Gear Favorites of 2010
Black Diamond Revelation Avalung
The perfect all around ski and mountaineering pack, the Revelation features a top loading design with plenty of room for stuff for a day or two in the backcountry. Designed to carry skis A-frame style. The exterior zip pocket is designed to carry your shovel and probe for quick and easy access. Additional features include a tuck-away helmet sling, crampon patch and insulated hydration pocket.
The built in Avalung system provides precious oxygen and increases your chance of survival in the event of a burial from avalanche. $260 blackdiamondequipment.com
Petzl Tikka 2 Core Headlamp
An alpine start or a slog back to the yurt in the nighttime darkness? No problem with the Tikka 2 headlamp, the mainstay of Petzl’s headlamp arsenal. Three lighting modes, maximum, economic and strobe provide light for any situation via the Core battery system. The Lithium Ion Polymer rechargeable battery system can be charged 300 times, and is the equivalent to 900 aaa batteries.
The OS by Petzl software system allows you to customize the brightness and charge of the battery via a USB charging cable. The free software is also used to determine the type of lighting, when regulated the light remains constant, when unregulated the light progressively diminishes to prolong battery life. $110 petzl.com
Patagonia Talus Hoody, R1 Fleece Hoody and Alpine Guide Pant.
I found this combination to work well for a wide range of skiing conditions. Windproof protection is a necessity when skiing in the Wasatch, or anywhere for that matter, and the Talus ($279) delivers. 
A dense polyester fleece liner is bonded to a 4-way-stretch Polartec® Windbloc® shell for protection from the wind and cold, and helmet compatible hood keeps the elements out. Four pockets for carrying extra stuff. The R1 Fleece Hoody ($149)is 
the ideal complement to the Talus providing the right amount off extra warmth for colder days, and syncs nicely with the hood of the Talus to eliminate bulk. An ideal layering piece for any outfit, the R1 has nylon cuffs and hem for easy layering under any garment. It’s highly compressible for easy storage in your pack, and great warmth to weight ratio. The Alpine Guide Pant ($149) is a mainstay of the Patagonia line, and for good reason- they can take a beating and come back for more. Ideal for ski touring, the pants are constructed of midweight poly/spandex blend for freedom of movement. A brushed interior provides next to skin comfort, and a water repellent finish helps keep the soft shell pants dry. A great all-around pant that is equally comfortable on a tour, or on a chilly day of alpine climbing. Patagonia.com
Backcountry Access Float
In an interview with Utah Avalanche Center Bruce Tremper last year, he mentioned that airbags are “by far the most significant technology to come along in my career.” BCA notes that excavation time is the biggest factor to contribute to fatalities, and the technology behind the Float 
is designed to reduce or eliminate burial depth. When deployed in an avalanche situation, the airbag also protects the head, neck and upper body from trauma. The bag fits snugly inside a 30 liter backpack with shovel and probe pockets with easy access, and a diagonal ski carrying system. The airbag system can be easily recharged, much like a paintball gun or scuba system. The Systems adds about 5 pounds to the pack, but it can save your life if caught in an avalanche. $699.99 bcaccess.com
G3 Jam
The Jam fills the spot in Genuine Guide Gear’s ski line previously occupied by the popular Luscious, but with performance improvements. This women’s specific board now features a wider waist (95 mm) and an early rising tip for precise power response and effortless steering. 
The asymmetric cut (125mm tip, 114mm tail) is perfect for the woman who is looking for a mid-fat, one-ski quiver. It rides well in all conditions on a variety of terrain, on or off piste. 3 lengths available. $540 genuineguidegear.com
Patagonia Women’s Down Sweater Special Edition
Wow! Is a common first word when you pick up this down sweater, a ripstop shell that is super lightweight, windproof and translucent. The Special Edition is twice as strong and half the weight of the original down sweater with and contains 900 fill premium goose down. An interior mesh pocket doubles as a stuff sack with a carabiner attachment loop. Super compactable, it should be a mainstay in the backpack, for all conditions, ideal for layering on super cold days. Limited quantities. $250 patagonia.com
Black Diamond Drift Ski
Ideal for backcountry powder skiing, the Drift features a semi-rockered tip for easy turn initiation in soft snow, and a tight 100mm waist for easy climbing on the up track.
