Priceless 2010 Ski Reviews Ski Bum Economics Lowell Skoog Three Sisters Rocker 101 Issue XLVI October 2010
2010 Ski Review Touring Minded Skis for There is no shortage of good skis available today. The trick is to figure out which ski suits your needs; an all mountain ripper, a powder pig or perhaps a finely tuned mountaineering tool. The ever elusive quiver-of-one versus the hand-picked quiver of boards is a question that we cannot answer for you. What we can do is offer our seasoned opinions on skis we selected as having merit for consideration. Rocker is the name of the game this year for off piste minded skis. Yes, rocker really does improve soft snow performance. Keeping your tips up and turning skis has never been easier. Be sure to read our comprehensive piece on understanding rocker and how it influences ski length and ski style (page 9). If this is your year for new skis, you have some work ahead of you. Ski as many as you can. Talk to other skiers in your area. Consider your local conditions, the ski s primary use and read what we have to say. 120mm+ Underfoot Faction Royale - Dimensions: 150-122-140, Lengths: 175/183cm, Weight: 4.6kg/10.1lb (183cm), Turn Radius: 25m, $860. The Royale matches equal rocker in the tip and tail with zero camber underfoot. Combined with its massive 150mm shovel, the ski is a powder machine, and the deeper, the better. This is no light touring minded ski. The Royale is an alpine board with a backcountry following. At over 10 pounds without binders, it is not for the faint of thigh. Its traditional sandwich construction helps give it a damp yet edge capable feel, but despite its size and construction, it is not immune to deflection. We see the Royale as a good choice for mechanized access and overdeveloped quadriceps. K2 Darkside - Dimensions: 156-128-144, Lengths: 174/181/188cm, Weight: 4.72kg/10.4lb (181cm), Turn Radius: 22m, $1,000. The 2010 Darkside moves to full tip rocker, new graphics and retains its traditional, flat tail. The result is a super stable and fun ski that may just enable you to lose your pals at the ski hill, finally. However, at 10.4lb a pair your pals will likely be waiting for you at the top on your next tour. But, just think, with K2 s new p-tex top sheet material, you will carry a lot less snow up the hill. The Darkside encourages high-speed, vertical consumption and is an incredibly capable and fun ski. That said, our somewhat curmudgeonly touring roots ask, how many people really want to tour on a 10+lb ski? If you answer yes, you should check it out. If not, the Darkside makes for an awfully decadent mechanized and sidecountry access ski. Voile Drifter Dimensions: 151-125-138 (182cm), Lengths: 162/172/182/192cm, Weight: 3.4kg/7.5lb (172cm), Turn Radius: 21.7m, $625. The Drifter is the quintessential powder slayer. It encourages speed and flotation in deep snow, but remains remarkably versatile in turn size for its width. The Drifter holds its own on a powder day at the resort and, given its light weight, is easily at home touring for turns. Definitely a quiver ski, the Drifter is all about soft snow, but it doesn t need to be bottomless to be enjoyable. They are also very fun on boot-top days. The Drifter is light, rockered in tip and tail and is perfect for trail breaking on deep days they actually save energy over a skinnier ski when the trail breaking is deep. If you fancy yourself a charger, don t be afraid to size these long. 110-119mm Underfoot Armada JJ Dimensions: 126-136-115-133-123, Lengths: 175/185cm, Weight: 3.9kg/8.9lb (175cm), Turn Radius: 14m, $830. The Armada JJ first caught our attention when we learned it weighed in around 4lb per ski. Most skis in this width category push five pounds (or more) per ski. The JJ uses what Armada refers to as their ultralight core, and it combines generous tip and tail rocker with positive camber underfoot. Add sidewall construction and healthy dimensions and you get an agile powder ski for the deepest of days. Wow was the most common first impression of the JJ related to its lack of heft (we mounted them with Dynafit bindings) and its on snow performance. The JJ impressed everyone who tried it. Sure, it is a quiver ski, and is most at home in deep snows, but it is equally fun at the ski hill as it is touring. Its positive camber underfoot gives it a carving ability not found in fully rocked out skis, seemingly without compromise in its soft snow performance. It elicited many comparisons to the Voile Drifter (145-121-133), and although the two skis do have similarities, they each have distinct personalities, too. The JJ is more new school surfer, and although it happily makes big arcs, it turns on a dime and is very responsive in tight quarters, too. 16 Off-Piste October 2010
