Utah Ski Pick 2012 - Matt and Sven Pick Skis in Ogden

Park City, UT

Last week Matt Liebsch and I had the unique opportunity to pick Gear West's preseason orders of top end skis from Rossignol, Atomic, and Salomon. We arrived in Salt Lake City on Wednesday and hurried to get our bags and rental car. Matt made the executive decision to upgrade our car to an under-powered midsize SUV to accommodate all of our ski gear, and then we were on our way to the Rossignol Distribution center! But first, we had to stop at Taco Time!

The Rossignol Distribution center is part of a warehouse district located in Ogden, Utah.  Salomon and Atomic are also distributed in a nearby warehouse. Our high-end ski inventory is selected from these warehouses, as well as the skis for many of the top athletes in the country.

Rossignol distribution center

When we arrived, Ryan Green (Nordic Division Manager) and Paul Clark (Nordic Racing Manager) met us in the upstairs warehouse, I named the "The Birds Nest" to go over the lay of the land. We set up our fit bench and we were off to the races!

Matt & Paul conversing over proper ski fit

In order to select our full inventory of X-ium skis, we had a check list of characteristics we were looking for in terms of ski quality.  If any ski did not meet our requirements, it was discarded and we moved on. The next two days were spent unwrapping, flexing, and testing over 600 pair of skis.

Sven Cam

 After two days of squeezing skis, we wound up with very sore forearms, a slight case of carpal tunnel, and had thinned out our ski selection to 53 pairs of top quality skis. Both Matt and I were extremely happy with our selections and are grateful that we had the opportunity to select the best Rossignol skis in the United States.  We would not have been able to pick our inventory without the help from Rossignol.

Matt Pumped

Celebratory taco stand tacos were had by everyone!

Onward...

The very next day we were back in action, picking through the Atomic Worldcup FL SDS Classic skis and Salomon Soft Ground skate skis to find the best quality available.  When all was said and done, we had a sizable ski count with a high standard of quality.  It is safe to say that no stone was left unturned when we were done.

Fun fact: Atomic and Salomon skis only distribute race room skis from Ogden. 

Salomon SG ski inventory

New homeowners and newlyweds Josh & Kristina

While picking skis in Ogden, we had the privilege of staying with Salomon employees Josh Korn and Kristina Owen. All-in-all it was a very fulfilling experience. Thank you to everyone who made our ski picking trip a great success!

Pig Out Sale Events

The Gear West Ski & Run Pig Out Sale is fast approaching and it is the place to be for first hand knowledge and equipment. For 9 DAYS Gear West will be offering store wide sale pricing. Expect to see team pricing on all skis, boots, and poles. In addition to extremely great pricing, Gear West will be hosting a number wax clinics, industry meet and greets, fit clinics, and a book signing. Everyone here is excited about the lineup of events that are schedule and are looking forward to kicking off the ski season the right way.







FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH

MIKE LUNDEEN FROM TOKO

6:00pm Toko Wax Clinic

Mike Lundeen will be at Gear West to answer any technical question you might have about the Toko and Madshus brands. Mike will also be holding a Toko Wax Clinic Friday evening.

Mike Lundeen - For the past 7 years, Mike has been the Midwest Sales Representative for Toko, as well as a Toko Tech Team Member. As a tech team member, Mike has conducted race services and Toko Wax Clinics throughout the Midwest. Mike is also the Madshus Midwest sales Representative.


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH
















FALL MARATHON TRAINING RUN

7:00am - 8:00am Start

Train for the upcoming marathon season with runners just like you! Bring friends!

The out and back course starts at Gear West and goes down the Luce line. You can start anytime between 7-8:00a.m.

Run as far as you want (6 - 20 miles)
There will be support along the trail (water, energy drinks, etc.) and Aid Stations will be set-up along the course every three miles (bandaids, vaseline, etc.).

Join us for treats afterward at Gear West

If you have any questions about the Gear West Marathon Training Runs contact Speedy:

speedy@gearwest.com 952-473-0377

PETER ASHLEY AND CHRIS HALL FROM FISCHER USA

Peter Ashley and Chris Hall will be at Gear West to answer any technical question you might have about the Fischer brand. They will also be on hand to fit Fischer ski and boots. As you can tell, both are very capable of fitting world class skis. We hope to see everyone here for this event.

Peter Ashley - VP of Nordic Division, Fischer Skis USA
Peter is in charge of the Nordic Division for Fischer Skis USA. Peter's responsibilities include sales, marketing, product and brand management for Fischer cross country skis, boots, bindings and poles through out the US. He has been with Fischer since 1995.

