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I recently mounted up a new pair of Prior Husume skis built with Prior's new XTC Carbon Construction. Based on the Husume dimensions, the carbon construction reduces the ski weight relative to Prior's standard lay-up and is designed with backcountry skiing in mind. The 2011 Husume also features a new tip profile (more taper). The result is a healthy dimensioned backcountry ski (124-102-112) that weighs in at 7lbs 8oz a pair compared with 8lbs 8oz for the standard construction model (all specs for the 175cm and as weighed in our shop). The Husume has tip and tail rocker matched with positive camber underfoot. We tested the XTC Husume, along with its big brother the Overlord, in a mixed bag of resort pow and carvable snow last spring with great results. I was finally able to get the XTC Husume out ski touring this month.

The flex is impressively similar to the regular fiberglass lay-up. If anything, they feel slightly softer, which is the opposite of what I expected and a plus in my opinion. Many carbon construction skis are stiff and not-so-forgiving, but Prior was able to retain the original ski's great flex. The weight savings on the 175cm ski is a remarkable pound per pair - you can still find lighter boards in the 100+ underfoot category - but it is definitely nice underfoot while breaking trail. 

On snow, the Husume is lively and confident. The lighter swingweight of the XTC construction helps it come around  quickly, and the ski really comes to life with a little speed, just like the original construction ski. It's not a low-speed wiggler; it likes to run, and does so with confidence. At 102 underfoot, the Husume is a do-it-all ski that is equally at home in deep snow as it it is boot top conditions. It serves up a freeride feel with the ability to roll into traditional short radius turns without complaint. Prior's XTC construction offers a noticable improvement on the uptrack with no compromise in downhill performance. Although still modest in weight in the eyes of the fast-and-light crew, the XTC Husume strikes a great balance between lightweight construction and all-mountain performance. It begs to open up in big terrain and responds to short swing turns with ease; it made me feel like I could do no wrong. 

Mother Nature is marching to her own drum thus this winter. The Northwest mountains have been uncharacteristically dry and sunny the past few weeks. Snowfall around much of the country has simply stalled out following a nice start to the ski season around Thanksgiving. Sounds like the ridging that has been delivering the dry, high pressure pattern has started to break down in British Columbia, but backcountry skiers further south and east will have to look to Santa for some fresh snow.

Mark Moore at the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center just wrote a great little verse summing up the latest mountain and weather conditions in the Northwest. Check it out . . .

Christmas Dreaming
A week before Christmas and thru much of the west—
Lies a shallow snowpack with facets to test.
But before this occurs and sleighs leave the North Pole—
The prevailing west winds need to get on a roll.
Recent ridges have dominated incoming storms—
Along with split flows that make the new norms.
But harken I hear happy bells on the sleigh—
Could it mean a late Christmas is at last on its way?
A bit early to tell, but models look quite alluring—
That colder deep snows we may soon be enduring.
So open your minds to let snowfall within—
For our dreams are a great place to begin.
But remember with snowfall comes a new load—
On all of those weak layers about which we’ve been told.
So increase your caution if your dreams all come true—
Don’t be found in the snowpack, all white and blue.

-written by Mark Moore NWAC

Get your favorite backcountry skier set up with something they can really appreciate, Off-Piste branded swag! We've go our usual organic cotton ball caps, and this year, we added Trucker style ball caps, too. If that's not enough, check out our organic cotton hoodies with embroidered logo. These heavyweight cotton hoodies are the perfect apres ski wear. They run true to size and shrinkage is minimal, so a large is a large and medium stays true to medium etc. Finally, we've got the  ever useful 18" Voile straps. These babies are the ideal do-it-all ski strap and repair kit safety tool. I've seen Voile straps used to repair bindings, hold packs together, and even in splints for broken limbs, not to mention they are great for bundling skis for transport. They're awesome, and we sell 'em in pairs for ten bucks. Price per goes down, the more you buy. Of course, there is always the gift subscription to the mag, too. You can just enter the gift subscription address before you check out in paypal.

For the backcountry ski zealot, we have the Full Off-Piste Kit featuring the ball cap of your choice, hoody, four Voile straps and a sticker pack! All for $55.

In the spirit of small town ski culture, I thought this vid was pretty cool. Residents of Terrace, BC are standing up to try and save their local ski hill, Shames Mountain.

Friends of Shames: A Skier's Journey EP1 [Season 2] from Jordan Manley Photography on Vimeo.

The Ski Area Citizen's Coalition just released their 2011 Environmental Report Card. It's not exactly related to backcountry skiing, but it's good that someone keeps tabs on ski resort practices.

Here is what they have to say  . . .

"Ski resorts across the west for the first time in five years did not significantly increase their activities related to renewable energy and energy efficiency . . . ski resorts did very little degrading activity during the same period. The good news is that ski areas for the second year in a row had minimal increased impacts to endangered species and wetlands on public lands . . . The bad news is that ski area investment in renewable energy and implementing energy efficiency measures has declined compared to the previous season."

Check out the actual resort scores from the best and worst in the country here

Backcountry Skiing Canada is hosting its second annual Expose Yourself Photo and Video competition. Submit backcountry photos and videos, along with a good backcountry story, and enter the comp for gi-normous prizes from the likes of Mt Carlyle Lodge, G3, Westcomb and the Alpine Club of Canada.

Read all about it at www.backcountryskiingcanada.com

Check out the press release here

There is a new backcountry ski hut in Colorado's San Juan Mountains, the Opus Hut. After years of dreaming and searching for a suitable scenario, longtime Colorado-based skier and craftsman Bob Kingsley has made it happen.

The Opus Hut, Ophir Pass Ultimate Ski Hut, is located at 11,765 feet near Ophir Pass, Colorado. The 1800-squarefoot, three story solar powered structure was years in the making. Built on a mining claim that Kinglsey was able to purchase, the hut is open for its first commercial season this winter. Its location affords access to a wide range of terrain from nearby gentle slopes to the steep, challenging terrain and features that define the San Juan Mountains.

There is quite a story to the construction and design of the Opus Hut. Using salvaged materials and a 120-year-old hand hewn hardwood timber frame adapted form a Wisconsin dairy farm, the structure blends mountain craftsmanship with eco-minded design, materials and sytems.

Access is about a three-mile skin from highway 550 (Million Dollar Hwy) between Ouray and Silverton or directly from Ophir Colorado. This season, rooms are available on a nightly basis, or you can rent the full hut. There is a hut keeper who tends to chores and keeps the fire stoked.

Ultimately, Kingsley would like to see the Opus Hut run European style with a resident hut keeper serving meals and drink. There will be a feature story on Kingsley and the building of the Opus Hut in the print mag later this winter. In the mean time, you can learn more at  opushut.com