Best Snowboard Goggles

Best Ski and Snowboarding Goggles for 2021-2022

It’s important for every Snowboarder to find the right pair of the best Snowboarding Goggles available to them. While some say people wear goggles to look cool (and trust us, they do!) they are super important to have on you when you’re riding to shield your eyes from the elements; high wind, an over-bright sun, or deep powder. It may seem like it’s the last thing you need on the mountain, but not being able to see due to Mother Nature’s changing whims can often ruin a pleasant snowboarding experience.  Don’t get stuck on the mountain unprepared!

Below you will find our staff’s current Top 10 Best Ski and Best Snowboarding Goggles for 2021-2022.  Much like our Top 10 Best Headlamps for 2021-2022, we reviewed all these goggles with comfort, durability, construction quality and design in mind.  These are some of the best Goggles out there, and anytime something better comes along, we will definitely update this list with the latest and greatest snowboarding goggles.  Choosing the perfect pair of goggles can be a little overwhelming. But this Top 10 Best Ski and Snowboarding Goggles list is here to help you find the best set of goggles for your needs.  Enjoy, and of course. . .safe riding!

Best Ski Goggles and Best Snowboarding Goggles

Our Top Rated Goggles

Anon M2 Ski Goggles

Magnets.  How do they work?  The Burton Anon M2 make swapping a new lens like magic. There are no notches or levers, just 16 rare-earth magnets in the carrier liner that provides 8 points of contact.  It takes just the right amount of finger pressure to release the lens from these stylish frames. And it takes about two seconds to replace them securely as each magnet has the pull force of 2.75 lbs that helps keep the lens perfectly aligned. These goggles are engineered to adapt to all face shapes and sizes and distributes pressure evenly across the face for the best possible comfort and fit with a triple layer of face foam that utilizes moisture-wicking fleece to seal out the elements.

Yet, the one drawback to these, is if you take a pretty serious tumble riding Park, you may lose the lens pretty quickly.  The Magnets are strong, but not strong enough to survive you ‘tomahawking’ down the mountain.

Powderheadz Rating

4.5/5

Giro Contact Snow Goggles

The medium-sized Giro Contact is designed to fit with all Giro helmets, such as any of the Giro Helmets found in our Top 10 Snowboarding Helmets for 2021-2022. These goggles come equipped with Expansion View Technology (EXV) and a toric VIVID Lens from ZEISS – a global leader in photography and optical technology that mimics the form a human eye to provide superior optics and increased peripheral vision. The unique frame design also allows for unparalleled peripheral vision with a strengthened combination of 3 distinct foam layers that provides an excellent amount of comfort and support around the eyes. If you already have a Giro Ledge Snow Helmet, the Giro Onset will act as a perfect companion piece of equipment.

Powderheadz Rating

4/5

Oakley Flight Deck Prizm Goggles

Oakley makes a damn fine pair of sunglasses. So of course they can make a damn fine pair of Snowboarding Goggles. The Oakley Flight Deck Prizm is inspired by the helmet visors of fighter pilots. This gives these pair of goggles a massive range of peripheral vision with optimal clarity.

But the real story here is the Prizm lens. First, they eliminate the visually useless colors from the spectrum that your eyes are sensitive to, or “bad light”. Second, they optimize “good light”, the colors your eyes see to help see detail. And third, Prizm lenses maximizes contrast in the snow to enhance visibility through a variety of conditions. This in turn reduces the need to switch lenses as often as you would with other goggles.

The Powderheadz.com team thinks that this one of the best snowboarding goggles out there.

Powderheadz Rating

5/5

Smith I/O MAG Snow Goggles

This pair of goggles is not too hot and not too cold, they’re just right. The Smith I/O MAG is the improved middle choice in the stellar Smith I/O series (Smith I/O, Smith I/O MAG, Smith I/O MAG XL, and the Smith I/O 4D) designed to fit medium to large sized faces. The ChromaPop™ lenses offer a wider range of lighting conditions and field of viewthan the avergage pair of goggles. The lens is super easy to swap out with just a lift and twist of a single metal lever.

