We are back at it bringing you updates on the best new gear on the block. Here are the highlights from Day 1 at SIA in Denver, Colorado.

Klint Skis

Klint is a pretty new company, but they have already established themselves with some great skis. Joining the Krypto on the powder end of the spectrum is the KryptoLite. It still has camber underfoot and tip and tail rocker, but it is slimmed down a bit to 114mm at the waist to increase versatility on hard snow.

Liberty Skis

Liberty keeps on the path to sustainability and poppy responsiveness with their bamboo backboned skis. They also have unique UHMWPE sidewalls for durability — if they chip they can be fixed with p-tex. New for this year is the Variant, a flat tailed directional ski with a smooth tip rocker. At 113mm underfoot, it’s a versatile backcountry charger that has a die-cut metal laminate for a smooth, damp ride. For the ladies, the Envy All -Mountain and Envy Powder are versatile, lightweight skis. They also have some super light, slick-looking bamboo poles for the hippies to go along with the new, nearly unbreakable, vinyl-wrapped, glass fiber poles that are perfect for shredding the park.

Icelantic

Icleantic is putting a new topsheet material on all their skis. It is carbonium, which makes it very lightweight and able to shed snow. They again have artistically-themed graphics on the skis; this years theme is about finding your rhythm. They have a new ski called the Seeker that is a full-fledged big mountain missile. The ultra-stiff tail and rockered tip mean that in the right hands the Seeker will probably devour terrain.

Discrete

Salt Lake City based Discrete is still at the top of the game when it comes to making good-looking beanies. They have expanded though, and Discrete now makes hoodies, flannels, and a variety of functional neck gaiters.

Armada

Armada keeps upping their game in the backcountry and freeride market. They have teamed up Gore-Tex to make the VCTR Series. The Shifter Jacket and Exposure Pants feature Gore-Tex Pro Shell while maintaining a good freeride look and fit. They have also partnered with Black Diamond to make an Outlaw Avalung pack with an exclusive Armada branding and colorway.

On the ski-front, they still have a top-notch selection of park and pipe skis — including the new AR7 with the original AR5 topsheet, which is one of the all time classics — as well as some new freeride stuff. The Bubba is taking over as the big, floaty powder ski in the line, and it is available now as part of a mid-season release. The JJ, TST and Magic J (Tanner Hall’s altered JJ) now get a textured topsheet that sheds snow really well. By partnering with companies like Gore-Tex, Polartec and Black Diamond, Armada is becoming a major player in the backcountry market.

Surface

One more update from surface, they have been working on a full-rockered ski — they call it boat rocker — that is rockered towards the side of the ski. It’s still in the experimental phase, but it looks like it may be bunches of fun on a powder day.

Moment

Moment has a really innovative offering called the Deathwish. It is a triple-cambered, double-rockered ski. It means just what it sounds like, three cambered sections, with tip and tail rocker. The result is a ski that tracks on hardpack, but is even more playful and poppy than standard mustache rocker skis like the Bibby and PB&J. It is designed to make any turn shape the skier wants. Look for a review of this ski on our site soon.

Dynastar

Dynastar’s new Cham line of skis are 5 dimensional sidecut skis with tip rocker and a flat pin tail. The really powerful tails are Dynastar’s trademark, but the substantial tip rocker should make them pretty maneuverable as well. For the weight-conscious skiers out there, they make a high-mountain versions of the skis — with available waist widths of 87,97 and 107mm — that have all the same features but without the weight of a metal laminate.

Trew

Trew Gear stays trew to form with their on-point balance of fashion and function. With 20k/20k fabrics and colorways that look as good as they perform. The Pow Funk Jacket and Trewth Bibs will keep you dry and fresh for seasons to come as they offer a lifetime warranty on their products.

Hestra

Introducing their patented ErgoGrip technology, which utilizes a unique sewing design to eliminate uncomfortable bunching when gripping poles, Hestra maintains their top of line edge in glove manufacturing. With flashy colors and great protection from the elements, Hestra’s new styles won’t disappoint.

K2

The new Seth Morrison pro-model, the Side Seth, is revamped for the ’12-’13 season with a focus on charging Big Mountain lines. With a stiffer tail and an early rise powder tip, this 118mm under foot charger will perform in a slew of conditions.

The Pettitor is one of the other exciting new skis from K2 for next season. At 122mm underfoot with early rise in the tip and tail and camber underfoot, this is the stiffest ski in the line and is geared for playful stability.

The North Face

Not only is The North Face introducing Flashdry, a revolutionary new base layer additive that effectively transfers moisture from your skin to the outer membrane, but they’re also revamping their stylistic approach to outerwear production. While still maintaining their devotion to technical prowess, the new styles for ’12-’13 look as good as they perform.

Majesty Skis

Next season will be Majesty’s first year with US distribution. The Poland-based company already has a strong European following and a full line of high-performance skis that will suit a full range of styles and pursuits.

4FRNT

New for ’12-’13 season is the Cody Barnhill pro-model, the CODY. Coming in at 102mm underfoot with a 19m turn radius, the early-rise tip and traditional camber underfoot make this ski a super versatile all-mountain ripper. Utilizing the artistic stylings of his younger brother, Dylan, the top sheet of the CODY is derived from a hand-cut stencil and spray-paint design that was inspired by Dylan’s multiple-month Latin American travels. Keeping it in the family; love it.

Salomon

Not only is Salomon expanding their Rocker2 line to accommodate a wide array of styles, but their new focus on women-specific powder boards is sure to bring some hype to the ladies. The Rockette, Salomon’s lady version of the Rocker2, is built with the same construction as the Rocker2 but with a slightly lighter flex pattern. The rep we talked to described it as a women’s-specific ski that women could finally be proud of.

-By Tony Gill and Alex Paul

-Photos by Kjell Ellefson and Cody Smith