Skiing is old. Far older than most realise. People have been traversing snowy ground on planks of wood for millennia. Indeed, the first primitive Scandinavian were found in a peat bog in Jämtland County, Sweden. They dated back to between 4,500 and 2,500 BC. In 2014, a ski complete with leather bindings emerged from a glacier in the Reinheimen mountains, Norway. That example is thought to be some 1,300 years old.

So it's official: Skiing is nothing new. It is fortunate then that despite how literally ancient the sport is brands are continually concentrating on dishing out excellent new kit and technology, all geared to making you a better skier, significantly safer or at the very least looking a darn sight more convincing as a downhill expert. 

Here we've made a pick of our favourite new ski gear in 2022. Among the selection are even a few we've had time to review on the slopes. This lot should have you bombing down black or blue runs with style. And we've even included some recommendations for the all-important après-ski, too.

REVIEW: Given the disposable income and insatiable appetite for new gear, it is surprising that wearable tech isn’t a bigger deal in winter sports. Carv’s sensor-packed ski boot insole and app—that WIRED first encountered as a well-funded Kickstarter back in 2018—is now available, offering 72 pressure and motion sensors that break your skiing technique down into 13 live metrics before offering a unique combination of real time audio coaching, performance score (Ski IQ) and deep-dive analysis. 

With so much data generated through each turn, the app is almost dauntingly comprehensive, but our easy way in was to set the app to Free Ski, pop our earbuds in and hop on the chairlift. After the run (the app knows when you’re back on a lift), we received a score—our Ski IQ—and an audio tip on how to improve. Implement the advice, ski another run and see if you’ve improved.

There are also a wide range of more specific training modes, designed to improve specific aspects of your skiing, and some fun challenges that gamify technique. We defy anyone not to be spurred on by the ‘ping’ that signifies a good turn.

If you’re a Strava (or equivalent) addict who drills down into performance data for fun and gets off on the dopamine hit of an improved score, you are going to love Carv. The gamification of advanced training drills makes learning enjoyable, and can give your time in the mountains renewed focus. 

Yes, the Ski IQ scores flatters the novice, and using the system for more than a few hours a day can become tiring on the legs, but Carv can’t help but make you a better skier. The clincher? It also adds bags of entertainment when skiing solo.

Score: 8/10 

Price: $149, plus $199 annual subscription | Carv

A 112mm-wide ski built to love soft snow, the QST Blank (choose 178, 186, 194cm) features an innovative flax-based fibre called C/FX for added power and quick turns, while something called a Cork Damplifier (no, really), does exactly as it sounds, with cork in the tip to absorb vibrations. The significantly rockered and tapered tips float above deep powder, and despite the width of the skis, the relatively tight sidecut radius (17m) makes it a fun, easy-to-carve ride on piste. And while the QST Blank is not trying to be an all-out freestyle ski, there’s plenty of pop and fun to be had with it.

Price: £750 | Salomon

With the BP18, Picture Organic has created the ideal daypack that has enough volume to be useful (18 litres), loads of practical features including hydration system, ice axe holder, snowboard and ski carrying straps, fleece lined goggle pocket, all without being too bulky when skiing, touring or sat on a chairlift. It's is also made from 100 percent Recycled Polyester and the bladder pocket doubles as a 15in laptop sleeve for off-mountain use.

Price: £67 | Blue Tomato | Alpine Trek | Picture Organic

In an attempt to ease the financial penalties caused by growing youngsters, Full Tilt has developed these youth boots that expand with your offspring. Available in two sizes, small and large, each allows for three extra ranges of adjustment, so you should get at least a few seasons wear before they can be passed down. Thankfully, like the adult equivalents, these are great boots for improving skiers, too, with an easy-on fit and tongue that opens to 90 degrees, micro-adjustable straps for guaranteed comfort and the ability to tweak the flex—from 4-12—by swapping out the tongues.

Price: £69 | Ski Barlett | Full Tilt

REVIEW: Easily the most innovative ski pole brand available, these lightweight, 260g, aluminium sticks can adjust in length from 110-140cm thanks to the Speedlock+ locking system, which is 35 percent lighter and 27 percent smaller than previous generations. But the real draw here is the new Trigger 3D locking system, which uses either Leki-specific gloves, or wrist straps, that neatly clip onto the pole handle. In the event of a crash, they release quickly through a 220 degrees angle (up from just 90 degrees) to help prevent serious injury in the backcountry. As well as being handy for packing, though they don't collapse down as small as some other telescopic poles, that quick-release locking system comes in particularly handy getting on and off chair lifts.