And the best part? For people like us who somehow destroy their lenses by the end of the season, the Smith I/O 7 comes with a replacement pair.  Depending on which type you choose, it comes with either a bright light or low light performance mirror lens.

Powderheadz Rating

4.5/5

Spy Optics Legacy Ski Goggles

Old school players to new school fools, ‘Kast keep it jumpin like kangaroos. The Spy Legacy Goggles go back to basics with a retro strap but update the look with a huge spherical lens that keeps your style out there and your vision clear with its Happy™ Lens Tech – scientifically designed to boost mood and alertness. It’s Fingerprint-free Lock Steady™ 2 quick-change system lets you change lenses with a slide of a lever.

That also means it comes with two interchangeable lenses. dope!

Powderheadz Rating

4.5/5

OutdoorMaster Pro Ski Goggles

Outdoor Master Ski Goggles Pro come with a little bit of everything. It has a HD frameless spherical lens that offers clear optical performance with zero distortion and a larger field of view. Its in-house anti-fog coating helps prevent condensation for even more clarity.

The goggles also have a quick release magnetic frame, making you able to change between over 20+ different lenses – offering multiple VLT (visible light transmission) types for all kinds of environment and weather conditions. You’ll also get a protective case and a carrying pouch to help store your goggles.

 

Powderheadz Rating

4.5/5

Dragon NFX2 Goggles

The only cylindrical lenses on this list, the Dragon Alliance NFX2 features a clean, almost frameless design that offers a decent amount of visibility. The NFX2’s also come with the Dragon’s brand ‘Swiftlock’ feature, which allows the user to flick the levers on each side of the frames to quickly switch between lenses (around 20 to choose from).  This keeps the lenses extremely secure so you never have to worry about them popping out.

And each lens is backed by Super AntiFog technology and 100% UV Protection. The Dragon Alliance NFX2 is a great pair of goggles that marries a classic cylindrical design with a modern, frame-less aesthetic.

Powderheadz Rating

4/5

Electric California EG3.5 Ski Goggles

The ultimate example of a Frameless, Spherical goggle, the Electric California EG3 is an evolution from the previous but still popular Electric California EG2.

These pair of goggles are a perfect marriage of style and substance, especially with the lens.  The dual spherical polycarbonate creates a sealed environment with a one-way pressure valve and has an anti-fog coating on the lens that makes fogging almost impossible.  It also has an additional hard coating on the exterior of the lens to help keep scratches from forming.

EG3 Snowboarding Goggle Technology
Removing and Replacing a Lens on the EG3 is fairly easy.

The lens is also very easy to replace with a rubber channel forming around the whole frame that lines up perfectly with the ridge encircling the back of the lens.  Swapping out the lens is pretty quick, too.  You can just grab and pull the lens away from the frame and then press a new lens into place.

Powderheadz Rating

4.5/5

Dragon X2 Ski Goggles

Similar to its cousin the Dragon Alliance NFX2, the Dragon Alliance X2 is the Spherical Lens version that shares all the stellar features that the NFX2 offers.  Both have a flexible yet durable frame for all temperatures.  They both also have the ‘Swiftlock‘ feature which allows you to swap lenses without ever having to take the pair of goggles off your head or helmet.  Perfect on those extremely cold days where you don’t want to take your gloves off.

Swiftlock Feature for Dragon Alliance X2 Snowboarding Goggles
Replacing the Lens without taking everything off

And you won’t realize how awesome this feature is until you actually do it.  After that, you’ll never want to go back.  And the best part?  It comes with 3 lenses.

Powderheadz Rating

4/5

Electric Egg Ski Goggles

Electric EGG Goggles are considered the standard bearers of the over-sized goggle that offers an unparalleled field of view. With a pair of these on, you can see EVERYTHING. The Dual spherical polycarbonate lens make fogging less likely and the directional valve between the two releases the pressure in the air pocket between the two.

Another important feature is that the frame is made with a very flexible thermoplastic urethane, meaning that it will survive the bumps associated with riding hard or being clumsy without breaking.  And the flexibility allows the Electric EG2 Goggles to fit almost any helmet, so you won’t be left stranded with the choice of whether to protect your head or your eyes.  The answer is always both!

