Since then it seems Arva has always been playing a bit of catch up with technology. The same could be said of the NEO, but in this case, it doesn’t come up short, it is finally on par with everyone else, which is nothing to sneeze at. Based on my first run through of basic beacon tests the Neo performs very well, winning a few close comparisons, bowing on a few others.
Keep making backcountry turns
Alpine Touring Boot Roundup for 2016
The evolution of Alpine Touring boots marches on with more players in the light is right area and ever more models with tech fittings standard. From the marketing materials send out pre-show, there is …
First Look: Moonlight’s Tele Tech Bindings
Interest in telemark bindings with a tech toe gained more advocates last week as fourteen writers and photographers from around the world tested beta versions of Moonlight Mountain Gear’s new telemark tech binding. Conceptually …
Tech Tip: Boot Fitting 101 – Footbeds
Nearly everyone needs some sort of customization to get the maximum performance and comfort out of a ski boot. Some folks always need a lot of tweaking, some need very little, and the boot that …
Review: Thule’s EasyFit Tire Chains
Last winter I was introduced to Thule’s Easy-Fit Tire Chains. The idea sounds almost too good to be true. Even if the voluptuously enticing YouTube video of a bikini clad lass putting them on …
Review: Telemark Tech System (ver. 2.0)
If you’ve been waiting for TTS to grow up a bit, it has. The chubby cable posts and ill fitting heel posts are more slender, functional, and adaptable. Equally importantly the heel lever got the nose job it needed to snap onto the heel step of any compatible boot. Weight matters. Power matters. Why carry more than you need to?
Review: Scott-Sport’s Synergy
The best new 75mm telemark boot to come out this season is Scott Sports’ Synergy. It is also the only new plastic telemark boot design to be created for the duckbilled Nordic Norm in …
Review: Scarpa Freedom SL
For a heavy weight boot from a backcountry focused company Scarpa’s new AT boot, the Freedom, delivers much of the performance you would expect from a traditional alpine boot, but without much weight. If …
Review: Scarpa’s Maestrale RS
Finally managed to put Scarpa’s Maestrale to the test last week. Not just a couple of conditioning tours with a few tepid turns thrown in to get back to the car, but an actual locked-heel …
First Look: Volkl’s Vacuum Climbing Skins
Volkl’s new Vacuum climbing skins are the first skins to be marketed by an alpine ski company that you should really take a closer look at. In the last few years Volkl has offered …
Review: Voile’s Switchback X2 (2011)
Voile’s Switchback X2 is just what it sounds like, a Switchback on steroids. It expands the range of performance at both ends of the spectrum – turning and touring.
Climbing Skin buyers guide
Now that the Sun is heading for the horizon, and with it the excitement of getting out in the snow, thoughts that tend toward getting ready for those coming days lead to gear. One …
Review: Verdict on Telemark Tech System
Some may pooh-pooh this as being a fringe element of telemark skiing. Indeed it is. But the future is determined by those who push to redefine boundaries, not those who accept what is.
Jun 03 2013
Beacon Review: Arva’s Neo
- By Dostie
- 7 mins to read
May 30 2013
Burger Barn: Good East Side Eats
- By Dostie
- 3 mins to read
For travelers heading down from Tahoe to the East Side, there aren’t a whole lot of decent food options along the road. Most everyone has learned about Whoa Nellie Deli in the Mobil station at the eastern turn off from Hwy 395 up to Tioga Pass and Yosemite National Park on Hwy. 120. It has a well deserved reputation, but as with all things that become popular, its very popularity is now an annoying blemish.
The Burger Barn is another place that has been serving awesome food for a lot longer than Whoa Nellie has, but with a more traditional menu. Instead of chicken ceasar wraps and gluten-free pizzas, the Burger Barn is know for burritos, nachos, fish n’ chips, burgers, and ol’ fashioned, full fat malts.
Keep making backcountry turns
May 29 2013
Beacon Review: Ortovox D3
- By Dostie
- 3 mins to read
Note: Though discontinued this review is published for the benefit of those who are considering purchasing a used D3 beacon.
Overview
For those who just want a beacon that you simply turn on and follow the lights to the victim, the D3 is hard to pass up.
Ergonomics
The D3 maintains the classic, integrated harness with the On switch, combined with a smart looking pouch to hold the beacon. It also has an elastic tether to the pouch. Switching to receive is done via the rotating knob and locking tab.
Keep making backcountry turns
May 28 2013
Review: Oakley’s SnowMad RAS pack
- By Dostie
- 8 mins to read
In case you doubt that perspective, then how does one explain Oakley offering a BC pack designed to incorporate the SnowPulse Removable Airbag System? As the RAS name implies, the airbag system can be removed, allowing the pack to log some hours of use in the summer too. In this case, Oakley only provides the pack, one with the ability to add a rider insurance policy for avalanche safety at a later date. Since this pack wouldn’t merit a review without that option included, the rest of this review assumes the RAS has been added.
Keep making backcountry turns
May 26 2013
Mono Lake’s Black Point
- By Dostie
- 5 mins to read
Besides, it was time for a new activity. I love skiing, but I also love the things I can do in the summer that aren’t done in the winter. Since Spring came early to the Sierra, and now Summer too, it’s time to face the music.
On this day, we chose to do some exploring around the shores of Mono Lake. The ravages of several decades of sucking the water out of the Sierra, bypassing their natural flow into Mono Lake have taken their toll.
Keep making backcountry turns
May 23 2013
Technique: Use a boot horn for cold boots
- By Dostie
- 4 mins to read

Can’t get your foot around the corner of the tongue? Try a slip of plastic, a boot horn, to reduce binding friction.
One of the most common problems skiers experience is the simple act of getting in to their boots. This is especially true when the boot is cold and has an overlapping tongue design. Plastic ski boots do get stiffer as they get colder and if you left them in the car overnight you’re sure to be cursing as you try to pry them apart to stuff your feet in them.
It happened to me last February while testing a bunch of ski gear at the demo days at Alpine Meadows, sponsored by the WWSRA. Fortunately I had two pair of boots to chose from, so when I found that I simply could not jam my feet into my Lange XT‘s, I opted for the Scarpa Maestrale‘s with a tongue that hinges open and completely out of the way.
Keep making backcountry turns
May 20 2013
Review: Burnt Mt. Design’s teledog – Spike!
- By Dostie
- 12 mins to read
Keep making backcountry turns
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