WildSnow Girl, Amy Heuer, gets set up for slaying Alaska's pow.
WildSnow Girl, Amy Heuer, stopped by to pick up the goods on her way to Alaska. Lou fitted her in a new pair of Scarpa Gea RS, so snazzy they sparkle like a hot pink pedicure. And for planks, Amy unwrapped a shiny new pair of K2 SideKicks.
In past reviews, we’ve applauded Scarpa’s female specific AT boot, the Gea. This year they’ve added the Gea RS to their line. RS, Rennsport, is German for racing. RS is about 40 grams heavier than the Gea, but also said to be 20% stiffer. The Alpine Axial closure provides an easy in/out system, noticeable volume adjustment, and strong support downhill. One of my favorite features is the elasticized power strap, which makes it easy to quickly crank the cuff tight, snap the buckles, and become downhill ready for a rippin run. Equipped with Intuition Pro Flex RS liners, tech fittings from Dynafit with the Quick Step In feature, radical cuff articulation, Vibram soles and 4 user friendly buckles, Amy will be a psychedelic flash flying down the mountains in these beauties. I am more than a bit jealous.
Amy will do a detailed review after thorough testing in AK. Until then, a few specs:
Inner Boot: Intuition Pro Flex RS Wmn
Shell | Cuff | Tongue: Polyamide I Polyamide I Pebax®
Buckles: 4 + 50mm Power Strap RS
Forward Lean: 16° – 20°
Sole: Vibram®
Weight: 1410g; 3 lbs 1 oz (1/2 pair size 25)
Sizes: 22.5 – 27
Last: 101 mm
Boot fitting starts with heating the Intuition liners.
Lou adjusts the cuff and buckles the boots to mold the toasty liners.
A few kicks force the heel in place in order to prevent blisters. The liners have laces and keeping them tight when skiing helps make the boot feel more performance oriented on the down, and may prevent blisters on the up.
Amy keeps the boots angled upward while the liners cool. The idea is to force the heel into the heel pocket of the boot for a good mold.
The boots come with a handy tool to adjust cuff alignment.
In ski stance, the center line of the leg should line up with the center of the cuff for neutral cuff alignment.
Amy’s backcountry set up will pair the Scarpa Gea RS with K2 SideKick skis. The SideKicks are the female specific version of K2’s SideStash.
Specs:
108mm waist
All terrain rocker
Construction: Triaxial Braid, Hybritech Sidewall, Aspen/Paulownia/Bamboo – Bioflex 3
Weight: 1,885 gms at 174
Features: Powder Tip, Progressive Sidecut, Tip and Tail Hardware, BioFlex3 Core
K2 skins are available pre-cut. Amy’s skis are 174 and that length wasn’t available to us in a test skin. The skins K2 supplied were cut for 167 and fit Amy’s skis just fine. Amy will report if there’s any disadvantage but in the meantime, we were happy not to hassle with trimming skins.
For the ultimate Christmas present (and I hope you get to open it early) put these on your list for Santa:
Constellation graphics are appropriate for this dreamy K2 ski.
K2's skins are their signature side country green.
WildSnow Girl, Lisa Dawson, is the luckiest girl in the world. Also known as Mrs. WildSnow.com, she tests whatever gear she wants. She gives the WildSnow family of websites the feminine voice.
