2011-2012 Season, Earned Turns, Killington, October, Powder Day

Beastly Skiing at the Beast

Skinning Under the Snowdon Quad

Today had all the makings of fantastic adventure: equipment failure, gear breakage, poor packing skills, lost helmet ear pads, and horrific skiing. Depending upon one’s outlook on life, it could have either been a comedy or a tragedy. Or both. My amusement while “skiing” (i.e. attempting and failing to link two turns) suggested comedy. But my frustration with trying to engage my Dynafits after falling (again) and associated broken brake suggested tragedy. I laughed, but I didn’t cry.

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Announcements

TSW v5.0

Welcome to the new and improved TheSnowWay.com v5.0. The site’s theme was updated from a hacked version of Kubrick to a significantly less hacked version of Twentyeleven. In the next week or two, you may notice a few additional changes as I dial in the style sheet. This was an unplanned acceleration of the theme change over schedule so please comment to report any bugs you notice. Thanks!

Gear

Jacket Review: Marmot Catalyst Windshirt

Mount Snow North Face

The most important aspect of earning turns is temperature regulation. The best touring gear in the world is not going to make your up or your down enjoyable if you are miserable due to being wet, cold, or hot. Which is why the Marmot DriClime Catalyst is my most important and versatile piece of gear.

After years of constant adjustments, I finally found a pair of jackets that get me through all conditions. I paired the Catalyst windshirt with a Marmot Exum hardshell and the results this past winter were excellent. The Catalyst can be used as a mid-layer or outer layer depending upon temperature, weather, and exertion level. Even on the coldest days this past season, I was comfortable on all the ups and the downs. The windshirt is super light weight and packs down tightly.

The Catalyst is a suburb skinning jacket down into the teens with appropriate base layering. Generous venting dumps excessive heat without being too drafty. Thin DriClime lining can almost be too hot for skinning at times but unzipping the jacket can help regulate overheating.

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Gear

Digital Camera Review: Samsung TL-350

Samsung TL-350

Almost one year later, I am finally rolling out the 2010-2011 Season Gear Reviews beginning with the Samsung TL-350. This higher end Point & Shoot (along with the slightly better spec’d TL-500) was Samsung’s attempt to dethrone reigning Point & Shoot champs: the Canon S95 and the Panasonic LX5. Most reviewers have responded favorably to the TL-350. But most reviewers are not focused on ski photography in challenging light.

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