photo by John JohnstonHelmet: The Smith Variant Brim offers protection and style without sacrificing comfort. Turn the rear dial, and the Helmet Fit System evenly wraps the head. Temperature control is in your hands with 22 vents. $160; smithoptics.com
Goggle: Meet the perfect match for your helmet in the Smith I/OS goggles. When paired up, a ventilation system aligns airflow and prevents fogged lenses. Two included lenses help you adapt to changing light, and outrigger locking mechanisms make switching easy even with gloves on. $165; smithoptics.com
Jacket: When Mrs. Swami wants something this badly, it's usually not good for her. The Patagonia Knifeblade Pullover uses Polartec Power Shield Pro fabric to combine the protection of a hard shell with the flexibility of a soft shell. $349; Patagonia.com
Pants: Get a stylish fit with the Armada Decker pants, which offer a slim cut through the hips and thighs. Waterproof-breathable fabric and mesh-lined inner leg vents make it far more than a fashion piece. Attention to detail runs from top to bottom, where you'll find Lycra suspension on boot gaiters and reinforced cuffs. $230; armadaskis.com
Layer: The Icebreaker Cascade RealFleece 260 is a midweight layer made from New Zealand merino wool that keeps you warm and resists odor. Thanks to interior terry knit construction, it's soft on the skin. $150; icebreaker.com
Poles: Simplify skiing with the Leki Flair S pole system. With Leki gloves, hook the small nylon loop between thumb and forefinger onto the pole grip and keep your hand in the proper position. $140; leki.com
Mittens: The Hestra Anja Parson Pro mittens keep you comfortable with soft leather exterior and fleece inside. Knuckle protection and a neoprene cuff keep branches and moisture out. $145; hestragloves.com
Extra: The Outdoor Research Transcendent Beanie lives up to its name. Tuck your noggin into this ultralight fabric shell with 650+ fill down. $40; outdoorresearch.com
Boots: The Lange Exclusive RX 100 is built with the same construction as its race-bred sisters, minus the tighter fit. The result is a sharp handling 100mm lasted boot with a down-insulated liner and a one-piece toe box to keep toes warm. A milled out instep in the tongue promotes blood flow. Added touches like a shin saving elastic power strap and rubber on the soles round out this solid all mountain performer. $650; langeskiboots.com
From the Early Winter 2011 issue
