Wolf Creek Powder!!!!

Hi there everybody! I just want to take a quick minute to brag about the epic day that the Ski Barn crew had at Wolf Creek yesterday. With the recent pounding they received from mother nature, conditions were about as good as I have ever hit this early in the year.

Yesterday morning the report was claiming 28.5″ in the last 48 hours. Not a bad start. We ripped apart the mountain near the Treasure lift and surrounding areas all morning until it was tracked out. Not to worry though. We got wind of the Alberta area opening shortly after noon and headed that way.

When we arrived at the top of the Alberta lift it was as if we were just starting the day over. Nothing was tracked and since none of it had been skied all year we had about 70″ of fresh snow to float through.

I don’t want to rub it in too bad, but it is gonna be hard to top this early season day of shredding thigh to waist deep powder from opening to closing.

Thanks to Wolf Creek ski area for saving freshies for the afternoon!

Nothing short of Epic.

Not so much Frozen Water in Moab!

On Friday the 9th of October I didn’t have to go to work and got to take some early season turns in Silverton’s Velocity Basin. Only a week later, Friday the 16th of October, I got out of work early only to go the opposite direction and get in a late season bike shred in Moab. We left in the late afternoon to catch a sweet sunset traveling west out of Durango.

We were hard pressed to find a campground at 9:30 on the Friday night before a marathon, but we got lucky and scored a sweet campground in the bottom of the canyon on Kane Creek Road. We quickly set up camp and proceeded with the usual camping antics. Fire. Beer. More fire. More beer. Sleep!

We wake, eat a quick breakfast and run to the Poison Spider for some bike shoes because Ryder couldn’t seem to locate his at home. Bummer, but apparently needed anyway. Just minutes later we are shredding around the famous rocks and slabs of the Slickrock trail. This place is biker heaven. We take the day milling around the 13 mile loop and sessioning natural half pipes and rock drops.

I wasn’t exactly looking for the rock drops, but I came out of this a little too hot and missed the light sweeping left and lost grip on the right. I wound up blowing through that tree at the bottom. Several branches and about 10 feet lower, I crawl from the mangled bike and start laughing unscathed. Lucky. A few more feet to the right and I would be hugging the trunk.

After all was said and done…No Harm…No Foul. Continue the shred. I don’t know what it is, but it seems like the miles in Moab are a little longer than the miles Durango. There were no gnarly, long up-hills or even anything out of the ordinary other than the slickrock, but by the time I made it back to the car I was wiped out.

We wound up meeting four others (Vaughn, Kelly, Blake and Laura) in the parking lot and they joined us at the camp that night. We all shared dinner and talked over many (let me express that again MANY) beers. Good times were had by all. We awake again and set off on another ride. We shuttle cars and ride the Porcupine Rim Trail. I can honestly say that this is my new favorite trail. EVER. Period. 3 miles of grueling technical uphill only to be at the top of a 12 mile Moab style downhill.

A quick break at the top and we shred hard all the way down. There are some of the most fun sections of trail I have ever ridden on this trail. Also some of the most technical downhill sections. They are not fast moving sections, but what you lack in speed you make up for in having to balance and essentially ride trials through some of the sections. Needless to say…We had an awesome time.

We finished the out the ride and rallied up the shuttle vehicles and convened at the Moab Brewery for a final meal and well deserved beer. All in all it was a successful weekend. Lots of shredding. Lots of fun. New friends. And to top it all off… Ryder and I were not passed once on a trail (we did manage to pass quite a few others though).

Early Season Silverton

It starts flying in the high country long before it hits the valley floor in Durango. So when I peek out and see the La Plata’s covered in snow I really start to itch for a good shred. So what does one do? Do I hold out until they fire up the lifts at DMR? Nah! I find a couple friends and head to the high country for some early season turns.

I was skeptical about the ski-ability as I traveled north over Molas & Coalbank pass. It was looking thin. To my surprise though, we pass through Silverton and up into Velocity Basin to find an ample amount of snow for being only the 9th of October.

