Gear Review: First Impressions of the BOA Fit System on 2 Different Pairs of Ski Boots Nothing has changed the ski industry this decade like the emergence of BOA ski boots. We have taken on the challenge here at SnowBrains to have two writers review two different BOA ski boots over this season. Aunika will review the Atomic Hawx 115 Ultra XTD single BOA, while John will review the K2 Cortex 130 Zonal (double) BOA. Reviewer […] Gear John Cunningham | January 22, 2026 0 Comments
Gear Review: Aleck x Smith—Where Outstanding Sound Meets Premier Safety For myself and so many others, safety is always the number one priority while skiing and snowboarding. With that being said, an almost equally important factor to a good day on the mountain is having fun and enjoying yourself. The feeling of freedom and finding your flow as you cruise or dance down the snowy mountain is indescribable. Now, thanks […] Gear John Cunningham | March 17, 2025 0 Comments
Gear Review: Testing Out LEKI’s New Griffin Pro 3D Gloves and Detect S Ski Poles Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of testing LEKI’s new Griffin Pro 3D gloves and the Detect S ski poles. While gloves and poles are usually an afterthought, my experience skiing with these products has altered my thinking. From the effectiveness and ease of use of the Trigger System to the overall feel and functionality of the new […] Gear John Cunningham | February 10, 2025 0 Comments
[GEAR REVIEW] Packasport Journeyer Rooftop Box: Simply the Best When it comes to hauling gear for outdoor adventures, a reliable rooftop cargo box can make all the difference. There are numerous advantages to owning one, the most obvious being the convenience of extra storage. However, they often come with trade-offs, such as clunky designs, limited accessibility, or reduced aerodynamics. Enter Packasport rooftop boxes, which aim to stand out in […] Gear Brent Glogau | January 10, 2025 0 Comments
[GEAR REVIEW] Icelantic’s 2024 Nomad Collection Redefines Fun and Freeride Performance Icelantic Skis has unveiled a major redesign of its flagship Nomad and Maiden Freeride collections for the 2024-25 season, marking the most extensive update to these popular lines in eight years. I had the privilege to test out the revamped Nomad collection last season, which now features four new models: the Nomad 94, 100, 106, and 112. The redesign focused […] Gear Martin Kuprianowicz | August 28, 2024 0 Comments
[GEAR REVIEW] Moment Wildcat 108: The One Quiver Solution Gear Review by Connor Frazier; Salt Lake City, Utah Reviewer Stats: Days skied on the 2024 Moment Wildcat 108 Skis: 20 Height: 5’9” Weight: 240lbs Skiing Level: Advanced Boots Used: Salomon Shift Pro 230 Bindings Used: Look Pivot 12 GW Ski Bindings Testing Location: Wasatch Mountains, Utah Technical specifications: Dimensions: 134-108-127mm Radius: 21.5m @ 179cm Weight: 8.6lbs/3.9kg @ 179cm Lengths available: 164, 174, […] Gear Connor Frazier | April 5, 2024 0 Comments
Gear Review: Arbor Landmark Camber 158 Splitboard After several seasons of riding Arbor Snowboards, they have cemented themselves as some of my favorite snowboards on the market, especially this season’s new Candle Rain. Arbor, however, does not only specialize in solid snowboards as they also make awesome (and reliable) splitboards meant for the backcountry. Recently, they sent me their 158 Landmark Camber Splitboard to test out, and […] Gear Jesse | January 23, 2024 0 Comments
[GEAR REVIEW] The 4FRNT Devastator: No Limits, No Compromises The Devastator lives up to its name. It juts out as a standout in the 4FRNT family. Its award-winning multi-radius rocker profile isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a game-changer. This ski has an uncanny ability to destroy any terrain you put it in, making it a freeride weapon that never compromises on performance. It’s versatile, hard-charging, and insanely playful. It’s got a […] Gear Martin Kuprianowicz | January 22, 2024 0 Comments
Gear Review: 2023/24 Arbor Candle Rain 155 Snowboard Arbor is hands down one of the most reliable companies in the world of snowboarding, and they recently dropped their 2023/24 snowboard line. One of the featured snowboards of this season’s drop is the Pat Moore-designed Candle Rain camber board. For those that are not familiar, Pat Moore is a legendary snowboarder who has been in the game for quite […] Gear Jesse | December 15, 2023 0 Comments
Gear Review: LEKI Spitfire Vario 3D Adjustable Ski Poles After I got my LEKI Spitfire Vario adjustable ski poles, the first thing I did was ski Main Chute at Alta Ski Area. I immediately noticed how light, easy to swing around, and well-constructed they were. With its variable length of 110 to 140 cm, you are immediately safely on the go in any terrain and can very easily adjust […] Gear Martin Kuprianowicz | November 9, 2023 2 Comments
