
Hey everyone, we thought we'd give you a quick update on our demo skis. We just got in quite a few! They are lightly used with awesome lightweight bindings. They're all listed up on our website right now.
Here is a list of some interesting skis we have now:
K2 AMP Rictor & Aftershock
Rossignol S3, S3 Women, and S7
Fischer Big Stix, Watea, Hybrid, Motive, and KOAs from 2013 (yes, they're from the future)
RMU aka Rocky Mountain Underground Skis
Atomic Nomad Crimson Ti (featured in all the "best of" guides)
K2 SuperStitious (the 2012 updated Lotta Luv)
Dynastar Exclusive Legend Idylls & Edens
Dynastar Legend Sultan 85 & 94s

Start the year off right...by calling in sick on a powder day. Don't let those sick days pile up! Take full advantage of them and hit the slopes tomorrow! Looking at 4-8 inches here in Colorado over today and Friday. Time to pick up a pair of powder skis. I'm recommending the 2012 Icelantic Gypsy for this weekend's High Country adventures.
Now I know a lot of you are thinking why the heck would I want such a big board in only 4 to 8 inches of powder. The answer is simple. With a unique rocker profile, twin tip sandwich construction and Poplar Wood Core, the Gypsy provides one of the nimblest, most playful, poppy (poplar get it?), groomer thrashin' powder boards on the market. A nearly symmetrical sidecut 152/125/147 allows the rider to ski, land and take off switch in any condition. The Poplar wood core makes buttering off any feature a breeze while the fully reverse cambered rocker profile with a slow rise tip and tail allows the rider to smear any size turn in the pow and trees. With the slow rise rocker when you're riding on the front side you can actually connect the ski from tip to tail when you're laying down trenches on the groomers. Now let's talk about the deep stuff. The reverse camber full rocker throughout the ski is going to propel you through powder like the Federation Starship Enterprise propels Spock and Capt. Kirk through the Mutara Nebula in Stardate 2285 . Speaking of space and new frontiers... Icelantic has stumbled upon a technology created a long time ago in a galaxy far far away the details of which are being held under lock and key....I probably shouldn't have even told you that. Did I mention these beautiful skis are handmade in Denver, CO?
For the Ultimate riding experience I recommend tossing on a pair of 2012 Marker Jester Schizo Bindings. The Multi Stance Adjuster allows for 6cm of fore and aft travel to dial in your standing position. This allows you to change your stance for varying conditions; deep powder, crud, groomers and park/pipe. These puppies are not for the faint of heart. A DIN range of 6-16 means your skis are going no where. Lock 'em down and charge hard. Recommended for expert level riders.

You may have seen a cool new product on our website, the Soul Pole. Here are poles that are elegant, have uncompromising performance, and are manufactured in an eco-friendly way. Both the business operation and manufacturing for Soul Poles is located in Park City, Utah. The company's single goal is to:
Innovate the greenest equipment in the snow sports industry by merging sustainable design with uncompromising performance and truly original style.
Take a look at Jamie's Soul Poles Video
We have the Original Soul and Vibrant Soul styles available and ready to ship!

With freeride skiing becoming ever so popular in the Resort Sidecountry, I found it necessary to compile a list of freeride skis that can actually perform on the frontside of the mountain. Let's face it you have to get to your favorite powder stashes somehow. Those groomers look less than appealing for you big mountain freeride types so why not make things a little more interesting with a ski that can rip on them.

