winter - Explore Big Sky

nordic
snowboard
Photo Courtesy of freeheel and wheel
classic: atomic skintec Classic ski
Old timers may remember an era when nordic skis utilized mohair strips in the
kick pocket for easy uphill travel. with the Skintec Classic, Atomic has brought
back this technology in the form of magnetic inserts. Attaching to the base, the
inserts allow for an extremely short climbing zone, which in turn allows the ski
to glide like the wind. Two different sizes allow customization of your grip for
the conditions.
These skis are ideal for performance classic skiing, with stable and secure grip.
Each of the four lengths is offered in a medium or hard flex to allow a superb fit
based on skier weight and ability. Available in 184, 191, 198 and 205 cm.
– Melissa Alder, Freeheel and Wheel
atomic.com $489
Park: never summer evo
The Never Summer Evo is an awesome park/jib board. unlike most
reverse camber snowboards, the Evo is super stable at high speeds,
because it’s a hybrid cambered snowboard, meaning it’s reverse camber
between the bindings, and cambered from the binding out. This gives
you four points of contact instead of two, like most other boards. The
Evo has a buttery, soft ride, which helps with pressing on park features
or schmearing down the mountain. because Never Summer boards are
a little thicker than most other companies’, they can take some abuse,
whether rock dodging on the tram or bonking features in the park. Available
at Gallatin Alpine Sports in big Sky. – Brent Mach, Moonlight
Basin Terrain Park Manager
neversummer.com $499
e-Mo showing the method to his madness Photo by erik Morrison
explorebigsky.com
skate or classic:
rossignol x-iuM wCs
If you want a light, fast, high-performance
setup, check out the Rossignol X-IuM wCS
(world Cup Series) skis and boots. These skis
have already racked up multiple podiums on
the world Cup Circuit and have new features
for 2012-2013.
The skate boots, 50 grams lighter than previous
models, have a stiffer sole for better
power conversion to the ski. The classic boots
have a new look and are 30 grams lighter than
before. both have a low volume option and
are Thermo-moldable to find that perfect fit
for any foot shape.
Designed for competitive skiers, the X-IuM
wCS skis feature a Nomex Honeycomb core
and Control Edge AbS sidewalls. On the
skate skis, the tip is lower and shorter for better
maneuverability and swing weight. The
wC1 model has stiffer flex and lower camber
height for high speed on firm snow, and the
wC2 has a higher camber height for universal
snow types.
Having the right ski and flex is crucial to
enjoying nordic skiing. Nordic Ski Source,
a bozeman shop, does a wonderful job of
fitting you with the right gear. Now get out
there and start enjoying winter! – Andrew
Kastning, head nordic coach at University of
Alaska-Anchorage, former MSU assistant
coach
nordicskisource.com. $660
explorebigsky.com
Big Sky Weekly
all Mountain: venture helix
all Mountain twin
with its K.G. Libbrecht crystal snowflake design and poppy neon
colors, this deck might seem suited for big Mountain barbie or
fisher Price: My first Snowboard. but don't be fooled. The Helix is
a predator posing as a house pet.
with an aggressive flex and quadratic sidecut wrapped into a no
nonsense chassis, this twin goes where few of its kind will follow.
Stable at speed, it holds a solid edge and is at home in the steeps.
These features, combined with the subtle rocker and twin shape,
made for a poppy little jib stick that stomps landings and rides big.
It is a little heavier than its peers, but what it loses in weight it
makes up for in durability. I smoked more rocks than Tyrone biggums
last season and still couldn't break this board. In the end, this
pretty little shred machine rode her way into my heart and found a
permanent place in my quiver. – E-Mo
venturesnowboards.com $895
dec. 14 - 27, 2012 55