Demo Day at Alpine Meadows
Yes, it's only February but we are already thinking about next year! The K2 team was out in force at Alpine Meadows for the WWRSA demo show and the unveiling of 2012 K2 models.
Tyra, Elle, Heidi....you girls have nothing on our Super Models: Super Burning, Super Stitious, and Super Free! A super fun and exciting line of new skis for all to love. Here are NorCal Alliance Team Members: Julie, El, and Fran doing their best "face" in front of the K2 tent!
Rob Furtney interviewing demo participants as they returned from testing the new line:
We have a great crew in the Tahoe region - thanks to everyone who came to help and say "HI" and had a maple bacon cupcake!
Posted by NorCal Alliance Team Member, Julie
So Much Fun Taking it to the Next Level ... on K2's!
Another fun Women of Winter session went out on February 2, 2011 led by Norcal Alliance members Fran and Julie. Despite a recent snowstorm that improved conditions a lot., we faced challenges ... but all the women were up for it and charged like goddesses!
Four of us randomly got on one chair ride and we were K2 strong.
Great Skiers ... Great Skis ... California Sunshine and lots of the white stuff. Need we say more?
Fran Tone, Norcal Regional Alliance Team Member
Skiing on K2's and Beating Breast Cancer
I had the pleasure of spending a week in Colorado skiing with my friend Katherine who wears pink in celebration of her beating breast cancer. The first woman to use genetic testing to determine whether chemotherapy would help her (finding it wouldn't and didn't use it), she is a survivor and lives life to its fullest. We skied the slopes of Colorado, her on her K2 Lotta Luvs and I on my new and fantastic PayBacks. Thanks K2 for supporting the search for a cure! Thanks Katherine for always reminding me that life must be lived to the fullest every day!
Fran Tone - Norcal Regional Alliance Team Member
Garmont's new women's NTN boot: The Priestess
K2 Paybacks with NTN bindings.
During the 2009-10 ski season, I was disappointed to discover that none of the boot companies were making a women's NTN boot. See blog post. As promised, in 2010 Garmont released a women's specific NTN boot called the Priestess, which accommodates sizes 23-27.5.
After watching my husband ski the NTN's and work out some of the kinks (details below) last season, I garnered my new K2 Paybacks, NTN bindings, and Garmont's Priestess NTN boot size 25.0 and hit the slopes this year with a whole new setup. Previously I was on the K2 Dawn Patrols with Karhu's 7tm Power bindings and Garmont's Elektra women's boot size 24.5.
Garmont's Priestess.
I'm using the green power tubes in the NTN bindings with the tension set between 1 and 2 depending on the snow conditions (1 for powder and 2 for hard pack). As expected, the fit of this Garmont boot is narrower than their traditional telemark boot. After some boot tweaking: thermo-molding the liners and some ankle padding to fill in the volume added by the bigger size, I was surprised how easily I adjusted to the new system. I find the NTN system very responsive and the Priestess boot was easy to flex right out of the box. I'm also a ski patroller and NTN provides a greater level of stability while pulling a toboggan. In short, these bindings and the Priestess rock!
One main kink: the NTN bindings may accumulate ice and snow underfoot.
~ Amy Bauer (K2 Women's SW Regional Alliance Member)
WOW loves Doug Stoup
Squaw Valley's "Women of Winter" program hosted guest Doug Stoup for a morning of tactical tips, inspirational adventuring stories, and great skiing with wonderful friends. Doug lead the ladies as they charged around the mountain, in search of California sunshine and runs to challenge and thrill!
Doug created Ice Axe Expeditions (www.iceaxe.tv) not only to lead North and South Pole skiing expeditions, but also to pursue his passion to explore the world and educate the world about what is happening around the globe. Doug has also formed the Ice Axe Foundation to reach out to children around the world, teaching them about the world and inspiring them to pursue their dreams. Doug carried a United Nations Flag to the North Pole to commemorate and celebrate the United Nation’s Millenium Goal #3: To Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women. THANKS DOUG! We need more guys like this!!
Posted by NorCal Alliance Team Members, Julie and Fran
Spring Skiing in January
After an early season of snowstorm after snowstorm, it's been nice to see the sun again here in Lake Tahoe! Today we had an abundance of sunshine, corn snow, and beautiful skiers as the NorCal Alliance team gathered for a morning of turns together at Alpine Meadows. Thank you to the team members and our guests for making it out today. It was an inspirational sight to see these ladies rippin' around the mountain!
Posted by NorCal Alliance Team Member, Julie
A Little Hike Paid Off
Squaw Valley's WOW (Women of Winter) with K2 Regional Alliance Members Fran and Julie kicked off the new year with smiles, laughs and powder giggles. Titled "Burn Off the Holidays," a brief hike up Granite Peak burned off a slice or two of holiday pie and was rewarded with a fluffy powder stash even though it hadn't snowed for several days. With regulars returning and new participants joining each session, more friendships were forged as the WOW team of rippin' women skiers at Squaw keeps growing - women who want to ski, ski, ski and go, go, go! Damn - I LOVE skiing!
Fran Tone, Norcal Regional Alliance Team Member
WOW - it's Jonny!!
On Wednesday, a huge group of ladies got together for Squaw Valley's first WOW (Women of Winter) session of the season! With over 20 feet of snow, the conditions couldn't be any better...except if you're able to ski with Olympic Gold Medalist and Squaw Valley Ambassador, Jonny Moseley! Hot off the plane from "Skating with the Stars," Jonny graciously joined the WOW group for a great morning of rippin' around the mountain and offered valuable technique tips to the women. Thank you to everyone who joined us and we look forward to seeing you on the mountain all season long! 
Posted by NorCal Alliance Team Member, Julie
Squaw opens New Demo Center Partnered with K2
December 17, 2010 was the grand opening of the state-of-the-art Demo Adventure Center in the Village at Squaw Valley. Partnered with K2, this center has equipment galore. Everyone and anyone was invited to the opening while Squaw offered wine and yummy appetizers. The K2 Chopper was unveiled by none other than JT Holmes. Stop by and check out the chopper ... oh yea ... and pick up some awesome demos while you're there!
Fran Tone, Norcal Regional Alliance Team Member
It's Not Even Winter Yet!
Another 2 feet of snow on Squaw Valley ... and it's only December 15! Is that 12 feet? 15 feet? what?? The snow was incredible today ... so incredible that it wouldn't have mattered what skis we were on ... Norcal Alliance Team Member Julie and I both grabbed our K2 Lotta Luvs - do anything don't have to think skis. But the ground is fully covered now ... it's time to unveil the new sticks - Paybacks and Gotbacks with Rocker Revolution! Oh yea.
Fran Tone, Norcal Alliance Team Member
