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Slope style
This winter, impress ’em with your moves and your gear

BY MIKE MILIARD

Web wear

Find your ski gear on the ’Net

• Bonfire Snowboarding: www.bonfiresnow.com

• Burton Snowboards: www.burton.com

• Carrera: www.carrerasport.com

• Da Kine: www.dakine.com

• Dermatone Sunblock Products: www.dermatone.com

• Foursquare: www.foursquare-outerwear.com

• K2: www.k2sports.com

• Leki: www.leki.com

• Marmot: www.marmot.com

• Nordica: www.nordica.com

• Rossignol: www.rossignol.com

• Salomon: www.salomonski.com

• Smith: www.smithsport.com

• Special Blend: www.special-blend.com

• Tecnica: www.tecnicausa.com

• Test Pilot: www.test-pilot.com

Note: W or M denotes a gender-specific item.

Skis

Rossignol Bandit XX ($719)

Winner of SKIING magazine’s 2002 Editors’ Choice and "Best Buy" awards, the XX is a heaven-sent freeride ski that feels just as much at home floating over deep powder as it does grabbing onto a turn in groomed stuff. This year, it’s expanded by about three centimeters at tip and tail, an innovation that serves to increase its versatility. It’s a great all-around ride, a ski that’s made all the more appealing when you consider its price.

Salomon Crossmax 10 Pilot ($1195)

This is currently Salomon’s hottest ski, according to Michael Orf at Ski Market on Comm Ave in Boston. We can see why. The revolutionary Pilot system allows the bindings to pivot slightly on the ski, giving the rider heretofore unimaginably beautiful turns. Designed for expert riders, its powerful edge-grip gives optimal carving on-piste, and it offers excellent acceleration during the turn.

Boots

Tecnica Rival X-9 Ultra ($495)

Designed for advanced-intermediate and expert skiers, the Rival X-9 is a powerful boot that gives no quarter when it comes to performance, but does give in the comfort department. Its Dual Pivot–system custom arch, forward lean/rear spoiler, and ultra-fit liner allow you to have it both ways.

Nordica W 7.2 ($550)

This one is aimed at relatively aggressive freeriders, and strikes a perfect balance between the close fit of a racing boot and the roominess recreational skiers prefer. In other words, it’ a great blend of comfort and performance — and space-age good looks.

Bindings

Rossignol Freeride T-Plate 140 ($350)

Not too exciting, but vital nonetheless, bindings are what attach you to the planks on your feet — a matter of no small importance when you’re doing 50 miles per hour down a sheer mountain face. And certain technical aspects, like those of the 140s, are a little exciting. To wit: the T-Plate suspension elevates heels 10 millimeters and toes an ever-so-slightly higher 14 millimeters. The difference allows more precise edging, more stability, and, as important, less fatigue.

Salomon S912 Poweraxe Sport ($285)

Ideal for new-school and freeride skiers, the S912 offers better turn control and shock absorption. Also, should the unthinkable happen — you fall and eat it — the binding’s "Spheric Oversize" ensures that whether you’re falling forward or in a twist, the boot will detach before your ankle detaches from your leg.

Poles

Smith Competition ($70)

This aluminum pole features a "Z-bend" for correct pole planting and an easier swing. Its aluminum construction makes it super-light. It’s also got ergonomic grip and an "aggressive" ice tip.

Leki Vision Viper ($100)

The Viper, with its composite graphite/aluminum construction, strikes the best balance between heft and flexibility. Not convinced of its high quality? Check out this testimonial from a satisfied customer at Leki.com: "The vision Viper with click-grip. Holy Cow!!! What rock did I live under!!! I guess you know you have a great product. The only complaint I had was the first day I used the poles I had to keep looking at my hands to make sure the poles were still there. They made my other poles feel like fence posts."

Snowboards/Bindings/Boots

K2 Recon ($499) M

Perfect for high-speed freeriders, the Recon is directionally shaped with a medium width and tapered tail, a cut that makes for great turns. Add to this an extremely light wood core, and you’ve got yourself a great all-around ride. "This is a nice board," says Orf. "It’s a great all-mountain board, and real stable — stability, of course, being the key." ’Nuff said.

Burton Freestyle ($99.95) M

These bindings give ultimate flexibility and "reign supreme in a sea of pretenders," according to its makers (we think they might be biased). Nonetheless, they’re durable, supporting the whole foot while reducing pressure over the instep.

Burton Ion HD boots ($279.95) M

The Ion offers fine all-around performance and looks great doin’ it. Its stitchless support structure keeps things deceptively simple, and its three-piece outsole offers a good level of flexibility. Speaking of which, for optimum flex, use the MD insole. Or switch over to the HD for enhanced power. The choice is yours.

Burton Custom ($469.95) W

The Custom is part of Burton’s Universal line — boards designed for people who "aren’t lucky enough to live somewhere where the conditions are consistent." Hmm. Sounds a lot like us poor bastards in New England. No worries. The Custom does well "from the backcountry to the backyard, and everywhere in between." From performance to price, the median is where the Custom feels most comfortable. It’s a great all-around board.