the Backcountry & More Black Diamond Zealot Dimensions: 136-110-126 (182cm), Lengths: 182/192cm, Weight: 4.45kg/9.8lb (182cm), Turn Radius: 30m, $680. The Zealot returns with mild tip rocker and in BD s words an easier ride. Regardless, the Zealot is a ripper. This is a big boot, big turn minded ski, and it fills the description well. Although the go-light crew will cringe at the thought of all-day touring on this nearly ten pound set of skis, the Zealot keeps the big booted, vertical ripping crowd quite happy. The new tip and construction make for a smooth initiating ski that holds a big line with ease. A quartet of Black Diamond Europe employees on Morteratsch Glacier, Switzerland. 1 Y V E S G A R N E A U Icelantic Shaman - Dimensions: 160-110-130, Lengths: 161/173/181/184cm, Weight: 3.54kg/8.8lb (173cm), Turn Radius: 22m, $650. Icelantic makes unique skis, and I am not just referring to the graphics. Their classic sandwich construction, made in Colorado boards are truly different from any other ski on the market. Light, they are not, but turn and float with ease they do. The Shaman took some time to dial into. Its wide platform and 160mm tip are matched with serious sidecut. The skis initiate turns with the greatest of ease, but they take some getting used to in order to avoid overturning them. Carving grand arcs is not the Shaman forte, it has a distinct medium to short radius bias, but once you re dialed into its personality, skiing the Shaman in powder is almost Zen like. Voile Charger Dimensions: 137-112-126 (181cm), Lengths: 171/181/191cm, Weight: 3.2kg/7.05lb (171cm), Turn Radius: 23m, $595. The Charger is a light, nimble and confident powder ski. In short, it is a true touring-minded, big mountain powder board. Its turn radius is much bigger than that of the Insane, but the Charger remains lively and capable of varied turns. Building on Voile s successful Drifter platform, the Charger combines a rockered tip, traditional camber and a slight rise in the tail. The ski likes big terrain and big turns, but skis with ease - in fact, the boards just about ski themselves. Still a quiver ski designed with soft snow in mind, the Charger is incredibly fun in anything soft. 100-109mm Underfoot Black Diamond Drift - Dimensions: 138-100-123 (186cm), Lengths: 166/176/186cm, Weight: 3.34kg/7.36lb (178cm), Turn Radius: 21m, $660. The Drift is a welcome addition to BD s ski line. Measuring in a couple millimeters wider than the Justice, this touring minded board sheds the it s all about the down propaganda and offers up honest all-day touring specs without sacrificing performance. It is light and turny in soft snow, and it carves firm snow when pressed. The modestly rockered tip moves into medium radius turns with ease, but it can be pushed short or long without much complaint. Given its pretty dramatic side cut, its personality is somewhat quiet, but overall performance is solid. Black Diamond Starlet (women s specific) Dimensions: 134-100-121 (166cm), Lengths: 156/166/176cm, Weight: 2.78kg/6.13lb (166cm), Turn Radius: 20m, $660. The Starlet is BD s new Efficient series powder board for women and is built on the Drift footprint. Described by testers as an easy skiing all-a-rounder, it is smooth in soft snow, a little lackluster in firm snow, but it handled mixed resort snow well. The Starlet weighs in well under seven pounds and its mild tip rocker and light construction offer a reliable touring package for almost any conditions. Black Diamond Justice - Dimensions: 140-115-123 (186cm), Lengths: 166/176/186cm, Weight: 4.2kg/9.26lb (185cm), Turn Radius: 21m, $660. The Justice returns unchanged. Its heavily rockered tip is matched with stout construction to create a stable, confident, and surfy powder ski. If you can handle the weight touring, you can likely make the ski perform. A little stubborn on firm snow, the Justice comes to life in soft snow and open terrain. Crown Kensho Dimensions: 142-106-122 (190cm), Lengths: 175/190cm, Weight per pair:4.6kg/9.3lb (175cm), Turn Radius: 23/27m, $850. Crown is a new boutique ski manufacturer based in Vancouver, BC. The 2010-11 season marks their second season of ski production. The Kensho is their big mountain, big radius turner and features light tip rocker. Traditional camber keeps the Kensho carving in firm snows. The ski is on the clumsy side in slower, tighter terrain, but it shines in open terrain at speed. Its relatively small sweet spot can be elusive, but when you are in it the Kensho rolls out medium and big radius turns on demand. On the heavy side for a dedicated touring board, the Kensho s hefty construction makes for a solid ride in mixed conditions. search efficient skis at: BlackDiamondEquipment.com Issue XLVI Off-Piste 17
