The Best Snow Gear for Spring Skiing
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Yes, we know—many of you have already gotten in a few good snow days over winter break or when storms rolled in. But now is still a great time to upgrade some of your gear, if you busted it over Christmas or if you have plans for balmy spring skiing. It's also prime time for end-of-season sales. We trekked up to the Cascade Range outside of Portland, Oregon, with a truck full of gear to test out some of the best and brightest (literally) of this year's crop of jackets, bibs, helmets, gloves, boots, and bindings.
We've listed our favorites below. Don't see anything you like? Check out our guides of the Best Rain Jackets, Best Running Gear, and Best Fitness Trackers for more.
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- Photograph: Amazon
Magnetic Face Protector
Seirus Magnamask Combo ClavaSometimes the simplest gear is the most revolutionary, or at least that’s how we both felt about Seirus’ magnetic ski mask, which can be quickly popped on and off your face using magnetic seams. It’s utterly magnificent, taking less than a second to pop perfectly in place when you need it, and saving your face from windburn (and sunburn) on the lift and the slopes.—Parker Hall
- Photograph: Outdoor Research
Grippy Gloves
Outdoor Research Inception Aerogel GlovesFor warmer days, I like these grippy, phone-friendly Inception Aerogel Gloves, which come stuffed with aerogel—a NASA-invented insulator—in the palms. They are easy to get on and off, and a three-layer nylon-spandex blend makes them stretchy and abrasion-resistant. The slim profile of the gloves makes them very easy to stuff in pockets during lunch breaks as well as dexterous for snow gloves; I didn’t have to take them off to adjust my helmet or snap a selfie.—Parker Hall
- Photograph: Jabra
Best Buds
Jabra Elite Active 75TAn excellent “hear through” mode and simple push-button controls make Jabra’s Elite Active 75t a perfect go-to for those with warm hats and helmets over their ears. Also great is the company’s two-year warranty against sweat and water damage (the Elite Active 75t are IP57 rated, for dust and water resistance). They’re also extremely comfortable and sound great, providing the right amount of sonic energy to power you through your turns.—Parker Hall
- Photograph: Smith
Brain Trust
Smith Optics Level HelmetA good snow helmet is relatively easy to find these days, but a particular standout for me in terms of usability is the Smith Level. It has a very clever clasping system on the back that makes attaching goggles a breeze, and a big, easy-to-reach switch on the top of the helmet opens air vents for when you need to let off steam. Also great is the inclusion of MIPS technology (popular among bike helmets), which provides extra protection for your noggin.—Parker Hall
- Photograph: Sarah Wärting/Houdini Sportswear
Winter Warmer
Houdini Sportswear The Cloud JacketOkay, I didn't take this jacket skiing but it is my favorite piece of winter gear that I've tested this year. Houdini is known for its versatile, sustainable outerwear designs and the Cloud is no exception. The Cloud is a wearable, packable, mutable down sleeping bag that's made from recycled polyester and recycled PrimaLoft Silver Eco insulation, with a fluorocarbon-free DWR finish.
You can tuck the hood into the collar, unbutton the front panel to turn it into a down blanket or roll it up to use as a pillow. I've been using it to pad around my house and play video games, but I would also bring it on a ski road trip to stay warm if we accidentally slid into a snowbank.—Adrienne So
- Photograph: Trew
Backcountry Bibs
Trew Capow BibPacific Northwest ski nerds swear by the Trewth, Portland-based ski outfitter Trew’s most popular bell-bottomed bibs, but I actually like the slimmer fit and lighter weight of the Capow—the company’s more backcountry option. They feel durable, warm, and have a hefty amount of protection on the bottom part of the pants, where boots and things can slowly rub you into a new pair of bibs. I also like the big zippered cargo pockets, which are easy to access on the lift or when slogging uphill for your next untouched powder run.—Parker Hall
It's worth noting that I tried the Trew women's Chariot bib and did not like the slim cut! The legs are also too slim to fit over my snowboard boots. I switched back to my trusty Patagonia Snowbelle pants after a few runs.—Adrienne So
- Photograph: Smith Optics
Best Goggles
Smith Optics 4D Mag GogglesGoggles might be the most important piece of ski gear—no matter how well-equipped you are otherwise, it's hard to have fun if you can't see. Smith's lenses are the industry leaders, and this year they debuted the 4D Mag. The lenses have an extra little curve below the bottom and top of the lens to increase your field of vision, and they attach securely via easy magnetic clips. The goggles also have Smith's proprietary ChromaPop tech, which provides brighter color contrast. When the sky abruptly darkened post-lunch, I raced back to the truck screaming, "I can still see! I can still see!"—Adrienne So
- Photograph: Burton
Best Bindings Upgrade
Burton Step On BindingsStep-on bindings have traditionally sacrificed stability for ease of use. But Burton's Step Ons are surprisingly secure and stable, which may be why they're always out of stock! I finally got to try them this year. The combination of Burton's warm Limelight boots with the quick and easy Boa Coiler tightening system, and the new Step On bindings, was a game-changer. Every time I got off the lift, I clicked into my board and wondered what to do with the new extra 5 minutes.
However, the folks in the ski shop did warn me that they spend a significant amount of time cutting the snow pants off small children who get caught in these bindings. Make sure you keep your pants tucked into the pant clip on the boots. Watch your pants!—Adrienne So
- Photograph: Mammut
Best Backpack
Mammut Nirvana 15L Freeride BackpackDisclosure: The Nirvana pack is actually too long for my 5-foot-2 torso. But Mammut makes the best avalanche packs, and their freeride pack isn't far behind. It's low-profile and minimalist, which means it leaves plenty of room for you to sit on the lift. It fit my Camelbak hydration reservoir and has a nifty molded compartment for your goggles, if you, like me, tend to scratch and bang those up when you eat lunch. It also has straps for your skis and accommodations for avalanche safety equipment, if you decide to take a quick detour in the backcountry.—Adrienne So
- Photograph: SmartWool
Best Base Layer
SmartWool Intraknit Merino 200 Crew Base LayerI've written about Smartwool's merino wool Intraknit base layer before, but I still reach for the crew top whenever I'm planning an intense, outdoor, aerobic activity. I wear it while snowboarding, running, and hiking with my dog. It's light and stretchy and has articulated, gender-specific ventilation zones that ensure that I don't get too sweaty. I wore it in below-freezing temps with a hoodie and was warm even when riding on the lift.—Adrienne So
- Photograph: Suunto
Best Fitness Tracker
Suunto Suunto 7My most mountain-y friends love Suunto GPS watches for their long battery life and capable hardware, but I shied away from them because it was so hard to figure out whether to use the glitchy, incomprehensible Suunto app, or Movescount, or connect to Strava, or just give up and switch to another watch. That has all changed—this year, Suunto combined their top-of-the-line sensors with the convenience of Google's Wear OS. It's easier than ever to collect granular data on your backcountry skiing, curling, or ice skating, and now you can actually see it. For the first time, I like using a Suunto watch.—Adrienne So
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