“Game-changing” technology underpins cutting-edge ski and snowboard gear

The Canberra Star has done the research to pinpoint the most innovative and cutting-edge ski and snowboard gear out there this season to help punters choose from the dizzying array of products on offer.

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Game-changing technology is underpinning the latest ski and snowboard equipment for those chomping at the bit to get out to the snow fields.

The Canberra Star has done the research to uncover the most innovative and cutting-edge gear out there this season to help punters choose from the dizzying array of products on offer.

Skiers are raving about the latest 3 Radius Sidecut technology in Volkl’s brand-new models this season; Deacon 84, Deacon 80, Kendo 88 and Kenja 88.

A skier slaying it with Volkl’s Deacon 80 skis.

Volkl brand manager Nick Hill said the technology incorporates three radiuses in one ski to achieve graceful turns and enhanced versatility in all-mountain skiing.

“It makes the ski really agile and smooth and effortless in short turns,” he said.

Peter Clark from Gravity Thredbo said the Kendo and Kenja 88 models were quite possibly Volkl’s best skis to date.

“The 3D sidecut ensures the ski is super quick edge to edge while the titanal frame helps with more dampening and stability over the previous model,” he said.

Mr Clark also pinpointed the K2 Mindbender 90 Ti Men’s and Mindbender Alliance 88 Ti Women’s all-mountain skis which feature Titanal Y Beam construction, giving the skis much better edge hold and responsiveness.

“I found them quick, light and super easy edge to edge, sure to be a favourite this season,” he said.

The K2 Mindbender 90 Ti (left) and the Line Pandora 84 (right) are among the top pics this season.

As the world’s best-selling women’s ski, the Blizzard Black Pearl 88 shines as the versatile, all-rounder offering the ultimate ride through all types of terrain.

With an 88mm waist and a women’s specific Carbon Flipcore W.S.D. construction, this ski performs on groomers, in the trees, through bumps and in powder.

Bentley Sports ski product manager Tyler Delumyea also rates the K2 Mindbender 90 Ti — K2’s newest freeride all-mountain ski.

“The Y-beam is a strategically designed piece of titanal which not only saves weight but gives the ski a great sense of precision,” he said.

Mr Delumyea also likes the Blizzard Rustler 9, which he described as a “very friendly one ski quiver for anyone looking to ski the whole mountain”.

“This ski has a huge range of ski ability from your intermediate-experts,” he said.

Snowboarders will be impressed with the Burton Feelgood Flying V (left) and Burton Custom Flying V (right)

A fantastic all-mountain option for women is the Line Pandora 84 to suit beginners right up to your “expert level lady rippers”.

“With a semi-cap construction and sidewall under foot where it counts, these skis has a lightweight feel with great control,” he said.

Amer Sport’s Rob Lloyd said Salomon’s new “game changing” shift binding for alpine skiing can easily convert to side country touring.

“The Shift allows people to climb and ski at their top level in the back-country with no compromises,” he said.

“The new S/LAB SHIFT binding ushers in the next generation of freeride capability, blending the touring efficiency of a pin (low-tech) binding, with the performance of an alpine freeride binding.”

The new Salomon shift binding

The light 1.7kg binding uses a pin toe design for touring, enabling full range of motion when hiking and kick turning.

Snowboarders can’t go wrong with the men’s Burton Custom Flying V, which combines time-honoured design with envelope-pushing features to create a lightweight and highly versatile board.

Volk’s Deacon 84 skis incorporate the new 3 Radius Sidecut technology.

The ladies Burton Feelgood Flying V, backed by Kelly Clark, boasts a unique shop with powerful pop for Ferrari-like handling.

Directional shaping allows the rider to navitage easily through variable conditions, making this a great board for conquering all terrain.

Available with the stable suspension of camber or the rocker-infused freedom of Flying V, the Feelgood is a perfect match for aspiring pros or just riders who demand every advantage.