Volkl RTM-84
Volkl’s RTM 84 has been highly regarded in print reviews, topping many a frontside-carver list. Oddly enough, however, during my own on-snow testing at Winter Park, the RTM 84 proved to be one of my least favorite hard-snow skis. The RTM (“Ride the Mountain”) is what we might call a ‘modern’ frontside ski: extra girth underfoot for soft-snow performance, paired with an subtle early-rise tip to make for (more…)
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Avalanche Fatality – Airbag Deployed
Great sadness fills me as I learn that 38-year-old Telluride resident Nate Soules was killed by an avalanche yesterday in the Bear Creek backcountry. The Telluride Watch says Soules was wearing an airbag pack, which he successfully deployed. However, the airbag was reportedly found by rescuers in a ‘shredded’ condition (more…)
Posted in Avy News | 2 Comments
GoPro HD Hero2 — First Look
Here’s some HD Hero2 test footage, shot today. Right away I like the GoPro’s color rendition, and the cam seems remarkably free of rolling shutter distortion. Sharpness for a helmet cam is quite good. Definitely one of the strengths of the GoPro is the broad array of mount options, and the picture’s wide angle of view. As for more in-depth thoughts, obviously more testing is required…
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Head i.Supershape Titan
The spirit of Frontside carving is alive and well in Head’s i.Supershape ski line. If you’re looking with disdain at fat-waisted All Mountain skis and wondering where your race-roots carvers are, take a look at Head’s offerings. The i.Supershape Titan falls into exactly the same category as Dynastar’s excellent Speed Course Ti. The ski is a lively, on-your-toes, race-bred beast, happily freed from (more…)
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Volkl Nunataq
My take on Volkl’s Nunataq is that it’s exactly the ski it’s supposed to be. Billed as the touring version of the Gotama (or so Volkl told me), the Nunataq does indeed deliver a Gotama-reminiscent ride at a tour-worthy weight. The Nunataq is aimed squarely at the jugular of today’s North American backcountry market: take a look at that fat 107 millimeters underfoot. Clearly, this is a powder-tilted ski (more…)
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Mammut Recalls SnowPulse 1.0 Airbag Cartridges
Mammut has issued a recall of its SnowPulse 1.0 airbag pack cartridges. This recall does not include products from the 2011/2012 season. Full details on the recall are available at snowpulse.com.
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Skiing With Kids: Safety
Here’s how it goes down: I’m riding an aging fixed-grip triple chair, holding my two-year-old daughter in my lap. My five-year old son sits beside us, asking if his ski tips are angled correctly—we’re preparing to unload. I’ve thought about this situation for a while; can I handle it safely? And my thought has been no. Trying to deal with both of them on my own sounds too initimidating—especially without safety bars (more…)
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SIA Preview: Rocker for the Ladies
As rocker technology continues to evolve, we find it moving well beyond powder-only skis. In fact, rocker (in one form or another) is appearing throughout ski makers’ 2012-2013 lineups. While rocker certainly brings advantages to nearly all categories of skiers, I believe rocker may prove to be of great benefit to one group in particular: women (more…)
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SIA Preview: Salomon Guardian 16
Yes, it’s a new A/T binding from Salomon: the Sidecountry/Freeride-oriented Guardian 16. The Guardian isn’t just a shot across the Marker Duke’s bow; it’s ramming speed with all guns blazing. No published weight is available yet for the Guardian, but the Salomon people told me it will be within a few ounces (lighter?) of the Duke’s five pounds, 12.5 ounces per pair (more…)
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A Photo You Don’t Need to See…
But, I’ll show it anyway: Baldy Bowl, from 10,000 feet, February 1st, 2012. For the full effect, maybe we should take a quick peek here…
*Sigh* Yes, that’s pretty much a snowless mountain in the midst of a snowless season with no snow in sight. As for the Sierra, let’s check the Mineral King Cam; surely there be snow there? (more…)
Shasta - Hotlum-Wintun Ridge
Volkl Gotama
San Jacinto - Snow Creek
Langley - Northeast Couloir
Shasta - Avalanche Gulch
