Focus Productions

Gelande Quaff 2011

011 Gelande Quaffing World Championships
 
This 1980s après ski game was invented by the Jackson Hole Air Force at the Bear Claw Café (now the Village Café) in Teton Village, Wyoming. The bartender slid a mug of beer down the bar to a patron, who let it launch, caught it mid-flight, and then chugged it.
 
As it progressed, tricks were added, such as spins and under-leg catches.  Thus was born “Gelande Quaffing.”(Gelande is a style of ski jumping.)
 
The long-lost tradition was revived a few years ago and is now a popular annual event.
 
Congratulations to the winning team, TGT Stickers, not only the first women’s team to win, but the only women’s team entered. Congrats and good job to Alexa Macdonald, Betsy Bingle, Emily Schuparra, and Anne Thomas. 

Gelande Quaff Championships 2011 from Focus Productions on Vimeo.

Volkl 2012 Gotama and Katana Powder Skis

In addition to the Shiro, I also tested the Volkl 2012 Gotama and Katana skis at the Powder Magazine 2012 ski test.  At first glance both these skis looked the same as last year's models, but I soon found out looks can be deceiving.  Volkl fans will be pleased to know that both the Gotama and Katana are being built from new molds at the Volkl headquarters factory in Germany, resulting in a completely new ski.

The new Katana is just slightly wider in overall shape, 143-112-132, and maintains the moderate rockered tip and tail profile, and flat mid-body.  Available in 177, 184, 191, and 198cm lengths, I tested the 184cm (take note, the new Katanas run about 3cm longer than the older model).  The 2012 Katana's race ski flex and feel carved amazingly well on groomers and hardpack, even better than the older model, and sliced through powder like a hot knife through butter.  Definitely a great all around ski, and awesome powder ski, the Katana will continue to be my go- to board most powder days in Jackson Hole. 

The new Gotama has a much stiffer tail and more consistent flex, giving it a whole new feel.  A bit wider than last year's model, 139-107-123, with rockered tip and tail the Gotama floated well in powder and plowed through variable snow without any problems.  They reminded me a lot of the original Gotama, very maneuverable and quick edge to edge, perfect for laps through Expert Chutes and Toilet Bowl.  Available in 170, 178, 186 and 194cm lengths, I found the 186 perfect for chopped up in-bounds skiing, but still wide enough for untracked powder in the backcountry.  The new Gotama is a great everyday ski for Jackson Hole that can do it all. 

Volkl Shiro 2012 Powder Skis

Last week I was lucky enough to take part in the Powder Magazine 2012 Ski test in Jackson Hole, WY.  Conditions were variable, but great for testing; hardpack, bumps, and chalk in bounds, and 8 inches of powder in the backcountry.  One of my favorite new skis was the Volkl Shiro.  A brand new model from the renowned German ski manufacturer, the Shiro has a wide shape, 151-119-135 and comes in 173, 183 and 193 cm lengths.  The rockered tip and tail kept the skis buoyant in powder, while the flat, zero camber mid body carved surprisingly well on groomers, hardpack and crust.  The Shiro was perfect for making effortless super g turns down Rendevous Bowl, Granite Canyon and Four Pines, very stable at high speed but still quick edge to edge in the trees and tighter lines.  These proved to be a versatile powder ski that can rip through the variable conditions in bounds, to access deeper snow in the sidecountry and backountry.  Overall a great new powder ski from Volkl, I hope to be on a pair next season.  Check out this video of Jessica McMillan ripping it up on the Shiro!

Powder Magazine 2012 testing tent, the ultimate quiver!

The Volkl Shiro, rockered tip and tail, flat under foot.

Jess McMillan: Storm Skiing and Fat Bastard from Eric Seymour on Vimeo.

Fat Bastard with Jessica McMillan

Jess McMillan: Storm Skiing and Fat Bastard from Eric Seymour on Vimeo.

The Run Around Episode 2

Here's a new video post from our friends Corey Felton and Topher Plimpton.

New Blizzard 2012 Bodacious and Cochise Powder Skis

Yesterday I got the opportunity to test out the new 2012 Blizzard Bodacious powder skis.  A totally new model from the Austrian ski maker, the Bodacious sports a full sidewall, laminate construction, with a side cut of 142-118-132.  Designed with input from pro-rider Arne Backstrom, they feature an early rise rockered tip, subtle rockered tail and are perfectly flat under foot.  I found this model to be leaps and bounds above the older Blizzard boards.  They skied much like a wide, rockered GS ski, though didn't feel as stiff on the snow as they did when I flexed them in the shop.  The Bodacious proved to be very versatile, stable on ice and hardpack, even at high speeds, and skied like a dream in powder, very floaty, stable and quick at the 186cm length. 

I also, tested the Blizzard Cochise.  The little brother of the Bodacious, the Cochise is 108 under foot, with the same construction and early rise design.  The Cochise skied just like a narrower Bodacious, much more versatile in tighter terrain, and still great in powder.

Overall a 2 thumbs up!  I was sad to have to bring these back to the shop at the end of the day.  I definitely recommend trying a pair if you have the means.

Jackson Goes Blower, POV from Unofficial Networks

Jackson Goes Blower from UnofficialNetworks.com on Vimeo.

TGR Almost Live Espisode #2: S&S

Tree Skiing POV with Jeff Leger

Here's a new POV video from Jeff Leger and Skid Luxury

Jackson Hole POV from Crystal Wright



Here's a new POV from JHMR athlete Crystal Wright on Vimeo.