TOP GEAR WITH...
Andrea Enzio
Welcome to Top Gear, where some of the world’s best ski instructors and mountain guides spill the beans on their best-loved and most wanted items of winter kit.
We’ve been speaking about gear with the celebrated mountain guide Andrea Enzio, who was skiing the Monte Rosa mountains before he could walk, regularly guides Ski Club Members in the Alps and is currently ‘capoguida’ (head guide) of the illustrious Alagna Alpine Guides Group.
MY MOUNTAIN MUST-HAVES
ORTOVOX PRO-ALU III SHOVEL £70
It’s really important to have a very good, strong shovel while freeriding on the mountain. This updated version of the lightweight Ortovox PRO ALU is quick and easy to put together, with a new quick-lock system that lets you put the blade and shaft together in one motion. It also has an integrated shaft socket for easy packing.
WATERPROOF MOBILE PHONCE CASE From £8.99
It might not be ground-breaking, but a waterproof phone case is a good investment. The ergonomic and reliably waterproof YOSH pouches are compatible with most phones, feature enough space for credit cards and cash as well your phone, and come with a long lanyard for easy access while on the move. Photos remain surprisingly clear, so long as you remember to turn off the flash to prevent glare.
SALEWA FIRST AID KIT £27
A good, compact first aid kit is important to have in your backpack during freeride adventures. This kit is waterproof and only weighs 230g but contains all the essentials.
SALEWA ORTLES LIGHT 2 DOWN HOODED JACKET £225
Salewa products are designed in the Dolomites with input from mountain guides’ organisations. Created specifically for alpine activities, such as mountaineering and ice climbing, technical items like this insulated jacket are super functional and have a durable ripstop outer fabric. I’m a fan of this wind-resistant, water-repellent jacket as it’s really light (355g) and packs down into a small bag to save space in your pack, but its combination of duck down fill and Polartec® insulation means it delivers extra warmth when I need it.
THE ALAGNA ALPINE GUIDES GROUP
The Alagna Alpine Guides Group was founded by eight pioneering local alpinists in 1872. The second largest mountain guides association in Italy, after the Società Guide Alpine Courmayeur, it comprises more than 40 IFMGA guides, each of whom know the infamous ‘canalone’ (couloirs), cliff drops and powder bowls of the Monte Rosa like the backs of their hands.
MY LUST LIST
SALOMON N S/LAB SHIFT MNC BINDINGS £400
A fantastic binding that must be part of every freerider’s equipment, the new S/LAB Shift MNC 13 gives performance and reliability without compromise, blending the touring efficiency of a pin binding with the performance of an alpine freeride binding.
ATOMIC HAWX ULTRA XTD 130 SKI BOOTS £580
The latest generation of freeride boots, the Atomic Hawx Ultra XTDs are top performers for all your different skiing days. As good
for skiing on-piste as they are for freeride touring, they’re flexible yet supportive and move smoothly and naturally while touring. The ski-to-walk mechanism is easy to use, and there’s a really wide range of sizes for every foot out there.
SALOMON T QST 118 +S/LAB SKIS £635
My favourite powder ski for the big day, these are the fattest skis available in the Salomon range and they work particularly well with the S/LAB Shift bindings. Super lightweight, with a soft flex and pronounced rocker, they’re fun, springy and manoeuvrable in the powder.