My Review of Tecnica Cochise 130 Pro Ski Boots 2013

Originally submitted at evo

How many years have you been searching for a touring boot that'll give you the control of a decent alpine boot? Relax, with the new Tecnica Cochise 130 Pro Ski Boots, you are now officially cooking with gas. Shall we say FULL GAS? When Tecnica introduced the Cochise Series last season, it blew peop...

Tecnica Cochise 130 Pro Ski Boots 2013

Search no more. THE perfect boot.

By Kris Thomas from Squaw, CA on 10/22/2012

 

5out of 5

Sizing: Feels true to size

Width: Feels true to width

Pros: Highly Adjustable, Buckles Easily, Comfortable, Quality Construction, Dynafit Compatible, Easy Entry & Exit, Hike Mode, Retains Warmth

Best Uses: Slack Country, Downhill, Back Country

Describe Yourself: Expert

Was this a gift?: No

This is the ultimate boot if you like to ski resort in the morning and head to the backcountry/sidecountry in the afternoon. Gone are the days of getting used to your alpine boots to feel unsure of how your AT boots ski in the backcountry. One boot no problems. The stiffness is accurate on this it is a 130 flex which is noteworthy compared to almost every other at boot being a wimpy "130". Walk mode is super functional and the ability to go to dynafit soles is game changing. so stoked on these boots!

(legalese)

Kona Satori Review!

Been drooling over this bike since last year when our rep from Kona showed up for a shop ride on a prototype of this thing.

Here are my stats: 6ft 190lbs, psyched to climb hard and looking for a bike to smooth it all out and make me look like I know what i'm doing on the downhill.  I bought a size 19" and it fits perfectly.  This rig has short chainstays and super low bb height for a 29r squish bike...in pro pedal mode the bike climbs well, it definitly has a bit of bob w/o propedal on but with a Fox controlled 4 bar linkage it tightens up well with a quick flick.  on rolling terrain this bike is fast, begs you to pedal hard, and rewards you with great trail feel.  On my first day of riding, i was cleaning uphill and flat techinical sections that i have never been able to ride before, and carrying more speed on my favorite tahoe trails than ever before.  Once you get to the top, turn off the pro pedal for a sick downhill ride that is mind blurringly fast and playful.  It rails corners and floats over tech sections like they never existed.  This is the best bike I have ever owned, and am so excited to spend a whole season riding this bike and finding it's limits.

GO BUY THIS BIKE!

JonBobbin' on Donner

Skied today in the afternoon with my good buddy Jon Rockwood up on Donner Peak near sugarbowl.  We both were psyched to get a little afternoon ski and skin, and ended up being stoked on the conditions.  The run we skied is called "Rollover" and is a nice steep entrance above a bit of rock with a nice mellow apron to run out into...Fun Times!


Ready for more snow!

New Blizzard Bodacious - Awesome

My new Blizzard Bodacious skis are the best skis I have ever had the privilege of clicking into...Fast, Stable, Nimble and did I say fast?  Had such a fun day today skiing around Squaw Valley with the boys, I am so fired up on skiing!  Heres a little video evidence

Hidden Peak 3/1/2012 -- Be careful out there

Here's a quick video from 3/1/2012...Rylan and I went out skiing on Hidden Peak, We were a bit concerned with windloading up high, so we decided to stay low on the peak not venturing above the bench at about 8500 feet.

The report for the day was advising considerable avalanche danger, with the big problem being storm slabs stepping down to the weak buried layers from the sun/rain crusts from the past few weeks of clear and warm weather.  We were able to make a few laps and ski some really nice low angle pow...

My friends were skiing a few miles north of us near Stanford rock, and triggered a big destructive slide that ended up killing Ben Brackett.  I do not have first hand knowledge of their scenario, but I am pretty spooked by what happened to them.  Rest in peace Benny.

Mammut RAS 30 Avalanche Bag Deploy Video

Rylan came into the shop today to talk about airbag backpacks, and we deployed this bag the Mammut RAS 30...I really dig this bag, I think the features are well thought out, and i really like the snowpulse technology inside. Its pretty light, and fits well...cant wait for mine to show up!

 

 Pretty Cool!

Pacific Crest Cat Skiing!

I was lucky enough to be invited to go cat skiing with a bunch of people who won a sales contest that Clem and Dana put on for Tecnica and Blizzard....The snow was blower, and so fun. Thanks for the great day guys!

POW day at Alpine!

Had a great day skiing pow at Alpine Meadows today! I skie don my 186 Blizzard Bodacious skis and they rule! About 16 inches of fresh out there, and can't wait for more tomorrow!

Blizzard 2012/13 ski preview - Gunsmoke and Kabookie

Today I was invited to go ski Squaw with a bunch of local ski shop employees and owners and try out the awesome new lineup of Blizzard Skis 2012/13 product.  I skied two skis that are new for next year, the Gunsmoke, which is a fat rockered twintip, 140/114/130 with rocker in the tip and tail, and camber underfoot. These things ripped, held an edge well on groomers and were incredibly easy to ski everywhere! I also spent some time on the Kabookie, which is a lighter version of the venerable Bonafide, which is my go to ski for all my backcountry missions.  I was impressed by the stability and edge hold of the Kabookie even though it lacks the 2.5 sheets of titanal that the Bonafide boasts.  Nice job again Blizzard. The skis rip.



With snow on the way for this weekend, things are looking good here!!!!Bring it on!

Been playing around with a new GoPro mounting setup, this one seems to be the best, but the arm fell off, i left it unglued so i could move it around to find the best angle, but it blew up on a little jump....now i have to buy a new handlebar mount. lame.