Salt Lake City, UT – Back in September, Salomon announced the 2012-13 release of its first alpine touring (AT), or randonée ski binding, the Guardian 16. Our head Gear Guru participated in a Salomon focus group two seasons ago and got an early look at the first prototype of this binding and he’s been chomping … Continue reading New AT Binding from Salomon Combines Alpine Performance with Touring Capability
Grand Rapids, MI – Founders Brewing Co. and Epic Planks have announced the release of their collaborative skis and snowboards. “Founders and Epic Planks have so much in common,” says James Barber, one of the owners of Epic Planks. “We’re both about enjoying life and being more than just a couch decoration.” “We really respect … Continue reading Beer and Boards: Epic Planks Partners with Brewery on Skis, Snowboards
Niseko, Japan – In January I spent three days skiing in Japan’s Hakuba Valley, site of the 1998 Olympic alpine events, and eight more days on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, which over the past decade has attracted a growing number of powder skiers from all over the globe thanks to the world’s greatest … Continue reading Skiing Japan: Hakuba and Niseko
Editor’s Note: Yes, we realize that we’re a ski and snowboard periodical. This trip, however, relives an epic journey that would please any outdoors-oriented person and has thus been chosen for publication at First Tracks!! Online. Moab, UT – The jet boat weaves from one shore to the other as its captain seeks out the … Continue reading Retracing Powell’s Paddle
Pincher Creek (AB), Canada – The most common form of a rhombus is of course referred to as a diamond, and Castle Mountain is a diamond in so many forms. Unlike the ski resorts located inside the National Parks of Alberta, Castle is instead in a remote narrow valley well south of Calgary and approaching … Continue reading Castle Mountain: A Hidden Rhombus
Banff (AB), Canada – Mount Norquay is not at all what it seems. You look at the trail map and the ski area looks kind of small. You read the stats and see only 190 acres of terrain. I am here to tell you that all of it is just an illusion. This place skis … Continue reading Mount Norquay: The Local’s Hideaway
Lake Louise (AB), Canada – There are only a few truly huge ski resorts in North America, and Lake Louise is a member of that select crowd. It spans the front south-facing and back north-facing sides of a large mountain as well as a decent portion of a second mountain. Somewhat uniquely, in spite of … Continue reading Lake Louise: The Canadian Rockies Alp