Here at Powderheadz.com, we rate the Electric California EGG as one the best snowboarding goggles out there.

Powderheadz Rating

5/5

Powderheadz.com

This is our current Top 10 Best Ski Goggles and Best Snowboarding Goggles of the 2021-2022 Season. However, there are tons more of snowboarding goggles out there and we will be updating this list often with the most current information. Think we missed a pair of Ski Goggles or there’s one that deserves a spot on the Top 10 Best Snowboarding Goggles List? Let us know!  E-mail us at info (at) powderheadz.com.  Need more tips?  Look below for a thorough guide on how to determine which pair of goggles is right for you.  

As always, happy riding!

Best Snowboard Goggles

How-To: Buy Goggles

Goggles are one of the most important pieces of equipment a Snowboarder can buy.  Any Snowboarder can tell you that not being able to see can ruin your day faster than a really cold or wet day.  All the best snowboarding goggles will offer some protection from the elements, but beyond that, there are some key features to consider:

Tips:

When buying ski goggles, there are a few important factors to consider:

  1. Lens type: Consider the conditions you’ll be skiing or snowboarding in and choose lenses that are appropriate for those conditions. For example, if you’ll be skiing in bright sunlight, you’ll want to look for goggles with a polarized or mirrored lens to reduce glare. If you’ll be skiing in low-light conditions, you’ll want to look for goggles with a yellow or orange lens to improve visibility.

  2. Lens shape: The shape of the lens can also impact your vision and comfort while skiing. Look for lenses that are cylindrical or spherical, as these shapes tend to offer better peripheral vision and reduced distortion.

  3. Fit: Make sure the goggles fit comfortably and securely on your face. Look for goggles with adjustable straps, and a foam lining that conforms to the shape of your face.

  4. Ventilation: Make sure the goggles have adequate ventilation to prevent fogging. Some goggles have built-in vents, while others have a foam lining that wicks away moisture.

  5. Interchangeable lenses: If you plan on skiing or snowboarding in a variety of conditions, look for goggles with interchangeable lenses, so you can quickly switch out lenses as conditions change.

  6. Brand and price: Look at different brands and models, and compare the features they offer. Goggles can range in price from around $30 to $300, so decide your budget.

  7. Warranty: Make sure you understand the warranty for the goggles you’re considering, in case you have any issues with them in the future.

Ultimately, the most important thing is that the goggles you choose fit comfortably and securely, and that they meet your needs based on the conditions you’ll be skiing or snowboarding in.

 

 

Lens Type:  

Goggles Lens’ come in two shapes, Cylindrical and Spherical:

Dragon NFX2 Goggles
Dragon Alliance NFX 2 Cylindrical Goggles

Cylindrical Lenses curve horizontally across the face.  Cylindrical Snowboarding Goggles are usually cheaper and are adequate, but the general flatness of the lenses can slightly reduce peripheral vision and cause more glare.

Oakley Flight Deck Ski Goggles
Oakley Flight Deck Spherical Goggles

Spherical Lenses curve across your face both horizontally and vertically.  Spherical Snowboarding Goggles are generally more expensive but they give better peripheral vision (larger lenses will give better lines of sight), less distortion, and less glare.

Lens Color / Tint:

Snowboarding Goggle Lenses are often measured by VLT (Visible Light Transmission); it’s the amount of light that can pass through the lens (ranging from 0% to 100%). Lens Color is an important feature that serves to filter light differently and offers advantages in certain weather and/or light conditions. There are dozens of lens colors to choose from that vary from brand to brand, but lenses can be broken up into a few categories:

Lighter – Lighter Colors such as Pink, Yellow, Amber, all have a higher VLT (60% – 90%) and make excellent choices for low-light, foggy, or snowy days.

Mid-Range – Mid-Range Colors such as Gold, Green, Rose, and Red (30% – 60%) perform well in both conditions and are great choices if you experience changing light conditions throughout the day.

