FEATURES

DEMAND MORE
2012 SKI TEST & GEAR GUIDE
Good is no longer good enough. This year, more than 50 testers pored over 350 products at our weeklong stay at Powder Mountain, and while many of those products were good, simply getting the job done wasn't enough to make the cut. This year's standout products made skiing easier, or more fun (or both), which translated to more laps and more smiles at the end of the day. What you have in your hands is the key to the 100 best pieces of backcountry gear available. They will take you higher, farther and faster with less effort and more fun. Demand more, and you shall receive.

THE TOTAL PACKAGE
2012 BOARD TEST & GEAR GUIDE
Two years ago, we reviewed eight splitboards. Last year, 11. This year the entire snowboard review is devoted to splits—19 in total—a testament to the sport's explosive growth. Beyond the boards are bc-specific products that are raising the bar of performance, quality and innovation. Dedicated splitboard bindings, boots, skins and a host of other accessories are now available to complete your collection of backcountry snowboarding essentials. Get The Total Package.

SKIS
AT BOOTS
TELE BOOTS
BINDINGS
SNOWBOARDS
SNOWBOARD ESSENTIALS

DEPARTMENTS

THE RUN DOWN

Prioritize
A new car or a new setup? You decide.

DEPOSITION

Letters

Figures 11

Safety Meeting
"What makes a great ski partner?"

McLeanings:
GGR–The Good Gear Revolution

BLOWN IN

Freeheel Fallout
As AT gear improves, will telemark keep its place in the bc?

Splitboarding Strides Higher
Inside the backcountry snowboarding boom.

Height of Land Launches Kronicle
Snowboard-specific title complements Backcountry

ROUTE FINDING

Private Powder
Dropping into Powder Mountain's exclusive sidecountry zone

BLOWN OUT

Biff America
The road less traveled: The bowl seldom skied