Skis pictured (from left): Nordica Patron, Nordica Unleashed Hell, Icelantic Shaman, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Head Inferno, SkiLogik Howitzer.
Dimensions: 143/113/132
Radius: 18m @ 185cm
Finally a ski to conquer the entire mountain. So saddle up partner and take these planks for a ride (Note badass cowboy skeleton graphic). Nordica took their powder ski The Radict and shaved off a few millimeters creating the most versatile freeride ski on the market today, the Patron. Nordica's Highrise camROCK rocker in the tip and tail provide float in the powder and pin point precision maneuvering in the trees. Traditional camber underfoot allows for deep trench laying carvability on the frontside of the mountain. Twin tip construction allows you to take off or land switch. Super versatile and super stable in any condition. The Unleashed Hell is identical in shape with the same turning radius as the Patron however it features Nordica's iCore technology reducing the weight of the ski by 20%. This makes it the ultimate tool for backcountry big mountain adventures.
Dimensions: 160/110/137
Radius: 15m @ 173cm
The most versatile powder ski on the market today...period. A massive 160mm shovel propels you through any snow condition known to man. The 110mm waist keeps you afloat in even the deepest of powder days. Combine this with the most aggressive sidecut in the market and you've got a ski that allows you to literally lacerate the groomers. Look back upon those trenches you've laid down with pride. Niiiice. Tight trees? No problem. This is one of the nimblest skis out there. Bob n' weave through the pines like a champ. This ski packs one helluva punch.
Dimensions: 140/108/136
Radius:17
Ski designer Eric Pollard made some changes to the Line Sir Francis Bacon from last winter. He knocked 7 mm off of the waist of the ski, bringing it down to 108 mm underfoot while also dialing back the Early Rise tip and tail to make the ski rock in any conditions. While it's still a beast in the powder, now you can kick around all over the mountain and have a good time doing it. One of the most playful skis on the market. The tip and tails serve as spring boards. Perfect to nollie off of any feature you can find on the hill. The traditional camber underfoot allows you to rail these puppies. Short turns, long turns, ice and hardpack these skis have unwavering edge grip and stability.
Dimensions: 130/104/120
Radius: 25m @ 181cm
Brand spanking new for 2012 Head introduces its Rock inspired Big Mountain series. The Inferno features Flow Rise rocker technology to help bust through crud and keep your tips up in the deeper stuff. Sandwich construction guarantees stability and performance when screaming down the front side. Don't let the 25m radius scare you away. When I demoed them, these skis felt much more nimble and were very quick edge to edge on the hardpack.
Dimensions: 137/110/131
Radius: 22m @ 186cm
The Howitzer takes the very best of Ski Logik's Big Ski technology and puts it in a more versatile package. Featuring 110mm underfoot and the Rocker Logik profile (a rockered tip with traditional camber underfoot) this ski can float with the best of them and plow through the afternoon crud. Despite its powder ski profile, the Howitzer is notable for its temperament on the hardpack. Due to construction, including full hardwood sidewalls, hardwood core, and Vektor 8 carbon/fiberglass core layering, this ski remains torsionally rigid enough to handle all mountain conditions.

Trying to compare the Ski Magazine Buyers Guide to what we carry? Don't get out your highlighters and page markers, we've got you covered. Below you'll find a number of links to aid you in your ski purchase.
We have the Head Motorhead series. Pictured on page 19 is the Boneshaker 125. Not only does it have a fun graphic, but it is also a monster powder ski!
Strike your eyes on the Nordica Patron. We carry it new and used. Because there is no metal in the ski, testers called it playful and snappy. Of course it has rocker in the tip and the tail (Ski Magazine says it is on the tip, but they are wrong) but it is a low profile rocker so you don't have flap. The ski is a true twin. We also have the Line Influence 105 and Line Mr. Pollard's Opus.
For Women, there are a number of deep snow skis available. From Volkl, we have the Kiku. Currently we have the 2011 version in stock. Considering there hasn't been much of a change from 2011 to 2012, it might be a good bargain. We also carry the 2011 Atomic Century which was praised as a "Great ski that does it all" said tester Toril Forland.
Part of Nordica's Sidecountry Collection, the Nordica Steadfast fills the need for both a lightweight touring ski and for a downhill ski with tons of rebound. There is rocker in the tip, it is 90mm underfoot, and it has a sweet graphic. We also have new and used Nordica Hell & Back. As the flagship of the aforementioned Sidecountry Collection, this is for someone who attacks all over the mountain. The Prophet 90 is back from Line. Testers found it to have a great combination of lightness and quickness yet it could still float in the powder. Also included in this catagory is the K2 Aftershock. We carry 2011 K2 Amp Aftershock demos which have the earlier graphic. Testers described it as forgiving and fun. You don't need to put a lot of energy into riding this ski, but if you do, you will feel a great response.
Other skis mentioned in this catagory are the Atomic Crimson Ti, the Line Prophet 98, the Volkl Kendo, the Dynastar Legend 94, the Salomon Sentinel, the Fischer Watea 101, and the Dynastar Legend Pro Rider 105.
For women, we have the Nordica Nemesis. It is a great all around women's ski. According to one tester, it made her feel tough. The ski is a hard charger yet inspires confidence. We also have the Line Celebrity 90 and the Nordica Conquer.
Nordica Fire Arrow 80 Pro is described as quick and snappy and with such a distinct sidecut, it is excellent at carving. The Rossignol Avenger 82 Ti is versatile on the front side. It won't do well in powder but it will rock the groomers. Also mentioned in this catagory are the K2 Charger and the Head Supershape Titan which we talked about here.
On the women's side, we have the Dynastar Exclusive Elite for strong advanced skiers who love GS style turns. The Fischer Koa 78 provides a light, fun, softer-flex ski for the intermediate who wants as solid ski. These boards are made with wood and a sandwich construction so it will respond. Last but not least we have the Volkl Attiva Tierra. On our website we have versions from different years as the ski technology is continually changing. As always, Volkl puts together a ski that will cut through ice and hardpack (I'm talking to you easties) and will make excellent turns. As testers found, this ski does not like to "step out of the envelope."
And there you have it folks! That is the low down from Ski Magazine 2012 Ski Test. Thanks to Ski Magazine for putting this list together. Take a look at all the skis we have to offer at Powder7.com. We hope this will help you in choosing skis this year!

