Gerald Bybee/SF

But never buried. Even between 1993 and 1998, when skier numbers dropped by 13 percent while snowboarders doubled their ranks, skiing began showing a spark of life. It was inevitable. Since both groups share the same trade shows, mountains, and factories, how could snowboarding's vitality not spill over?

Although each side now hates to admit it, this give-and-take has made both sports better. While the ski industry mimics snowboard design, snowboarding swipes construction techniques from skiing. It's an edgy synergy, to be sure, but this alpine glasnost has seen boarders and skiers ripping big mountain faces, halfpipes, glades, and corduroy—together.

Over the next five pages, we celebrate this balance of power with detailed reviews of the best skis and boards for the four major disciplines of American sliding. But because skiers have always dominated the bumps, we've also included what we think is the coolest mogul ski on the hill. Single-plankers, meet your maker!

INSIDE:
• Alaska Powder
• Parks and Pipes
• Race Carvers
• All-Mountain Freeride
• Mogul Ski
• Books