Darker – Darker Colors such as Dark Brown, Black, Grey, or Mirrored have lower VLT (5% – 30%) and excel on sunny/bluebird days because they let less light in.

Clear – These lenses have no colors on them and are best used for Night Skiing.

Goggle Ventilation:

Nearly all high-quality goggles have some form of venting to prevent fogging; this happens when warm air from your body meets the cold air from outside. To prevent fogging, Goggles will have some combination of double-layered lenses, anti-fog coatings, and/or vents. Be sure to compare your goggle shape with your helmet to prevent the vents from being blocked.

Double-layered lens – Found on nearly all Snowboarding goggles because they do not fog as quickly as single-layered lenses.  If you’ve ever looked through an airplane window, you get the idea.

Anti-fog coating – Many high-end goggle lenses have special coating to help prevent fogging.  You can also apply anti-fog products such as Zooke Z-Wax defogger to low-end and older snowboard goggles to help prevent fogging.

Zooke Anti-Fog Z-Wax
Zooke Anti-Fog Z-Wax

Vents – Usually placed in the top, bottom, and sides of the front of the goggle frames, vents help control fogging at the expense of a lower temperature, especially in frigid climates.  Most goggles will have frames that can open / close vents according to the person’s preference.

Frame and Fit:

Goggles frames come in the usual sizes of small, medium, and large. Some manufacturers will also have OTG (Over The Glasses) Style frames that are designed to be worn over your glasses. These types of goggles have the space to fit glasses while avoiding pressure on your face from the nose piece and temples.

Many adults will often choose medium-sized goggles while children will choose small-sized goggles.  However, before you purchase your goggles its best to compare them with the helmet you plan on using.  Most goggles will also have an adjustable strap with a single sliding clip or an open/close buckle with sliding clips on the side.

Also keep in mind the type and amount of foam padding on the back of the goggles.  The foam should be thick enough to cushion your face but not too thick that fogging occurs.

Other Features:

Interchangeability – Ideally, you want to find a pair of goggles that will allow you to replace the lenses.  If you plan on going for a long trip or know there will be variable conditions on the mountain you’ll be riding, you’ll want the option to swap out your lenses instead of bringing to pairs of goggles.

UV protection – Nearly all goggles offer 100% UV Protection from all 3 types (UVA, UVB, and UVC).

Photochromic lenses – Usually found on the most expensive goggles, Photochromic Lenses change their tint level based on conditions and/or UV intensity.  Sunny means a darker lens while snowing or overcast days means a lighter lens.

Mirrored lenses – These lenses reflect light and allows between 10 to 50% less light in than non mirrored lenses.

Best Snowboarding Goggles | Powderheadz.com

This is our current Top 10 Best Ski Goggles and Best Snowboarding Goggles of the 2021-2022 Season.  However, there are tons more of Snowboard goggles out there and we will be updating this list often with the most current information. Think we missed a pair of Ski Goggles or there’s one that deserves a spot on the Top 10 Best Snowboarding Goggles List? Let us know!  E-mail us at info (at) powderheadz.com.  

As always, happy riding!

 

Best Snowboard Goggles | Powderheadz.com

Best Snowboard Socks

Best Ski Socks for 2020-2021

The Best Ski Socks should get the basics right. They should be comfortable and keep your feet dry and warm. They also shouldn’t irritate you as the day goes on or smell after a couple days of consecutive use. If by the end of the day your feet are cold, wet, and achy, you are definitely using the wrong type of sock. Prevent a miserable day on the mountain with a cheap investment towards your riding.  It’s incredibly easy to avoid hurting feet from a long day of riding by purchasing the Best Ski Socks.

Down below you’ll see what we consider are the Best Ski Socks available online.

Happy Riding!

