As always, I’m tasked with finding the best-in-show. Lots of great gear, but I’ve whittled it down to these.

The North Face FlashDry

With all the new latest waterproof/breathable fabrics on the market, there’s one thing that remains constant — water droplets. With all laminated fabrics from Gore-Tex, eVent, Polartec and the like, the most efficient way to transfer perspiration through them is in vapor form. Well, changing perspiration droplets into vapor takes time and that time is what makes you wet from the inside-out.

To combat this, The North Face has developed their new FlashDry™ technology and will be releasing it on nearly 100 items for Fall 2012. FlashDry will be a core part of several key new products as well as being added to many of their top-performing items.

A quick bit from The North Face on FlashDry:

The porous particles of FlashDry® work with your body to regulate temperature by accelerating moisture removal and dramatically improving dry time. Individually, articles with FlashDry™ outperform anything available on the market, but when worn together in a layering system with a baselayer, mid-layer and jacket, the dry time is even faster than when wearing alone.

The technical demo of the fabric was what wow’d me. Two fabric swatches (one with FlashDry and one without), a constant drip and a puddle under one and nothing under the other. The FlashDry fabric dried so quickly that the water never even had time to fully-saturate the fabric while the regular fabric soaked it up and allowed the water to puddle below. Amazing.

Look for FlashDry in a wide variety of products from base layers to hard-shells this Fall.

Patagonia Light Flyer Jacket

I’m always a fan of lightweight, breathable shells. For my activities of choice, I’m always leaning towards the breathable side of waterproof/breathable. With that in mind, Patagonia will introduce their 9.1 oz Light Flyer Jacket.

Intended as a weatherproof/breathable running shell, Gore Active will allow this jacket to battle anything Mother Nature dishes out while breathing like a champ. Breathability is aided by unique upper-arm vents to allow gobs of airflow. And when the unexpected becomes chilly and cold, the asymmetric cuffs feature built-in mittens to allow you to stay out longer.

Look for the Patagonia Light Flyer Jacket this Fall at a reasonable $279.

Garmont Cosmos Touring Boots

Lots of great new backcountry ski boots were on display, but the one that captured my attention and wrapped my foot in absolute comfort was the new Garmont Cosmos. Billed as the lightest 4-buckle boot on the market at 1450 grams, the Cosmos doesn’t just go for lightweight, it adds a dose of versatility and comfort to the mix.

While the competition does have some great boots, I have to give the nod to the Cosmos for its amazing comfort, supreme walkability with a full 65-degree cuff rotation and overall simplicity of the design. Constructed of 100% Gryllamid, it balances weight reduction with stiffness to make a winning design.

It doesn’t attempt to “out gadget” the competition, instead it provides a no-nonsense design that will withstand years of use and abuse in the backcountry. I loved the stiffness and walkability the most as it goes from a mountaineering boot to a vert-devouring machine in a jiffy. At $699, it’s not the cheapest in its class, but it is on par with the competition.

Black Diamond Covert Avalung Pack

Black Diamond has emerged from the Avalung recall with a vengeance. New materials and design changes highlight the lifesaving device and have it being built into an entirely-new backcountry ski pack lineup. The hero of the group is the Covert pack that sports a complete re-design.

Starting with the backside, the Covert now features floating shoulder straps to flow better with your natural skiing movements. Add on top of that new pivoting waistbelt and you’ve got what BD is calling their “Active Suspension Platform”. The covert now has a sleek new design and includes niceties such as a versatile helmet holder and soft-lined goggle pocket.

Columbia UltraChange Jacket

Gone are the Bugaboo’s of yesteryear, Columbia has some seriously-impressive stuff coming down the pipe. Tops on that list is the UltraChange Jacket. Ditching the bulky and heavy zip-in design, this two-piece shell keeps the system together with a few strategically-placed loops.

Built with strategic combinations of Omni-Wick Evap and Omni-Heat fabrics, the UltraChange impressed me with its fit and comfort in a way no other jacket has. The suppleness of the outer shell and the way the entire package felt like “one” while still remaining independent was truly unique.

