Downhill Suspects | Outside Online

You Are Here:

Home >> Gear >> Downhill Suspects

View the entire 300-plus collection of must-have gear items tailor-made for your adventurous lifestyle. PLUS: A special section on womens gear.

Today's Question
How long should I hang on to my sleeping bag? answer

Which light-weight gear will work best on the Appalachian Trail? answer

Skin Care

Gear Upgrade

Make a Ski Sling

Online Favorites

Special Issues

Photo Galleries

Outside Magazine November 2002

Ski and Snowboarding Report 2003
Downhill Suspects
Skis and snowboards to carve every mountain

By Marc Peruzzi


	(Nigel Cox)

WHEN IT COMES TO the serious business of sliding downhill, the French don't trouble themselves with petty categories; to them, all alpine snow sports are summed up in the word glisse. North Americans are, of course, slightly quicker to diversify—and spoiled as we are with so much varied vertical, why shouldn't we be? From the powder dream of Alaska to the scratchy violence of a New England boardercross course, our hills drive innovation in winter equipment for the entire planet.

This season's offerings are no exception. Skis continue to grow wider for better flotation beyond the groomers, and the sidecuts—the stick's hourglass shape designed to help you turn—now reflect the needs of terrain skiers instead of wonkish ski instructors. Even bindings have been rejiggered: Forget the drill and screwdriver; the latest fittings snap or slide into place, extending ski life and improving energy transfer.

Snowboards, meanwhile, continue their ascent up the learning curve, crafted now from laminated wood cores reinforced with layers of carbon fiber. Gone, too—or going, anyway—are step-in bindings. A new generation of lighter and stronger strap bindings have quickly cut to the front.

The pros, of course, have expensive quivers of terrain-specific rides, but you need not follow their lead. One pair or board will probably be fine for your favorite mountain. If the mood strikes, though, you can build up your own impressive roof-rack arsenal. We've held our grueling auditions and paired up the perfect boards and skis with the best terrain you'll find on this side of the pond. Vive la glisse diversité!

Next Page: Powder

Former associate Outside editor Marc Peruzzi has kayaked, biked, and skied backcountry from Vermont to Montana. He's now an editor at Skiing.

TODAY'S NEWS UPDATE!
The Gear Junkie: Ski and Snowboard Gear...
By Stephen Regenold Winter is upon us, and with it ski areas across the country are ...