Click Here to see the updated Volkl RTM 84 Review

The entirely new Volkl RTM 84 is the successor to the long running line of AC 4/AC 40/AC 50 skis that date back several years.  Those past models were pretty stiff at the start and got continually stiffer as the years passed.  Recent skis like the AC 50 may have been dubbed “All Conditions” but they were not much good outside of firm, packed slopes.  The RTM 84 changes all that and does so in a big way, this is not just an incremental change to an existing model.  At first glance, the raised shoulders and top deck geography look fairly similar to past skis of the AC group but when you pick one up and flex it, it feels very different.  The flex of the RTM 84 is still pretty firm but it is much more balanced and somewhat softer than in the past.  In addition, the RTM 84 uses Volkls’ ELP full length rocker.  This is a continuous tip to tail rocker profile and is one of the very few skis in the narrower widths that uses rocker

Seasoned ski racers and ski professionals understand the importance of finding skis that bring out the best of their individual style while mitigating some of the potentially unproductive aspects of their skiing and racing.  Ski testing is necessary in order to identify which ski most enhances performance, and Mt. Hood, Oregon is a great place to figure out which race skis to purchase for next season.  Below are some key considerations to ensure a productive and accurate ski test.

When is the best time to test 2012 race skis?

In a perfect world, ski testing would be done on winter snow and in winter temperatures.  The reality is that next season’s race skis are not typically available to test until April or May.  As a result it is difficult for the Eastern and Midwestern skiers to test on home turf.  In the West you have greater opportunity to test.  For example, in California there is still very good snow at Squaw Valley and Mammoth Mountain.  For summer skiing, Mt. Hood

The Blizzard Bonafide comes in at 98mm at the waist and features the “Flipcore” construction of the Freemountain line.  The Bonafide has conventional camber in the center section of the ski with modest tip and tail rise and 2 ½ sheets of metal.  This construction with layered metal laminates allows Blizzard to build a ski with a thin profile.  This thin profile along with a lightweight center stringer in the core allows the Bonafide to be much lighter than expected for a ski with this much metal.

My first experience on the Bonafide was at Squaw Valley in early January on very hard snow.  The layered metal gave the Bonafide near ice-pick grip in the conventional cambered section and the ski was remarkably damp on the near bulletproof conditions.  Rolling in and out of varied turn shapes, it was easy to see that that the Bonafide changed turn shapes easily and would finish turns smoothly regardless of the radius.  The even flex blends the rockered sections into the overall construction

We are very proud to announce that at the 2011 Ski Show in Denver, Colorado the Start Haus crew was voted as the Most Knowledgeable Staff in the ski industry.

We strive to uphold this title every day through our commitment to staff education and training along with hiring only the best and brightest. Read more about our story, history and staff.

The Start Haus Ski Camp is an all-inclusive, high-caliber summer race camp created by Jim Schaffner & Danielle Nichols.  This is an opportunity for athletes of all ages to experience excellent coaching and daily access to the best boot and ski service in the country.

Start Haus Services

• Dedicated Start Haus boot and ski technicians on site
• Fleet of 2012 demo race skis prepped daily
• Retail race gear available at discounted prices
• Tuning clinic

Camp Facilities & Activities

• Centrally located houses in downtown government camp where all meals will be prepared daily
• Daily afternoon activities, dryland training, & video analysis
• NCAA and Elite FIS athletes on staff

Program Includes

• Meals, lodging, tickets, coaching, dryland training
• Transportation to/from Portland Airport & at camp to training and off snow activities
• Start Haus Ski Camp Mt. Hood 2011 Sweatshirt

Camp Director/Head Coach; Danielle Nichols

Coaches; Colin Moffatt, Mark Engel, Jake Scannell, Jacqui Lebel and additional coaches

Virtually every ski today comes from the factory with a high quality stone grind, and often the base edge is “relieved” from the base material. This is a description for a factory process where the base steel is made roughly parallel to the base material, but set very slightly below the level of the plastic. When you, your coach, or your favorite shop inspect the factory base bevel, be sure to determine if the base side steel is actually angled (and how much) or if it is relieved.

One way to check your base bevel is to lay your true bar across the ski and carefully hold the bar flush against one base edge, testing in several spots along both edges of the ski. If you can lay the true bar flush against the steel, you have a base angle. Does the true bar just touch the corner of the steel & the base material? If so, you have base edge relief. Now examine the gap that is present on the other side of the true bar. Measure this gap in several places along the length of the ski. Ideally, it is

The season is upon us and El Nino has returned, promising to inundate the Sierra with snow. The anticipation of snow and the first turn is growing into a reality. After a long summer with a daily routine of 50 one legged squats (or 12 oz. curls in the lazy boy) you're body is ready for the slopes. But before we get too carried away, you should know that the first day or two on the slopes can be the best time for you to improve your technique and make the rest of the season even more enjoyable.

The first few runs can produce some of the clumsiest sensations you will feel during the entire season. You're rusty, that's natural. Believe it or not, that rust can also work to your advantage because it makes you more open to improving your technique. Old, bad habits are also rusty, and are easier to change. Now is the time to get rid of them before they return. So let's look at the very foundation of your skiing, the stance, and work towards perfecting it.

The stance is critical because all other

Additional authoring by Thor Verdonk.

Have you ever wondered what the inside of your favorite athlete’s boots look like? If not, I am certain that you have wondered if you have access to the same work and workmanship that a top National Team athlete has. To find out more, I spent a day with Thor Verdonk, of Rossignol.

First, a little history. To most everyone involved in alpine ski racing in the US, Thor has been Rossignol Racing for as long as most can remember. Earlier this summer, Thor was name to a new position within Rossignol – technical alpine product manager. This position will allow the inherent technical skills he has honed over 13+ years as a racing service person to affect the entire product line up at Rossignol.

I got together with Thor about 1 week before the women’s World Cup speed group headed to Chile. Thor needed to build a backup boot for Lindsay Kildow, however, she was still at home in Minnesota. Thor pulled out his notes – culled from many years of working with Lindsay,