Snowboards

It's been a while since we've checked in with the mad snowboard scientists at Signal Snowboards. In their ongoing efforts to experiment with the techiest, wildest, most multi-functional snowboard builds, they've come out with one of the most aesthetically pleasing board designs we've ever seen – an all-glass board. You go to the resort to see snow and mountains, why not get a clear view from beneath your feet.  Read More

The melting of the last high-alpine ribbons of snow in late spring and early summer leaves a massive void in the hearts of skiers and snowboarders. They instinctively look to non-snow outdoor activities to fill that emptiness. Since snow melts into running water and some ski towns double as world class fly fishing destinations, fly fishing is a natural choice. And this Signal Snowboards prototype board with integrated fly rod could be the natural weapon of choice.  Read More

We're not aware of lost skis being a huge problem, but the folks at Washington state-based company Ski Retriever have obviously faced that problem often enough to go to the trouble of developing a solution. The Ski Retriever is a homing system for lost skis that involves attaching homing tabs to your skis or snowboard and using the radio-based, handheld device to track them down should you misplace them. Less time spent digging fruitlessly through the snow means more time skiing the mountain.  Read More

In its Web series "Every Third Thursday," California-based snowboard company Signal Snowboards gets loose and creative in the shop and designs experimental one-offs that push the boundaries of what a snowboard is all about. Last month, the team made a surfboard-snowboard hybrid, and in the most recent installment, they created a snowboard that operates like a bike tire called "Air if you Dare."  Read More

California-based Signal Snowboards recently fulfilled the dreams of board sports enthusiasts everywhere in its "Every Third Thursday" Web series by building a hybrid board capable of surfing both waves and powder stashes. If you think that the board can't possibly shred on both water and snow proficiently, Signal took it to the beach and mountains to prove it.  Read More

With a growing focus on powder and backcountry riding, some of the snowboard designs that have come out over the past few seasons look more like original designs from the 60s and 70s than modern day equipment. They have swallowtails, pointy noses and odd profiles. Some - like the Rome Hammerhead - just look downright strange and otherworldly. With the launch of its new experimental division known as Shape Shack, Colorado-based Venture Snowboards plans to take this trend a step further in designing all kinds of Franken-boards. It may just come up with odd yet functional board designs that big companies just aren't developing.  Read More

Traditionally just big, goofy optics designed to protect your eyes from cold, snow and bright light, ski goggles have taken all kinds of new roles over the past few winters. Some goggles track your speed and vertical and some capture video. The Buhel Speakgoggle provides a seamless, vibration-based communications mechanism to keep you in touch with your crew.  Read More

Recon Instruments and Contour have announced a new app that will let skiers and snowboarders look through the lens of their action cam right inside their goggles. The Contour Camera Connectivity App establishes a Bluetooth connection between Recon's MOD Live goggle display and the camera.  Read More

Sweden's CF Møller Architects has just signed off on the new and spectacular Skipark 360°- set to be the largest indoor ski resort in the world. The winter park will house the only indoor ski slope to meet the requirements for hosting the World Cup, measuring 700 meters (2,297 feet) long and with a drop of 160 meters (525 feet). With an impressive height close to 135 meters (443 feet), the sporting facility will create a striking landmark, positioned in a forest located in Balsta, 45 minutes outside Stockholm.  Read More