Powder to the People

Hybrid skate-snowboards, hydraulic-shock bindings, and 21 other reasons to love the cool economy.

To flatlanders and urbanites, 2 feet of new snow calls for nothing more exciting than grabbing a shovel to skim powder off the driveway. But Burton Snowboards takes elevation out of the formula. The Burlington, Vermont, company's new Snowdeck - equal parts skateboard and snowboard - makes 3 inches of flakes in your neighborhood as inviting as deep Rocky Mountain fluff. "Find a picnic table and you can grind it," says company founder and CEO Jake Burton. "You can be downtown somewhere and riding."

Credit the Snowdeck's unique double-decker design for opening up a ripping new frontier. Other snow-skates are plastic planks that merely rest on the white stuff and skid willy-nilly. But by mounting a 33-inch-long skateboard deck to two trucks, which sit on a smaller "subdeck" - a miniature snowboard - Burton engineers enable riders to jump, edge, spin, and pull off skateboard-style stunts like ollies. Indeed, slip into some old winter boots, pump up to speed, and shift your weight to one side - the Snowdeck turns as well as urethane wheels on blacktop, or a standard Burton board. "The two-deck design makes it possible to ride like you're on a snowboard, without the need for bindings," says Scott Barbieri, Burton's head of R&D.

The biggest hurdle in the Snowdeck's development was the trucks. Designing onscreen, Barbieri and another engineer devised several systems in the hope of creating something stiff and responsive enough for skate tricks yet forgiving enough to bend and hug the terrain. In the end, Barbieri wasn't satisfied with any compromises, so the Snowdeck comes with either firm plastic posts for trick riding or a hinged truck - also offered in an upscale slider version that subtly moves back and forth underfoot, allowing the subdeck to flex for carving up a slope. A total of four Snowdeck models are available.

"With the slider you can even cruise groomers," says Barbieri. "Make turns down the entire mountain."

As golf courses, frozen fountains, and ski runs are converted into wintry skate parks, the Snowdeck will likely cause gloved handwringing - but that's nothing new to the 47-year-old Burton. A quarter-century ago, the investment-banking dropout started building snowboards in his house and lobbying ski-resort managers for the right to shred. Today his privately held, 600-person manufacturing company dominates the industry.

But for years Burton has wanted to put more people in the powder. "You can't just up and go snowboarding after school," he says.

So when Barbieri and a product designer were developing the Snowdeck, Burton's employees were each given beta versions, and the response was impressive. Snowdeck riders constantly "sessioned" on frosted parking lots, and slid rails on Burlington's UVM campus. "The minute we handed them out," says Burton, "expectations really changed."

Despite thousands of testing hours (on Vermont streets, Oregon glaciers, and Chilean mountains), four patent applications, and decks in two widths, Burton engineers think their unprecedented snow tool will continue evolving right along with the budding sport. High-strength metal could be added to the lightweight plastic trucks. The wood and fiberglass-laminated subdeck may be redesigned for added stiffness, to make ollies easier. And the skateboard-style deck - currently fashioned out of maple - might one day come in lightweight carbon fiber. There could ultimately be a dozen different versions.

For Snowdeck's debut winter, the company estimates sales of 50,000. The figure is impressive, considering this season's bevy of cool gear, including pain-free boots and a slope-going bike.

But Burton believes that Snowdecks will succeed less because of their novelty than their accessibility. Models range from an affordable $130 to $200, and the Snowdeck easily stows in a school locker or car trunk. The CEO, who got in 113 days of snowboarding last season, loves the notion that his company's simple new device, used in prosaic surroundings, can deliver plenty of satisfaction.

"Get outside on a Snowdeck and it's got this grassroots, street-type feel," he says. "When you can land a trick, it's damn good fun."

CHICK STICK
Chorus, a new brand of women's boards, proves that girls like to ride hard. Advised by five of snowboarding's distaff royalty - including Cara-Beth Burnside, Leslee Olson, and Janna Meyen - the company's first (and eponymous) product is stiff and narrow-waisted for quick edge transitions. The stubby nose and tail reduce swing weight during superpipe launches - providing the flight control necessary to fly sky-high. Chorus: $399. Chorus Snowboards: (800) 305 4138, www.chorussnowboards.com.

SPELLBINDING
It would be hard to find another snowboard binding that comes with a stiff, responsive carbon-reinforced base plate, the comfort of an asymmetrical ankle strap, and a generous supply of memory. Slip into the SP6 at the top of the hill and it virtually recalls your settings: The always-engaged toe strap requires only a few ratchets to tighten, and with the flip of a switch, the aluminum-reinforced, high-back heel section tilts to your favorite forward-lean setting. You're knee-deep in powder before anyone else is on their feet. SP6: $249.95. Salomon North America: (800) 225 6850, www.salomonsports.com.

