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Gear Review

Our thoughts on gear, what works well from people who really use mountain sports gear

Ski Rando Race Gear

Feb 26th, 2010
by dolomitesport.
15 comments

Ski Rando Racing : What gear is needed?

While packing for a weekend of Ski Rando Racing (Ski Mountaineering Racing) in the Italian Dolomites, I though to snap a quick photo to present exactly what it is that goes and is typically required.

I have two races to choose from tomorrow and am prepared for each. One is a frantic, technical race (Tour de Sas) that is a result of the dangerous avalanche conditions right now – the original course had to be cancelled due to extreme risk. The other race is above Cortina d’Ampezzo and is a 750 meter uphill night race – which suits me perfectly and is my likely choice. I’ll probably shoot the Tour de Sas in the morning and then race at night, an endurance event all its own.

So here it is, the goods for Euro Ski Rando Racing – you’ll note everything is ultralight (and it gets much lighter) and minimalistic, only in severely cold weather are more clothes put on for descents. The idea is to keep moving, although there are minimal gear requirements for safety.

Skis : Ski Trab Race Aero World Cup

Poles : Ski Trab

Boots : Dynafit DyNAs

Helmet : Dynafit Rando Race Helmet

Goggles : Rudy Project

One piece suit – oh ya – Team Badia Sport

Skins : 2 pair (sometimes required) Contours 50mm

Probe : Carbon ultralight probe (required)

Waterbottle

Backpack : Dynafit Race Pack with ski carrying system

Heart Rate Monitor : Garmin Forerunner 405

Emergency Blanket (required)

Avalanche Beacon (required)

Ultralight Shovel (required)

Socks : Smartwool

Gloves : one pair light, one pair insulated

–missing items, shells for both top and bottom

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Dynafit Eruption and Aurora Down Jacket Review

Feb 18th, 2010
by dolomitesport.
2 comments

Isn’t it mandatory these days for Product Reviews to reveal whether or not the reviewer was given products for free? If so, I hereby admit that yes, Dynafit recently sent me a huge box of goods – for a photo shoot. But “free” gear does not always make for “good” gear, so when something is good I like to let it be known.

Look like a fashion champ in Dynafit's new clothing

Announcing : the Dynafit Eruption Down jacket for men, and the Women’s version, the Aurora Down jacket, both – perfect. Two thumbs up, 5 star, you get the idea.

Why? And what are they? Super light puffy down jackets that compress down to nearly nothing for in your pack. Pull them out, shake them a time or two and voila, a form fitting, sport cut, ultralight, super warm puffy. During this time shooting skiing in the Italian Dolomites, we have been living in them, both in the mountains and in town. I have been keeping it on to stay warm shooting, then skiing with it and loving the comfy, cozy warmth.

The material is a light nylon that I have deemed bomber after my camera’s flash mount snagged on it and was forcefully torn across the surface of the jacket making a terrible sound of shredding material. My fears were for nothing as the jacket had not even a mark.

So why are we impressed by a jacket that nearly every outdoor clothing company offers? Because unlike so many others, this one fits snug, yet flexes as you move, zero constriction, no extra material, just a form fitting cocoon of warmth made from quality materials. Of course it is down, so don’t get it wet, and don’t leave it stuffed in a stuffsack all summer.

Visit the Dynafit site for all the info on these jackets and their growing line of performance clothing

Tea Time in the Dolomites

The men's and women's Dynafit down jackets

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Ski Randonee and Ski Running Explained

Feb 10th, 2010
by dolomitesport.
12 comments

Ski Mountaineering Introduction

Ski Running terrain, the stuff you used to dread

Let’s just start by saying that I recognize that this is not a post for every kind of skier. For whatever reason, the subject of going backcountry skiing for more than just ripping turns or dropping into steep couloirs is more than some can handle. I know thanks to a few pieces of hate mail I recently received for suggesting (here) that there may be something other than fat skis and big attitude as reason to go skiing in the mountains. That “something” was light backcountry ski gear and the idea of backcountry skiing as an endurance sport. I also received more than a few comments and emails praising the post and asking for more details. It is for these people that I once again write about this idea of Ski Rando Racing, Ski Running, or Ski Mountaineering – whatever it is called in the US. It is so young that it has yet to really have a name stick. So here are my thoughts about this sport that I am sure would be phenomenally popular if given a chance.

