Evolution of BackSide Adventure
What a long, strange, snowy road trip it’s been. The winter landscape has changed a lot since we launched our original Adventure ski, the Piste Off, and with it infused the wheat grass drinking telemark world with red bull and muscle car flames. Over almost 15 years, K2 introduced countless innovations to telemark skiing, from deep sidecuts to wide widths, to womens models to inserts to rocker. One could say we jump started the modern day telemark revolution and helped grow the entire telemark and alpine touring market.
As the market grew with us, we noticed that the distinctions began to blur. Telemark and AT boots and bindings progressively increased in size and power, and the subtleties of the skis gradually diminished. The necessity of a telemark-specific flex for light boots and bindings faded, as skiers embraced more powerful and exhilarating performance.
As more and more people ventured out into the backcountry, their opinions on what makes a good backcountry ski began to broaden as well. Some skiers like Martin Volken or Andrew McLean want a narrow, lightweight ski that’s skins well, and covers long distances efficiently. Others like the Crist brothers and Luke Miller prefer something fat and stable, and willingly pay a weight penalty. There is no wrong answer.
Our passion for the adventure that we created with skis branded “K2 Telemark” and “K2 Alpine Touring” continues just as strongly today with a revolutionary new line that blends the best features of backcountry skis with the powerful alpine characteristics of sidecountry models into one comprehensive collection we call BackSide.
We think the most important determining factors in choosing a ski are your objective and motivation – no longer your method of glisse. Are you touring for days or weeks, or merely an hour or two? Would you rather flash a 2,000’ slope in 6 turns, or milk it with 100? Those are more important questions to answer than what kind of binding you’ll put on the ski.
The common thread that binds this BackSide collection together is that they’re all designed for backcountry. Sure, any manufacturer can make the claim they’re making backcountry skis, but what truly makes them backcountry worthy? The features that set the BackSide collection apart from the pretenders are skin notches, straight tails, and tip and tail holes. These features transform the BackSide collection from simply great skiing skis into functional backcountry tools.
In our “BackSide Resources” section, guides and ski mountaineers from all over the globe will share with you some of the reasons they require these features in the backcountry. They’ll cover everything from putting skis on in steep terrain, to building ski anchors to constructing an emergency sled with your skis.
Ski touring is all about efficiency, so the more utility you can squeeze from your skis, the more equipment you can leave at home, making you faster and safer, your pack lighter, and your experience more enjoyable. So choose the BackSide model that fits your style and objective best, throw tele, AT or alpine bindings on them, and get out there.
The Evolution of BackSide Adventure
What a long, strange, snowy road trip it’s been. The winter landscape has changed a lot since we launched our original Adventure ski, the Piste Off, and with it infused the wheat grass drinking telemark world with red bull and muscle car flames. Over almost 15 years, K2 introduced countless innovations to telemark skiing, from deep sidecuts to wide widths, to womens models to inserts to rocker. One could say we jump started the modern day telemark revolution and helped grow the entire telemark and alpine touring market.
As the market grew with us, we noticed that the distinctions began to blur. Telemark and AT boots and bindings progressively increased in size and power, and the subtleties of the skis gradually diminished. The necessity of a telemark-specific flex for light boots and bindings faded, as skiers embraced more powerful and exhilarating performance.
As more and more people ventured out into the backcountry, their opinions on what makes a good backcountry ski began to broaden as well. Some skiers like Martin Volken or Andrew McLean want a narrow, lightweight ski that’s skins well, and covers long distances efficiently. Others like the Crist brothers and Luke Miller prefer something fat and stable, and willingly pay a weight penalty. There is no wrong answer.
Our passion for the adventure that we created with skis branded “K2 Telemark” and “K2 Alpine Touring” continues just as strongly today with a revolutionary new line that blends the best features of backcountry skis with the powerful alpine characteristics of sidecountry models into one comprehensive collection we call BackSide.
We think the most important determining factors in choosing a ski are your objective and motivation – no longer your method of glisse. Are you touring for days or weeks, or merely an hour or two? Would you rather flash a 2,000’ slope in 6 turns, or milk it with 100? Those are more important questions to answer than what kind of binding you’ll put on the ski.
The common thread that binds this BackSide collection together is that they’re all designed for backcountry. Sure, any manufacturer can make the claim they’re making backcountry skis, but what truly makes them backcountry worthy? The features that set the BackSide collection apart from the pretenders are skin notches, straight tails, and tip and tail holes. These features transform the BackSide collection from simply great skiing skis into functional backcountry tools.
In our “BackSide Resources” section, guides and ski mountaineers from all over the globe will share with you some of the reasons they require these features in the backcountry. They’ll cover everything from putting skis on in steep terrain, to building ski anchors to constructing an emergency sled with your skis.