Sierra Designs DriDown

From a young age in Seattle, I was told that down bags were a no-no in a wet climate, so I never experienced the wonderfulness of a down sleeping bag until moving to Utah. Now, that advice can be thrown out the window… Sierra Designs DriDown treats down feathers with a hydrophobic polymer treatment that keeps it dry 7-times longer than untreated down with 98% loft retention and 33% faster dry time. The demo says it all as these identical containers were allowing water to enter into the down feather side. One is soaked and the other side has retained its loft and is nearly dry.

DriDown will initially be available in sleeping bags this June at your local REI. Then, a series of DriDown jackets will be released in the Fall.

Smith Optics

I’ve got 4 kids, so what caught my eye was the cool, integrated goggle/helmet combo that will be hitting the slopes next Fall. The kids Smith Cosmos helmet and Galaxy goggle has a hook latch on one side and the Tractor Beam magnetic clip on the other side. The result? The kids goggles will stay put and taking them off and on will result in less complaining from the little ones. Very cool.

Gore-Tex

New from Gore is the Active Shell material that is a realization that they were missing out on the more athletic side of the market. While Gore-Tex Pro Shell is undoubtedly bombproof in the field as a impenetrable hardshell, Active Shell is the lightweight and breathable side of Gore while still remaining waterproof.

Therm-a-Rest

With the wild success of the 3-season Therm-a-Rest Neo Air sleeping pad, Therm-a-Rest is now introducing an all-season version to keep you warm and toasty in the snow. Weight still comes in at a paltry 19 oz. and is built with additional layers of reflective material to improve the convective heating capabilities and keep you warm and toasty. Effective R-value is increased from 2.5 to 4.9 as compared to the classic Therm-a-Rest Neo Air.

Kaenon

Take notice… Kaenon has arrived in a big way. While they may still be seen as high-end and “niche”, Kaenon is finally getting their share of attention with bold styles and solid optics. I’m a huge fan and grab mine first over all others.  Check out the new Squeeze for women and the Trade for men. Solid.

Volkl

While Volkl has had backcountry-friendly skis in Europe, they have yet to make something relevant to the North American market. Look for that to change in 2011 with the top dog, Nunataq backcountry touring ski. With enough width, pre-cut skins, early-rise tip and flat camber, the Nunataq can more efficiently attack the Rockies unlike any Volkl before.

Adidas Outdoor

While Adidas outdoor has been strong in Europe for a few years, 2011 will mark their first full foray into North America. Expect the Three Stripes to appear on mountains and in the backcountry with efficient fit hard and softshells featuring Gore-Tex fabrics. The Terrex Feather Jacket is the head honcho of the line… a solid hardshell with some great features.

I also liked the casual Daroga Leather shoes for their versatile, kick-back styling.

Mountain Hardwear

Goodbye Gore-Tex! While Gore is enjoying solid acceptance still among many brands, Mountain Hardwear is switching gears and pulling the plug on everything Gore. This enables them to deliver their products and fabrics THEIR way. For Fall 2011, you’ll find great mixtures of fabrics (hard and soft) and insulation. The fabrics primarily fall into DryQ Active and DryQ Elite product lines with an emphasis on function. Having used a DryQ Active piece for several weeks now, I’m digging where Mountain Hardwear is going.

La Sportiva

Skis, boots AND bindings… whoa! So, La Sportiva is coming into the ski market with a randonee racing twist. Most of the line will only find a home in limited locations, but it all looks well-built and capable. The RT binding is the first tech binding to feature a Release Value (similar to DIN) in the toepiece. It’s a simple design and ultralight. And the Hi-5 ski has enough rocker and size to keep it fun in the deep.

Black Diamond

Talk about an overhaul… wow! The entire Black Diamond ski line gets re-done with more rocker, girth and power than ever before. The Power series gets new and shiny from top-to-bottom and the Efficient series gets the new ultralight Justice (my pick for a backountry slayer). The new top dog is the huge Gigawatt, which sits even wider than the Megawatt. Lots of new technology going on here.

However, no one–not even professional ski patrollers–can guarantee any slope to be 100% safe all the time. A recent spate of inbounds avalanches and a sizeable avalanche in the well-traveled sidecountry of Bridger Bowl, MT will tell you that no matter how “safe” you may think the slope is, you can never be too careful. And, might I add, you can never have too much safety equipment.

The Avalung is just one of those little extra pieces of safety gear that, in the remote chance you are buried in an avalanche, you can survive for a long period of time while your buddies track you down.

