Alexander Braschel

With the Mod9t, Mod8t and Mod9, Original+ is launching its first skis suitable for off-piste and touring. What's special about them is that the skis are customised and built. This is designed to maximise skiing pleasure.

The SLF observers monitor and assess the current situation in their area and transmit the observations to the SLF (WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF). The data collected forms part of the basis for the daily avalanche bulletin. I was allowed to accompany Reto, one of the observers, for a day and look over his shoulder.

Julbo was kind enough to provide us with a combination of the double-certified "The Peak" helmet and the "Quickshift" goggle. I have tested how the items perform in practice.

With the FR 14, ATK is continuing its series of high-performance, lightweight freeride bindings. With a maximum Z value of 14, the binding is also one of the strongest pin bindings on the market. You can read about how the binding performs in practice and what else I can think of here.

A leisurely ascent in the sun, a racy descent in the shade. Doesn't sound bad, does it? You can find it on the Roccabella, at the end of the Julier Pass, above the small village of Bivio.

The Scott Speedguide is available in 2 versions, one with 80mm and one with 95mm underfoot. The 95mm (actually 96mm) version was tested in 178cm. Normally, here a ski review would summarise the description on the manufacturer's homepage. For me, however, this usually reads like the address on the back of a bottle of red wine and I think most of you will be more interested in how the ski performed in practice.

With the Confession, Völkl has been offering a real big mountain ski since the 16/17 season. 117mm under the binding, a titanium strap and a stiff shovel make the Confession a casual high-speed toy. You can read about how the ski performs in detail here.

With the Clark, Marker is launching a new helmet in the freeride/freestyle category. The helmet is particularly impressive due to its very low weight and versatility.

After Line launched a real all-rounder on the market with the Sick Day, this season sees the launch of a "slimmed-down" version in the truest sense of the word, the Sick Day Tourist. A lightweight, medium-width touring ski. I was able to see how the ski performs in practice over a longer period of time!

In the Lattengebirge mountains, just a 20-minute drive from Salzburg, there are three steep gullies that could not be more beautiful. Rarely hiked, but very worthwhile, the Alpgartenrinne catches the eye even from Salzburg!

The Dienten am Hochkönig ski area is mainly known for its wonderful treeruns and the numerous variants on the Aberg. But there are also a few treats for freeriders outside the ski area, such as the ski tour to the Klingespitze.