Before coming to Fischer, Peter was with the US Ski Team, serving as the Head Women's Coach for the USST and was on the US Ski Team coaching staff for the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. Originally from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Peter was instrumental in organizing the first cross country Junior Olympics held in Jackson in the late 1970's.

Chris Hall - Nordic Race Director, Fischer Skis USA
Chris is in charge of Nordic race management for Fischer Skis USA. Chris works with US Ski Team and other top US athletes in ski selection and management to equip these skiers with the best possible skis for their racing. He has been with Fischer since 2005.

Prior to working at Fischer, Chris was with the US Ski Team, employed as the Head Service Technician for the USST. He worked at the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics for the team and spent 6 years on the World Cup with the USST. Originally from Sun Valley, Idaho, Chris worked for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation as a coach before joining the USST.






ROBERT LAZZARONI AND CHRIS COOK FROM ROSSINGOL

1:00-3:00pm Chris Cook: sign posters visit with customers

Robert will be at Gear West to answer any technical question you might have about the Rossignol brand. He will also be on hand to fit the new Rossignol WCS skis and boots. If you have any questions about the new Rossignol WC Skate Ski Package, he's the one to ask.

VAN BRINKERHOFF FROM MADSHUS USA, K2 OUTDOORS

Van Brinkerhoff will be at Gear West to answer any technical question you might have about the Madshus brand.

Van Brinkerhoff - For the past 4 years, Van has been the national sales manager for Madshus USA, K2 Outdoor. For over 30 years, Van has been involved in the industry as a Nordic skier, retailer, sales rep. and manager for over 30 years.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH








ROMAN TOFERER FROM ATOMIC SNOW

10:00am – 4:00pm Roman Toferer: The Gold Metal Slide Show presentation at 1:00 pm with ski fitting before and after

Roman Toferer will be at Gear West to answer any technical question you might have about the Atomic brand. He will also be on hand to fit Atomic skis and boot. Roman is well known for picking top World Cup skis for the “Thin Red Line.”

Roman Toferer - The 2010 Olympics served as concrete proof that Roman Toferer of Atomic is unequalled when it comes to picking skis and making them go fast. The man from the little village of Eben, Austria proved to be a virtual miracle worker on the trails at Whister. If you watched Claudia Nystad take Gold it was obvious her skis were running at speeds far greater than her competition. The Teutonic blonde looked like something out of a Wagnerian opera as she pulled away from the competition. Anna Haag of Sweden had the best races of her career as she dropped the pack on virtual rockets picked and tuned by Roman. And of course, Roman’s close work with Billy Demong, Johnny Spillane and Todd Lodwick led to Gold and Silver medals for America’s best Nordic skiers.


WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH






















AUTHOR OF "BORN TO RUN" CHRISTOPHER MCDOUGALL

5:00pm Run from the Bookcase in Wayzata
6:30pm Meet and greet with Chris Mcdougall at Gear West

Meet Christopher McDougall at The Bookcase at 5:00 p.m. for a fun
run (barefoot or not) to the "Born to Run" event at Gear West in
Long Lake. We'll be leaving at 5:15 sharp, following the Dakota Trail
and the Luce Line into Long Lake. Call (952) 473-8341 or (952)
473-0377 with questions or to purchase tickets.

*No day of ticket sales


THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH









REX WAX CLINIC

Leena Peltonen and Silvano Barco will be at Gear West to answer any technical question you might have about the Rex brand. They will also be offering a Rex Wax clinic. Interesting note. Silvano is the assistant coach to the Swiss Ski Team and won the 1996 Birkie.


SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18-19TH








CXC SUPER FIT WEEKEND

2010 brings with it the second year of the CXC/SALOMON SUPER FIT PROGRAM. We want to bring you the latest and greatest technology, knowledge, and skis we can. With Salomon and your local retailer behind us, we are committed to sharing the knowledge we gained. The CXC 3D Flex Mat and Salomon Flex Table will be on hand to help show you how pressure is being distributed to the snow under your skis. Knowledgeable industry partners will be able to answer any specific questions you have, and our CXC TEAM VERTICAL LIMIT athletes and coaches will be around to answer questions and sign autographs.

“SUPER FIT” is a weekend sale program filled with seminars, presentations and store specials. Get your equipment fit by CXC Team Vertical Limit professional athletes and coaches using state of the art 3D ski pressure mat. Bring your old skis to test if they have a good fit for you, and get an independent opinion.

