Before you pull your trust hand-me-down all-in-one neon snowsuit down from the loft again – the one with the moth-holes in the armpit and the gluhwein battle scars from the array of Euro resorts you’ve slowly picked your way down every January – know this: that snowdog’s had its day. Gone are the days of retro irony working on the slopes, because this year it’s all about hi-tech, be-seen and downright super cool gear as you master the mountains.
But before you begin to furiously flick through thousands of futuristic and garish snowboards, arctic snow jackets and fetching thermal layers, you may want to scroll down this page just a touch. See, we’ve done the tricky legwork for you, collecting our favourite options from across the board to help make ticking items off your kit-list that bit easier.
Kick off with any one of the brand-spanking new winter coats we’ve detailed, from Pyrenex’s Red Hudson jacket that’ll keep you snug as heck and brighter than a beacon through even the most apocalyptic of snow storms, to Picture’s Panel jacket, which’ll look just as sharp in the après bar as it does in the halfpipe. Next, you can’t go wrong with a pair of Nike goggles to keep your peepers from shriveling up into frozen raisins. And then pull out some thermals, a brain-saving helmet, some feet-pleasing new boots and perhaps a rad board? Hell, with all this killer gear in your arsenal, how could this year’s winter break be anything short of epic, especially as, below, GB Park & Pipe Team Member, and Olympic snowboarder Jamie Nicholls gives us some pointers.
Before you board that plane, also check out these TRX ski exercises for freestyle snowboarding, this snowboard warm-up workout, advice for preventing snowboarding injuries, and tips to improve your jibbing and freestyle snowboarding.
Snowboarding Gear and Clothing 2016
Burton Easy Livin Snowboard
You’d be forgiven for not pulling off something as impressive as this move demonstrated by Burton rider Danny Davis – but if you take to the slopes with his Led Zeppelin-inspired board, you have a duty to attempt something gloriously freestyle, even if it does leave you dazed and confused. £430, buy on burton.com
Oakley Mod 5 Snow Helmet
The dual material outer shell provides a lightweight feel and durability when you need it most. £160, buy on uk.oakley.com
Adidas Progressor ProPack
The pack includes two lens options: one for challenging conditions and another for enhanced peripheral vision. £140, buy on rxsport.co.uk
Volcom T2D Jacket
This hi-tech jacket is both waterproof and breathable, keeping you comfortable in any weather. £430, snowboard-asylum.com
Pyrenex Red Hudson Jacket
£345, buy on tessuti.co.uk
Bergans of Norway Oppdal Jacket
£280, buy on bergans.com
Arc’teryx Procline Carbon Boot Lite
£580, buy on arcteryx.com
Bergans of Norway Haglebu Jacket
£260, buy on bergans.com
Picture Organic Clothing Panel Jacket
£219.95, buy on absolute-snow.co.uk
Picture Organic Clothing Blue Spread Helmet
£134.95, buy on absolute-snow.co.uk
Arc’teryx Yellow Cassier Jacket
£600, buy on arcteryx.com
Picture Organic Clothing Orange Hubber 3.0 Helmet
£85, buy on snowboard-asylum.com
Finisterre Eddy Long Sleeve Base Layer
Jones Prodigy Snowboard
£225, buy on snowboard-asylum.com
Picture Organic Clothing Panel Pants
£190, buy on absolute-snow.co.uk
Nike Vision Command Goggles
£265, buy on absolute-snow.co.uk
Montane Featherlite Down Micro Jacket
£160, buy on montane.co.uk
Olympic Snowboarder Jamie Nicholls’s Gear-Buying Tips
1. “Work out what you’re buying the board for – is it for freestyle, powder or piste? If you don’t snowboard much then buy a good all-mountain board, which will be great for everything.”
2. “Make sure when you’re buying your gear that it can withstand mountain conditions, and is breathable, warm and waterproof.”
3. “Always buy a good helmet before you go away. I make sure I have mine with me at all times. If you happen to drop it or it has a small crack, replace it straight away.”
4. “Don’t forget extra goggle lenses. Light conditions change all the time. If it’s sunny it’s important you have a darker lens in, as getting snow-blind is not good.”
5. “Buy your gear from a place you can trust with knowledgeable people who snowboard themselves.”
6. “Remember to buy the sun cream – getting burned is horrible. I’ve had it before, really bad, and it can lead to sunstroke and ruin your trip. So make sure you cream up!”
