Gear Review: 2012 Salomon Twenty Twelve

Salomon Twenty Twelve

The Twenty Twelve from Salomon really caught me off guard. When they first revealed it, I was a total skeptic. Rockered park ski…what a joke! Well, after skiing it several times over the past couple of years I am beginning to think that I should buy myself a pair.

The Twenty Twelve comes with generous amounts of tip and tail rocker, but also a generous amount of camber underfoot. At 123-91-116 the Twenty Twelve is an all mountain jibbers dream ski. Salomon has branded it with their big mountain freeskis, but I would personally put it in with their park and pipe line-up.

Once you get these sticks on the snow they perform. The generous amount of camber underfoot really lets you lay over your turns and dig trenches on the hard pack. However, you are still gonna have to get used to the floppy tip and tail. It doesn’t affect the way it skis, but definitely takes some getting used to. The rocker in the tip and tail make for effortless buttering off of rollers or onto rails. It also comes in handy when you find yourself hunting out stashes in the trees on the backside of the mountain. At 91mm underfoot this ski is not going to be your best friend on the deep days, but anything less than 6 inches and you are stoked to have the Twenty Twelve out.

The Twenty Twelve is a ski that just about anyone can have fun on. It is easy to handle and won’t punish you for getting lazy on it, but you can also drive it hard and chances are you will not be able to overpower it if you are skiing it in the proper length. The Twenty Twelve is going to best suit the new school skier who spends time in the park, but also likes to venture around and treat the entire mountain as a playground.

Find it here:

http://shop.skibarndurango.com/salomon-twenty-twelve-ski-2012.html

www.skibarndurango.com

Gear Review: 2012 Rossignol Super 7 Ski

Rossignol Super 7

The Rossignol Super 7 is the step up from the Rossignol S7. Think of the Super 7 as the S7 on steroids. The dimensions stay the same, but the Super 7 comes with two layers of titanium where the S7 comes with just a full wood core. It is available in 188cm and 195cm lengths. It’s dimensions are 146-117-127.

A lot of people may ask…How are you able to test and review a ski that has just been made available to the public? Every year right after SIA, we head to Winter Park for On-Snow. It is a demo festival that allows buyer’s to test equipment before they buy it. We ski for 3 days straight from open to close riding and getting a feel for all the products we potentially want to buy. It is hard work, but somebody has to do it.The conditions were not ideal to be testing powder skis, but fortunately the Northern mountains of Colorado were graced with an epic winter last year and there were stashes in the trees that could be found.

Now, how does it ski? It is amazing to put it simply. The combination of rocker and camber allow this ski to go anywhere in any conditions, even if it is 117mm underfoot. Immediately off the lift this ski is confidence inspiring. I was able to roll my ankles and get it on edge and swing through beautiful arcs on the hard pack snow. If you really get it moving you can lay down some serious GS turns. The titanium layers in the ski keep it exceptionally stable and quite a bit stiffer than the original S7. On hard snow, the only thing that caught me off guard was the tips flopping around due to the rocker. It didn’t seem to affect the way that it skied, but it just took some getting used to. When you dive into softer snow the Super 7 excels. The 146mm tip combined with a generous amount of rocker keeps the tips afloat. The narrower profile in the tail also helps keep the tips up by dropping the tails. This shape combined with the rocker also makes this a very nimble ski in tight spots. Hunting out stashes lead us into some tight trees, and I had no problems throwing the ski sideways to dodge a pine tree or two.

If you are looking for a hard charging ski that likes soft snow, big airs and high speeds the Super 7 is should seriously be considered. It will take you all over the mountain in any condition and inspire confidence every time you ride it. It could be considered a one ski quiver (one of our Retail Associates, Eric Hanson, skis it everyday) but is best suited for the deep days and softer snow.

Find it here:

http://shop.skibarndurango.com/ski-gear/skis/rossignol-super-7-ski-2012.html

www.skibarndurango.com

What the shop guys are riding!

Here at the Ski Barn, we take skiing quite seriously. We work hard so that we can play hard. Fortunately, the wonderful companies we represent help us out and get us into gear so that we can thrash it and talk it up to customers. Our decisions on what we buy for ourselves are not influenced by the companies. We do not take bribes so that we sell more of one brand over another. For the most part, they are influenced by what we find works best. We get to take all the gear out and demo equipment all year long so that when the time comes to get our own, we know exactly what works best for us.

Here is a look at what the 2009/2010 Ski Barn crew is rocking and destroying this year.

Kenny “Spicy Meatball” Malara

Title: Retail Manager      Age: 31

Kenny is our know it all product guru! He has been with the Ski Barn for appx.  10 years and knows more about skis and ways to tweak a boot than Stephen Hawking knows about astro-physics.

All Mountain Ski

Volkl Bridge w/ Salomon Z12ti

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

Powder Ski

Volkl Gotama w/ Marker Duke

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

Kevin “Coach” Smith

Title: Online Sales Manager      Age: 25

Kevin is the author of this article and #1 product destroyer. He has been with the Ski Barn for 4 years and has a huge problem with keeping bindings mounted to skis. If he thinks it can be jumped, he will probably try.

All Mountain Ski

Dynastar 6th Sense ‘Distorter’ w/ Look PX 12 Jib

Powder Ski

Dynastar Huge Trouble w/ Look Pivot 18

Yep. Thats Ross Anderson's speed suit!

Eric ‘tha boss’ Bojan

Title: Part time minion (master of all trades)   Age: 22

A mouth like a motorbike and complete lack of respect for anyone he works with. Quality control expert and full time hell giver. Also will try to jump just about anything. Also the only guy that will fit into Ross Anderson’s speed skiing suit!

All Mountain Ski

Salomon ‘Suspect’ w/ Salomon STH16

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

Powder Ski

Volkl ‘Chopstick’ w/ Marker 12.0 Free

http://shop.skibarndurango.com/2010-volkl-chopstick-ski.html

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

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.

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: