This post sponsored by our publishing partner Cripple Creek Backcountry
I can always spy Italian design by the classy look. LaSportiva is a good example. Their jackets fit well and look more stylish than the average puffy, somehow eliminating that stuffed sausage look. Misty Primaloft jacket, 100% recycled polyester with Primaloft Silver Active insulation.
Wood core makes these skis new.
As seasoned readers know, the WildSnow team typically covers the Outdoor Retailer Show in January each year. This year the organization is calling the January show, the “Snow Show,” and they added a “Winter Show” in November which Lou and I attended for a day. The show was mostly apparel and shoes, and being a bit of a clothes horse, I enjoyed it. One retailer, La Sportiva, snuck in some skis and gave us an update on their 2019/2020 line. The preview made me forget about getting a new jacket for the season…well, almost.
Available fall 2019, the carbon nano tube construction of the Vapor Float, Vapor Nano and Vapor Svelte will be reinforced tip to tail with strips of poplar wood core material. This adds several hundred grams per pair, but will make the Vapor ski line stronger (they’ve had durability problems). They should ski better too. Lou says the new build will still keep the 178 Svelte in the “one kilo” weight class, albeit just barely (catalog weight for the 188 cm is 1,300 grams).
Construction specs for Vapor Float, Vapor Nano and Vapor Svelte:
Available sizes:
Vapor Float specs for 178:
Vapor Nano specs for 179:
Vapor Svelte specs for 188:
Perhaps a good hut and winter travel shoe? Ramble by Chacos has a grippy sole, weighs 5.9 oz (size 7 Womens), and looks decent enough for walk-around wear — handy when your luggage is chock full of ski gear. We hope to test them soon.
If you want to channel your inner Sami, and don’t care about weight, check out these beauties from Topaz of Norway. I was surprised to see some models made of sealskin until I learned that Topaz buys the skins from indigenous people who rely on the income to sustain their traditional settlements in the far north. So I feel a little better about my shoe fetish. May have to get a pair for our next après ski party. (Note: the boots pictured are made of cowhide. Sealskin boots cannot be imported into the U.S.)
Lou dreaming of spring skiing the wilds of New Zealand in a snazzy wind shirt. This one by Cotopaxi, MSRP $80, repurposed nylon/polyester taffeta with DWR finish. Cotopaxi products are guaranteed to last 61 years — the average lifespan of a person living in the developing world. Lou is past that age. No idea what that means.
Outdoor Research Inception Aerogel Gloves has Aerogel in fingers and palms where compact insulation is needed most. Developed by NASA for spacesuits, low-density Aerogel is many times warmer than a similar thickness of traditional insulation. We’ve been wanting to see more Aerogel used in gloves and boots, good on OR for doing so. The gloves are made with four-way stretch softshell, bonded grid fleece inside on the back of the hand and a longer-cut gauntlet. Unfortunately, they do not have a waterproof-breathable fabric layer, but perhaps that’s okay in the colder temps they’re designed for. MSRP $99.
In between appointments it’s fun to walk around and see the creativity that goes beyond the merchandise. Meet me in the igloo, aisle 4.
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WildSnow Girl, Lisa Dawson, is the luckiest girl in the world. Also known as Mrs. WildSnow.com, she tests whatever gear she wants. She gives the WildSnow family of websites the feminine voice.
24 comments
Sounds like OR is making a glove using both aerogel and gortex.
The Bitterblaze.
On the subject of cost for exhibitors.
The new added cost of paying for union labor to unload and
assemble your booth is a big factor.
How would feel having to pay a hundred dollars an hour for
some guy to mount your bindings that has never mounted a set of bindings.
This is one of the big reasons OR ended up in Salt Lake a long time ago.
Uh oh…glad I picked up a pair of Sveltes before the pure nanotube construction went the way of the Hi5! Pretty sure the unique layup of Vapor series was the main selling point of the series for weight-obsessed idiots like myself — I’ve long been a believer that there is a market for a superlight product even if it sacrifices some durability. I’m not trying to ski into any rocks on my powder boards, anyhow.
So what’s going on in Val di Fiemme, anyway?
The new Svelte/Nano will not be all that different from the Ski Trab Maximo/Super Maximo that Sportiva is importing to NA, just without the sweet geometric top sheets.
Hmmm, what’s going on in Val di Fiemme? The Nano series is more of a North American conceived and marketed product, from what I hear. Their other sub-100 waist skis are made in partnership with Trab and more Italian style (and in my experience ski quite nicely). Lou
Lou, what’s the buzz on the Jetforce utilizing the Alpride E1 system? I’m seeing small details, but no big flashy announcements. This seems like a big deal.
