Gear of the Week | Christmas Special 2018

Alexander schober (Social Media & Cooperations) - Snow chains

A set of snow chains for my camper van will be under my Christmas tree this year. Admittedly, a few metal links strung together will not turn my 2.5-ton, 75 hp VW bus with HECKANTRIEB into a truly winter-ready vehicle. Nevertheless, they help me and my passengers to be a little safer on the way to skiing. If five/six people and their ski equipment have to be transported to the mountain again, a bit of fresh snow will probably not (be able to) stop us in the future ... and if you're wondering why there's a traffic jam on the glacier road again, it could be because of a turquoise-colored vintage car at the front of the motorcade!

German Wehinger (Conditionsreports) - Mammut Barryvox S

In 2007, the time had come: I bought my first three-antenna device. It was the then new Barryvox S. More than 10 years later, it's definitely time for a new avalanche transceiver. Over the years I have attended several avalanche training courses and we were often motivated and practiced scenarios on our own with our freeride crew. I was able to experience several devices in practice situations (fortunately only there). Many devices showed their peculiarities, not excluding my Barryvox. On the whole, however, I was very satisfied with the functions in the exercise scenarios. Anyone who works in a technical environment knows that innovations don't happen here every year. I've already been able to test the new device and the result was clear: the time has come to buy a new one. Christmas is just around the corner: hopefully the latest version of the Barryvox S will work out.

Lea Hartl (Editorial Director) - Petzl Rad Line (OÄ)

Every time I stuff my old and no longer quite fit glacier half-rope into my backpack, I think to myself: it really could be a bit lighter and easier to handle. The Petzl Rad Line is a hyperstatic rope with a diameter of 6mm, which is specially designed for use on glacier tours and for abseiling (static rope...!). According to the manufacturer, the 60m version weighs 1320g and is therefore not only a little lighter and easier to handle than the rope I usually carry with me. I've already had the 30m version of the Rad Line in my hands a few times and I find the handling pleasant, which is why this product is on my list and not the Beal Backup Line or the Edelrid Rap Line, although these would probably be just as suitable.

gear of the week

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Lisa Amenda (author) - Polaroid 600 Vintage

Focus the subject. Press the print. Hold the photo in your hands. And that's it. What every child with a smartphone camera can do today in less than two seconds was a real world first in 1981. Because in that year, analog photography became just as easy. And now you're saying, of course, Polaroid is all the rage again and it's now also available with an app for smartphones. Oh my! App for an analog camera? Please don't! That's why I don't want a Polaroid from the 21st century for Christmas, I'm after the originals. Like this exclusive Aspen special edition of the Polaroid 600. It's the model for us: winter lovers, powder addicts or whatever else skiers are called these days. As white as the powder slopes in Aspen or a proper whiteout, it longs for the snow - but maybe you shouldn't lose it there. So just close it, put it in your backpack and choose your motif. Because with a Polaroid you don't just snap away. You can't delete it either. A film has eight pictures, so you have to think carefully about the image section. But then you have a truly unique photo in your hands. That's kind of cool, isn't it? The Polaroid 600 Aspen is refurbished and only available in Polaroid's vintage online store, but will hopefully be under my tree on 24 December.

Lorenzo rieg (tours & gear reviews) - Sony RX0

I love taking photos, but of course I don't always have a large SLR camera in my pocket. I'm never satisfied with the image quality of my smartphone, so I rarely take pictures with it. That's why I want a compact but high-quality digital camera again (I got rid of the last one due to technical problems). The RX0 is compact, robust, takes great pictures and is also suitable for filming, which is something I might also try to do more of. The price is ambitious, so perhaps one of the many versions of the RX100 would also do the trick.

Lukas Ruetz (SnowFlurry) - Season report 17/18 of the Austrian Avalanche Warning Services

The season report of the Austrian Avalanche Warning Services (with guest contributions from neighboring countries) not only offers key statistical data on the last winter, but also numerous impressive and visually stunning accident analyses. The season report is available for the first time this year in the Shop of the ÖAV and the print version is particularly inviting to browse through. 14€ well invested! More info here.

Johannes Wolf (Technik & Mädchen für alles): ERgo grip outdry dexterity short

This year I would like the Ergo Grip OutDry Dexterity Short from Hestra's Mountaineering series. The glove is the ideal companion for all alpine adventures where you need a good feeling in your fingers. Whether you're ice climbing or simply tying a knot in a rope,

Lukas Zögernitz (Conditionsreports) - Shittens

Lovers of mittens will love them - the Shittens!

They divide winter sports enthusiasts like snowboards and skis: mittens. While some swear that mittens are the warmer gloves, others are bothered by the limited freedom of movement and associated motor skills of the hands. For all those who love mittens - in English "Mittens" - there is now another interesting application: the "Shittens". Friends of mittens can now bring a little winter atmosphere to the quiet place with the Shittens. And everyone else should enjoy the ingenious naming of this product! The Shittens, the new hot shit!

Steffen Kruse (Gear of the Week & Collaborations) - Kids' Pulka

We recently had a new baby and I would like a kids' pulka for the next PowderGuide generation, preferably one from Fjellpulken, a traditional company with 45 years of experience in powder construction. The Fjellpulken Classic Barnepulk Complete has important features such as a roll bar, brake line, windshield and a water and windproof protective cover. Of course, it is shock-absorbing and the towing fork and towing harness are part of the set.

Totti lingott (marketing & accounting) - mountains

For the long evenings - because of the unfortunately too short days - I wish I had the new book by Robert Bösch. Mountains inspires, invites you to dream and moves you. His photographs of landscapes, mountains, climbers and mountaineers are unique. His works are compositions that are reminiscent of painted works of art. When you consider that Robert Bösch is one of the increasingly rare photographers who does not allow any subsequent image processing and who himself achieves top performances in the mountains, you have to raise his works to another level. These pictures don't really need any text!

Patrick Wehowsky (Snowboard & Splitboard) - Peak Design Capture clip

A fundamental realization that every photographer makes over time is that image yield and quantity are strongly related to the easy availability of the camera. In other words, if you don't have your camera to hand, you will miss the best moments and enjoy taking photos less. That's why, in my opinion, storing the camera in your backpack is not an option, at least not on the ascent. Sure, it works, but it's not really that great. That's why I want the Capture Clip from Peak Design so that I always have my DSLR and other cameras within easy reach. This ingenious mount is now in its 3rd generation (v3) and the initial Kickstarter project has blossomed into a successful company.

Was there nothing for your loved ones among the editorial team's suggestions? Then take a look at our "Books/Films" section, where you'll find plenty of inspiration, and a ski film or mountain book is certainly not the worst last-minute gift.

The various PowderGuide books, from the risk check for freeriders to the best freeride areas in the Alps and the freeride tour guide for Tyrol to the freeski guidebook, have also done well under every Christmas tree!