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:

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!

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!