REUSCH RULES

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Reusch Down Spirit GORE-TEX

A skiers favourite for years. Featuring our premium natural down insulation, high quality Gore-Tex insert, leather palm and softshell backhand. This style will keep your hands warm and dry in even the harshest weather conditions. Available in Glove, Mitten, Lobster and new Down Spirit Short Cuff version. $229.95 AUD

Reusch Alessia GORE-TEX

The Reusch Alessia is an extra warm and elegant ladies glove with Gore-Tex membrane as well as Primaloft Gold insulation for extra warmth. The Alessia also has a leather palm for extra durability, adding up to a perfect combination for your next skiing adventure. Black/Silver or White/Black. $139.95 AUD

Available at snow stores everywhere

Action Sports Anchor Never Lose You Phone

The Aussie made Action Sports Anchor is a product that just makes sense. You will never drop or lose your phone again in the snow or out and about anywhere. Mt Beauty based instructor, Trent Abberfield had one all season last winter and won’t head out without it now.

Personal electronics are expensive, whether it's your new iPhone 14, you latest GoPro, or the radio you give your children to help keep in touch with them on the slopes. The Action Sports Anchor can save all of these items from being lost – on the slopes, on the water or outdoors generally.

I have been using one for over a year now. As a ski instructor, I use my phone a lot to take photos for guests on ski lifts. Phones are expensive and Action Sports Anchor’s simple tether system give me the confidence to know that if I drop my phone, it’s not lost in the snow or smashed onto the rocks below. The metal clips and simple design allow the phone simply to be pulled back up. I have tried dropping my phone deliberately and it worked as advertised.

It also helps attach any other type of electronic device to your ski jacket as well. Aussie FWT rider Vaughn Hardwick is a convert to the Sports Anchor’s effectiveness. Mount Beauty Paraglider Erin Francis is another fan. Also great for tradies, bike riders and more. Even après - don’t lose your phone in the mosh pit!

It attaches to most phone cases and easily to zippers. Aussie owned and manufactured, so support local business and do yourself a favour. —Trent Abberfield

Available in stores and online: actionsportsanchor.com.au

VICTORINOX WORK CHAMP GETS JOBS DONE!

My friends still claim editing snow magazines is not actually work. But it is, and for 30+ years helping me do that job my constant companion has been a humble, or not so humble these days, variant of the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife.

I had the best ski specific one 30 years ago: with ice scraper, phillips & regular screwdriver, knife, corkscrew and bottle opener it pretty much covered my day from de-icing the windscreen pre-dawn to après postdusk. I loved it, but sadly it was lost or stolen years ago.

The replacement was a full spectrum had-it-all version I carried everywhere in my hand luggage until 2001’s terrorist attacks ended that. Caught out with it at security in Buenos Aires on a flight down to the world’s most southerly ski area, Cerro Castor in Ushuaia, I had the bright idea of paying the newstand kiosk guy just before security a few dollars to mind it, with the promise of more when I came back four days later. Miraculously that worked. But it mysteriously dissapeared later too - lost or stolen? You can’t be too careful with something as downright useful as a Swiss Army Knife.

Flash forward to Verbier 2017 and the fantastic Tourist Office crew gave me a Verbier logo version for my 60th birthday present. The icing on the cake of a great day. If you have a big birthday coming up, Verbier is a great place to celebrate it.

But now it’s 2023, and like a fine wine or over-ripe banana (take your pick), I have matured, and so has the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife range.

The latest Work Champ is awesome!

So many features, so useful: two phillips headdrivers will sort your loose binding problems and/or clean the ice out of your pin toes; two sizes of regular screwdriver heads handle most screws; an ingenious tiny screwdriver, that’s hidden on the corkscrew, does the screws in sunglasses/devices, etc; the pliers are strong enough for twisting wire so handle boot buckle issues with ease; the metal file can quick-tune rock ravaged edges with three levels of coarseness; the saw will cut metal too; a sharp-as scraper knife will remove bits of base or shave cheese according to your need; scissors; a decent knife blade of course; cap and bottle openers; last but not least, and old school these days but still handy some places, a corkscrew.

So much utility in such a handy little tool!

It is great for at the snow or anywhere. I just love it, and take it everywhere now stowed in check-in baggage. It even comes in very handy for opening coconuts. Owain Price

In stores and online: victorinox.com.au/work-champ

GET SKI FIT PLUS WITH SKIER’S EDGE

Did someone say get fit to ski? How about cross training for the Berlin Marathon at the same time? News producer Vanessa Graham works crazy hours and makes up for it with regular snow trips to Japan, Canada, Argentina, etc.

If you think the Skier’s Edge is purely a ski fitness machine forget it. The exercise equipment provides the ultimate cardio workout, arguably better than an exercise bike.

Not only does it allow you to push your heart rate above the fat-burning zone, it singes your quadriceps in the most beneficial way. It is terrific for interval sessions and far more enjoyable than running stairs or doing seated squats.

Most recently, I used it in my preparation for the Berlin marathon. Of course, I was following a rigorous running program, but the Skier’s Edge made for a sensational alternative on cross training days. It also broke up the monotony.

Following the marathon, my husband and I trained on the machine daily in the lead up to our most-recent ski trip to Canada with splendid results. There was no day-one leg burn and we were able to tackle steep terrain from the moment we arrived, with no stops along the way.

During Covid lockdowns, the Skier’s Edge was also a saviour. We could meet our exercise quota from the comfort of our living room, as it is compact and portable.

