Gear Designers have taken big strides in making skiing and snowboarding easier and safer

The Ski-zoid Snowboard

For backcountry shredders with no access to a ski lift, Burton
Snowboards offers a solution. The SPLT 66 ($899) is a two-way
warrior, performing as an all-mountain board for downhill runs
and splitting in two to become a pair of ascension skis for
uphill battles. The 66 accommodates any standard snowboard
binding. Burton, 800-881-3138; www.burton.com.

Two-Hump System

Most snowboards are like big skis, with a single arch, or camber,
that distributes the rider's weight to the edges of the board.
Instead of being set on the center of the arch, however,
snowboard bindings are positioned with one in front of and one
behind the arch. The INCA Dual Camber snowboard ($549) puts
arches under both feet and eliminates board vibration by forcing
full-edge contact with the snow during a turn. INCA,
503-635-3737; www.INCAempire.com.

All in One

Atomic's FullFlex System integrates bindings and boots with its
BetaRide 10.20 Titanium CXC skis ($859) to provide optimum flex
and control in conditions from deep powder to spring snow. The
Xentrix 614 bindings cost $299, and the Beta Race Titanium 10.50
boot--which, Atomic boasts, is the lightest on the market--goes
for $599. Atomic, 800-258-5020; www.atomicski.com.

Knee-Friendly

The Lange V9 ski boot ($575) incorporates a safety feature
designed to reduce the risk of serious knee injuries. Unlike
standard, rigid ski boots, the V9 has Lange's Rear Release
System, which allows the boot's cuff to release from its usual
forward-leaning stance to a vertical position when you lose your
balance backward, thus reducing stress on the knees. Lange,
802-764-6400; www.langerrs.com.

COLOR PHOTO: JENS MORTENSEN (SKI-SNOWBOARD)

THREE COLOR PHOTOS: DAVIES + STARR (3)