The 2012 Icelantic Keeper Skis are back unchanged except for graphic and I have no problem at all with that. The Icelantic Keeper Skis were thought to be a powder ski when they came out since they are 119mm in the waist but after skiing on them I can tell you that these skis are much more than most powder skis could ever dream of being. With a very quick turn radius and amazing edge grip even on groomers the Icelantic Keeper Skis are an eye opener for most expert skiers. With a fairly stiff flex and traditional camber Keeper skis will ski all conditions and terrain. If you are looking for something a little more forgiving for skiing bumped up terrain then you may want to consider the Line Mr. Pollard’s Opus. Overall this was an excellent ski and one that you will find yourself enjoying in more conditions then you previously thought possible.
2012 Saddleback Bluegrass Festival
Saddleback hosted their 2nd Annual Bluegrass Festival on August 12th and 13th and what an amazing time was had by all. When it comes to hospitality Saddleback Mountain located in the beautiful Rangeley, Maine really knows how to make people feel welcome weather it is the middle of summer of the depths of winter. Thank You Saddleback and crew for putting on one of the cleanest and most respectable festivals that I have been to. If you failed to make this event then you better mark your calender now for next year because it is going to be back and it will be a festival that you will not want to miss. It is the most kid friendly music event you will ever find and you couldn’t as for a more amazing back drop to listen and dance to some amazing music from local acts to national acts.
Everywhere I went people were having a good time and the large crew dancing in the Ditch seemed to be having an especially good time during Ricky Skaggs! Thanks for bringing such an incredible line up of music to this great state and for sharing your amazing mountain views along with your welcoming spirit. May the spirit of Saddleback, Maine touch all of those that enjoyed the Bluegrass festival and hopefully I will be seeing many of you again when the grass gives way to snow and the leaves give way to the beautiful rhime ice.
Mark Robie put on a World Class event and his willingness to take positive critisizm and ideas will just allow this event to grow into the biggest and best Bluegrass festival in the Northeast in the not so distant future. To all of you Saddleback employees that I saw from Jim, Jared, Chris,Kevin, Ian and many others thanks for your dedication to continually put the people first and to allow such a wonderful mountain to be shared. A huge thanks goes to out to the Berry family who with out them the growth of this mountain would not of been possible.
Again many thanks and I look forward to an even larger crowd of like minded folks at next years Bluegrass festival!
2012 Icelantic Nomad All Mountain Skis Review
What can I say about the Icelantic Nomad other than it is one of the lightest skis on the market with its waist width of 105mm. If you are looking for something that is going to be versatile enough for some powder, all mountain skiing, and light enough to also do some touring with the 2012 Icelantic Nomad Skis are the skis that you should be considering. They are light but fairly stiff so they have excellent edge hold at high speed on groomers and if you are lighter weight and dont want something so stiff then you can also buy the ski in a SFT version. Icelantic is known for making versatile skis and they really pride themselves on the Icelantic Nomad Skis. If you are a skier that enjoys a lightweight ski that will push crud around and arc trenches on groomers then consider purchasing the Icelantic Nomad Skis.
2012 Icelantic The Gypsy Freeride Powder Skis Review
If you enjoy unique skis and companies that continue to push the limits then you will love the all new 2012 Icelantic Gypsy Skis which come in at 125mm in the waist and are the first ski that Icelantic has created with reverse camber. If you are looking for a ski that will slay the deep powder with ease yet will have edge hold like a race ski on the groomers than the Gypsy is a ski that you want to look at. Icelantic has really grown the past few years and this year I expect them to make an ever bigger jump as they continue to put out an amazing product with a very narrow focus on Freeride/Powder Skis such as the Gypsy. The Icelantic Gypsy was a lot of fun in crud snow and had a lot of playfulness in the trees and on the side of the trail. This is no ordinary ski and Icelantic would have it no other way. You want a Freeride tool to add to your quiver the Icelantic Gypsy Ski is a ski you seriously need to consider! Its lightweight and yet has incredible performance that Icelantic has always been known for.
2012 K2 Obsethed Skis Review
The 2012 K2 Skis are back and the biggest change is the graphic. With a very subtle graphic for 2011 Seth decided to bump it back up to a more evil look. The K2 Obsethed Skis is a favorite among freeride skiers and with a longer turn radius and more rocker than the 2010 Obsethed the 2012 Obsethed is built more for the true freeride skier that spends most of his time off the trail and in the search for powder and less time on the trail. On trail the turn radius is very long and it sometimes feels like a long time getting the ski on edge, however thanks to the Powder Rocker the skis float and slash powder and crud with ease. If you are into jumping off everything you can find then you will enjoy taking the Obsethed into some very fun adventures. Suggested mounting point depends on where on the ski you want to be. I suggest for Freeride/Powder skiing to be around the +2cm mark, if you are more all mountain then go around the +3 to +4cm. Overall a great ski for powder skiing and big mountain lines. Does lack some versatility on the groomers but if you are not worried about that then this is a great ski for you.
2012 Line Influence 105 Freeride Skis Review
The 2012 Line Influence 105 Skis are the All Mountain Skiers dream ski. If you want one ski to do it all then you have found yourself the right ski. At 105mm in the waist with a Metal Matrix, Early Rise, and Capwall Technology the Line Influence 105 skis will do everything you want the ski to do in every condition. If you find yourself more groomer oriented then go with the Pophet 98, but if you find yourself wanting to search out glades and fresh snow then it sounds like the Influence 105 is the ski for you. Built for playing off trail more than on you will be pleasantly surprised how easily this ski will carve trenches on firm East Coast snow. I prefer the Influence 115 for my own skiing but understand why for the majority out there the 105 is going to be a more versatile ski for them. The Marker Griffon ski binding is a great match for this ski and one that I highly would recommend using.