During this period – and admittedly with a separate, focused diet – my husband shed 40% of his body weight to get back to where he was 20 years ago, which made a massive difference to his on snow stamina - kind of handy at Revelstoke in February! We would not be without our Skier’s Edge. Vanessa

Graham

The Graham’s purchased their Skier’s Edge system in 2016 More info: SkiEdgeFitness.com.au

NEVER BE COLD AGAIN!

LENZ 5.0 & 6.0

HEAT SOCKS with around the toe heating

LENZ 6.0

HEAT GLOVES & MITTENS with around the fingers and thumbs heating AVAILABLE IN GOOD SNOW STORES

SLACKPACK 2.0 SIDE-COUNTRY SPECIAL

Users loved the original, now the Slackpack 2.0 has been redesigned with insights from Angel Collinson and Griffin Post, so you can venture off-piste and into slackcountry with a streamlined, yet burly, 20” (50cm) backpack that prepares you to chase down fresh powder stashes with specialised features including built-in organisation for avalanche tools and a ski/snowboard carry system.

The Slackpack 2.0 features protective, fleece-lined goggle pocket, patented Glove Stash™ on shoulder strap for hats or gloves, multiple ski and board carry options, slim profile for maximum freedom of movement and reinforced high-abrasion zones. Also available in women-specific design, which features an adapted fit and harness.

$200 AUD / $230 NZD thenorthface.com.au

SING IN THE RAIN THE SUMMIT SERIES™ CHAMLANG FUTURELIGHT™ SHELL

Our gear guru Peter Wunder is ready at Thredbo to try and beat his 113 days ridden last season - rain, hail, snow or shine - in his The Summit Series™ Chamlang FUTURELIGHT™ Jacket.

“It is a super light shell but feels very strong. I don’t think you could rip it if you tried. I love that all the pockets and vent zips are fully sealed to keep all the water out.”

“Together with the quality Gore-tex this jacket just keeps you dry even on the rainiest days. Which on a board on soft snow and no one else out can be a lot of fun never miss a day on snow, I say.”

“I love black gear and the Chamlang jacket is a true black colour unlike a lot of other brands which are more wishy washy.”

Available in Men’s or Women’s versions, the Chamlang is fully featured for ice climbing, which provides crossover benefits for skiing/boarding. Like fully attached, fully adjustable, helmet-compatible hood with a bonded brim, no shoulder seams for reduced bulk and extra comfort while you’re wearing a pack, and underarm gussets for better mobility.

$800 AUD / $900 NZD thenorthface.com.au

SUMMIT SERIES™ PRO 120 CREW

As foundations are to a building, your base layer is to your comfort, pleasure and safety in the snow. Enter The North Face’s slim-fit Summit Series Pro 120 Crew, it is a lightweight baselayer featuring DotKnit fabric that helps manage moisture, low-profile seams to minimize bulk and maximize comfort, and thumb holes at the cuff prevent the sleeves from riding up when worn with additional layers.

Team with Summit Series Pro 120 Tights, with a wide elastic mesh waistband, for a comfortable fit.

Ladies & men’s, $120 AUD / $140 AUD thenorthface.com.au

WHY ATTIBA APRÈS BOOTS? IT’S AN OPEN AND SHUT CASE..

Attiba snow boots are simply the best - the Rota pop out stud soles keep you safe from icy falls, while suede lowers and kid uppers, with faux fur, are the ultimate in warmth and comfort too in models like the Florence. A full windproof and snowproof liner means you won’t get wet or feel cold. Sole is rated to -30◦C and made from rubber.

They feature Italian design and materials, made in Europe for exceptional style and quality.

The Rota-non slip sole equipped range runs from ankle height to below the knee, from $249.95 to $359.95 AUD

For smaller sizes the ‘OC’ half rotor non-slip models in sizes 30-39 go from $169.95 to $359.95 AUD

Check Attiba in good snow stores or search “Attiba Australia”.

Enjoy The Journey Victorinox Journey 1884 Automatic

Over plastic app-dependent watches telling you the minutia of your life? How did humanity survive without knowing how many steps they did daily? Be different, stand out with the Journey 1884 automatic movement, built to help you navigate the urban landscape. Featuring an elegant ceramic bezel and echoes of the iconic Swiss hiking signs, it’s inspired by nature but city savvy. Shock resistance ensures impeccable performance, and it comes with an elegant, innovative wood strap, plus extra blue rubber strap and accessories wallet for added versatility.

More at victorinox.com.au/watches/journey-1884

HIT THE SLOPES WITHOUT HURTING THEM LANKY BEAR ECO-SKI WAX

Meet Lanky Bear. A local brand on a mission to make green mainstream. Guided by their mantra, “Performance that protects your passion”, they’re setting out to design products that curb waste, promote sustainability and, most importantly, do what they say they’ll do.

With ~130 million people hitting the slopes every year, a small block of wax can make a huge difference to the environment. Enter their flagship product—a range of plant-based ski waxes that contain 0% paraffin wax, 0% toxic fluorocarbons, and 0% preservatives. Not only designed to completely break down, four years of research and development have gone into it to make sure its performance keeps up with its toxic competition.

Their drive for performance has involved some pretty impressive people testing their product. Like Olympic gold medalist Valentino Guseli: “I have been on Lanky Bear’s wax products for a while now and I am loving them. Performance-wise, the wax is ultra-smooth and fast, but I’m most impressed by what the brand is doing in the sustainability space. Transforming a product that has traditionally been harmful to the environment into one that is eco-friendly and not stacked with toxins.”

“Let’s charge ahead on protecting the environment we love to charge down”—Lanky Bear

130g Plant-based Wax / $34.99 AUD Lankybear.com