Yesterday, we brought you a wide selection of next year’s ski gear from the SIA Snow Show in Denver, Colorado—the biggest snowsports tradeshow on Earth. Today, we’re bringing you even more.
After walking in circles all day long around the massive trade show floor, we came up with another extremely impressive roundup of products. Enjoy, and tune back in tomorrow for even more of next year’s ski gear.
Shred teamed up with Connora Technologies, The CAPiTa Mothership and Protect Our Winters to create this total beauty: the Simplify Natural goggle. Aimed at performance and sustainability all at once, the goggle is made of recycled ski and snowboard materials and has a wide variety of impressive features. Of them all, the ShredWide™ lens is super notable—enabling supreme peripheral vision and visual clarity. The super-soft face foam on this puppy is to die for, as well. Environmentally-friendly skiers will surely flock to shops for this model come fall 2017.
Hestra’s new backcountry-specific glove is built to handle all out-of-bounds pursuits, from the access gates to the skin track to the boot pack. Midweight insulation is enough to keep hands warm when it’s shiver-worthy outside, but not too much to overheat during spring missions. It’s Ergo Grip design—pre-curved fingers sewn to the glove—improves dexterity and an impregnated cowhide backs ups the toughness factor.
To the delight of hard-charging women everywhere, Armada’s Victa series hit shelves in 2016-17. For year two, Armada adds a new, much sought-after waist width to the collection. The Victa 97 Ti—the fattest of the 83, 87 Ti and 93 family—answers the demand for a high-performance ski that gets the job done across the entire mountain, no matter the conditions. Carbon Kevlar struts keep the package lively while a Titanal plate provides dampness for even the most aggressive crud-busting, powder slaying and groomer-destroying needs.
Pictured left: Smartwool’s Larimer hat. Pictured right: the women’s Wenona sock. Both are made of top-notch wool and are certified kickass.
A couple models from DPS’ new Alchemist line. Each feature vibration-tuned aerospace grade carbon construction, melded with absolutely the best in supporting materials.
POC Layer is an innovative approach to protecting skiers and snowboarders from cuts and abrasions. It combines Dyneema fabric with a technical baselayer to form a protective barrier to injury from sharp edges.
Marcus Caston strikes a pose behind Blizzard’s impressive new Cochise.
Combining the style and comfort of a traditional sweater with modern baselayer technology, the Dakine Women’s Callahan Fleece is all about versatility. On the outside, it’s a ski-friendly, street-conscious product, decked out with a hood, thumb loops and split hem. But, the beauty is in the details: body temperature-regulating poly yarns that provide warmth and comfort, plus Polygiene permanent odor control technology to keep everything fresh from first chair to last call at the bar.
Scott markets this beautiful piece to women who spend their days logging “long ascents and deep descents.” Indeed, the Explorair 3L delivers ruggedness, exceptional performance and comfort to those who rely on their outerwear to power them through hearty days in the backcountry, or full-throttle inbounds adventures. Dermizax (20K/10K) fabric provides rockin’ protection from scrapes and cuts, wind and water while remaining plenty breathable, comfortable, lightweight and soft to the touch. And we’re talking noticeably soft, here, making this offering a tough one to turn away from. Furthermore, the list of construction features seems to stretch for miles: Fully taped seams, powder skirt, pack-friendly seamless shoulders, push-button adjustable hem and hood… It just gets better.
The Lab Coat has been a fan-favorite and a staple of Flylow’s line-up since 2008, and it returns for the fall of ’17 with a noteworthy update: This piece now utilizes eVent DVexpedition membrane that has a 30K/30K waterproof and breathability rating while also offering a boost in durability. Flylow touts the Lab Coat as being “meticulously designed for climbing and skiing mountains in harsh and variable conditions and temperatures.” A slew of features—articulated shoulders and sleeves, fully seam taped, DWR—ensure this piece holds up from the farthest reaches of the backcountry to the heaviest days on-resort. More to love: The Lab Coat weighs in at just 602 grams and is highly packable for storage on the fly.
DMOS Collective’s new line of shovels is looking mighty fine, much thanks to this model.
GoPro’s new line is also looking darn impressive… Those black cams, though.
Versatility is the name of the Powdershot’s game; Outdoor Research (OR) touts the garment as “jack-of-all-trades ski apparel,” complete with “the look, feel and breathability of a softshell, combined with the weather protection of a hard shell.” The Powdershot employs OR’s proprietary AscentShell technology (an electrospun process involving charged polymers affixing to a grounded surface and gathering intro a membrane with unique waterproofing and breathable qualities) for insane breathability in a fully waterproof, ultra-stretchy package. On the inside, a light polyester fleece backer keeps warmth from sneaking out and provides a snug, cozy feel. Among its many additional features, chest-to-hip CrossFlo zippered vents provide even more breathability for when the going gets tough. High-exertion athletes, look no further for complete protection from Ma’ Nature’s most brutal assaults.
