A most welcome downhill winter - What's New? - Brief Article

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), March, 2004

This is the time of year when the winter whiners are in full voice, anticipating what they hope will be a nice, warm, early-arriving spring. "It's too cold out today," they'll say. "I hope it doesn't snow again. Is this ice ever going to melt?"

We winter warriors, however, will not be deterred. Time is precious-those of us who hit the slopes regularly are ready to kick it into overdrive, not wanting to waste even a single day in which there's still white powder on the mountain. To get the most out of our runs, we turned to the experts who hail from the heart of snow country, Burlington, Vt., where the Burton Snowboard Company has been thriving for more than 25 years. For those who eschew skis, snowboards are a terrific option. However, being the skateboarding daredevils that we are, we prefer another Burton favorite: snowdecks. (Besides, they're much easier to bail from.) The Junkyard ($149.95) features a wide, seven-ply hardrock maple upperdeck (8.75" x 33") for durability that won't wear out or lose its snap. The 84-centimeter-long subdeck keeps its speed on trails, over kickers, or off tall drops.

Now, if we're going to be flying down a mountain (even with the option to abandon ship), we really need to see where we're going. Enter Anon Optics, a subsidiary of Burton, and its new Photochromatic Frame Color Goggles ($109.95). Sure, goggles need tech, but they also need style. On the shelf, the Photochromatic is white. Once outside, though, the UV sensitive tint turns blue. The cushioned eye and nose pads and wide elastic adjustable straps ensure a snug, but comfortable, fit. And no gaps mean no fogging. Winter never looked so good.

The Burton line of products is available at sporting goods stores and ski shops.