Best Ski Socks | Powderheadz.com

Our Top Rated Ski Socks

Smartwool Mens PHD Ski Medium Socks

  • Material:  Merino Wool (65%) | Nylon (33%) | Elastane (2%) | Imported Yarn
  • Length:  14 inches
  • Weight:  3.36 ounces
  • Care:  Machine Wash Warm Gentle Cycle | Do Not Bleach | Tumble Dry Low | Do Not Iron | Do Not Dry Clean

Made primarily of Merino Wool, Smartwool PhD Ski Medium Socks would be considered the best of the best when it comes to ski socks.  Merino wool is a natural fiber that comes from sheep from New Zealand.   The Nylon and Elastane are added to the material to give some elasticity to the sock.  Called the 4-degree Elite Fit System, the ski sock uses 2 elastics for high stretch-ability and recovery ability.

These socks have mesh ventilation areas as well as small air pockets that keep good air flow.  This also allows the socks to wick sweat easily and the Merino wool has a natural antibacterial compound that helps prevent odors.  You can wear these socks for a few days without washing them without the worry of stinking up the place.  That’s why we think that the Smartwool PhD Ski Medium Socks is one of the Best Ski Socks available.

Powderheadz Rating

5/5

Icebreaker Ski+ Lite Socks

  • Material:  Merino Wool (75%) | Nylon (18%) | Lycra (7%)
  • Length:  16.5 inches
  • Weight:  3.20 ounces
  • Care:  Machine Wash | Tumble Dry on Low, Inside-out

Similar to the Smartwool Men’s PhD Ski Medium Socks, these socks are made primarily of Merino Wool with a bit of Nylon and Lycra. Since it has a higher percentage of Merino Wool, the Icebreaker Ski+ Lite Socks are able to keep you very warm despite its thin material.  Even if they end up getting wet, the socks were still able to main a high level of heat compared to other socks. They are also able to wick sweat and moisture much faster and remain drier much longer.

The only drawback is that durability is an issue.  These socks tend to thin out in high friction areas. You will eventually start to notice that they tend to lose comfort over time.

Powderheadz Rating

4.5/5

Wigwam Snow Sirocco Ski Socks

  • Material:  Merino Wool (42%) | Stretch Nylon (24%) | Polypropylene (21%) | Stretch Polyester (7%) | Olefin (5%) | Spandex (1%)
  • Length:  14 inches
  • Weight:  3.06 ounces
  • Care: Machine Wash Warm | Tumble Dry on Low, Inside-out | Do Not Bleach

Wigwam Snow Sirocco Ski Socks is a combination of natural Merino wool fibers mixed with synthetic materials. These are a decent pair of inexpensive, long-lasting socks that will keep you warm for a long time (as long as they remain dry). This mid-range sock won’t keep you as warm as the Smartwool Men’s PhD Ski Medium Socks or wick as well as the Icebreaker Ski+ Lite Socks, but they will last longer than both. These durable socks held their shape much longer than the other two and will rarely have to be replaced. Wigwam socks also have excellent ventilation air pockets similar to the Smartwool socks and also won’t stink after several days or usage.

Powderheadz Rating

3.5/5

Darn Tough Over the Calf Padded Light Ski Socks

  • Material: Merino Wool (64%) | Nylon (33%) | Lycra (2%)
  • Length: 14 inches
  • Weight: 2.97 ounces
  • Care: Machine Wash Warm Gentle Cycle | Tumble Dry on Low, Inside-out | Do Not Bleach

Another pair of socks with Merino Wool, Darn Tough Over-the-Calf Ultralight Ski Socks challenges the high-performance Smartwool Men’s PhD Ski Medium Socks. Officially called “Darn Tough Merino Wool True Seamless Padded Over-the-Calf Ultra-Light Ski Sock”, these socks have everything you would need in pair of performance socks. The Merino Wool keeps you warm and wicks sweat. Having seamless stitches helps avoid irritation around the base of your foot. And the extra padding on the shin relieves pressure where your shin meets the ski/snowboard boot.

Powderheadz Rating

4.5/5

Fox River Boyne Snowboard Sock

  • Material:  Nylon (38%) | Merino Wool (30%) | Acrylic (30%) | Spandex (2%)
  • Length:  16.5 inches
  • Weight:  3.33 ounces
  • Care: Machine Wash Warm Gentle Cycle | Tumble Dry on Low, Inside-out | Do Not Bleach

Fox River Boyne Ski Socks is known more for comfort than performance. These socks are perfect for more casual skiers and snowboarders.  The mostly synthetic sock is very durable and will hold up with rigorous use.  However, the synthetic materials will retain smell more than those socks that have more Merino wool in them. Consider purchasing these socks if you are a beginner on a budget.  If you’re more of a performance skier or rider, aim for any of the other socks on this list.

