"STEEP" will be publishing a magazine again in 2024, following its first publication.
Starting with this second issue, "STEEP" takes the lead, and "SKI BOOK" has become the subtitle. Did you notice? By aligning the names of the magazine and the website, we are expressing our intention to deepen the affinity between them.
While the website features many articles on freeride and freeskiing, the "STEEP" magazine is composed of content that updates your skiing knowledge, including basic skiing and alpine skiing.
This second issue focuses on "gear," a topic every skier must consider.
In particular, our New Ski impressions were created through trial and error, relying on the opinions of many skiers, both professional and amateur. Thank you to everyone who cooperated on the snow.
However, with limited space in the magazine, it was very difficult to include everyone we contacted. But don't worry, we have a web platform ready for you.
For skiers, May, when the snow starts to melt, marks the end of the season, but it's also a time to prepare for the next.
During this time, "STEEP" continues to ignite the passion of passionate skiers who want to keep skiing for a lifetime, moving between digital and analog.
Content introduction
Photo of the 24-25 Season
The ski gear I'm most interested in right now
Skier Watching: A collection of everyone's ski wear style snaps
Where does the cool person you see at ski resorts and mountains get their clothing? What size is it? What are they particular about? Do they balance appearance with functionality? We'll reveal the outfits of 75 people, including 51 riders and guides, as well as 24 stylish people seen at ski resorts in Japan and abroad
Ski Impressions: 106 people tried out skis for the 2025-2026 season
Ski specs are an important factor in imagining what kind of skis a ski is, but to make a definitive decision, experience and knowledge are essential. The opinions of people who actually ride that model can be helpful in such situations. This is a comprehensive collection of impressions that includes not only sponsored riders and guides, but also ordinary skiers who participated in test rides at five locations across the country. We hope you will find it very useful
Ski Boots Impressions: 5 New Boots That Have Been Released in Recent Years
These boots are made with a completely new mold that has never existed before. Whether it's alpine skiing or freeride, one thing they have in common is that there are many things you can't really know until you actually put your feet in and try skiing. Whereas with skis we took into account the opinions of many people, with boots we narrowed down the conditions as much as possible to give impressions. We decided that by having one skier compare each boot, we would be able to get a clear sense of their characteristics. The person who volunteered to be our subject was Saiki Shinji, principal of the school at Maiko Snow Resort. He was an alpine skier and demonstrator during his student days, and he also competes in freeride competitions while teaching techniques at the school, making him the perfect person to be our subject
MADE BY HAND "We make original gear because it doesn't exist"
While high-performance gear equipped with the latest technology is emerging, "craft gear," made in small batches but imbued with the passion of its creators, is also attracting attention. Skis, gloves, backpacks, beanies...
The genres are diverse, and a key feature is the ingenuity that has been adapted to the local climate and Japanese environment, from material selection to sewing and finishing. Some even offer fully made-to-order products, carefully crafted while working with each individual user, providing a warmth and sense of exclusivity that cannot be found in mass-produced items.
This time, we introduce five craft gear brands that are committed to "making things with heart," and we also asked the creators to share their stories.
Column
・Learn ski plates
Master these three points to understand ski plates
. Ski plates are casually placed between the binding and the ski. Here, let's learn about their history and effects.
・Gear share rate in the All Japan Ski Technical Championships
In the technical selection, gear plays a major role in determining results, as does skill. We've compiled a list of the brands used by the 45 finalists in each category, separated by gender
・What ski boot numbers tell us
Surprisingly little-known basic facts
about ski boots: Ski boots have numbers like "130" or "100" written on them along with the model name. What exactly do these numbers mean?
・Will your choice change the future? Which side are you on?
Shop staff discuss the cutting edge of gear selection:
Will the much-talked-about BOA system revolutionize boots? Are the trendy bib pants merely a fad? Pro staff who know the realities on the ground share their insights.
・Gear share rate on the FREERIDE WORLD TOUR
Check out the gear share rates of the 34 FWT competitors who travel around the world and compete for rankings based on total points