Sep 23 2013

Schaffner advised K2 on Pinnacle boot

 

Jim Schaffner makes adjustments to the boots of a local US Ski Team member.

Jim Schaffner makes adjustments to the boots of a local US Ski Team member.

(Editor’s Note: It was just over a year ago that I went to the front lines to sell skis and boots at the retail level. A big part of the lure was the opportunity to learn some boot fitting tricks from Jim Schaffner. A fringe benefit was getting to meet and help so many folks get outfitted for skiing, from their helmet down to their boots.

When referrencing the owner of Truckee’s Start Haus, if it was about boot fitting, there was always an off hand remark acknowledging Schaffner’s supremacy in the world of boot fitting. I first saw it in action with Schaffner passing on his tips and techniques at a Masterfit seminar, then with customers, and over time, in the loyalty of his customers.)

There’s been a lot of excitement about K2’s entry – or reentry – into the ski boot market, especially with the new K2 Pinnacle backcountry ski boot.

Normally the Start Haus doesn’t jump on every latest-and-greatest bandwagon, but with the K2 boot line, shop owner and renown bootfitter Jim Schaffner got an inside look at the design process, and gave feedback on the boots as they were being designed.
Keep making backcountry turns

Sep 18 2013

Review: BD Dawn Patrol Pants

 

Black Diamond's Dawn Patrol Touring Pant for 3 Franklin$.

Black Diamond’s Dawn Patrol Touring Pant for 3 Franklin$.

When Black Diamond announced they were going all in on clothing, I was fairly confident they would do a good job with respect to functionality first without ignoring fashion. Of the few pieces I’ve worn and used so far, they hit the nail squarely on the head.

Keep in mind it isn’t like I had not experienced the quality of BD clothing before. There’s an old, but still quite capable pullover wind shirt in my BC wardrobe that remains tough enough to withstand abrasion and a steady wind. It is mildly water resistant too, able to shed snow as long as you’re driving heat out with a little earn your turns action. It also gets a lot of use when I’m pretending to be Paul Bunyan.

Made with Schoeller
That tradition is carried on in spades with the new Dawn Patrol Touring Pants by Black Diamond. The design is simple and clean and BD didn’t waste time with a knock-off but uses premium Schoeller® fabric to provide a level of breathability that prevents overheating on a climb, but sheds wetness when it needs to. It isn’t the best option for riding lifts on a soggy Sierra storm day, but for most other conditions the water-resistance is good enough.
Keep making backcountry turns

Sep 16 2013

1st Look: Ambition – Tyrolia’s lightest AT binding

 

aAmbition - last AT binding to bat, but not the least worth considering.

Ambition – last AT binding to bat, but worth considering.

After touring with Tyrolia’s beefy AT binding, the Adrenaline I was impressed with how simple and easy the mode switch was to operate; on par with the original BAT binding, Fritschi-Diamir’s Freeride. No need to step out of the binding to switch modes, a nice feature between downhill pitches where you don’t need to use skins but want free heel freedom. Nor are there any noticeable limits in the ROM category. In short, it rocks.

The same is true of Tyrolia’s younger and trimmer brother, Ambition. The Ambition sheds an additional 10 ounces (280 g) per foot. Not an astounding difference, but noticeable underfoot and enough to be one of the lightest BAT bindings on the market, a perfect passport to backcountry adventure.
Keep making backcountry turns

Sep 13 2013

June Mountain Schedules Reopening

 
June Lake, CA – June Mountain officials announced on Wednesday that winter operations will resume on Dec. 14, setting an opening day for the Eastern Sierra ski and snowboard resort, following its one-year closure.

New for this year, June will offer free skiing and riding for children 12 and under, every day, all season long. The move comes as the resort focuses on its beginner and intermediate experience. The resort will also offer first-time beginner packages, including equipment, lift tickets and three-hour lessons, for substantial discounts.
Keep making backcountry turns

Sep 12 2013

Review: Energizer Ultimate headlamp

 

Energizer's Ultimate. 100 lumens for $40? You can't go wrong.

Energizer’s Ultimate. 100 lumens for $40? You can’t go wrong.

There is no question that Energizer’s new Ultimate headlamp does an excellent job of illuminating what’s in front of you. Backcountry snobs might turn up their nose at the spot style, circular pattern. Most headlamps have very diffuse edges to their pattern, so Energizer’s circular pattern calls attention to itself, reminding one of classic flashlights that can focus from a big circle to a smaller one.

The Energizer Ultimate acts the same way, although the focus ring takes a bit more effort than you might want on a headlamp, but is adjustable nonetheless. Already you’re thinking this is just a cheesy headlamp from a big corporation until you actually use it a bit.
Keep making backcountry turns

Sep 11 2013

P-ho’s Elevation kick’s off ski porn season

 

Elevation, the latest episode of ski porn from The Powderwhores.

Elevation, the latest episode of ski porn from The Powderwhores.

Does any other sport get as obsessed with anticipation as skiing does? Golfers don’t, but then what’s so exciting about golf? For most it is, as the comic strop Lulu used to portray, “a good walk spoiled.” There are action videos about sailing, kiting, kayaking, or mountain biking but I don’t know of anyone who does those who goes to pre-season videos to get psyched up about the coming season. They just go, right?

So what is it about skiing that is so different? Is it the scarcity of snow? The altitude of the mountains? The silence that blankets everything the morning after the storm rages? Or are skiers and snowboarders just plain whacked?

In the end, it really doesn’t matter. All that matters is that, thank God climate change is real, so as sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, winter is coming. For now, all we can do is dream of turns to come by celebrating the turns that have been done.
Keep making backcountry turns

Sep 09 2013

USFS forced to review snowmobile use

 

“This is a watershed event in Snowlands Network’s efforts to cause the Forest Service to address the impacts of snowmobile recreation,” said Marcus Libkind, Snowlands Network’s Chairman and founder.

Snowlands Network and Winter Wildlands Alliance announced today they have settled litigation with the United States Forest Service on terms that require the U.S. Forest Service to review its snowmobile trail grooming program on five national forests: the Stanislaus, Eldorado, Tahoe, Plumas and Lassen. The Center for Biological Diversity was co-plaintiff in the litigation and is participating in the settlement.

The settlement ends a lawsuit brought by the plaintiffs in Federal District Court for the Eastern District of California that challenged the Forest Service practice of exempting snowmobile trail grooming from detailed environmental review, through the issuance of “categorical exclusions” and/or reliance on outdated environmental assessments. The Forest Service agreed to initiate environmental review of its snowmobile trail grooming activities on the five national forests, with the expectation of completing such activities by the end of 2015. The plaintiffs are provided the right to submit an alternative for Forest Service consideration as part of the process of environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Keep making backcountry turns