Constructed with lightweight wood core and torsion box design, the drift also incorporates carbon fiber reinforcements for maximum torsional stiffness. Perfect for racking up big vertical days in the powder. 3 lengths available. $659 blackdiamondequipment.com
Tram Bars
There used to be a Tram Bar at Snowbird (now Tram Club), a great spot to ‘refuel’ after a long day of skiing. These Tram Bars are dedicated to another great lift- the Jackson Hole tram, and are great for refueling on the go. A highly palatable combination that includes rolled oats, honey, milk chocolate, peanut butter and other organic ingredients. The taste and texture is a welcome snack in your backpack, whether skiing, riding or hiking, you’ll want to stock up on some. Crunchy, chewy, sweet and salty. They go fast. $21 for 6 bars. Katesrealfood.com
Rab Vapour Rise Lite Tour Jacket, and Infinity Jacket
Rab is a clothing line that you’ll be seeing more of. According to the company, they build clothes for “The most extreme conditions in the world.” Indeed- on first inspection the quality is top-notch, the fit is comfortable, and when tested the performance is excellent. The Vapour Rise ($140) is a great mid-weight jacket that is ideal for most conditions found throughout the Rockies. Light enough for warm days, and with great protection as an outer jacket with layers underneath on those cold stormy days. A perfect balance of wind protection, warmth and breathability, and a wicking micro fleece inner lining keeps you dry. Pit zips for extra ventilation, 2 chest pockets and fixed hood complete a bomber all- around shell. 
A down puffy coat is essential equipment for anyone who spends time in the mountains; they are light, warm, and easy to pack. The Rab Infinity ($280) is the nicest one we’ve seen lately, and there are a lot of ‘em. The outer shell is made of ripstop Pertex Quantum, a durable, yet ultra-lightweight nylon that allows for high loft and warmth, perhaps the lightest downproof fabric made. Available in both men’s and women’s sizes, both are stuffed with with high quality 850 fill European white down. For a weight to warmth ratio, the Infinity is a winner. 2 handwarmer pockets, stitch through baffle construction, and a fixed, insulated hood. Comes with a stuff sack, and is perfect for any cold weather endeavor. Us.rab.uk.com
Thule Rolling Duffel
We trust some of our most expensive toys to companies like Thule; they carry our bikes, skis, snowboards and kayaks on our cars, so it’s a logical extension for them to make a product to carry the rest of our gear. With their new line of luggage and bags, the quality comes through again in the construction and details. The Rolling Duffel is available in 2 sizes, and the 56 liter we tested is perfect for a weekend ski trip. Bomber hardware for the wheels and the telescoping handle, plenty of space for clothing and boots, compression straps, and a divided main compartment to keep clean from dirty, wet from dry. A crush proof compartment is perfect for goggles and eyewear. $289 thule.com
Scarpa T2 Eco
The T2 has been a mainstay in the Scarpa line for years; the boot is renowned for a good fit, top quality, and excellent foot to ski power transfer in a lightweight and comfortable package. With the T2 Eco, the boot progresses yet again.
The shell is made with recycled Pebax Rnew, so the green color choice is obvious. Smooth, progressive flexing, and a good snug fit thanks to a 3 buckle design coupled with an even flexing bellows lets you drive any ski with confidence, yet they are light enough to keep you going for extra laps on that big powder day. A heat moldable intuition liner gives a snug, toasty fit. Men’s and women’s sizing. $599 scarpa.com
GoLite Demaree Canyon Jacket
A semi-fitted jacket that is perfect as an insulating layer, the contour of the side panels of the Demaree Canyon wear well under a shell without bulking up. A lightweight Pertex Microlight Eco fabric supports the 800 fill down stuffed inside. The Pertex fabric is one of the lightest and softest shell fabrics available, and is made from recycled polyester yarns, utilizing both post consumer and post industrial waste. The poly lining of the Demaree uses GoLites Tier 1 recycled polyester, which meets the same standards as non- recycled fabric. Superior warmth without bulk, men’s and women’s sizes. $200 golite.com 
GoLite Wind River Softshell Jacket and Pant
This is a perfect combo for high aerobic activities in cold weather, such as backcountry skiing-high breathability, water resistance, and outstanding range of motion. Made of 92% recycled polyester, GoLite is an industry leader in the use of recycled fabric. The Wind River Jacket ($175) and Pant ($200) both have added reinforcement in high abrasion areas, and soft brushed back fabric throughout. Articulated wrists for the jacket and knees for the pant and the pant also has removable suspenders. Layer the Demaree jacket underneath for cold days, or perfect by themselves for a typical bluebird day in the powder, warm on the down, no overheating on the way up. Golite.com