There is something for everyone in the Marker Royal Family of Ski Bindings.
Whether you are looking for a hard charging binding, or one that will help you stick 60ft booters in the park, or a versatile downhill and Alpine Touring binding, you'll be sure to find it in the Marker 2012 line up.
Here at the shop, we carry a variety of bindings available from Marker (take a look here)-- Duke, Baron, Jester Pro, Squire, Squire Schizo, Jester, Griffon, Griffon Schizo, Free Ten, M9.0 Speedpoint, and the M11.0 EPS.
The Duke and the Baron are essentially the same binding but the Duke has more metal for stability and life. Primarily this is a downhill binding with alpine touring or AT capabilities. These bindings are awesome for hiking and downhill.
If you're interested in flying through the park, take a look at the Jester Pro. With a DIN range of 8-18, you'll stay locked into your skis after a hard landing. The toe features a horizontal, torsion bar reinforcement, enhancing the power transmission and lateral precision.
The Griffon and the Jester are a pair as the Duke and Baron are. Both bindings feature the strong Triple Pivot Elite toe and Inter Pivot heel. The adjustable toe height allows precise adjustment to any boot lug including alpine boots. Centralized swing weight keeps you in line like a mid engine car. The main difference in the Griffon vs the Jester are the DIN ranges and the Jester's magnesium components. The Griffon has a DIN range of 4-13, the Jester has a DIN range of 6-16. With the Griffon Schizo, you can quickly adjust your bindings to perform best freeskiing or in the park.
The Squire is a great lightweight ski in the royal family line up. It is good for a strong female skier or a lightweight male. The green and blue pop on just about any ski. The Squire also comes in the Squire Schizo model allowing for adjustments in the park or anywhere else on the hill. Both models have a DIN range of 3-11.
Those are the 2012 updates! If you're interested in learning more about any of these models, take a look on our website Powder7.com!

On Tuesday, our rep from Smith Optics, Danny, came in to tell us all about the 2012 line-up for Smith goggles and helmets. We heard a lot about Smith's top of the line goggles, the I/O and the I/OS. These goggles allow a greater peripheral vision than most goggles out there. Smith has a lifetime warranty on both its goggles and its helmets. No other company in the business will do that.
Take a look at Jamie's awesome videos for a rundown on all the features of the I/OS goggle.
One key feature about Smith Optics is integration. The company has made it a priority to make their helmets and goggles fit together perfectly.
As you can see in the photo above of the 2012 Smith Maze helmet and 2012 Smith I/O goggles, the goggles and the helmet not only look good in the bright orange aka "Blaze Team", but they also have venting systems that match up. That's right, your goggle vents line up with your helmet vents so that everything near your cranium is ventilated! No more hot heads on the mountain. All of their 2012 helmets have this integrated venting system and work seamlessly with all of their goggles.
Smith pays attention to the details. Notice the metal piece and the leather-like exterior earpiece. The concealed zipper holds a space for a Skullcandy headphone insert. On the Vantage, Intrigue, and Varient Brim helmets, there is a Boa System to create the perfect fit. All you do is twist the knob right to tighten or left to loosen. Boa is a cord system that is used mainly in snowboard boots so it is great that Smith was able to team up with them this year in their helmet line.
We also carry all of the replacement lenses for the I/O and I/OS including the Polarized Rose Copper Lens. This lens provides the truest color and object definition while also reducing glare. It is the one lens you want in your ski bag because it is best in partly cloudy to bright, sunny conditions.
If you're interested in buying Smith Optics goggles or helmets, take a look at our website, Powder7.com. We have the 2012 products online as well as new products from 2010 and 2011 too.
For more photos from the clinic, take a look at our Flickr site.

