THE WHITE O T

improve the “guest experience” with 21 new lifts installed across 14 resorts from North America’s east to west coasts. These include some fast new chairlifts and gondolas at resorts including Breckenridge, Heavenly, Stowe and Vail.

Your Ultimate Guide To Skiing

La Plagne Terrain Park

The Belle Plagne Snowpark at La Plagne in Paradiski, is moving to the Dos Rond sector in MontchavinLes Coches this winter. The park has a focus on accessibility with developmental green and blue lines for those learning the basics along with some expert areas for the more daring. The park also has plenty of tutorial signs on hand to accompany and advise first-time riders.

New 4 Valleys Chairlift

Téléverbier SA and Télé-Thyon SA have replaced the fixed chairlift in La Pasay in the Bruson sector of the 4 Valleys with a hi-tec detachable six-seater chairlift complete with weather hood. The journey time is reduced from 11 to five minutes and the chair, designed by Porsche Design Studio, allows skiers to enjoy a ride up the slopes with maximum comfort, whatever the weather.

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K2 MINDBENDER 90 C SKI | £474.95

A fun, high-energy version of K2’s epic Mindbender range. Designed to offer lighter skiers a lively ride anywhere on the hill. Spectral Braid and Carbon Boost technology maintain the torsional rigidity while the Aspen Core and All-Terrain Rocker keep things smooth and fun. A great freeride ski for precise turns and inspiring confidence all over the mountain. skibartlett.com

 ELAN RIPSTICK

88 WOMEN’S SKI | £519.95

For women looking for versatility and progression anywhere on the mountain, from frontside groomers to backside bowls. The women’s 88 version is the bridge between the iconic freeride Ripstick and Elan’s piste skis, and it is perfect for intermediate skiers looking to get into freeriding without sacrificing performance on piste. skibartlett.com

TECNICA COCHISE 120 DYN

GW TOURING SKI BOOT 2023 | £549.95

The Hybrid boot category has been growing year on year with more and more people getting into touring but not wanting to pack two pairs of boots for a ski trip. Tecnica’s Cochise 120 was a trailblazer in the category and have had a complete redesign to ensure that they keep up with the latest innovations and stay at the top of their game. skibartlett.com

LEVEL

REXFORD LEATHER GLOVE | £149.95

Goat leather is undoubtedly the toughest and best-performing material for a glove outer. Couple that with Primaloft insulation and innovative Membra-Therm Plus waterproof membrane and you have the perfect glove for cold weather conditions. skibartlett.com

 BURTON

WHEELIE GIG BAG 166CM | £169.95

Burton’s Gig Bags have been the go-to for globe-trotting snowboarders lugging multiple boards for years. Each winter the features and strength get refined. One of our favourite colourways this season has to be Aerial Pines; you’ll never have to rummage through piles of plain black board bags at an airport again. sputniksnowboardshop.com

 SCOTT PATROL E2 30 BACKPACK | £984.95

Using Supercapacitor technology to inflate its airbag, the E2 is the smallest and lightest system on the market, meaning you can be safe skiing in the backcountry without a heavy pack imposing on the fun. No cartridges or Li-ion batteries means that there are also no restrictions to travelling or shipping the Scott Patrol E2. skibartlett.com

TECNICA MACH1 MV 95

W TD GW WOMEN’S SKI BOOT | £349.95

Specifically designed for advanced female skiers with medium volume feet who want a forgiving boot. Tecnica have prioritised fit in the MV 95 boot with a women’s specific liner providing great fit out of the box but highly customisable if need be. The Cuff Adapt System allows the top of the boot to be easily adjusted. skibartlett.com

PICTURE ORGANIC CLOTHING

MATHEW QUARTER FLEECE | £79.95

Picture are one of the key brands pioneering eco-friendly ski gear. The Mathew is their 50% recycled nod to the classic fleeces of yore with contrast pocket, snap front opening and colour blocking. With Dry Feel antimicrobial treatment, Dry Now wicking technology and anti-pilling. skibartlett.com

MONS ROYALE CASCADE MERINO

FLEX 200 MOCK NECK LONG SLEEVE | £119

BLIZZARD BRAHMA 88 SKI | £674.95

Works well whatever the snowpack throws at you and offers intermediate skiers confidence across early morning corduroy, fresh soft stuff or late-day chopped crud. skibartlett.com

BLACK CROWS QUINTUS

COTTON 5 PANEL CAP | £34.95

Black Crows isn’t just a ski manufacturer, it’s a way of life. Pledge your allegiance with the Quintus cap! And for those out there who don’t ski Black Crows, there’s no denying the quality and attention to detail. skibartlett.com

Made to move, the Mons Royale Women's Cascade Merino Flex 200 Mock Neck Long Sleeve provides all the warmth of merino with fourway stretch for mobility. Merino wool naturally provides comfort, breathability, and odour resistance, while the Merino Flex fabric keeps its shape and lasts longer. The high mock neck keeps the warmth in while thumb loops make layering easy. ellis-brigham.com

 SCOTT REACT GOGGLES | £229.95

Magnetic lens change systems have become the standard for higherend ski goggles in the past few years, allowing quick and easy lens changes and eradicating the need to wrestle with your goggles every time the sun comes out. Scott’s new React system is by far the best we’ve seen: smooth, sturdy and easy to use, even with gloves on. skibartlett.com

With their renowned reputation for specialist expert advice, combined with their carefully selected and tested range of products, it’s no surprise that Ski Bartlett’s word-ofmouth reputation over the last 50 years has made them the UK’s most popular independent ski shop!