Maybe Ski Running is a good term as in some ways it is a fit. If you are a trail runner, road biker, mountain biker, nordic skier, or hiker …and also a backcountry skier – Ski Running combines all of these into a winter sport that can be done alone on all that lower angle terrain you have been ignoring while headed to the steeper stuff. No, it is not about the turns, it is about the experience of going to the mountains, moving quickly, efficiently and becoming fantastically fit from it all. Think nordic skiing light but backcountry capable, and think perfect singletrack where you decide to lay it down.

For me, the opportunities opened up when I saw the gear. Having previously lived in the Mammoth Lakes area of California, backcountry skiing meant telemarking. I ignored that and promptly locked my heels down many years back when AT gear became more efficient. Nevertheless, the setups were still a bit clunky and heavy. Dynafit certainly helped lighten the load but the typical US gear selection was still about skiing down, not necessarily up, even though 90% of the backcountry skiers life is spent going…. up.

The Euro racing scene

As I started spending more time in Europe, specifically the Italian Dolomites, I discovered an entirely new gear selection. Superlight everything, taken to an even higher level thanks to the phenomenally popular European race culture. Suddenly there is backcountry gear not much heavier than a nordic set up that also allows one to ski well… down.

After three back to back ski trade shows in recent weeks it is becoming clear – this gear is beginning to make its way to the US and just might possibly be on shelves for the winter of 2011. Dynafit seems to be riding this wave most effectively with their new Dy.N.A. Race and TLT5 ultralight all purpose boot. Scarpa’s F1 has long been the standard, and continues to be king, but keep an eye as well on both Garmont and Scarpa’s new offerings.

Because I know the range so well, and especially the potential for big spring tours, I cannot imagine a much better place for ultralight ski touring gear than California’s Sierra Nevada – so maybe this post is for you guys. In Colorado, Utah and Wyoming it has already caught on, yet in the Sierra, where it is a perfect match, not quite yet.

A ski running day rather than a skiing day. But yes, the big bowl back there, already skied it.

Ski Rando Case Study

A beautiful, still winter day in the Dolomites. Time to get out for some exercise and I would live to ski, but with whom? It’s a Tuesday morning and I made no plans with friends. I grab my light ski gear and head out the door. Destination: frontcountry, lower angled, rolling terrain, ridgelines; in other words, safe.

3 hours later I have a 26km ski behind me with an average heart rate of 165. I still managed to gain 1200 meters and even made some nice powder turns in the trees. Sounds like a fun workout, much like going for a summer run or ride, but all while being in the mountains in the depths of winter.

Tiny heel post

My Ski Rando Gear

Skis: Ski Trab Duo Sintesi Aero – an all around superlight ski for both training and moderate tours, yet light enough to race on. There are lots of skis to choose from…

Bindings: Dynafit toe piece, Schia heel post. Be warned, many race heel bindings are not releasable. Dynafit does make a very light, releasable heel with the Speed Binding

Poles: Ski Trab with tall grip for multiple hand positions, length = floor to nearly shoulder height

Skins: Ski Trab narrow skins, they only go 2/3 of the ski length, You want some base showing to allow for skating and gliding

Boots: Scarpa F1′s

My thought about all of this is the simple fact that you can go out for a very real backcountry ski using extremely comfortable, light gear. Skinning will suddenly feel like trail running, but get to the top, rip your skins and enjoy the benefits of being on skis. It doesn’t matter if you intend to ever race, it’s really about getting out more often, experiencing the backcountry in a new way and implementing a different type of exercise for fitness – one that will have you all the more appreciative when you really go backcountry skiing.

Yep, it's a workout. Guess I can't hide the two stops at huts

The tallest sandwich on record post ski running workout yesterday

______________________________

US Ski Mountaineering Team Member Nina Silitch as Guest Contributor

In the coming days, Top US Team Member Nina Silitch will be writing up a post of her own with details about being at the top of the game while living in Europe as a Ski Randonee Racer (or is it Ski Running? Ski Mountaineering? What did we decide?)