Gear Review: Elevenate Bec de Rosses Jacket & Pants Last season, I had the opportunity to test Elevenate’s new Bec de Rosses kit. This is my unbiased review of the kit – both the shell and the bibs. I’ve broken the review into five sections: fit, uphill performance, protection from the elements, miscellaneous pros/cons, and “the bottom line.” Reviewer Stats: Name: Clay Malott Days with the Bec de Rosses […] Gear Clay Malott | September 20, 2023 0 Comments
Gear Review: The Eco-Friendly, Ultra-Sporty Sunski Treeline Sunglasses The Sunski Treeline polarized sunglasses are for people who like high-velocity sports and the environment. Made from a ‘SuperLight‘ recycled plastic that Sunski came up with themselves and backed by their lifetime warranty, The Treelines are eco-consciously sexy. The award-winning Treeline is part of Sunski’s glacier sunglasses line with extreme coverage and sun protection. A unisex style that looks great on […] Gear SnowBrains | May 8, 2023 0 Comments
Sunski Tera Sunglasses Review: The Newest Addition to My Spring Skiing Arsenal When I first saw the Sunski Tera sunglasses, I fell in love with the style. But when it comes to ski touring, I think most would agree that looks aren’t everything. I was curious how well these stylish little glacier goggles would perform. Eye protection is so vital in the mountains, I couldn’t wait to see what these had in […] Gear Katy Shipley | May 2, 2023 0 Comments
[GEAR REVIEW] Peak Skis 104: Modern Day Charger or Marketing Hype? If you’re a SnowBrains regular, you know that we covered the launch of Bode Miller’s Peak Skis last spring. Since then, they’ve added big names like Chris Davenport, Michelle Parker, and JT Holmes to their lineup, which begs the question, are these skis the real deal or just a bunch of marketing hype? Luckily, Peak hooked me up with a pair […] Gear Mike Lavery | March 13, 2023 2 Comments
[GEAR REVIEW] Blizzard Hustle 9 Ski – A Versatile All-In-One Delight With no mountain town to call home, my nomadic lifestyle means I don’t have a garage, crawl space, or basement to store my ski gear. I carry everything everywhere I go. Therefore, I need to have minimal equipment—one quiver for everything. My boots fulfilled these criteria, and I was looking for the perfect ‘do everything’ ski this season. Thankfully, Blizzard […] Gear Steven Agar | March 9, 2023 0 Comments
SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro: Mission Kit That Won’t Quit Streamline durability beside dynamic performance; five words to frame the focus behind SUUNTO’S new 9 Peak Pro. Meticulously engineered via entirely reusable energy, 9 Peak Pro beckons as a compact GPS sport watch to take the next mission to the next level. From Finland with love, SUUNTO’s team of exacting artisans have specifically crafted their 9 Peak Pro for maximum […] Gear Paulie | February 27, 2023 0 Comments
[GEAR REVIEW] REKKIE: Fully Automated Smart Snow Goggles Over the past few seasons, skiing and snowboarding have become just as much of data-tracking activities as they are enjoyable hobbies. New gear and countless applications allow riders to track their entire day, including altitude and vertical feet, speed, location, and so many other statistics. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Rekkie is bringing some fresh innovation to the table, pushing the […] Gear Jesse | February 14, 2023 0 Comments
[GEAR REVIEW] Insta360 X3: The Sleekest Action Camera for Skiing Durable, sleek, and effortless to use on the mountain—these are only a few reasons the new Insta360 X3 is dominating the action sports camera market right now. Skiing is a lifestyle. A way of life for some, like us here at SnowBrains. When it comes to posting daily content from the mountains, we need a solid camera to get the job […] Gear Martin Kuprianowicz | December 24, 2022 1 Comment
[GEAR REVIEW] The Grassroots ‘Flying Carpet’ Powsurfer—Wickedly Smooth, Extremely Fun This level of fun should be illegal. In order to challenge myself and try something new this year, I decided to take on powdersurfing (“powdersurfing:” not “powder surfing.” It’s one word!). I did my homework, researched various brands, talked to local shredders I know, and resolved that Grassroots Powdersurfing was the best brand for me, if not one of the […] Gear Martin Kuprianowicz | December 23, 2022 0 Comments
[GEAR REVIEW] Mammut Barryvox S Beacon *SnowBrains carries some affiliate marketing links, which means we earn commission on sales of some products when users click through a link from the site. Our editorial content is NOT influenced by affiliate partnerships. I was inspired to test out the Mammut Barryvox S after all of the transceiver failures and recalls in recent years. We all hope we never […] Gear SnowBrains | December 22, 2022 0 Comments