winter ski. Flat, skin friendly tails give it all mountain utility, and its new p-tex top sheet material should help keep it snow free on the uptrack. Dynafit Stoke Dimensions: 129-105-119 (173cm), Lengths: 164/173/182cm, Weight: 3.24kg/7.14lb (173cm), Turn Radius: 20m, $800. The Stoke moves Dynafit skis into the world of big mountain freeride feel, but the ski remains loyal to Dynafit s lightweight roots and weighs respectably close to seven pounds. The Stoke is a big radius turner with mild tip rocker and roots in Greg Hill s pursuits around Revelstoke. It is not simply a big Manaslu; it has a distinct and bigger personality. It is stiffer than the Manaslu and prefers bigger radius turns. The Stoke requires some extra attention in tight or treed terrain, but the ski is quite at home when the terrain opens up. The Stoke is a quiver ski - a premium midwinter, big mountain touring stick. It skied well with a variety of three and four buckle boots and will serve dedicated touring skiers with an aggressive bent very well. Like the Manaslu, the Stoke uses Dynafit s proprietary binding inserts and skin attachment system. Faction Alias Dimensions: 132-102-122, Lengths: 169/179/188cm, Weight: 3.9kg/8.5lb, Turn Radius: 22m, $799. We skied the non-rocker, traditional camber Alias. It is a predictable and stable ski that garnered praise for its all mountain versatility. Its smooth, damp ride made short work of everything that came its way. The Alias handles speed with confidence and has a fairly big turn radius bias for it size. It is one of those skis that just seems to know what you want it to do at all times. You could find a more nimble ski, but the Alias is a smooth operator for mixed on and off piste use. K2 Gotback (women s specific) - Dimensions: 135-102-121, Lengths: 146/153/160/167cm, Weight: 3.28kg/7.25lb, Turn Radius: 19m, $825. The Gotback is a soft snow tool. Based on the Coomback platform, the Gotback follows through in soft snow with predictable round arcs. It is easy to initiate and responds quickly to input. Most at home in boot top and better conditions, the Gotback is not quite as versatile as the Coomback, but it is sure to please on powder days and hut trips. Prior Husume - Dimensions: 124-102-112, Lengths: 163/169/175/181/188/193cm, Weight: 3.8kg/8.34lb (175cm), Turn Radius: 21m, $950. The Husume is an incredibly versatile ski. Tip rocker and traditional camber create a ski that is dreamy in the pow, yet it charges around the ski hill without complaint, too. You pay a small weight penalty for the versatility, but if you keep the rest of your kit light, you can mitigate the damage. In deep snows the Husume pulls you into long radius arcs and encourages quick consumption of vertical. However, it remains responsive when necessary, and it is downright capable of anything at the ski hill. One somewhat misanthropic tester commented that the Husume painlessly transformed him into a new school ripper. The Husume may not be for the gram counters in the crowd, but it still received high marks from our touring-biased test crew. G3 Tonic - Dimensions: 132-100-123, Lengths: 177/185/192cm, Weight: 3. 8kg/8.37lb (177cm), $710. The Tonic returns from last season with new graphics, but is otherwise the same as last season. The Tonic enjoys medium to big radius turns and testers agreed that it is most responsive when pushed. It handles mixed resort conditions, but the Tonic got its highest marks when let off the leash in soft snow. G3 Fever - Dimensions: 132-100-123, Lengths: 177/185/192cm, Weight: 3.68kg/8.1lb (177cm), $710. The Fever builds on the Tonic platform by adding new Titanal construction to this lightly tip rockered ski and, according to our scales, dropping a few grams to. The result is a damp ski with a medium to big radius bias. It handles firm snow well, but is not as smooth as its big brother the Manhattan. Let the Fever pick up some speed, open it up into bigger turns in soft snow, and it comes to life. G3 Manhattan - Dimensions: 139-108-128, Lengths: 175/180/185/190cm, Weight: 4.08kg/8.99lb (180cm), $740. The Manhattan offers up a plush Cadillac-like ride, yet maintains fairly sporty handling given its 108mm waist. Designed by the same ski engineer