Powderheadz Rating

3.5/5

Best Ski Socks | Powderheadz.com

And there you have it! Our current list for the Best Ski Socks of the 2020-2021 Season. There are literally hundreds of ski and snowboard gloves out there and finding the right one can be a challenge, so hopefully you agree with out choices. Do you think a certain pair of ski socks deserves a spot on our Top Rated Ski Gloves list? Let us know? Email us at info (at) powderheadz.com and we will do our best to give it a thorough testing! Need more tips?  Look below for a thorough guide on how to determine which pair of ski socks is right for you. 

As always, happy riding!

Best Ski Socks | Powderheadz.com

How-To: Buy the Best Ski Socks

As with all Ski and Snowboarding Equipment, technology for Ski Socks keeps getting better over time.  There is now a variety of socks available with different designs and materials to suit your needs. Socks are the cheapest way to improve your comfort level while riding.  By investing just a tiny bit of money towards a high quality sock, you can increase your enjoyment on the mountain by leaps and bounds. It’s little things like socks that can make the difference between a good day and a great day, especially if you ski or snowboard for 6+ hours in one sitting.

Knowing what kind of sock you need will help you get that little bit of edge the next time you ride.

And whatever you do, avoid cotton socks!

Sock Materials: 

Merino Wool – Merino Wool is an excellent, natural fiber that feels insanely soft and will help you keep warm and stay dry. The wool comes from an ancient breed of sheep that is able to live in the extreme conditions of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.  Merino Fleece is extremely breathable, insulating, soft, and lightweight.

Synthetic – The downside to Merino Wool is its lack of longevity and its high cost.  A more cost effective alternative is finding a good synthetic option or a blend between synthetic and Merino Wool.  Many synthetic socks are designed to have good moisture wicking properties and will last longer.  However, they tend to retain odor and will need to go through a wash more often than Merino Wool Socks.

Nylon – Usually a secondary fabric used with both Merino Wool and Synthetic materials.  Nylon gives socks a consistent shape and increases durability. It prevents socks from sagging or bunching up in your ski/snowboarding boot which can lead to a frustrating day on the mountain.

Compression – Compression socks are often made with a spandex type materials that has a much thinner and tighter fit than other socks.  The tight socks come from a performance mindset, where the compressed areas boost warmth by increasing blood flow.  These socks are often very expensive.

Fit:

It’s important that your Ski Socks fit you properly.  Here are a few tips to help you figure out the right fit for your feet:

  1. Your socks should feel tight around your shin, ankle, and toes without being too restrictive.
  2. Look out for any excess material around your feet.  It can bunch up or pinch between you and the boot liner, causing hot spots or even blisters.
  3. Most ski socks come in a range of sizes.  If you’re between two sizes, always pick the smaller size.

Thickness:

Ultralight – Down insulation is perfect for very cold and dry conditions.  The material is often made with down feathers and plumules that traps air which keeps your hands insulated.  However, it loses its ability once it becomes wet and is very slow to dry.

Lightweight – Fleece isn’t quite as warm as most synthetics but it is the most comfortable.  It is often used in conjunction with other insulation like Primaloft®.

Midweight – Old school socks used to mostly be of the midweight variety. Technology has almost made them obsolete. The only benefit to consider is the extra padding on the sole of the foot that midweight socks offer.  Keep in mind, that a thicker sock doesn’t always mean a warmer foot. If you tighten your boot too much with these kinds of socks, you can cut off circulation and cause your feet to be colder than they should be.

Shin Padding:

Shin Padding is a nice luxury feature that some socks offer. It’s extra fabric thickness around the shin that offers some protection against the front of ski boot. Darn Tough Over-the-Calf Ultralight Ski Socks is a good example of an Ultralight Ski Sock that has good shin padding.

