the shovel rocks. the aluminum is solid and when/if you shovel through rocks or super hard ice it just slices through like a hot knife through butter. I built an igloo with this thing a few weeks ago and my partner was using a plastic ortovox shovel - the difference between the two was amazing. his scoop was much smaller and thrust much less powerful. only downside is the nub that locks the handle to the scoop - it is sometimes difficult to depress and release (particularly with cold, tired hands).

these things rock. the edges are indestructible and help you power down (or up) any turn in any hairy snow conditions. Compared with other similar skis (B4s and Gotamas) I felt that it took a while to get your weight centered...i think this is because the shovels are really big and I had to alter my ankle position and balance to get them to flow. These things are in their element with 6 inches of fresh snow on top of ice/crud...which is every day where i ski. i can see why the other review recommended these for the east coast. my complaint is that some little grom skied over the tails of my skis and took off a huge chunk of the top sheet...i can see the wood core! the edges may be solid but the top sheet is like saran wrap.

Nuclear warm, but with a typical boxy North Face fit. Could use just a bit of tapering. Runs about a hair too big.

Just bought these puppies, as I have given my old Leki poles a deserved retirement. I really like Black Diamond products, so I wasn't surprised with the quality of the FlickLock - it really cements the pole in place, so there is no slippage at all (unlike my Lekis). My complaint is around the powder basket - it just doesn't seem to want to stay on. I am this close to breaking out the duct tape - even though I ski every other weekend. I am dreading the day I lose it.

These are cheap and durable. It's a no-brainer purchase. These are a bit baggy though. I am 32 inches in leg and waist, and I ordered a medium, but I swam in these things. They felt like I was back in the mid-90s skateboarding. I now use my degre7 XCR that have excellent stretch / mobility characteristics for randonee and the Guide Pant for inbounds laps with my wife.

I like the jacket, but the sleeves are a bit long and just an inch or so too short body length wise. Other than that it is just like any other XCR shell out there.

These have nice and snug fit on my hands and don't have a padded-down feeling at all. The leather palms are really grippy and tight.

Don't know what the other is talking about. I have medium hands (size 9 in Mountain Equipment fits me) and the mediums here are huge. I think it’s because Salomon added a few more centimeters to fit in the liner. Anyway, the liner is worthless as it wicks moisture to the outside of the liner, which is then absorbed by the inside lining of the shell. After a couple of hours skiing, the fingers are waterlogged and cold. Worst glove ever.