• The “Gear We’re Most Tempted to Steal” Award •
Black Diamond Halo 28 Jetforce Airbag Pack
This pack has the potential to disrupt the entire air bag market. Using a high-powered fan rather than compressed-gas-cylinder systems, Black Diamond claims that the bag inflates in 4 seconds and automatically deflates after 3 minutes, creating an air pocket when buried. It also has a self-diagnosis system to let you know whether the pack is “good-to-go,” it is easy to repack for multiple deployments or practice, and you can take it on airplanes. Demonstrations of the pack at SIA were impressive. We want to get it in the field, of course, but to call the Jetforce “promising” feels like a serious understatement.
(See our full review of the Halo 28 Jetforce Airbag Pack.)
Line Supernatural 108
Because we’ve already reviewed the new Supernatural 108, and we already know that it’s very, very good.
• Best Graphics Award •
We’re giving the Blister Best Graphics Award to Blizzard’s entire “Free-Mountain” lineup. While the Bodacious is our favorite, it’s hard to pick the clear winner here.
Clean, badass, modern.
And while the choice of font is perhaps debatable, the fact that the Bodacious is no longer covered in a whole bunch of cartoon stars and laser stripes is a very positive development of the 14/15 season.
Way to right the ship, Blizzard. Your skis look phenomenal this year.
• The “SIA in a Nutshell / A Picture’s Worth a 1000 Words” Award •
Just like the photo, there’s a whole lot of weird, shiny, and sexy stuff around here. We’ll show you more of it soon. Stay tuned.
(And good luck getting this image out of your head.)
NEXT: Outerwear Awards & Overview
blister, when are you guys going to review the volkl v-works katana? there is a paucity of good reviews out there of this ski and unfortunately, given the price, no one is demoing the skis. would love to hear your expert opinions, especially in comparison of the other light weight carbon ski, dps wailer 112. thanks for your consideration and keep up the great work that establishes your site as the most informative, thorough, usable ski review site on the web. rod
Thanks, Rod. Really appreciate it. I believe we will be getting on them later this month.
I’ve been skiing the new 185cm Wailer 105 for the past two weeks. It’s a badass ski and definitely looking forward to the 191 version. PM Gear super stiffs and my Head m103s are a couple skis that flex about as stiff, but there isn’t much more out there that has flexed this stiff, for sure. A good alternative to the Cochise and Katana for those that want some camber – like myself (can’t stand the greasiness on edge transitions). Have fun guys!
Thanks, Brian. And thanks for the input. We’re going to start putting time on them tomorrow, still extremely curious about these guys…
Dying to hear what you think of he dps 105 vs new Cochise vs supernatural 108.
I realize there’s money to be made selling “technical” street-wear to a bunch of wanna bees, but what the f… has that got to do with skiing? Metal zipper sliders a hazard? Lamest outerwear summary ever.
Have you guys seen anything different with next year’s cochise? I’ve seen different comments around the web. Blizzard claim to have added a tiny bit of camber and a little softer (in their words “friendly cochise”). Some people say there is a small camber, others say that’s just like the previous versions… what’s your take on the new(?) cochise?
Hey, Marcel – the Cochise is going to have a bit of camber added, and the shovels are going to get “a little” softer. But those changes had not yet been made to the models on display at SIA. As soon as the 14/15 production Cochise is available, however, we will be on it.
Thank you Jonathan! That is what I last heard from TGR too. I’m really curious to check out the new cochise, really stoked on the “more friendly” cochise. Bummer there isn’t demos available matching the production ski.
When will we get to hear about your take on Praxis’ GPO or the slightly tweaked Moment Belafonte? My curiousity has gotten the best of me and I’m giving you guys a bump. Can we get a Preview edition?
I also have been waiting for a review on the Praxis GPO! I’m hoping it’s coming soon.