The How’s it Holding Up Review

Believe it: Unicorns and Rainbows happen. Photo: Pete Vordenberg

Part of the gear testing method involves believing in unicorns and rainbows and sifting through the marketing noise to find what works for you. Pete Vordenberg discusses his unicorns and rainbows and how they are holding up.

My history of ski testing began as an XC ski athlete (as a kid) in the mid-80s. We were tasked with sensing how our skis worked during every training session. This was practice for picking and preparing your skis on race day.* The ski testing/picking ritual evolved from the 80s to the 2000s as I prepared and picked my own race skis at junior races, the World Cup, and the Olympics. Then, for a decade, it took a huge step up when I became a coach for the national team, working with athletes and wax-techs to test wax and skis for World Cup, World and Olympic champions. We would go through thousands of combinations of skis and wax throughout a season, feeling the differences and attributes between skis that were almost imperceptible but made a huge difference. In many cases, we picked the best skis from a set of matched skis—in other words, skis that were supposed to be identical: same brand, the same model, built for an athlete of a specific weight and height, and from the exact same production run. 

Even within these parameters, there is variation in production that creates slight differences between skis. Finding the best skis for our athletes was a big part of the job. The process was primarily an art. The feel of a ski on snow is paramount.

From the pool of skis we chose for an athlete, we’d find the best pair on a specific day for those specific conditions, plus finding the best combination of waxes to apply, usually all on the morning of a World Cup, where winning or losing, often, depended on our work. It was such  incredibly engaging work. 

The body matters, but so do the skis. Part party, part watching others suffer— 2017 Lahti, Finland World Championships. Photo: Pete Vordenberg

Nowadays, testing a variety of touring skis, I wonder how much variation there is in production skis. If, within a ski factory trying to make World-Cup-level skis, there are slight but noticeable differences in production; how much unintended variation is there in a ski factory pumping out hundreds of pairs of skis for high-level consumer skiers?  I’m not even talking about mid-level stuff or producing thousands of skis, let alone entry-level gear.  But the top models from top brands.  Is there a noticeable variation between two pairs of the same length? I have to believe there is at least some variation. 

That said, perhaps even a lot of variation is ok and not perceptible for what we’re using these skis for. Race conditions on a nordic course vary a ton. However, I believe there are much bigger variations in ski conditions in ski touring than a prepared race course. And, maybe you just roll with it more easily ski touring because so much is different day to day. 

I really don’t know. But maybe you have had an experience where you got a new pair of your favorite skis, and they didn’t seem quite the same as the old, yet identical pair.  Maybe you even missed the old pair?  And maybe you chalked that up to a different grind, a different tune, the bindings being different, whatever.  And probably the skis, too, were not exactly the same.  

All that being true, this could be a weakness in ski reviews. I don’t think there is a solution, but it is something to consider.

The ski picking—eyeing the day’s wax job. USST wax cabin, 2017 Lahti, World Championships. Photo: Pete Vordenberg

Now, to test over half a season or a season and a half, a few pairs of skis from different brands, totally different models and builds, typically built quite generically within a model other than length, it’s a different job than testing for the World Cup. But what I like about it, about both the jobs really, is the attention it takes. I like feeling what’s going on with a ski on snow.  It adds another level of depth to the attention that goes into skiing.  And when it is all going well, it feels like there is no attention, just the flow and fun of skiing, which is pretty great feedback on how a ski is working, too.

 The first alpine ski I ever fell in love with was a pair of 194 Moment Bibby Pros. It was the first time I got on a pair of skis and said, “Oh man, these skis are amazing.”  I’ve been a Moment fan ever since, but I’m not really a Moment backcountry ski fan. It might be that I mostly ski a bit more reserved in the backcountry, so I don’t take so much advantage of a ski like the Bibby (now Wildcat). It must also be said I take the Bibby’s out less these days. They’re completely beat up; hole shots, a part of the edge is detached. But that’s not why. They still rip. I have changed as well. I’ve got a few hole shots and loose edges, too. But that was the first ski that made me want to try more skis. And that part of my ski life has been fun.

 I hope to take that and help THR readers sort through a few of the millions of amazing pieces of equipment out there.  

I want to return to a few things I’ve reviewed in the past. Durability matters to me, and the dude says, “Abide.” I am rough on things, and I am neglectful. And I’ll use a thing for many years, perhaps a year or two beyond its expiration date. Here are a few notes on how things have weathered over the years.  I call it the “The How’s it Holding Up Review.” 

Stellar Guide Jacket 2.0

Original review (here). This jacket seems to be as good as new. The only exception is that I pulled the little zipper-pull fabric off the zipper. But it was a blessing in disguise. I replaced it with a larger pull, and zipping has never been easier.  I also added extra length to the underarm pulls, so I don’t have to hunt for them wearing mittens. The new pulls are handmade by Stephanie Kasun, a skier out of Montana.

Related to that—on the topic of minimal vs. having some zippers—I love the huge pit zips and the huge dual front pockets. I was reminded of this when trying an active insulation jacket from Arc’teryx. It was a fine jacket, yet, comparing it to the Stellar Guide is apples to oranges, still, the pocket situation was dire for my tastes: three too small pockets and no just-right pockets. In my world, ideal looks more like a basic hardshell with pit zips and two ample chest pockets for skins. In the Stellar Guide jacket, I get that. I can ski up and down in the same jacket, stash my skins, and go without donning/doffing—two words I hate even typing let alone doing. Overall, the Stellar jacket has been bomb-proof and, more importantly, remains weather and waterproof, making it easy to zip down to cool off or zip up to stay warm. It hasn’t gotten any lighter weight. To me, its weight is the only negative.

