Stopped by for a quick conversation with Plum. I asked about distribution in North America, word is they’re not eager to rush, just opening a few shops. They’re concerned about their service quality being as good as Europe, that being dependent on how importing and distribution are done. I’m hearing that tune quite a bit these days, as ski touring consumers are not a niche category as they used to be, formerly willing to fool around with unreliable gear and iffy warranty support. In any case these are nice bindings — I’d like to see the full line widely available in the U.S. and Canada.
Contrary to rumor, you don’t have to ski exclusively at Chamonix or speak French to ski on Plum, though you might study up on what the word “Plum” means in “la lengue de Voltaire.” Any French translators out there to help us?
The ski touring part of Plum wall. Center binding is the relativly new WEPA, hybridizing the Guide (to right) and race versions. Note the removable crampon mount and lack of high lift at heel. This responds to a trend in ski touring involving the use of lightweight simplified equipment. Or, perhaps not a trend, and the way it’s always been?
Their brake is still my favorite thing about Plum, am still wishing they’d make a version that could be retrofit to other bindings.
Nice demo plate. Enables any Plum binding as a rental.
It’s interesting how splitboard is a growth segment of skiing, while overall snowboarding is the incredible shrinking giant. Plum of course makes their hot looking FEYAN Carbon splitboard binding. I don’t know anything about splitboard bindings, so, is this indeed hot?
In other Plum news, Yak will now clamp you at release values from 7 to 14. Overall, their line looks very complete and nicely differentiated. In other words, they have just the right number of bindings. Check their website, French only but responds to Google Translate to one degree or another.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
