SkiNet

Pieps Freeride Beacon

$200; pieps.com
Pieps thinks a $400 beacon is a big enough impediment to make casual backcountry skiers roll the dice. So they brought us the Freeride, a single-antenna beacon with a digital readout that’s half the price of others. It works on flux lines, which takes a little more practice to learn, but when you have it, you’re golden. —Jake Bogoch, Editor, Skiing Magazine

Völkl Kiku Skis

$825; volkl.com
There’s a reason why freeskier Ingrid Backstrom chose Völkl’s Gotama: the ski could handle her power and stomp the landings she needed it to. This year, Völkl smartened up and delivered ripper girls a big-mountain ski to call their own. The Kiku, at 105 millimeters underfoot and stiff as an ironing board, has similar dimensions to the Gotama’s but is built a touch softer. —Megan Michelson, Associate Editor, Skiing Magazine

Head Raptor 120 RS Ski Boots

$910; head.com
I like my boots short on frills and long on performance. Which is why the Raptor 120, during its debut season in 2007–2008, became an instant favorite. A low-volume shell means your feet won’t slosh around and squander precious power. Big, microadjustable buckles are easy to clasp, and a pulleylike power strap snugs the upper cuff nicely. For power, sensitivity, and speed, these boots have few peers. —Sam Bass, Senior Editor, Skiing Magazine

There’s No Shame in Snowboarding

Lib Tech Skate Banana-BTX; $470; lib-tech.com

Darn Tough Ski Socks

$20; darntough.com
In Vermont in February, it rains, drops to 30 below, and then pukes three inches. You have to be tough to be a skier there. Socks made in the Green Mountain state have to be hardy too. Vermont’s merino-wool Darn Toughs endure the cold, wick moisture, and are comfy in ski boots. —Ryland Mauck-Duff, Contributor, Skiing Magazine

Adventure Medical Kits Thermo-Lite 2.0 Bivvy

$34; adventuremedicalkits.com
Backcountry skiing is great until a storm blows in, temps drop, and you’re stuck overnight in a snow cave. Carry this 6.9-ounce bivy in your pack and it just may save your life. —Ryland Mauck-Duff, Contributor, Skiing Magazine

Beal Rando Rope

$60; bdel.com
Watching your partner drop into a crevasse is scary and pulling him out is even scarier. Beal’s Rando rope is light, weather-resistant, and long enough to pluck your buddy out. Or use it to rope up in glaciated terrain. —Ryland Mauck-Duff, Contributor, Skiing Magazine

Patagonia Primo Down Jacket

$600; patagonia.com
The Primo Down is as warm as a sleeping bag, is completely waterproof, and won’t make you look like the Michelin Man. Thanks to recycled materials, it may even help curb global warming. If it doesn’t, the bright orange quilting will look great 10 years from now on the beach…in Montana. —Niall Bouzon, Assistant Photo Editor, Skiing Magazine

Gitzo Mountaineer Series 1 GT1541 Tripod

$775; gitzo.com
When your pack tips the airport scales at 45 pounds, the last thing you want to do is add a tripod—unless it’s this superlight carbon-fiber one with a magnesium ball head. It’s so stable, it’s as if it were built for ski photography, even though it’s not. —Niall Bouzon, Assistant Photo Editor, Skiing Magazine

Black Diamond Alpine Bod Harness

$35; bdel.com
This low-profile harness has quick-dry nylon webbing for wet rappels. Slip it off even when wearing ski boots. You can adjust the leg loops according to your layering and clip your ice screws, carabiners, prussiks, and rappel devices to the four gear loops. —Ryland Mauck-Duff, Contributor, Skiing Magazine