We geared up and took off up the hill. 2 hours of post-holing up the mountain we made it to the top and opened a celebratory beer cheersing to the first shred of the 09/10 season.

So we chug. Then we shred. The first half of the chute was wind-loaded and we were ripping through face-shots. I just wish that were the case for the second half. The second half was slowly sliding over rocks covered in 3″ of snow. My skis hate me, but I got to shred. One more storm or so and we should be in a bit better shape.

Discount Opportunity

Hi there everyone. If you visit our online store, please know that any orders of 2 items or more receive a 10% discount. This discount is automatically applied to your shopping cart when there are two or more items in it. I just thought I would pass this info on to anyone looking for new shred gear. Just click the link below.

www.skibarndurango.com

Ski Barn Online Store: Off and Running

The Ski Barn online store is now loaded with inventory. There is amazing deals on last years equipment  as well as the new 09/10 Product. Come and see if there is anything that you cannot live without!

www.skibarndurango.com

Ski Barn Open for 09/10 Season

Hi there everybody! I just wanted to let everyone know that the Ski Barn is open for the 09/10 season. Most of the new gear has arrived and is looking good.

We are having a Pre-Season sale on September the 12th from 9 in the morning til 5 in the afternoon.

Season Rentals will be available for all. We have a new Performance Season Package for adults this year.

If you can’t make it to the sale, check out www.skibarndurango.com for great deals on last year’s product or this year’s new product.

Hope to see you there! Remember…Pray For Snow!

2010 Gear Preview: K2 Hellbent

10% More Evil this year

No. No. No. They are not broken. They may look that way when put base to base, but the reverse camber is for floating through the deep stuff; and it works, very well. The K2 Hellbent is a powder specific tool for riding forwards as well as backwards in snow as deep as you are tall.

I have not had a chance to ride the 2010 model, but last years were a blast. Especially in anything deeper than 7″. I skied the 189 cm length, and it was full floatation. I am 6′3″ and weigh about 180 lbs. I am an extremely strong skier and found that with the width of the Hellbent you don’t need the extra length. The 189 was a little too much even for me, and I only recommend it to the heaviest and strongest of skiers.

The 20/40 Tip/Tail rocker ensures that it is almost impossible to bury the tips (or tails, if you are riding backwards). So there is no need to worry about learning the powder tip roll. Eliminate all those broken noses.

Be wary though. The Hellbent is flat underfoot (no camber) for harder snow performance, but I found that they are not too friendly on anything remotely close to hardpack. They will get you from the powder stash in the trees to the lift line, but that is about it.

Here is what K2 has to say about them-

” Often Imitated, but never equalled, the Hellbent’s twin tip rocker design equals supreme floatation in powder while allowing you to stomp both switch and regular landings in the deepest conditions. Not content being a mere pow tool, the Hellbent gives you generous ability to carve your way down to the bottom or back to the lift. We have a hard time getting Andy Mahre to ever take them off his feet.”

Not sure where to mount them when you get them? Not a problem. K2 is releasing them this year with the K2/Marker ‘Schizofrantic’ binding system. (Read the K2 ‘Extreme” review for more on this) Shred up the backcountry however you want!

We have a full size run in demo this year so come on by and try them out for yourself the next time we get a big dump. Or even a little dump. I will guarantee that this ski will change your entire view on the words “Powder Day”.

Oh yeah… they made them 10% more evil this year.

Click Below to Buy

http://shop.skibarndurango.com/2010-k2-hellbent.html

Tech. Specs.

Powder: 666% Park:10%

Radius: 26m @ 179

Construction: Vertical ABS Sidewall

Core: Fir

Available Sizes: 169, 179, 189

Bindings: Schizofrantic or Flat

Features: Tip/Tail 20/40 Rocker Design, Tip Plates and Tail Rivets, Triaxial Braiding, Made with PURE EVIL.