Friday:
10:00AM to 6:00PM - 3D Ski Flex Mat Testing
5:00PM to 6:00PM - Glide and Kick Waxing Seminar (Jason Cork)
...
Saturday:
8:00AM to 9:30 AM - "Tast of Nordic" Free Dryland and Rollerski
Technique Clinic (Garrott Kuzzy & Jessie Diggins)
8:00AM to 9:30AM - USSA Level 100 Coaches Certification Technique Clinic (Jason Cork)
10:00AM to 5:00PM - 3D Ski Flex Mat Testing
4:00PM to 5:00PM - Optimal Training for Maximum Results Seminar (Brian Gregg)

Sunday:
12:00PM to 4:00PM - 3D Ski Flex Mat TestingSee More

Excitement Development Team (CXC Team Vertical Limit): Jessie Diggins, Brian Gregg, Garrott Kuzzy, Matt Liebsch, Yuriy Gusev, Jason Cork

Friday:
10:00AM to 6:00PM - 3D Ski Flex Mat Testing
5:00PM to 6:00PM - Glide and Kick Waxing Seminar (Jason Cork)
...
Saturday:
8:00AM to 9:30 AM - "Tast of Nordic" Free Dryland and Rollerski
Technique Clinic (Garrott Kuzzy & Jessie Diggins)
8:00AM to 9:30AM - USSA Level 100 Coaches Certification Technique Clinic (Jason Cork)
10:00AM to 5:00PM - 3D Ski Flex Mat Testing
4:00PM to 5:00PM - Optimal Training for Maximum Results Seminar (Brian Gregg)

Sunday:
12:00PM to 4:00PM - 3D Ski Flex Mat TestingSee More

GEAR WEST 2009 CATALOG

Gear West has gone GREEN. Ok…that’s not totally true, but we are making an effort to cut down on paper product this season. We have gone to extreme lengths to convert our catalog to an electronic catalog. The online version allows one to either view online or download it in PDF form at your own convenience.

Really cool Giro Eyewear

Every once in a while a product comes along that has the cool looks but doesn't sacrifice on form, fit, and function. Gear West's new eyewear line from Giro (http://www.gearwest.com/giro-c-2846.html) fills the gap on the best in multi-sport eye wear. Originally designed for integrated use with Giro's bike helmets, these sunglasses are snug, light, and have unbelievable clear lenses.

Thanks to a great partnership with Zeiss, Giro is able to come out with the best in a clear and non-deforming lens. The lenses on all Giro glasses are cut to perfect standards to eliminate any distortion when looking through the lens. Some lenses can deform what you're looking at usually around the edges. Images can become squashed or weird looking, but with the Zeiss cut lens (same technology used in binoculars and rifle scopes), there is no distortion or anything weird going on.

Another really cool feature of Giro eye wear is their lightness on the face. Sometimes when wearing sunglasses, there can be weird pressure points or they feel heavy, but with Giro, there is no strange pressure points. The temples sit nicely on the ears without pushing the ears out and down. Not only are there no pressure points, they are so light that it's hard to tell that they're even on your head!

I've had the chance to try out the Giro Filter and Semi Full sunglasses. With superb fit and comfort, these sunglasses are a good option when looking for a multi-use eye wear.

The Filters are a medium sized piece and fits many face sizes. What sets the Filters apart from all the other multi-lens/multi-sport glasses is the ease of changing lenses. Giro has created the Pop Top. This is the simplest way to change lenses. Never again will you have to try and rip your frames apart and leave fingerprints all over the place just to change your lenses. Simply just flip the Pop Top on the side of the Filters' frame and the lenses are free. Insert the new lens and flip the Pop Top back down. It's just that simple. Check out this link for more on Giro's Pop Top technology http://www.giro.com/site/#/technology/sunglasses/pop_top_technology/pop_top_technology/.

The Semi comes in a full or a compact lens size. The frame sizes are the same between the two, but the lens size is a different size. The Semi Full have a bigger lens shape for medium to larger heads. The Semi Compact work really well for medium to smaller head sizes. At a competitive price point, the Semis are the way to go. The lenses can be changed with a simple amount of pressure applied on the frames. I was really impressed by how easy changing the lenses were as compared to other glasses. The Semis are light and look great on or off the field.

To see more Giro Eyewear, visit http://www.gearwest.com/.

PSI Rollerski Review by Gear West's Brodie Rau

Recently I took the PSI Rollerski for a test ski, and I was impressed. Compared to the Elpex F1, it is a tough competitor in speed, controllability, and smoothness of the ride.

The shaft is made with aluminum and, according to the PSI website, an aeronautical alloy. The wheels are a high density rubber on a lightweight alloy wheel. This combination of materials makes for a smooth and lightweight rollerski. At the same time these materials are tough and will last just as long as any other rollerski on the market.

