Deciding on a pair of new glasses can be something to look forward to, something that allows the buyer to re-brand their visage; a poor man's face lift, if you will.

Stylistics of frames can shape or help redefine characteristics of one's face. Creating a façade of high cheek bones or minamilizing facial deformities (like that third broken nose from the overzealous line backer of a bouncer you were gifted) are just a few of the things a nice set of shades can deliver.

Last year, in the dismal debts of Salt Lake's summer season, I came across a book that would forever change my outlook on Mother Nature's most hideous calender months. High temperatures have been difficult for me to deal with all my life. As a warm bodied individual, I often find myself becoming excessively weathered in attitude, lethargic and bored by the Hades-like patterns that last two months longer than they should. I believe that summer should only be two months long and the other associated months need to be cooler, and then divided between spring and fall.

Anon Optics founded in 2001 by The Machine (aka Burton Snowboards) has come along way since its start in 2001. Originally, the Anon line was produced by Idaho's Smith Optics but production was quickly shifted to Burton's Burlington headquaters. Four years later, in 2005, Anon introduced a robust line of fifteen sunglasses, as well as a smattering of soft goods.

This is it, the premiere jacket from the premiere outerwear company, the Alpha LT from Arc'teryx. Three things stand out right away when you pick up the Alpha LT in a shop, first the minimal weight, then the incredibly tight build, and finally the price, the very steep price. At first the price tag is difficult to stomach until you consider the durability and flexibility of such a piece. This is a jacket that can replace 2-3 of your pieces, performing equally well in a -20F gale force blizzard in the backcountry as a 50F spring day on the slopes. This is my review based on a season's worth of action.

NOTE: High resolution images available on Flickr.

Regarded by many, Salmon snowboard boots are a prized jewel; their fit is second to none, warmth is never in question, and they offer one of the best lacing systems in the business- Power Lace Pro (something that Burton has tried to knock-off with its Speed Zone lacing)-which allows for just about perfect ankle and boot articulation; not too stiff and never too soft, just right.

Salomon has perfected their boot craft with the help of their ski boot history, development teams and a ridiculous team of riders. It is understandable as to why very few other boot manufactures can come close to their offerings. (Continued below)

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on one of four hundred YES Snowboards early this winter season. As many of you all know, YES was formed from the now defunct UNINC surreal squad of DCP, Romain de Marchi and J.P. Solberg, and let us not forget to mention ex-Burton heavy-hitter, Tadashi Fuse, who recently joined this super team. With the help of Switzerland's Pulp86 Skate & Snowboard shop and Nidecker Snowboard Mfg., YES was able release five true-twin sizes for its inaugural season; a 149, 154, 156.5/asymmetrical heel edge, 158 and a 162.