Downhill…Over the Edge
Amanda is wearing: Smith Optics Hustle Helmet ($120; www.smithoptics.com); REI Double Diamond Ski Pack ($119; www.rei.com); Eddie Bauer First Ascent Sheba Heli Guide Jacket ($399; www.eddiebauer.com); Marmot Women’s Lightweight Crew L/S ($45; www.marmot.com); Outdoor Research Alit Gloves ($150; www.outdoorresearch.com); Columbia Women’s Back It Up Pant ($150; www.columbia.com); Point 6 Women’s Snow Ski Light Sock ($21; www.point6.com); and skiing with: Goode Pure Carbon Lite 10.4 Poles ($120; www.goode.com); Dynafit Gaia TF-X Women’s Boot ($670; www.dynafit.com); Marker Baron Binding ($445; www.markerusa.com); Rossignol S 110 W Skis ($800; www.rossignol.com).
The Essentials
Brooks-Range Mountaineering Sharktooth Compact Mini-Pro Shovel ($45; www.brooks-range.com)
Aggressive serration on the tempered aluminum blade, a telescoping shaft, and a handy D-grip help make every stroke of this 31-ounce shovel count when you need it.
Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket ($179; www.patagonia.com)
Made of recycled ripstop and stuffed with Primaloft One, this water-resistant insulator adds warmth without weight and is the perfect packable layer when wet weather threatens— it even stuffs into its own internal pocket.
Brooks-Range Mountaineering Avalanche Probe 240+ Carbon Pro ($92; www.brooks-range.com)
This Kevlar avy probe is lightweight and flexible, but tapered segment ends make for quick deployment and the large head bores a hole big enough to prevent the shaft from freezing inside.
Rossignol S 110 W Skis ($800; www.rossignol.com)
An all-mountian powder ski that’s as hot on deck as it is on the slopes. AmpTek rocker is forgiving and well-suited to all kinds of snow.
Backcountry Access Tracker 2 ($335; www.backcountryaccess.com)
Three antennae make this beacon one of the most accurate available. Easy-to-use, lightweight, and life-saving, it’s an essential for anyone venturing out-of-bounds.
Point 6 Women’s Snow Ski Light Sock ($21; www.point6.com)
Lightly cushioned but with stay-put woven-in features such as a deep heel pocket, Achilles brace, and arch brace, this merino-nylon- spandex blend sock is a versatile weight perfect for varied conditions all season.
Tested: Gloves
Outdoor Research Alti ($150; www.outdoorresearch.com) 4.6 stars out of 5
Perfect for backcountry days when a warming hut or hot chocolate are out of reach. Testers agreed that OR’s Alit is a lotta’ glove, and it delivers on its price-point promise with features that make it as versatile as it is tough. The waterproof shell and rubberized palm of the glove’s outer layer resist abrasion—important for high-altitude rappels or rocky hand-over-hand scrambles—and the three paneled thumb allows dexterity enough to man-handle zippers or and buckles without exposing your fingers. Snow is blocked out by the high cuff and DuoCinch closure system which includes both wrist and forearm straps. There’s even an “idiot strap” so that if you do have to slip one off, you won’t lose it. The PrimaLoft liner stays put inside the glove’s shell, and a thin, fleecy palm pairs well with the PrimaLoft insulation that wraps the back of your hand (and your thumb) without compromising grip. While it’s a little heavy for everyday resort-wear, the glove’s shell on its own serves double-duty as a spring glove, too.
We also liked:
Marmot Women’s Access ($130; www.marmot.com)
“For Triple-Layer Warmth”
Smooth and slim, this retro leather glove is the most natural-feeling and warmest glove we tried. Gore-tex inserts, Dri-Clime linings, and Thermal R insulation.
Black Diamond Guide ($160; www.blackdiamondequipment.com)
“Ultimate Snow Defense”
A pre-shaped curve holds tight so your attention can go to your line. Even better? A snow-stopping gauntlet and near-seamless fit between liner and Gore-Tex shell.
Scott Gore 2-in-1 ($95; www.scott-sports.com)
“For a Quick Switch”
Because conditions (and your needs) change all day, an inner divider lets you choose between added insulation for warmth or more contact with the leather palm for grip.
Kombi Charlotte ($70; www.kombisports.com)
“For the Fashionista”
Wild purple checks and knuckle bedazzles on this basic glove make it a fashion statement, but affordability, moisture resistance, and wicking performance shine through.
