Keera is wearing: Giro Grove Helmet ($130; www.giro.com); The North Face Freedom LRBC Insulated Print Pant ($169; www.thenorthface.com); Stoic Welder Lo Softshell Jacket ($269; www.stoicgear.com); Burton Women’s Baker Mitt ($55; www.burton.com); Burton Emerald Boot ($200; www.burton.com); and riding on Ride DVA binding ($200; www.ridesnowboards.com); Never Summer Infinity Snowboard ($460; www.neversummer.com).
The Essentials
Burton Wheelie Board Case ($240; www.burton.com)
Getting your board from Point A to Point B sometimes means flying it there. This large-capacity luggage case fits all the gear, has internal bags help organize it, and lush padding to protect it.
Ride DVA Binding ($200; www.ridesnowboards.com)
More pop off jumps and a better edge on a slope: you’ll feel the difference that the angled footbed this freeride binding provides.
Bollé Fathom Goggles ($104; www.bolle.com)
Photochromatic lenses mean these goggles transition between bright sunshine and white- out flat light. Other perks: UV protection, a waterproof vent, and a micro-fleece lining on the triple-layer face foam.
Cabela’s Cable-Knit Hat and Arm Warmers ($25; www.cabelas.com)
Cute accessories are part of the après-park fun. When the gloves come off, stay warm with these knit warmers that come with a matching hat.
Skullcandy Riot Headphones ($20; www.skullcandy.com)
Superior sound quality that stays put, looks good, and barely costs a thing.
Camelbak Roulette ($100; www.camelbak.com)
An insulated back panel and thermal hose prevent this backcountry hydration pack’s contents from freezing. Featuring flashy colors and women’s-specific fit, this pack also accommodates 3 liters of liquid, a shovel pocket, and easy top-loading access.
Tested: Helmets
Giro Grove ($130; www.giro.com) 4.8 out of 5 stars
Stylish and lightweight with a ventilation system that’s both intuitive and well-formed to direct air through the helmet in the name of temperature regulation. The Grove, one of Giro’s two new women’s-specific snow helmets, meets ASTM impact standards and includes a large back panel to protect against backward falls—the most common among intermediate snowboarders. In mold construction fuses the outer shell and impact foam in one process to save weight which testers noticed despite the addition of Giro’s beefy dial-to-fit system (adjustable for both depth and circumference) which allows this helmet fit a wide range of tester’s “medium-sized” heads. The 3-way venting system applie to 10 of the helmet’s 14 vents, and testers loved the ability to regulate air flow for low, moderate, and heavy-sweating situations via a glove-friendly switch on the helmet’s outside. Additional perks: a plush interior liner and headphone-compatible ear flaps.
We also liked:
POC Frontal Helmet ($150; www.pocsports.com) 4.6 stars “For Forest Face-offs”
This hybrid hard shell helmet has two external layers—an in-molded upper and a double-walled lower portion that is the key to the helmet’s most notable feature: the ventilation system. Slits in the helmet’s front provide ventilation, but the lightweight double wall means that there’s no direct contact with wind or opportunity for sharp objects—think branches, sticks, poles—to penetrate the vent. The helmet’s on-top ventilation is a circle of six holes that are adjustable with a single, glove-handed operation. The hot, tree-cruising colors were an added plus for most of our testers, but the Velcro fit system and the non-removable ear flaps lost it a few points with more discerning testers.
Smith Intrigue ($120; www.smithoptics.com) 4.4 stars “For Retro Royalty”
Testers found this sliding vent system most effective but also loved the retro-pilot look of the ear pads and bling-bling embellishments such as gold-stripe accents and super-plush lining. Once you set its sliding adjustable fit system, which some testers found a little difficult to master, you’ll never have to tinker with it again, just as you’ll never need to worry your eyewear will slip from its rear goggle lock. One of this helmet’s nine available colors is sure to match your style, and its Snapfit ear pads accommodate any audio system as well. But its greatest intrigue: the fleece lining—unmatched in velvety comfort.
Scott Shadow III ($70; www.scott-sports.com) 4.2 stars “For Any Alpinist”
This affordable helmet features removable ear-warmer lining, venting plugs, and a highly adjustable fit system (a rotary dial across the back and several layers of removable padding) that makes a seamless transition between snow-season extremes during mid- and late season. Its lightweight hard-shell features a goggle retainer, six passive vents, and a side-release chinstrap buckle—all essentials for both racer and recreational alpinists. In addition to fitting adjustability and the plush padding system, testers loved the fluffy faux fur ear covers and the streamlined, understated pearlescent print of the “white vapor” model we tried.
Red Hi-fi ($100; www.burton.com) 4.2 stars “For Big-Air Heads”
Burton’s Red Hi-fi is proof that this company caters to the hip, music-loving crowd, but the fact that it’s the helmet of choice for the entire Burton women’s team proves that this lightweight, ASTM-certified helmet offers serious protection. A mini air chamber across the back third of the helmet pumps up with the push of a button and fine-tunes fit for a comfortable (and safe) ride. Six of the eight external vents are screened to keep out debris while you’re riding trees, and the interior padding is easily removable for washing and for better fit over the top of your favorite beanie. The helmet’s stand-out feature (aside from the fit system) is the REDphone-compatible ear covers—zip your earphones seamlessly inside and escape into a surround-sound experience. The women’s version fits head sizes XS-L and comes in six colors.
Tested: Snowboards
Never Summer Industries Infinity ($460; www.neversummer.com) 4.8 out of 5 stars
A super-responsive ride, the Infinity is the last all-mountain board you may ever have to buy. Deserving of its cult-like following among riders in-the-know, Never Summer joined the alternative-camber revolution early on, but combined regular camber in the nose and tail with reverse camber in the center to help maintain edge control and stability at speed. Slightly stiff, the Infinity carves better than a caffeine-fueled boardercross racer and cuts through powder like it was half- melted butter. The reverse camber between the bindings also means you won’t catch an edge—this isn’t a soft park board, but testers could still slide a box or two in the park between powder days. In 20 years of manufacturing, not a single Never Summer sidewall has broken, so you can count on a long relationship with this beauty.
We also liked:
Ride Promise ($400; www.ridesnowboards.com) 4.6 stars “To replace your favorite plank”
An all-mountain charger of a directional board, this new Promise is soft and responsive, impressing in packed powder, groomers, and on the half pipe, but holding its own in powder.
GNU, Mervin Company B-Pro ($430; www.gnu.com) 4.4 stars
“For Carving Cravings”
An adapting board modeled after the whims of pro-rider Barrett Christy. A patented mini serrated edge grips snow in variable conditions, mixed-camber is perfect for advanced, all-mountian rides.
Venture Snowboards Zephyr ($575; www.venturesnowboards.com) 4.2 stars
“For Freeride Flirts”
Powder whores will truly appreciate the Zephyr’s hefty feel and rocker in its tip and tail for a floating feel in deep snow and speedy descents on-piste, too.
Rossignol Diva Magtek ($450; www.rossignol.com) 3.8 stars “For Casual Cruising”
Fun and forgiving, this freeride board is relatively soft—jibing with the best of them, but slowing down bomber powder descents. Best suited for cruisers who shy away from speed.