Finally, Nina will include her thoughts on the US scene and how it is evolving. More about Nina at:  FasterSkier.com

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Further Ski Mountaineering Links

The US Ski Mountaineering Association

Boulder Performance Ski Rando Racing

Skin Transition Video

Local Dolomites Race – Tour de Sas Video

2006 World Championship Video

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Understanding Backcountry Ski Touring Gear

Jan 19th, 2010
by dolomitesport.
2 comments

Backcountry Ski Options by Howie Schwartz

As a professional ski and mountain guide, I use and recommend Dynafit touring bindings. I also sometimes use and recommend Fritschi Diamir’s. I use and recommend Marker Barons with regular alpine boots. And yes, I even still use telemark gear on occasion.

Do I contradict myself by supporting such a broad spectrum of backcountry touring gear? No, I don’t think so. There used to be two types of skiing: resort skiing and backcountry skiing. Now, there are many ways to ski the mountains of the world: ski touring, ski mountaineering, ski running, XCD, ski camping, off-piste skiing, sidecountry, slackcountry, lift-accessed backcountry skiing, cat-skiing, heli-skiing, heli-hut skiing, sled ghost riding, speed flying, ski BASE jumping etc. Gear is becoming more specialized, designed to address a broader spectrum of backcountry ski activities. I like skiing. I like many types of skiing and I own a quiver of gear for all of them.

Internationally, one thing is agreed upon by most all backcountry skiers: heavier and fatter generally translates to: more efficient descent and less efficient ascent. Greater efficiency leads to increased levels of enjoyment. People want equipment that will maximize pleasure.

Classic ski touring in the Italian Dolomites

You better know how to make those skis turn in terrain like this

I think where the problem starts is American manufacturers selling the wrong equipment to the consumer. They create a few mid-range products that supposedly rule at everything – “a quiver of one.” These products can be OK, but they usually do nothing very well. One prominent company’s slogan for their backcountry equipment is, “It’s all about the down.” If it were really all about the down their skis and boots would be heavier and perform like regular alpine gear. Are they really trying to convince the backcountry touring customer that it is all about the down when they are spending 70-80% of their time going up? It is no surprise that these products do not sell so well in the educated European market.

I see the difference between mainstream European and American approaches as more geographical than cultural. There are many places in the Alps where light and fast touring is key for linking amazing itineraries in very rugged terrain. The Alps have the comfort and safety of civilization around every mountain corner. Popular backcountry ski venues in the US such as the Wasatch in Utah, Teton Pass in Wyoming, and the Front Range in Colorado are relatively tame. The average tour in these locations is shorter and more straight up and down, car to car. The snowpack in these venues tends to be consistently soft, light, and deep – great for fat skis.

When it really is all about the down, have fun with your ski choice

The combination of these geographic characteristics guides the gear choices people make. It is not based so much on cultural difference. Go to places in the Alps like Verbier, Switzerland or La Grave, France in winter and you will see people in the backcountry with gear biased toward downhill performance. It only makes  sense. You will see a similar bias in North American heli-skiing, and modern sidecountry skiing accessed from a growing number of ski resorts worldwide.

The Eastern Sierra is a confusing place for modern backcountry skiers. Here, the most exciting skiing is in wilderness. This means hauling your ass up the hill. The hills here are not trivial either and 7000 foot descents from alpine summit to desert sage are a world-class main attraction. If you are lugging big heavy gear up these mountainsides you are wasting tons of energy. Nowadays, lightweight AT gear is so high performance that the High Sierra is more stompable than ever.

I have seen many aspiring backcountry skiers confounded by the dearth of backcountry gear choices available. When buying, first ask yourself where and when you want to go. This will help you understand the best set-up for your situation. If you are like me, you worship backcountry skiing. You don’t want to be confined to one type of it. It is all so good, especially when you are using the right equipment for the tour.

_____________________________________________________

Howie Schwartz is a professional UIAGM/IFMGA Ski and Mountain Guide. Based in California’s Eastern Sierra Nevada, Howie is co-owner of Sierra Mountain Guides; a Guiding service specialized in climbing, skiing, trekking, and even trail running throughout the world. Howie also teaches AIARE Avalanche courses throughout the west and is quite possibly one of the most annoying people to ski with thanks to his ability to make all snow look like powder by skiing everything perfectly. He is also a brilliant bluegrass musician. –DolomiteSport is lucky to have Howie’s thoughts about understanding ski gear choices

_____________________________________________________

Visit Sierra Mountain Guides

North American and International Ski Guiding including: The Haute Route, The Ortler Circuit, June Mountain Backcountry, Palisades Crest Tour, Bishop Skyline Tour, Ritter Range High Tour, and many more world class ski tours, as well as Climbing, Trekking, and Mountain Running.

