Win a $500 shopping spree from The Ski Monster
With temperatures dropping, resorts opening and ski season hype rising; this is the time to dig your gear out of the garage to check your edges, re-assess your style choices and clean out your pockets of last season’s closing day remnants. There’s nothing worse than pulling up to the parking lot on your first day of the season and remembering that you were really meaning to replace that piece of equipment this past summer, and never got around to it. Never fear, because this week The Ski Monster is giving away a $500 gift card where you can find all of this season’s top-of-line equipment.
Run your planks down a line that was a little too spicy for spring? Forget to duck under that branch deep enough and nick your helmet? Or are you just tired of going cross-eyed cursing the scratch in the center of your goggle lens? The experts at The Ski Monster spent all last season pushing each piece of their curated selection of gear to the limits, and now they want to match you with the latest and greatest equipment specific to your ski style. Check out a few of their season favorites below and enter the sweepstakes by November 10th for the chance to win!
Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition
If perfect is a thing, the Ripstick 96 Black Edition is there or pretty darn close. Among every skier at The Ski Monster the Ripstick 96 Black made everyone’s top 5 list. Nimble without being too soft, nimble while being super stable carving any shape turn — a ski that can do any shape turn and light AF. The Elan Ripstick 96 Black edition is the same shape and profile as the ripstick green but with 4 carbon rods instead of 2. Apparently those rods do a lot because the Ripstick 96 Black Edition has a lot more power without being overbearing. Usually more powerful skis are difficult to manage at low speeds or in bumps and trees, they tend not to initiate a turn easily — not the Ripstick 96 Black. This is a ski that will change how a lot of other manufacturers think about building skis.
Fischer Ranger 102
Fischer took one of our favorite skis the Pink 102 and improved the heck out of it. Not just with color, this is more than just a graphic change, it’s a whole new ski. What’s different about the new Ranger 102? Well, it grips better on harder snow for one, and it blasts through chop and chunder with more confidence. The ski is still plenty playful, Fischer didn’t screw that up — phew. The versatility of the Ranger 102 is what makes it a Ski Monster favorite. Having tested these skis for almost a year on both coasts it’s fair to say the Ranger 102 is one of the most versatile skis you can buy.
Faction Dancer 2
The Dancer 2 is a highly energetic all-mountain ski ideal for advanced to expert rippers. Feeling very lively off-piste, the Dancer 2 can make variable conditions way more fun. This isn’t the dampest or most hard charging ski in the all-mountain category, but its easily one of the most playful. Loose tails make pivoting through bumps and trees wicked easy, while softer tips help with turn initiation and nimbleness. Honestly this ski might not be for everyone, but will be great for skiers looking for performance off-piste.
Tecnica Mach1 130 MV
The Tecnica Mach1 130 for 2023 is one of our favorite high performance boots currently on the market. It just flat out rips and fits incredibly well out of the box. At a 130 flex this boot drives skis with ultimate efficiency and provides more than enough power for just about every ski out there. The flex progression is powerful, smooth, responsive and sends input to the skis predictably. The liner in this boot and the shell fit very well around the bones in your feet and both the liner and shell are very easy to modify if you need a pressure point relieved in the boot. This is a more performance oriented boot for more advanced skiers, but it’s shaped in all the right places to keep your feet happy enough out on the hill.
Salomon S/Pro Alpha 120
The Salomon S/Pro Alpha 120 replaces the S/Max 120. The S/Max was an awesome boot, the Alpha is just better. The S/Pro Alpha 120 is great for skiers with lower volume feet or skiers that like a more performance oriented fit. At a 120 flex the S/Pro Alpha has an accessible powerband for progressing skiers or experienced skiers who don’t need to be in the stiffest boots out there. It has a smooth, responsive and predictable feel capable of bending a large majority of all mountain skis with ease and it’s easy to take on and off. Like the other S/Pro Alphas, this is more comfortable Low Volume boot, but performance isn’t dumbed down in the slightest. Win, win, win.
Orage Torngat Jacket
The Torngat is about as stylish and functional as a shell jacket can get. Hot one? The 2-way zipper vents will help you cool off quick. When the weather turns, the YKK waterproof zips will keep your belongings dry, and the Derzimax laminate will keep water out without making you sweat. Equipped with zippered chest and kangaroo pockets and three mesh pockets, you’ll have no problem carrying everything you need. Wherever you go, this jacket has your back.
Armada Grands 3L
A good shell jacket is essential for any skier or rider to have in their kit. A shell jacket needs to be durable, provide awesome weather protection, remain breathable to help with moisture management and it should look good. The Armada Grands 3L Jacket checks all the boxes as far as a dope shell jacket goes. This durable, military inspired, jacket combines functional technology with awesome durability to give you a shell jacket that can take you from first chair to last call at your favorite mountain. From ripping park laps to slack-country hikes, this jacket has got you covered. The 10k/10k Ripstop fabric with DWR coating sheds water and snow with ease to keep you dry, comfortable and out on the mountain longer. The New Standard Fit, from Armada, leaves enough room underneath the jacket for base-layers and a mid-layer that you’ll need for cold days out on the slopes. When you find yourself slashing through hip deep powder you’ll be glad to have the adjustable hem and powder-skirt which help to keep snow out of the jacket. The Grands also has a ton of other ski minded features from pit vents and a micro-fleece chin guard to lycra wrist gaiters and adjustable cuffs. This jacket has everything you need to have a great day on the hill.
Giro Method Goggles
Giro needed to come out with a crisp, steezy pair of cylindrical goggles that boasts modern style and technology – enter the Method goggle. Of course style was a primary factor when developing these, but more importantly is the expanded field of view. No need to worry about the frame blocking your peripheral when your on the hill living your best life. Giro also has some of the best lens on the market, thanks to the VIVID lens with Optics by ZEISS, greatly enhancing snow contrast and definition while filtering out harmful UV rays to allow you to focus on crushing your next line. EVAK vent technology keeps the goggles free from fogging up for all day enjoyment. The triple layer face foam provides unmatched comfort. Sorry, but the goggles stay on for APRES.
For a full layout of all The Ski Monster’s gear be sure to visit their flagship store in Boston for a truly elevated retail experience, or shop online at www.theskimonster.com and enjoy free shipping.
This article was originally published by Freeskier.com. Read the original article here.
