Mar 04 2015

Review: Voile Charger BC

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I have been skiing the ‘regular’ Charger (181cm) for the last two seasons. They turn on a dime, float like a butterfly, etc. I had been considering a fish scaled, down hill oriented ski as there are some areas I ski with short (¼—½ mile) approaches or exits that are just tilted enough to make them a pain with flat skis. I ski another area where being able to traverse and head uphill slightly gives access to another great shot for turns. I finally found Chargers used at a fair price.

Voile Charger BC. Fat, waxless, metal edged.

Voile Charger BC. Fat, waxless, metal edged.


Keep making backcountry turns

Mar 02 2015

Review: Blizzard’s Zero G

Last week I managed to get out on Blizzard’s Zero G for two days and can confirm they are a worthy contender for next year’s addition to your quiver. The Zero G is Blizzards entry into the lightweight, carbon enhanced backcountry ski category that continues to amaze with skis weighing less than three pounds per ski, but performing like heavier versions. If you’re set with a fat, rockered powder ski but need something more svelte that can handle a variety of conditions, particularly refrozen morning corn or a day under the lifts with week-old scratchy hard pack, the Zero G will keep you satisfied.

Zero G 95 from Blizzard - 125-95-105 at 1300g/ski.

Zero G 95 from Blizzard – 128-95-111.5 at 1250g/ski.

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Feb 26 2015

Serial Heelers – episode III

 

Serial Heelers, S1, E3

Serial Heelers, S1, E3

The reason for the lack of video endorsements in this place is simple, I’m not impressed with many. After awhile they all sort of look the same, and they show feats I’ll never repeat, and snow I only dream about anymore in the Sierra Nevada. I don’t need to be reminded where I’m not.

However, my morbidity over the current state of California’s snowpack should not prevent me passing on this porntastic tidbit. Being that it’s coming from The M-Equipment, makers of the tantalizing Meidjo binding that blends 2-pin touring efficiency with NTN functionality you’d think it’s a promo piece for the binding. Okay, I admit it is, but not by zooming in and showing the binding and how it works, but by showing how it is meant to be appreciated.
Keep making backcountry turns

Feb 25 2015

Review: Smith’s Prophecy Turbo Goggles

 

Smith Turbo Goggles - Gogs that can unfog themselves.

Smith Turbo Goggles – Gogs that can unfog themselves.

In the draught stricken Sierra Nevada, the need for goggles that have the power to keep from fogging up has been less essential lately. Nonetheless, the major reason I’m not a big user of goggles is because I can fog any of them up, and not because I’m trying to fog them, it simply happens. So whenever possible I just stick to sunglasses and keep the gogs in the pack until I really need them. Once I cave and conditions demand it, for me, the only real goggle worth buying is one of Smith’s many models of Turbo Goggles.
Keep making backcountry turns

Feb 22 2015

Review: G3’s Via ski poles

When it comes to ski poles any pole will do, especially if you’ve just broken or lost yours. However, if you’re earning your turns, it is worth it to get yourself a pair with dedicated backcountry features. The most obvious would seem to be a pole with length adjustability, but that is only one of many features to consider, and length adjustment is used less often than you might think. More important are several other features that G3 has handily incorporated in every model of their VIA ski pole series.

G3's VIA - a backcountry ski pole worth a closer look.

G3’s VIA – a backcountry ski pole worth a closer look.


Keep making backcountry turns

Feb 19 2015

Bruce Tremper on Reaching Backcountry Skiers

Bruce Tremper, Director of Utah's Avalanche Center

Bruce Tremper, Director of Utah’s Avalanche Center

This is the fourth video in our series covering a panel of industry experts discussing avalanche risk in backcountry skiing and the industry’s part in that, hosted at Outdoor Retail Winter by Verde PR.

In today’s clip, Bruce Tremper, director of Utah’s Avalanche Center, discusses reaching backcountry skiers with information and how to get information from them:
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Feb 16 2015

Alpenglow hosts “Can U Dig It?” Competition

Two of Team MSR dig furiously to rescue a dummy buried 0.8m deep.

Two of Team MSR dig furiously at the first “Can U Dig It?” shoveling competition.


The proverb, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is poignantly true in the case of avalanches. Better to avoid getting caught than to have to deal with a rescue. It is also better, just in case, to be prepared for the worst rather than not be. Since practice makes perfect, as part of their third annual Mountain Festival, Alpenglow Sports will be hosting a “Can U Dig It?” shoveling competition on February 27th, near Mt. Rose at Noon.

Death by avalanche is a fate to be feared, and though not unexpected, it is still sad that in spite of an increase in the number of skiers taking classes to learn how to recognize the conditions that cause them, and avoid them, the number of people killed in avalanches continues to grow. Not as fast as the number of new skiers heading into the backcountry, but still not zero.
Keep making backcountry turns