SALOMON RUMBLE FISH WOMEN’S SNOWBOARD 2023 | £479.95

Riding like a twin in the park and on piste but with a slightly setback stance and stiffer flex to rip in powder and carve at speed. On this particular deck, Salomon have ditched petroleum products for bamboo and cork, so you don’t have to worry about the environmental impact of treating yourself to a new stick. sputniksnowboardshop.com

UNION FORCE (TEAM HB) 

SNOWBOARD BINDINGS 2023 | £239.95

One binding to rule them all… Want to know which snowboard binding is going to work the hardest for the longest and deliver all over the mountain with minimum fuss? Union’s Force. A time-tested classic that is trusted by more pro snowboarders than any other binding. sputniksnowboardshop.com

 COROS VERTIX 2 GPS

ADVENTURE WATCH | £599.99

It’s all about outdoors, mountains, and a passionate active lifestyle. They combine high-grade hardware with innovative technology to provide endurance athletes with the gear they rely on in the world’s most extreme environments. coros.com

 ANON M4S TORIC GOGGLE | £289.95

A scaled-down version of Anon’s high-end M4 Goggles for slightly smaller faces. The quick-change magnetic lens system eliminates the need to pack multiple goggles; whatever the weather you can easily switch lenses so you’re covered. sputniksnowboardshop.com

 BURTON FAVOURITE

LONG SLEEVE FLANNEL SHIRT | £64.95

The aptly named Favourite Flannel is a regular-fitting 100% organic shirt, sitting perfectly on the fence between fitted and baggy. Add a popping colourway and Burton’s eco cred as a certified B Corp using bluesign® fabrics and you’ve got a winning formula. sputniksnowboardshop.com

VANS ENCORE OG

WOMEN’S SNOWBOARD BOOT | £234.95

For all levels of female rider who want the unmistakable style of a Vans boot, supreme all-day comfort and the simplicity of a BOA® system. The UltraCush® liner and POPCUSH™ footbed are the perfect combo of support and comfort. sputniksnowboardshop.com

SALOMON DANCEHAUL

SNOWBOARD 2023 | £424.95

Sometimes a snowboard comes out that just oozes fun. Salomon’s Dancehaul is that board. Unisex and mid-flexing with positive camber and a directional outline for ripping carves on piste, XL width and nose for maximum float in pow and Salomon’s Popster Core for snappy ollies and soft landings. Good times guaranteed! sputniksnowboardshop.com

 PATAGONIA MACLURE HAT | £49.95

Five-panel camp cap in multiple colour blocks constructed from organic cotton, recycled fishing nets and repurposed polyester?

Yes! Add in Patagonia’s legendary P6 Logo patch and you have an instant classic. sputniksnowboardshop.com

PICTURE ORGANIC CLOTHING PICTURE HAAKON WOMENS JACKET | £329.95

Picture’s Haakon Jacket ticks all our boxes for a snowboarding shell; top eco-credentials, a bucketload of features, long relaxed fit and an eye-catching colourway. Made from 44% sugarcane waste, 56% recycled polyester and equipped with a 20K/20K membrane. sputniksnowboardshop.com

BLACK

If you plan to ride anywhere outside of resort boundaries then you’re going to need a beacon. The Recon LT is the lightest fully featured transceiver on the market and it performs just as well as larger beacons. sputniksnowboardshop.com

MONS ROYALE YOTEI LS T-SHIRT | £99.95

The original loose-fit merino baselayer. If you can trust anyone with a wool layer designed to work in the mountains, it’s got to be a brand from the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Hailing from Wanaka, NZ, Mons combines a deep knowledge of wool, a love for playing in the mountains and progressive design. sputniksnowboardshop.com

BURTON RULER BOA  SNOWBOARD BOOT 2023 | £289.95

With a mid-flex and responsive feel, the legendary Ruler is all about board control. When you add in the Dual-Zone BOA® system, letting you dial in the perfect fit, you get a boot that will give experienced riders the confidence to level up. A heatmouldable liner with 3M™ Thinsulate™ insulation keeps bulk and the boot’s overall footprint down, and a thinneddown EST® optimised midsole improves board feel without sacrificing comfort. sputniksnowboardshop.com

SWEET PROTECTION

SWITCHER MIPS HELMET | £239.95

The Switcher is a ground-breaking allmountain helmet offering up a heady 22 easily adjustably vents, so no day will be too hot or too cold. MIPS is a technology that reduces rotational forces on the brain, and at Ski Bartlett we only stock helmets equipped with MIPS. Sweet Protection have added in Impact Shells to increase the level of protection, a turn-dial adjustment for comfort and fit, and a magnetic chin buckle for safety and ease of use. skibartlett.com

Sputnik is one of the UK’s largest independent snowboard shops. We offer great choice and service to all our customers. Whether you are beginner or expert, we can kit you out to ensure you have a great day on the mountains.

