Sunday, December 30, 2012

Snowtastic Season Start Sends Sales Skywards

It’s still early days for winter 2012-13 but travel agents and tour operators are reporting a promising start to the season with good early season sales, driven in part by the healthy autumn snowfalls. READ ON

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Long Live the Dream


How skiing can persevere in the face of tragedy;


Staring down the short Alaska face, John and I made small talk about our lines, our season, and the lives we lead as competitors on the Freeskiing World Tour. They weren’t glamorous lives, mostly spent saving a buck or two by over-packing condos or clipping lift tickets, but our friendship had been nurtured through this life and brought us to where we were that day: standing atop a beautiful, semi-exposed venue with features that varied from rock and ice, to powder and wind lips. John was running a handful of competitors before me and since we had decided to ski similar lines I lingered on the ridge to watch his run and to pick up any hints I could about snow quality.

For reasons unknown, somewhere between when we wished each other well and when John left the gate, he changed his mind about his line. He pushed out of the gate and let out a small “whoop!” as he breezed by me and the entrance to our line. His new route—that several other competitors had skied as we had been watching, moments before—opened with a small air into a mandatory left turn.

There was no way John was lost, he skied so aggressively and confidently, he had just changed his mind. He sailed beautifully off the first air, his body silhouetted spectacularly against the waters of the Turnagain Arm in the bright spring sun, but then something happened. As he was initiating the must-make left hand turn, he either clipped a rock or high-sided due to the sheer nature of the turn he was making, and started tumbling. Once, twice, and then his body collided with a small rock buttress in the middle of the face with a sound I don’t care to put into words.
He’s dead, I thought, before immediately scolding myself for having such a brutally negative thought. But, as it turned out, he was. Right there, on the side of the mountain, the man I’d been bullshitting with only moments earlier, was gone.  READ ON....


Saturday, December 22, 2012

K2 Introduces First Ski Boot Since the ’70s


Seattle– (Winter 2013/14) – Since 1962, industry-leading ski manufacturer, K2 Skis, has been committed to developing high quality products to meet the diverse needs of all-mountain skiers. Building from the ground up and applying the brand’s legacy and dedication from over five decades of skiing experience, K2 Skis is proud to unveil a brand new ski boot collection, specifically designed for optimal all-mountain and freeride performance.
The new eight-SKU ski boot collection, developed to complement K2’s All-Mountain and Freeride ski lines, is subdivided into two collections: an All-Mountain line, specifically designed for men and women respectively, and a Freeride offering for men.

All-Mountain Performance Boots:

K2 has taken a....READ ONK2 SpYne 130 all-mountain boot

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The business of the backcountry


Backcountry gear sales continue to rise, but who's educating consumers?


The winter of 2011-12 was, by most accounts, a poor one for the snow sports industry. Dismal snowfalls combined with a hurting economy to push U.S. retail sales down 12 percent in units and 4 percent in dollars compared to 2010-11.


But one category bucked the trend: backcountry-specific equipment. From splitboards to alpine touring gear to beacons, sales were up. New-to-North America, avalanche airbags would not stay on the shelves. Backcountry-focused brands like Dynafit, Spark R & D, Voile and Backcountry Access all reported double-digit growth, even with sales leveling off from an explosive growth spurt witnessed over the past half-decade.


The problem with introducing more people to backcountry travel? Increased traffic means an increasing likelihood of avalanche accidents. And as the snow-sports industry revels in huge opportunities for growth in the backcountry market, the lines between personal responsibility and industry accountability have merged. In the event of an accident, no piece of equipment is a guaranteed life preserver, but the good news is that brands are seeking to educate consumers about the risks associated with their purchase. READ MORE

Friday, December 14, 2012

Snow Clothes - What to look for...

Snow Clothes - What to look for...

Our pal's over in Morzine mag Yodel  thought you might like some handy tips on what to look out for and what to avoid. Nice work guys!



Jackets

 They should be waterproof, breathable and windproof; ensure that the inside layers are also designed to absorb water and the seams should be sealed with tape. Adjustable cuffs are a great idea, they’re just more comfortable and adapt to whichever gloves you choose. Snow skirts are an essential for keeping the snow out should you fall. Down and feather ski jackets also offer one of the most comfortable options in the mountains.

Ski Pants


Read on...

Monday, December 10, 2012

Winter Driving Tips

Winter Driving Tips

Yodel mag in Morzine, recently asked Ian McKeller, an advanced driver trainer registered with the Driving Standards Agency in the UK for his tips on staying safe on the mountain roads this winter.

Ian runs skid prevention courses in the UK and in Morzine so we asked him - how does a skid happen?
'A vehicle skids when one or more of the tyres loses normal grip on the road, causing involuntary movement of the vehicle. This happens when the grip of the tyres on the road becomes less than the force or forces acting on the vehicle.

A two-wheel drive vehicle with winter tyres will outperform a 4x4 with normal tyres. Snowchains are essential as the local police may insist you fit them before ascending to Les Gets, Morzine and Avoriaz. Know how to fit them.

