New and improved Black Diamond ski poles and straps.
My one full day at OR was action packed, running from booth to booth, trying to see all the new gear. Besides all the ski improvements from Black Diamond, they also have totally reworked their ski pole line, separating 7 models into the Power and Efficiency categories that run throughout their whole ski program. Additions to the line include the Pure Carbon (lightweight, all carbon with foam choke up grips) and a durable, inexpensive model called the Boundary. All the poles will have smaller sized grips than the current versions, nice ergonomic improvements to the straps (which I know I will really appreciate) and the Efficiency models will have weight reducing flutes carved out of the interior of the grips. All great improvements to BD’s already strong and popular ski poles.
With the addition of mohair and Split-skins which I already mentioned, BD has also made a spiffy update to their skin tip loops. They will now be offered in only one size, but will be adjustable through a ball and socket mechanism hidden inside the plastic covering. Metal covering will also protect the cables, hopefully making them less apt to abrasion from your skin tips. I like it!
A few changes to the BD ski pack line as well. In general, all the pack’s overall lines seem to have been smoothed over…making them less boxy and the Revelation will be added to the AvaLung program. The Agent, a new pack, is slightly bigger than the small, front/side country Bandit version. I think this will be a hit because it was
pretty hard to fit anything besides some water and the avy essentials in the Bandit. They also added a padded waist belt with pockets the 28/30L Covert, making it a much more attractive option. In the ice category, nearly all the crampons will now be offered in stainless steel: not only making them very sexy, but also allow them to be lighter, more durable, resistant to rust and the smoother surfaces will shed snow better…so less balling. I think we can all appreciate that!
The Scarpa family admires the new Dynafit DyNA rando race boot.
A quick stop over at the Scarpa booth to see the new F1 Carbon, showed that the picture I had posted a few days prior wasn’t completely 
accurate. The F1 Carbon will also have a carbon torsion beam, fixed to the back of the heal to add stiffness and ski ability. NTN fans will be psyched to see the addition of the TX Comp, the most powerful boot in their NTN program. It will come with a Booster strap, no walk mode and sans ‘tech inserts’ for AT skiing. Because honestly, why would any telemark skier in their right mind want to lock their heel down. I mean really?!
Splitboarders will love the re-release of the Voile One Ninety One.
I know my splitboarding friends will love that Voile will re-release the One Ninety One model. With a huge swallow tail, this thing almost makes me want to give going down hill sideways a try. If it wasn’t for my Megawatts…I’d seriously consider it for the super deep and thick snow that was found in the Tetons this weekend.
Not many changes to talk about over at the Ortovox booth, but I did spend some time acquainting myself with their backpacks, since I’ve really liked the Peak 29 and Haute Route that I’ve been using quite a bit this year. One model that stood out was the Free Rider 24. A great, smaller sized and versatile pack that can carry skis (both A-frame and quiver style), a snowboard and also your helmet. An internal spine protector adds allure to the huckster crowd.
New GU Chomps.
I know my dentist hates it, but no matter how hard I try, I just can’t stay away from those gummy energy treats…and now GU adds Chomps to the quick energy mix. I had some while skiing over the weekend and while some gummy shots have you gasping for air trying to chew the larger sized blocks, the Chomps smaller size made them easy to eat while on the go. Offered in orange, strawberry, blueberry pomegranate and cranberry apple, I know I will be trying to get these things out from between my teeth a lot on many skin tracks to come. Packed with carbohydrates, amino acids, antioxidants and electrolytes, they are more the just candy…even if they don’t taste like it.
Talus Cold Avenger Pro ventilation adjustment.
One last goodie for all you cold weather enthusiasts that don’t let those sub-zeros temps hold you back, and value the heath of your lungs. The Talus Cold Avenger protects you and your lungs from frigid air, which can be the cause of pulmonary edema. Great for all types of activities, the Cold Avenger has an adjustable air opening, which can regulate the temperature of the oxygen you are breathing. Initially marketed to high-altitude climbers, it would be a great product for anyone getting out when it’s wicked cold out.
