Eco-Wax Ski Wax Last year we reviewed a product called SnowShed, a silicone-based spray for ski top sheets that helps reduce snow build-up while touring. The spray is environmentally friendly, sourced in the USA and it works to help keep your top sheets free of snow. This season, the company, now called mountainFLOW eco-wax, has expanded their line to include two… Read More
Tailgate Niner Goggle Case We pack a variety of gear in our packs for a tour, but few things get taken in and out of our packs as much as our goggles. On storm days, goggles are right up there with our skins for getting used and repacked with every transition. We’ve all scratched or otherwise abused a perfectly good… Read More
Fritschi Tecton – Tech binding meets alpine binding ease The latest tech binding to make our test fleet is the Fritschi Tecton. As tech bindings evolve, the designs can be categorized into one of three general categories – minimalist, full-featured and – for lack of a better term – freeride. The Fritschi Tecton binding fits the freeride category. It builds… Read More
Deuter Rise Lite 28 Backcountry Ski Pack Review The rise of the avalanche airbag pack has taken some attention away from traditional backcountry ski packs. Airbag packs are a solid innovation in avalanche safety and have proven to be true life savers, but the reality is that most of us still use regular, non-airbag ski packs for human powered ski… Read More
G3 ION Binding Review Although we skied the new G3 ION binding a little last spring and liked it, it wasn’t until January that I was able to mount and ski a pair for long-term use. The ION represents a full redesign of G3’s first tech binding, the Onyx, and it’s proving to perform well. Upon first glance, the G3… Read More
Dynafit Radical 2.0 Binding Review Competition breeds innovation. And as Marker, G3 and Fritschi commit to the tech binding market, Dynafit continues to refine and evolve their binding line-up to keep pace with market demand. Dynafit’s impressive binding offering features more than 10 models ranging from the ultra-light race DNA to the modestly minimalist Speed Radical and the burly pro-freeride edition–the Beast. But it’s the Dynafit… Read More
Efficient Ski Touring Transitions Efficient transitions while ski touring help you manage your time, temperature and gear effectively. Check out this video of Jeff Ward, IFMGA Mountain Guide and co-owner of North Cascade Mountain Guides, as he talks us through several ski touring transitions. Jeff does a great job walking us through the steps and thought process behind efficient transitions between ski… Read More
2017 Backcountry Skis Finally, a third installment previewing 2017 backcountry skis! The weather patterns shifted this week to yield a glimpse of fall. There’s nothing quite like the first dust of snow in the mountains to turn your thoughts toward ski season. The big picture for 2017 backcountry skis is lighter weights, modest widths and impressive performance through a range of conditions. Basically, skis… Read More
2015 has been the year of the tech binding. The G3 ION, the Fritschi Vipec and the Marker Kingpin have all hit the market. Marker is the first big player to offer a significantly new take on the traditional pin-tech style heel attachment. The Marker Kingpin is essentially a hybrid binding featuring a tech toe and an alpine heel connection. The Kingpin’s… Read More
It’s not always easy to let a favorite piece of old gear go in favor of a replacement, but strapping on the Black Diamond Alias ski pack has been an easy transition this season. Redesigned for 2014, the Black Diamond Alias Ski Pack offers a clean, simple interface reflective of BD’s alpine climbing packs but with key added ski features…. Read More
The term backcountry skiing has evolved over the years to represent a broad category of skiing from descent-focused big mountain riding to light-duty rolling hill touring. But, for many, it still conjures images of lightweight, touring-friendly gear that’s adept on the uphill and the down – the quintessential roots of backcountry touring. Interestingly, a few companies are bridging the descent-focused… Read More
