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Ski Whisperer: First Looks At 2013 Skis (Part 1)
K2 proclaimed 2011 the "Year of the Rocker." It turns out they were two years early. 2013 ski collections consist primarily of rockers and early rise skis.
While most companies offer technical skis, and several are placing more emphasis on the front side, marketing strategies—including shop availability—continue to be focused primarily on non-traditional camber models and 80mm+ skis. Here are the "headlines" or "first looks" at the leading brands. Come back soon for Part 2 and more brand headlines.
K2: Although Volant and the late Shane McConkey invented rocker technology, it was K2 who made rocker the most important design and today there isn't a conventional camber ski in the K2 line.
There are early rise skis for 2013 that are effective on the groomed, in the new Speed Rocker group: The Backup, Bolt, Charger and Velocity.
A group called Catch-Free Rocker (whatever that is -- we suspect relatively low level groomer cruisers)includes the Force and Stinger.
The Pon2oon, Darkside and one new ski, the Sideseth, comprise what K2 is calling the Powder Rocker line.
Perplexed? We understand! Companies seem to be devising proprietary rocker designations willy nilly. Realskiers.com will decide how best to describe specific skis after testing on-snow performance, with the goal of clarifying what could become a major source of confusion.
Völkl: This K2 corporate stable mate shows restraint for 2013, introducing and/or upgrading but seven models.
The company emphasizes two new V-Werks rocker models that they describe, with a hint of hyperbole, as "The Power of Perfection," claiming that they are "truly incredible in every aspect."
Our test skiers will render final judgment on that statement, but the intent clearly is to develop skis with extraordinary versatility.
Nordica: Technical skiers, take heart!
Nordica is all in with the proven Firearrow frontside series, now including the new Firearrow 84 EDT, which brings the model total to 4. A new design, Transfire, rockered with camber, aims at blending the hard snow prowess of the Firearrows with the deep snow user-friendliness of a rockered camber profile; six models, including 3 female-specific skis.
Rossignol: The new Pursuit series, according to Rossi marketing materials, "brings excitement back to the hard pack."
Frankly, we never knew it was gone, but the new HP 18 and 16 look great on paper: modest early rise tips, which Rossignol calls "Power Turn Rocker" design, underfoot widths of 76, 78 and 81mm and turn radii (@170 cm) of 16, 18 and 16.8 meters respectively.
Atomic: The newly re-named "All Mountain" Vantage series features two new models in addition to carry over skis Theory and Panic. The Ritual and Alibi are serious freeride big guns incorporating what Atomic calls a Titanium Backbone within the core itself, a technology said to provide superior stability. The skis are aimed at high-end backside riders. We'd have thought Big Mountain rather than All Mountain might be more accurate.
Nomads, all early rise designs, are relatively unchanged from 2012, save for cosmetics. Among the Freeski collection, Bent Chetler, Access, Punx and Trooper continue; the Blog is updated and a new ski called the Automatic debuts.
Blizzard: The Blizzard headline is addition of Flipcore technology (the core is placed upside down in the mold, which is said to give more “natural” shape to the ski) to some members of the successful Magnum series. The Magnum 7.6 IQ and 7.4 IQ retain traditional camber, albeit with some early rise, and are suitable for resort skiers who spend most of the time on groomed or hard snow.
New models Magnum 8.5Ti, 8.0Ti and 8.0 Ca employ mild true rocker and are designed, according to Blizzard, “to improve performance while being even easier and more fun to use” than 2012 Magnums.
The female-specific Viva group includes the new 8.0, a Flipcore design.
Salomon: Where once there were 2 BBR models, now we see seven, including 3 female-specific versions. Apparently Salomon is betting big on the unconventional BBR design.
2012’s BBR 8.9 and 7 received mixed reviews from our test skiers. They either loved them or vehemently did not. We'll reserve judgment pending this test results, but clearly Salomon believes BBR’s will be loved by more skiers than otherwise.
Coming soon in Part 2: Dynastar, Elan, Fischer, Head, Kastle and Volkl
This brief summary hits highlights only. For a more comprehensive and detailed overview, please visit us at realskiers.com.
Until next time; Have Fun, Don’t fall!
Follow the Ski Whisperer, Peter Keelty, for in depth analysis at RealSkiers.com.
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canape
Posted by canape on Monday, 29 November 1999Ski Whisperer: First Looks At 2013 Skis (Part 1) - SnoNews ...
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