Ski touring is all about efficiency, so the more utility you can squeeze from your skis, the more equipment you can leave at home, making you faster and safer, your pack lighter, and your experience more enjoyable. So choose the BackSide model that fits your style and objective best, throw tele, AT or alpine bindings on them, and get out there.
K2 Charlie hits Tahoe
After a week in wonderful Mount Hood, Oregon, K2 Charlie and I made the grueling 10 hour drive, in 90 degree heat, down to Lake Tahoe, California to check out the summer scene. Tahoe is in full on summer mode right now but Charlie's presence reminded everyone winter is on its way. With California in an El Niño cycle, expectations for this winter are high and the buzz is in the air. We met up with a few members of the K2 family who welcomed Charlie and I with open arms and showed us what summer is all about around the lake.
Our first destination in Tahoe was K2's Nor-Cal rep Mike Rosen's house. He was surprised Charlie and I made it this far and wished us good luck on the long road ahead. Mike also gave us an inside look into a reps life heading into his busiest time of year.
Tahoe and K2's own Michelle Parker was equally as surprised to see Charlie and I in Tahoe. Michelle is currently recovering from a knee injury and is doing great. She is super focused on physical therapy and coming back stronger than ever.
Michelle and I rented a kayak and took a shoreline cruise of Tahoe City. The water is a spectacular blue, something Charlie and I had heard about but never seen firsthand. Unfortunately, Charlie couldn't join us in the boat as he understands the whole Keep Tahoe Blue movement and wouldn't want to harm the water.
Here with Charlie and I is Chase, an old friend of mine, who I haven't seen or talked to in years. Chase rented us the kayak and when we realized we knew each other from skiing, he automatically knew I was in town with Charlie and because of that, I was given a discounted rental. A small world becomes even smaller and better when your driving such a stand out vehicle.
Porters Tahoe was having a tent sale so Charlie and I parked out front to attract some curious customers.
K2 athletes Michelle Parker and Kip Garre. We hung out at Porters, showed off K2 Charlie to Tahoe and made plans to shred California this winter.
Thanks to Mike Rosen, Michelle and Kip for making Charlie and I feel at home in Tahoe.
South American Freeskiing Championships
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The North Face South American Freeskiing Championships in La Parva, Chile, September 3-6, 2009
The 2010 Subaru Freeskiing World Tour will kick off in a few weeks in La Parva, Chile, at The North Face South American Freeskiing Championships, where the world’s best freeskiers will get a unique chance to compete during the summer
Salt Lake City, UT, August 20, 2009—The highly anticipated first stop of the 2010 Freeskiing World Tour (FWT) arrives at La Parva, Chile, for the First Annual The North Face South American Freeskiing Championships (SAFC). Freeskiing's elite will battle it out in the Andes snow September 3-6, for the SAFC title, overall World Tour points, and a $10,000 cash purse.
“After 12 years we’re excited to have the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour back to South America,” said La Parva Ski Resort Marketing Director Rodrigo Medina. “We truly believe the La Parva venues will challenge the competitors and the Chilean mountains and people will be a great fit with the other FWT stops.”
With a meter of new snow yesterday and more on the way, conditions at La Parva are shaping up to be the best in years. Competitors from around the globe will pioneer new lines on “McConkey’s,” a venue that was recently opened to the public, but much of which has yet to be skied.
“With the addition of two international stops, over $100,000 in prize money, and continuous live coverage, the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour is stronger than ever,” said Mountain Sport International President Adam Comey. “And to honor our good friend and legendary skier Shane McConkey—who founded this sport and the IFSA—the overall World Tour champions will be awarded with the McConkey Cup. This sport was his vision and we intend to keep it thriving for years to come.”
“I feel like our sport has taken a huge evolutionary jump forward,” said 2009 women's overall Freeskiing World Tour Champion Crystal Wright. “The level of competition from both the men and women has progressed to unexpected new heights. Revelstoke and La Parva are awesome venues and will bring international legitimacy to the tour. And with the live webcasting more people than ever are learning about our sport. This is going to be a big year.”
This will truly be a memorable and exciting event to kick off the 2010 Subaru Freeskiing World Tour. For those unable to attend, make sure you check out the live webcast of the event on www.freeskiingworldtour.com
For a complete schedule of events and to register, please visit www.freeskiingworldtour.com
Sean Decker takes us inside K2 Charlie
Decker will be spending the next 3 months living and traveling with K2 Charlie. Sean wanted to give the world an in-depth look at who K2 Charlie is and what he is all about. If you see Charlie and Sean on the road make sure you show them some love and look out for the tour schedule posting on K2skis.com next week.
