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!

Mini Gear Preview

Atomic World Cup FL SDS Classic Ski

SDS stands for “short distance step”

We had the opportunity to test this ski early last February, and were immediately impressed by it's ability to provide phenomenal kick without compromising on glide. Atomic has achieved this with the use of a plate that runs the length of the ski's kick pocket. This plate is made of a very supple material called “ABS”, and is also featured in Atomic's extremely popular “Skintec” waxless classic race ski. The World Cup SDS has a relatively low camber, and the plate keeps the skiers weight lifted off the snow while gliding yet allows for an easy compression during the kick phase. If you are looking for a new classic ski this winter, we highly recommend this one.

Atomic WorldCup Skate And Classic Boots

 The Atomic WC Skate and Classic boots have been entirely redeveloped for the 2012-2013 season. The boots feature a new full 3D carbon chassis and carbon cuff that improves lateral stiffness over previous models.   A new wrapping lace system secures the foot and provides a very snug fit.  If you like the Salomon system and find the S-Lab boot too narrow, this is the boot for you. 

Rossignol X-ium Skate Boot

The new X-ium boot is 50 grams lighter than it's predecessor with a new 100% carbon fiber cuff, and new extremely low profile sole that brings your foot closer to the ski for improved control & responsiveness. This boot is also features asymmetrical lacing to keep your foot snug and secure, and is thermo-moldable for a fully customized fit.

Fischer Carbonlite Classic Boot

Now built on the same last as the award winning carbonlite skate, this is by far the most comfortable classic boot Fischer has ever produced. This boot also features a new form-fitting upper, with a bold, fast graphic. This boot is available in both a men's and women's specific design.

My Fun Visit to Salomon France by Jan Guenther

Gear West Ski & Run has sold plenty of Salomon “S-LAB” products, however I had a limited idea of why the “LAB” title was placed on their top end products. Brian and I had the unique opportunity to visit Salomon’s design center in Annecy, France, just one hour outside Chamonix in the Alps. The Salomon ‘think tank’ is a fascinating study on how athletes, designers, researchers and engineers collaborate their efforts to invent super cool products.

After being in the ski business for twenty years I was very surprised to find there are still things that I do not know. For example, did you know there are 70+ pieces needed to construct a top race ski boot? Or that the cost of producing a larger foot mold to accommodate size 15+ feet is several hundred thousand dollars? Also, Salomon has every sponsored athlete’s unique foot mold, and can make one custom prototype at the design center for said athlete to use and provide instant design adjustments.

Pick your athlete

Another interesting fact I learned was the reason Salomon decided to to expand into trail footwear. After several winters of poor snow conditions, they decided something had to be done in order to continue and employ their seasoned pattern makers. For six months they developed a new concept for fit utilizing new materials along with existing Nordic foot technologies to design hiking shoes. The first pre-production boot was called the Adventure 7, these were used by  French Alpine Military specialists.

Inside Salomon’s  design center, sponsored athletes of all disciplines (downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, trail running, snowboard) work with a Salomon design team to bring new products to life and to redesign current products to meet their own personal needs. For example, ultra trail running phenom Killian Jornet was directly involved with the design process surrounding the heavily anticipated S-LAB Sense – a super light, low profile racing flat that has won several prestigious races, including the the Western States 100 and Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc. Salomon Senior Project Manager Patrick Lieck put it this way, “the S-LAB process and products are primarily designed to enable athletes to win. But they are also a source of inspiration for the range. The next generation of products is based on these shoes (skis, boots, and poles).”

Killian dominating the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB)

What we saw throughout our tour of the design center was the spirit and excitement of a creative team inspired to design the best products for their athletes and challenged to produce it internationally for the consumer.  The Salomon building complex is truly a “LAB” that produces products tested right outside the center, on the snowy slopes of Mont Blanc and the mountain trails. 

For me, Salomon products now have more depth as I now understand the authenticity behind the development of an S-LAB shoe, ski, or boot. I am excited as a retailer to explain the hows and whys of the S-LAB classic boot, or what makes an Equipe 10 skate ski work so well, or why the Speedcross trail shoe is so much fun to own.  It’s this well designed and well thought out equipment that makes it so much fun to race, train or tour.

What It's Like to Run in an Olympian's Shoes

 by Jenny Beckman & Wendi Morin

(Source: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle)

In my experience as a salesperson, there are two major misconceptions surrounding racing flats. One is that they are used strictly for racing, and the other is that only the super-elites run in them. With the rise of the “minimalism” movement, we are seeing more and more people don light weight shoes. I sat down with Gear West gait analysis expert Wendi Morin and hashed out some answers to the most common questions we hear surrounding these shoes.

