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By Sam Collentine, Meteorologist Posted 9 years ago December 4, 2014

GEAR: 3-Layer Shells, The Pros Know

This article is brought to you by ActiveJunky.com. They like our snow forecasts, and we like their knowledge of gear. So we work together to bring you details on the best stuff you can buy, and they help you earn cash back on purchases. Win-win-win-win, or something like that!

OpenSnow predicts serious pow this week. Thirty-plus inches in Tahoe. Over a foot in Wyoming and Idaho. Colorado, the Pacific Northwest and the lovely Ice Coast are slated for more than a dusting.

Storm days call for preparation: early morning pots of coffee, freshly waxed planks and, above all else, outerwear to cope with hammering snow. Active Junky’s tested and researched our favorite pros’ jackets with an eye out for durability, waterproofing and breathability.

Big mountain athletes Chris BenchetlerXavier de le Rue and Chris Davenport rely on these 3-layer shells from the Arctic to Everest. Zip up and join them this weekend.

Chris Benchetler: Dakine Airstream Jacket

Chris Benchetler’s name is gold among aspiring freeskiers. Lithe slashes, brilliant line choices and unexpected freestyle tricks mark every Benchetler edit. His preferred 3L Airstream Jacket has his back, thanks to a waterproof DWR-coated Gore-Tex Plain Weave. Ingenious features take advantage of quality materials, from intelligently designed pockets to side body vents, storm flaps and integrated powder skirt. Active Junky testers fell in love with the loose fit, one ideal for laid back style even when conditions are brutal.

Best For: backcountry adventure, freeskiing and riding

MSRP: $400.00

Earn cash back on the Dakine Airstream Jacket

Explore more of Benchetler’s kit

Xavier De Le Rue: The North Face Free Thinker

Xavier de le Rue is a freakishly fast Frenchman. Awesome alliterations aside, he turns inhospitable and impossibly steep terrain into a personal downhill course. From his backyard Pyrenees to the icy Arctic, the Free Thinker’s Gore-Tex Pro fabric is the common thread in Xavier’s all-weather readiness.  This shell is stacked with backcountry-specific features: Recco Avalanche Rescue Reflectors in case of a slide, spacious pockets to warm up skins in a pinch and watertight zippers. Active Junky applauds The North Face for sweet style even as they crammed their latest tech into the Free Thinker.

Best For: big mountain and backcountry skiing and riding

MSRP: $600:00

Earn cash back on The North Face Free Thinker Jacket

Explore more of Xavier’s kit

Chris Davenport: Spyder Eiger Shell

Watch a few Warren Miller movies – now – if Dav’s mountain dominance doesn’t blow your mind. He’s redefined the sport for a decade plus; he’s skied Everest and was first to ski all of Colorado’s 14,000 ft peaks in a single year. Eiger’s R&D team was led by Dav himself for an intuitive 3-layer shell with a 20k/20k laminate (super waterproof).  Recco Avalanche Rescue Reflectors, a helmet-compatible hood and taped seams finish off this utilitarian backcountry model.

Best For: big mountain skiing, backcountry travel

MSRP: $500.00

Earn cash back on the Spyder Eiger Jacket

Explore more of Dav’s kit

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About The Author

Sam Collentine

Meteorologist

Sam Collentine is the Chief Operating Officer of OpenSnow and lives in Basalt, Colorado. Before joining OpenSnow, he studied Atmospheric Science at the University of Colorado, spent time at Channel 7 News in Denver, and at the National Weather Service in Boulder.

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