Ski Checklist

Our field-tested list of ski essentials this season …

Hitting the slopes? It’s a well established fact that getting ‘all the gear’ is half the fun — so we’ve just updated our annual guide to mountain must-haves. We stopped short of recommending “avy gear”. But we reckon, if you know what that means, you’ll already have it.

1. Black Crows Viator Skis
   These are the ultimate all-purpose skis. With a medium camber and classic double rocker — we won’t even suggest you don’t know the meaning of these terms — they’re as well-suited to piste-ing as they are to free-riding.
2. Poc Auric Cut Communication Helmet
   Ever dropped gloves/phone/sunglasses while attempting a phone-call on a chairlift? Course you have. The built-in speakers and mic of Poc’s helmet will make your life that bit less risky. You stay permanently plugged in. And you’ll enjoy a better sound-quality while listening to tunes on the slopes.
3. Mountain (PG)
   This documentary about man’s obsession with mountains splices antique footage with jaw-dropping new shots, which showcase the world’s most dizzying peaks and the insane games people play on them. Part-poem. Part-history lesson. All awe-inspiring.
4. Dark Navy Bulletproofs
   There’s no escaping it — your selvedge denim isn’t exactly ‘all-weather’. The nanotech in our stretch-cotton Bulletproofs makes them impressively slush resistant. A no-brainer.
5. Celestron Elements Thermocharge
   This useful *gizmo* doubles as a hand-warmer and phone-charger. Now we know you’re not the kind of guy who uses a hand-warmer. You’re made of sterner stuff. But you can always offer it to your other half, if the need arises. And the phone-charger function can be a life-saver. Literally.
6. Smith Ski Goggles
   Smith’s top goggle right now, this IO/X offers fantastic field of view and comes in a range of lens flavours that pop easily in and out
7. Sorel Caribou Wool Boots
   When it comes to strolling around town, your Adidas Gazelles aren’t going to cut it. The lower part of Sorel’s boots is encased in vulcanised rubber. The upper part is waterproof leather. And there’s a thick wool inner boot to keep your toes warm. They’re like armour for your feet.
8. GoPro HERO6 Camera
   Nothing shows up the limitations of your camera phone like mountain scenery. The GoPro will do it justice. This latest version has much better image stabilisation than its forbears. It also has hands-free control, so you can activate it with voice commands while skiing. And there’s (finally) a proper low-light mode for capturing the splendour of your apres-ski dance moves.
9. Dakine Poacher Backpack
   One for serious off-pisters, this — a medium-size backpack designed for anyone taking the road less travelled. It has a fleece-lined pocket for your goggles. There are straps for attaching your skis or snowboard for longer hikes. And yes, there’s even a special compartment for your avy gear.