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Choosing Backcountry Ski Gear

Jan 18th, 2010
by dolomitesport.
20 comments

Ski touring big mountain terrain can mean big time getting there

In the last couple of years I have seen backcountry ski gear trends go in opposite directions in the US compared to Europe. Living in Europe, and skiing primarily big mountain terrain or long tours, I have embraced the idea of using lighter gear and shorter skis. In returning to the US for a time this winter, I have noticed a completely different idea about backcountry gear. In California’s Eastern Sierra Nevada, where the terrain is massive, I see people skiing gear better suited for shorter, front range tours than huge elevation gain with lots of distance. This got me thinking about sharing a little of what I have learned in Europe.

While America certainly has legendary skiers who have pioneered technology, ideas, and been on top of the game – the overall concept of backcountry skiing is still in its infancy for most Americans who are starting to consider the sport. These newcomers to the backcountry are being directly influenced by an industry that needs to look cutting edge and “hardcore”. As a result there is possible confusion as to what gear is really best for every type of skier, and for those learning, the gear may make or break the experience.

In the US, people are going fatter and heavier (I’m talking about ski gear in this case, not the people). Yet they still want to skin up peaks and ski down. Meanwhile, the Europeans are trending towards lighter gear, possibly as a result of the massive popularity of ski randonee racing and the superlight gear spinning off from it. This isn’t to say that all the gear is light in Europe, fat skis are as ubiquitous as a morning coffee, but in the right places, and not so much for touring.

When taking it to the mountains, the Euros go in the opposite direction – light, short, and fast. Meanwhile in the US, the notion of “fat is best” seems to prevail even when the day will involve an enormous amount of elevation gain. And to this concept I address this post by suggesting the option of trying some of the new, and lighter, ski gear. Performance may not necessarily suffer as a result, in fact it may actually improve.

European Ski Rando Racing is where the light gear is coming from

More time is spent doing this than the down part. You might as well embrace and enjoy it.

I am just going to throw an idea out there and see what comes back at me.

The vast majority of skiers I see in the US are on gear that is so overkill for their abilities that it is laughable. Witness the weekend warriors… huffing and puffing up skin tracks only to arrive at the top exhausted. They then proceed to ski marginal quality snow with tired legs.

Meanwhile, many longtime backcountry skiers who ski most everyday have actually gone in the direction of using much lighter gear to enjoy the climb, which is what a backcountry skier spends the vast majority of their time doing anyway. They cruise to the tops of things and then, like the guy on heavy gear, also proceed to ski the same marginal quality snow which really skis just the same regardless of what gear you are on. In most backcountry mountain conditions performance comes from the skier’s ability, not that of the gear. And when the snow is good? The guy on the fat boards loves it, but so too the guy on the light gear. For good snow is just that, and it is easy to ski no matter what you find yourself steering.

So are you on the right gear for you, or are you on the gear the shop employee wanted to sell you? Or the magazine ad? Or the ski movie you watched.

My personal set up for the Sierra, all around simple and light

My story: Two years ago I began skiing more and more backcountry terrain on ultralight Dynafit FR10s with Dynafit bindings. I decreased the length of my ski to 160 (I am 5’8”/135lbs). Then, as I got more into ski rando racing in Europe, I started to ski everything in my race boots, the Scarpa F1s. Suddenly I was enjoying skiing more than ever, the light gear gives me freedom, the short skis make life in tight spaces or steep terrain much easier and I am no slower on any descent.
But my preferred day in the backcountry is to go big, cover a lot of ground, gain a ton of elevation and to enjoy every part of the day. I am not so into focusing just on descents as I prefer to take in the overall experience of skiing in the mountains.
I do own fat skis and performance boots for certain terrain and conditions, but for me personally the lighter gear is the right fit for most of where and what I ski.