I compared the PSI with the Elpex F1 with #2 wheels. The shaft is shorter than the Elpex F1, but this allows for more control on the downhill sections of trail. The wheel size makes up for the shorter shaft and allows for a smoother feel on rougher parts of the trail. The speed was comparable to the Elpex F1 with #2 wheels; however, Elpex was a bit faster on the downhill sections. On flat and gradual uphill sections, the PSI easily kept up with the Elpex. I could maintain a nice conversation pace with the person on the Elpex rollerskis without feeling like I was working to keep up.

The wheel speed was very similar to snow ski speed, which is good for muscle memory and overall training. For rollerskiers a bit nervous about roll speed and falling, the slower wheel speed on the PSI and shorter shaft gives that extra bit of confidence needed. Even though the wheel speed is slightly slower than the Elpex wheel, I would still use this rollerski over the Elpex. It’s a smoother ride and easier to control. I have more confidence on hills with the PSI.
Due to the materials used in making the PSI, it is a lighter weight rollerski than the Elpex F1. The lightness of the PSI makes it hardly noticeable on your feet during weight transfer. The shaft and wheel material also provide a nice dampening affect making the PSI a really smooth ride.

The price really makes this ski an overall winner. At a price of $199.99, it’s the best deal for a nice training rollerski. Even the spare wheels are inexpensive. They are $24.99 each which makes them on the cheaper end of the rollerskis. But don’t be fooled by the price as these skis are just as well built as Elpex. Overall I would rate the PSI rollerski an excellent choice for any Nordic ski enthusiast. It’s easy to ride, smooth, and controllable. The fear factor is minimal due to the ease of handling. I would defiantly rollerski again and again on the PSI Rollerskis.

To learn more about PSI, check out their website at http://www.psi-rollerski.com/english.php.

New Atomic Boots

New this year from Atomic is two different widths for the Woldcup Skate and Classic boot. The Worldcup Skate and Classic boots offer the more "S-Lab" narrower last while their new Race Carbon boots offer a slightly wider last for more average width feet.

Those who like the fit of most skate boots, but have trouble with the width, may want to try on the Atomic Race Carbon boot. It is built just like the World Cup, so there isn't any sacrifice in performance. Both the Race Carbon Skate and Classic boots are built with the Pilot 2 Carbon Pro sole and have the same uppers as the World Cup boots with the carbon stabilizers added to the skate boots.

Check out the new boots at http://www.gearwest.com/, or give us a call, toll free, at 1-877-473-4327.

New Atomic World Cup Ski

Last season Atomic released a video of their new Atomic World Cup "Cheetah" Ski....ENJOY!
SOLD NOW FOR $599.99 at http://gear-west.stores.yahoo.net/at20skskic.html

Three Friends for Fall Training

Pictured are three friends every nordic skier should have in fall training. In order, they are the Salomon XT Wing (men's pictured), the Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra (women's pictured) and the Salomon Speed Cross 2 (unisex shoe). All three shoes provide ample stability without sacrficing cushion. Gear West's own Brodie Rau will run nothing but the XT Wing on trails. He claims, "It's the Hum-Vee of trail shoes providing great stability on the most uneven of terrain. This thing is the Michael Phelps of the trail running world. It conquers anything you put infront of it!"

Not quite ready for a full on assualt of roots, rocks and the occasional frog? Opt for the lighter XA Pro 3D Ultra. Made for attacking the trails with vigor and meaness. Light, fast, and stable. This shoe offers a bit more stability, but there is still great cushioning.

Want a minimalists approach to your running? Try the Speed Cross 2. It's Salomon's answer to the trail runner who loves nothing more than beating his/her's personal running interval bests. This shoe will climb the hills and mountains you put in front of it. It eats up the hills and turns them into a pile of gravel. Light weight, great cushion, and non-stoppable. The Speed Cross 2 is the lightest trail shoe Salomon has.

All three shoes are designed for most types of runners, but does favor those needing a shoe to help with pronation issues.

Stop by Gear West, or check 'em out at http://www.gearwest.com/, to try these shoes out. Your feet will be glad you did. On quiet days, you can almost hear the shoes begging to be taken to the limits of mud, climbing, and poor critters in the way.

What's this PSI rollerski?

Gear West has recently added rollerskis by PSI a company in France. At a whopping $179.99, it's a very affordable way to purchase a pair of rollerskis. Its aluminum shaft and wheels make this ski a light weight training tool. Very much comparable to Elpex's F1 for speed and snow ski feel. To learn more about PSI, check out their website at http://www.psi-rollerski.com/english.php.