You're at risk of skidding on snow, ice and heavy rain while driving in the Alps in the winter. But remember - wet mud, damp leaves & oil cause sudden slippery patches too. Look out for cold spots in shaded areas such as under trees where black ice can form. A change in road surface & worn road surfaces can also cause your car to skid.'

How can we avoid skids?

Leave plenty of room for manoeuvre, reduce speed and increase the distance you allow for stopping. On slippery roads a vehicle can take up to 10 times the normal stopping distance........Read On..

Thursday, December 6, 2012

What to look for in a ski helmet


How to Buy: Know what to look for in a good ski helmet

Courtesy of Freeskier
Along with the progression of our sport has come an evolution in helmet technology and design. What used to be a bulky and ugly piece of equipment has become a streamlined piece of technology that could one day save your life. Here are some things to keep in mind while you shop for a new lid.
Be sure to read our 2012/2013 helmet reviews here.

Shells and Liners

Expanded polystyrene, or EPS, is the rigid foam that is used to create the inner lining of most helmets. The liner’s job is to absorb the impact to the head by temporarily deforming or breaking apart upon impact. The frosting on this EPS cake is a protective shell, usually manufactured in one of two ways.
In-mold construction is the process by which a polycarbonate outer shell is bonded to the EPS as the foam liner is formed and results in a lightweight, single-piece design. This thinner outer shell is around one millimeter thick and will deform with slightly less force than a hard-shell helmet. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it allows the foam liner to do a better job of absorbing impacts with less force involved. Lyndsey Johnson, helmet product manager at Smith, says, “This construction tends to be lighter weight but slightly less durable to dings and dents from normal wear and tear.”
Hard-shell helmets, also known as injection-molded, are constructed primarily from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. This outer shell is about 2-3 millimeters thick and gets bonded to the EPS liner for a two-piece construction. Oscar Huss, head of product development at POC, points out, “Advantages of the hard-shell helmet are good resistance to penetration and durability as well as the possibility to make full-face helmets.” One downfall of the hard-shell design is that impacts of lesser force will not deform the thick, rigid shell as easily and will therefore cause a more abrupt stop to the head. Depending on the force of the impact, this abrupt stop could cause a minor concussion but the extra protection against major head trauma makes hard shell helmets an attractive choice.

Certifications

Between the US and Europe, there are two main safety certifications. The US certification (ASTM F 2040) is adhered to on a voluntary basis, while the European market requires that all helmets be certified (CE EN 1077). Both involve testing helmets in vertical drops but from different heights and at different speeds. While it’s generally accepted that the European certification is more rudimentary and easier to pass, it’s not exactly an apples to apples comparison as the European certification also tests the effects of sharp objects on the helmet. This is meant to simulate things such as ski poles and tree branches piercing the outer shell. Be sure to look for one, if not both, certifications when considering a helmet.

New Technology

It is important to note that both of the previous tests rate helmets based on a vertical impact. While this provides some indication of helmet durability, most impacts to the head come at an angle, putting rotational force on the brain with a potential to cause serious damage. A layer of fluid between the brain and skull provides cushioning and energy absorption to combat this. MIPS AB, a Swedish company founded in 2001, has developed a helmet design based on the human body’s protective capability.
According to CEO Niklas Steenberg, “MIPS imitates the brain’s way of protecting itself by giving the helmet its own low-friction layer between the outer shell and the liner to absorb much of the energy created by an oblique blow to the head.” This simple yet effective design is a great step forward and has been adopted by a number of major helmet companies such as POC and Scott. Look for the MIPS logo.

Replacement

As with most things, helmets aren’t forever. If you’ve owned a helmet for a number of years and have been lucky enough to not hit your head, you should still consider a replacement. “Similar to a piece of bread left on the counter, the protective materials of a helmet age over time and become more brittle,” says Johnson. “We recommend that users replace their helmet after three years to ensure you are utilizing the best protective qualities.”
Most of the lids on the market today are single-impact models and should be replaced after one considerable blow to the head. POC, however, is one company that produces a large portion of multi-impact models. Huss points out that “both kinds work according to the same principle, to compress an expanded foam liner. But the difference is the multi-impact liner’s ability to recover and maintain almost identical performance over multiple hits.”
Multi-impact models are nice in that you don’t have to replace them as often, but there is no standard by which to test them, and it can be hard to know exactly when their time is up. Hopefully, you aren’t hitting your head that often. If you are, maybe it’s time to make some adjustments to your skiing.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

From Piste to Terrain Park


                                                                                                                                                                                              How to Get From Piste to Terrain ParkHow to Get From Piste to Terrain Park | Welove2ski


Freestyle skiing looks amazing, and will give you one of the biggest buzzes you’ll ever feel on the snow. But how on earth do you make the transition from scooting about on-piste to launching yourself off the jumps and walls of a terrain park?  Welove2ski help explain how to prepare for your first jump. Read on...

Partying Hard In Morzine and Avoriaz

  Partying Hard In Morzine and Avoriaz ...