About the Black Diamond Bandit Avalung

Built for strategic sidecountry sorties, the streamlined Black Diamond Bandit Avalung pack is built to carry just enough gear to take you safely into and back out of the backcountry. The built-in Avalung is one of the best selling points of all BD ski packs. While you can’t guarantee you’ll still be conscious if buried in a slide, you’ll darn well be grateful you’ve got the life-breathing snorkel if you do.

Bandit Avalung Features:

• Zippered panel opening
• Diagonal ski or horizontal board carry options
• Enclosed shovel/probe organization
• Insulated hydration sleeve
• Weight: 2 lbs 5 oz
• MSRP: $180

Black Diamond Bandit Avalung Review

The Bandit is the lowest-volume ski pack (a mere 690 cu in) in BD’s lineup and offers little in the way of frills. It’s simple back panel and minimalistic interior offers just enough for the sidecountry yo-yo skier or for those who ride the heli or cat on a frequent basis. I got to test the Seth Plaid version, but there are more mainstream color options as well.

I used the Bandit for quick backcountry tours and found the size to be quite tight for all my stuff. Granted, I tend to haul the kitchen sink, but still… I was forced to live without a few items because there was simply not enough room. The small outside pocket on the top of the lid was only capable of carrying a couple of ProBars and a slim camera, so keep that in mind.

That said, I appreciated the lightweight feel of the Bandit (due primarily to me not taking along so much stuff) and, of course, the built-in Avalung–it’s just one more thing to help you in case the worst happens. Particularly nice is the insulated hydration sleeve that worked great with my Hydrapak bladder.

Good Bandit

• Lightweight and simple
• Built-in Avalung
• Great for inbounds pursuits and sidecountry missions
• Just big enough for a 3-4 hour tour… barely
• Fits my full-size Voile shovel
• Built-in, insulated hydration sleeve (cha-ching)
• Simple ski carry system

Bad Bandit

• Tight fit if you’re like me and tend to carry extra gear into the backcountry
• Simple back panel could use some updating compared to the competition
• No separate toolkit divider for quick shovel and probe access
• A single, tiny outside pocket

Bottom Line: Black Diamond Bandit Avalung

If you’re looking for simplicity in a backcountry ski pack but still want to be as prepared as possible, check out the Bandit but leave Burt Reynolds at home.

Buy Now: Search for the Black Diamond Bandit Pack

Black Diamond Drift Skis

As part of the new Black Diamond Efficient Series of skis and boots, the Drift looks to be the money ski in the line–at least for us living in the Wasatch. The entire series consists of 4 boots and 6 skis with the Drift being the fattest of the quiver. Aimed at lightweight backcountry slashing, the Drift is 100mm underfoot and available in either a 176cm or 186cm length. The full curve profile is 136/100/123.

So, you get a good sidecut for carving turns (yes, some of us still like to carve turns) and a nice rockered tip for extra flotation and crud-busting. The entire package tips the scales at a respectable 7 lbs. 4 oz. per pair. Retail price will be $699 with availability in the Fall. Visit www.SkiBD.com.

Fritschi Freeride Pro

Taking the lessons learned from the Fritschi Eagle and applying them to the more powerful Freeride platform, the new Fritschi Freeride Pro bindings are for hard-charging skiers who still want efficiency in the skintrack. With a wide new mounting platform (narrow skis need not apply), new toepiece and a more natural pivot point, the Freeride Pro is hitting the market just in time to combat the new Marker Tour. I’ve yet to hear a price on this new binder, but I’d guess in the $450 range… stay tuned.

Dynafit Stoke Skis

Revelstoke, super-stoked, stoking the fire… whatever you say, this ski is getting a ton of attention. The new Dynafit Stoke is a lightweight backcountry ski with ample girth to get you through the rough stuff. Tipping the scales right around 7 lbs. 4 oz. in the 182cm length, this ski has a great profile for all-around backcountry use at 130/106/120. As expected, the Stoke is equipped with an early-rise tip for breaking trail and floating in all conditions as well as metal tip/tail reinforcements for skins attachment. The Stoke is ready for backcountry adventure–so long as you’re a Dynafit disciple since it comes pre-mounted for Dynafit bindings. Coming in at $799, these skis are available now at Backcountry.com.