REEL FIT
Finally a snowboarding boot that won't loosen up. The Contra's stainless steel cable loop replaces those stretchable, sloppy cotton-and-nylon bootlaces. You can easily tighten the 49-strand, high-tensile "string" - even with a gloved hand - by rotating an inch-wide reel; releasing requires but a pull on the same mechanism. A heat-reactive liner molds to your foot and adds to the cozy fit, while soft polyurethane under the heel supplies a smidgen of give. Contra: $269. Vans, Inc.: (800) 826 7800, www.vans.com.

SOFT LANDING
The freestyler's Atomic 4.45 is skiing's version of a spongy snowboard boot. Its orange shell is flexible and sensitive for precision rail rides. A forgiving plastic underside prevents premature binding release - the boot will bend when you've bowed your skis in the pipe. As for happy landings, rubbery elastomers between the 4.45's cuff and shell absorb the impact of huck after huck after huck. Free Zone 4.45: $340. Atomic: (800) 258 5020, www.atomicski.com.

LOCK AND LOAD
Perched above your next jump, make like Olympic freestyle champ Jonny Moseley and prep your skis for big air. The Moseley-inspired Mad-Trix has a Tyrolia binding mounted on a turntable-like plate; release the latch, rotate the Tyrolia 180 degrees, and the binding sits dead-center on the ski for sure touchdowns. Schuss through out-of-bounds powder and flip the plate to move the bindings closer to the tails for better flotation. A wood core and traditional slalom shape guarantee reliable performance. Mad-Trix: $950. Head: (800) 874 3235,www.head.com.

SHOCK VALUE
Suspension hits the slopes with Marker's Comp 1400 binding. A small hydraulic piston - built into a horizontal plate bridging toe and heel - dampens the chatter caused by skiing over washboard bumps or boilerplate ice. The piston's fluid is impervious to the cold, and the sealed unit never needs maintenance. A floating toepiece slides on its mounting plate to let the ski bend perfectly through turns. Comp 1400 Piston Control: $395. Marker: (800) 453 3862, www.markerusa.com.

FIRST-CLASS FLIER
Glide into a lift line on the Avant Premiere #1 and other skiers will notice. For three grand, they'd better. Underneath the iridescent finish is a titanium alloy-and-wood ski that's hand-built by the same French craftspeople making the company's World Cup weaponry. The traditional sidewalls and curvaceous silhouette guarantee seamless arcs at gate-bashing speeds. And when the edges dull, send the Avants back: The limited-edition boards come with three years' free annual maintenance. Avant Premiere #1: $3,000. Dynastar: +1 (802) 764 6400, www.usa.dynastar.com.

BUCKLE UNDER
The F 9.2 eliminates that exhausting, pre-ski boot wriggle. The plastic skin parts at the tongue and then lifts like a clamshell over the top of the foot for an effortless install - no hands, no struggles. Once you've settled into the temperature-regulated footbed - it stores and releases heat as needed - Nordica's racer-style, four-buckle shell closes tight. The boot lining's stretchy toe area supports your tootsies without cramming them in for the ride. F 9.2: $445. Nordica: (800) 892 2668, www.nordica.com.

SPEED TRAP
G3's buff Targa won't peel off of hard-charging telemark skiers. The binding is made of solid but spare aluminum and stainless steel, and clamps down courtesy of swappable tension springs given names like Race and World Cup. An optional shim kit ($25) puts you a tall 1.4 inches above the ski - all the better for digging in edges instead of boot shells. Targa T/9: $195; extra spring cartridges: $40/set. G3 Genuine Guide Gear: +1 (604) 924 9048, www.genuineguidegear.com.

SNOWSCHUSS
Summit a peak in snowshoes and you'll still have a long tramp down. Top out in the Meta and simply glide to the bottom. Equipped with a hiking boot-friendly binding, the short (120-centimeter) ski steers easily through woods and around rocky precipices. Underneath, the grippy synthetic skin prevents excessive slippage on steep pitches - whether you're climbing or descending. The built-in drag is good for more than 200 adventures. Meta (with winter-boot binding): $309. Karhu: +1 (888) 288 2668, www.karhu.com.

CLIFFHANGER
Combine the Eco-Challenge with 5 feet of snow and you get winter adventure racing. The sport's key tool? Salomon's X-Adventure Raid. The waterproof boot's hinged, plastic cuff makes for stable big-mountain traverses, and the sole is compatible with ice-worthy crampons. Survive rocky scrambles thanks to a lugged tread, which is also grooved to mate with X-Adventure Nordic ski bindings ($75). The see-me yellow tint demoralizes competition that's miles behind. X-Adventure Raid: $279. Salomon North America: (800) 225 6850, www.salomonsports.com.

TELETUBULAR
The turned-up tail hints at Atomic's mission - get telemark skiers in half-pipes and terrain parks. Make a genuflected turn into freestyle territory and you'll appreciate the maneuverability of the TM 18's light foam core, and broad tip, which serves as landing gear. Raised channels running the length of the board add torsional stiffness for sweeping turns. And that trick tail lets the Atomic run in reverse, whether taking you up a pipe wall or pushing you away from a poorly placed aspen. Beta TM 18: $387. Atomic: (800) 258 5020, www.atomicski.com.

