The best kit for ski enthusiasts
Hitting the slopes for some downhill action this season? Then invest in some high-end clobber to make the experience even more enjoyable
The new Ski-Doo Summit 850 E-Tec Turbo is the world’s first factory-made machine to offer a turbocharged two-stroke engine and it promises to revolutionise mountain riding. Usually when riding at high altitude you can expect to lose some horsepower. Not so with this snow mobile. It maintains power at altitudes of up to 8,000 feet – a feat that has never been achieved before with a two-stroke factory sled. Deep-snow lovers will be able to reach higher altitudes more easily and riders on technical terrain will have the extra power they need to traverse slopes and weave through tight trees as they challenge themselves and push their skills. $18,099 (UK price to come), snowmobilescotland.co.uk
The SuperDOA snowboard from Capita is the best of the boards we have reviewed, says Mike Walker in Snow magazine. It offers a “poppy ride and plenty of all-mountain freestyle-friendly features”. It is fatter through the middle of the board than its competitors, which gives good torsional stiffness for “high speed carves and stability on landings”, but then thins out at the tip and tail for a little more flex and a lighter weight, making for “easy buttering and rotation”. £599.99, snowboard-asylum.com\
“Function and performance meet superior style in this premium head and eyewear combo,” says Al Morgan in The Daily Telegraph. The metallic and carbon detailing gives the Bollé V-Line Carbon helmet a “high-end look”. The tint on the visor automatically adapts to the changing light conditions, meaning just the one lens works for overcast, flat-light and “bluebird glory days”. The hard plastic offers tough protection and the adjustable ventilation allows you to set the temperature. £299, bolle.com
Ski goggles have come on in recent years, says Jamie Carter on TechRadar. They are no longer just a dull necessity that cut down on your peripheral vision. Vanguards ski goggles from SunGod are the best you can buy, maximising field of view while protecting your eyes from snow, wind and harmful UV rays. You can choose the colour of the super-slim frame and strap, and from eight different goggle lenses. Each varies slightly according to the visual light transmission (VLT) – the amount of light a lens allows to pass through. £110, sungod.co
“Comfortable ski boots are an absolutely top priority on the slopes,” says Ruth Doherty in the Daily Mirror. Owning your own pair is the only way to guarantee comfort for your feet. These Salomon S/Pro 80 W ski boots for women “are designed with your morphology in mind, providing easy step-in and a seamless liner for uncompromised performance and comfort all day”. The S/Pro 80 is also available for men. £270, snowandrock.com
“Swedish label Haglöfs has established itself as a big name in outerwear,” says Men’s Fitness magazine. Its Nengal 3L Proof parka has been developed with free skiing in mind. As such, it includes a helmet compatible hood, sleeve pocket, ventilation and zip-off snow skirt. It’s made from high-performing fabric that gives breathability and high levels of protection from the elements. It even has a built-in Recco Reflector, which makes it easier for mountain rescuers to find you in the event of emergency. £420, haglofs.com
The 1980s are cool again and that means eye-catching all-in-one snow suits are back in fashion. But the 1980s feel only goes as deep as the nostalgia. The latest technologies in “fit, function and fabrication” have been used to make modern snow suits “water-repellent, breathable and moisture-wicking”, says Ellie Davis in the Evening Standard (that is, they draw moisture away from the skin). The JC De Castelbajac Women’s Wari Ski Suit from Rossignol has been designed with well-known French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. “Playful pops of colour” combine “high-performance with high-fashion”. £1,000, rossignol.com