Winter sports ideas for the late shopper

By Pete Zimowsky - 12/17/2008

SMARTWOOL BEANIE

ALPINE TOURING BOOTS Black Diamond's Method AT boot offers downhill skiing performance plus touring and walking comfort. The boot is for any terrain.

Cost: $669 Seen at: Idaho Mountain Touring SNOWSHOES FOR KIDS MSR has a durable child's snowshoe called the Denali Tyker. The snowshoes are good for kids up to 90 pounds. They look as though they'll take the abuse of passing them down from sibling to sibling.

Cost: $59.95 Seen at: The Benchmark SMITH HOLT HELMET Here's the scoop. You get a Smith helmet with built-in audio so you can listen to tunes on the slopes for a very reasonable price. It is nothing fancy, but it is a pretty good deal for warmth, protection and jamming.

Cost: $55 Seen at: Sierra Trading Post SMITH FUSE GOGGLES Made by an Idaho-based company with a reputation for quality eyewear, these goggles come with a lifetime warranty on the frames and straps, and include an extra lens. They might not be the last goggles you ever have to buy, but they will probably last as long as you need them to.

Cost: $69-$89 Seen at: REI SMARTWOOL BEANIE Now you can have that famed Smartwool warmth on your head as well as your feet. A beanie is a great way to regulate your body temperature, as well as the easiest piece of gear to take on and off. You can stash it in your pocket when you don't need it.

Cost: $30 Seen at: REI HEATED BOOT BAG Hot Gear's heated bag for ski or snowboard boots will warm your boots before you get to the hill. There are settings for hot or dry. The bag connects to a 12-volt car plug or a household plug. The bag also has room for other gear, like a helmet.

Cost: $159 Seen at: REI Editor's note: Check your local retailers for similiar products