Between angry winds and whirling floods there is at least one thick silver lining to take away from the last couple of weeks – snow. Now that the European Alps have received a ceremonial dump of white dust it’s time to start thinking about updating your winter collection with the latest in outdoor tech. A number of brands have stepped up this season, each offering new product lines to keep powder hunters and piste predators warm and dry. 

1 Patagonia Primo Down Jacket (above)
Patagonia’s new Primo Down Jacket has the formidable characteristics of function and fashion. Featuring a full layer of internal down, and an outer barrier of Gore-Tex 2-layer Performance Shell, this jacket is one safe haven for the winter ahead. Whether you keep strictly to groomed pistes or deep powder fields, a removable powder skirt and vented underarm zips add a degree of versatility to this beautifully detailed product from the Californian-based brand. (£550, patagonia.com)



2 Dragon Alliance APX Goggle
Aware of the competition in the goggle manufacturing arena, Dragon Alliance went big this season. Their signature APX goggle combines a minimalist design with maximal peripheral vision. Despite the abundance of wide-angle lenses on the slopes, the APX stands out by far, offering a new perspective on frame technology. (£130, dragonalliance.com)



3 Columbia Bugaglove Max Electric
Gone are the days of pocket warmers and cold hands. Columbia’s Omni-Heat technology takes one step further this season with their attempt at a glove that incorporates a heating element that can be activated at the touch of a button. Though there is no heating layer for the thumb compartment, the Bugaglove promises to refresh seasoned party tricks worldwide. (£350, columbia.com)


4 Peak Performance Heli Alpine Pant
Relatively new to the UK market, Swedish brand Peak Performance are yet to break into the mainstream adventure market. Yet for the select few who have converted their design philosophy, products such as the Heli Alpine Pant provide striking evidence of the brand’s credibility. Designed with the help of pro skiers, the Heli Alpine Pant adds a touch of class to your best reenactments of Alaskan cliff drops this winter. (£430, peakperformance.com )



5 Arc’teryx Phase SV Comp LS Baselayer
Over the last decade Arc’teryx have influenced the manufacture and design of today’s performance outer layers, moving more recently into baselayers with a similar enthusiasm for detail. This season the brand has taken an even more intimate approach by revamping their baselayer collection with the release of the Phase SV Comp Long Sleeve. This highly technical garment takes detail to a new level, offering two fabrics to optimize thermoregulation. (£65, arcteryx.com)

Words by William Ross