Score: 8/10

Price: £94 | Alpine Trek | Leki

Moon boots that can morph into ski boots? Finally a piece of technical ski gear that can actually transition from piste to pub. With its sturdy Grilamid plastic exoskeleton and luxurious Italian leather boot liners, this is a cleverly conceived hybrid boot that does both walking and skiing. As a standalone pair of walking boots, the M120 are plush and comfortable, stuffed with Primaloft insulation for added warmth and a lugged rubber sole for traction on the ice. Once clipped into the shell however, the micro-adjustable straps and interchangeable heel and toe plates give you the support and control for the slopes, with excellent energy transfer through the boots.

Price: £695 | Dahu | St Bernard

Yet more phenomenal value from the world’s largest outdoor brand. This time, it’s a complete ski touring setup designed to have you hiking (or touring) through the backcountry, and enjoying the untouched downhills without the crippling gear expenses. The XLD 500 RT skis (158, 166, 174mm) come with Tyrolia Ambition 10 bindings (RRP £310) and a set of skins to give you grip as you walk. The bindings can be adjusted to different boot sole lengths, from 260 to 350mm, meaning they’re easy to share, and the wood-core ski has medium camber and generous rocker at tip and tail, meaning they’re super versatile and easy to turn on and off piste.

Price: £400 | Decathlon

REVIEW: If you don't live within a snowball's throw of a mountain resort, the single most annoying aspect of owning skis is transporting a pair of planks 1.7m in length with sharp metal edges to the slopes without doing damage to yourself, the skis, innocent bystanders, your clothes, the car or your general sense of decorum. Elan has finally eliminated this considerable minus, though, with its genuinely innovative, award-winning new Voyager skis. 

Based on a design originally developed for the military, they are the very first all-mountain skis to be able to fold clean in half via a four-axis mechanism. A carbon-reinforced plate acts as a load-bearing platform, and the combination of the two somewhat amazingly offers a remarkably similar torsional rigidity as 'normal' skis. 

What's truly amazing is that, on the snow, we defy you to notice the difference. We've tried them and not only are they quick to go from folded to flat (the company record is 17 seconds—we managed about 45 seconds), they carve superbly and can handle any piste on which you choose to use them. If anything, the slight extra weight of the skis helps in the turns. Voyager comes in 160, 166 and 172 lengths, and the package includes skis, bindings and collapsable poles all in a custom travel bag. Want to know more? Read our full review here.

Score: 9/10

Price: £1,450 | Ellis Brigham

Something for when you finally take those heavy ski boots off and head to the bars. After 60 years of perfecting its parkas and jackets, Canada Goose has decided to turn its skill with winter clothing to footwear. The brand's new Snow Mantra Boot has been designed to excel in extreme environments, featuring a removable insulated liner that shapes itself to your foot for a custom fit.  PrimaLoft keeps toes warm at temperatures down to -30 degrees Celsius. The interior waterproof membrane seals out moisture, while a drawcord system stops snow getting in the front. They're not cheap, but you're paying for a quality build and Canada Goose's excellent repair scheme if the worst should happen, plus each pair does come in a limited edition wheeled hard case.

Price: £1,150 | Canada Goose

It's good to see a brand aimed at children producing outdoor gear that is every bit as specced up as the adult alternatives. Namuk products may be for little ones, but clearly there has been no scrimping on the design. Their new Eon backpack is not only completely waterproof, but it is also uses textile fibres that are up to 15 times stronger than steel. The roll-top is easy to open, the inner lining can be pulled out for cleaning or used as a seat pad in the forest or on the snow. You also have reflective drawcords, fully taped seams and a water bottle holder. Ideal for children between 3 and 8 years, but with popping multicoloured straps, we'd like an adult size one, please.

Price: €99 | Namuk

If you are looking for a backpack that is more at the extreme end of alpine adventures, the POW 25 is a winter pack that comes complete with a CE-certified full back protector and a quick-release all-in-one harness system with stretch in the chest straps for a constantly tight yet compliant fit. A Thermo Cell insulation pocket takes heat from your body so the drink tube won't freeze even in severe winter conditions. There's also a ski and snowboard carrier system, as well as a quick-access avalanche equipment pocket. If the 25 litres of storage is too much, there are smaller versions.

Price: £190 | USWE

This article was originally published by WIRED UK