Oct 11 2011
To say that Black Diamond’s O1 is the most popular telemark binding in America for earning turns is to acknowledge reality. There are several reasons for that popularity, not the least of which is the fact that the O1 was the first telemark binding with a free pivot that also, finally, delivered enough power to …
Oct 07 2011
Ever since I first skied it, all I ever wanted in a telemark binding – the mythical Tele Grail be damned – was a free pivoting Hammerhead. It took almost a decade, but 22 Designs has finally delivered one. Axl’s debut couldn’t have waited much longer. In the intervening years every other extant telemark binding company has managed to offer a touring model. However, none of them ski like a HammerHead. Axl does.
Oct 05 2011
Received a very interesting package today. It came through the back door marked with a pair of I’s for insider intel. It’s a new touring binding for young hucksters hunting freshies from……shhhhhhhhh…..Salomon and Atomic. The pictures tell most of the story, but leave a few questions. Looks like a beefy adaptation of the Silvretta chassis. …
Oct 03 2011
Few pieces of equipment can claim to have propelled the popularity of backcountry skiing like Fritschi’s Freeride binding. It was the first alpine touring binding that appealed to the mindset of the relatively untapped market of American alpine skiers lusting for untracked powder, but unwilling to let go of their reliance on beefy alpine bindings.
Sep 28 2011
Seems like there’s a move afoot to turn slowshoe fans in to skiers. The common elements of that theme are to produce a fat ski that is easy to walk in, can go uphill without adding anything special (waxes or climbing skins), and has enough glide to make turns downhill. Add to that list a …
Sep 27 2011
The unthinkable has occurred. Squaw Valley has bought Alpine Meadows. Andy Wirth, CEO of Squaw Valley confirmed the news with an announcement on TahoeTV today (27sept11). The simple ramifications of this announcement are that pass holders at either resort can now ski at the other.
Sep 25 2011
You won’t believe it! The concept behind Mark Lengel’s Telemark Tech System binding is so simple it’s a wonder no one tried it before. Perhaps there was a quack or two out there who did and didn’t even believe it themselves, or they thought no one else would, so they abandoned it (after all, they’re …
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