Thursday afternoon, our rep Hardy from Head Skis came by the shop to tell us about their 2012 line up. It is always exciting for us to hear about new skis. For 2012, Head has their Motorhead series, the Peak series, the Supershape series, and the women's specific series. Each series is designed for a specific purpose.
The Motorhead is for pow lovers and 80s rockers. With a 125mm- 94mm range underfoot, these are Head's widest skis. They all have camber underfoot and early rise rocker in the tip and tail. Choosing a size will depend on what you're looking for. We carry the Rock n Roll, the Kiss of Death and the Boneshaker. Clearly, the Motorhead series is the product of a collaboration with the famous 80s band.
The Peak series is for the guy who wants to have a traditional camber ski but also wants a rockered ski. These skis have the Flow Ride technology (pictured) which allows for early turn initiation and float in the powder. Head likes to say, "rocker when you want it, stability when you need it." It is the best of both worlds. Another piece of tech in the Peak series is Intelligence which helps dampen the ski through fibers that dissipate vibration. If you're looking for an all mountain ski that can do it all, take a look at the Peak series. You might see one of us on the Peak 90 this season on the famous Mary Jane bumps.
The Supershape is a super cool ski from Head which really plays into the Austrian heritage of the company. From the east coast to the west coast, these might be the fastest non-specific race skis you can find. Or, as Hardy said, "these skis know no speed limit." If you're interested in laying down trenches on fresh groomers, this is the ski you want. We have the iSpeed, the iMagnum (updated version of the MoJo), and the iTitan. The KERS system is built into the skis. Kinetic Energy Recovery System gives you that extra boost you need. Using the energy YOU put into the ski, the tail stiffens thereby catapulting you into the next turn. No batteries required.
Last but not least, we have the Women's specific line: the Myas. Head collaborated with BMW to design the topsheets of these skis. See the lines down the ski, remind you of anything? The Myas are good for intermediates all the way to advanced skiers. The Mya No. 8 has the Flow Ride technology, like the Peak series, if you want a more feminine look to your ski.
If you're interested in buying Head skis, take a look at our website, Powder7.com. We have nearly everything available from the 2012 line! We have new skis from 2010 and 2011 too.


Logan from Icelantic looking at the Nomad while Jordan examines the Keeper
Logan from Icelantic came by the shop on Tuesday to tell us about the 2012 line up of skis. We're all pretty excited for the season so it was a great time for him to stop by. Besides great new artwork, there are a few changes to the Icelantic Skis we've come to know and love.
Here are some highlights-- First of all, there is a new ski in the line-up: The Gypsy. This is a wide, fully rockered (or reverse camber), playful powder ski which will knock your socks off. The Da'Nollie has been re-engineered to land jumps better by strengthening the tip and tail.
Three things you should know about Icelantic Skis:
1. Handmade in Colorado
2. Two Year Warranty
3. Hand painted artwork
These skis are made right here in a factory in Denver. It is the same factory where Never Summer makes its snowboards. If you're lucky, you can score a tour. Most ski companies offer a 1 year warranty on their products but Icelantic offers a two year warranty. Logan told us hardly anyone ever uses it though because Icelantic skis really hold up over time to the wear and tear of serious skiing. Icelantic always has Travis Parr do the artwork for their line of skis and through the Giclee process, it is hard to tell if the painting is original or a print. You're not just buying a set of skis, you're investing in a piece of art!
If you're interested in buying Icelantic skis, take a look at our website, powder7.com. We have nearly everything available from the 2012 line! We have new skis from 2010 and 2011 too.

The 2012 Line Prophet 90 comes back with the same shape, but some slight changes. The 2012 version has subtle early rise in the tip (5cm x 1mm) and capwall construction. It has the same metal matrix of its ancestor, the 2011 model, which helps to create a reliable ski that offers up a fierce combination of power and playfulness.
Lengths: 165, 172, 179, 186 (cm)
Shape: 125-90-113 (mm)
Sidecut: 17.7 @179 (m)
Stance: -85 @179 (mm)
Breakdown: 20% powder | 80% all-mountain | 0% park
Capwall Construction | Early Rise tip (5cm x 1mm) | Metal Matrix | Maple Macroblock core | P-Cut Geometry | Directional Flex | Sintered Fatty base & edge

