TOPICS & TIMES:
- Volkl Mantra 102 (4:40)
- Mantra 102 vs. Mantra M5, etc. (8:30)
- DPS Koala 119, 189 cm (13:20)
- Koala 119 vs. (OG) Moment Bibby vs. Dynastar Menace Proto (16:19)
- New Atomic Backland Carbon AT Boot (21:03)
- Scarpa Maestrale XT Boot (27:00)
- New Fritschi Xenic AT Binding (30:22)
- Paul’s Advanced Wilderness Life Support course (35:10)
Today we’re catching up with reviewer, Paul Forward, about some of the skis, AT boots, and an AT binding that Paul has been spending time on.
Paul lives in Girdwood Alaska, he is a medical doctor and a lead heli guide for Chugach Powder Guides, and our managing editor, Luke Koppa, sometimes still wonders whether Paul is actually a real person, or just some superhero we made up.
Anyway, Paul is, in fact, a real person, and he and I talk about the Volkl Mantra 102; the DPS Koala 119; the new Atomic Backland Carbon AT boot; the Fritschi Xenic lightweight touring binding; and more.
Kastle baby, get with the program!
I (6’1″) skied the Revolt a lot the last days and the 191 does not feel long. It almost looks like a snowblade.
I mounted it -2 from factory recommended (because the ski has so much taper and I am a rather directional skier). However, I am not sure that was the right choice. Those tips want to be driven / weighted. If I had a movable binding, I would like to try the factory recommended mount point.
Lupo Air! So interested to read a head-to-head vs the Zero G Tour Pro :-)
Really looking forward to some more input on the Xenic and how it compares to the other bindings in the Lightweight Touring Binding Shootout.
Is the Black Ops the best ski to A/B versus the Koala?