Slope Style 2008

For a story in today’s Minneapolis Star Tribune, I polled industry buyers, ski magazine editors and professional snow-sliders to create a list of innovative skiing and snowboarding products for the ‘07-’08 season. Here’s a quick look at my top picks. . .

(Click here—www.startribune.com/1244/story/1576605.html—for the full story)

1. Marker Duke bindings—a traditional alpine binding with a free-heel mode for touring.

2. CW-X Insulator Stabilyx tights—high-tech long johns with elasticized straps to support muscles

3. K2 HellBent skis—weird reverse-camber skis for deep powder

4. The North Face Unity Suit—one-piece ski suit

5. Volkl Tigershark skis—on/off-switch skis

6. Spyder d30 Racer gloves—gel-padded gloves with “Intelligent Molecules”

7. Marker Attiva M2 helmet—high-end helmet designed by women for women

8. Burton Vapor snowboard—light as air snowboard (6 pounds!)

9. Kombi I-Rip Glove—iPod-controlling gloves

10. SCARPA Hurricane boot—hybrid downhill/backcountry ski boot

11. Bridgedale Precision Fit socks—made-for-skiing, “anatomically knitted” socks

12. Powderhorn Calamity Jacket—“Swiss quality and Wild West style”

13. The CamelBak Ruckus backpack—snowboard-ready pack w/hydration

14. Zeal Optics Spherical PPX goggles—polarized and photochromatic eyewear for the slope

(Click here—www.startribune.com/1244/story/1576605.html—for the full story)