The beer is empty, the party is over. Ispo 2012 is now history. While the last corpses of alcohol and stand thieves are still being swept out of the exhibition halls, you can look forward to trade fair special part 4: skis and ski boots are the focus today.
Skis
The rocker revolution has been old hat for a few years now. We didn't see anything new in terms of genuine and innovative new products at Ispo. However, we have noticed that from next season there will probably be more rockered freeride and freestyle skis on the market than carving skis. The revolution has already happened. For 2012/2013 there is an almost unmanageable number of small changes, model shifts and super special rocker constructions that a four-day visit to the trade fair cannot cover. Some new freeride rocker models from the classic manufacturers particularly caught our eye. For example, the new Cham model series from Dynastar, the new freeride skis from Head or the modifications to the K2 freeride skis. Whether twintip, full-throttle freerider or somewhat lighter touring rocker, there really is something for everyone here. Even companies such as Fischer, Head or Dynastar, which for years tried with all their might to resist the sensible use of rocker skis, have now apparently given in. The skis are all top quality and will find happy buyers, but the desperate marketing attempts to wring an innovation out of rocker skis will make knowledgeable freeriders smile rather than appreciate them. It is pleasing for all freeriders who want to ascend and downhill-oriented tourers that some companies are now increasingly offering wide and light freeride touring skis that are also really fun downhill. These include Black Diamond, K2, Blizzard, Salomon and Völkl.
The number of "small" ski brands and the selection of models that can be found here continues to grow, and the PG team is particularly pleased about this. Often with unique designs and partly handmade, these finds delight individualists and bring a breath of fresh air to the trade fair world. Skilogik, Majesty, 4Front, Pfeilski, Skylotec, to name just a few brands. Everyone is sure to find a suitable ski here. And often at surprisingly affordable prices.
Ski boots
Freeriders who have struggled with unsuitable freeride ski boots for ascents in recent years should find the variety of boots on offer in winter 2012/2013 a blessing. Several manufacturers of classic alpine boots are pushing into the growing market and looking for their niche.
Scarpa
We spotted two new models at the stand of ski touring specialists Scarpa. The Maestrale RS and the women's model Gea RS are said to offer slightly better downhill performance than their predecessors.
Dynafit
The speed fans at Dynafit draw their conclusions from the cooperation with freeride athlete Eric Hjorleifson and present the Vulcan. The three-part freeride ski boot with a Vibram sole should also be able to cope with the hard freeride gait and, with its low weight of just 1590 grams and the wide range of the walking function, should also function like a fully-fledged touring ski boot on the uphill. Only the price of 750 euros is likely to put some buyers off. We are looking forward to the first tests, as the first visual impression of the workmanship and quality at the trade fair was unfortunately not entirely convincing for this proud price.
Fischer
The traditional Austrian company Fischer is now also offering new ski boots with a walking mechanism. In addition to the two main models, there will be several model variants that differ mainly in the inner boots used. The high-priced Vacuumfit models in particular are designed to make a visit to the boot fitter superfluous and ensure a perfect fit. Tech interchangeable soles are not offered.
Lange
Our French neighbors are not idle in the freeride ski boot business either. Based on the alpine models (some of which are available in two different footbed widths), a simple walking mechanism is built into the new XT range, eh voilá: Freeride boots suitable for ascents enter the ski market. Similar to the Fischer models, all Lange XT models cater more to the downhill-oriented freerider who wants to "go uphill a bit" than the real touring skier. At the same time, touring freeriders with a penchant for sadistic ascents can fully enjoy the advantages of an alpine boot on the descent. Tech interchangeable soles are also not provided for the only partially rubberized long models.
Movement
Already presented in the innovation drawer at Ispo 2011, three very interesting freeride ski boot models are now seeing the light of day under the Antidote Free Power (*) model series. The three-part construction is similar to the Dynafit Vulcan in the Raichle ski boot concept. The third buckle pushes the rider's heel well back and down and the tongue is interchangeable. The walking mechanism seems to be reasonably successful and interchangeable soles for both alpine and tech binding systems are also available. The optional Intuition liner is supposed to ensure a good fit. (*: the product names mentioned may not correspond to the actual ones, as the online press portal was not available.)
Tecnica
Following the launch of the freeride ski boots at Ispo 2011, Tecnica is adding to and improving the details of its model range. The Tecnica Cochise models Cochise 120 light and 130 Pro will now also have the narrower shell of the Bodacious and thus gain in hardness. The light model impresses with its light Intuition-like inner boot and lower weight, the 130 Pro model with its hard flex value of almost 130 (our short rough test in the warm exhibition hall is not very meaningful in terms of hardness). Interchangeable soles for alpine and tech ski bindings are also available in matching colors.
