The Armada JJ could certainly fit the bill for a one ski quiver setup. An extremely light and maneuverable ski the JJ absolutely slays it on and off the groomer. Even if you’re looking for a new backcountry board the JJ will impress. With it’s tapered tip and tail Armada was able to shave a ton of weight off the ski while also eliminating swing weight. The JJ’s dimensions (126 / 136 / 115 / 133 / 123) seem odd but this is becoming more and more common as ski manufactures catch on to the benefits of tapered tips and tails.
Armada also put plenty of rocker in the ski guaranteeing you won’t sink in the deep. The flex is pretty soft and poppy making for a very playful ski in the pow but not necessarily the ski you want when bombing down straight-lines. The ski also has plenty of sidecut making it very easy to rail around on groomers with. This ski could truly be your quiver killer.
Retail Price: $674.95
Check the Armada JJ’s availability at Backcountry.com
Browse all Armada products currently in stock.
Starting this Saturday (4/6) from 8:30-4:30 The Deep Powder House ski shop will be putting on a free demo day for anyone interested in trying out the latest and greatest in ski gear. Held at the Wildcat base all participating companies will be showcasing their 2013-2014 skis. You can register the day of the event or right now at any of The Deep Powder House’s locations. A credit card imprint will be required to demo equipment. Skiers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to sign participation waivers. The list of participating companies is amazing. Check it out below: 
- ABS Avalanche Airbags
- Amplid
- Apex Ski Boots
- Armada
- Atomic
- Black Diamond
- Blizzard
- Deviation
- DPS
- Dynastar
- Faction
- Fischer
- Head
- Line
- Majesty
- Moment
- Nordica
- ON3P
- RAMP
- Rossignol
- Salomon
- Stockli
- Surface
- Volkl
It was a beautiful Easter Sunday at Alta today. Skies were clear, temps were warm, and the crowds were non-existent. I was unfortunately not able to ski due to a busted rib but according to friends the skiing was pretty hit or miss depending on the hour of the day. Main Chute and the Shoulder were open but were apparently a bit scratchy up top and bumpy throughout. The snow seemed to take a long time to soften up but by late late afternoon conditions started to improve. Even West Ruslter with all it’s sun exposure took till 3:00 to soften up enough to make it worth while. Tomorrow looks to bring some wet Spring snow and with snow levels starting at 7,000 feet Alta should avoid any rain. Happy Easter everyone!
Calah Seese – Sunrise From Hidden Peak
Starting Monday, April 1st Alta will start it’s Spring pricing deals on an array of different lift ticket options. For the entire month of April My Alta card holders will receive discounted ticket prices on all cards:
- Gold Level – $32/day
- Silver Level – $37/day
- Bronze Level – $45/day
- Copper Level – $15/day
Running from April 1-14 season pass holders of any resort in the world can show their pass to the ticket office for a discounted $55 day ticket.
From April 1-4 Utah K-12 students can purchase day passes for only $15 a day!
The last two weekends of the year, April 19-21 and April 26-28, Alta will offer $55 lift tickets to all skiers.
With these deals going on all month you have no reason not to shred out the rest of the season. Once it’s over it’s over. November is a long ways away.
The Mountain Collective Pass just recently added three new mountains to their 2013-2014 list – Snowbird, Whistler/Blackcomb, and Mammoth. If you’re not familiar with the pass it includes two lift tickets to each of the following mountains - Alta/Snowbird, Jackson Hole, Aspen/Snowmass, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Whistler/Blackcomb, and Mammoth plus 50% off any additional lift tickets and 25% off lodging. At a ridiculously low price of $349 this is a hard pass to pass up. There are only a limited amount of passes left so if you’re interested make sure you get on it!
The Black Diamond Expedition Pole is a great option for any backcountry enthusiast ready to ditch their resort poles for a much more functional touring pole. Reasonably priced at $89.95 you won’t find a sturdier pole for shredding outside of the resort boundaries. With the flick of a lever the Expedition Pole quickly adjusts to any length for those steep climbs. The grips are super comfy and the large diameter shafts ensure you won’t break this pole even on the most aggressive pole plants. Also, check out Black Diamond’s Carbon Probe Pole. It comes with the same burliness as the Expedition but includes a built in probe for easy access when things don’t go as planned.
Retail Price: $89.95
Check Black Diamond Expedition Pole availability at Backcountry.com
Browse all Black Diamond products currently in stock.
After yesterday’s questionable pow day Mother Nature decided to up the ante dropping an additional 8″, bringing the storm total to 13″. The snow quality wasn’t all-time but it did a great job hiding the icy chunder beneath. It snowed most of the day keeping Baldy and Backside closed but with the limited crowds, slopes stayed empty all day. By early afternoon Patrol opened the Keyhole gate and although the skiing was deep and untracked the snow definitely started to set up quick. By the end of the day skies cleared giving way to another beautiful afternoon in Alta. Snow looks to move back in again starting tomorrow morning so keep those pow boards out!
The fresh mash potatoes that fell today turned Alta’s slopes around tremendously. Even though only 5″ fell it allowed Alta Ski Patrol to reopen the High T giving the hand-full of skiers up there some decent shreddin’ options. The viz was low and there was definitely a hard chunder layer underneath but, the random face-shots that hit you every 5th turn made you feel momentarily blissful. There weren’t really any areas that stood out today as every aspect quickly reminded you that opening it up was not an option. Hopefully tomorrow with tonight’s predicted snowfall we’ll be doing less bracing for the next ice bump and more charging at the next pow pillow.
This weekend’s pathetic 2″ dump did little to help Alta’s current conditions. The warm, soft, spring-like days from last week have now turned into sketchy bulletproof ice. Alta Ski Patrol has been forced to close most of Alta’s terrain including the High T. The only gate open today was Catherine’s and based on how the rest of Alta skied I can’t imagine it was worth the short hike. The only decent skiing we found today was off the Tower 10 Traverse in Lone Pine and High Boy. The left wall of High Boy actually had some decent wind deposits where you could find a couple hit or miss turns of fluff. Other than that it was a one run and done type of day. Wednesday’s storm still looks decent with 6-10″ forecasted to fall by Thursday. Let’s hope their right this time!
If you haven’t given Patagonia’s line of thermo underwear a chance yet you’ve been missing out. Their trademark Capilene material is unmatched especially for individuals who have sensitive skin. Unlike a lot of other thermowear out there Patagonia’s Capilene material doesn’t itch your skin when you sweat, especially if you wear their silk-weight line as your base layer. Their thermowear also does a great job of masking those dingy B.O. smells that thermo underwear tends to attract over time. I’ve owned an array of different thermo’s and the only ones that don’t make even my dog want to puke are my Patagonia’s. A little bit pricier than the competitors but with a life-time warranty and unbeatable comfort you’d be silly not to give these a try.
Retail Price: $59.00
Check Patagonia Capilene 1 Thermo’s at Backcountry.com
Browse all Patagonia products currently in stock.
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The Armada JJ could certainly fit the bill for a one ski quiver setup. An extremely light and maneuverable ski the JJ absolutely slays it on and off the groomer. Even if you’re looking for a new backcountry board the JJ will impress. With it’s tapered tip and tail Armada was able to shave a ton of weight off the ski while also eliminating swing weight. The JJ’s dimensions (126 / 136 / 115 / 133 / 123) seem odd but this is becoming more and more common as ski manufactures catch on to the benefits of tapered tips and tails.