Chionophobia

Does this scare you?

I was looking through a magazine the other day and came across a word that boggled my mind. CHIONOPHOBIA. It just sounds like it is a bad thing. “What is it?” you ask. It is the fear of snow. 

I had no idea that such a disorder existed and could not imagine living with said fear. In fact I (most living with it probably don’t) find it to be silly. I could understand the fear of avalanches or things like freezing to death in a blizzard, but just to be afraid of something so beautiful and peaceful does not make sense to me. 

Now, don’t get me wrong here. I have scared myself while playing in the snow. More specifically, I was skiing at Wolf Creek with 104″ of new snow. The signs at the top of the mountain warn of “drowning in snow”. I didn’t take it too seriously and shrugged it off with a laugh. Later that day I was buried up to my waist going head first into the white stuff (a very scary moment for me). Yet, to me, this still does not warrant a credible fear of snow. This was my fault for not landing properly on my feet. 

What I am trying to get at is that snow can really be a good time and doesn’t deserve this phobia attached to it. Maybe just a healthy respect in certain situations (driving, BC skiing, etc.). So get over it and enjoy what was put there to play with!

2010 Gear Preview: Volkl Gotama

What a sweet ride these were! Volkl outdid themselves and completely redesigned the Gotama this year. Everything about this ski changed except for how awesome it truly is. And changing such an iconic ski wouldn’t have been done unless they improved it.

The introduction of ELP (Elongated Low Profile) rocker design allows skiers easy maneuvering of reverse-camber ski design without sacrificing groomed-snow performance. Score! More versatile. The profile features a smooth gradual bend toward the nose and tail. It is high enough to float in powder, but when you tip the ski on edge, there is more consistent edge contact. This is a good thing.

It also now comes with 3 (count them 1, 2, 3) flex zones. The front of the ski is stiff- since the rocker design (which did not come in previous years) is pre-flexed, added stiffness in front provides stability. The flex in the mid-body of the ski is medium, providing a transition into the softer tail, which allows ease of turning on the groomed, and maneuverability in the powder. WOW!

The graphics this year are also oh so sweet. After several years of gaudy graphics(more specifically the gold of 07/08 and the black/neon of 08/09) the Gotama is back with a classy new suit. The wood grain really does it for me.

Wider this year(137-106-122) than last(133-105-124) you can bet that you float in the deep stuff.  It is also a very light ski that makes it favored by AT skiers.

Overall the ski really impressed me, and the fact that they built it for in-bounds skiing as well as out should make it a go to choice for anyone that spends time on the frontside, backside, in-bounds, or out-of-bounds. Learn it, live it, love it, SHRED IT!

OH YEAH…. they made it in a Junior modal as well. Gonna be some stoked mini-shredders out there!

Click Below to Buy

http://shop.skibarndurango.com/10-volkl-gotama.html

Dimensions: 137-106-122

Lengths: 178, 186, 194

Radius: 28.8m@186

Core: Sensorwood powered by Carbon

2010 Gear Preview: K2 Extreme

K2 Extreme

Well… My hats off to you K2. You have done it again and created another amazing park ski!

How do you make an already ripping ski rip even harder? You do several things. First, you change the graphics and give them a little face lift. Gotta stick with times and always have something new to compete with the rest of the market.(Even though last years graphics on the Extreme is one of the best ski graphics ever!) Second, you add a whole new binding system to the ski. The new Extreme comes with the new Schizofrantic system from Marker. (The ski is also sold flat if you want to choose the binding you put on.) But why is this system so sweet? Let me elaborate…The Schizofrantic system comes with inserts in the ski (like a snowboard) and allows for super fast mounting of the new K2/Marker Griffon binding without any drilling required in the ski. The Schizo binding itself uses the tested and proven Triple Pivot Elite toe and Inter Pivot Heel with an ultra lightweight, low stand height track and cable system that allows you to mount once and adjust a full 6cm along the ski. Pretty Sweet! The insert patterns allow you to ski at core center for optimal park and switch performance and move the whole binding back 6cm to a more traditional binding mount position for powder or softer snow performance. Park. Check. Powder. Check. Anywhere in between. Check. You now have the ultimate one ski quiver. It doesn’t stop there though. This is my favorite part! The increased surface area of the insert rings provide twice the pullout strength of standard binding screws. (I have ripped bindings off of the last 4 pairs of skis I have ridden, some even with helicoils, and will be making the switch this season to fully test this.) I have faith!