that brought us the Karhu Jak a few years back, the Manhattan evokes a similar feel - damp, confident and responsive. It responds like a narrower ski and floats like the fat ski that it is. The Manhattan features a rockered tip, reduced camber and Titanal in its construction. It is not exactly a light ski, but its performance helped tip the scales in its favor among our touring-biased testers. Don t be afraid to ski it long. Icelantic Nomad Soft Dimensions: 140-105-130, Lengths: 156/168/181cm, Weight: 3.88kg/8.55lb (168cm), $640. The Nomad is a traditionally cambered, non rockered ski. It is more traditional in feel than the Shaman and maintains easy initiation and great flotation. On the heavy side for its length, the Nomad has a decidedly short radius bias and is most at home popping quick turns in soft snow. K2 Coomback Dimensions: 135-102-121, Lengths: 167/174/181/188cm, Weight: 3.54kg/7.8lb, Turn Radius: 22m, $825. The Coomback continues to hold its own in a very competitive category. It has a respectable weight for its size and mild tip rocker. The rocker ensures these boards stay on top of the snow, while the construction and classic K2 feel keep it solid at speed. The Coomback serves up predictable, consistent turns in classic backcountry conditions. You can find a better springtime and technical mountaineering ski (something narrower), but the Coomback remains an excellent mid- 18 Off-Piste October 2010 Volkl Gotama - Dimensions: 137-106-122, Lengths: 170/178/186/194cm, Weight: 4.74kg/10.5lb (177cm) $825. The Gotama remains an incredibly fun ski. It really skis bigger than it reads on paper. Its fairly modest 106mm waist is paired with generous tip and tail dimensions (and Volkl s ELP rocker technology) to create a ski with a big sweet spot. Part of Volkl s alpine Freeride line, the Gotama is not light, but let it rip on a big open bowl and you won t care. The ski likes speed and an experienced driver, but it makes short work of any soft snow. 90-99mm Underfoot Black Diamond Aspect Dimensions: 130-90-117 (176cm), Lengths: 156/166/176/186cm, Weight: 2.88kg/6.35lb (176cm), Turn Radius: 20m, $630. The Aspect is a midwinter mountaineering ski. It is wide enough to be fun in powder, narrow enough underfoot to be responsive and light enough for full-day, human-powered exploration. It is not the fattest or the liveliest, but it can do it all. Mild tip rocker and flat, climbing skin friendly tails round out the package. Crown Satori Dimensions: 127-97-118 (175cm), Lengths: 165/180/190cm, Weight per pair: 4 kg/8.8lb (175cm), Turn Radius: 21m, $750. The Satori is a solid all-a-rounder that is confident in mixed conditions, but not overly turny. It has a strong preference for medium radius arcs and consistent input. The Satori skis big for its relatively modest dimensions and holds its own in at the ski hill. Like its sibling, the Kensho, the Satori is not light, but Crown seems open to the idea of offering a more touring-minded model in the future. DPS Wailer 95 - Dimensions: 125-95-113, Lengths: 175/185/195cm, Weight: 3.26kg/7.2lb (175cm), Turn Radius: 20m, $1200. DPS makes a full line of skis laid up with carbon, and all are remarkably light and touring friendly. The Wailer 95 is a light and lively, but stiff ski. We found it most at home with a big, confident driver carving big turns. Heavier skiers (175lb+) found it easy to turn and an ideal peak descent ski, while lighter skiers worked hard to keep it performing. It is most comfortable in medium and long radius turns. Dynafit Manaslu - Dimensions: 122-95-108 (178cm), Lengths: 169/178/187cm, Weight: 2.9kg/6.39lb (178cm) $700. The Manaslu remains a solid choice for an all mountain, all conditions, dedicated touring ski. Like we said last season, you can get a stouter, fatter ski, but the Manaslu
2010 Ski Review continued Photo: Ian Coble is remarkably capable in all conditions. Its early rise tip excels in mixed conditions, and it handles soft snows with aplomb. Dynafit s proprietary binding insert technology and skin attachment system are standing the test of time well. The Manaslu is a mountaineering powder ski with a quiet, but very confident personality. K2 Backlash Dimensions: 129-92-115, Lengths: 160/167/174/181cm, Weight: 3.68kg/8.1lb, Turn Radius: 19m, $750. The Backlash adds metal to K2 s lightweight wood construction, and this year s Backlash adds mild tip rocker to the package, too. The result is a damp, predictable and classic K2 ride. Although not quite as lively as the Wayback and somewhat overshadowed by its big brother the Coomback, the