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The funny thing about the best sales of the season are that they tend to happen when you’re thinking about skiing the least. Like right now.
It’s nearly Memorial Day weekend, and I’ve been mountain biking for weeks now…though it did perfunctorily snow this morning in the Tetons. But say, just hypothetically, you’re sitting at home right now browsing the internet for new gear to use next season (or perhaps even this summer in the Southern Hemisphere), here’s a few things that I think would be worth pulling the trigger on. While most local ski shops are probably already shifting into summer mode, online retailers like EVO, Backcountry, and REI are in the process of dumping inventory at super-low prices during their Memorial Day and Anniversary Sales.
Atomic Bent 100 Skis – $455 at EVO.com
Atomic’s POWDER Editor’s Pick award-winning Bent 100 has proven to be one of the best-selling skis made in recent years–and for good reason. It’s the kind of ski just about any skier have get along with. Whether your an intermediate skier looking to cruise around, or a freestyle-minded resort ripper, this 100mm underfoot all-mountain ski is easy to turn, engaging on firm snow, and playful when things get soft. Read our full review here.
Salomon QST 100 Skis – $489 at EVO.com
Where the Atomic Bent 100 has a little more of a freestyle character, Salomon’s Powder Award-winning 100mm underfoot all-mountain ski–the QST 100–has a directional shape and a little more backbone. We’d consider this a better choice for skiers looking for more high-speed fun on firm and chalky snow, but it’s still one of the easiest skis to get along with elsewhere on the mountain. Check out our full review of the ski here.
Literally Anything From Arc’teryx – Up to 50% off at EVO.com
Want to upgrade your ski wardrobe to some of the most durable, waterproof, and breathable outerwear there is? Look no further than all the Arc’teryx apparel on sale at EVO right now. There are stalwarts like the men’s Sabre SV Jacket, and women’s Sentinel Jacket, plus pants, bibs, and insulated layers.
Touring Boots – Under $200 at EVO.com
Are you in desperate need of new touring boots, or have a friend or special someone looking to get into the sport that’s not looking to drop a pretty penny right away? There’s an entire page worth of touring boots on sale for under $200 at EVO as part of their Memorial Day Sale. That’s literally cheaper than a lift ticket.
Pomoca Skins – Up to 50% off at EVO.com
While climbing skins tend to be one the less expensive components of any backcountry ski kit, it’s always nice to score a pair for cheap. Get a new pair of skis this year and didn’t bother to get new skins? Lost a skin on your last ski tour? Or just want to upgrade your old ones to something with more glide and better packability? Lucky for you, Pomoca skins (yes, the nice ones!) are up to 50% off at EVO.
Yakima RocketBox 14 – $480 at Backcountry.com
I’ll let you in on one of my biggest pet peeves: When I get into a friends car to carpool to the ski hill, and their backseat is folded down and filled with wet skis, smelly boots, random poles, and all kinds of other crap. I truly appreciate the ride, but for Ullr’s sake, put that stuff on the roof! If you identify as one of those people, please consider this awesome sale on the Yakima RocketBox 14. It adds 14 cubic feet of space to your vehicle…and keeps the wet dog smell out of the car.
Osprey Soelden/Sopris 32l Airbag Pack – 40% off at Backcountry.com
Avalanche safety is sexy, and one of the best ways to add a significant margin of safety to your ski day is by wearing an avalanche airbag pack. Sure, they’re super expensive, but why not commit to one at 40% off? Osprey’s awesome 32-liter Soelden (men’s) and 30-liter Sopris (women’s) packs feature the electric Alpride inflation system, meaning these are TSA-approved for airline travel, and have all the bells and whistles you’d need for a big day in the backcountry.
Oakley Line Miner L Goggles – $100 at REI
REI has plenty of goggles on sale right now, but some of the best deals are on Oakleys. The athlete-favorite Line Miner L is up for grabs for just $100. These cylindrical lens goggles sit closer to your face, resulting in impressive peripheral vision. The lenses are easily interchangeable and feature some of the best low-light clarity in the biz.
