GORE-TEX shells are common out West, ideal for generally warmer temperatures experienced on the day-to-day. Skis capable of surfing a deep snowpack and wind-blown features do well on the Left Coast.
A. 4FRNT MSP CC
Buy Now – $549
The women’s-specific MSP CC are fierce, and will help you tear down the steeps at places like Mammoth, Kirkwood or Whistler, but offer enough maneuverability to tackle tree skiing at Baker, Stevens or Hood. A combination of smooth flexing poplar wood and strong Titanal promotes stability, pop and rebound, yielding skis that will give back what you put into them, and then some.
B. Fischer Ranger 102 FR
Buy Now – $699.99
Boasting rock-solid stability and smile-inducing freestyle-capabilities, the Ranger 102 FR is an ideal every day ski for shredders on the Left Coast. Its 102-millimeter waist handles low and high tide snow depths, a rocker-camber-rocker profile is proficient in a variety of terrain and its lightweight build and twin-tip design promotes airtime and smeary good times whether surfing the waves of Bachelor or dropping the cliffs of Squaw.
C. K2 Mindbender 110 Alliance
Buy Now – $599.95
The brand new Mindbender 110 Alliance is a women’s-specific freeride boot with a walk mode and tech fittings ideal for exploring the far reaches of the resort and pushing the downhill limits. You’ll be so smitten by the fit, you’ll have a hard time taking ‘em off at the end of the day.
D. Fischer Ranger One 130
Buy Now – $749
The Ranger One 130 is a hybrid boot that West Coast shredders can rely upon every day of the winter. It’s a supremely lightweight, yet muscled shoe, ideal for charging hard all day without tiring you out. Its tech inserts, GripWalk soles and a walk mode with 55 degrees of cuff rotation ensure you can tour out of the resort gates to plunder your secret stash when the resort tracks out.
E. Sweet Protection Interstellar
Buy Now – $219
The new Interstellar from Norwegian brand Sweet Protection features a contrast-boosting lens technology that cuts glare and improves visual clarity during low light conditions; its proprietary lens change technology also makes quick swaps a breeze if the weather begins to overpower you out there.
F. Sweet Protection Switcher MIPS
Buy Now – $249.95
The Switcher MIPS’ EPS liner and special “Impact Shield” inserts help absorb shocks and keep your brain unscrambled; but its 22 active vents are simply made for West Coast skiers, allowing them to dump heat on sunny days and close ‘em up should a Pacific squall roll through.
G. SPY Discord
Buy Now – $110
Whether you call Tahoe or the Eastern Sierra home, you’ve got to have a pair of sunnies if you’re skiing the West Coast. The ‘80s-inspired Discord’s Grilamid frame will stand up to years of abuse and its lenses offer 100-percent UV protection to keep those eyes healthy. Pacific Northwest skiers need not apply.
H. The North Face Brigandine Jacket
Buy Now – $749
The North Face’s new FUTURELIGHT fabric, used in the Brigandine kit, is made for the West Coast. The fabric’s membrane is injected with air permeability, through a special nanospinning tactic that allows it to be incredibly porous for supreme breathability, while maintaining waterproofing. The nanospinning process also ensures that the end product is super lightweight and soft.
Pair w/ The North Face Brigandine Pant
I. Eddie Bauer BC Freshline Jacket
Buy Now – $549
The BC Freshline Jacket is made for most conditions you’ll encounter on the West Coast. The three-layer shell breathes incredibly well, thanks to body-mapped eVent fabric, but will also hold up should a soggy storm roll through.