Tested: Downhill Boots
Dynafit Gaia TF-X Women ($670; www.dynafit.com) 4.8 stars out of 5
Designed by female athletes, Dynafit’s Gaia boots are a jack of all trades for women who want it all. A triple binding system can be used either with tech fit, alpine, or touring bindings so you can ski the backcountry, sidecountry, or resort without breaking in—or throwing down for—a new pair. At 1,800 grams, it’s one of the lightest boots in its performance bracket, and one of the most aggressive four- bucklers on the market. The inch-plus power strap and overlapping tongue system perform in the steeps and deeps, and skiers have a choice between two cant settings (15 and 21 degrees). The hiking release is smooth and provides good range of motion. It’s also super durable, especially on the sole, so your boots can take a beating as you scramble over rocks en route to backcountry descents. The moldable liner is warm and provides interior boot space ideal for women with mid- to high-volume feet—and muscular calves. Make sure to size correctly; the fit is a bit tighter in this boot than in some of Dynafit’s other models.
We also liked:
Tecnica Viva 100 Airshell ($660; www.tecnicausa.com)
“Fit for a Queen”
Feminine bling on this boot hints at its star quality. Air Shell technology allows a custom fit, and luxury liners balance control with unbelievable comfort.
Scarpa Shaka ($739; www.scarpa.com)
“Backcountry Beauties”
Scarpa’s Shaka boot provides a perfect balance for backcountry Betties who want something light enough for touring but stiff enough for charging. Even with four buckles (five if you count the beefy power strap), the Shakas weigh in at 3 lbs. 10 oz. The Shaka’s PeBax Rnew plastic shell is not only lighter than traditional plastics, but also retains flexibility when the temperatures drop. That means no more starting your day by stuffing warm feet into frozen ski boots when winter camping or on a yurt trip—a task tedious enough to make any of Women’s Adventure’s testers grumpy.
Equipped with tech fittings, the Shaka has good flex range for touring, and the boot’s Intuition liners mean you’re getting the warmest and lightest liner on the market. Scarpa’s long history of making mountain footwear shines through with the boot’s Skywalker Sole—Scarpa’s equivalent of Vibram. This is important when you’re scrambling up a ridgeline to access your shot. With a higher-volume fit, a variety of shapes and sizes of feet will find the Shaka comfortable.
Garmont Hydra ($660; www.garmont.com)
“Because No Two Snow Days are Alike”
Designed with interchangeable soles and tech fittings, the Garmont Hydra is great for advanced skiers who want the ability to shred in-bounds and be aggressive out-of-bounds, too. Use the plastic sole for better fit and more reliable release when you’re on alpine skis and bindings inbounds, and switch to the Vibram sole for scrambling toward the summit of your next ski mountaineering expedition.
Four buckles and a power strap means the Hydra is sturdy enough for the steeps. And at 3-1/2 pounds, its weight is comparable to other all-mountain touring boots on the market. The Hydra’s multi-injected shell—it’s got a lot of moving parts—is stiff, but retains enough flexibility that it’s comfortable on all-day tours and climbs. Intermediate and advanced skiers will love the control the Hydra provides in cruddy snow, steeps, and variable conditions.
Even though the Hydra comes with a moldable liner, its low-volume fit makes it a better boot for skiers with narrow, petite feet. If you’ve got thicker ankles or low calves, they might be a more difficult fit.
Scarpa Gea ($599; www.scarpa.com) “Going the Distance”
For backcountry enthusiasts looking to cover distance, the Gea can’t be beat. One of the lightest boots on the market, the Gea is a 4-buckle boot that weighs in at just 52 ounces! And rather than trading the latest in ultra-light technology with a penalizing blow to your pocket, the Gea is one of the cheaper boots on the market at $599.
For wide, high-volume feet, one drawback is that in an effort to save weight the Gea is a tighter fit than most Scarpas. But on the positive side, the Gea features moldable Intuition Pro Flex G liners, which will help you better fit the boots to your feet. Intuition liners are regarded as not only the lightest, but also the warmest on the market.
Like Scarpa’s Shaka, the Gea also comes with a beefy power strap and is made with PeBax Renew plastic.
The Gea’s increased forward flex is a welcomed modification for Women’s Advenutre testers who love spending their days skinning, but it does take some getting used to on the way down. Anything but an off-piste expert will find it too soft for variable conditions or super steep terrain, but if tours in moderate terrain are your fancy, the Gea is a great option. Especially because they’re compatible with got tech fittings, so you won’t have to weight yourself down with heavy bindings. Plus, the bright green shells will help your partners find you when you’re skiing in a whiteout.
