Völkl Karma ($650):
Skis or snowboards? Decisions, decisions. Thing is, snowkiters can go either way. But remember that skis are easier on snowkiting's steep learning curve. To wit: you can retrieve your kite on skis without having to step out of your bindings. And with the good vibes positively overflowing from the Karma, a new ski that blends all-mountain performance with the agility of a terrain-park huckster, you have a versatile do-anything companion for speed or big-air showboating. Logging lengths of 169, 177, and 185 centimeters, the Karma features Völkl's vaunted Sensor Wood core. The company's own Double Grip construction is yet another techie advancement in which the ski is designed with a dual-chamber arrangement that doubles the height of the material above the ski edge for more support—and biting grip—through the turn. Speaking of turns, the 119/87/111 sidecut and twin-tip design adds up to major front 'n' back maneuverability and powder-floating finesse, while still packing enough cruising capability for long GS-style arcs. Contact 800-264-4579, www.volkl.com.
