(1) The breathable material in Patagonia‘s Light Smoke soft shell keeps your engine cool on the way in, while its powder skirt thwarts snow on the way down. $225;
Backcountry Gear
(2) Is that a party in your pocket? The hockey-puck-size Altec Lansing Orbit-MP3 speaker will turn your yurt into a disco, with surprisingly hi-fi results. $40;
(3) Two thumbs of Bulleit Bourbon + a few pinches of fresh powder = the perfect backcountry nightcap. $28;
(4) Coleman‘s Lithium Pack-Away Lantern is impressively bright. Plus, once collapsed, it’s smaller than a Rubik’s Cube. $60;
(5) Never futz with skins again: Thanks to pivoting tip clips, G3‘s ultra-light Alpinist Skins will stay firmly stuck to any ski shape. $143;
(6) Good luck finding side-venting ski pants as durable or water-resistant (or well-priced) as Columbia‘s Castle Mountains. $130;
(7) Outdoor Research‘s two-in-one Zenith Mitts feature a removable soft-shell glove for sweaty climbs and a toasty, waterproof mitten shell for blasting wind. $149;
(8) Treat your feet right: The lugged soles of The North Face‘s down-filled Nuptse Booties provide enough traction to step out for stargazing. $50;