Ski

The Armada Locator 96 is great for backcountry skiers looking for a lightweight uphill ski that smashes soft snow and slush. Ready for the corn harvest this spring? The Locator 96 is your new best friend. Its soft flex also makes it great for riders who want something lightweight and responsive for everyday use, but don’t find themselves pushing race speeds on the mountain. Pros Lightweight and easy to maneuver on the uphill / In kick turns Responds well in soft snow and spring slush Rides well in and out of bounds Cons Soft flex - not ideal for larger or aggressive / fast riders Light weight can throw you around once the snow re-freezes Size range only goes to 157, still not completely “unisex”

The K2 Dispatch 110 is best suited to advanced skiers spending the majority of their time in soft snow and powder. Although it’ll get you from A to B, the design does not lend itself to firmer snow conditions, so it’s tough to recommend for everyday resort riding. There are simply better, more versatile options out there for that kind of skiing. K2 has positioned the Dispatch 110 as a powerful backcountry ski, and that feels about right. The more time you spend hunting fresh turns in soft snow, the more you’ll get out of it. Pros Powder Performance - ample rocker, minimal sidecut, and plenty of float make this ski a total blast in powder. Titanal Hex Beam Construction - The Titanal layup handles everything in its path. It's light, but it sure doesn't ski like it. Lightweight - At 1750g in a 184cm, this ski is light enough for all but the most demanding backcountry objectives. Cons Lacks Versatility - Not much fun on groomed snow. There are better options if you're after a do-it-all all-mountain ski. Planky Feel - A noticeable lack of energy in firmer conditions. This ski needs soft snow to come alive. Very Directional - This will come down to personal preference, but the style and mount point may not suit those who prefer a more centered stance.

This ski is for everyone. If you are an expert skier, it is an awesome addition to the quiver. For newer skiers that want to explore off piste yet still be able to have a carvy, good time on groomers, this is an amazing option. The ideal person for this ski is someone who spends their time in the park or off the groomed runs. I look at the entire mountain as one giant terrain park and pop and jib my way down the mountain. If that is how you would describe yourself, then this is your ski! Pros Nimble and agile - This ski makes it easier to maneuver and play in off piste terrain even on “groomer days”. Poppy - This ski will launch you if you pop off a feature or spring you into your next jump turn. Light and Stable - Most skis that are light kick you around on firmer snow, but these skis are the perfect balance and provide stellar dampness in a lighter layup. Slush King - This ski is amazing when the snow softens up a bit; the best ski I have tried for spring conditions. Cons Hooky in Powder - This width of the Slap isn’t designed for the deepest days. It is still fine in those conditions, but the tail can lock up a bit on a really deep day. Vibrations - This ski can chatter a bit on extremely firm/icy days.

This ski is sure to have a following of folks that have been drawn to Chris Benchetlers previous ski designs both in shape and art. It will be the perfect ski for someone who has wished the Bent Chetler 120 was a bit better all around without compromising too much in deep snow. For those who haven’t skied on one of Chris’ skis because of concerns that the 120 was too wide, too soft or too rockered this might be your answer. I’m not saying it’s the best ski at any one thing but you’ll be hard pressed to find something as fun, energetic and playful in all conditions and all terrain.

Uncomfortable ski boots got you down? Well, the K2 Anthem 105 MV is the answer to all your problems (at least in the ski boot realm). The boots were a breeze to get on and off, a blessing if you have a higher instep or any sensitivity on top of your foot! The adjustability in both the calf area and the alignment at the ankle made the boot easily customizable and fit a wide range of leg shapes and dimensions. Heat molding these boots was easy and created an even more custom fit than the already cushy out-of-the-box feel. If you are looking for a comfy, high flex, mid-volume boot then this is a perfect choice.

The Season Pass is the perfect ski for someone looking to split their time riding the chairlift at the resort and putting in the skin track in the backcountry. Any and all ability levels will feel confident on this ski - strong beginners will be able to take advantage of the soft, forgiving tail, and the more advanced skiers will appreciate how well the ski holds up at top speeds. Home for this ski is softer snow, whether that’s following a big storm, or mid-afternoon when the bumps have softened up. This thing loves slush, so get ready to win the next pond skim! Despite the wider waist width, this ski feels very comfortable on-piste and slashing through crud. The Pass excelled in Colorado conditions, but I could see it performing best in the PNW plowing through heavier snowpacks.

The Alpha is a high-performance boot that is built for aggressive skiers who want to optimize their performance fit, and demand more from their boots than the average skier. Whether that means you’re laying trenches on groomers, trying to beat some of your buddies down the mountain in a friendly competition, or maybe you want to hit some of those more technical lines you’ve been scoping at the local spot for a couple years, the S/Pro Alpha is the boot that can take you there. With the engineering that was clearly put into this boot, it would be hard to not expect the most out of it, and luckily for all of us skiers, it delivers.

This boot is perfect for someone with a low volume foot that is looking for a one-boot quiver. Everyone is claiming their boot has the best performance downhill while being super lightweight. This boot truly does split the difference. Downhill racers will feel like they don’t quite get enough out of the boot while skiing, while mountaineers will feel like the boot is stiff and bulky on the climb. For your average aggressive skier this boot will give them all the boot they need while skiing the whole mountain in bounds in a lightweight package that is awesome on the way up.