Snow way! New gear makes winter more fun
A bit of frost in the morning, sunsets that come earlier each day and some fresh whiteness on the slopes when we look to the mountains: It all adds up to the approach of winter.
The new winter season brings with it a new crop of snow gear for skiers, snowshoers, hikers and birders.
We found a few particularly hot new products for this cold season. Here’s a look:
Black Diamond Verdict Telemark Skis
Black Diamond redesigned its Verdict skis for the ‘07/’08 season, and in doing so, came up with a pair of boards that many consider the best do-it-all backcountry skis of the year. The versatile Verdicts, designed for telemark skiers but powerful enough for even on-piste Alpine touring, are equally at home whether carving through crud, floating on powder, or gliding through the trees. The foam cores help dampen chatter on crusties, and the broad base - 102 mm underfoot - keeps the boards afloat in the lightest fluff. The Verdicts have a sidecut of 132/102/118 and are available in lengths of 170, 180 and 190 cm. The suggested retail price is $599.99. See www.bdel.com for more information.
Kästle MX 88 Randonnee/Alpine Skis
Once a powerhouse in the world ski market, Kästle disappeared a few years ago. With new ownership at the helm, though, the Austrian ski maker is back this fall with a brand new line of boards. The MX 88 series has taken testers by storm, proving to be a great transition ski for resort skiers looking for some backcountry exposure. The MX88 (128/88/113) has enough sidecut for effective, effortless carving, without sacrificing power through the bumps and slop. The designers created a lower-mass tip (using proprietary materials dubbed Hollowtech) to dampen vibrations and improve control. The Kästle MX series comes pre-mounted with Marker bindings - the straight-up Alpine Jester model, or the randonnee (Alpine Touring) Duke (see below). Available in 160-190 cm lengths, the MX88s with Marker Duke bindings sell for $1,540. Visit www.kastle-ski.com.
Marker Duke AT Bindings
Marker has been a dominant player in the alpine ski binding market for decades, but this year, the company offers its first randonnee (Alpine touring) binding. The burly Duke targets resort skiers looking for easier backcountry access, without sacrificing downhill performance. The Dukes are somewhat heavier than any other AT binding on the market, but for the on-piste skier who only occasionally explores the off-piste world, that’s OK. Aside from the weight, the Duke’s only real drawback is that you have to unclip from the binding to switch modes from touring to skiing. But, given the power of these brutes in carving down the steep stuff (far better than any AT binding we’ve previously tested) that’s not a bad trade-off. Available in two sizes (fitting boot-bases 265 mm to 370mm), the Marker Dukes retail for $495.99. See www.markerusa.com.
K2 ‘07 Gyrator
In 1987, Vashon-based K2 entered the snowboard world with its first board - the original Gyrator. Now, 20 years later, they reintroduce the Gyrator with an innovative new design and classic styling. The 2007 Gyrator gives a nod to history with ’80s style neon pink and yellow graphics, but the board itself is all 21st century. The ‘07 version boasts a novel design, inspired by modern surfboards. The board is bowed, giving it a rocker shape that, according to some, takes a bit of effort to get used to but which gives the rider much better flotation in powder, as well as graceful carving on ‘groomers. Just watch the spring-back when the board is unweighted - testers say it can toss riders who are caught unaware. Retails for $550. See www.k2snowboards.com.
Tubbs Mountaineer Snowshoes
With 101 years of experience, it makes sense for Tubbs to simply build on past successes. That seems to be what they’ve done with the newest models in their lineup: the Mountaineer series. Utilizing the same basic designs as the existing product lines, the Mountaineers use a lighter 7000-series aluminum, cutting about 50 percent of the weight from the frame. At the same time, the new Tubbs bindings offer much better lateral support with smoother forward-pivoting for a more efficient stride. We tried these in the heavy, wet, early-autumn slush on the high slopes of the Muir Snowfield. The Mountaineers proved remarkably stable on traverses and climbs, despite their featherweight design. The women’s version is a bit narrower than the men’s to prevent rubbing and tripping. Most impressive of all: The tough decking material on the Mountaineers is made from 100 percent recycled products! The suggested retail is $259-$269 depending on size (available in women’s 21- and 25-inch, and men’s 25-, 30- and 36-inch). www.tubbssnowshoes.com.
The North Face Storm Peak Boots
Whether slogging through rain-soaked forests or snowshoeing through wet Cascade Concrete, Storm Peak boots offer the perfect mix of foot and ankle support, weather (water) protection and warmth. A water-repelling soft-shell material is bonded to a fully waterproof membrane (made from HydroSealTM) to ensure your feet stay dry. A layer of Primaloft seals in heat, while a deeply-lugged outsole provides an aggressive bite on all trail surfaces. Those same lugs are slightly beveled so snow kicks cleanly off the sole rather than bunching underfoot. For hard-core snowshoeing, the Storm Peaks are a tad low - a higher cuff would better ensure snow doesn’t creep in over the top. But add a pair of gaiters and this problem is solved (snowshoers should be wearing gaiters anyway if they want to keep their feet warm). The Storm Peaks are available in men’s half sizes 8-12 as well as sizes 13 and 14. They sell for $130. www.thenorthface.com.
Freelancer Dan A. Nelson, of Puyallup, is a regular contributor to Backpacker magazine, and an author of outdoor guides with The Mountaineers Books. For the purpose of review, gear manufacturers lend products, which are returned after a typical use of four to six weeks. There is no payment from manufacturers and they have no control over the content of reviews. Contact Dan with gear-related questions at gearguy@adventuresnw.net.