Best Ski and Snowboarding Socks | Powderheadz.com

And there you have it! Our current list for the Best Ski Socks of the 2020-2021 Season. There are literally hundreds of ski and snowboard gloves out there and finding the right one can be a challenge, so hopefully you agree with out choices. Do you think a certain pair of ski socks deserves a spot on our Top Rated Ski Gloves list? Let us know? Email us at info (at) powderheadz.com and we will do our best to give it a thorough testing! Need more tips?  Look below for a thorough guide on how to determine which pair of ski socks is right for you. 

As always, happy riding!

Best Snowboard Socks| Powderheadz.com

Travis Rice's The Fourth Phase

News: The Fourth Phase by Travis Rice Premieres Sept 8th.

BY TIM SIMPSON

Montreal, QC – Travis Rice is back with The Fourth Phase, the follow-up to 2011’s phenomenal Art of Flight:

“This hydrological cycle, it’s this beautiful choreographed cycle of life.  I realized by combining my love of the ocean with my love of the mountains, it might be possible to actually follow the flow around the North Pacific.” – Travis Rice

WHO

The Fourth Phase by Travis Rice is a love letter to riding that follows the exploits of Rice and fellow riders Mikkel Bang, Shin Biyajima, Victor de Le Rue, Ben Ferguson, Cam Fitzpatrick, Mentor Bryan Iguchi, Eric Jackson, Jeremy Jones, Mark Landvik, Bode Merril, Pat Moore across the North Pacific.

Powderheadz.com

WHAT

The premise to Art of Flight‘s sequel is an exploration of the hydrological cycle – the evaporation of water from the surface of the ocean to the condensation of clouds to the precipitation of rain and snow and finally to the runoff of water back into the ocean. While exploring the Wyoming back country in 2013 with his mentor Brian Iguchi, Travis Rice comes up with an idea. He plots a 16000-mile journey to follow the water cycle around the Pacific and snowboard along the way. Along with several legendary snowboarders, Travis Rice attempts to “witness firsthand the many moods of the North Pacific storm engine”

“Travis took this idea about the hydrological cycle and turned it into this epic journey.” – Bryan Iguchi

The Fourth Phase is a journey of self-discovery and an adventure to explore new terrain around the North Pacific. The film will cover breathtaking landscapes such as Russian volcanoes, the Japanese Alps, remote Alaska, and the Wyoming back-country.

Powderheadz.com

WHEN + WHERE


The Fourth Phase debuts Thursday, Sept 8th, 2016 8PM at the Shrine Auditorium (665 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007). Some of us at Powderheadz.com will be watching it locally in Vancouver, BC at the Centre for Performing Arts (777 Homer St, Vancouver, BC V6B 0H3) on Saturday, Sept 10th, 2016 at 8PM. You can see the Global Premiere on October 2, 9PM on RedBullTV or purchase it on Midnight, October 3rd.  More details available at www.thefourthphase.com and you can pre-order from vimeo, itunes, or amazon.

Powderheadz.com

WHY

The last movie to get this much hype was 2013’s Into the Mind by Sherpas Cinema. The Fourth Phase is sure to be another classic that Art of Flight was back in 2011. This will be the perfect movie to get us all amped for what is going to be an amazing season.Winter is coming, and we can’t wait!

Powderheadz.com

Mont Tremblant Village

Snowboarding Destination: Mont-Tremblant, QC

BY TIM SIMPSON

Montreal, QC – Located one and a half hours north of Downtown Montreal, QC in the Laurentians, Mont-Tremblant is the second-oldest Ski Resort in North America that offers the best skiing and snowboarding in Eastern North America.  Founded in 1939 by America Joe Ryan and later purchased and updated by Intrawest in 1991, this charming resort is reminiscent of skiing the Alps without the expensive plane ticket to get there.

Tremblant is consistently rated as the #1 ski-resort on the Eastern Seaboard by Ski Magazine and offers 630 ski-able acres with 96 runs on four distinctive slopes:

  • Versant Sud
  • Versant Soleil
  • Versant Nord
  • Versant Edge

And although you’ll get bigger skiing and snowboarding out west, Tremblant is a year-round resort that offers a more intimate slope-side village with world-class food and an amazing après-ski atmosphere.

