Spencer Wheatley

Smith knocked it out of the park with this polarized Techlite glass lens. I have had the chance to wear almost every other major brand of sunglasses over the last few years, and they do not compare with the quality and clarity of this lens. The Touchstone has a full coverage fit good for skiing and climbing. Looks good in a suit and tie too.

I am a Salomon athlete and Heliski guide. I Ski toured and guided Alpine skiing in this boot. Most bomber touring capable alpine boot I have owned. The Quest 12 was not recalled, and my pair never came with the recalled "Dynafit type" compatible sole from the Quest Pro/Pebax boot with the metal inserts. I climbed Mt. Shasta this spring using the soles pictured above, they were fairly comfortable to climb in and great to ski down on. I too had to take up volume...my foot is long and narrow.

I have carried this shovel in my pack heliski guiding for the last 6 years. I am constantly moving snow for landing zones, Pickup zones and snowpits. I shovel all day, and I want a tool that gets it done efficiently. The long extension and D grip really helps with the backaches that come along with shoveling at your feet. I can move a ton of snow quickly with this thing, which has obvious benefits in an avalanche burial/rescue. I ski tour with a bit smaller shovel, as the Chugach Pro is big and doesn't fit great in smaller packs.

I have to have a leather glove that I can work in, and be warm enough to stay out in the snow all day. I start wearing them in the dark a lot of days and don't finish with them until the work is done. If I get cold heliskiing- I don't get to fly back to the lodge to warm up. So I need a glove I can depend on. The Patrol is a very warm glove, with a great fit and feel. I am not constantly taking them off to work handles, doors, load gear, work my radio or pull an igniter. As with any leather glove- it's best to let them dry naturally, so if you are working in them every day, you should have two pair. I can easily get a full season out of these, and I SHRED gloves loading skis in the heli basket 14-30 times a day.

916 performance - Full on Salomon CLICK OF ASSURANCE when you step into them *(as in YOU KNOW you are in the binding because its easy to line up clean and snaps shut like a bear trap) PLUS lighter weight. A genesis of the classic.

This is a quick and powerful ski. It RAILS on the hardpack. My ski of choice for raiding the courderoy at Snowbasin and corn snow harvesting from the helicopter. If you live somewhere with a bit more hardpack than powder skiing the Lord is a ski that would be perfect as a do it all performer.

I have two of these watches. After 13 years my original one still works great (although its not very nice looking anymore!) I am always wearing one while I am guiding. It is an important piece of gear for me. It is a very comfortable, convenient, source of vital information. Every snowpit will require elevation and aspect which is conveniently located on your wrist. Logging vertical can be fun- hard to work this function accurately when using a helicopter. When Alpine climbing it can be a great tool for pace setting. Good loud alarm for Alpine starts and a great backlight function for easy reading in the dark either early or late.

Seriously love these shoes. Great stability and no worries when you have to get through a little snow or wet conditions. They are not waders, but just walking around town or the ski area you will appreciate how your feet stay dry when it is wet out. Perfect for wet trails with occasional snow patches. They are my daily drivers fall through spring. Really cool looking too!

I have to admit to being skeptical about this boot. I have always been a disciple of the 4 buckle traditional overlap boot and a boot with only two buckles didn't immediately appeal to me. However, I got a pair of Ghosts and could not believe how well they skied. The only difference between this boot and my 4 buckle Falcon was the weight, the looks and the ease of clamping two FAT buckles instead of 4 thin ones. DO NOT BE FOOLED! This is a POWERFUL SKI BOOT! Rubberized instep is great for traction getting in and out of the helicopter too.

The Shogun will be a great one pair quiver. If you liked the Pocket Rocket/Gun, this is your next ski. Expect a little more muscle, but the same easy turn. Great float with the slight rocker and 101 under foot. Still a pretty quick ski that is fun once you hit the groomer or firm snow. Haven't slammed mine on any rocks yet, but they have a burly construction and look like they will hold up to abuse.