This is a slope-meter ! It works ! You can be very safe in the backcountry by knowing the slope of the pitches that you are shredding. Although not a necessary piece of backcountry equipment, if you are interested in snow study and are curious about the slopes of your shots - buy one, they're the size of a Tic-Tac container.

Not sure how last year's kit got past the R+D team at Burton, (what with the lame plastic satchel and all), but this year they almost nailed it. My only complaint is that it's hard to pop open the plastic lid with one hand. Maybe next year they'll fully come correct, but for now take off both of your gloves.

This jacket is warm. That's about the only good thing I have to say about it. Other than that it's not the greatest (especially not for skiing or snowboarding). The zippers are cheap, the neck zips up way too tight, there is no velcro on the sleeve cuffs (only elastic). There is no venting, the fabric tears easily, and I tore a hold in a side pocket after a week of use. You win some and I guess you lose some.

So, homeboy below (who returned these pants because he wasn't down with hidden smiley faces) just blew it. These drawers are awesome if you can stand how loud and obnoxious that they are. 2.5 Layer Gore-Tex for $150.00? Seriously? You can't beat that unless you are in the industry. These pants are completely wind + waterproof, baggy, comfortably-lined, multiply-pocketed, and overall bad-ass. The pattern looks like a treebark-colored cartoon-camo print (and yes, there are hidden smiley faces). Get a pair while they are still available because they are the ish.

There was nothing really notable for me to say about the TMS after demoing it for a couple of days in varied conditions. It's not really stiff and it's not really soft. It's pretty fast, but nothing extraordinary. The best thing that I could say about this board is that the flex provides for poppy takeoffs and solid landings. But, with all of the technology happening in snowboard designing these days, I'm starting to think that Ride has to do something soon to keep up with the Joneses. Save your money for a LibTech BTX.

These pants are a great buy for the shredder on a budget. Lots of features found in more expensive pants at a fraction of the cost. They claim 10K waterproof/breathable, but they feel more like 15K. Great fabric feel, and a super-steezy fit - These pants are big and baggy, but they are not overkill. Perfect symbiosis of function and style, and this year's Burton pants all come with a jacket/pant interface zipper to keep the pow pow out of yer bum crack.

It's hard to not have fun in 16" of fresh pow, but I rode this deck today and had an absolute blast! Because of a medium-stiff directional flex, you can float and slash untracked terrain and straight-line through the chunder without concern for maxing this board's speed. The Twin-ish shape is super playful and poppy, and the addition of Magne-Traction Technology is the finishing touch for this board. I truly believe that any board without MTX isn't even worth riding anymore.

There's a reason why not a single thing has changed on these goggles since they first came out. They are everything that a goggle should be - nothing more, and nothing less. I think that they should be placed in the Museum of Modern Art in the design wing alongside other timeless industrial design masterpieces. The fit most people better than any other goggle on the market, the lenses are durable and easy to maintain, and the optics are spectacular. Little to no fogging issues, and the colorways get steezier every year. Phenoms for life.

After an initial recommendation from a Burton rep., I decided to rock these bindings during the '07-'08 season. As a rider who tends to break lots of equipment, I must say that I was pretty disappointed with the Triads' construction. Although way light, and seemingly responsive, these bindings fell way short of my expectations and I broke the brittle highbacks within a week of riding them at The Bird. When my finances told me that a new set of bindings wasn't in the cards for the rest of the season, I rigged them with a set of old P1 backs and now they are sufficient, but certainly not worthy of sending solid big mountain lines with confidence. If you like to take laps in the park, and occasionally hit a cliff or two, buy the Cartels instead, otherwise do yourself a favor and get on some Rossi binders or some Flux stiffies. Your feet and your ego will thank you...

If you don't know about Magne-Traction, you should. Lib-Tech has pioneered the latest snowboard design revolution by introducing MTX, which incorporates a scalloped edge to increase edge hold in a variety of conditions. I rode this board about 10 days last season, and way fully excited to be on it each and every time. When riding powder, the extra edge hold doesn't translate into slower turning (imagine a serrated-edge knife cutting through a loaf of french bread), but when conditions get choppy, this technology becomes your best friend. Since Lib-tech has a patent on this design, (along with partner companies, Roxy and Rossignol under Mervin Manufacturers), you should keep your search for the ultimate shred stick limited to this family of fine snowboard manufacturers! If you're looking to step up and get your rep up, swoop a Mervin deck and stomp everything this season!