Back in the ’90s, if you had asked me which piece of gear for skiing and snowboarding would change the least, goggles would have been near the top of the list. After all, sunglasses haven’t really evolved much since their invention—mostly just in terms of fashion. So, how could goggles possibly change? Fast forward to 2025, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. One company leading the charge is Smith Optics, with their innovative new 4D Mag goggles. Here’s my review of the Smith 4D Mag Goggles.
Verdict
Photo by Jaime Pirozzi – Local Freshies®
The Smith 4D Mag goggle is the best in class in every way— from how it feels on your face to the packaging it comes in. Even the included hard case is thoughtfully designed, featuring a separate compartment for storing the extra lens. What sets them apart though isn’t just one feature, but a combination of factors all wrapped in a sleek design that looks great on anyone. If you’re someone who hates feeling somewhat limited by restricted peripheral vision, the Smith 4D Mag goggles are on the top of the list—if not number one.
Smith 4D Mag Specs
Two lenses: Bright light and low light
ChromaPop performance tints
Goggle Hard Case with separate compartment for lens
Speaking about the peripheral vision, the Smith 4D Mag family introduces the groundbreaking new lens design called BirdsEye Vision. There are two main types of lenses in goggles: spherical and cylindrical. A cylindrical lens curves in one direction, while a spherical lens curves in both directions—hence the “sphere” in its name. The 4D MAG’s BirdsEye Vision takes the spherical lens concept to the next level by curving both downward and inward, toward the face. This design boosts your peripheral field of view by up to 25%!
Want to learn more about BirdsEye Vision? Check out their detailed article on the technology.
What I Love About Them
Photo by Jaime Pirozzi – Local Freshies®
The Smith 4D Mag feels less like a ski goggle and more like the lenses worn by aviation pilots. While they don’t feel bulky on your face, they maximize what you can see. The ability to see more vertically is a nice bonus, but what’s a game changer for me is the increased peripheral vision. With the sides of the lens offering extra coverage, you can easily spot skiers or snowboarders coming from the side without having to turn your head—something NBA’s Luka Dončić would likely appreciate on the basketball court!
Makes the World “POP”
These goggles also use Smith’s ChromaPop lens technology, which we’ve seen firsthand in their MTB glasses. They really deliver an impressive “pop” in color and clarity. In addition, the 4D Mag lenses stayed completely fog-free, even when we tried them during wet Sierra storms. And thanks to Smith’s innovative MAG lens-change technology, swapping lenses for the conditions was quick and effortless because of the magnets.
Easy to switch lenses due to MAG technology – Photo by Jaime Pirozzi – Local Freshies®
Cons
Even as best in class in terms of visibility and technology, the hefty price tag is a bit hard to swallow. But after looking around, it’s clear that all ski and snowboard goggle manufacturers have raised their prices as well. The findings we found were less about “drawbacks” or “cons” but something to be aware of and consider.
While we love the increased visibility the Smith 4D Mag goggles provide, the bottom of the lens has a steep curve that can distort the lower section of the goggle. For some, this may be disorienting, and we did experience that sensation during the first few laps. However, once I got used to it, I appreciated how much I could see without needing to swivel my head.
When using the 4D Mag with the Smith Summit backcountry helmet, the fit was spot on. However, I did notice that the silicone-backed strap didn’t stay in place as securely in bumpy mogul conditions as I would have liked. That might be more because the helmet has a low profile to help with storing for backcountry skiing. The solution was simple—just tightening the strap a bit more than usual.
A Size for Everyone
Smith Optics is about providing the best fit for each and every individual and even in the 4D Mag Family there are three different variations. The 4D Mag XL is a large fit, the 4D Mag is medium fit and finally the 4D Mag Low Bridge fit for faces with a lower nose bridge and/or a wide or high cheekbone shape.
There’s a difference between a “local hill” and a destination resort. Each has its place in skiing. Destinations may say they’re about the skiing, but the truth is, they’re more like a Disney Resort on snow. Local hills, on the other hand, are the local gathering places to get turns—like a pub, DFW, or YMCA. What they lack in spas, hot cookies, and big verticals, they more than make up for in soul and community building. For every major resort, there are dozens of local hills. One that flies under the radar but is just as important for skiing and snowboarding is Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl in Grand Haven, Michigan.
The Hollow’s Beginnings
Named after John Mulligan, who settled here in the 1880s and built a small farm that was eventually sold to the city in 1908, this property was used as a site for barracks for the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. It was later converted into a boot camp for the Coast Guard during WWII.
As you would expect, without use, nearly all of the buildings on the property fell into disrepair by the 60s, except for one—the old Mess Hall. With the help of volunteers, it was converted into a warming hut for the new Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl, which opened with a spectacular Christmas show in December of 1963.
