When you’re riding with friends, it’s not just about fresh snow or perfect turns, it’s about keeping the crew together from first chair to last call. Whether you’re carving resort laps, chasing side-country lines, or just laughing your way through lift queues, the right gear can make all the difference.
Ski tech has evolved fast, and 2025 brings a new wave of innovations designed to keep your group safer, more connected, and better prepared for every kind of mountain day. Here are five standout upgrades that’ll take your group ride to the next level.
1. Smart Protection + Integration - Smith Vantage 2 MIPS® Helmet
If one piece of gear sets the tone for safety and comfort, it’s your helmet. The Smith Vantage 2 MIPS® is built for serious riders who want protection that doesn’t compromise on style or fit.
With a hybrid shell that balances lightweight design and impact resistance, full KOROYD® coverage for energy absorption, and MIPS® technology to reduce rotational forces, this helmet is designed to perform in real-world crashes, not just lab tests. The BOA® 360 Fit System delivers a glove-friendly, micro-adjustable fit for dialed comfort all day long.
And for those who ride with music or comms, the Vantage 2 is Aleck-ready - its ear pads are designed for seamless audio integration.
Why it matters:
Comfort, communication, and safety all flow from how your helmet fits and functions. When your group rides in gear like this, you’re not just protected — you’re connected, aligned, and moving as one.
Pro tip: If you’re upgrading this season, pick a helmet that’s comms-compatible from day one. It’ll future-proof your setup.
2. Add a Hidden Safety Layer — Arcade × RECCO Stretch Belt
You might not expect a belt to save your life, but the collaboration between Arcade Belts and RECCO just might. Inside the lightweight, stretchy belt lies RECCO reflector technology - the same system used by search and rescue teams to locate missing or injured riders in the backcountry.
The belt flexes with you, feels weightless under outerwear, and never needs charging or maintenance.
Why it matters:
You never plan to get lost or separated, but every group has that one detour that goes a little too far. This is one of those stealthy upgrades that adds zero bulk but maximum peace of mind.
Simple, smart, and maybe even life-saving - the kind of tech everyone in your crew should wear.
Check out the Arcade x RECCO collab here
3. Stay Connected When It Counts — Aleck Snow Series Ultra
Every group has the same story - one rider charges ahead, someone else stops for a photo, and another vanishes down a side chute. That’s where Aleck steps in.
The Aleck Snow Series Pro is a complete helmet-audio and communication system that lets your crew talk, listen, and coordinate in real time. It combines powerful 40mm high-definition drivers with a slim, glove-friendly interface that fits any audio-ready snow helmet.
Pair it with the Aleck Off Grid, a Bluetooth-enabled walkie-talkie that works without cell service, and your group can communicate anywhere - even deep in the trees or beyond the resort boundary.
Why it matters:
When communication is easy, group riding transforms. You spend less time waiting, guessing, or yelling across slopes, and more time actually riding together.
Aleck’s mission has always been simple - bring people closer through better communication, no matter how far apart they are on the mountain. See it here!
4. Precision Boot Fit for Everyone - BOA® Fit System
If your boots aren’t right, nothing else matters. The BOA® Fit System brings precision dial-based adjustment to ski boots, letting riders micro-tune their fit in seconds. No cold fingers, no uneven pressure - just perfect, even tension across the shell.
BOA’s new Alpine platform, featured in boots from major brands like Atomic, Salomon, and K2, has been shown to improve stability by up to 10 percent and power transfer by 6 percent compared to traditional buckles. (boafit.com)
Why it matters:
When everyone’s boots fit perfectly, you ride in rhythm. No one’s stopping to adjust, no one’s in pain, and everyone’s performance stays consistent. That’s real-world group flow.
One dial, total control - it’s the small upgrade that changes everything.
5. Pack Smart, Ride More - YETI GoBox 1 Gear Case
Whether you’re traveling to the Alps, loading up for a weekend in the Rockies, or just keeping the van tidy, organization is what keeps a good trip running smoothly. Enter the YETI GoBox 1 Gear Case - a bombproof, weather-sealed storage box that’s built to handle mountain abuse.
It’s dust-proof, waterproof, and virtually indestructible, with removable dividers and a zippered cargo tray to keep goggles, tools, cables, and snacks exactly where you want them. Unlike traditional boxes, the GoBox seals shut tight with latch-lock closures and a waterproof gasket, so your essentials stay clean and dry even in heavy snow.
Why it matters:
Every crew has a shared stash - tools, chargers, wax kits, gloves, batteries, snacks. The GoBox 1 keeps it all in one place, ready for the next lift or the next trip.
Think of it as your crew’s command center - rugged, waterproof, and always ready.
(See the YETI GoBox 1 Gear Case here.)
Ride Together, Smarter
This season is about the moments your crew shares along the way. The right tech helps you move as one, react as one, and celebrate as one.
From Smith’s next-generation helmets and RECCO-equipped safety gear, to Aleck’s real-time communication, BOA’s precision fit, and YETI’s bombproof organization, these upgrades turn a simple ski trip into something bigger - a connected experience you’ll talk about long after the snow melts.
So gather your crew, dial your gear, and make ski season 2025 the year of better lines, smoother flow, and unforgettable rides. Because the only thing better than finding the perfect run… is sharing it.
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