Facebook Twitter Instagram
    FeedTheHabit.com
    • Home
    • Gear Reviews
      • Mountain Biking
      • Road Biking
      • Bike Commuting
      • Trail Running
      • Skiing
      • Outdoors
      • Water Sports
      • Vehicles
    • News
    • Trip Reports
    • Videos
    FeedTheHabit.com
    Backcountry Skiing

    Surface Walk Free Skis: Groomer-focused Review

    Jason MitchellBy Jason MitchellApril 26, 2012No Comments3 Mins Read

    It’s no secret that this Winter was, for all intents and purposes, a bust. Utah’s snowpack is currently sitting at 29% of where it should be at this time of year with snowfall totals at Alta falling well below season averages. That thin snowpack was also accompanied by sketchy backcountry conditions throughout the Winter, which kept myself and many others out of the backcountry.

    This was a year to forget, and my backcountry touring time was limited to a single outing, so my review of the backcountry-focused Surface Walk Free skis will be groomer-focused for now. Luckily, this ski carries over to next season with minimal changes, so my fingers are crossed that the Winter of 2012/13 will be filled with endless skintracks and bottomless powder runs in the Wasatch.

    Surface Walk Free Ski Features:

    • Traditional camber with early-rise tip
    • Slight tail lift for catch-free touring
    • Poplar wood core with Kevlar bands
    • Lengths: 176cm (tested), 186cm
    • Radius: 19.5 (176cm) 20.5 (186cm)
    • Dimensions: 137/100/124 (176cm) and 140/100/126 (186cm)
    • Weight: 8.0/8.9 lbs per pair
    • MSRP: $574

    Surface Walk Free Ski Review: Goomer-focus

    With the thin snowpack, I was able to spend a full day spinning laps at Alta on the Walk Free’s with traditional alpine bindings. After riding my fully-rockered Live Life’s for the past two seasons, getting back onto a traditional-shaped ski had me feeling wonky at first, but then felt like an old friend by the end. You see, rockered skis are amazingly fun and versatile, but they lack a true tail, so you never really finish a fully-carved turn.

    With the Walk Free’s, I immediately felt like the skis were Velcro’d to the snow from tip-to-tail — an odd feeling at first. I was admittedly thrown into the backseat on my first few turns until I realized just what that tail was for. In no time, I was rocking the groomers like it was 2005 again. These skis are fun rail-to-rail and will reward you with amazing smoothness in both short and long-radius turns. I really had a hoot arc’ing tight turns at speed and laying these things on edge.

    At 100mm width at the waist, these are about as narrow of a ski as I’d ever consider and the full profile hooks up well throughout the turn. The early-rise tip is helpful in crud and pow (didn’t get much of that this year). On my lone tour, the 176cm length was snappy and fun. I stayed on top of the variable crust and was thankful for the early-rise tip.

    Good Walk Free

    • Light and snappy in all types of turns
    • Feels light while touring
    • 176cm length is surprisingly-capable for my 5’11”, 175lb frame
    • Rolls well from edge-to-edge
    • Early rise tip extends capability in pow and crud

    Bad Walk Free

    • Though the 176cm length is good, I think something like a 181cm would be my length of choice

    Bottom Line: Surface Skis Walk Free

    While these are built for the backcountry, they are still very capable frontside tools. They are light and snappy in all types of turns and are capable enough to handle anything from Deer Valley corduroy to leftover Cascade Cement at Crystal Mountain. Next year, I’ll give them the full backcountry one-two.

    Buy Now: Visit EVOgear.com

    23
    SHARES
    ShareTweet
    surface skis
    Previous ArticleSugoi RS Jersey Review
    Next Article The North Face TKA 80 Full Zip Fleece Jacket Review
    Jason Mitchell
    • Website
    • Twitter

    A native of the Pacific Northwest, Jason quickly developed a love for the outdoors and a thing for mountains. That infatuation continues as he founded this site in 1999 -- sharing his love of road biking, mountain biking, trail running and skiing. That passion is channeled into every article or gear review he writes. Utah's Wasatch Mountains are his playground.

    You Might Also Like

    Mountain Hardwear Basin Lined Pants Review

    February 1, 2023

    Polar Pacer Pro Multisport Watch Review

    January 30, 2023

    Küat Grip 4 Ski Rack Review

    January 26, 2023

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Most Popular

    Montec Fawk Ski Jacket and Bib Review

    February 28, 2022

    Patagonia Downdrift Parka Review

    February 2, 2022
    8.9

    Zipp 303 S Carbon Wheelset Review

    November 4, 2021
    9.2

    SRAM Rival XPLR eTap AXS Groupset Review

    August 12, 2022
    8.5

    Canyon Lux Trail CF 7 Review

    November 28, 2022

    Ultimate All-rounder? Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket Review

    February 2, 2021

    Patagonia Storm Shift Jacket and Pants Review, feat. Gore-Tex ePE membrane

    December 21, 2022

    SRAM Rival/GX AXS Mullet Gravel Kit Review

    September 17, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 TLR Wheelset Review

    September 9, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 TLR Wheelset Review

    June 18, 2020
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Advertisement
    Our Latest Posts
    • Mountain Hardwear Basin Lined Pants Review
    • Polar Pacer Pro Multisport Watch Review
    • Küat Grip 4 Ski Rack Review
    • Ibis Exie Goes Global
    • Trek Circuit Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey Review
    • Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Insulated Jacket Review
    • Pearl Izumi PRO NeoShell WxB Jacket Review
    • Montane Anti-Freeze Down Hooded Jacket Review
    • Fresh Wheels: Fezzari Veyo is an Aero All-rounder
    • Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Hoody Review
    About Us
    About Us

    Since 1999, we have delivered in-depth gear reviews, articles and content. We feature a small staff of savvy, experienced writers who love to review outdoor gear.

    External links to Amazon, REI, Backcountry and other retailers include affiliate codes that give us a small commission on each sale.

    To contact us or learn more, go to our About Us page.

    © FeedTheHabit.com 1999 - 2023. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.