Gallery: Wired's Favorite Ski Gear From the CES of Snow Sports
01giro-combyn
The SIA Snow Show is the CES for people who play in the snow; it's the place to see the latest gear, from featherweight boots to ultra-breathable insulated jackets and tiny two-way radios that will let people [find you when it all goes bad](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/2013/01/avalanche-safety-class/). We found ourselves constantly fighting the urge to walk off with one lustworthy bit of kit after another while wandering past more than 900 exhibitors when the show hit Denver last week. Here are six of the coolest products that have us eating Ramen to save the money we’ll need to buy them when [the next ski season](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/winter-camp-2012/) starts. Giro Combyn ----------- Most helmets are done after one brain-rattling hit. Hit your noggin trying to nail that 1080 in the half-pipe and you’re throwing your helmet away once you’ve recovered from the concussion. The Giro Combyn may change that. Giro won't go as far to say you’ll never have to replace your brain bucket, but it claims the Combyn passes the industry standard impact test again, again and again. The patented impact-absorbing soft foam liner features vinyl nitrile. That means it has more “give” than conventional helmets, which means it shouldn’t deteriorate even after taking a few hits. The vinyl nitrile foam is paired with a softshell outer layer originally developed for hockey and football, where multiple impacts are the norm. $120. Available in August.
02polartec-alpha
Polartec Alpha -------------- Polartec Alpha was originally developed for the badasses of the U.S. Special Operations Forces, but it’s cooler still because it’s a "puffy" layer that's breathable. Being in the snow for any amount of time usually means wearing puffy insulated jackets made of down or synthetic material. They provide unmatched warmth and are great for when you're standing around belaying an ice climber or drinking beers after a day on the slopes. But we hesitate to use them any time we might work up a sweat because they trap in moisture. The problem is the loose insulating material is sandwiched between tightly woven fabrics. That’s good for heat retention but bad for breathability. Alpha uses synthetic insulation that's knit together and doesn’t need such tight fabrics around it. This means garment manufacturers can use more breathable materials on the outer and inner layers of your jackets. It’s a game changer because we can now depend on that puffy kind of warmth while we're out being active. Marmot Isotherm jacket with Polartec Alpha: $200 Available fall 2013.
03dynafit-beast-16
Dynafit Beast 16 ---------------- Dynafit has created the MacBook Air of bindings — super light, remarkably strong and something everyone will try to copy. The company is known for their featherweight and innovative alpine touring (AT) bindings, and the Beast 16 is a big step forward. It maintains many of the lightweight designs of Dynafit’s other bindings and adds a DIN value of 16. That means it grips your boot like a baby grips a rattle. Oh sure. There are other bindings that promise that kind of grip. But those setups have binding plates that connect the toe and heal pieces, adding weight and affecting the flex of the ski. The Beast 16s have independent toe and heel pieces, which means they only weigh 1,870 grams per pair (nearly a 1,000 grams lighter than the competition) and they allow the ski to flex the way it's supposed to. It's a safe bet you’ll see these bindings on a lot of skis as skiers continue exploring the back country and all the gnarly terrain it has to offer. $1,000. Available this fall.
04la-sportiva-spectre
La Sportiva Spectre ------------------- The Spectre's claim to fame is it’s the lightest four-buckle [ski boot](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/2012/11/winter-camp-ski-boots/) on the market. At just over three pounds apiece, these babies are light enough to toss around like a football. Really. This is good news for skiers who want to ditch the crowds and hit the backcountry. No one wants to haul heavy boots up ski tracks at 12,000 feet. But don't let the lightness fool you. Four buckles make these boots plenty stiff, so you’ll have no problem whipping your skis through the epic powder you hiked so far to find. The slick “walk mode” provides ample flex, which means a lot more range of motion when you’re climbing toward the freshies. Think about it this way. Instead of wearing a regular boot that might feel like a 2-by-4 around your foot, these will feel more like a hiking boot. $599. Available this fall.
05backcountry-access-bc-link
Backcountry Access BC Link -------------------------- Of all the things you must do to stay safe in the backcountry, communication is paramount. Having your buddy shouting against the wind to warn you about that mini avalanche he triggered is [a recipe for disaster](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/2013/01/avalanche-safety-class/). This is why the new Backcountry Access BC Link is a useful piece of equipment. At first blush, it’s just another integrated two-way UHF radio. What makes it stand out is its design. Built specifically for the backcountry, it has a base unit that stores into your backpack and an easy-access mic that fits onto your shoulder strap. All of the controls are on your mic. This is important, because you can do things like change channels and watch the battery power without having to take your bag off and fumble around with the base. All together it weighs just half a pound and it's plenty small. The mic is 3.25 by 1.5 by 2.5 inches and the base is 2 by 1 by 6 inches. Biggest advantage? You’ll spend less time messing with your radio and more time staying safe. $175. Available in September.
06rossignol-7-series
Rossignol Soul 7 ---------------- Manufacturers are playing with a lot of technologies to make skis strong enough to [rip through power](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/tag/skiing/), stable enough to [ski packed snow](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/tag/skiing/) and light enough to haul up a mountain on your back. We, the consumers, want one ski that does it all. Enter the Soul 7 from Rossignol. The patented air-honeycomb design in the tip provides a significantly reduced swing weight, so you can whip them around faster. With a Paulownia wood core, they are supposed to be 20 percent lighter than similarly sized skis. All this means you won't hate yourself for hauling it into the backcountry, nor will you have any problems guiding the skis around when you're ripping powder stashes in the trees. Lindsey Vonn won't be skiing these in the Olympics (after she recovers) because they're not meant to go Mach 2 down the ice. But if you're looking for a ski that kicks ass almost everywhere else, Rossignol says it has the answer. $800. Available later this year.
