reviews

the ski season has pretty mmuch come to an end.  its time to go get some of those new skis that came out, here are a couple of reviews for some sweet skis.
icelantic keeper: Two new skis from the Colorado based ski maker for 2011,  the art work and finish on these skis are just amazing and cant be beat. Aside from graphics, no changes to the incumbent five skis from the previous season. Icelantic’s new The Keeper is a very well fed powder ski with rockered tip and tail, and regular camber underfoot.

2011 skis from 4FRNT.
Eric Hjoleifson has produced another signature ski though this one is handmade, individually signed and a limited edition. The 4FRNT Renegade is the EHP but on a day when conditions are pick of the season perfect - bottomless powder. Wider than the EHP (135/122/129), fully rockered and only available in 186, you’ll need to move quick.
Elsewhere the Pique has been overhauled, with a wider base (now 90mm up from 78) and the 4 lengths available now range from 159 through 186. The Click is also refreshed, slightly wider underfoot across the range and now in 5 length options (157, 162, 167, 172, 177).
Last years Signature VCT from Vincent Dorian is no more, same for the VCT Turbo, but a “new” Turbo model does pop up in the identity (non-pro) section with similar characteristics to the VCT Turbo…
Last but not least, though probably shorter, the junior 4FRNT Grom has a 5th length option in 107 and all the sidecut dimensions are progressive throughout the range.

The big news out of the Salomon camp this year falls squarely at the freeride feet of the Salomon El Dictator and the Salomon Sentinel. There is already plenty about the 194cm El Dictator on the web, but essentailly you are looking at a big line freeride weapon for the steep, deep and huckable.
Everything else in the freeride and freestyle ranges are present and correct from the previous season.
The Sentinel joins the Dictator as it’s slightly more accessible cousin in the “Explorer” sub section of Salomons freeride range, with circa 95mm underfoot tool and a little tip and tail rocker for the powder - nothing ridiculous, just enough to increase versatility.
Salomon have been back making some great skis again in the last 3 or 4 seasons so we expect these to fly.
The ‘24’ recreational/piste performance race series has a few additions while Salomon’s single Crossmax still just hangs on.

to see more reviews go to ski-review.com

It is just about the end of the season and all but one mountain is open, Arapahoe basin.  as most of you know there still is a lot of snow coming down on the hills and almost all of them still have over a 100 inch base.  Many people have found out that the best way to get some back country skiing is to hike up the closed trails.  this is a big problem at Aspen Snowmass, they are even considering reopening.  there has been talk about reopening Aspen mountain since so many people are still skiing it.  They are conserned with people getting hurt on their trails so they are thinking about opening back up.  Most likely this will not happen since they are in a protected forest and have a contract on when they can open and close.

Spring Fever

If your in the mood for skiing a little in the morning and parting at night, breck is the place for you.  they have their spring festival this hole month with band playing every weekend from roughly 3 to 5.  they have constant compititions through out the week for kids and adults.  Some events they have is the Art walk on Saturday the 9th, a consert the next night, they have their 15th annual Imperial Challenge on the 16th with big drink specials that night, and many more events.

5' till 5'

This april in breck is the best place to be if you love the terrain park.  Every Thursday breck has there 5 chair lift open one hour later than every other lift.  If you want to get some good runs in on colorados best terrain park you now have one more hour to do so.  Also they have free food drinks and compititions along with the constant tunes going on.

Loveland

Loveland is a great place to ski for your money.  It is about $60 for a ticket and there are alot of coupons out there for loveland.  The lift lines are never busy so you can go right up to the front almost everytime.  The only problem with the lifts is there are no express lifts so they take a while.  They also have a hugh hike to terrain area.  So if your looking for some good untracked powder this is a good place.  The one thing you have to watch out for in Loveland is the lodge, they only have one lodge so it is really tough to get a table if you go around noon.

6 chair

To rap-up Breck, the one spot you almost have to hit up, the 6-chair. On powder days these runs are as good as any. I perfer going off to the right of the 6-chair, it has steeper and less visited runs. The problem with 6-chair is that is it a 2 seater, so the lines can get big on the weekends. I would suggest, if your riding 6-chair all day, to take a sick day from work and come up with the locals.

Lake Chutes

Since I'm on the topic of Breckenridge, another great spot to go is the Lake Chutes.  The Lake Chutes are located at the top of the imperial lift. Unlike the twin chute, there are quite a bit of people that go down these runs. Also, this is a hike to terrain spot. Onces you get off of the Imperial lift, you pop you skiies or snowboard off and hike straight up. This is only about a 10 minute hike, but at the high altitude its very tiring. But don't let that stop you the reward is great powder, steep runs, and suprisingly not many people.

Twin Cutes-Breckenridge

Twin Chutes is one of my favorite runs to hit at Breckenridge.  this run is a double black and takes some hiking to get to it.  This is a perfect run if your looking to get away from the crowded lift lines. The hike is located at the top of the Mercury chair.  It is about a 15 to 30 min hike, but it isn't a steep one and there are hardly others on it.  once you reach the top its a bit windy and the snow looks wind-blown, but if you traverse over past the windows and drop down into the west or east chute the snow is great.