Product Reviews

Check out my new line up below:

2017/2018

This season I am riding Rossignol’s Soul 7 and the Spicy 7 skis. The new air tip technology produces a weight conscious ski, the lightweight carbon alloy matrix and paulowina wood core makes for a smooth responsive feel. I ride the Soul’s all mountain and take my Spicy’s into the backcountry for long touring missions.

Dynafit Partners with Look and creates the HM12

A high performance Freeride binding designed to help you perform off piste. This binding gives me the kind of confidence I have on alpine bindings in a lightweight tech set up.

I’ve also trusted the Experience 130 SI boots and the FKS binding to keep me charging hard in freeride competitions for over 5 years. For more information on these and other Rossignol products see www.rossignol.com

The fit, the flexion, and the feel of a 130 flex race boot with tech fittings. Transferable from my alpine bindings Pivot 140s to my backcountry set up HM 12s. What more could a girl ask for?

What more could a girl ask for? Well custom liners of course. I only trust Intuition on those cold winter nights spent shivering in a snow cave. When frostbite is not an option and performance is a must look no further. Custom moldable fit, warmth and ease on & off. There is no contest…

Take a look for yourself here: www.intuitionliners.com

Manufacturers of freeride apparel and ambassadors for the soul of skiing

This year I chose the Foxy Bibs and the all new Puma Jkt. I am excited about the new Puma Jkt because of increased pack-ability and its lightweight, high-tech mountaineering design.

Check out the entire line up here: www.flylowgear.com

I only trust Swany gloves to stay warm and dry all day. My choice this season is the Korvett Under Glove. Its fit and dexterity make it an easy all day wearing glove no matter what activities I am doing. Leather palm gives me great grip on my poles considering us backcountry users don’t wear pole straps and the Polar Tech Neo Shell makes sure I don’t overheat on the way up.

Check out the entire line up here: http://www.swanyamerica.com/

2016/17

Powder Turn Rocker and Air Tip technology combine to reduce tip flap, weight and increase flotation and control. When your only 5’6 and riding a 188 you need all the power you can get wrapped in a light weight versatile ski. The S Series has me slaying backcountry lines and aggressively shredding freeride competitions all in one package.

On top of all the wonders of the original 7 Series they have added a Carbon Alloy matrix this season, new lengths, new names, and a new graphic. They are a bit lighter and a bit stiffer, exactly what you need! Trust me.

The future of freeride is here.

Dynafit Partners with Look and creates the HM12

A high performance Freeride binding designed to help you perform off piste. This binding gives me the kind of confidence I have on alpine bindings in a lightweight tech set up.

I’ve also trusted the Experience 130 SI boots and the FKS binding to keep me charging hard in freeride competitions for over 5 years. For more information on these and other Rossignol products see www.rossignol.coml

Manufacturers of freeride apparel and ambassadors for the soul of skiing

This year I chose two pieces new to the Flylow family. The Higgins coat and the Donna pant. A 3-layer hard shell design marks the performance of a line up with a stylish freeride fit. These pants are amazing for touring, the ventilation on the inside and outside of the leg makes it so I never get too hot.

To see more from the Flylow family check them out here:

www.flylowgear.com

Swany Gloves has got this all in one mitten I am in love with!

It’s called the Legend II Touch Screen

I can use my phone on the chairlift in the worst storm conditions and I don’t even have to take off my mittens, I just unzip and voila; touch screen compatible glove liners.

I’m also wearing:

The Hudsen Collective

Check out the entire collection at www.hudsencollective.com

Power Wrap is the stiffest liner in the Intuition collection. High-density foam construction and additional reinforcement around the cuff and ankles providing maximum stiffness and heel hold.

These liners make all difference, they stiffen my boots increasing performance and they keep me warm on the coldest of days.

For more info on Intuition liners check them out at

www.intuitionliners.com

2015

Powder Turn Rocker and Air Tip technology combine to reduce tip flap, weight and increase flotation and control. When your only 5’6 and riding a 188 you need all the power you can get wrapped in a light weight versatile ski. The S Series has me slaying backcountry lines and aggressively shredding freeride competitions all in one package.

The future of freeride is here.

Introducing the Alti 12 by LOOK

A high performance ultra-lightweight tech binding designed to meet even the most discerning of tastes. This binding gets me to the summit on those long hauls, and never lets me down on the descent.

I’ve also trusted the Experience 130 SI boots and the FKS binding to keep me charging hard in freeride competitions for over 5 years. For more information on these and other Rossignol products see www.rossignol.coml

Manufacturers of freeride apparel and ambassadors for the soul of skiing

This year I chose two pieces new to the Flylow family. The Billie coat and the Nina pant. A 3-layer hard shell design marks the performance of a line up with a stylish freeride fit.

To see more from the Flylow family check them out here:

www.flylowgear.com

Swany Gloves introduces the Hudsen Collective for 2015

My choice for the stylish collection is the Calvin. It’s the best fitting genuine leather lobster mitten on the market and I am sure you will agree the entire collection is groundbreaking.