In more regional “big news”, I also understand that the Mount Washington Avalanche Center will be adding an advisory to cover the presidential ridge, or some area larger than the “micro forecast” they have always done. Anyone of the East-Coast readers/bloggers know more?
Thanks!
Paul, I thought it was a fairly big deal when I started sharing that rumor a long time ago, but they’ve chosen to be low key about it, perhaps in deference to dealers who have the original version pack, a solid but as you know quite heavy option. The BD pack looks really nice, I’d recommend considering it. Lou
I picked up a Cotopaxi windbreaker last year, and have been very impressed with it as a lightweight packable shell layer. The thin material stows easily, but makes a significant defense against wind chill. Reasonable price point, and conscientious supply chain, a rather rare combo.
Lou, thanks for the response and the reminder of the Delladios’ bifurcated EU/NA product intentions…I now remember seeing some Wildsnow content about the Vapor Nano being La Spo’s version of the uber-wide American powder ski and not being marketed much in Europe. Would be interested to hear your take on the “Italian-style” Maximo/Super Maximo ski as a classic touring/all around option — the whole Trab line is supposed to be one of the most highly-respected across the pond. (Especially in the case of the narrower Magico and Mistico skis, which are a good deal lighter than the Maximo and the 2019 Svelte — just over 1000g for the 90mm Mistico in 171 length.)
It’s here….
http://skialper.it/buyersguide/
Oh happy days! Thanks Bruno!
Lou,
Can you get us a discount code for the Skialper buyers guide again?
Thanx
SkiAlper 2019! The best buyers guide in the world! Any guidance on purchasing this years copy? My Italian is not the best 🙂
Travis,
Go to this page (click on Acquista, ie acquire) and register,
https://skialper.it/buyersguide/register/
Follow the registration entries. I would suggest using PayPal. Just make sure you are ordering the English version of the 2019 Buyers Guide. Sometimes the Italian version is only one available early on, English version comes out later.
“Acquista la nuova buyers guide 2019” So click on that button for just the 2019 Buyers Guide. Price is listed at 9.90 Euros
Platinum 2019, “Acquista la buyers guide 2019 e le precedenti” 19.90 Euros gives you the 2019 Buyers Guide , and previous years versions too.
good luck
Thanks Skier6! I bought it! I’m using Chrome’s Translate page feature to read it now.
I contacted for a discount code, in any case the retail price is worth it, and good to support print media. I’ll publish some sort of review blog post, sooner than later. Always fun to see which gear they ranked highest. Respect. Lou
Travis,
Did you get the buyers guide in English? Previously there was an English digital edition. I had a question about the subscription (to use my old login ) and they sent me back a message,
“I’m sorry but 2019 version is not available in English”
skier6, I didn’t see an option for an english one. But the Google Chrome browser has a built in feature that translates web pages. Not perfect, but it makes the guide extremely readable all things considered.
What that means, Lisa, is that Lou is above average. I’m worried though. In the photo he looks like a mannequin.
Lou,
Just tried to login to my SkiAlpers Buyers Guide 2018. I can access my account, print invoice from last November, but it appears the online “subscription” has expired after one year.
Today, no more access. Original invoice was dated Nov 14, 2017.
Anyone else have this problem? I sent an email to support@nextlevelstudio.it too.
Maybe you can ask them about this?
Skier6, sorry to hear that. I know they’ve been trying different paywalls over the last few years. I’ll bet they change something. Let us know if they resolve it. Lou
I encountered the same issue… my registration info from last year’s purchase was not recognized. I simply registered anew (with the same login and password info as before) and I got in to purchase… the Italian version.
JMski,
Well it would be nice if I could still read the SkiAlper Buyers Guide 2018 (English version) I paid for last year. I would expect for this years Buyers Guide 2019, I would have to pay again.
Seems I am locked out of the excellent 2018 Guide for now. No where did it say, for 9.90e you only get one year of access to the Buyers Guide.
Buyer beware.
Paul, if you are looking for all news related to new Alpride E1 Airbag system or new/old Jetforce system – I managed to put eveyrthing in one place: https://plecakilawinowe.pl/ you can use Google Translate from Polish to English – I checked works pretty nice 🙂
I wrote about:
Scott Patrol 30 Alpride E1
Alpride SuperCap30 Alpride E1 – limited edition
PIEPS JetForce SC 20L Alpride E1
Black Diamond JETFORCE TOUR 26L Alpride E1
I used WordPress Google Translate plugin, it’s not perfect, but works 🙂
Here you go:
https://plecakilawinowe.pl/en/
La Sportiva Vapor ski models are disappearing from inventories, making space for the new, heavier models! I’m glad to have got the old, unpoplarized Sveltes. I really like their low mass and think they ski well. Have not broken them yet. I am trying, but hope to fail.
If you can find old stock, they will soon, if not now, be selling at steep discount.
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