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Win a $500 purchase from The Ski Monster

With the temperatures dropping, the resorts opening and the ski season hype increasing; this is the time to pull your gear out of the garage to check your edges, re-evaluate your style choices, and clean your pockets of the leftovers from last season’s closing day. There’s nothing worse than pulling up to the parking lot on the first day of the season and remembering that you really wanted to replace that gear last summer and never got around to it. Fear not, because this week The Ski Monster is giving away a $500 gift card where you can find all of this season’s top gear.

Run your boards through a line that was a little too spicy for the spring? Did you forget to get under that branch deep enough and cut your helmet? Or are you just tired of cross-eyed cursing the scratch in the center of your glasses lens? The experts at The Ski Monster spent all of last season pushing every piece of their curated gear selection to the limit, and now they want to match you with the latest and greatest gear specific to your skiing style. Check out some of her season favorites below and enter the drawing before November 10th for a chance to win!

Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition

If it’s perfect, the Ripstick 96 Black Edition is there or very close. Out of all the skis on The Ski Monster, the Ripstick 96 Black made the top 5 list. Agile without being too soft, nimble yet super stable cutting through any shape turn – a ski that can make any shape turn and light AF. The Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition has the same shape and profile as the green ripstick, but with 4 carbon rods instead of 2. Apparently, these rods go a long way because the Ripstick 96 Black Edition has a lot more power without being overpowering . Usually, more powerful skis are difficult to handle at low speeds or in bumps and trees, they tend not to initiate a turn easily, not the Ripstick 96 Black. This is a ski that will change the way many other manufacturers think about building skis.

Fischer Ranger 102

Fischer took one of our favorite skis, the Pink 102, and made it a whole lot better. Not just with the color, this is more than a graphic change, it’s a whole new ski. What’s different about the new Ranger 102? Well, it grips better on harder snow for one, and climbs more confidently. The ski is still very playful, Fischer didn’t screw it up, phew. The Ranger 102’s versatility is what makes it a Ski Monster favorite. After testing these skis for almost a year on both coasts, it’s fair to say that the Ranger 102 is one of the most versatile skis you can buy.

Faction Dancer 2

The Dancer 2 is a very energetic mountain ski ideal for advanced to expert rippers. Feeling very lively off-piste, the Dancer 2 can make variable conditions much more fun. This isn’t the wettest or heaviest ski in the all-mountain category, but it’s easily one of the most fun. Loose tails make it easy to pivot through bumps and trees, while softer tips aid turn initiation and agility. Honestly, this ski may not be for everyone, but it will be great for skiers looking for off-piste performance.

Mach1 130 MV technique

The Tecnica Mach1 130 for 2023 is one of our favorite high performance boots on the market today. It just snaps in and fits incredibly well out of the box. With a flex of 130, this boot drives the skis with maximum efficiency and provides more than enough power for almost every ski out there. The flex progression is powerful, smooth, responsive and sends information to the skis predictably. The lining of this boot and the shell fit very well around the bones of the feet and both the lining and the shell are very easy to modify if you need a relieved pressure point in the boot. This is a more performance-oriented boot for more advanced skiers, but it’s shaped in all the right places to keep your feet happy enough on the hill.

Salomon S/Pro Alpha 120

The Salomon S/Pro Alpha 120 replaces the S/Max 120. The S/Max was an amazing boot, the Alpha is better. The S/Pro Alpha 120 is ideal for skiers with lower volume feet or skiers who like a more performance oriented fit. With a 120 flex, the S/Pro Alpha has an accessible powerband for progressive skiers or experienced skiers who don’t need to wear the stiffest boots out there. It has a soft, responsive and predictable feel capable of bending most mountain skis with ease and is easy to put on and take off. Like the other S/Pro Alphas, this is a more comfortable low-volume boot, but performance isn’t diminished in the slightest. Win, win, win.

Torngat Storm Jacket

The Torngat is as stylish and functional as a shell jacket can get. Hot? 2-way zip vents will help you cool down quickly. When the weather turns, waterproof YKK zippers will keep your belongings dry, and Derzimax laminate will keep water out without making you sweat. Equipped with the zipped chest and kangaroo pockets and three mesh pockets, you’ll have no problem carrying everything you need. Wherever you go, this jacket has your back.

Armada Larges 3L

A good shell jacket is essential for any skier or rider to carry in their kit. A shell jacket needs to be durable, provide incredible weather protection, remain breathable to help with moisture management, and look good. The Armada Grands 3L Jacket checks all the boxes when it comes to a clothing jacket. This durable, military-inspired jacket combines functional technology with incredible durability to give you a shell jacket that can take you from first chair to last call on your favorite mountain. From park laps to loose country hikes, this jacket has you covered. 10k/10k Ripstop fabric with DWR coating sheds water and snow with ease to keep you dry, comfortable and out on the mountain longer. Armada’s New Standard Fit leaves enough room under the jacket for the base layers and midlayer you’ll need for cold days on the slopes. When you find yourself in hip-deep powder, you’ll be glad to have the adjustable hem and powder skirt to help keep snow out of the jacket. The Grands also has plenty of other features designed for skiing, from vents and a microfleece chin guard to lycra wrist gaiters and adjustable cuffs. This jacket has everything you need for a great day on the hill.

Giro Method Glasses

Giro needed to come up with a pair of sharp, rigid cylindrical glasses that boast modern style and technology: enter the Method glasses. Of course, style was a major factor in developing them, but the most important thing is the extended field of view. You don’t have to worry about the frame locking up your peripheral when you’re out on the hill living your best life. Giro also has some of the best lenses on the market, thanks to the VIVID lens with ZEISS optics, which vastly improves the contrast and definition of snow while filtering out harmful UV rays so you can focus on crushing your next line EVAK ventilation technology keeps the glasses fog-free for all-day enjoyment. Triple-layer facial foam provides unmatched comfort. Sorry, but the glasses are kept for APRES.

For a complete look at all of The Ski Monster gear, be sure to visit their flagship store in Boston for a truly elevated retail experience, or shop online at www.theskimonster.com and enjoy free shipping.