Freeride Setups
Let’s be honest, the vast majority of us dream of powder skiing. It’s addictive. And the good news is that this is one addiction that’s pretty darn good for you, even if it means saving hard for that next shiny bit of gear.
Featured Image: Caroline Gleich
Freeride used to be about fat skis, powerful construction and sending it hard. Thankfully, the brands are making versatile skis that don’t require the legs of Bode Miller to get them to turn. Well-judged flexes and less beefy cores mean they’re easier to use at lower speeds, yet still allow you to go full tilt when the conditions allow it. The majority of women’s and men’s freeride options are just the same skis with different graphics and length options, so don’t feel you’ve got to be pigeonholed if you want the ‘other’ one. You can bet your bottom dollar this will change in subsequent seasons, with gender-specific skis moving aside for many brands in the freeride world.
Now, to that kit we’re talking about…
WOMEN’S FREERIDE GEAR
- Nordica Santa ANA Unlimited 93
£560 (w/o bindings)
Lengths: 151, 158, 165, 172cm
Radius: 14.4m @ 165cm
Dimensions: 125-93-112mm
Weight per ski: 1,350g @ 165cm without binding
Great float through the front, and the long tip and tail rocker ensures you can pivot the skis to dodge any nasties. Its low weight helps if you want to skin for freshies too. Excellent for advanced-level skiers, although the agility and confidence in variable terrain will really help higher intermediates.
nordica.com - Salomon S/Lab Shift MN 10
£420
Din range: 4 – 10
Weight (per unit): 875g
There are a fair few hybrid touring bindings on the market, but the Atomic/Salomon/Armada Shift is still the one to beat. It has the safety and skiing performance of a downhill binding with pins that are only used when switched into tour mode. It’s a brilliant freeride binding and a perfect partner to the Santa Ana Unlimited.
salomon.com - K2 Mindbender 95 BOA W
£575
Sizes (MP): 22.5-27.5
Walk mode: Yes, 50°
Volume: Medium
Last (mm): 97-104
Flex: 115
Weight (per boot): 1,860g (24.5MP)
The Mindbender 95 is an ideal partner for this rig, with superb foot hold thanks to the BOA H+i1 dial and cable closure, and 55° of cuff motion in tour mode. The honeycomb boot board helps keep the cold out, and pop the softer insert under the heel for a super-smooth ride.
k2snow.com - Ortovox 3L Deep Shell W Jacket and Pant
Jacket: £665, Pant: £535
An incredible freeride outfit, especially if you’re thinking of skinning too. It’s lightweight, durable, and comfy, with mega freedom of movement and a whole heap of freeride style. It comes with loads of powder-seeking features, is PFC-free and climate neutral. Also available in men’s.
ortovox.com - Patagonia Women’s Micro Puff Hoody
£270
The best warmth-to-weight ratio jacket in Patagonia’s collection, and it’s super compressible, so you’re never without it. The shell’s made from NetPlus recycled fishing nets to help reduce ocean pollution, and it comes with a PFC-free DWR. The lightweight 100% recycled PlumaFill synthetic insulation provides plenty of warmth, and it works even when wet.
patagonia.com - Black Diamond Women’s Mission MX Mitts
£110
Packed full of tech to keep digits warm and dry. There’s a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex liner with PrimaLoft Gold insulation. The under-the-cuff fit is easy to cinch under the jacket wrist closure, and there’s reinforced goat leather on the palms for extra durability. Also available in men’s.
blackdiamondequipment.com - Osprey Sopris Pro 30
£1,400
This women’s-specific pack comes with a host of freeride and touring features, with additional safety thanks to the USB-C rechargeable Alpride E2 Electronic Airbag system. The main compartment zip allows sideways opening for full access to your kit, and the bag’s made using Bluesign-approved recycled materials. Our test pack only weighed 2,924g. We love it.
osprey.com
MEN’S FREERIDE GEAR
- Blizzard Rustler 9
£590 (w/o bindings)
Lengths: 162, 168, 174, 180, 186cm
Radius: 17.0m @ 180cm
Dimensions: 131-96-121mm
Weight per ski: 1,860g @ 180cm w/o binding
Wowser, it’s amazing (and so is the Rustler 10, it’s just not really stocked in the UK). If you want one ski to have on your feet, irrespective of conditions, this Rustler 9 is the mutt’s, perfectly suited to advanced and expert skiers.
blizzard-tecnica.com - Tyrolia Protector Attack 13 MN
£320
Din range: 4 – 13
Weight (per unit): Approx 1,430g
An innovative binding designed to mitigate knee injuries. This multi-norm (MN) freeski version works with ISO Alpine, ISO touring, and GripWalk soles. It’s robust, responsive, and trustworthy.
tyrolia.com - Dalbello Cabrio LV Free 120
£600
Sizes (MP): 24.5-30.5
Walk mode: Yes, no stated ROM
Volume: Low
Last (mm): 99
Flex: 120
Weight (per boot): 1,980g (26.5MP)
A completely new offering, and the 12° incline’s less upright than the Lupo it replaces, following feedback from legends like Markus Eder. Of course, you can skin with it, but the fit and performance features for skiing are the most impressive. The liner on this boot is superb, but if you want a wrap liner, step into the 130-flex version.
dalbello.it - Arc’teryx Sabre SV Jacket
£700
The longest length snowsports shell Arc’teryx offers, using Gore-Tex Pro with a 100% recycled face fabric. The waterproof pit zips are about the easiest we’ve used. The massive hood has plenty of adjustment, and there’s an inconspicuous Recco reflector hidden on the back of your upper left arm. Pair this with the matching Sabre Bib Pants for the ultimate weather protection.
arcteryx.com - Rab Khroma Freeride Gore-Tex Gloves
£145
One of the best-looking gloves out there, with long cuffs, full Gore-Tex Plus Warm weather protection, targeted hydrophobic Primaloft Gold insulation complimented by a deep-pile lining. The reinforced and grippy Pittards leather palm has a gentle nose wipe on the thumb. These are toasty warm and feel incredible for their moderate price; these truly are the real freeride deal.
rab.equipment - Sweet Protection Igniter 2Vi Mips Helmet
£219
A luxuriously comfortable unisex helmet with cutting-edge technologies. The price is up there, but the amount of development and enhanced safety Sweet deliver is worth it. The lightweight hardshell has varying elasticity, the shock-absorbing liner uses different densities of foam, and they’ve worked with Mips to further enhance safety, with a two-part sliding assembly. Available in a range of colours.
sweetprotection.com - Patagonia SnowDrifter 20L Pack
£145
Fans of slim, low-profile packs with all the necessaries and no more will want to throw on the SnowDrifter 20 this winter. Made from 100% recycled materials, it’s a simple and efficient freeride-specific pack that’s perfect for short sharp backcountry hits. A clamshell zipper provides access to the main compartment, and you can easily attach helmet and skis. Let’s go!
patagonia.com