An awesome addition to the Outdoor Research line for ’17-18 is the Ascendant Hoody, sporting Alpha Direct insulation—Polartec’s latest creation that’s durable, warm and breathable all at once. On the outside is a Pertex outer shell built to fight off tough weather and keep your body protected. Supreme compressibility, men’s and women’s options and interior glide panels (which prevent layers from bunching up on each other) round it out as a real beaut’. This thing will fly off the shelves due to its versatility and attention to detail.
The Porcupine Hooded Pullover, making its grand debut, is built to battle winter’s harshest days, just like its quilled namesake. Warmth is achieved via PrimaLoft Gold Active insulation, while a durable, rip-stop nylon shell is 100-percent water- and wind-resistant. And despite the burliness of this garment, it’s still very lightweight—ideal for stowing in the bag when weather is tough to predict. Folks spending long days out in the mountains will flock to the shops for this top-notch offering from Big Agnes.
Ortovox’s Ortler Jacket is a minimalist backcountry garment that stands up to the unpredictable elements of the high alpine. It boasts a 20K waterproof rating and DWR finish to battle moisture, is 100-percent windproof to shield users from big gusts and has an astonishing 32K breathability rating for the long, energy exhaustive approaches. Merino mesh inserts in the chin provide a bit of warmth and comfort for the face, and one large breast pocket makes room for skins or other items.
Ortovox redesigned its shovels for 2017-18 with the goal of saving space in one’s backcountry pack while still increasing functionality. The shovel’s D-shaped grip has been made more compact for better packability. Additionally, the blade’s reverse side is flat, which makes snow pit construction a breeze. As with previous Kodiak models, there is a hoe-mode for efficient snow removal and a rubber grip to prevent slipping.
Elan has been handcrafting skis in the Alps for over 70 years. Its dedication to innovation and top-notch ski construction is reflected by a handful of exciting new ski models for 2017-18, one of which is the women’s Ripstick 102. Utilizing Elan’s TNT technology—a combination of a TubeLite wood core, featuring tip-to-tail carbon tubes, Vapor Tip inserts and advanced composites in the tips—this ski not only boasts a crazy-light character but also incredible chatter-reduction qualities. For the hard-charging women out there, the Ripstick 102 provides smooth, stable handling even during aggressive limit-pushing situations. The ski is inspired by the W Studio—Elan’s squadron of skiing-obsessed ambassadors, from World Cup racers to ski bums alike.
Nordica touts its Enforcer line as “smooth, powerful and playful,” and our ski testing has confirmed that this is not just a fair assessment, but a humble understatement. Powder, crud, steeps, corduroy… there’s nothing that the Enforcer skis can’t handle, especially now that the line is boasting some noteworthy upgrades. New this year, the 93 mm and 100 mm offerings boast Energy 2 Titanium, a World Cup-grade, full wood core with two sheets of metal over the edges. The cores of the 110 and the 115 are based on this same construction, but modified to include a super-lightweight balsa wood core. Nordica calls it Energy 2 TI Balsa—it’s the performance of metal with the crazy playful, light feel of balsa all in one. The 110 actually boasts the same weight as the previous glass construction of the Nordica’s Patron, but with two sheets of metal. We didn’t think these skis could get any better, but, we quite simply thought wrong.
Answering the consumers’ demand for ski boots with walk mode mechanisms, Nordica introduces its new Strider line of boots for fall ‘17. Nordica built the hike mechanism to allow for more support structurally, thus increasing power transmission when it’s time to rail turns on the descent. Dynafit inserts make the boots compatible with tech bindings and a Grilamid construction ensures these babies are lightweight yet incredibly rigid for the best of both worlds. The loyal Nordica boot-wearers who covet the stiff, powerful downhill performance of the brand’s previous models will go crazy for this new hike mode.
The new Track series from Rossignol caters those with… well, big feet. The last has a wider forefoot, toe box and ankle area, resulting in a width of 104 mm. As in past models, Rossignol still utilizes a strong heel pocket to ensure support and comfort. The Track 130, in addition to holding strong in the face of the burliest descents, has a hike mode mechanism (with attached pull-tab for easy access), a soft plastic insert that’s molded over the instep (allowing for easy on and off) and a fully customizable liner built with WinTherm active insulation. This boot will fly off the shelves and onto the “well-endowed” feet of the ski world.
Rossignol’s acclaimed 7 Series has been completely redesigned for 2017-18. Upgrades include Air Tip 2.0—a new, reinforced 3D structure with a fully-integrated construction that’s lighter and stronger for enhanced float and reduced swing weight; a unique carbon alloy weave for a boost in energy, shock absorption, stability and edge grip; a lightweight wood core for a stellar strength-to-weight ratio; and Powder Turn Rocker—50 percent low camber and 50 percent tip and tail rocker for exceptional float in the deep stuff and impressive handling on firmer snow. A rounder, wider tip shape across the line-up makes for effortless float while a thinner, reinforced profile enhances maneuverability. Rossignol states appropriately, “the best gets better.”
