Get in Gear: Here's the Latest

Having trouble choosing ski and snowboard equipment that will totally wow the airdog or two-planker on your list? Leading-edge technology, glossy high fashion and simple practicality are the recurring themes of this year's offerings. We roamed the aisles of last month's National Ski & Snowboard Expo, examined the goods at Ski Chalet in Chantilly and perused the press releases from the Snowsports Industries America trade group to come up with our picks for the best slope-related gear . Prices are recommended retail, but you can often get items cheaper at local retailers or on the Web.

-- Carol Sottili

High-Tech Ready

Burton Audex Jacket Series (Down or Cargo style)

For the dedicated multitasker. No more fumbling with the buttons on your iPod and your cell phone; everything is controlled through a panel on the jacket sleeve. The control pad is also equipped with a caller ID screen. Gear is removable when the jacket needs cleaning. Warning: Doesn't work with iPod Shuffle, and cell phone must be Bluetooth-enabled. $500. 800-881-3138, http://www.burton.com/ .

Giro Audio Series G10 Helmet

Start with a lightweight helmet equipped with an easy-to-control ventilation system, add ear pads with built-in speakers and a cord that links up with your music player and cell phone, and you're shredding, protecting, jamming and communicating. A control unit on the cord allows you to quickly adjust music volume when a call comes in. $150. If you own a Bluetooth-enabled phone, also look at Burton's Tantrum Audex helmet ($249). 800-456-2355, http://www.giro.com/ .

Navman A300 Sport.Tool

Strap this gizmo, marketed as "the ultimate alpine electronic personal trainer," to your arm and it'll track how many feet you've skied and provide performance data based on speed, distance and altitude. It even measures the distance covered on the chairlift. $180. 866-962-8626, http://www.navmanusa.com/ .

Arc'Teryx Sidewinder AR Jacket With RECCO

Yes, it's a top-quality waterproof, breathable jacket that uses proprietary fabric laminate to fuse the seams. But this must-have can also save the backcountry enthusiast's life. If you're buried in an avalanche, ski rescue teams pinpoint your location using RECCO technology. Basically, a high-frequency signal bounces off a reflector built into the jacket. $450. 866-458-BIRD, http://www.arcteryx.com/ . Also look at RECCO-equipped jackets and ski equipment from Atomic, Sessions and North Face (see http://www.recco.com/ for a complete list).

Well-Equipped

Lange CRL 80W FR Boots for Women

Designed for women's slimmer and narrower feet, smaller anklebones and lower calf muscles, the boot also offers a goose-down liner to keep your feet toasty and a cool-looking colored see-through shell in ice blue that makes a fashion statement. $475. 802-764-6400, http://www.langeskiboots.com/ .