“What is a racing flat?”

Racing flats are shoes with very little cushion if any, they typically have a low heel and are lightweight.  When you look at these shoes you can’t help but think “where’s the beef?”  Or if you’re a vegetarian, “where’s the veggie burger?” There is also a category of shoes called racer-trainers that some people might consider racing flats because they are still very light-weight, but this type of shoe has a little more cushion and a little less flexibility. A racer-trainer is a good choice for someone who wants to run longer distances and have more protection from the road.

Asics DS Trainer 17: Same last, more sole

Asics DS Racer 9: Less sole=lighter weight

“Why bother using them? I have a comfy pair of trainers that fits me just fine”

Why should you use them? It's simple. Running in a lighter shoe will result in less fatigue and allow you to go faster over a long distance – with proper training of course. Putting on a pair of light weight flats will not make up for lack of training.

That being said, racing flats should be worn by people that have an efficient running gait and are less prone to injury. If you are unsure about how efficient you are, or want help in becoming more efficient you should consider having a gait analysis.

Wendi Says: “If a runner doesn’t have a real efficient gait, they may find that they actually can run a race faster in a regular running shoe instead of a racing flat because they use less energy being better aligned.”

“If I purchased a pair would I use them strictly for racing?”

No. We recommend that you use the flats when doing any sort of speed work. Log your regular miles in your trainers, and use the flats for speed work such as strides, intervals, or tempo runs. Give your body time to adjust to the shoes, that way when race day rolls around – you'll be ready to rock!

“How long will it take me to get used to them?”

It all depends on the runner. Racing flats are minimal shoes, so we recommend working into them the same way you would with a minimal trainer. Most running experts recommend runners who are new to using flats log 10% of their normal distance in the light weight shoes. For example – “your normal tempo run is 10 miles, wear the flats for 1 mile, and then switch back to your trainers.” says Gear West & The Fix Studio's “Gait Analyzer” Lev Kalemkiarian.

Wendi Says: “Racing flats use more of the small muscles that may not have to work in a less flexible shoe and therefore if they are worn on occasion they can teach your body to recruit more muscle. This will slowly help you to become more efficient as a runner.”

How to choose the right flat for your foot:

Wendi Says: “To choose the right racing flat for you, make sure to consider what has worked for you in a training shoe when choosing a racing flat. A lot of times there are toned-down versions of training shoes that are lighter weight for racing. You want to try on several different brands and see what feels comfortable on your feet. Get an idea of what you like and what you don’t like in terms of weight, amount of cushion, amount of stability, room in the toe box, and color (for some people). Keep in mind what race distance the shoe is best for, and if you have questions ask a Gear West sales person! We are all trained in providing proper fit and can send you on your way with a great fitting pair of shoes.”

 Olympian's Shoes:

Nike Luna Racer+ - Worn by Kara Goucher in the 2012 Olympic Trials Marathon. This shoe is also Jan's weapon of choice. She looks for a shoe with a “close snug fit, like a second skin.”

Asics Hyper Speed - Olympian Ryan Hall in the 2012 Olympic Trails Marathon

Brooks T7 Racer - Desiree Davila 
Source: Brooks Running

The Ski to Sea Experience by Matthew Liebsch

This past weekend I was able to race in the Ski to Sea multi-sport relay race. 500 teams with 8 racers per team compete in the following order: cross-country ski, ski mountaineering, running, road bike, canoe, mountain bike, and sea kayak. The event is huge! 50,000+ people come out to either race, support, or spectate. 

Ski to Sea race Start

 I was privileged to race for Team AeroMech.  AeroMech Incorporated provide industry leading aircraft engineering and certification services to aircraft manufacturers, airlines, operators, modification shops, and military customers worldwide.  After all 93 miles, we finished in 2nd place, only 7 seconds behind, in the closest finish in the history of the race! 

2nd Place Champions

The cross-country ski leg was a lot of fun with competitors of all backgrounds. I saw everything from first time skiers on 40-year-old touring skis to elite racers. 

Lead Pack - Matt Liebsch and Brian Gregg

 The same is true for every leg of the race. On the elite side you have pros with $10,000 carbon bikes, surf skis, and carbon canoes – then on the recreation and family teams you have heavy wooden boats and bikes with banana seats! The diversity of competitors is vast, but everyone is keen on having fun! The race atmosphere is great and I am already looking for to coming back next year.

Matthew Edward Liebsch

Gait Analysis By Lev

Two Thumbs Up!

