By Stephen Regenold

Backcountry Access Float 30
Pull the rip-cord on thisbackpack and a single–chamber 150–liter airbag inflates instantly to helpprevent burial and protect the head neck and upper body in an avalanche. Thesystem which is reusable is integrated into a ski-specific pack that weighsabout 7.5 pounds when empty. In the worst case scenario a braided steel cablewith a plastic trigger handle serves as an emergency rip-cord to inflate thebag--and potentially save your life. $499 www.backcountryaccess.com

Helly Hansen Atlas Flow Down
Luxuriously warm buttechnically adept for skiing and snowboarding the high-end Atlas Flow boaststhe insulating warmth of goose down with the protection of a hard shell jacket.It has a waterproof outer shell fabric. But 800-fill goose-down"pillows" throughout the interior add extraordinary insulation. Thecompany says the pillows are separated by a "precise series of ventingchannels" that help excess heat and moisture to escape. $700 www.hellyhansen.com

Kahtoola TS snowshoes 
This unique two-part winterfootwear system includes a snowshoe deck and a removable snowshoe binding thatdoubles as a traction device. Buckle the binding on your winter boot. When notengaged to the snowshoe deck the bindings' four stainless steel cleats serveas pseudo crampons for grip on snow and ice. Then when the white stuff getsdeep click in to the deck and float over snow. $269 www.kahtoola.com

Columbia Bugathermo and Snow Hottie boots 
Efficientcomfortable lightweight heated boots have long been a Holy Grail in footwearcircles.
takes another stab this season with its Bugathermo and Snow Hottie models amen's and women's boot that has built-in rechargeable batteries and electroniccontrols to provide three temperature settings. A single charge provides up toeight hours of heat for your feet the company cites. $250 www.columbia.com

POC Receptor BUG Tanner Hall Pro Model Helmet
BobMarley would have been proud to wear this helmet. Or so says POC whichincludes the requisite Rasta yellow-green-red color motif on a snowsports helmetmade of polycarbonate and foam. The hard hat has "double overlappingshells" that the company touts as providing breathability withoutsacrificing safety. $130 www.pocsports.com

Mountain Hardwear Heated Jackets
The men’sRefugium and women’s Radiance jackets come wired to provide heat as wellas the ability to power small electronics stashed in pockets. Indeed add theoptional Ardica Technology battery pack to these jackets and a wearer will havethree temperature settings and a portable plug-in to charge a phone or camera.The jackets cost about $450 apiece with the added battery pack and technologyconverters. www.mountainhardwear.com