The Schizo technology will also be available on the Hellbent, obSETHed, and Kung Fujas. (Reviews on these skis coming soon.)

That is enough about the new bindings though…back to the ski.

K2 qoutes that “This Legendary ski is the most functional in-bounds twin tip we have ever built!” and they continue to go on and say “The Extreme has the confidence and stability to rip any terrain and it has the torsional strength and durability to handle the toughest of landings and the most punishing abuse in the park. Emulate PK Hunder’s double cork 1080 or just bust out some of the ol’ moves on the top-sheet. Either way, we’ll be proud. Keep it Extreme!

Click Below to Buy

http://shop.skibarndurango.com/2010-k2-extreme.html

Dimensions: 118-85-109.

Radius: 21m@ 179

Lengths: 159, 164, 169, 174, 179, 184 cm.

Construction: ABSorb Hybrid Sidewall- ABS/Urethane sidewalls: This horizontal diecut sidewall construction sandwiches a urethane layer in between ABS for shock ABSorption, lessening the impact of harsh landings on the rider. The urethane is only used under foot to maximize performance and control.

Core: Full Fir wood core.

Features: Stealth Black Rivets, Triaxial braiding, the most badass display of aerial trickery ever placed on a topsheet.

I know this has been more than just a preview, but for all you ski geeks out there. Get stoked on this! This ski is going to be very popular and with good reason. It will Rip! We will have full size run on demo this coming year, so come in try it and find out for yourself why this ski is getting all the hype!

2010 Gear Preview: Salomon Shogun

Salomon Shogun

I haven’t ridden Salomon since my first-generation 1080’s, which was about the same time I got fed up with Salomon for refusing to build me a proper wood-core ski. That said, I’ve been watching them get closer and closer each year, and I think they may finally have done it.  Salomon is back!

The Shogun is a full wood-core, 130-101-120 Reverse Camber / Nose Rocker ski with bamboo and basalt layers.  It also has Salomon’s Edge Armor and Edgy Monocoque technologies, carryovers from last year’s lineup.

We got the chance to take a few out at Keystone during the SIA On-Snow Demo. First impression? The rocker is short and shallow, so it doesn’t have that ’surfy’ feel characteristic of full-rocker skis, and it’s more predictable all around the mountain. (You know when you’re straight lining a pair of K2 Hellbents or Volkl Kuros as if they were race skis, and all of a sudden there’s a cowboy hat in the middle of the trail, and you’re forced to decide between a forty-foot gs carve and an out-of-control power slide? This ski isn’t like that). More than that: it’s straight-up playful. It transitions between the groomers, crud, and tree stashes with aplomb, and has no trouble executing turns of varying radii. It’s also somewhat lightweight, at around 9 lbs, and has this beautiful transparent top sheet that shows off the bamboo, if you’re into that sort of thing.

And the basalt/bamboo core? It’s solid, especially compared to Salomon’s past offerings in foam. It’s not a ski I’d push to the speed limit, but it does lay down some confidence-inspiring carves on the hard pack (and the crud, and the pow).

Some things to keep in mind: it’s got a rocker, so try the long one; this ski will feel shorter than it is. It’s also a small rocker, so if you want to do like McConkey (may he R.I.P.) and slash lines down the deep and steep, read on for the next ski review.