Burton Custom bindings ($159.95) W

As its name might imply, the Custom is a good fit for the Custom board. It’s a new and improved version of an earlier binding, "the evolution of the binding that started a revolution." Flexible and responsive but still firm and supportive, the Custom features choice elements of some of its pricier counterparts.

Burton Moto boots ($129.95) W

Comfortable. Dependable. Affordable. The Moto features many qualities, not least its functional simplicity. Its outsole offers maximum protection and grip, while its interior’s shock absorbency doesn’t deter from board feel. Who says you can’t have it all?

Jackets

Bonfire Pinnacle ($380) M

With waterproof zippers and sealed seams, the Pinnacle is ideal for the often crappy New England weather. This super-high-end jacket lives to get wet. Insulation just around the body core allows the wearer to add layers at will or simply wear it over a shirt, depending on the outside temperature. Inside, big pit zippers and breathable three-layer laminate fabric keep moist air flowing, so you stay dry.

Burton OSI Bomber ($250) W

What does "OSI" stand for? Why, Office of Scientific Intelligence, of course — birthplace of the Bionic Woman! With this thing on, you’ll not only be a better boarder than old Jaime Sommers, but your fashion will put her to shame. That’s what the OSI line is all about: cutting-edge style mixed with top-of-the-line Burton technology. (It’s also got a faux-squirrel collar — as if you need another reason to like it.)

Fleece

Special Blend Director Fleece Jacket ($110)

Made of 100 percent 400-weight polyester, with a full-front zipper, open bottom, and nylon drop-tail, the Director is a perfectly lightweight, functional, and, above all, warm fleece to wear under any shell.

Special Blend Counsel Fleece Vest ($90)

The Counsel vest is much like the Director jacket, except for the fact that, like any good vest, it has no sleeves. Perfect for skiers who need their trunks kept warm, but want maximum upper-extremity mobility.

Pants

Foursquare HS 5000 Magnate Pant ($200) M

Fully insulated and constructed from coated Tech Four 5000 slick Oxford nylon, with maximum waterproofing and breathability and fully taped seams, the Magnate features an ideal blend of sharp appearance and practicality.

Burton Tempest WMS Full-Zip Pant ($210) W

Part of Burton’s "minimalist" line, these trousers do it all, suiting riders who want protection for all terrains and conditions but don’t want useless flashiness. Sure, these pants look plain, but they use the best fabrics and design to provide everything you need to stay warm and dry — without being encumbered by clumsy design.

Gloves

Marmot Randonnee Mitt ($99)

"Warm, light, and nimble, the premier ski mitt, made from the finest materials available," boasts Marmot of this model. That would be reason enough to shell out nigh on 100 bucks for it. But there’s more. The patented "Falcon Grip" features articulated fingers and thumb for easy grip and dexterity. DriClime lining’s three-dimensional wicking is designed to keep hands drier and warmer. And get this: the thumbs feature soft cloth, designed for wiping your runny nose.

Da Kine Cougar Gore-Tex Glove ($80) W

Cut slightly narrower to fit a woman’s slender hand, the Cougar’s top-end materials — 330 D Cordura and TC Poplin shell, Gore-Tex three-ply waterproof/breathable inserts, extra-warm-pile fleece liner — work together to keep hands warm and dry. Special features include a pocket designed to hold heat packs and a rubber wiper blade for cleaning fogged-up goggles. And it’s not bad-looking, either.

Goggles

Smith Anthem Regulator ($80-$100)

New this season, the Anthem features easily adjustable lens vents to keep the cold air flowing and reduce lens-fogging to an absolute minimum. The price varies depending on which lens you use: add 20 bucks for the RP25 lens.

Carrera Diva ($59.95) W

Eye protection is all very nice, but a lady’s gotta look good on those slopes! Fear not: Carrera is on the case. The Diva offers all the comfort and UV protection of her brothers, but her streamlined, sculpted shape adds that certain fashionista panache.

Miscellaneous

Burton MT-1 Helmet ($229)

A helmet is important for the following reason: if you were to fall and hit your head on a rock or exposed root, the helmet would keep yer brains inside yer noggin. This one, created with the help of boarders just like you, is super light, with full face protection and Rider Controlled Venting. What’s more, it features a kinda-scary skull motif conceived and executed by Phoenix illustrator and all-around swell guy Mark Reusch.

Test Pilot High Performance Tool Kit ($39.95)

Ten minutes. That’s all the time it takes to put this lifesaver to use. Designed for tuning skis and snowboards, it’s got everything a ski bum could need for a competition-ready tune-up — race paste, 90-degree edge tuner, wax scraper, nuke-proof steel box (?!), abrasive pad, low-lint towel, and much, much more. All for the low, low price of $39.95! You heard right! Order now!

Dermatone Lip Balm/Sunscreen ($3)

Infinitely more important than the wax you put on your skis or board is the stuff you slather on your face. The sun has a nasty way of reflecting off bright white snow and sending its UV rays into the unsuspecting epidermis. And the chill winter wind has a penchant for shredding even the most supple of lips into ragged tatters. It's not good. Dermatone is an ideal two-in-one sunscreen and lip balm. And it comes in a nifty little tin that fits in your pocket.

Mike Miliard can be reached at mmiliard[a]phx.com

Issue Date: December 13 - 20, 2001

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