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From Away.com

Skiing & Snowboard Gear
The 21st-Century Skier
Technology has merged with the stalwarts of fashion and function in ways you’ve never imagined. Whether you prefer the backcountry, the terrain park, or the slopes at the nearest five-star resort, the future of snow-sport apparel and accessories is here.

By Nathan Borchelt

Intro/Jackets | Helmet & Goggles | Mp3 Players | Digital Cameras

skiing snowboarding gear
I Ski the Gear Electric: Welcome to the new horizon (Eyewire)
In those heady pre-Millennial days, the year 2000 was supposed to bring hover cars, transporters, conveyer-belt dog walkers, insta-dressing machines, and all the other accoutrements of the Jetsons' universe. Now that we're older and (a bit) wiser, we know better. Still, looking at the advances made in the realm of outdoor ski gear, it's clear: we're well-equipped for a brave new tomorrow. We may not be able to beam you up to the bowls of Arapahoe Basin, but skiers and groms with a techie bent still have plenty to keep themselves wired to the modern world.

Marmot Phenomenon EL Jacket
JACKETS
Step Into the Light
Introducing the Phenomenon EL Jacket ($750; www.marmot.com), Marmot's entry into the oddball and inventive unveiled in the fall of 2004, a bombproof Gore-Tex XCR waterproof-breathable shell with a series of electroluminescent panels interwoven into the garment. Four AAA batteries power five flexible light panels—including one in each sleeve at the forearm and one on the hood—that can glow for up to 12 hours at full burn, and twice that when in flash mode. This advance is a godsend for mountain guides and ski patrollers—and may help those saintly professionals find you should you take
365-Day Dreamin'
Enduring the wait after the last run of the season just got a little bit easier, thanks to www.Tramdock.com, the first retail site devoted exclusively to skiing. Alpine, tele, nordic…whatever your passion, Tramdock.com has the latest gear at good prices, 365 days a year.
an unplanned plunge into out-of-bounds territory. Just hit the button and the jacket becomes a flashing homing beacon. The EL also has the expected Marmot jacket trappings, including a hood, pit zips, an inside water bottle cargo pocket, and a draw-cord hem. Most weekend warriors will likely spend more time showing off the jacket's function over actually using the EL panels in the wild. But then, ain't that half the fun?

Nike ACG 3L Commjacket
You Can Hear Me Now
For backcountry enthusiasts and heli-ski fanatics familiar with the struggle of managing two ski poles and a transmitter (or for the resort-hound tired of juggling a two-way radio), Nike ACG has brought the hands-free philosophy to the slopes. The 3L Commjacket ($500; www.nike.com/acg) has a directional speaker embedded in the hood, a mic near the mouth, and a two-way radio in an inside chest pocket that's attached to a push-to-talk button on the outside of the garment for zipped-up, gloved control. You can also swap out the Motorola two-way for compatible cell phones via the cable adaptor. The three-layer Gore-Tex XCR is fully waterproof and breathable and also comes equipped with an interior goggle pocket and a nylon-taffeta powder skirt treated with a poly coating. It's also likely the only jacket that comes with an instructional CD ROM.



Next Page: Helmet & Goggles

 
Intro/Jackets | Helmet & Goggles | Mp3 Players | Digital Cameras


Nathan Borchelt is the lead editor for Away.com
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