Sick pics of the Voile boards. Nice to see new topsheets and them busting out the big guns. You are right about yesterday. Tried to ride Mavericks, but it was almost too wet and deep to make any turns. Pretty much had to point em. The 195 swallowtail would have killed it.
Cool new skis from black diamond. I have found that my megawatts dont like hard snow, and its good to see them addressing this…steve, do you tour a lot on your mw’s? how do they tour?…what skins do you use?
Right on Jeramie. We were on Wimpys. Missed you.
Ty…I’ve been touring a lot on my Megawatts and my quads are starting to show it. They tour nice since they are not a full rocker ski…and make braking trail a breeze. I use 140mm BD Glidelites w/ STS tail clips.
Hey RS, Once you go sideways you can’t go back. Thw Swallow Split would have been the tool of choice this weekend.
Swallow split the tool of choice this weekend? Ah, that’s why every time I go up I see a split boarder busting out the 3000 feet of trailbreaking in the park on a fresh snow day. Yeah, sure.
I’ve seen a few of them scraping off the downhill edge of the skin track after waiting long enough to start to make sure that there’s already a trail in, is that what you mean?
Tony, What? STFU! I’ve put in my share of skin tracks for sure.
Easy now boys. We all do our fair share….just maybe not on the same slope.
LIVE TO SKI/RIDE!
yea cool down! plenty for all! don”t bag on each other life is to short! be safe!
Tony,
That is funny because the last three times in Grand Teton National Park it has been myself and partners breaking all of the trail to the top. Just as we are getting to the top, it doesn’t fail that a group who enjoyed our work finally catches up. At least this weekend we were thanked for breaking trail. You are ignorant Tony. That is all.
go ahead and blame yourself for putting the skin track in! somebody has to get there first! what are you saying that these people are sitting in their car getting high waiting for you to show up and put the track in? you must think you are better than snowboarders Tony! what do you ski on? Broke back bindings! settle down have fun! you should see it in 15 years when my kid will be putting the track in for your fat old ass!
If I recall, there are rewards to putting in the skin track. So why complain?
wow, a lot of back and forth on breaking trail. I catch a lot of this attitude when i travel to jackson to ski the pass. oh jackson locals, you are so core…my split boarder friend did a lot of trail breaking for our crew in deep conditions last march south of the pass. some areas already had good tracks, others didnt. breaking trial that day gave a feel that we were about to ski something uncharted and wild, all with access we are not granted in bozeman.
Seriously, the skinning part would be good with a 190something board, but honestly, I was like the only one out there with a 181 for the bigger powder days (yes, it was also a wide)…you know how huge I am.
B (ashamed to “ski” on the iced coast now)
B, wasn’t that like 6 or 7 years ago? I remember the skis I was on then too…and they were no where near as big as the Megawatts. Times are changing!!
Where are the Chomps chocolate?
Great pics and reporting from OR Steve. Thanks!
Do you recall which strap crampy that is? The Contact or ???
Interesting discussion on split vs ski trailbreaking too. Splits break trail great but skinning in general is just much easier on skis, ski boots, and AT binders which is why many on you do it (whether you admit it or not). It’s also easier to get proficient at than on split skis. If a splitter puts the time in however (and and thanks to new product advancements in our sport) the gap is getting much narrower between ski vs split skinning. We know you’d never give up your Dynafits but now that you can easily use your Dynafit toepieces and same ski boots on a splitty it might be something to think about on certain days. Will from Spark has pushed the sport further in two years than any other split company has in years. Even with your new snowboard inspired Megawatts…you still can’t surf and float like you can on a splitty. Come on in, the water is great! 🙂
Thanks Chris!
I believe it is the Fall ’09 Contact. However, the workbook doesn’t show that the Contact is stainless for Fall ’09. I think it is a typo though…since all the other BD crampons are 12 point…except the Neve…which is aluminum.
And I will stay away from your snowboard inspired Megawatt comment.
I think that crampon is the Serac, now available in the States?
I think you’re right. The one on the left looks like a 12 point.
where so I find this great mask? I’d like to purchase several of them! Thank you
not too hard to find sue.
http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=WK6&resnum=0&q=Talus+Coldavenger&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=uS5mS_PxMIussQP-6KHaBA&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CC8QrQQwAw