Vertical chest pockets on the Stellar Guide Shell Jacket 2.0 and a sweet stash spot for the Big Sky Mountain Product skins.

Sweet zipper pulls handmade by Stephanie Kasun in Montana.

Line Vision 108 

Until the middle of last season, these skis were my go-to soft-snow powder ski. Their soft-snow ski ability at both slow and fast speeds is great, and I still feel relatively confident about them for whatever the return trip brings—crusts, slush, hard gullies, etc.  However, it is important to say that I am less than enthusiastic about these in firmer snow. They go, but there are better options. Overall, this is a great soft snow ski, and it has held up really well over one and a half seasons. My original review is (here).  It must be said that Line has reworked their touring line. The 108 is no more, and the 104 replacing it should be more oriented toward versatility: it should be better on harder snow.  They also have a wider soft snow ski, which would be fun to try.

The older Line 108s have been replaced in my quiver by the Fat-ypus D’vice (Review here). The D’vice has some downsides related exclusively to going up, which makes it less appealing to many ski tourists. But they are so much my favorite for the downs that I don’t mind their weight and not-too-good climbing ability.  Perhaps the Goldilocks Unicorn Ski of all Skis may still be out there.  Something that climbs a bit better and still has what I love about the D’vice on the downs.  I am looking for you, my unicorn.  Stop hiding.  Seriously.

Big Sky Mountain Products Skins  

These skins are going strong in their second season.  I switched them over from the Vision 108s to my D’vices. I never have to worry about my skins. Hallelujah!  Great product and made in Montana.  Also customer communication is great. Check them out at skiskinsonline.com.

ATK Raider 12, Elan branded

Season two.  They are super simple and fast to transition, and they ski great. However, the latch on one binding that holds the breaks up for climbing has begun to pop open occasionally. I have stared at it kind of hard and have both failed to intimidate it into working and failed to determine the problem. It’s a bit annoying, as I have to bend down to re-latch it, or the brake drags. (Gavin, do you have thoughts on this?)

New to my life is the ATK Kuluar.  

I love the simplicity of this binding.  Perhaps a review is pending, but if I had to pick between the Raider and the Kuluar, I’d pick the Kuluar every day plus Sunday. They’re lighter, fast and easy to transition, and I don’t notice any difference in ski performance. It’s kind of an eye-opener, especially for a guy who still skis on Kingpins sometimes.

Strafe Cham Pant  

These pants have served me so well for years.  I don’t recall how many years I’ve had them. They’re light, breathe well, are simple, have two great pockets, and not much more. They still easily repel snow and shelter me well enough from wind and cold. They are not waterproof, but are weather resistant. At this point, if it is really wet, I get wet, but touring in Utah hasn’t been a problem. They have some cuts and a few holes from abrasion, ski edges, and rough use, but they’ve lasted.  Often, If I sense a wet storm or some snow groveling, then I take the burlier Stellar pants, which I skied a lot the previous season until spring, where they were too warm, and I returned to the Chams and have only gone back on wet days.

Praxis Protest

Love these skis in powder. I skied some great lines that required some agility and some stability, and the Protests were great. These things can really pivot in tight spots, which is probably the most surprising thing about them due to their length (187) and width (128 underfoot).

They’re also very stable and can get doing mighty fast. Still, they’re a bit tough in hard-snow conditions. (Original review here.)

The D’vice mentioned above has more or less replaced these. I think there could still be a place for the Protest in a quiver.  It is a ski I highly recommend for downhill performance from low angle to as nutty as you fancy, and wide smiles result.

 In my review of the Line 96, I mention that of the skis I wish I still had, it is the DPS 94 C2: I miss this the most. The DPS 100 RP was a great ski, but I feel like the Vision 108 fills that soft-snow space well, and the 94 C2 was a great hard snow ski that was still good in softer snow.  I bet the 106 would have been a great all-round ski. It looks like, in some capacity, that DPS has remade/tweaked their touring line. It would be fun to try their new offerings.

4FRNT Raven  

The Raven remains a fun and versatile ski.  It is over three years old, so it qualifies as a tough old bird.  I skied it off and on for over a season.  And for a season and a half, my wife has skied it exclusively. She loves it, and I like it a lot. I was, however, reminded that it doesn’t have the same grip climbing as other skis I’ve been on. The 177cm length and reverse camber just don’t have as much ski-on-snow and can be a bit slick on the ascents. The tour-loc setup is nice, works great, and nothing has broken, which I feared could happen. It’s all going strong in season three.

Barb Jones and the kids on a family outing up Mt. Saint Helens. Photo: Pete Vordenberg

The Faty-Pus L-Toro: 133/101/123.

This past spring and into the summer, Barb, my wife, started using the Fat-ypus L-toro, a ski I’ve also spent some time on. I hesitate to do a full-on review on L-Toro as we have the 172cm version, which might be a bit short for me.

These skis weigh 1630gm/ ski in 172cm.

She has been on them only a handful of times, including a great tour on St. Helens. I have toured on the L-Toro’s over 15 times and skied the resort ~ six times. I’ve had the luck of skiing just about every condition, including some really awful conditions.  

The skis have a pretty soft tip and tail while stiff underfoot. They otherwise appear to be a traditional straight ski with a high and long camber.  But those soft tips and tails make for some buttery turning.

Again, this is a 172cm ski.  So maybe a real review will have to fall to someone else.  But even for me, the skis are intuitive, fun, and can go fast with confidence.  As for durability, both my wife and I have been hitting rocks, avi debris chunder, sticks, and all kinds of shit, banging over ice and sun-cups and giving them a pretty hard run of it.  A few scratches have appeared here and there, but they’re still as good as new.  It’ll be interesting to see if she reaches more for the Ravens or the L-Toro’s this winter.