Backlash handles speed and mixed conditions well and responds to a good range of boots. K2 Payback (women s specific) - Dimensions: 129-92-115, Lengths: 146/153/160/167cm, Weight: 3.06kg/6.74lb (160cm), Turn Radius: 16m, $750. The Payback responds with ease to most commands, and like its brother the Backlash, offers a predictable and smooth K2 feel. It is lighter than the Backlash and has few limitations in soft snow, but it does whine a little when pushed hard on firm snow. It is most at home in medium to shorter arcs at reasonable speeds. Add the mild tip rocker, flat, skin ready tails, and the Payback is a solid choice for all around touring. Ski Trab Stelvio XL - Dimensions: 126-90-112, Length: 164/171/178/185cm, Weight: 2.72kg/6lb/pair (171cm), Turn Radius: 20m, $999. The Stelvio XL returns unchanged this season. A relatively stiff all mountain ski, the XL carries its lightweight construction well and has a medium radius bias. Still modest in its dimensions for seasoned powder whores, the XL serves up consistent performance in carvable and boot top snow. Think of it as a more versatile Stelvio with a little bigger turn bias. Trab s craftsmanship is paired with a beautiful wood veneer top sheet that continues to turn heads. Voile Vector - 118-94-107 (170cm), Lengths: 160/170/180cm, Weight: 2.76kg/6.08lb (170cm), Turn Radius: 21.7m, $550. The Vector is a lively turner that proved capable in firm and soft snow. Its light construction provides a responsive personality while its mild tip rocker keeps it afloat in soft and varied conditions. Given the similarity in dimensions and rocker to the Dynafit Manaslu, we skied it head to head with the Manaslu, and both skis have their own distinct personalities. The Vector has a shorter radius bias, and is overall stiffer than the Manaslu giving it a more responsive, but somewhat less forgiving feel than the Manaslu. The Vector is an allmountain ski capable of tackling all conditions, and it compliments Voile s more deep snow minded boards. Volkl Nanuq - Dimensions: 130-94-113, Lengths: 163/170/177/184cm, Weight: 3.62kg/7.9lb (177cm), Turn Radius: 21.9m (177cm), $700. The Nanuq takes the original Volkl Mantra shape and sheds some weight to offer a more touring minded ski. Although not in the superlight category, the Nanuq is respectable and a rock solid mixed conditions ski. It offers plenty of surface area for soft snow skiing, and in classic Volkl fashion, it carves up a storm on firm snow. The Nanuq includes a proprietary skin attachment system for use with Volkl skins, but will accept any climbing skins. The Nanuq is an ideal all conditions ski that holds its own at the resort as well as it cuts through untracked snow. Issue XLVI Off-Piste 19
80-89mm Underfoot Black Diamond Stigma Dimensions: 124-80-108 (176 cm), Lengths: 160/168/176/186cm, Weight: 2.84kg/6.2lb (176cm), Turn Radius: 17m, $540. The Stigma is a relatively stiff, but responsive turner. It is most at home making short to medium radius turns. It is wide enough to run the gamut of conditions found on a spring volcano descent and lively enough to be responsive in technical terrain. In keeping with BD s efficient series theme, the Stigma is light and tour-ready with flat tails. It sheds a few grams over last season s model, but it retains its generally responsive demeanor. G3 Spitfire - Dimensions: 123-89-111, Lengths: 170/177/184/192cm, Weight: 3.34kg/7.361lb (177cm), $610. The Spitfire s all-mountain dimensions give it a predictable, confident character. The ski has a familiar feel to it and handles a variety of conditions. Fixed or free heeled, it carved in firmer snows and easily handles soft snow. It can t compete with the fatter boards for pure powder performance, but if your snow is boot top and your turns short to medium in radius, the Spitfire is a good match. K2 Wayback Dimensions: 124-88-108, Lengths: 160/167/174/181cm, Weight: 3.1kg/6.8lb (174cm), Turn Radius: 22m, $700.The addition of tip rocker to the Wayback makes for a very lively, yet predictable and modestly stable ski. The Baker Superlight of old and last year s Wayback were fine boards, but they lacked the personality and lively feel of the 2010 model. The new Wayback is a significant improvement on an already good ski. It is not the lightest in its class, or the fattest, but it holds its own in a variety of snow conditions and even speed. The new Wayback is a nice all conditions touring ski. Matched with a fatty in the quiver for the big days, the Wayback can handle just about everything else. K2 Backup - Dimensions: 124/82/105, Lengths: 