2017 Ski Gear Spotlight: The Hot New New
It's time to get stoked.
There's snow on the top of Mansfield, dawn patrols are becoming a before-work ritual, and the freshest gear in snowsports has made it to the Outdoor Gear Exchange. And, as the seasons change and the world turns, so do the items that make it onto our staff's "most-coveted" list.
Check it out.
The Marker Griffon 13 ID Bindings
Eminently flexible, the Griffon 13 ID Bindings, with a small adjustment done by a Marker Certified Retailer, can accommodate just about any ski boot, be they WTR, ISO 5355 (Alpine) or ISO 9523 (AT) boot sole norms. Built with a wide platform to get the most edge control out of wider skis, Marker's Triple Pivot Elite Toe Piece to provide extremely high energy absorption to mitigate the chances of early release when you're charging hard, and Marker's Inter Pivot Release for superior holding power and power transmission, the Griffon 13 ID is a fantastic choice for many types of skiing, from all-mountain to freeride. Shop the Griffon 13 ID Bindings here!
Lange's XT FREETOUR Boots
What better item to meet at the confluence of ski, binding and foot then Lange's XT Freetour Alpine Touring Boots? Lange describes them as having "all the skiability of piste boots with the easy walking of ski-touring boots."Â A claim that has been made before, to be sure.
But Lange truly has struck the best of both worlds here, as the Freetour boasts a full 43 degree range of motion, tech fittings, and a new, ultralight grilamid shell that keeps weight down while maintaining alpine-ready downhill performance.
Shop the XT Freetour Boot here!
Black Diamond ULTRALITE MIX 
STS CLIMBING SKINS
A completely overhauled construction that reduces these skins' packed size and their weight by 20% from their predecessors, the Black Diamond Ultralite Mix STS Skins won't weigh you down when you're on the move.
A 65/35 nylon/mohair mix and Black Diamond's STS tail attachment, along with a field-replaceable Dynex and aluminum tip loop that fits a number of ski tips make the Ultralite Mix STS Climbing Skins provide the perfect mix of glide and uphill traction.
Shop the Ultralite Mix STS Climbing Skins Here!
Black Crows Navis Freebird Touring Skis
Shop the Navis Freebird Skis Here!
The K2 Power 9 Carbon Ski Pole
Boasting the distinction of being K2's premier performance carbon ski pole, the Power 9's feature an innovative carbon web overlay design that greatly increases torsional rigidity and durability. the Power 9 poles pack both strength and safety in a lightweight package.
K2's patented Rip Cord Grip, a safety-release mechanism for when you get pitted, coupled with their streamlined 3D molded urethane strap make this K2's safest and most comfortable to use ski poles.
Shop the K2 Power 9 Carbon Pole Here!
The Spyder Eiger Shell
Designed in partnership with big-mountain ski pioneer Chris Davenport, Spyder's Eiger Shell Jacket is a highly technical piece tailor-made for shredding in the alpine.
Featuring Pertex Shield+ 3L stretch nylon face fabric, a removable powder skirt, and Spyder's CohaesiveÂâ„¢ one-touch cord lock management system, the Eiger Shell is made tough for ski-mountaineering, but will be just at home on your local mountain too.
Shop the Spyder Eiger Shell Here!
The Pret Lyric X / Cynic X MIPs Helmet
Keep your brain safe as you shred through the trees with Pret's Lyric X helmet for women (and Cynic X for men) take backcountry head-protection to the next level with MiPs and RECCO technology.
With MIPS, a low friction inner layer in the helmet is able to rotate up to 5mm and absorb rotational impact in the event of a crash, mimicking the brains' own cerebrospinal fluid and reducing the risk of concussion.
Further accoutrements include an X-Static and wool liner to reduce funk and Pret's audio-ready Covert Ear Cover System so you can always be plugged-in to your tunes.
Shop the Lyric X MIPS and Cynic X MIPS here!