Local Gear Experts Share Their Favorites
By Stephanie Nisch
With dozens of ski and snowboard shops in Park City, you’ll never be short on the latest gear choices. From small accessories to big-ticket equipment, local gear experts share their favorite winter picks that are hitting the shops around town.
Local ski and snowboard manufacturer RAMP Sports has made it easy to downsize your quiver to one set of skis or a single snowboard. Vacuum-molded with a bamboo core and made here in Park City, RAMP’s all-mountain planks cruise through groomers, pow and all the chunder in between. The award-winning Groundhog skis ($619), which feature 100mm under foot, are playful powder sticks that are nimble enough to lay tracks on fresh or firm corduroy long after the last storm. The Tumbleweed snowboard ($499) features zero camber for a catch-free and pop-heavy ride and includes a Kevlar veil for extra snappy response.
It;s hard to make a plastic boot as comfortable as a pair of slippers, but the Lange XT 120 ski boots ($750) do a superior job of providing the most natural fitting ski boot out there. With a tapered fit around the heel, this all-mountain boot, found at Park City Ski Boot, blends race-inspired power with sidecountry flexibility for do-it-all performance in any terrain. A grippy Vibram sole and adjustable free- walk mode add efficiency to any hike up the ridgeline, while a cushioned liner ensures comfort until the last chair. Tailor your gear even further with a custom footbed from Park City Ski Boot (starting from $120) and discover just how well a ski boot can actually fit.
Add a little more heart and soul to your ski day with handmade bamboo poles from Soul Poles, offered at Cole Sport. This Park City-based company goes beyond your typical bamboo stick: skiers can choose their style, color and optional engraving for a truly customized pair of poles. The sustainably grown material is 25-percent stronger than traditional aluminum, making them a reliable and artful choice for all skiers.
You know them for their bomber gloves and backpacks, but Dakine’s new line of outerwear, available at Silver Star Ski & Sport, is backed with as much innovation and durability as their accessories. Designed with a longer freeride cut, the men’s Fuse jacket ($250) is loaded with adjustable features and pockets for all your on-hill essentials, while the ladie’s Kaitlin jacket ($200) is an insulated barrier against sub-zero days with a dose of fashion for good measure.
Convert your low-tech helmet into a fully functional command center with a set of Chips ($130) from Outdoor Technology. Drop these Bluetooth-equipped wireless audio speakers, available at Christy Sports, into almost any ski or snowboard helmet with compatible ear pads, and begin streaming hi-fi music or crisp phone calls straight to your brain. The rechargeable speakers feature a simple, two-button design that can be operated without de-gloving on the chairlift.
Slope-to-street versatility means you won’t be committing any fashion faux pas with the Smart Wool PhD SmartLoft Divide Vest from Jans. Available for both men and women, the wool-lined, water-resistant vest is a low profile mid-layer that provides additional core heat underneath your jacket without sacrificing your range of movement—essential when you’re working for turns on a powder day. Breathable side and back panels prevent overheating, but its subtle design is as functional on the walk to dinner as it is on subzero
chairlift rides.
rAMp Sports:
888-406-0567
rampsports.com
park City Ski Boot:
435-776-7883
parkcityskiboot.com
Cole Sport:
435-649-4806
colesport.com
Silver Star Ski & Sport:
435-645-7827
silverstarskiandsport.net
Christy Sports:
888-413-6966
christysports.com
Jans:
435-649-4949
jans.com
