First Look: Heritage Lab BC100

By

Gavin Hess

The Heritage Lab BC100. Basic dimensions are 130-100-122.

The Heritage Lab BC100. Basic dimensions are 130-100-122.

Many readers will remember my raving about the Black Crow’s Solis and the Heritage Lab Skis BC110 last winter. Between these skis (and the Moment Deathwish Tour), I was privileged to have a great quiver last winter. 

Moving into 2025, my quest continues for the perfect mid-winter, high-alpine ski. Between the Solis and the Deathwish, I almost met my desires last winter. So close. What I wanted is a slightly lighter, slightly longer Solis. As seems to be the case more and more lately, Marshal at Heritage Lab read my mind and made what I was looking for: the BC100. 

Unlike the rest of the BC ski line, the BC100 incorporates a kiss of camber, very much like the Solis. Also, very muchlike the Solis, is the BC100’s long, gentle tip rocker. A little more tail rocker and a tighter but not small 20m turn radius make the BC100 a little more “normal” than the Solis—at least on paper. Round all this out with 180 or 187 cm length options and a 1550g verified weight for the 180, and I frothed to try these skis out.

Relative the Black Crows Solis (bottom), the Heritage Lab BC100 sports a bit more tip and tail rocker.
Relative the Black Crows Solis (bottom), the Heritage Lab BC100 sports a bit more tip and tail rocker.
Relative the Black Crows Solis (bottom), the Heritage Lab BC100 sports a bit more tip and tail rocker.
Relative the Black Crows Solis (bottom), the Heritage Lab BC100 sports a bit more tip and tail rocker.
And in the middle of it all, the minimal camber.
And in the middle of it all, the minimal camber.
And fresh with kaleidoscope-eyes topsheets.
And fresh with kaleidoscope-eyes top sheets.

Ten days in, seven or so of which I have taken out the BC100’s, three of which involved exactly the high-mountain variable and powder skiing that I have in mind for this ski, and I am very pleased with the preliminary results. While I don’t have enough time on them to make such definitive claims, thus far, the BC100 is the closest I’ve come to the perfect Teton high peak, mid-winter ski that I have long ruminated on and wished for. 

Based on the last Heritage Lab marketing email, the fall 2025 delivery skis need to be ordered/reserved by Feb 1. Here at The High Route, we are psyched to support a project like Heritage Lab that is tuned in and creating what these niches of the ski world seek. Cheers Marshal.

 

Basic Stats from Heritage Lab

Dimensions (mm): 130-100-122

Est Weight: 1675g (187cm) and 1600g (180cm)

Radius (m): 21.5 (187cm) and 20 (180cm)

Mount Point: -7cm

Price: On sale for $749, looks to be a usual clean and crisp $1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Responses

  1. David Soderberg

    Have you had any time on the faction la machine minis? Seems like the BC100s are similar shape, but likely have an edge wrt performance in variable snow.

    1. Gavin Hess

      Funny you should mention that. Rumor has it there is a pair of La Machine Micros headed my way right now. I have high hopes for a similarly great ski.

      1. Slim

        The Faction La Machine Mini (2) has an almost identical rocker/camber profile to the Wayback 98. I was debating between those two, and someone on TGR pulled a Scandinavian test for me where they measured them both.

        I ended up with the Waybacks, and have been very happy with them as an all round ski.

        1. David Soderberg

          Interesting. I’ve owned the Wayback 88s. While I obviously haven’t skied the LM minis, I’d expect them to have a much looser feel than the waybacks, given the tail rocker, [suggested options for] more progressive mount point, and assumed softer flex. I do agree that the waybacks were a good all-around, firm snow oriented ski. They did have a but of stiffness to them, specifically in the tail, that I’m currently assuming significantly differentiates them from the mini. As I haven’t skied both, I could be very wrong about this.

          1. Slim

            David, I am talking about the latest generation of Waybacks, released winter 23/24. They significantly increased tail rocker compared to the old ones, and softened tip and tail flex a bit. There was a video on Blister from their summit where Jed K. discusses the changes. This has made them a lot loser, and better in soft snow.

            I can’t comment on the narrower sizes, but in the Wayback 98/Faction 99 comparison the measured sidecut tip and tail taper and camber/rocker profile were very close.
            I haven’t skied the Mini, so can not comment on flex difference between the two, which of course has a significant effect.

            1. David Soderberg

              Aha, I didn’t know that the Waybacks had a makeover. Thanks! I recently pulled the trigger on a pair of minis. I expect to enjoy them as much as you enjoy your new Waybacks.

  2. Will Tabor

    From the first glance there appears to be a good deal of similarity to my Dynastar M Tour 99 in terms of shape. I would imagine construction and mount point differ significantly. I have found the M Tour 99 to meet my needs of a high country ski perfectly – no longer do I dream of the next ski. I hope this inner peace will find you one day as well, Gavin.

    1. Scotsman

      ” no longer do I dream of the next ski. I hope this inner peace will find you one day as well, ”

      This quote really resonated with me. With the constant onslaught of new gear advertising , different shapes, camber etc., its hard to resist the constant pressure to buy new gear. Its human nature I guess to think that the latest shape, the latest “new early rise tip” will drastically improve your skiing experience.
      I wonder if the nuances in some cases are so minute that the skill level of the ordinary recreational bc skier can really tell the difference, I hope I can find the inner peace Will talks of.

      1. Gavin Hess

        What a kind sentiment, thanks Will. Between the Zero G 105, Solis, and now BC100, I have some excellent options for the high country.

        I appreciate the dialogue in these comments. I often wonder myself, how our gear reviews fit into that new gear fever. My hope is that we can help folks get the right gear for them, rather than encourage the accumulation of more.

        As one of the people writing the reviews, the accumulation is significant…

        1. Will Tabor

          I would argue that is what’s happening to me! You and Jason have caused me to be much more thoughtful about equipment selection, and your musings have definitely influenced my tastes. A simple pack, the Patagonia airshed pro, simple shells with roomy fit, race style bindings, the list goes on. All of these things have made my kit streamlined and efficient. To a degree I feel like I have filtered out the gear noise and I can now pay more attention to the things I go out there for, like snow.

      2. Will Tabor

        I was once complaining about a ski and a guide told me “it might be the archer and not the arrow”. Really stuck with me. I got ski lessons, and he was right. Now if I could just translate that mindset to all my other ski gear…

  3. Ethan Ayer

    The Solis was designed as a specialized ski for steep skiing. Does the BC 100 share those qualities in terms of edge hold, and ease of making controlled “jump” turns in steep, tight terrain?

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