None of these boots are intended to be crossover alpine/backcountry boots–they are dedicated backcountry ski boots for soft snow and fast ascents.

Dynafit TLT 5 Mountain & Carbon

Available in two versions (Mountain or Carbon), this new platform is amazingly-light and comfortable. These were the only ones of the bunch that I was able to try on and I can’t tell you how impressed I am. They are minimalistic in design with a form-fitting shell, two buckles, a removable tongue and the best walkability of any backcountry ski boot I’ve ever worn.

Honestly, these boots are like a good-fitting pair of hiking boots as the fore-aft flex in walk mode is truly uninhibited (a full 60-degrees). Lifting my foot up in the air, I could flex the boot through its range of motion simply by pushing and pulling with my toes–try that with other touring boots!

The walk mode is engaged and disengaged by the dual-purpose upper buckle. There is a notch on the buckle that slips into the back of the shell to lock into ski mode. This dual-purpose buckle reduces weight and all-but eliminates the likelihood of skiing in walk mode (we’ve all done that).

Lateral stiffness is ample for pushing today’s lightweight fat skis and forward flex is sufficient, but make no mistake… these aren’t made to bomb groomers. They are made to take you to the goods. That being said, the Carbon version will provide more stiffness at a lighter weight (and an increased cost).

Liners are thermo-fit for customized foot-snugging comfort and the soles are Dynafit-only (the only bummer) for use with Dynafit’s full line of bindings.

Weight is just over 4 lbs per pair and MSRP will be $720 for the Mountain and $989 for the Carbon version. Availability will be Fall 2010.

The Dynafit TLT5 Mountain

Dynafit TLT5 Carbon

Black Diamond Quadrant

The Quadrant headlines the new Efficient Series from Black Diamond. These boots are still pretty substantial, but compared to the BD Factor, they are decidedly backcountry-specific. While the color scheme might put off some, the technology built into these boots for the price ($649) is astounding.

Sporting a full 40-degrees range of motion, the Quadrant’s will be walkable and with a 120 flex rating, they will also be skiable in powder, hardpack and everything in between. Liners are cinched with a quieter and more efficient BOA system. Binding compatibility out-of-the-box will be with all backcountry ski bindings on the market–no DIN blocks here.

This is a really great new boot from BD and will compete with the likes of the Garmont Radium–meaning its’ definitely the burliest of this bunch. Tipping the scales at 7 lbs 10 oz, they are light, but not uber-light like the other boots you see here.

Black Diamond Quadrant

Garmont Masterlite

With a design that took its cues from Spiderman, the web-like shell design (Pebax Webframe) has been strategically-designed for support and stiffness while reducing overall weight (4.8 lbs per pair). Developed by Garmont engineers over the past two seasons, the Masterlite is intended for those seeking efficient uphill and dependable downhill travel.

I find it odd that the powerstrap is optional, but it is, so I’ll get over it. The new Light Thermo Liner should provide solid comfort for your foot with ample room for your digits. Forward lean is an aggressive 24 degrees and walkability should be superb. Speaking of that, the walk/ski mode toggle is a little different than most boots as it utilizes a little pulltab to engage the walk mode instead of the typical lever of sorts.

I didn’t have a ton of time to look these over, but they appear to be along similar lines as the Dynafit TLT5 series above. MSRP is $819.

Garmont Masterlite - Spiderman-Approved

Scarpa Maestrale

Scarpa is completely switching things up for 2010/2011 by ditching the Spirit 3/4 in favor of an entirely-new boot platform called the Maestrale (GEA for Women). Tipping the scales at a respectable 6.75 lbs per pair, the Maestrale splits the difference between the Garmont Masterlite and the BD Quadrant while promising adequate power to drive today’s fatty fat touring skis.

A unique feature of these boots is the asymmetrical hinged tongue that flips out of the way for easy entry and exit. It also simplifies the buckling process by reducing overlapping plastic. This boot looks to be the everyman boot with enough power to drive any ski on the market, but with excellent walkability. Another great change is the new Active Power Strap that provides the same function as the previous ones, but in a simplified design.

As is typical with Scarpa’s boots, these come with the killer Intuition Pro Flex G liner and the price is unbelievably only $599–definitely the best value in the bunch!

