Ingrid Backstrom

If there's over a foot or so of fresh, the Katanas are all-time. They're wide and floaty, with the powder channel that acts like a swallow-tail without being a swallow-tail, keeping the tails down. Plus, they're super solid and damp (like all the best Volkls...they never chatter or flap), so if you do hit bottom, chopped up, or variable snow, they totally charge right through it.

This jacket is so nice looking, with its slightly shiny jacquard print and classic lines. It's perfect for colder days--whether it's dumping or sunny, it's bomber. The fit is pretty standard; it works for my short arms and covers my glove cuffs, but it also works on my roommate's longer arms.

Ok, maybe I'm biased, but I don't think so...I've skied Gotamas for 4 years now and I agree with the person that says they just keep getting better. I keep liking them more and more, and with the Duke mounted on them it's like the perfect set-up. The binding is a bit wider and raises you up a bit, and the combo of that extra leverage plus the bomber, perfectly damp (I mean damp like they absorb stuff rather than chatter) Gotamas is really my favorite choice for everyday skiing, when there's between an inch and a foot and a half or so of soft snow.

This helmet is so great, good for people who haven't yet worn a helmet and want to start, or anyone looking for an effortless helmet. I barely even notice I have a helmet on anymore! It fits perfect, is light, and has wire mesh vents so you stay cool on shorter hikes, but still don't collect melting snow in your hair on storm days.

This is a classic shape--nice and big so you can have the best possible field of vision. The lenses go in and out pretty easy, and I never get foggy goggles. Plus, there are so many colors & lenses, you can't go wrong!

I wore this jacket a lot last year, in all types of conditions and was totally stoked. I'm shorter--5'4", and I never had any problems with the armpits. It is a shorter style, which sometimes doesn't work with my skier legs, but somehow with the ribbing at the bottom, and the not super-puffy puffiness, I felt pretty good in it! The fur is removable, FYI...on storm days (or when I'm not feeling as furry) I take it off, as it tends to collect ice a bit.