I’m also wearing:

The Wallace

Check out the entire collection at www.hudsencollective.com

Power Wrap is the stiffest liner in the Intuition collection. High-density foam construction and additional reinforcement around the cuff and ankles providing maximum stiffness and heel hold.

These liners make all difference, they stiffen my boots increasing performance and they keep me warm on the coldest of days.

For more info on Intuition liners check them out at

www.intuitionliners.com

2014 Manufacturers of freeride apparel and ambassadors for the soul of skiing

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Vixen Jacket

This was my go to jacket this season. It handled every kind of weather phenomena the coast could throw at it. I love the comfort and fit, long sleves, big storm hoody, and plenty of mobility. Up or down this jacket performed to my high expectations day after day in the Whistler Backcountry.
– 3-layer stretch stormshell Intuitive™ fabric (90% nylon, 10% Lycra)
– Brushed tricot
– 20k/20k waterproof breathable membrane
– High performance DWR (Durable Water Repellent)
– Fully seam taped
– 6 pockets
– Helmet-compatible hood
– Powder guard snaps
– No Bulk Cuffs
– YKK waterproof zippers
– Average weight: 630 grams

Baker Bib Pant

The Baker bib is the one man show! It kept me dry, had great ventilation, and proved that bibs are just better. The comfort and maneuverability powdered my confidence all day. I fit my radio in the bib pocket while guiding, and my thermometers and compass were at my fingertips during long traverses. This bib will take you to the summit and back down again with style. Stoked on this product!

– 3-layer nylon Dobby Intuitive™ fabric
– 20k/20k waterproof breathable membrane
– 1000 denier Cordura reinforcements
– Avalanche beacon attachment system on chest pouch
– Fully seam taped
– Articulated knee box
– High Performance DWR (Durable Water Repellent)
– 6 pockets
– Average Weight 948grams

Star 7

Light, playful and hard charging this ski does it all. From straight-lining to stomping the NEW Star 7 has it dialed. Thanks to the Air tip technology, a honey comb design that reduces swing weight these beauties are light and manoeuvrable. The 7 Series is Backcountry Magazines editors choice for the 2014 season and will be yours too. Versatile and stable you’ll be slaying powder like never before.

Specs

Savory 7

My ski of choice this season for everything from multi-day touring trips, to the front lines of freeride competitions. This ski blows through crud and floats over powder. It’s light enough to climb all day. Hard charging and playful like its big sister the Star 7 with a slightly smaller profile for when you’re not bringing out the big guns. Every woman should have this ski!

Specs

All Track Pro 110 W

Ask and you shall receive, walk mode and interchangeable rockered soles. The All Track is ready for whatever you can throw at it. With a 110 flex its stiff enough for riding big lines and the walk mode makes those lines easy to access. Pair this boot with the Savory 7 for a side country set up worth bragging about at après.

The Sickle

Rossignol combines full rocker and extended sidecut to produce a playful masterpiece. The ski handles all types of conditions with style and is truly an all mountain slayer. I love slashing pow turns on this ski, the maneuverability is what makes it so playful. Fear not it holds steady straight lining, and is versatile enough to take to the park in the pm. This ski is for those looking to bring feats of free style to the backcountry.

The Rossignol 2013 S7

The S7 W employs the same game-changing technology as the award-winning men’s version for the lady pounderhound. Hard charging experts and once struggling intermediate skiers agree the S7 W is amazing in it’s ability to make powder skiing easier, more fun and less fatiguing for women. The S7 W’s Powder Turn rocker combines low camber underfoot with high tip and tail rocker. Powder Turn rocker provides amazing floatation, tracking and an efficient angle of attack that gives skiers effortless steering and instant speed control. The S7 W delivers more maneuverability, easier steering and more forgiveness than any other powder ski on the market. Rossignol has created the perfect powder tool for ladies who have a fetish for skiing the deep and don’t mind leaving their boyfriends behind.

The Experience Sensor Inside 130

The Experience Sensor Inside 130 is a race inspired 97mm last with 130 flex index for aggressive expert skiers, whether freeriding or carving the frontside. Sensor Inside technology allows the 3 key receptor points to be in direct contact with the sole of the shell for maximum control and precision. The boot board is rubber for shock absorption while the grippy rubber soles are used for extra traction on those rocky approaches. Hard charging all-mountain skiers will appreciate the maximum versatility and power that the Experience 130 has to offer.

FKS 180 XXL

The most trustworthy binding in alpine skiing, the FKS, is back. The FKS 180 XXL features bombproof construction and delivers better retention and prevention of pre-release than any binding on the market. FKS bindings stand alone to feature 7-points of boot contact giving superior control, response and snow feel. Skiers have less concern with pre-release due to the longest elastic travel on the market. The heelpiece rotates with the boot directly under the tibia to give more consistent, reliable and manageable release. The all-metal reinforced Pivot toepiece has 180 multi-directional release with high vertical and lateral elastic travel to provide shock absorption, further reducing inadvertent release. With the shortest mounting zone available, the FKS allows deeper, rounder, more consistent ski flexing, turning, floating and smeering. The FKS 180 XXL features a 115mm brake and provides the most reliable, durable and performance-oriented binding construction available for aggressive freeskiers.