Fischer’s all-new Vacuum customizable fitting process is implemented into the new RC4 The Curve 130. The system uses a 360-degree, three-dimensional mapping technique to form the liner and shell perfectly to the user’s foot. This easy-to-use technology yields outstanding comfort and remarkable fit and will have folks drooling, no doubt. Additionally, Fischer utilizes a layer of Aramid—which has a high strength-to-weight ratio and keeps its integrity regardless of temperature—in the lower shell to keep a consistent flex, no matter if it’s bitter cold or sweltering on the hill. The 97 mm last also has a contoured shape that improves fit even further.
Joining the ranks of the all-mountain-slaying Confession, Mantra and Kendo is the all-new Kanjo. At 84 mm underfoot, this ski is destined to be a hit among aggressive frontside skiers with a penchant for carving trenches as deep as the Mariana. The Kanjo comes packed with Titanal to complement its multi-layer wood core and full vertical sidewall construction, ensuring stability at high speeds and stellar edge grip. Furthermore, it boasts tip and tail rocker with camber underfoot, allowing for maneuverability and float when the time calls. The best part: You get all that in a lightweight package—the Kanjo weighs in at just 1,570 g/ski @175. Völkl’s passion for engineering delivers in a big way, once again.
Marker further develops its Sole ID story for 2017-18, integrating the technology into its Squire binding. The Squire 11 ID is compatible with ISO 5355 alpine and ISO 9523 alpine touring soles, allowing those who are lighter weight or prefer a lower DIN range to have the same versatility as with Marker’s other binding offerings. At 1,540 grams in weight, it’s also much lighter than, say, the Griffon or Jester bindings, but still has the same top-notch downhill performance qualities.
This new touring boot from Salomon is ridiculously cool.
Salomon enters the pin-tech binding world in 2017-18 with the MTN binding. It’s lightweight—780 grams per pair with brakes, 595 grams per pair without brakes—and has climbing aids of two, seven and 13 degrees for efficient uphill travel. A wide screw orientation helps to promote power transmission when it’s time to transition and rip back down the mountain, a response to those that will try and point out the perceived downhill inadequacies of tech bindings.
Airhole’s new Necktube, decked out with a 10K waterproof rating and duck down.
A few of Arcade Belts’ new products, equipped with some stylin’ patches.
Just a taste of Stance’s new winter sports sock line.
Look at all these dreamy undies from SAXX… Dubbed The Vibe, they feature viscose material that keeps you cool, calm and relaxed whether you’re out on the the mountain or hittin’ the town. Additional features include a soft pouch for your private parts, smooth seams and a moisture-wicking waistband.
Line’s celebrated and award-winning Sick Day series gets a full-on makeover for 2017-18, with new lengths, dimensions and ingredients. The 88, 94, 104 and 114-mm-waisted skis boast a blend of lightweight wood in their cores (2,118 g/ski @ 180 cm), yielding a remarkable strength to weight ratio. “Mag- ic Finger Carbon Filaments” also add power and torsional rigidity to the overall package without sacrificing weight. The new Sick Day skis are happily situated between rigid and medium on the flex scale; they boast cap con- struction up top for light, playful performance and sidewall over the edge for added preci- sion; and they feature a five-point sidecut for maneuverability and “unlimited” turnshape. The Sick Day 114, in particular, stands out as one that can handle everything from the backcountry, to the slackcountry, to the hard pack. Have a customer seeking a surfy, play- ful feel and ease of use while planing through deep snow? You can pretty much guarantee ‘em sick days thanks to this offering from Line
Mark our words; the all-new Prime series is going to create a big splash among the industry waves in the fall of ’17. The exhaustive efforts of Faction’s designers, with help from Freeride World Tour athlete and UIAGM guide, Sam Anthamatten, have resulted in high-performance, lightweight, “tourable” big-mountain skis that stand up to powder, chunder, icy conditions and everything in between. The decidedly premium line of freeride skis boasts four waist widths—90, 98, 108 and 118mm. The 3.0 is lightweight on the ascent and crazy-stable and nimble on the ride down thanks to construction features including sandwich sidewall construction; a hybrid balsa/flax core; TexTreme’s proprietary carbon weave across the length of the ski that’s thinner and stronger than regular carbon for superb torsional rigidity; a multi-dimension sidecut and rockered tip and tail.
Vuarnet is making a serious comeback in the U.S. right now, much thanks to this wide variety of insanely-cool products.
686 is doing a fine job breaking into the ski world, much thanks to its stellar GLCR series. Here’s a little sneak peek.
Zeal’s new Portal goggle has one of the most impressive lens-swap systems we’ve ever seen, as well as an Automatic+ lens that’s both photochromic and polarized.
Yet again, there were many four-legged friends in attendance.
A lot of dogs 🙂
Tune back in tomorrow for day 3 of SIA coverage, featuring even more gear and dogs.
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