Skiing and snowboarding holidays take place in uniquely freezing, high-altitude environments, so it’s perhaps inevitable that some specialist kit will be required. But the amount of supposedly “essential” snow equipment on sale each winter can be overwhelming. To save you from an endless scroll, we’ve picked out some of the most impressive pieces of snow gear for this winter.
The best step-on snowboarding binding bundle
Burton Women’s Limelight Step On bundle (£310)
For snowboarders who are sick of having to sit down in the snow and getting a soggy bottom while strapping their boards on, Burton has invented the Step On snowboarding binding. Other brands have tried and failed with similar technology in the past, but the Step On is widely regarded as a game-changer in the sport. It’s easier to clip in than a pair of ski bindings, but the connection points at the toe and heel ensure board control is strong and stable. The boots and bindings are sold as a complete package.
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The best anti-fog goggles
Dragon Alliance PXV goggles (£160)
Goggles that mist up on the slopes can take the whole fun out of your day, so it’s always worth looking out for brands with strong anti-fog technology. Dragon Alliance is one such company, and its PXV goggles are impressive in that regard. They have a wide field of vision and an almost Instagram-filter-like quality of making the mountain seem even more vivid and beautiful than it already is. And the green lens is especially suited to variable conditions. This is a comfortable goggle, best suited to larger faces.
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The best warm and waterproof gloves
Dakine Leather Scout gloves (£50)
Warmth and waterproofing are the most important features in any ski or snowboard glove and the Dakine Leather Scout performs reliably well at both. The price is reasonable, especially compared with the rest of the market. And the liner glove has good touchscreen compatibility, in case you want to take pictures of stunning mountain scenery on your phone. Just be careful not to drop your phone off the chairlift while doing so, or your gloves for that matter.
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The best snowboard for freestyle and freeride
Jones Mountain Twin snowboard (£435)
Traditionally, snowboards have fallen into either the freestyle (best for use in a snowpark) or freeride (best for riding powder) camps. But the Jones Mountain Twin proves it really is possible to have a snowboard that works just as well on jumps and rails as it does on the piste or in deep, fresh snow. This board even rides well in those horrible bulletproof hard-packed conditions that snowboarders usually hate, thanks to the grip in the sidecut. It’s not a board for complete beginners, but pretty much everyone else will love it.
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The best value snow socks
Wed’Ze 100 adult ski socks (£3.99)
Socks may not seem like the most important part of your ski apparel, but there’s little worse than having cold feet on the mountain due to poor-quality, thin socks. Good socks, though, can even make those dreaded ski boots feel more comfortable. The Wed’Ze 100 adult ski socks from Decathlon are a great, hard-wearing product, and incredible value for money. They come in a range of attractive colours, and at this price we’d suggest you buy a few pairs in case you lose one: buying socks in a ski resort is super-expensive.
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The best eco-friendly base layer
Picture Organic Clothing Earthen first layer (£129.99)
Experiencing disrupted seasonal snow patterns, while watching glaciers shrink from one yearly ski trip to the next, often means skiers and snowboarders are more tuned in to the environment than most. To cater to that market and address those concerns, Picture Organic Clothing has made the world’s first biodegradable base layer. It feels warm and cosy on, but also scores highly for breathability and has good moisture-wicking properties. The buttons are wooden, rather than plastic.
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The best all-round helmet
Smith Scout snowboard/ski helmet (£90)
Today, helmets are all but essential mountain wear and the new Smith Scout helmet combines solid, reliable hardshell function with a clean, sleek design. It is easy to tweak the fit, the ear pads are removable and it has good venting for use on warmer spring days, while on very cold days it can be worn with a beanie. Goggles can be worn inside or outside the helmet.
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The best retro skiwear
O’Neill Shred bib pants (£154.99)
Retro skiwear has been all the rage in recent years, which has prompted O’Neill to revisit some of its classic outerwear designs. These have thankfully been updated with modern technology, as 1980s ski clothing was notoriously neither warm nor waterproof. One of the most popular lines is the O’Neill Shred bib pants, which have a slim fit but are made with flattering stretchy fabric. Bib pants are also great for stopping snow from riding up your back when you fall over.
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The best value-for-money women’s skis and bindings
Salomon Women’s S/Max W skis 10 and ZLL Walk ski bindings (£495)
The new Salomon Women’s S/Max 10 is a fun, confidence-building ski thanks to new Edge Amplifier technology. Essentially, that is a raised section under which the binding sits, giving you extra grip and control when carving turns. The ski works just as well on the icy upper sections of a mountain as it does on the warmer slush lower down, and it holds as well on steep terrain as more mellow green and blue runs. Price-wise it’s far from the most expensive ski on the market; sure there are cheaper skis on sale, but this still represents very good value for the level of performance you get.
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The best ski and snowboard jacket
Patagonia Men’s Powder Bowl ski/snowboard jacket (£380)
The Patagonia Men’s Powder Bowl jacket isn’t cheap, but it is one of the best ski and snowboard jackets around. Lots of winter outerwear is great in snow but poor in the wetter sleet or rain you sometimes encounter on a ski trip, but the Powder Bowl is extremely waterproof, and windproof, with strong breathability in all conditions. The helmet-compatible hood and high collar will protect you even further in bad weather. The fit is regular, though the hem can be tightened. The outer fabric felt hard-wearing, and impressively, it’s made from 100% recycled polyester Gore-Tex.
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To find discount codes for the best ski and snowboarding products from major sports retailers, visit discountcode.theguardian.com/uk
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