Scarpa Maestrale AT Ski Boots - The Ones to Beat

Sprinter shown with all accessories included

Black Diamond Sprinter Specs:

• Bulb type: High-output LED in front, red LED in back
• Beam type: Flood
• Brightness (high setting): 68 lumens
• Weight: 100g/3.5 oz
• Dimensions: Lamp: 2” x 1.25” x 0.75” / Battery pack: 3” x 1.75” x 0.9”
• Maximum beam distance (high setting): 50m
• Brightness levels: 2
• Strobe: yes
• Battery type: lithium polymer rechargeable (6 hour charge time)
• Battery life (high setting, at 70 degrees): 5 hours
• Retail price: $79.95

Black Diamond Sprinter Review

from Black Diamond website

Black Diamond calls the Sprinter “urban-inspired”, and the combination of front and rear LEDs is ideal for runners who need an extra measure of security from road hazards and approaching vehicles.

Front view: superbright LED, single multi-function button on top

Light output is impressive: the 68 lumens in front are brighter than most compact lamps, and over 40% brighter than the Black Diamond Spot.  The flood beam distributes light evenly in a wide visual field, and is regulated for constant illumination throughout the battery life.

Optional top strap attached for improved stability

Compared to most external battery headlamps, the Sprinter is very lightweight, and its fore-aft weight distribution is balanced for minimal bouncing and improved comfort.  However, an optional top strap is included if you need additional stability.

The red rear strobe is an outstanding safety feature, and has an on/off switch in case you’re either 1) on trails far away from cars, or 2) in a group of runners who don’t want a flashing red light in their face.  (Trust me, it’s no fun.)

Battery pack resting on charging unit; rear view with LED strobe and on/off switch

The Sprinter’s distinguishing feature, however, is the rechargeable lithium polymer battery.  With a 6-hour charge time, it burns for 5 hours on the high setting, and 64 hours on the dim setting.  The docking port comes with adapters for multiple outlet configurations.  Interface between battery pack and charging station is slightly unsteady, so look for the indicator light to ensure the unit is charging.

Finally, the Sprinter’s water resistance is a mighty IPX7, sealed waterproof to 1m – about as good as you’ll find in a running headlamp.

Good Sprinter

• Strong front LED beam bright enough for use on trails as well as road
• Blinking rear LED for safety, with convenient on/off function
• Rechargeable battery is eco-friendly and economic over long term
• Lightweight, comfortable design
• Outstanding water resistance

Bad Sprinter

• Short battery life on high setting requires frequent recharging
• Battery pack slightly unsteady on charging unit
• No spot setting

Bottom Line: Black Diamond Sprinter Headlamp

The Black Diamond Sprinter is equally suitable for road or trail use, and is a wonderful combination of everything you want in a headlamp – comfort, brightness, and safety – with the added bonus of being Earth-friendly.

Buy Now: Search for Black Diamond Sprinter Headlamp

Reading the Black Diamond blog, I found a great article about this very topic. It goes through all the different rockered skis in the BD lineup and advises on fit–definitely something to consider as you purchase new rockered skis from Liberty, DPS,  Bluehouse, Surface, Black Diamond, Volkl, K2, Salomon or others.

Here’s a snippet from the full post:

Before choosing a rockered ski size, an understanding of how this technology works is key. Rocker basically creates a pre-bent ski. BD skis use this technology in the forebody of the ski, where it sets the ski into an ideal shape for soft-snow flotation. The resulting early-rise tip allows you to float easily over powder and crud, and drive the ski more aggressively in soft snow conditions—much like you would on-piste—without worrying about over-flexing the tip. Rocker makes turn initiation smooth and effortless in soft snow, and allows the ski to change direction far more quickly than traditional camber designs.

The beauty of rocker is that it also can help on firm snow. Due to the early rise tip, the ski has a shorter contact length because the longer tip is raised off the ground. This gives you both the mobility and quickness of a shorter ski on hard snow and the soft snow stability of a longer ski. For example, the 188 Megawatt has a true contact length of 127.7 cm on hardpack—compared to a more traditional 170 cm Verdict that has even more contact length at 132 cm! This is what makes the longer Megawatt totally skiable by someone around 160 lb who normally wouldn’t ski anything longer than 180 cm.

