Although the word “flask” conjures up images of thin, sneaky metal containers filled with cheap hooch that can be concealed in an overcoat pocket for smuggling into movie theaters and rock concerts, Hydro Flask is actually a water bottle. But this is no typical bottle. The Hydro Flask is a double-wall, vacuum insulated piece of gear...
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The best weapon in the fight against cold winter weather is a good down jacket. Long gone are the days of the over-puffed monsters of the past. The new rage in outdoor apparel is the micro puff down coat. Light, compressible and oh so warm, these coats have become the new “must have” item...
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You’ve planned your weekend backcountry getaway, now the only question is the weather. Most adventurers could qualify as junior meteorologists; constantly pouring over weather reports and charts to ensure their well crafted trip won’t be spoiled by Mother Nature’s harsher elements. Study all you want, the weather research done at home often means little...
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The Black Diamond Drift is the fattest ski in their Efficient Series of backcountry specific boards. At 100mm underfoot and only weighing 7 lbs 10 oz, this ski is specifically meant to be a backcountry powder magnet. I’ve skied on the Drift for the past month now, and after several days in the backcountry,...
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Kombi always reminds me of an old ad that appeared in ski magazines during my high school years in the 90′s. The image was from the viewpoint of someone riding a chairlift looking down at a lone glove laying in the snow far below. The caption read, “there’s a broken heart behind every lost...
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Another new ski to be added to Black Diamond’s 2011/2012 roster is the Warrant. The nice lady inside Black Diamond’s All Mountain Demo tent at Solitude told me there are many changes to the lineup, with some skis (like the Havoc) going away, and others being replaced with new models. The Warrant replaces the...
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Volkl is expanding their lineup of backcountry skis for the 2011/2012 season, with entirely new models and updates on the old. One of those new models, the Volkl Inuk, found its way into my arms at the 2011 Outdoor Retailer All Mountain Demo at Solitude, and we got to know each other a bit...
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K2 had a plethora of skis at the Outdoor Retailer 2011 Winter Market All Mountain Demo at Solitude. Some were old favorites with new designs and topsheets, like the Pontoon and Coomback. Others were brand new models that won’t be released until Fall 2011, and the K2 SideShow skis are among the newborns we...
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Roarrrrrr! I swear I heard the Black Diamond Amperage skis growl as I drove them through cut-up powder at Solitude Mountain Resort. So maybe the skis didn’t actually personify themselves in my ear hole, but they sure felt like they were getting all “amped” up as I crushed through snow pillows and plowed over...
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The new Salomon BBR ski has gotten a lot of hype lately, thanks to its promise to be the ski that can do everything. From groomers to hardpack, powder and ice, the BBR’s V-shaped design should handle it all, while making skiers look good in the process. The ski is currently on a multi-state...
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