In-bounds touring—in which skiers ditch the lifts and slap on climbing skins, like the Fischer Profoils, to get up the mountain—is catching on everywhere. It helps that most resorts keep access free and encourage the fun.
Dragon NFX2 Goggles ($180)
ٰDz’s provide a huge field of vision, and two side levers allow for quick switches among the 20 lens options.
The North Face Summit L5 Shell ($600)
The North Face is tailored mostly from a single piece of DryVent fabric for a trim fit with a minimum of seams. Hem cinching at the waist keeps it from riding.
Blizzard Zero G 108 Skis ($960)
The carbon-fiber (136/108/122) are light enough (3.6 pounds) for all-day uphill duty, yet the sidewall construction and paulownia core lend them power to carve trenches on hardpack.
Dalbello Sherpa TI I.D. Boots ($850)
have a two-piece tongue for more range of motion. At 8.4 pounds, they’re a great everyday option and sacrifice little on the descent.
POC Fornix Helmet ($160)
ʰ’s tips the scale at under a pound, but its layup of aramid fibers (think Kevlar) meets alpine ski-safety standards.
Backcountry Access Scepter 7075 Aluminum Poles ($80)
add built-in ice scrapers to already bombproof adjustable sticks.
SmartWool PhD Ultra Light Long Sleeve Base Layer ($80)
This blends polyester and merino to resist pilling and funk. For maximum breathability.
Eddie Bauer Hangfire Pro Hooded Jacket ($129)
Eddie Bauer’s pairs Polartec Power Dry panels under the arms with a polyester-spandex outer.
Dynafit Radical 2.0 FT Bindings ($649)
The boast rotating toe plates that let boots release from the front—helpful in a cartwheeling fall.