Telemark skiing

The Telemark Skiing Myth

There is a little something I keep hearing that really must be challenged. Americans often say, “Ya, I want to start skiing the backcountry, but I don’t know how to telemark.”
Folks…… one does not need to telemark to ski in the backcountry. Ski Randonee, or Alpine Touring gear, especialy Dynafit, allows you to ski anything you would ski on alpine gear. Comfortably skin up, lock your heels down, tighten your boots, and down you go.
Telemark skiing is much more difficult to learn, less versatile in mixed snow conditions of a big tour and it seems most telemarkers end up doing alpine turns the majority of the time. If you already know how to alpine ski, stick with it.
That said, telemark skiing truly is one of the most special skills one can learn. I did it for years and still few things compare to dropping your knee in powder. To watch a good telemarker is a joy as it is a beautiful movement. But again, is it right for what you want to be doing when starting out?

Use the ski gear that is right for you, but know what you want to ski

Finally, another reason I am enjoying my light AT gear is the fact that it is a joy to go out and use. I don’t have a heavy, overly stiff ski boot to fight on the climb, or the lead weights attached to my feet. I enjoy stepping into my gear and not feeling weighed down and I enjoy going skiing up as much as making turns. All of this adds up to more time in the mountains, and ultimately this is what I am after most.

What does a Professional Ski and Mountain Guide think?

As a follow up to this post, and to get a different perspective, American UIAGM Mountain Guide and skier extraordinaire, Howie Schwartz of Sierra Mountain Guides will discuss his thoughts surrounding backcountry ski gear. Check in again in the coming days.

The beginning of a long and fantastic day skiing in California's Sierra Nevada

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iPhone Camera & Photo Apps

Jan 10th, 2010
by dolomitesport.
11 comments

iPhone Photo Apps for Traveling

It’s a cliche for a reason: “The best camera is the one you have with you”.

Right. In the age of iPhones and Photo Apps, you not only have a camera always at the ready, you have some very useful tools to make the images look the way you want them to look. Get to know your applications then think ahead and you can have some very cool results.

As athletes ourselves, we cannot always have a camera with us, but it is likely that we’ll have a mobile phone onboard. Thus, the extensive collection of cycling, or from the bike, shots. What I like about all of these images is that they are real; rush ahead and snap a frame as friends go by. These are true images of what we see while living our lives, not as photographers but as athletes or travelers.

All of these images were made with an iPhone and all effects were from various apps within the phone itself. We’d love to hear which is your favorite and why – thanks.

While training in Tuscany with my friend Andreas Irsara, he rode ahead on these dirt roads we were riding and snapped this photo of me with my own phone. It is one of my all time favorites. Well done Andreas, you out shot the pro!

During the same trip to Tuscany, I made this image literally while pedaling by. I knew I wanted the square, old timey effect, so I centered the group of trees so as to be able to crop later.

Janine and I on one of our countless days out mountain biking near Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Tilt Shift effect does a great job of miniaturizing the scene. You have to practice to learn when it will work and when it will not.

Andreas and I were waiting for Janine to shoot some landscape images while on a trip to Iceland.

Janine made this photo of me in the Eastern Sierra Nevada as I was riding up to meet her after she had gone for a trail run. I like the depth in the image behind me while it maintains a snapshot feel.

While riding with four Dutch friends in the Dolomites, I was frantically trying to get something exactly like this, from the bike, to show the drama of what you see while road riding in the Italian Dolomites.

Andreas Irsara mountain biking in the Alta Badia while we were scouting a video location. When we returned a week later, a huge bench had been built right where he is riding.

A Tuscan hilltop town photo made right from my bike saddle. I think Tuscany truly was made for the camera.

I love the spontaneity of this image of Janine while in Pienza, Italy

We were in India for the big news

India… It would have been a shame to have missed this one

Shot from my road bike on the dreamy, car-less roads of the Chianti Region of Italy

Late in the fall a group of friends did a huge mountain bike ride in the Dolomites, this was from a small summit we rode to the top of with endless views of the range.

This photo was one of the first I ever made with the iPhone. I was on a long mountain bike ride alone in the Dolomites and stopped at a hut to eat something when this Dohle landed on my handlebars. It is said that these mountain birds are spirits of people lost in the mountains. It hung around for awhile as if to say hello.

The Camera Apps that we use are:

Photogene

Tilt Shift Gen

Camera Bag

Photoshop Mobile

Genius

Follow us on Twitter to see more of these photos as they are made

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