dual vent switches for control, cool air is drawn through external vents and exits via the top and rear openings to regulate temperature. Additionally, Koroyd—a highly breathable and impact-resistant material made up of thermally-welded co-polymer tubes—defends your brain and aids in keeping you cool. The Vantage is a hybrid helmet, combining a bomber ABS construction up top with a lighter weight, in-mold construction on the bottom. Featuring MIPS protection and a 360-degree BOA fit system.
Smith I/O Goggles
The unchanged I/O combines a wider field of view with a proven lens-changing system, which equals more time skiing and less time fussing with your goggles. The innovative Responsive FitTM frame design ensures a snug feel on your face and allows the goggle to continue the legacy of uncompromising performance with top notch comfort. The I/O features Smith’s proprietary lens tech: the beloved ChromaPop, back again for 2017-18 with its remarkable contrast- and color-enhancing properties. Inside, an anti-fog coating further increases visual clarity.
Strafe Sickbird Suit
The Strafe Sickbird Suit is a modern day mountain space suit designed for deep snow exploration in the most extreme conditions. Its eVent shell and YKK zippers will keep you dry and skiing fast all day long, while its timeless style and relaxed fit will keep you on the top of everyone’s mind.
evo Ridgetop Merino Wool Midweight Crew Top and Bottom
Merino wool is a popular fabric for its ability to keep you warm while maintaining breathability. evo’s Ridgetop baselayers utilize this natural fiber to keep you comfortable in every condition, providing natural odor-resistance and undeniable all-day comfort. Look no further if you’re seeking an ultra-comfy baselayer set that will provide necessary warmth, coziness and performance when it matters.
Adidas Stretch Flannel Mid-Layer
The Stretch Flannel by Adidas mixes performance capabilities with the sleek, street-conscious style the German company is known for. Featuring Climalite fabric, this mid-layer wicks away sweaty moisture that inevitably arises during a long day slashing down groomers. Once its time to après, you know you’ll be stylin’, too.
Smartwool PhD Ski Light Socks
A sock is nothing without durability and that’s why Smartwool integrated its very own “Indestructawool” technology in its PhD lightweight ski socks. The tech blends a patent-pending blend of ultra-tough yarn that combats wear and tear. The use of two separate elastics allows the sock to stretch and retain shape for a comfortable, anatomically correct fit and seamless toe seals the deal, getting rid of any awkward bunching.
Black Diamond Spark Pro Glove
The Spark glove has been a go-to for freeride skiers the world over for several years, and the new Spark Pro will undoubtedly please those same fans in 2017-18. Built with a Gore-Tex liner, the Spark Pro is waterproof while remaining breathable—no frozen fingers, no sweaty palms, no problems. One-hundred and seventy grams of Primaloft Gold insulation provides backup during the coldest days, while a new, subdued color scheme lends subtle style to the package.
Black Diamond Razor Carbon Pro Adjustable Ski Poles
Black Diamond’s Razor Carbon ski poles offer everything you’d want from a ski pole. Properly balanced for ultimate snow-poking capabilities, these ski poles also feature FlickLock tabs for simple gloves-on length adjustment. The quick-release strap offers the safety of an easy release in bad conditions, while a soft, tacky coating on the upper shaft allows for ease of movement, while maintaining grip, in steeper terrain.
Dakine Heli Pro 12L Backpack
Dakine’s Heli 12L is the ideal daypack for minimalist days on-piste. Hydration compatible design allows for the use of a bladder, while external ski-carry straps and external shovel pocket make this the go-to choice for days spent around the resort, or hiking to lift-accessed terrain. It’s a low-volume pack for all of your essentials—no frills here.
Booster Strap World Cup
Stock power straps are adequate for some people, but others demand elevated drive and control in their skiing. Booster’s dynamic power bands replace a boot’s stock strap, cinching the upper cuff ultra-tight for a stiffer flex which generates increased power transmission and handling—like Ken Block-style handling. Additionally, Booster Straps provide a bit of cushioning to prevent dreaded shin-bang.
Dakine Quick Tune Tuning Kit
Traveling long distances means you don’t have your local ski shop to rely on if anything happens to your equipment. In lieu of cutting your ski day short because of a loose screw, bad wax job or other unpredictable mishaps, pack Dakine’s Quick Tune Tuning Kit for ski rehab on the go. Includes a torque driver with five bits and a 8/10mm wrench, edge tuning tool, triangle scraper, octane bar (for use on all temp wax) and a scuff pad.
Dakine Boundary Ski Roller Bag
An organized travel bag makes you a happy traveler. The Boundary Ski Roller will help you meet that goal. It comfortably accommodates two pairs of mid-sized skis, ski boots, ski poles, a helmet, goggles, gloves and also outerwear—and your boots and apparel even get their own removable, internal bags to keep things tidy. Two zippered, padded pockets on the exterior provide even more storage. You can stuff this thing for miles, just be wary of that 50-pound airline limit before you hit the skies.
Vans Sk8-HI 46 MTE Sneakers
If you’re looking to take the classic Vans look into the mountains without the fear of getting your feet soaked or ruining your favorite kicks, look no further than the Vans Mountain Edition. Specifically designed to withstand the elements, the Sk8-HI 46 MTE has all the bells and whistles you demand when in the mountains all while keeping the classic Vans style in tact.
YETI Rambler Coldster
As nice as coozies are, let’s be honest: most do absolutely nothing useful. Wrapping those flimsy pieces of cloth around your beverage is more for style than function at the end of the day. But a coozie made by YETI, constructed with stainless steel and double-wall vacuum insulation? Not only does that work well, it looks sleek as heck, too. Enter the YETI Colster: In addition to the aforementioned tech, it features a Load-and-Lock Gasket to keep your drink screwed in place, as well as a No Sweat exterior to prevent damp or cold hands. We’ve been keeping our beers frosty with this thing, and suggest you do the same.
