Category: Gear

Review: Oakley’s SnowMad RAS pack

For the moment I’ve lost track of how many companies are planning to offer a BC airbag pack. According to a catalog I was browsing last week, there will be 26 brands of airbag packs in Europe alone, or maybe that was the number of licensees for avy packs working with the original ABS. With …

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Review: Burnt Mt. Design’s teledog – Spike!

  To the discerning telemarker, as oxymoronic as that may sound, there is a lot that goes into selecting the components of the best tele system. In the end it really doesn’t matter, you can’t make gear an excuse for poor technique but the right combination of a boot and binding can make a world …

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Review: Dynafit’s fat boy – Huascaran

  Anyone who knows my quiver knows I am not fond of oversized skis, especially those whose waist has ballooned beyond 100mm. When forced I’ll accept another 10mm of blubber but only with a locked heel. That bias runs deep, so beware this review is an attempt to give enough information based on my experience …

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First Look: Atomic’s Waymaker AT boots

  One of the surprise gear revelations for next season was Atomic’s decision to double-down on backcountry boots. Atomic began their entry into the BC boot market with last year’s Tracker. It didn’t garner rave reviews but I did have the opportunity to put a pair on and walk around in them a bit. They …

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First Look: Rossi All Track AT boots

  To say that Rossi’s new All Track boot line is designed with alpine touring in mind is only accurate if you’re a neophyte AT skier, not one who has actually logged more than 10-thousand vert involving physical labor and sweat. That’s not to say that you can’t hang with the gang if you’re wearing …

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Review: Adrenaline, Tyrolia’s passport binder

Last season Tyrolia announced their intention to join Marker with their version of yet another passport binding. When one floated through the Start Haus recently I took advantage of the opportunity and snuck ’em out for a tour. In downhill mode there is little to distinguish Tyrolia’s AT trainer binding from other brands. A passing …

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Review: Ascension Climbing Skins (v.12-13)

  It has been a year since my first tour with the current version of Ascension climbing skins. The last pair of nylon skins from BD sported the tire tread pattern, Glidelite brand name, and lasted 5+ years before the glue went bad (serendipitously just one week after a rave review 😉 ) You can …

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