In short, if you don’t spend your whole day squeezing extra m.p.h. out of you skis, and you’re not Shane, this is the ski that will make the mountain your playground.

Coming to a ski shop near you (the Ski Barn, duh) this fall.

Click Below to Buy

http://shop.skibarndurango.com/2010-salomon-shogun.html

Oh, and check out Salomon’s team skiers ‘testing’ this ski:

No more frozen water! :-(

Well spring has come and is almost gone! The Frozen water of the north has for the most part melted and the river season has been a blast! I know it is too early to start thinking about the next ski season, but I was reviewing Demo orders and next years demo line up is looking great. We are gonna have full size runs of some of the best all mountain and powder skis on the market. So when dreaming about those deep days on the hill… dream about floating through on some K2 “Hellbents” or the new Salomon “Shogun”. It is gonna be great. (It is gonna be hard to wait that long too.) 

Red Bull 1976 Games

Congrats to Ski Barn’s first in-house sponsored athletes, Ben and Adam.  How did Ski Barn’s two youngest and arguably loco employees win this dubious distinction?  Last weekend they qualified for the Red Bull 1976 Games.  How did they ante up to this level of athleticism and sportsmanship?  Well, that’s not exactly what the 1976 Games is all about.  All it takes is a pair of ski blades (for the ‘blader cross), home-made tandem skis (for the big air), and some serious cojones.  We wish you luck.

Ben's Big Day

We know how to pick ‘em

Henry Broeren, winner of Ski Barn’s Ullr Fest back in December, just took first at the Purgatory Slope Style.  We knew you were going on to bigger and better things, Henry.  Keep it up!

Henry Broeren, Winner of Ullr Fest '09

Ski Barn is getting all up on the Internets.

What we mean to say is, come visit our new website,

www.skibarndurango.com

It’s a work in progress (we’re new to internet-land), but we’re pretty excited to be offering online rental reservations, sales, and, of course, some online-only specials.  Check it out!

Ullr Fest photos are up!

check out the album on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/skibarn

AWW YEAH. DID YOU SEE THAT?

Thanks again to Red Bull and Serious Texas Barbeque

Half an hour into our inagural Ullr Fest, just as our first sacrifices to the snow god were turning to glowing embers, the snowflakes began to fall. I think we’re gonna to take credit for that.  I mean, that’s what Ullr Fest is all about, right?  Waking up and having to shovel snow to find the recyclable goods?

When I say ‘us’, I don’t just mean Jake, Jeff, Kevin, Eric, and all the Ski Barn boys who shoveled snow for three days.  I mean all the locals who showed up to throw down on our inadequately covered asphalt.  I mean the guys who spent hours lovingly crafting their Ullr sacrifices, which now sit smoldering in the bottom of our fire pit.  I’m talking about about the dedicated spectators who partook in enough free beer and Red Bull to party in the cold and stand in for our nonexistent crash fence.

Congrats to Henry Broeren, winner of the Junkyard Jib Jam and a Ski Barn sponsorship.  We’re looking forward to seeing what else you’ve got up your sleeve this season.

Photos are on the way.  In the meantime, get out there, enjoy the swag (if you caught some), and pat your self on the back for making it snow.  We’ll be doing it again next year, and probably going even bigger.

I told you we’d take care of it.

Four broken shovels, two flat trailer tires, and seven trailer loads later, Ski Barn is set to have more snow than Durango Mountain Resort.  We’re ready.  Are you?

Ski Barn prepares for Ullr Fest. Thanks go out to the Department of Parks and Recreation for lending us the Chapman s-box!

Attention Jibbers, Beer Drinkers, and Bonfire Revelers:

We’re throwing down on Ski Barn’s first annual ULLR Fest.  Think backyard jib contest, ski movie screenings, a bonfire, free food, free beer, and free gear.  Don’t worry if you haven’t seen any snow yet–we’re taking care of that.  Check out the poster below for details.

Ullr Fest!