Powderheadz.com

How to Get There

The best way to get Mont-Tremblant is to take a flight into Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) grab a car and drive 90 minutes north:

  1. Take Route 520 East towards Montreal
  2. Merge onto Autoroute 40 East and take Exit 70 for Autoroute 15 North
  3. Drive about an hour on Autoroute 15 North until it becomes Route 117 North
  4. Take Exit 119 (Montée Ryan) and drive towards the mountain and make a right onto Chemin Duplessis and follow signs for Mont-Tremblant Resort.

From Toronto/Ottowa:

  1. Head East on Autoroute 50 towards Montreal
  2. Take Exit 210 for Quebec 323 towards Mont-Tremblant
  3. Turn Left onto Route 117 North
  4. Take Exit 119 (Montée Ryan) and drive towards the mountain and make a right onto Chemin Duplessis and follow signs for Mont-Tremblant Resort.

A quick search online will also offer shuttles from Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) or Downtown Montreal to Mont-Tremblant as well.

During the Winter, Air Canada offers direct flights to Mont-Tremblant International Airport (YTM) from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from LaGuardia (LGA).  Those two airports should give enough options for those flying from around the world to Tremblant.  More information can be found here.  Shuttle service is available once you get to  Mont-Tremblant Airport (YTM) that can take you to participating hotels and offer other premium services like luggage valet and express check-in.

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Tips and Tricks

  • Mont Tremblant is often fairly busy and getting up the Mountain can take more than half an hour if not longer if you are loading up from the village.  If you have a car and you’re with a group of more experienced skiers and snowboarders, take Chemin Duplessis to the North Side of the Mountain.  It’s less busy, has ample parking, and you’re practically in front of the lifts (Duncan Express and Expo Express).
  • Mont Tremblant is the largest mountain on the East Coast and can be the busiest.  Bring a sack lunch to eat up the mountain or head to the village around 2pm for world-class food.  Either way, you’ll find very empty hills around lunch time.
  • Quebec Winters are BRUTAL.  Pay attention to weather forecasts at the Base of the Mountain as well as the Summit.  Don’t get caught up top without the proper gear.  You’ll hate yourself for it.
  • Follow the Sun.  Ride the North Side (technically the East Side) in the morning and after lunch, ride the South Side (towards the main village).  Check out our list of Top 10 Skiing and Snowboarding Goggles to make sure you’ve got the right lenses on.
  • If it’s a windy day, stay on the North Side.
  • If you plan on going to Mont-Tremblant or any other Quebec Ski Resorts for an extended amount of time consider purchasing the Ski-Passe Partout Card.
    • 70 participating ski areas offering 5 discounts each.
      • 1 x 40%, 2 x 35%, 2 x 30% off at most of the ski resorts.
      • 1 x 35%, 2 x 30%, and 2 x 25% off at Mont-Tremblant, Le Massif de Charlevoix, and le Mont-Sainte-Anne.
    • $44.99 plus tax.  You’ll more often than not make your money back after two days on any of the mountains.  This is perfect for anyone who lives in Quebec, Ontario, Upstate New York, and Vermont.
    • Available at Sports Experts or Intersport.

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Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort: At a Glance

Mont Tremblant Trail Map
Mont Tremblant Trail Map

 

LocationMont-Tremblant, QC
Nearest Major CityMontreal, QC
Vertical645 m (2,116 ft)
Top Elevation875 m (2,871 ft)
Base Elevation230 m (755 ft)
Skiable area630 acres (255 ha)
Runs96
Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg 20 – Beginner
Ski trail rating symbol-blue square.svg 31 – Intermediate
Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg 35 – Advanced
Ski trail rating symbol-double black diamond.svg 10 – Expert
Lift system14 total
2 gondolas
12 high-speed quad chairlifts
9 chairlifts
3 magic carpets
Lift capacity27,230 skiers/hr
Snowfall39.5 m/year (156 in.)
Snow-making(181 hectares), 71%

 

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