As an avid cross country skier I spend a lot of time obsessing over technique and making myself as efficient as possible. It's staggering to compare the amount of time I spend cross training versus the amount of time actually spent on snow in the winter. I don't know about you, but besides rollerskiing the two cross-training activities I engage in the most are cycling and running. I decided that having a gait analysis with Lev would be beneficial, because becoming more efficient in the activities I enjoy 75% of the year will all in all make me a stronger, faster skier.




The Gait Analysis process takes about 30 or 40 minutes, and is based on your own personal goals. Many people use the information they receive for injury prevention, rehabilitation, and to determine a good shoe fit for their feet. That being said, if you are just starting to run or a seasoned competitor - everyone can benefit from this service. Lev starts off by taking some initial video footage of your running form, and administers some basic strength tests. He then demonstrates and helps you practice drills and exercises that help improve your running style. This is followed by a second video which you will view side by side with the initial footage. It is absolutely incredible to see the changes you are able to make in such a short span of time!

Lev goes over the finer points of Jenny's run form

Advanced Motion Capture!

The main component I realized during my gait analysis is that everything my parents and teachers have told me is true – I am unique. Everyone is! We all have different running styles, and issues. Some natural tendencies we have can lead to injuries later down the line. Having your gait analyzed using video is extremely helpful in the sense that it makes these tendencies visibly apparent. I am one of those people who imagines herself running as flawlessly as Carrie Tollefson, however seeing myself on video helped me discover that is not exactly the case. But! Making changes is incredibly simple with the help of a knowledgeable professional. Lev has given me some daily exercises and short drills to add to my routine before running.

Run Strength Drills

For the cost of $40.00 this is a very affordable option and an incredibly good investment. Personally, I would much rather pay a one time fee versus paying the medical bills for an injury later. The bottom line is - whether you run competitively, for cross-training, or just as something to get you out of the house gait analysis is something that runners of all levels can benefit from – it makes the activity significantly more enjoyable!

Lev is awesome because:

He has a Masters in Exercise Physiology from the College of Saint Scholastica and is a member of The Fix Studio team. The Fix Studio staff has 45 combined years of experience working with athletes training for events from local 5k's to the Olympics. 

My Fairy Tale 1st Birkie by Tom Motzell

My journey began in 1986 when I joined my high school Nordic team. I remember hearing about the Birkebeiner that year and thinking, "That would be something!" The seed was planted.

The next 25 years presented me with college, kids, career...and roughly 60 additional pounds. Who would have thought this was the fertile soil for a seed to germinate!? Sometime in 2010, I learned of a colleague who regularly skied the Birkie. Sometime in 2011, I asked him if he had time for lunch. And sometime later that afternoon, I registered for the Birkie Skate!

All I needed now was ski's, a place to stay, conditioning and a little snow to practice...that's it! In other words, a small miracle to prepare myself by February 25th. ...I must have invoked the 'Birkie Spirit'.

Three days after registering, I shared news of my commitment with a colleague, Dan. His face lit up as he told me he had done the Birkie the past 11 years! Furthermore, he asked if I would be interested in joining him and his friends. I know had a ride, accommodations, and some training partners!

My second encounter with the 'spirit' was at the Gear West fall sale. I was greeted by Caitlin Gregg upon entering the store. The next two hours would be the best purchasing experience I've ever had. After a 25 year hiatus from the sport, their expertise was essential. (Thank you Gear West and all the experts who assisted me that day!!)

The next ‘gift’ remained a mystery until I saw the sign on the Birkie trail reading; "Elevation 1700 feet". Due to the lack of snow in the Twin Cities, most of my training took place at Hyland and Afton alpine ski hills. As a result, I was prepared for the initial 8 miles of uphill climb!

Finally, February 25th couldn't have been a more beautiful day. I finished the race in 3 hours and 45 minutes...better than I expected for sure!

But the 'spirit' still had more to give! Dazed and confused, I somehow stumbled into the employee entrance of the food tent. I was quickly greeted by one of the volunteers who said, "I'm sorry, this is not an entrance" But my deep (empty) stare into the depth of her soul was enough to quickly adjust the outcome. Her next words were, "Can I get you some soup, ...or real food?", to which I replied, "Soup sounds like real food." Before I left the tent, the ‘Birkie Spirit’ embodied in this volunteer had brought me roles, two bowls a soup and a beer. (I will never forget you.)

Upon leaving the food tent, I was discovered by one of my training buddies, Jed, who escorted me to the Moccasin for a post Birkie celebration.

If you are considering the Birkie for the first time, sign up, and trust in the 'Birkie Spirit'