T+L Reports: Bamboo Goes Downhill

Nature and high tech collide in an innovative line of retro-inspired winter-sports gear from Bogner (800/451-4417). The German-based ski manufacturer uses bamboo—one of the strongest and most flexible materials on earth—to create a lightweight, shock-absorbing helmet ($650), and flexible skis and poles ($3,300) custom- designed for your slope specialty, whether that means big-mountain moguls or backcountry powder.—BONNIE TSUI