More Info: Visit the BD Blog

Black Diamond Spot Headlamp Specs

• Bulb type: 1 1-watt LED and 3 high-power LED
• Beam type: Flood or spot
• Brightness (high setting): 47 lumens
• Weight (with alkaline batteries): 85g/3.0 oz
• Dimensions: 2.27” x 1.7” x 1.4”
• Maximum beam distance (spot mode, high setting): 70m
• Brightness levels: 6
• Strobe: yes
• Battery type: 3 AAA
• Battery life (high setting, at 70 degrees): 100 hours
• Retail price: $39.95

Black Diamond Spot Review

I’ve always been a fan of Black Diamond’s style, and the Spot is a perfect example why: simple black-and-silver color scheme, smoothly curved surfaces to minimize its overall dimensions, and the simplicity of an all-in-one control button on the top casing that’s big enough to use with gloved fingers.

A clean, stylish profile ... plus a disembodied shot of your reviewer

The Spot performs as well as it looks, whether using the super-penetrating (up to 70m) spot beam, or the more battery-efficient LED bulbs which function as a flood light.  Each lighting method has three different brightness settings and a strobe, giving you eight functional modes to select from based on necessity.  The beam is held with a ratcheting tilt mechanism that stays firm even with moderate bouncing.  Harsh weather isn’t a problem either, with IPX4 water resistance to keep out rain or sleet.

As the name might imply, the spot function of this lamp is more impressive than its flood mode; the 3 LEDs produce adequate light for fire roads or smooth trails, but their distribution of light is noticeably diminished in the periphery.   Like other compact lamps, the overall brightness (in spot or flood mode) is on the low end of adequacy for highly technical trails.

Front view: 3 super bright LEDs below, 1 1-watt bulb centered above

Another potential difficulty is that changing from spot to flood mode is impossible without turning the bulb off – so if you’re trying to switch on the fly, you may need to stop and make sure of your footing first.

Good Spot

• Compact size, rounded design for easy storage
• Long battery life
• Headband detaches from casing for easy cleaning
• Water resistant for stormy excursions
• Very competitive retail price

Bad Spot

• No red LED mode
• Flood setting slightly weak in peripheral vision
• Can’t switch from spot to flood mode without turning bulb off

Removable strap for easy cleaning

Bottom Line: Black Diamond Spot

You’d be hard pressed to find higher performance lamp for a lower price than the Black Diamond Spot.  It’s a very solid multi-purpose headlamp to help you tack on as many extra miles as you want before sunrise.

Buy Now: Search for the Black Diamond Spot Headlamp

K2 SideStash

While they do make a fatter skis in their Backside category (K2 DarkSide), the SideStash seems to have an excellent combination of sidecut, girth, lightweight and yes, indeed… a rockered tip. It appears this ski could flourish at a myriad of Western resorts that pile it high and deep, but it’s also built with backcountry-friendly features as well. A flat tail offers utility in the backcountry and is definitely welcomed in my book. This ski has more awards on the shelf than should be possible: Outside, Skiing and Powder all dig it. Visit K2Skis.com.

Performance: Soft Snow 80% Variable Snow 20%
Dimensions: 131/108/127
Lengths: 174, 181, 188
Radius: 23m@174
Construction: Hybritech Sidewall Metal Laminate
Core: Aspen/Paulownia
Weight (pair): 4100g@ 174
MSRP: $950

Bluehouse Maestro

A rockered tip and tail, the all-new Maestro was my companion on a great, but bitterly-cold powder day at Alta last year. I was amazed at the float and versatility these skis provided–so much so that I’ll have a pair at my disposal this year and will bring you my detailed thoughts on this ski. I’m interested to see how well these tour with the rockered tip/tail, but we’ll see. Visit BluehouseSkis.com.

Performance: Big mountain
Dimensions: 134/118/131
Length: 189
Radius: 21.1m
Construction: Torsion Box Sidewall
Core: High density Stabilite™ wood
Weight (pair): 4600g
MSRP: $749 ($374.50 right now)

Black Diamond Justice

Billed as the “everyman” version of the much-heralded Megawatt, the Justice is more of an all-mountain cut with BD’s signature rockered tip. It should prove to be more versatile than the Mega with 115mm underfoot and a little bit more sidecut yet still essentially a flat-camber ski for smooth soft-snow performance. Me likie and so does Outside Mag who awarded it “Gear of the Year”. Still may not be the best option for tree skiing though. Visit BlackDiamondEquipment.com.

