Winterware.

• Position: What's new? Holiday gifts galore - Snowboarding, cold weather clothing, carrying bags - Buyers Guide

The best part of the holiday season? That's easy. Winter's back, and we couldn't be happier. That's why our celebration starts four days prior to St. Nicholas' annual trek around the world--on the first day of winter. We look to the heavens, thank the gods for the cold weather they are about to bestow upon us, and then do a spirited snow dance.

If deemed worthy, we will get plenty of the white stuff, and then it's off to the local golf courses, parkway overpasses, and state parks--in other words, wherever hills are found. Now, sleds are fine, and we have a whole army of them for all kinds of conditions. However, on those days when we're feeling a bit more daring and adventurous, we pull out our Junkyard Snowdeck ($149.95) from Burton Snowboards, Burlington, Vt. Actually, the Junkyard is not really a snowboard (since your feet are not attached to the surface); it's more like a skateboard made for snow thanks to a sturdy subdeck consisting of an extruded wood core and a fiberglass finish. There's a foam mat for grip, while the construction and geometry are built for jumping power. The top skate deck measures 32" x 8.75" and is interchangeable with any skateboard, although you may have to redrill some holes.

If you're going to be out in the cold snow doing all these fancy jumps (and falls), you might as well wear the right gear. Start with the Burton Ronin Katana Jacket ($549.95), with the groundbreaking "airvantage" liner system by GoreTex, which has a maze of inflatable chambers that riders can fill up for more warmth. So, when the temperature drops, don't add more layers; simply use a few breaths to inflate the liner. The Katana also features fully taped seams; removable hood; pit zips to let in fresh air; jacket-to-pants interface to keep the snow out; storm-seal zippers that render storm flaps obsolete; and no-slip zipper pulls.

To complete our protection from the elements, we added the Ronin 3L Vent Pants ($239.95) and Burton Ronin Vanguard Gloves ($69.95). The pants, like the jacket, have pockets galore. They are made of Dermizax, which is waterproof and durable, yet provides a soft, smooth texture. The gloves also have Thinsulate and Gore-Tex working for them, as well as a comfy fleece lining.

While it's important to protect your body from the elements, what about your books and laptop? The...