Winter fitness: Winter sports

Slash ApArtment23 ATV

£605 / go.stuff.tv/SlashATV

Slash is Austrian freeride legend Gigi Ruf’s vision of what snowboarding should look like. The ATV is his board of choice… and if you’re an experienced rider who loves pushing hard from first lift to last, this directional twin all-mountain fun machine is an absolute blast.

Compared to many new boards that feature flat, inverse or rocker side profiles, I found the ATV fairly traditional. This isn’t a bad thing – a simple camber and radial sidecut may not be as forgiving as some, but it offers a reliable ride and predictable turns. This is not a board for noobs, but for those with the experience it has all you could wish for.

This season’s version of the ATV has a nice wide fit, which is excellent for big feet. It’s available in 155, 157, 159w, and 163w, which is not as comprehensive as some brands but should cover most riders. As well as using four different woods – poplar, paulownia, beech and spruce – the core features a three-way fibre weave with strands running at 45° angles. The quirky flat-top design not only helps shave weight from the board, but also means it stands up without tipping over like traditional boards do.

The quirky shape shouldn’t work in deep, fresh snow, but the sharp upturn on the nose and tail, plus 3D profiling – where the tips have been scooped out – helps push it away and keep you afloat. Of course a dedicated powder board will float more, but the beauty of the ATV is that it lets you have a silly amount of fun in all conditions.

Now add these…

DB Snow Roller Pro 127L

Be the envy of every rider in the airport: this ski and snowboard bag is fully adjustable, has protective ribs and rolls up to 10% of its size.

£279 / uk.dbjourney.com

Anon M5 Goggles and MFI Face Mask

This goggle offers the best of both cylindrical and spherical lenses to improve your field of view across the mountain. There’s a wide range of spare lenses available, which swap out in seconds using the one-handed Magna-Tech system, but our favourite feature is the magnetic face-mask that connects to the frame and keeps the chill off without any fogging.

£290 / burton.com

Rab Khroma Kinetic Windproof Jacket

Lightweight, stretchy and highly breathable, this ski jacket features Rab’s Proflex waterproof fabric with a 20,000mm HH rating – so you simply will not get wet. It’s an ideal shell for when you’re working hard, with plenty of ventilation zips, and is also super-effective against wind.

£340 / rab.equipment

Smith Method MIPS Helmet

A bit of a head-protecting bargain, this helmet has both skate-style looks and the latest safety features. With top-grade MIPS technology (side impact protection for skulls), it’s one of the first lids to use zonal Koroyd, a tubular-core material that offers next-level compressive strength and energy absorption without adding to the helmet’s bulk.

£140 / absolute-snow.co.uk

Safeback Bergans Mountainline Daypack 40L

This backcountry-ready backpack hides one of the most innovative avalanche safety systems ever created: the SBX tech uses a pump to supply fresh air to the wearer in the event of being buried in snow. It will push air across your face via vents on the shoulder straps for 90mins.

£600 / safeback.no

Salomon S/Pro Supra BOA 120

Snowboarders have been enjoying super-comfy boots courtesy of BOA twist fastenings for years – and thankfully for all those people who choose to strap two planks instead of one to their feet, Salomon has the S/Pro Supra BOA. These performance boots feature a five-cable BOA system across the forefoot for an even, precise fit.

£520 / salomon.com

Season Forma

The Forma is a powder ski that’s fun even if you have to do a few resort runs before you find the fresh stuff. The wide and floaty swallowtail design has a natural flair for cruising in fresh snow, with the tail and set-back binding position helping you float. The tight (for a powder ski) turning radius makes them enjoyable to use, and they should deliver big grins for many seasons to come.

£719 / seasoneqpt.com

Transform Budget Snuggler

Winter sports are a pricey addiction, but at least Transform can help you save a few pounds on your mittens without compromising on comfort or warmth.

£53 / transform gloves.com