Still Locally Owned
The passion for sliding continued over the years with the help of volunteers, the City of Grand Haven, and the YMCA. In 2009, the ski area was handed over to Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl, a nonprofit organization that has operated ever since. The love for skiing hasn’t waned; in fact, if anything, it has increased, with season pass sales creeping up to nearly 12,000 annually!
Small But Mighty
On its surface, it may not seem like it has a lot to offer. “The Hollow,” as it’s affectionately called, is home to 6 slopes and adjoining trails, including a park laid out across 7 acres, all accessible via 5 rope tows. But when you begin to dig deeper, you’ll find its charm. The highest dune offers glimpses of the inland “sea” of Lake Michigan. All slopes are lit to allow night skiing. And all parents ski for free! Lift tickets are a steal—just $16 on Thursdays and Fridays for access to the entire Ski Bowl, and a “whopping” $22 on Saturdays and Sundays.
Rope tows are good for you! – Image courtesy: Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl
Rope Tows are Like Eating your Peas… They’re Good for You!
While chairlifts make it easy to get up the hill, regardless of size, rope tows can really maximize the number of laps in a park more than any other lift. It’s one of the reasons places like Trollhaugen and Yawgoo produce so many great park riders. You never have to unstrap or sit on a chairlift. Instead, you hit a bunch of park obstacles, swing right back onto the rope tow, and zoom up to the top again.
Ski Resorts Should Be Non-Profits
Mulligan’s Hollow helping the next generation fall in love with skiing & snowboarding
I moved out West to chase the snow, but one of the things I miss most about Midwest skiing is the soulful vibe of its ski areas. During our travels across the West, I’ve been seeking not just powder, but mountains that have that same energy. What we’ve realized on these road trips is that it’s the places not owned by Wall Street, but by Main Street, that really capture that spirit. In the end, we salute all ski areas, including Mulligan’s, for keeping the soul of skiing alive and for their hard work in inspiring the next generation of passionate snow sliders. Keep up the great work!
Since I can remember, Trew Clothing has bucked the outdoor industry’s trend of using subdued colors. You can easily spot a Trew Gear outfit on the mountain because their designs and colors stand out—not in an offensive way, but in a “I wish I had that jacket” kind of way. After rocking the Burton Cyclic pant last season, I figured it was time to spice things up and go for something a little bolder and brighter. So, I swapped in the Trew Capow Bib—here’s what I think!
Verdict
Photo by Jaime Pirozzi – Local Freshies®
These are built for those seeking only the best in materials and design. As soon as you slip into them, you’ll feel combat-ready, whether on the skin track or at the resort. The CAPOW offers a good compromise between backcountry-specific and resort-focused gear, keeping it as lightweight as possible while reinforcing key areas, like the rear of the pant. They provide enough space to layer a fleece underneath while still feeling like you can handle whatever the mountain throws at you. And they have legit cargo pockets!
Men’s Capow Bib Pants Specs
Dermizax EV Membrane 3-Layer (read more about Dermizax below)
I’ve NEVER owned a pair of bibs in my life… well, maybe as a kid, but I don’t remember. I had to get used to how the bibs bunched differently than regular pants when I did a deep squat. I had to trust the upper bib’s stretch-woven nylon, and once I did, they felt perfect.
What I Love About Them
Photo by Jaime Pirozzi – Local Freshies®
It feels like they thought of everything. It’s no wonder, since Trew turned to Canadian Powder Guides to help design them. For example, the front zipper has a double zipper, allowing you to open only the segment you want, and the side ventilation zips feature a button on top to ensure the pants keep their shape, even when fully open. The large cargo pockets provide ample room for snacks and tools, while the regular pockets are big enough to store your wallet or the largest phone. AND the fun colors offer something other than black.
Great Tall Option
For those looking for tall snow pants, the Trew Capow Bib Tall comes with some of the longest inseams I’ve seen on the market—35 inches! At 6’3″ tall with a 36-inch inseam, I can wear a size large, and they fit and look like normal pants on me.
A Bit About Dermizax
We’ve praised GORE-TEX material in many of our articles, including our backcountry ski jacket guide. While GORE-TEX offers superior waterproofing (28,000 mm+), Dermizax’s standout quality is its breathability and soft feel, all while maintaining impressive water resistance. After a full season of using a jacket with Dermizax, I’m a convert, and it’s a great alternative. Stay tuned for our in-depth analysis of Dermizax vs. GORE-TEX.
Cons
Backcountry ski gear is all about keeping it simple. The more bells and whistles, the heavier it gets. While the deep pockets, flexible venting, and armor are incredible, as a pure backcountry pant for recreationalists, it’s a bit too much for my personal preferences. I can understand why, though, since it’s designed hand-in-hand with Canadian Powder Guides, who are like the Marines. They need gear that allows them to live out in the backcountry for days if necessary.
Who are These For
If you’re using these for both backcountry and resort skiing, then they’re perfect. Or, if you’re a person that spends days ski touring or if you’re a ski guide, you’ll love the amount of detail put into every part of the bib. If you still want excellent protection against the elements but at a lower price point, consider checking out Trew Gear’s Jefferson Bibs.
My first backcountry tour was one of the most terrifying and eye-opening experiences I’ve EVER had in my life. It was a rude wake-up call. It raised the question, “Even with avalanche training, how well prepared are you when things go sideways?” Besides avalanche training, EMT certification is something ALL of us should have not just for skiing but for heading out into the wilderness be it hiking, biking or even camping. Luckily in the end, it was a great learning experience for everyone involved.
Note: All the student’s names in this article have been changed to protect everyone’s identity.
The Final Descent Is Oh So Sweet
After three full days of intense learning, it was finally time to hit the slopes. The next question was what run should we do: “Movie Screen” or the “Glades?” Some raised concerns about “Movie Screen” being too steep, so as a group we decided to split up—radios in hand and snow conditions relatively safe. Our group chose to drop into the “Movie Screen.”
Turn after sweet turn of glorious corn was gobbled up, slashing our way down the perfectly pitched face. High fives all around at the bottom, then a short hike to the next descent point, about a thousand yards away. We regrouped, and one by one, dropped into the final face. The snow here was thicker and stickier than at the top, a sign we were a little too late that day.
It’s No Longer A Drill… This Is Real!!!!
Everyone was waiting at the bottom, except for Sean, our tail gunner and the last person in the group. Suddenly, over the radio, we hear a calm Sean say, “Um, we’ve got an emergency.” At first, we all thought, “Are you kidding me, another drill? We’re exhausted and just want to go home.” But then, with a solemn expression, Richard confirmed: this was no drill. It was real.
Richard gave everyone the option to leave, since some of us had work commitments to get to. But after a brief look around, the whole team agreed that the right thing to do was stay and help.
We stared up at the massive hill we had just skied and sighed. We began the climb back up to Sean and Mary. As we trudged up, the group quickly turned to chaos. Some went straight up, while others zigzagged in every direction.
Broken Leg??? Real-life Backcountry Emergency
As we reached Sean and Mary, our worst fears were confirmed—she had broken her leg. We were so close to finishing up our weekend backcountry tour and heading home, yet we were still so far. Only a mile from the Visitor Center, we could see the building, but it might as well have been in Antarctica. With a team member injured, getting out was going to be a challenge.
What were our options? Fortunately, Richard and Sean were prepared. Richard decided to ski out and speak with the on-duty National Park Ranger to see if we could get a sled, while Sean stayed behind to stabilize Mary.
While we waited, we tried to comfort Mary with jokes and kept her warm. About an hour later, we received confirmation that a Ranger would snowshoe up with a sled so we could ski out with our injured team member. Two volunteers immediately offered to meet the Ranger halfway to help carry the sled back.
What the Heck is a Dead Man’s Anchor?
While we waited for the sled, we began to set up a dead man’s anchor to help lower it safely to where Mary was lying. Most of us stared at Sean when he mentioned those words. “What the heck is a dead man’s anchor?”
We come to find out that it’s when you bury a pair of skis, tied with a rope, deep in the snow to ensure the sled doesn’t slip away as we lower it down. Wow! All I could think about was how unprepared I really was for this backcountry tour.
Over the radio, we heard Richard asking if we should call for a helicopter. With the sun setting, time was of the essence. Soon after, we received confirmation that a helicopter was on its way.
Woop, Woop, Woop – A Helicopter Approaches
Before we could see it, we could hear the helicopter approaching—woop, woop, woop. The sound echoed off the surrounding peaks. In the distance, a small speck appeared, growing larger until we could clearly see it was the helicopter. It made a large swoop over us but didn’t even attempt to land. Our hearts sank. The pilot was uncomfortable landing on the side of the mountain.
“What are we Going to do?”
Over the radio, we heard that the California Highway Patrol had another helicopter in the area and could attempt a rescue. We watched as another helicopter approached. Hovering just 50 feet above us, they lowered a basket to Mary and helped load her in. As they slowly ascended from the side of the peak, she dangled hundreds of feet off the ground as they flew her out. They safely landed at the Visitor Center, where she was transferred inside the other helicopter for the ride to the hospital.
With Darkness Coming We Need To Move Quickly
As we wave our goodbyes, we notice the sunlight is quickly fading. Both Sean and Richard shout for all of us to pack up and gear up fast. Darkness in the backcountry is very different from at home. Once it’s dark, everything becomes a bigger challenge.
