I don't know if you have been paying attention, but winter has arrived, and it's time to play in the snow. I'm still riding a 2008 Arbor Roundhouse , from the local Venice Beach Arbor Sports: a company I love that makes boards I love. Sustainable woods, sustainable manufacturing, and reputation for quality, design, and eco-friendly management.

Despite standing only 5'11" (seriously, couldn't I have had that one extra inch just to simplify my life), I have battleships for feet. As such, with my size 12 Vans Contra BOA boots, I would be dragging my toes through the hardpack on even gentle turns with a standard board.

Now beginning my third season on these toys, I find my nice, wide Roundhouse to be stable at speed, and floaty in the powder. That said, with my massive Flow NXT FS bindings, the board feels huge compared to others. In the trees, without enough speed, it's not as nimble as I would like - but this may say more about my still developing skills than my ride as all this equipment is essentially top end gear.

Still, I am tempted to trade in the bindings for Burton to better adjust the highback to accommodate an increasingly cranky left knee, and since I ride goofy, that is a big consideration. However, this is currently outweighed by the incredible convenience of the Flow's speed at the lift. Just step in, flip up and ride. As my skills develop, however, I suspect the superior flexibility and weight of the Burton bindings may well force a switch.

Despite my newbie status on the slopes, I'm no spring chicken in the mountains. As a veteran climber, I know the importance of gear, and in this area, I don't @#$% around. I typically start with either a compression base layer like a long sleeve Under Armor or way way cheaper Champion, or a midweight polypro or merino wool, followed by an REI Powerstretch Pullover. And I can't recommend enough the Powerstretch. Seriously. Buy one.

Finally, I finish with an Arcteryx Stingray jacket. A bit of a splurge for me, I've yet to be truly cold on even the windiest days. And I've never, ever been wet. This said, I'm not sure I would buy another. Despite being minimalist, packable, light, and totally capable in the worst of it, I find the powder skirt leaves a lot to be desired, the zipper pulls are too small on the pockets, the hood is impossible to adjust with gloves on, and the lack of a convenient location for a lift ticket or pass is, well, annoying. Instead, at the end of this season, I may try to find a blow out of the Sidewinder which seems to address all of the problems I have with my Stingray.

Before tragically and permanently inverting the liner and rendering one useless, these Hestra gloves were by far, the warmest, driest gloves I have ever had on my hands. I hope my experience was isolated, as I have been unhappy with every glove before or since. Subsequently, I'll be getting another pair.

Finally, I really, really, really, REALLY want this , but I don't think that I can write that check.

Yet.

And I'm not talking about the price.

By the end of this season, I'll plan to be fast enough to turn this beast in the steeps and in the trees.

Kenny, watch out. Next season you will be chasing me down the the hills.

PS: One more thing. A couple of these for after the ride. That and a fistful of Advil.