160/167/174/181cm, Weight: 3kg/6.6lb (174cm), Turn Radius: 19m, $625. With roots in the Shuksan of old, the Backup retains the lively, damp and capable characteristics that made the Shuksan so popular. The Backup is a mountaineering ski that handles mixed conditions well and likes to turn. You can get a lighter mountaineering ski, but few of the light skis are as smooth and lively as the Backup. Fixed or free heeled, the Backup is a great choice for peak baggers and spring touring. The Backup is an excellent compromise that offers enough dampness and versatility that it should convince even the staunchest fat ski aficionado to leave the big boards at home when vertical and mileage are the primary objectives. Volkl Amaruq - Dimensions: 127-88-109, Lengths: 163/170/177/184cm, Weight: 3.18kg/7.9lb (177cm) $650. The Amaruq compliments the Nanuq in Volkl s touring line-up, but it is not simply a narrower Nanuq. It is a distinctly different ski. Narrower and overall stiffer, the Amaruq responds well to lively input, but is less forgiving than the Nanuq and is more at home in carvable snows than it is in mixed or deep snow. Like the Nanuq, it includes Volkl s proprietary skin attachment hole in the tip, but can accommodate any skins. Ski Trab Stelvio Light - Dimensions: 117-84-105, Lengths: 164/171/178/185cm, Weight: 2.58kg/5.7lb (171cm), Turn Radius: 20m, $949. The Stelvio light is a sub-six pound generalist. It offers enough surface area to mitigate mixed snow, and it is stiff enough to carve the corn. It tracks well for a light ski, even when pushed. The Stelvio light is at home on a big spring tour and is still fun in boot top powder. This is a dedicated touring ski for a traditionalist who likes turn. 70-79mm Underfoot Black Diamond Guru Dimensions: 120-75-105 (176cm), Lengths: 158/167/176cm, Weight: 2.64kg/5.8lb (178cm), Turn Radius: 16m, $500. The Guru offers up a sports car like ride in contrast to today s offering of big radius, powder oriented skis. It is a responsive short radius ski that, although light, will do as it is asked. The ski follows through nicely in carvable conditions. Its light swing weight keeps it quick turning when the 20 Off-Piste October 2010
2010 Ski Review continued going gets steep. Variable conditions are not its forte, but an attentive driver can keep it in line. powder floating boards available today, but the ski offers great all-around backcountry performance. The ski mates well to a pair of three-pin bindings and a light plastic boot (versus leather). The Annum turns out round tele turns with ease. Add a pair of skins to your pack, and the Annum can take you just about anywhere. Dynafit Broad Peak - Dimensions: 112-74-96 (167cm), Lengths: 158/167/176cm, Weight: 2.15kg/4.8lb (167cm) $650. The Broad Peak is a traditional mountaineering ski with solid edge hold and lively turning performance. It is very light, and yes it skis light and short, but with less twitch and twitter than you might expect from a sub-five pound pair of skis. It offers a good balance of flex and edge hold for such a superlight board. XCD Category - metal edge, no-wax base Madshus Annum - Dimensions: 109-78-95, Lengths: 165/175/185/195cm, Weight: 2.6kg/5.8lb (175cm), $340. Madshus steps into the XCD category this year with the Annum. Virtually the same ski as the Karhu Guide (Karhu Ski Co. no longer exists), the Annum is a single camber, waxless base, metal edge touring ski. Its dimensions are modest when compared to the big, Rossignol BC125 - Dimensions: 123/95/120 (165cm), Lengths: 165cm, Weight: 2.9kg/6.39lb (178cm) $400. The BC125 is the widest no-wax pattern base ski available. Our testers were stoked to see this ski. We have discussed the potential for a fat, waxless based and metal edged ski for freeheel touring for years. Karhu experimented with the idea, but Rossignol is the first to offer such a beast. Rossignol describes the BC125 as having cross-country camber, but it seems pretty close to single camber. The no-wax base climbs reasonably well, but given its width, we thought it could have done better. All waxless bases have their limitations, and any significant climbing on the BC125 is best done with skins. On the descent, the ski initiates nicely, but lacks the turn follow through of a comparably sized alpine-style telemark ski. Still, the BC125 likes to turn and is a fun adventure ski. We skied it in three-pins (no cables) with two-buckle plastic boots, and it was an ideal match. Celebrating 25 Years of Bringing Powder to the People cozy lodge great terrain deep snow Issue XLVI Off-Piste 21