Skiing
Freeski gear round-up 2014/2015 – part 1
At ISPO 2014, we dug out the 10 new freeski products with the highest desirability quotient.
Freeski gear from part 1 of our 2014/2015 round-up
© Guillaume Desmurs/Jason Horton
As freeskiers, we are suckers for fresh new gear and products designed to make our life on the snow easier; it is part of the progression equation.
After much emphasis on the shapes (eg rocker) in the past few years, ski brands have shifted their focus onto safety equipment and weight reduction – extra grams are the new enemy as touring continues to grow in popularity.
After much emphasis on the shapes (eg rocker) in the past years, ski brands have shifted their focus onto safety equipment and weight reduction as touring continues to grow in popularity.
Check out the first five pieces of kit, below, and stay tuned for part 2, when we'll look at the final five.
Völkl – BMT
A miracle of German engineering. Völkl have designed a powerful yet incredibly thin and light ski for riding – pretty much the ideal. This new BMT line of three models is based on their successful VWerks experiment, where they stripped down their most famous skis (Katana, Code) to the bare essentials. The key element here is the carbon fibre, ensuring both torsional rigidity and lightness.
The BMT, the new marvel from Völkl
© Völkl
Scott – The Ski
This ski is all about fun and history; Bobby Burns was a key US freeskier during the ’70s and ’80s. His dishevelled blond hair, gleaming smile and crazy powder jumps are deeply embedded in every (oldish) freeskier’s mind. A solar figure who designed a ski for all, simply called The Ski. Scott used the same graphics on a modernised design, with a new geometry and construction – but with the same soul.
The Ski, the all-round model from Scott
© Guillaume Desmurs
The Rabbit on the Roof – Skis
Peter, a talented cabinetmaker and ski lover, moved to Chamonix to build his skis closer to the mountains. He carefully handcrafts beautiful wooden skis that smell of the very same wax you put on expensive furniture. They are unique artefacts, over €1,200 a pair, and each one of them has its own personality, thanks to a wooden core chosen in the tree itself.
Hand made skis from Rabbit on the Roof
© Guillaume Desmurs
Salomon – Quest 130 Pro Ski Boots
This French brand is a ski-boot specialist and their latest model summarises their know-how. Light (1.8kg a pair), strong (flex index is 130), with three buckles, the Quest Pro 130 is a real alpine skier’s boot with touring ability. By thinning the shell, the designers at Salomon have managed to reduce the weight without compromising on performance. Whether you ski on piste or tour in the backcountry, this is the only boot you need.
Lightweight yet powerful Quest 130 from Salomon
© Guillaume Desmurs
Dahu Ski Boots
Invented by a Swiss designer, the Dahu boot might be the next big thing on the slopes of Megève, Cran-Montana or Davos. The idea is to transfer the rigidity of the ski boot to the outside structure and have a soft boot inside for maximum comfort. Easily walk with a soft boot (similar to snowboarders' boots) and ski with alpine precision – you can do both thanks to this beautifully designed, removable exoskeleton.