First of all, pay no attention to the small child in the background of this video. She may be stuck but I promise I freed her after recording.
Secondly, how about some skis that’ll rock your boots off!?!
Surface Skis is a company based in Salt Lake City Utah. I met the founders in Denver and instantly connected with their passion for the snow. They’re almost know as much for their art as they are for the incredible skis they manufacture in Austria and sell through the coolest shops in the United States.
Mike Schneider launched Surface in a garage in 2004, created the 3 Stage Rocker™ in 2006 (which was quickly copied by the big brands) and is now celebrating his 10 year anniversary.
The Live Free is a classic design that’s not going anywhere. The first time I rode these at Breckenridge, Colorado, they felt like lightweight SUVs on my feet. At 8.6 pounds for the 181cm, I’ve paired them nicely with the brand new to the market, Fritschi Diamir Vipec binding. They rode over everything with ease and the smile never left my face.
Camber, combined with the early rise tips and tails, made them poppy in the powder and allowed them to soar through the crud, leaving me with an expression of bewilderment on my face. How could I be having so much fun in the crud of a groomed run? I stopped asking questions and let my mind focus on the run.
I’ve paired the Live Free’s with G3’s Alpinist Climbing Skins for the ultimate in lightweight traction for the backcountry. I opted for full coverage on the bases this time around.
My Dynafits are great for lightweight backcountry travel when the pow is in short supply and I didn’t want to worry when the snow is deep. By the way, if you’re looking for a lightweight touring setup, check out the Walk Free’s from Surface. Judging by the numerous awards they’ve won, you can’t go wrong.
Dimensions of my 181cm Live Free skis: 146 / 110 / 130.
The Live Free is already a great deal at $699, but the good folks at Surface are about to hook you up with 35% off. Use code JL2014 at checkout and the price drops to just $454; a steal on a great pair of skis.
Finally, how about a cool hookup for those pow days? Surface is also giving a way a pair of Surface Team Poles. To enter, post a pic of your favorite winter adventure to Facebook and tag BCTreks. Post by 4/2 and we’ll announce a winner, then ship the poles to your door. Good luck!
Links
More gear reviews
