December 22, 2011
Skiing on the cutting edge
by Matt Boxler/
Salomon's BBR 8.9 skis offer a shape inspired by surfboards.
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We who embrace winter sports love new technology as much we love the latest trends and styles.
Fortunately for us, designers in the ski and snowboard industry have a wonderful knack for combining the two, providing a constant stream of new products that not only make us look and feel good but also function even better.
Imperial downsizing
In this era when ski resorts are paying considerable attention to reducing their carbon footprints, why not join the movement and consider reducing your own, actual, footprint?
Don’t worry, this will not require ancient binding practices or even amputation. It’s as easy as sliding your foot into the Burton Imperial and the benefits are immediate.
Burton’s shrinkage technology removes one full size from your typical boot length by custom-molding the liner and shell together at the factory, thereby eliminating all gaps. Thinner materials in the boot’s toe and heel add up to a subtraction in overall volume, hence, a smaller boot.
At the very least, a smaller boot will provide your foot, and your attached body, a closer union with your board. It also will help with your après-ski maneuverability. At the most, your smaller boot will open up a whole new line of narrower-waist boards to give you one giant leap forward in performance without having to worry about the dreaded toe drag.
The Imperial may be a smaller boot than you’re used to, but the fit is the same. And it still contains everything else you’d want to take riding with you — a Vibram outsole meshed with an EST midsole, the consistent flex and bulletproof durability of S4 shell paneling, and SpeedZone lacing to dial in ultimate control.
Surf’s up at Salomon
For many surfing and skiing bums out there who work late hours tending bar or waiting tables in order to fund their daytime habits, it’s all about the tips. If you can keep the tips up — both day and night — things are looking good.
Keeping those tips up on a deep powder day has never been easier or more fun than it is on a radical new ski shape design from Salomon — the team that brought you the Pocket Rocket and X-Scream. Salomon’s new BBR 8.9 ski, a shape inspired by surfboards, boasts a massive 147 mm V-shaped shovel the designers say simply cannot sink, no matter how deep the snow.
Combined with an 89 mm waist and 110 mm tail, far narrower than any backside powder ski on the market, the BBR 8.9 provides a surfing-like feel in the snow. The tight-radius turning capability made possible by its narrow waist and tail gives you the edge control needed while traversing the whole mountain in search of its deepest stashes.
Other features of the BBR 8.9 include its oversized Pulse Pad Dampening System for maximum shock absorption, Total Edge Reinforcement for increased durability against rocks and Vertical Sidewalls for added carving ability.
Lightning quick
Constantly changing light is one of the most challenging conditions Mother Nature throws at us out there on the mountain. What looks like a clearly defined tree stump in the morning might resemble a silver-toned pillow in the afternoon, which is why selecting the right goggle is so important. The only problem is that packing five different goggles to suit five different lighting conditions simply isn’t practical.
With SwitchLock technology, Oakley’s Airbrake turns one goggle into multiple goggles by introducing the fastest and easiest way to change lenses on the go. An integrated lever releases the currently mounted lens so an alternate can be installed instantly. And the system doesn’t require a Ph.D. in patience. Once the new lens is mounted securely in place, there are no stresses to distort the frame’s shape and thereby affect vision.
The Airbrake comes packaged with two lenses, but Oakley offers additional replacement lenses to suit every conceivable lighting condition. Whether you need a high-contrast lens for flat light or an HDPolarized for high-altitude glare, the Oakley lineup offers the best combination of filtering, color balance and visual contrast.
Darn good idea
When you live in New England and ski in New England, you know how to order the latest generation of seamless Italian knitting machines in order to make the perfect socks for New England conditions.
That’s what the folks at Darn Tough Socks have done in their Northfield, Vt., hosiery mill. The result is a new sock this season — the Ultra-Light ski sock that uses True-Seamless knitting technology.
The new knitting machines allow Darn Tough to knit ski socks with a virtually undetectable toe seam, eliminating seams that cause hot spots and blisters. They use the highest-density knitting in the industry to make Merino wool socks with unsurpassed moisture wicking, comfort, fit and durability — all without added bulk. Just like every other Darn Tough sock, the Ultra-Light comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee.
Heat on demand
By introducing Omni-Heat technology in many of its products this season, Columbia is giving consumers on-demand, electric-powered thermal technology built right into their jackets, footwear and accessories.
The Omni-Heat system (which combines Thermal Electric, Thermal Reflective and Thermal Insulation technologies) allows skiers and snowboarders to get warm at the push of a button by activating a patent-pending, battery-powered array of heating elements located strategically throughout select Columbia styles — such as the Men’s Circuit Breaker Softshell Jacket.
Multiple heat levels and engineered breathability mean you’ll never get too hot. The Circuit Breaker Softshell Jacket provides 30 percent greater heat retention per gram than the leading competitor but still is able to maintain a lightweight, sleek and streamlined construction.
Head of the class
Skiers interested in dialing in fit and function to generate a quantum leap in on-the-snow performance will benefit from two new technologies that are featured in HEAD products this season.
The first is KERS Technology, included in skis such as the iSupershape Titan, which smartly gathers energy and releases it when you and your skis need it most. The system works like a turbo charger that provides additional power and acceleration by stiffening the tail of the ski at the end of each turn, catapulting you into the next one. The technology does not influence the torsional rigidity of the ski, only the longitudinal flex.
The second is Adaptive Fit Technology to help consumers tweak their HEAD ski boots into the best combination of fit and performance possible.
This technology allows you to change the width (last) of HEAD boots from 104 mm to 102 mm, and vice versa, with the turn of a screw. Narrow lasts increase the precision of power transmission; wider lasts boost riding comfort.
This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue of New England Ski Journal.
Matt Boxler can be reached at feedback@skijournal.com
