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: 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!