Geared up with lanterns on our heads, we slowly snowboard down the cat track. In the moonlight, we skin the rest of the way down to the parking lot. The plan had been to leave by 3:00 p.m., but when an emergency happens on a backcountry tour, your 9-to-5 life takes a back seat to safely getting out.
Was It Worth It?
Reason we head into the backcountry…
In the end, this class couldn’t have been a better learning experience. It taught us a ton about avalanche safety, but the real danger isn’t just avalanches… it’s the backcountry as a whole. Besides understanding the snowpack, it’s a good idea to take a Wilderness and Remote First Aid Course as well. Sean’s words continue to ring in my ears to this day, “Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” This is something all of us should consider when playing in a place as dangerous as the woods. And, it’s always a good idea to be surrounded by individuals that are calm and collected.
If you want to learn how to get started, find out what gear you’ll need, or hear about our personal experiences like this one, head over to our comprehensive backcountry guide: All Things Splitboarding & Backcountry Skiing.
On Monday, December 23, 2024, two chairs on Heavenly’s Comet lift collided, causing several riders to fall about 30 feet into the snow. It took us back to our own experience at Heavenly a few years ago, when something similar happened on the old North Bowl Chair, around the same time of year. Rappelling off a chairlift—something I never imagined I’d have to do—became an unexpected reality. It certainly wasn’t part of my plan for the last day of Christmas break, but that’s exactly what happened. Though the situation was a bit unnerving, we came out of it unscathed. In fact, it turned into a surprisingly exciting adventure, and we ended up making a lot of new friends along the way.
How Did We End Up Repelling off a Chairlift?
The original plan for the day was to check out Angora Ridge on our brand-new splitboards. Unfortunately, half of the crew with backcountry experience was sidelined by the flu. So, instead of heading out willy-nilly, we decided to get a feel for our new splitboards and dial in our gear on the slopes. Still recuperating from our New Year’s Eve bash at Steamers, we woke up a bit later than usual. Poking our heads outside, we noticed cloudy skies and temperatures above freezing for the first time in over a week. Typically, we would head over to the Stagecoach Lodge, but since the lot was already full, our parking decision was made for us, and we headed to Boulder Lodge instead.
Chair Suddenly Falls!
Actual chairlift that fell off.
Everything seemed pretty typical as we rode the Boulder lift up and transferred to the North Bowl Chair. This lift accesses a ton of great terrain, but at the time, it was a fixed-grip chair, so we usually used it to shuttle us over to the main part of the mountain. As we slowly ascended past Tower 5, for some reason, Jaime glanced over at the descending chairs. Without warning, one of the heavy chairs suddenly slid off the line, dropping swiftly into the snow below with an eerily quiet “poof!” We stared at it in pure shock as the lift continued to climb. “Did that just really happen?” Within moments, the lift came to a sudden stop. “Uh oh… looks like it did!”
Rescue Team? What Does That Mean?
Sitting there, we waited patiently, unsure of what was going to happen next. A few minutes later, a ski patroller appeared under the lift line. He asked if everyone was okay. After we nodded, he informed us that mechanics were on their way to determine the best course of action.
Fifteen minutes later, we were notified that a rescue team had been assembled and was on its way. “Rescue team?!? What does that mean?” We were then told that they’d evacuate us off the chairlift by rappelling us down. Jaime and I were in pure shock and a little freaked out by the news.
After what seemed like an eternity to our frazzled nerves, rescue was finally in sight—but not in the way we had originally expected.
Off in the distance, the team of rescuers appeared. One ski patroller scrambled quickly up the tower, like a monkey with the line, while the others guided the ropes into place from below. Swiftly and safely, each chair’s occupants were slowly lowered to the ground until it was our turn.
As the small wooden seat was raised, we were instructed to lasso the rope over our shoulders. Scooting slowly off the chairlift and onto the rescue seat, we put our lives—figuratively—into the ski patroller’s hands. Gripping the metal pole in front of us tightly, we were slowly lowered down. The fear started to dissipate, and it actually became fun. I mean, how many people get to be rescued off a chairlift? Not many!
Landing safely on the ground, they took our contact info, and we were allowed to ride down. Strapping into our boards, our adrenaline was still pumping from the experience. The sensation was heightened as we slashed through the powder, unable to contain our ear-to-ear grins.
How did ski patrol and Heavenly staff handle it?
Photo by: Alex Silgalis
Looking back, everyone on the North Bowl lift that day was VERY lucky, considering what could’ve been a disastrous experience, as we saw with the Comet incident. While we never found out why a chairlift fell off the lift line, the ski patrollers involved were very professional and extremely knowledgeable. In addition to how they handled the situation, Heavenly management provided everyone there with free lift ticket vouchers, a few drinks, and lunch to help calm our nerves.