BATALEON DISTORTIA WOMEN’S SNOWBOARD 2023 | £439.95

Bataleon’s true twin mid-flex freestyle stick has been helping female riders to build courage riding in the park and on the mountain for a good few years. With the addition of their latest developments SideKick™ and WallieTips™ and edge-catch eliminating 3BT™, this is the ideal board for women who are keen to add to their arsenal of tricks both in the park and around the whole resort. sputniksnowboardshop.com

 BLACK DIAMOND DIRT BAG MITTENS | £44.95

The minimalist utilitarian look of a goat leather work glove just can’t be beaten. BD’s Dirt Bag Mittens couple that with the added warmth and comfort of a mitt. Namechecking the dirt bag climbers who spend their lives outdoors, Black Diamond gloves are reliably hardwearing and functional workhorses. sputniksnowboardshop.com

VOLKL FLAIR 75 WOMENS SKI | £579.95

A great first ski for women ready to step out of the rental queue and own their own. XTD Tip & Tail Rocker and Dual Woodcore are borrowed from Volkl’s highperformance planks. Comes packaged with perfectly matched GripWalk-compatible Marker bindings. skibartlett.com

K2 METHOD WOMEN’S SKI BOOT | £284.95 skibartlett.com

K2’s boots are looking stunning this winter. But don’t be fooled by the pretty colourways! The Method is part of their FL3X range and offers a forgiving flex aimed at freestyle skiers but also a great option for women who want a soft comfortable boot to ski all over the mountain. The Intuition liner can be moulded perfectly to your foot shape, and the 70 flex tongue can easily be swapped out for something stiffer if needed.

 FACTION STUDIO 0 GU SKI | £519.95

Eileen Gu is a bit of a phenomenon in the freeskiing world, winning gold medals in both Big Air and Half-Pipe and silver in Slopestyle at the 2022 Winter Olympics. The Studio 0 GU is a limited-edition pro model with artwork designed in collaboration with Eileen. skibartlett.com

POWERSOCKS SET | HEAT FUSION UNI + S-PACK 1400B | £270

Technical socks made from luxury fibres are great for the most demanding skiers. The Heat Fusion Powersocks provide gentle, pleasant warmth all around the toes, for up to 16 hours when paired with the S-Pack 1400B batteries. Pair with your smartphone via the Therm-ic app. therm-ic.store

 POLER REVERSIBLE NAPSACK | £139.95

The ultimate post-shred chilling accessory just got even better. This season Poler offer up their iconic wearable sleeping bag in a pattern lifted from Craig Kelly’s Burton Air, one of the most famous snowboards in history. The Napsack is ideal for cosying up fireside in the chalet or sipping brews round the campfire. sputniksnowboardshop.com

BLACK DIAMOND RECON STRETCH

WOMEN’S SKI PANTS | £289.95

The Recon collection is designed as the perfect meeting point between freeride and touring functionality, and the Recon Stretch Women’s Ski Pants are the perfect example. With both the waterproofing and features to withstand the deepest powder days and the 4-way stretch, venting and articulation to keep up with the most demanding tours. skibartlett.com

THIRTYTWO REST STOP ANORAK | £109.95

A burly 220g fleece pullover with classic feature panelling, snap closures and zippered hand pockets. Essential for any snowboard trip, working great as a mid-layer in the depths of winter but treated with a durable water repellent and ready to be worn as an outer when springtime shredding rolls around. sputniksnowboardshop.com

AIRBLASTER GUIDE SHELL JACKET | £259.95

No brand epitomises the fun of snowboarding with your friends more than Airblaster. However, under all the smiles and good times lies a serious side. Spending all day in mountains with your friends, particularly in the Pacific North West, requires clothing that keeps you warm and dry. Don’t be fooled by the Guide Shell’s minimalist looks; Airblaster have packed all the features of their higher-end gear into this mid-price jacket. sputniksnowboardshop.com

 STANCE ROUTE 2 PERFORMANCE

WOMEN’S SNOWBOARD SOCK | £22.95

Once you’ve worn Stance socks it’s hard to go back to anything else. Add in merino wool, channelled air cushioning and performance mesh and you’ve got the dream snowboard socks; wicking moisture and reducing fatigue so you can focus on the important thing… snowboarding. sputniksnowboardshop.com

The Flight Attendant is Burton’s board for hard-charging riders who huck tricks in all manner of terrain. A stiffer flex and setback stance allow supreme handling in powder and at speed, whilst balanced freeride geometry means landing an air switch is no problemo. Plus this year’s topsheet graphic really is a thing of beauty! sputniksnowboardshop.com

Alexis Pinturault is the most successful French ski racer of all time. He made his World Cup debut at 17 and has since won 34 World Cup races, representing France at six World Championships and three Winter Olympics (winning two medals).

Iain Martin from The Ski Podcast spoke to him at the start of the 2022/23 season:

You were very talented at football when you were younger. If things had gone differently, might you have been playing at the World Cup with France?

AP I was a central defender, doing well, but