Performance: Powder / All-mountain
Dimensions: 140-115-125 (185 cm) or 138-111-123 (175 cm)
Lengths: 175 or 185
Radius: 33.0 m (185 cm) or 31.0 (175 cm)
Construction: Formula One / Double Torsion Box
Core: CNC’d Poplar wood core
Weight: 4300g (185 cm) or 4100g (175 cm)
MSRP: $729

Volkl Nanuq

Not nearly as fat as the others on this list, but lightweight and versatile are both excellent attributes for a fine backcountry ski. The Nanuq is built from the original Mantra mold, but lightened up for efficiency. 95mm waist isn’t skinny, but it’s not burgeoning either. Combine all that with classic Volkl edge-grip and sheer power, the Nanuq might be the perfect “one ski quiver” for in and out of the resort. Visit Volkl.com.

Performance: Versatile Backcountry With Frontcountry Prowess
Dimensions: 134/194/113
Lengths: 163, 170, 177, 184
Radius: 21.0 @184
Construction: Traditional Power Construction
Core: Sensorwood Core Light
Weight: 4003 g (184)
MSRP: $729

Surface Live Life

A small Utah company with a ton of style and a slew of innovative ski designs–Surface Skis re-designed the Live Life for this season by adding a few centimeters to the length and refining the early-rise tip. This ski looks great on paper and I hope to give it a whirl on the slopes this year when it’s high and deep. Definitely the best bargain of the bunch. Visit SurfaceSkis.com.

Performance: Powder
Dimensions: 156/120/135
Lengths: 181, 191
Radius: 20.5m @181
Construction: Traditional w/ABS Sidewall
Core: Maple/Poplar wood core
Weight: 4445g @181
MSRP: $599

So, I was left with my alpine poles until I got a hold of the Black Diamond Carbon Fiber FlickLock backcountry poles. Now many people will tell you that poles are poles are poles, but I beg to differ… I’m picky about my ski poles.  Lets see how these BD poles turned out after a few months of abuse.

About the Black Diamond Carbon Fiber Ski Poles

The BD Carbon Fiber ski poles are the gold standard (or should I say carbon standard) when it comes to durable backcountry poles. Here’s what Black Diamond has to say about them:

A backcountry essential, our lightest adjustable poles are built from a lightweight combination of ultra-strong 7075 aluminum and featherweight carbon-fiber for excellent balance and an optimized swing weight. The solid FlickLock® mechanism makes height adjustment simple and secure. Carbon Fiber Poles come with BD ¾ Baskets and our comfortable, grippy dual-density grips.

More Features:

• FlickLock mechanism for solid adjustments
• Aluminum upper and carbon-fiber lower
• Sizes: 100-125cm or 110-140cm
• MSRP: $99

Black Diamond Carbon Fiber FL Ski Poles Review

Having used several adjustable-length ski poles over the years, I can truly appreciate the power and ease-of-use provided by the FlickLock mechanism. Easy-open and easily locked-down, the FlickLock holds your adjustment in place come hell or high water. No need to worry about your poles getting shorter throughout the duration of the tour like you do with twisty poles.

I’ve found these poles to be very durable (I’ve whacked my fair share of dead Aspen branches) and sturdy when they need to be.  The 3/4 baskets are sweet when touring in firm conditions since they still allow the tips to hit the snow first instead of getting basket deflection and whiffing like Babe Ruth.

The dual-density grips are comfortable in all temperatures and swing weight is perfect. I don’t think about these poles at all while out in the backcountry–and that’s a good thing.

The only negative I’ve found is with the baskets.  They tend to twist around so you don’t always have the open side facing front.

Good BD Carbon Fiber

• FlickLock mechanism holds adjustments in place
• Dual-density grips are comfy
• Swing-weight is perfect
• Durable and stiff

Bad BD Carbon Fiber

• 3/4 baskets are good and bad, but they twist around at will

Buy Now: Search for Black Diamond Ski Poles

NOTE: For Fall 2009, the Black Diamond is introducing a slew of carbon-fiber ski poles including fixed-length, full-carbon adjustable (called Pure Carbon), a carbon probe and a few more. Look for more details on the new pole line in the Fall. See below for a picture of the all-new Black Diamond Pure Carbon… sexy!