Yesterday was my third day on skis for the year. Normally unremarkable, given the total lack of snow we’ve had thus far. To my extreme joy, the Black Diamond Factor AT boots I ordered arrived on Friday. I hadn’t been planning on skiing this week, but their arrival changed my tune. I went down to REI to get them custom molded to my feet, and drove up to A-Basin yesterday morning for a couple hours on the WROD. Crowds were impressively small, due in no small part to the warm and dry weather we’ve seen for the past week.

Now to the Factors; yes, they’re heavy. On the upside, they ski like a dream. Stiff (forward and laterally), amazing fit for my foot-type, and a ridiculously awesome walk mode. I was finding rollers and little airs to go off of and felt totally stable and in control at all times. I can’t wait for more snow and real terrain to open.

After a couple hours there, it was off to Berthoud Pass to scout around for a while. I got a good perspective on the area and some pictures, but despite the forecast for warm and dry with highs in the 40s, a storm blew in with high winds and snow. Hopefully a sign of things to come. Pictures to follow…

The Naxo NX21 AT binding is not a bad product. It’s a touring binding that’s stout enough for resort use, and which has a touring mode so well designed that it makes skinning in alpine boots bearable. This is the binding, mounted on last year’s BH District:

One of the marketing points for Naxo bindings is that the mount floats on rails, without any fixed points to the ski, which would affect flex. This is not particularly important, given that added stiffness underfoot is rarely a bad thing. Well, it wouldn’t be a bad thing if it didn’t open up the binding to torsional flexion.

Observe: The toe piece, ski unflexed.

Note the section under the AFD (at the toe) coming off the ski as the ski is flexed.

The heel piece:
And the same phenomenon:
It’s extremely difficult to show in photos (especially taken solo), but the construction of the binding (two longitudinal rails connecting the toe and heel) lends it to extremely easy twist. That means that no matter how stiff your boots are, the introduction of flex to the ski (as occurs in ordinary skiing) results in substantial rotational flex in the binding, resulting in a very sloppy feel. I noticed something during last season, but considered that maybe it was in my head. I have now proven to myself that it is real.

The new Districts (stiffer than last year, with an added layer of metal) that I have will be mounted up with Marker Dukes, which by several accounts are even more laterally rigid than alpine bindings, and have a substantially lower stack height than either the Naxo or the Fritschi. That should be complete before long, and I’ll be back with a similar subjective test.

Two years ago, I had only one pair (the skinny tele skis in the middle, below). The year after, I had two active pairs (the 179 PEs to the right, and the BH Districts on far right). First they were mounted tele, now alpine. This year, I have five pair leaning against my wall.

Left to right: 2008-09 Bluehouse District 187, Dynastart Legend Pro XXL 194, K2 Totally Piste 179, K2 Public Enemy 179, 2007-08 Bluehouse District 179

Of course, the tele skis haven’t even been mounted in a year and a half (though that may change), and the 07-08 Districts appear to be on their way out the door, for a mere 3 pair of skis in active rotation.

Now all we need is some snow. It looks like a wet, heavy storm will be blowing in later this week. With any luck, it’ll be followed in rapid sucession by several more of the same to get a good base in place.

That’s right. As of half an hour ago, Arapahoe Basin and Loveland are open for business! Sure, it’s one crappy manmade run, but who cares? I’ve been looking forward to this moment since May, and it’s finally here. May we have another winter like the last.

Prep has been ongoing for the coming ski season. The weather has finally turned, my quiver is finally sorted, gear is ready (save a pair of BD Factors), pass has been purchased, now all that’s left is waiting for snow to fly. We should be skiing in just over a month.

And best yet, TGR has a trailer up for their new movie, Under the Influence. Enjoy, and get stoked.