Once the smog had settled and the new shred sticks emerged from the Salt Palace, our Wildsnow US contingent found terrific new offerings from old and new friends. We were extremely excited by the premise of larger ski brands taking the risk of bringing over their lightweight touring skis to the US market. But the traditional players have plenty of interesting stuff as well.
BD is no stranger to the carbon world and for this year the Megawatt, Convert, and Aspect receive the treatment with a Wildsnow favorite white top sheet. Weighing in at 1600 grams for 178 cm Megawatt, 1400 grams for 172 cm Convert, and 1300 grams for the 176 cm Aspect. All skis feature a paulownia cnc wood core and pre-preg carbon construction.
Fischer enters the US touring market with a sizable fleet. Left to right. AlpRoute 82 1250 grams. TransAlp 88 1150 grams. Hannibal 94 1250 grams. Hannibal 100 1500 grams. AlpAttack 650 grams.
The entire Fischer touring line makes use of their Aeroshape technology utilizing 'mass optimization' by contouring the ski core. This is more difficult than it looks, as if you contour the edge of the core too much it reduces the strength beam of the ski edge and you end up with a ski that doesn't perform. We figuring these skis DO perform. Testing will be fun.
Aeroshape core in the flesh.
Atomic is listening to their super Spaniard Killian and his pursuits in the endurance ski world by making some wise updates to their ski touring line. Left to right: Ultimate 65 rockered race ski with 65 mm waist and 700 grams in 163cm length. Ultimate 78 with 78mm waist in 164, 170, and 176 lengths weighing 980 grams in 164 cm length. Backland Aspect with 85mm waist in 158, 164, 170, 176, and 182 lengths weighing 1320 grams in 170cm length. Backland Drifter with 95mm waists in 164, 173, and 182 lengths weighing 1550 grams for 173 cm length. Not Pictured - Backland Descender with 78mm waist in 152, 158, 164, 170, and 176 lengths, weighing 1250 grams in 170 cm length. Atomic will also be making a new ski named the Multifit AM Rocker featuring 100% mohair in grip zone and ultra-fast ski-base material.
Volkl continues to expand their line in the V-Werks series with the introduction of their Big Mountain Touring category. The new additions are the BMT 122 , BMT 109, and BMT 94 weighing 1940 grams, 1740 grams, and 1570 grams respectively. Pictured here is the Volkl mounting location for their carbon core light skis.
DPS expands on their Cassair line with the introduction of the 85 and 95 both incorporate the Pure 3 technology.
DPS Wailer continues the domination in Hybrid and Pure3 technology. The Wailer 112 RP 2 141/112/128 Pure3 weighs 1670 grams in 178 length and the DPS Wailer 105 136/105/119 Pure3 weighs 1850 grams in 185 length.
G3 full carbon shred sticks in the flesh. Paired with the ION binding we are expecting big things from these fatboys. Empire Carbon 127: 153/127/138 1.89 kg in 173 and Empire Carbon 115: 145/115/126 1.65 in 175
G3 Cake Carbon Hybrid 110 and 100.
Lasportiva gets white and light with the Vapor Nanon. It fits squarely in the mythical 1 kilo range with an aggressive rocker profile weighing in at 1200 grams in 180 cm length. The ski is made in USA with a kevlar weave composite core and layer of prepreg carbon nanotubes. Additionally Lasportiva released a price point mountaineering race ski, the Syborg, a paulownia wood core ski weighing 800 grams in 160cm length.
Dynafit comes to the table for their 30th anniversary with four new skis. The Denali, pictured, is tested an approved by the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations. It sports impressive specs of 176cm length, 98 mm underfoot, and 1290 grams. Lengths in 168, 184, and 193 will also be available. The Manaslu model inherits the revolutionary type of core first developed for the Stoke. Two bamboo stringers and a beech stringer give the ski extremely quick elastic recovery and extra smoothness. The 174cm length weighs a respectable 1320 grams with 90 mm underfoot. A women specific Manaslul will also be available in 158, 166, and 174 lengths. The Se7en Summit ski also gets a remodel with influences from the Cho Oyo and the Nanga Parbat it specs out at 1290 grams in 171cm length at 82 mm underfoot.
Blizzard attacks the US market with their Super Lite series. Left to Right: Altitidue with 88 waist and 1440 grams in 173 length. Discovery with 78 waist and 1350 grams in 170 length. Mountain Expedition with 74 waist and 1220 grams in 167 length. Attack with 65 waist and 800 grams in 161 length.
Joseph Risi was raised on pasta and meatballs in the “backwoods” of Long Island before seeking higher education in the mountains of Vermont. Always looking for adventure, building treehouses, working too many odd jobs around the world he now lives in the Aspen area of Colorado.
