Feb 14 2020

Review: Fritschi’s Tecton 12

For new converts to the backcountry world let me implore you to consider Fritschi’s Tecton as your binding of choice for cranking turns in and out of bounds. It IS the binding you’re looking for, but it doesn’t look like it because, well, you’re not yet ready to believe it because it’s a tech binding with a 2-pin connection at the toe.

Fritschi’s Tecton. A 2-pin binding that rocks in AND out of bounds.


So take a moment, close your eyes and consider what it offers – lateral release at the toe with an alpine heel that holds your boot down like you’re used to. Plus, that 2-pin toe means Dynafit caliber touring efficiency and, get this, you don’t need to exit the binding to switch modes like you do with CAST style alpine bindings (Salomon’s Shift or Marker’s Duke PT).
Keep making backcountry turns

Feb 06 2020

First Look: Dalbello Quantum Ski Touring Boot

Dalbello’s next gen ski mountaineering boot – The Quantum

The last time Dalbello had a true ski mountaineering boot, the Sherpa, was 2011, almost a decade ago. Since then Dalbello has tipped their hat to the backcountry realm by including a walk mode on a few of their awesome alpine boot models. With the Panterra and the Lupo TI models they even included tech fittings for compatibility with true backcountry bindings. However, these weren’t contenders for serious backcountry tours due to excessive weight and a limited range of motion for walk mode.

At the latest Outdoor Retailer/SIA Snow Show, held at the Denver Convention Center, Dalbello showed off their return to the ski mountaineering realm with a backcountry boot called the Quantum. It will come in three versions, with the lightest, the Quantum Asolo Factory, a carbon-infused version weighing just over 2 lbs per boot (2 lbs., 1.5 oz / 950 grams). Besides being ultra lightweight each boot features a huge cuff range of motion thanks to what Dalbella refers to as a dual-link cuff.
Keep making backcountry turns

Dec 28 2019

Review: Dynafit’s Hoji Free & Pro Tour

Dynafit’s Hoji Free – for free riders who won’t compromise in or out of bounds.

Dynafit’s Hoji series is made up of seven models; six variations of the Hoji Pro Tour model and the newer Hoji Free. Think of the Hoji Free as the freeride boot, the one that works with an alpine resort binding and of course any variety of Dynafit-style pin binding. The Hoji Pro Tour series features a speed nose that connects to a pintech binding only, and comes in a lighter, pricier version using carbon reinforced Grilamid as the shell material (M & W), or more economical but heavier versions in Pebax (PX, M & W) or Polyurethane (PU, M & W).
Keep making backcountry turns

Nov 24 2019

Review: G3 Cabrio AR ski pack

Cabrio is 30 liters inside, but that isn’t the limit of what it can carry.

With the Cabrio, G3 did a bang up job of laying out two compartments that do what you want a ski pack to do, without letting the airbag system compromise the basics. There are also a ton of lash points for skis, helmets, and what-have-you that are hidden in dedicated stash pockets so they aren’t dangling when they’re not being used.  The fact that you don’t see ’em until you look closer gives a first impression that this pack has limited backcountry utility.  Allow me to give you an expanded view of the Cabrio.
Keep making backcountry turns

Nov 19 2019

Review: Salomon’s Shift

In case you missed it, Salomon nailed what budding backcountry skiers want. They’ve wanted the same thing since forever, something they’re familiar with; a full alpine binding with step in convenience, brakes, DIN calibrated release, PLUS the ability to do a lap back up with skins. Plate bindings have been available to do that since the 1980s but it took the Duke for alpine skiers to “see” it. With the new Shift binding Salomon dumped the weight of the plate by putting tech pins into the wings of an alpine toe piece. Genius.

Salomon’s Shift toe in Tour Mode.

They didn’t invent that out of thin air. The concept of changing the toe was championed by CAST in the Tetons. The Shift is easier and faster. And G3’s Onyx showed that holding the pins open with your pole was easier to get into than doing the Dynafiddle dance. Shift agrees.

Keep making backcountry turns

Oct 16 2019

Review: Arva Axios

Arva’s Axios – Amazing range thanks to a Huge Z-antenna.

The Axios takes what Arva accomplished with Neo, an avalanche transceiver that handles multiple signals with calm aplomb, and extends the range from 65 meters to 70 plus, sometimes even 80. However, the interface that extended range comes with compromises ease of use. For those who need the range, and want the ability to customize the response, Axios could be your dream beacon. It just takes a bit o’ practice.

Keep making backcountry turns

Sep 30 2019

Great Sand Dunes Partay

Weekends like that are the seeds of memories that linger.  With 20/20 hindsight and just a bit of faith in the reputations of those who came before this wouldn’t have been my first trip to the dunes. But I’m a skeptic. How fun could sand skiing really be? You can’t possibly go very fast. I hadn’t even considered the consequences of falling; not yet. Being willing to believe, it was time to verify that the reputation for fun was deserved.  It’s a two way street. You gotta believe before you can see, but you still need to see the evidence to confirm the belief.

Photos by Kari Teraslinna (except as noted).

Larry Hall shows how it’s done. Weight back, evenly distributed.

Keep making backcountry turns