SnowPulse Life Bag 30L

I took a trip to Revelstoke British Columbia on November 04 2009. With me I took a 30L Snowpulse Life Bag. We spent most of our time on Boulder Mountain. Day 1 I sledded up the trail with the pack and day2  I ski toured with it for over 10 km.

Design

Shoulder straps on the pack are padded and thick resulting in overall comfort while wearing the pack. The features of the pack include:

Features

• Snowpulse Switch System compatible
• 1 large horseshoe shaped compartment
• Probe and shovel handle sleeves
• Back ventilation
• Sunglass pocket
• Snowboard and ski carrying system
• Ice axe holder
• Reinforced stitching

With only the canister inside the pack weighs approximately 2.9kg in short and 2.95kg in long.  I found the pack easy to assemble with all my avi gear (enough for a day trip) and no problems accessing the gear when needed. The pull cord is conveniently zipped up in the left shoulder strap to prevent accidental expulsion, which came in handy while sledding up the access trail. The belt buckle is a metal two part clasp that is difficult to release or break on its own, in order to keep the bag on in avalanche scenarios. I also found the rigidity of the back support to be a little stiff and didn’t allow the pack to move with my body while touring, but did not have this issue on the snowmobile.

Weight

Once I got all my day trip gear into the pack it was substantially heavier than my other packs and made me appreciate the benefits of a light weight set up. However the benefits seem to out weight the consequences in this matter, so I chose to carry on. I would however hesitate to bring that much extra weight on a multiday trip where speed and agility were of the essence.

Efficiency

To deploy the pack you simply pull on the rip cord. There have been multiple reports on the bags not deploying upon demand however I did not experience having to deploy the pack (knock on wood) I have been assured that when packed appropriately there have been no issues. There is a tiny cover opening in the zipper at the top of the bag that allows the zipper to be ripped open when the bag is deployed. It only takes a couple of seconds for the bag to fully deploy and wrap around your head and neck. The heavy canvas weight material is resistant to blows from rocks and trees and does a better job of protecting it user than its competitors ABS packs. The canister must be filled with 3000psi of compressed air to deploy and can be filled at your local dive shop.

ABS pack comparison

The ABS packs are filled with compressed nitrogen as opposed to compressed air. Also, the air bag deploys like wings behind you in the ABS packs and fails to create the air pocket around the face that the Snowpulse provides. At a slightly heavier weight the ABS pack is defiantly less appealing considering that was my biggest complaint about touring with the Snowpulse.

This year’s changes

For 2010 Snowpulse has designed a system where you can zip any size pack you choose from their collection to the canister and shoulder harness, thus allowing you to have multiple size packs without having to buy a separate bag for all you single to multi day needs.

Overall Impression

Overall the pulse bag is one of my top picks for 2010 avalanche safety and has a proven track record in saving lives by increasing your surface area during an avalanche and allowing you to float to the top. Shallower burials equal a higher chance of living and that’s a cause worth investing in.

Product:  B-Squad Pro 130 Carbon

At a 130 flex index and a 98mm last this boot is a racers dream, but it’s not for racers. Thank you Rossignol. This boot is catering to your pro level freerider. Its design is impeccable. Vibram soles to keep you sticking to the rock while you climb up, and carbon integrated into the upper cuff keeps you stiff and solid on your ride down, and get this it works with both alpine and AT bindings. For those hard landings the B-Squad Pro 130 Carbon has a soft boot board and Rossignol’s extra thick power strap helps keep the boot tight to your shins eliminating shin bang. The custom fit liner moulds right to your foot, while the sensor technology will keep you comfortable and hard charging all day. Too stiff for ya? They make a softer version in a 110 flex (100mm last) , or simply remove the top rivet from the spine of the boot to give you a little more flexion. Full canting on both sides and metal micro adjustable buckles. Really what more could you want?

S5 Jago

• Sizes : 171, 178, 185
• Sidecut : 128/98/121
• Radius : 21.3 (185)
• Structure : Sandwich
• Absorption : JAS
• Core : Wood / WRS
• Ski Feat : Rebound Tip Twin

Looking for a ski to match your well rounded expertise. Look no further park rats and powder hounds alike will covet this ski. With a poplar/fume and PU core this ski is a solid version of its past counterparts. Nothing can stop you with the S5 Jago as your all mountain tool. Its plows through crud, and with 30 degree side walls the S5 is quick on edge and sticks to hard pack. Boosting and spinning is a piece of cake with Rossignol’s WRS (weight reduction system) making the tip and tail lighter to reduce swing weight. The S5 gives is driver the power to go anywhere and do anything with confidence. Check it out at www.rossignol.com

S110W

•  SIZE 178CM
• DIMENSIONS 140/110/118
• STRUCTURE SANDWICH
• CORE WOOD
• REINFORCED KEVLAR CARBON

Rossignol Pro RC 112