K2 Charlie goes to camp
For the past week K2 Charlie and I have been in Mount Hood, Oregon for some hot, late summer action at Mount Hood Summer Ski Camp. We arrived to blue skies, sunshine and one good day of skiing together, then the rain came. Having coached in Hood for four years now, I know how miserable it can be to ski in these conditions and wasn't about to ruin the Hood experience for Charlie. So instead of dealing with the elements we relaxed, had some fun and did some summer camp rain day stuff.
Checking out Hood as the weather was setting in. Five days of rain and cold got me thinking winter is near and there would be fresh snow when it cleared.
Bowling is always my first choice on rain days at camp. Charlie couldn't participate in the action because they didn't have shoes that fit him. He was really bummed as he was being really cocky and bragged about how he was going to crush me like he does whenever we wii bowl.
Blue skies prevailed and finally we could see the whole mountain and ski again.
Charlie wanted a picture in front of the historic Timberline Lodge. The amount of skiers this time of year is minimal but there was lots of people staying and vistiting the lodge. The lodge was built in 1936 by out of work craftsman hired by the government during the Great Depression.
When the weather cleared we took Charlie on a hike. Mount Hood always provides nice sunsets and this night was amazing, the best I have ever seen. Too bad Charlie missed it when he left early to have a few too many cold ones. When I next saw him he was in full party mode and I was forced to play catch up once again.
That's all for now from Mount Hood. Thanks to Mike and Lynn at Mount Hood Summer Ski Camp for allowing us to hang out around camp for the week, despite any stereotypes a RV like Charlie has.
K2 Charlie-Adventure From Tip to Tail
Buckle up and prepare for the ride of a lifetime! Prepare to see the infamous K2 Charlie, the RV that started it all, as he takes K2 Athletes Pep Fujas, Seth Morrison, Sean Pettit, Michelle Parker and Reggie Crist, on an incredible journey that critics everywhere are raving about. K2 Charlie is a true story that will have you on the edge of your keyboard for the entire two and a half minutes. Shot on location in Alaska, Colorado, Utah, Seattle, Outer Space and K2 Global Headquarters, K2 Charlie is the first of five cinematic masterpieces that will be released this season.
Sign-up to recieve updates on future trailer releases, and product giveaways during the 09-10 season! Check out the K2 Charlie Tour dates to see the infamous Recreational Vehicle in your own backyard as it tours the world catching film-tours, making pit stops at local shops and hosting fall ski events along the way.
K2 Charlie grills and enjoys beverages at Evo
This past Saturday K2 Charlie and I were Evo in Seattle. If you haven't been to Evo, let me tell you, it is the experience of a lifetime! Evo has a unique, creative way of displaying their products and the store is filled with everything from skis to wakeboards and it doubles as a venue for concerts and movie premiers.
Upon arriving at Evo I sort of expected a cool set-up but Charlie was totally blown away to see Evo's Chris Shalbot setting up for a block party with Rockstar parking for Charlie in the center of all the action..
The scene at the block party. Note the speakers on top of Charlie. He was excited to listen to some music because we're having technical difficulties with the radio right now.
Shalbot gives us a thumbs up. He worked really hard to make sure the Evo stop was fun for all. He ran the grill, served Red Bull to the kids, and made sure the big kids 21+ had ice cold beers to enjoy.
Evo already has the 2010 K2 line in stock and on display. I caught this guy checking out the new Kung Fujas's.
Evo gave away a pair of the rare K2 PBR Brewski's. Shalbot modified the scavenger hunt from Kamp K2 (the greatest event in K2 history) to see who skis away with these gems. These ladies took on the challenge.
The K2 Charlie Day at Evo was a blast, beers were had and new friends were made. Charlie and I want to again thank everyone at Evo for great day.
K2 Japan's Rooftop Party
Charlie hits the road: Spokane and back
The trip to Sports Creel was the first big trip for K2 Charlie. He proved his road worthiness and made plenty of friends along the way. We took a few detours and snapped some photos. Check it out...
Heading east on I-90 near Snoqualmie pass
Charlie with twinkle in his eye. He was excited to hit the road and get out of Seattle for a couple days, so was I.
These newlyweds were taking pictures of Charlie at a rest area. I was inside using the restroom and buying us some snacks. This couple barely spoke English but we could tell they loved Charlie as much as they loved eachother.
Karri Came running up to us at another rest area wondering if we had free skis. She rides MissDemeanor's but want some pow skis. We hooked her up with some goodies and she stopped by Sports Creel to hang out with us the next day.
I guess this was "THE" butcher shop back when Charlie was a baby, I like their acronym. I didn't know the area code so we couldn't call to see if they were still in business.
Look at all those Sunflowers...
I hear The Gorge Amphitheater is a great place to see live music and find lost iphones. We were about two weeks early for Phish who is coming to town but i know Charlie would have been a hit in the lot.
Examine this love note left under Charlie's windsheild wiper in a Wal-Mart parking lot. We never did meet Karmen but took this as a sign of thing to come.
