The new ski measures 136/106/126, and comes in sizes 162, 174, 180, and 188. If you are in between sizes, we recommend sizing up slightly on rocker skis, as there’s less board-to-snow contact. Turn radius is 17 mm, which means the ski is nimble enough to handle the bumps.  We’ll test the ski this spring and report back, but word is that its noticeably calm and stable at high speeds, and “super playful.”

There’s a lot of talk about timeless designs, but the Alpha Jacket blends state-of-the-art technology with a classic alpine ski profile. I’ve worn it for 25-plus days on Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor in weather down to -3 degrees and always felt like I was a warm island floating in the cold. The jacket packs a lot of warmth in a relatively light package. Nine circular down pouches in the back provide heat where you need it the most (on your shoulders and lower back) and eliminate the need for the excessive layers that not only restrict movement, but reduce overall insulative quality. Helly’s designers were inspired by backpacks that utilize mesh for venting—two long vertical hidden zippers from the shoulder blades to the hip let you vent on hot days—seal them off for ultimate warmth. There’s also mesh on the stretch cuff gaiters. Reinforced thumb holes are just right—big enough to slide you thumb in without restriction, but not so big that they bunch up when not engaged. Durable waterproof/breathable fabric has two-ways stretch with the feel and dynamic stretch of a soft shell coupled with the storm-thwarting weatherproofing that is Helly’s signature feature. This is a warm jacket—but the breathability, ergonomically-friendly design, and venting make it transcend super cold winter days to spring skiing. Primo features include discreet, dense foam patches on the shoulders for cushioning a pack, a tuck-away powder skirt, giant hand-warmer pockets with soft microfleece linings, and two inside zip chest pockets—one with a washable goggle cloth.
-John Bouchard

Products like the new men’s and women’s Thermostatic Jacket ($200, oictured left) make use of their new Thermal.Q technology, a proprietary, synthetic insulation that uses a down-inspired matrix of rigid stems and soft fibers to create a ridiculously light, ten-ounce jacket that’s very packable. Once for ounce, Termal.Q is 20 percent warmer than other synthetic insulation, it dries fast, and the jacket itself has a sly street-friendly fashion sense which makes it a good go-to for traveling in colder climes. The Snowtastic 3L Jacket ($550, pictured right), meanwhile, ups the ante for female skiers, with waterproof-breathable fabric treated with Dry.Q Elite technology to help vent excess heat when skinning while still keeping you dry and warm when riding the lift. The men’s Compulsion 3L Jacket ($650) stands as the male counterpart to the Snowtastic, with a soft, comfortable three-layer face with Dry.Q waterproof breathability, pack-compatible pockets, and a removable powder skirt. Mountain Hardwear will also start working with merino wool in fall 2013 with base layers like the Integral LS Zip T ($88), made of a wool/polypropylene blend that wicks, dries quickly, and keeps you warm when you’re wet or dry—and it’s machine washable.

OutDry waterproofing (a technology MH shares with Columbia) pairs with Q.Shield insulation in the Snowrilla Glove ($110), a warm, fashion-forward everyday ski/winter glove made of hybrid leather and a cordura palm.  MH is also stepping up their game with winter-specific packs. The Snowtastic 18 ($100) fulfills the need for short back- and sidecountry trips, with 1,100 cubic inches of storage for safety gear, a hydration sleeve, and a single piece of connected weaving to carry your skis diagonally—one of the most secure ski-carrying systems we’ve seen.  For all-day backcountry tours, step up to the Powzilla 30 ($190). This ABS Base Unit-compatible pack (the “avalanche airbag” made by various third-party vendors) has a zip-off back panel so can access the pack interior without removing your skis or board from the pack, the same continuous webbing found in the Snowtastic, a hydration sleeve, big compression wings, and plenty of room for your shovel, probe, extra layers, and food.

www.stanley-pmi.com
We honestly didn’t think that Stanley—who’s been making great food and beverage containers since 1913—could improve upon their Classic Flask. But they proved us wrong. This spring, be sure to save a Jackson for their new eCycle Flask.

This eight-ounce container is made from recycled (and recyclable) plastic, and it boasts two lids—an attached bottle-style screw-top, and a large hinge top. The latter open the top wide for a thorough cleaning, so you can use this flask for any variety of drink (mixed or straight, non-alcoholic or otherwise) without worrying about lingering tastes or smells. The dishwasher-safe flask is also leak-proof. Better still, thanks to the wide-mouth opening, you can also use this flask as a makeshift dry box for your various electronic must-haves….

This year seemed to be more focused on refining those technology, dialing in the fit and function of the pieces of apparel that use that technology in new and interesting ways.  Columbia Sportswear, for example, continues to use its proprietary Out Dry waterproof/breathable laminate and Omni-Heat reflective lining (which bounces the body heat back at you to provide furnace-like warmth), but their fall 2013 product takes a more trim, athletic fit.  The Millenium Flash jacket ($330; pictured left) demonstrates this approach, employing internal stretch panels for a more snug fit along with a bevy of winter-friendly features like a removable powder skirt, a helmet-compatible hood, and a media and ski pass pocket.  Outdoor Research also follows this trend in fall 2013 with products like the Floodlight jacket ($375), which uses 800-fill insulation in a Gore-Tex shell. Merino wool experts Icebreaker, meanwhile, will modify the fit of their travel-friendly line to be less form-fitting and more relaxed.  They’re also continuing to branch out into making hybrid products like soft shell jackets with merino wool lining.

All of which isn’t to say that there wasn’t anything new and shiny. Gore-Tex announced its new Gore Tex Pro waterproof-breathable laminate. Same name, different technology, delivering about 20 percent more breathability and a lot more durability than its predecessor—we’re looking forward to putting those new jackets and gloves to the test.  And, perhaps the biggest news of them all, Black Diamond introduced their first apparel line. The SLC-based mountaineering and backcountry ski company has long been one of the industry leaders in terms of innovation and style, and their new jackets, pants, and base layers look to have followed in that tradition.  Working with three established textile manufacturers, they’ve unveiled products that use NanoSphere Schoeller, Primaloft, and Polartech.  The Access Hybrid Hoody ($249; pictured right) is exemplary: the nylon shell uses 60 grams of Primaloft insulation and Schoeller stretch-woven nylon side panels with mountaineering friendly details like a close-fitting, helmet-compatible hood, two zippered hand pockets, stretch-gusset cuffs, and a drawcord hem, weighing in at just under a fairly feathery 18 ounces.

Other innovations—smart uses of synthetic down by Mountain Hardwear, Arc’Teryx, and The North Face, new bursts of color from Blundstone, GPS and heads-up-display ski goggles from Smith Optics, and new ski boots from K2 and Scarpa—still have us reeling, trying to absorb all the stuff that’ll clog the shelves come fall 2013.  So, over the next few weeks, we’ll offer a wrap-up of the stuff that got us excited. Stay tuned…