HIGH TIME
Finally, a backcountry watch that doesn't resemble Big Ben. Boasting titanium housing and a downsized microprocessor, the Observer is lighter and 30 percent smaller than its siblings, yet just as informative. The usual weather station features - including temperature gauge, compass, and barometer - are complemented by a multifunction altimeter: An elevation alarm sounds off at edema-inducing heights, while the vertical-feet logbook proves just how far you've come. Observer (titanium): $499. Suunto USA: (800) 543 9124,www.suunto.com.

EXECUTIVE ACTION
Starting with its tweedy aesthetic, the Moncler is all business. Underneath its CEO-gray, breathable, waterproof nylon shell is enough synthetic insulation to keep you warm on a backside lift. There are pockets for goggles, cell phone, and Palm, but the coolest gadget comes zipped into the jacket's right wrist: an avalanche reflector that works with signal-sending equipment already in place at numerous ski areas. Get in over your head and the Moncler can get you out. Classic Gray Tweed: $425. Moncler: +1 (212) 754 6770.

GET A GRIP
Extreme ice climbers prefer the Top Machine because it's designed without a leash, which can tie up a wall-crawler who's quickly switching the pick between hands. Support comes from a trigger-style hold that provides strong fingers with ample leverage. Slip unexpectedly and you can still grab the high-friction, grit-finished shaft. Grivel Top Machine: $250. Climb High: +1 (802) 985 5056, www.climbhigh.com.

BACK TO BUSINESS
Clive's reinforced Peak refuses to crumple. Padding throughout the 950-cubic-inch daypack keeps the bag upright, making struggle-free work of stuffing in Gore-Tex or attaching a snowboard (either vertically or horizontally). The Peak's backside features thick foam for spinal relief and a provides a zipper to the main compartment. There's also a hole for your water hose, dual ice-ax loops, and a CD-player pocket that's - of course - armored. Peak: $85. Clive: (877) 254 8396, www.clivebags.com.

BOARD ROOM
What crowns a boarder's car has more cachet than any hood ornament, and nothing says you've arrived like the silvery Evolution. The plastic cargo carrier is no hard-angle box - its sleek lines were tested in a wind tunnel - yet the 16-cubic-foot space stores four snowboards and all your boots. Rubber seals keep out road grime and salt, and the Evo can be opened from either side. An included locking system prevents thieves from swiping gear - or the 76-inch vault. Evolution 1600: $359. Thule: (800) 238 2388, www.thuleracks.com.

VISION-AIRY
The Icarus fits no matter what else is on your head. Sporting a helmet? Move the goggles' strap anchors outward to prevent frame-on-lid conflicts. If you prefer the breeze in your hair, pull the anchors closed for a smooth interface. Vents above and below the photochromic, shatter-resistant lens keep the view crystal clear. Icarus Goggles: $115. Briko USA: (800) 462 7456, www.brikosnow.com.

FRONT-BURNER
Don the Met5 and laugh at arctic chairlift rides. Heatable filaments, each finer than a human hair, are laminated onto the jacket's windproof fleece material. Click a button inside one chest pocket and you're in a Saharan microclimate - temperatures reach 114 degrees Fahrenheit underneath the pliable fabric. The wash-and-wear garment's batteries, which nestle below your rib cage, recharge with household current, a third-party cigarette lighter, or solar-panel units. Met5 Jacket: $499. The North Face: (800) 719 6678, www.thenorthface.com.

RIDER ON THE STORM
K2's Snowcycle turns bicycling positively four-season. The machine marries an aluminum, mountain bike-style frame to shaped skis instead of spoked wheels. Hoist the 29-pound, pedal-less ride onto the lift; use the pair of included mini-skis underfoot for balance on the descent. With 5 inches of rear travel and a cushy banana seat, mogul runs are as navigable as summertime single tracks. Snowcycle 1.0: $850. K2 Corporation: (800) 972 4063, www.k2gravitytools.com.

TOP GUN
The Mach2 screams helmet couture from its chromelike shell to its bright-red top vent. Dense foam conforms to your skull for a proper fit. Earholes allow for summit confabs but create minimal turbulence at nearly sonic clips. Mach2 Racing: $169. Salomon North America: (800) 225 6850, www.salomonsports.com.

HANDS DOWN
Fellow skiers won't be laughing at your Michelin Man gloves when the weather turns bitter. Inside each puffy Grandoe is a pint of Primaloft insulation - a synthetic fill known for its warm, downlike qualities - that's double-layered at the fingertips. The thin microfiber shell keeps the gloves light and malleable enough to wriggle your fist through a pole strap. Two Pounder: $69.99. Grandoe: +1 (518) 725 8641, www.grandoe.com.