Focus Productions

New 2011 Volkl Skis and Marker F12 Touring Bindings

I was lucky enough to attend the Powder Magazine ski test a couple weeks ago, and got to check out some of the new 2011 gear from Volkl and Marker.  The most exciting new piece of gear is the Marker Tour F12 binding.  Based on the same design as the Duke, but over 30% lighter, the Tour F12 is a beefy alpine style binding with ski touring capabilities.  The Tour F12 features a max DIN of 12 and weighs in at 1790 grams, about 12% lighter than the current Fritschi Freeride binding.  Marker is also making the lighter weight, 1685 gram, F10 model, which features a DIN of 10.  Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to test the bindings, but stay tuned, I hope to have a full product test and review posted soon.

Volkl Nanuq touring ski with Marker Tour F12 Bindings.

I did get to test out the the new Kendo ski from Volkl, pictured below.  With a sidecut of 127-88-109 and wood core construction, the Kendo skied a lot like the Volkl Mantra, with more versatility.  The Kendo had a racy feel, turned on a dime, and was the perfect weapon on hard pack, groomers and in tight chutes.  The Kendo will be available in 163, 170, 177, 184, and 191cm lengths.

The rest of the Volkl freeride line up is the same for 2011, though all the skis feature new graphics.  Below is the 2011 Katana, my powder ski of choice for Jackson Hole.

Another Powder Day in the Teton Sidecountry of Jackson Hole

Sunday, March 7, 2010: A few inches of new snow is sometimes all it takes to refresh the high snowfields on Cody Peak. While backcountry skiers enjoyed high altitude powder by hiking the short route from Rendezvous Bowl, inbounds skiers enjoyed smooth carving on spring corn snow. There’s something for everyone right now in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

In this motor drive photo montage from last winter, Olympic Gold Medalist and Jackson Hole Ski Ambassador Tommy Moe, ski guide Dave Miller, and freeskier Jeff Leger ski Cody Peak’s Pucker Face and Powder 8 Bowl, with scenes from No Name Peak and Once is Enough Couloir. Click on the photo, watch it come to life, and enjoy!

 

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Teton Spring Skiing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Sea-of-clouds inversions accompany spring skiing conditions at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort this March. Sun-soaked days and cold nights bring on "corn snow," an often missed snow condition due to typical March storms that prolong powder season in the Tetons. Enjoy the corn cycle while it lasts—there’s more powder in the forecast. 

 

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Helicopter Skiing in Jackson Hole

Check out the latest heli-ski conditions with High Mountain Heli-Skiing in the Snake River Range of Jackson Hole on their blog: www.heliskijackson.com/blog/

Here is a motor drive photo montage I made from last winter.

 

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Teton Ski Mountaineer Wray Landon Killed in Avalanche

Local skier Wray Landon died Sunday, February 21, in an avalanche on the South Teton. Our condolences to his family and friends. Full report at www.jhunderground.com and www.tetonat.com

Airing the Tetons at Grand Targhee

I hope you enjoy this motor drive photo montage I took of Jason Tattersall, Jeff Leger, and Danny Felice skiing and dropping airs at the Grand Targhee Resort last winter. — Wade McKoy

 

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10 Inches New, Snow Forecast Every Day Through Weekend, Teton Powder Skiing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

From the National Weather Service on Feb 12, 2010: 
MOIST PACIFIC AIR WILL RIDE OVER COLDER AIR TODAY WITH PERIODS OF MODERATE TO OCCASIONALLY HEAVY SNOWFALL EXPECTED ACROSS WESTERN WYOMING THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL WILL OCCUR BETWEEN 5 AM MST AND 4 PM MST. SNOWFALL WILL DIMINISH SHARPLY LATE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THE EVENING HOURS WITH VERY LIGHT TO LIGHT SNOWFALL MAINLY CONFINED TO THE HIGHER PEAKS. ANOTHER BATCH OF PACIFIC MOISTURE WILL OVERSPREAD THE REGION TONIGHT...AND SNOWFALL RATES WILL BE ENHANCED BY A STRONG UPPER LEVEL JET. MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT THROUGH EARLY AFTERNOON SATURDAY. PERIODS OF LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOWFALL WILL CONTINUE SATURDAY AFTERNOON INTO SATURDAY EVENING. TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS BY SATURDAY EVENING WILL RANGE FROM 14 TO 22 INCHES IN THE TETONS AND WYOMING RANGE WITH 4-10 INCH AMOUNTS IN THE LOWER ELEVATIONS. WEST WIND BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO NEAR 40 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS TODAY AND TONIGHT.THESE WINDS WILL DIMINISH DURING THE DAY ON SATURDAY.

 

 One year ago today, Jeff Leger in Casper Bowl at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort [0:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

El Potrero Chico, Mexico

The early season lack of snow prompted the "Admin" to take advantage of some frequent flyer miles and make a quick getaway to to the rock climbing destination of El Potrero Chico, Mexico.  Click here for more photos.

15th Anniversary International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race

The 15th Anniversary International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) kicked off last Friday, January 29 on the Jackson Town Square. The race is heading to a finish in Park City, Utah on February 6. For daily updates and more information on the race go to www.wyomingstagestop.org.

 

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Jess McMillan wins Chamonix Freeride World Tour Event

This photo shows Jess skiing her home mountain, Jackson Hole. She won the FWT event in Chamonix last weekend. Check her website, www.jessmcmillan.com, for the full story and video.