Doglotion.com - Freeskiing Community - Movement Skis

Movement Skis Get Mad Props

J Dogg — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

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The first ski mags have all been coming out lately, and they usually crank off the season with the buyers guide edition. You know, the ones that tell you what's hot and what's not for hard & soft goods this season. While some of the usual players are back as always, there's a new kid in town in this year's Buyer's Guides - Movement Skis.

We gave the Movement Goliath and Pow Pow a fine beating of hard skiing in and around Whistler throughout last year's epic season, and they held their own, through and through. The Goliath's proved to be pow-slaughtering machines to take anywhere and do anything with, and the narrower and ridiculously light Pow Pow made for a pretty dope touring ski.

Apparently the magazines agreed. Check out Movement Skis casual and simple new blog that showcases some of the hype they've recieved after their rookie season in North America.

Click to the Movement BLOG>>>

Gear Review - Movement Goliath Skis

J Dogg — Sun, 4 Feb 2007 13:18:22 -0500

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Time to introduce a new section on the site for all you gear junkies, and anyone who's curious about what sucks and what doesn't in the ski world. First off... Goliath Skis by Movement, the Swiss Freeride Company. In short, they don't suck. Far from it. Here's the goods:

The Geeky Stuff...

Company: Movement - The Swiss Freeride Company

Gear: Goliath Ski

Dimensions: 135-108-125mm

Length: 191 cm

Core: Mixed wood core (Okume, Poplar, Beech) with all the right secret ingrediants to take advantage of each wood's strengths and best qualities. For the tech geeks out there, if you saw the elasticity, bending strength and max crushing strength of these woods compared to others on the market, you'd be drooling in line to get a pair without reading the review.

The Dirt...

We are go for launch, repeat, go for launch. We've been putting the Movement Goliath ski to the test over the last few weeks, and they've been absolutely unreal.

They've been getting the full run around, from a 140 lbs skier and a 180 lbs skier, on the hill, in the steeps, in the backcountry, you name it. Straightlines, tight chutes, open bowls, cliffs, touring, and they even look good in the lift line. So if you don't mind people staring at you as you merge through the line ups, you're all good. Nowhere have they dissapointed yet. Well, we haven't hit moguls or rails, but if that's what you're after, stop reading now.

Made by real skiers, for real skiers, all of Movement's skis are designed and built for agressive skiing and are tough enough to stand up to the abuse. With Whistler's epic season we haven't had much chance to test them on hardpack, but they've been out of this world in the powder and chop. Fat enough and tough enough land any air or get you out of a straightline alive, but forgiving enough to let you shred

through tight spots or turn on a dime.

But what about turning, if you like to do that kind of thing? With the straightlines behind us and epic pow days in the midst, there was plenty of chances to test the agility. Hitting lap after lap in sub-alpine trees like South Side Deli or the Fishy Line on Blackcomb, we realized the Goliaths aren't just high alpine boards. Their light weight, width underfoot and forgiving tips let you chuck snowboard-like slash turns wherever the hell you feel like it, letting you totally link crux after crux through trees or kinks with all the flow you could ask for.

The Goliath's are stiff enough underfoot to catch you on your tails if you're not on it, but if you're ready to get on board the progressive flex in the tip & tail will duely reward you. If a 140 lbs office chump can turn'em quickly, so can you.

So to sum it up, do they rip? Yes. Do chicks dig them? Well we mentioned the oogling eyes in the line up didn't we? But more seriously, are they made by people who care? Hells ya. The name may be new to North America, but the gang behind Movement skis now has over 60 years of combined experience in manufacturing skis, and they're in for the love of skiing. Their big mountain riders are closely involved in R & D, and heck, Verbier is their backyard stomping ground.

Too positive? Maybe so. Perhaps it's just been a really good winter out here. Or maybe we don't spend enough time on ice, rails, or moguls. Our 180 lbs tester said there's been some moments while ripping through bumpy chop that a stiffer, heavier ski would be a safer choice, but admits the lightweight and softer tips has major advantages in other spots.

But ya know, we're not too worried about the hard pack right now. There's powder out there, lots of it, and the Goliath's are ruling it like a Cadillac in a Datsun parade.

Watch the helmet cam video of our 2nd weekend on them.

Check em out online.

First Ever North Face Ski Mountaineering Championships

J Dogg — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 22:56:05 -0500

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The Movement Skis World Backcountry Freeride Jam will host, the first ever North Face Canadian National Ski Mountaineering Championships. In April of 2006 a remarkable course was set and the inaugural Spearhead Passage race was held. A long format ski mountaineering race that took competitors from the Whistler Roundhouse area (elevation approx. 6000ft) to the summit of Whirlwind Peak and back. The race was 26 kms long and about 2150 meters in elevation gain, two competitors were under 3.5 hours (longest finisher under 7 hours) and the finish was a sprint finish with only 8 seconds between first and second!

This same race course was honored with the classification as a “High Range International Classic” event by the International Ski Mountaineering Committee which is the overseer for all World Cup Ski Mountaineering events. This status has only been awarded to one other race in the world in Mezzalama, Italy. This added recognition for the venue will only help to bring an even stronger field of athletes to this year’s event and it recognizes the unique challenge this course represents in spectacular backcountry scenery. This event is also sanctioned by the Alpine Club of Canada.

An added race stage Friday the 20th for the National Championships is the Whistler Wind Up which is a hill climb sprint from the Whistler Village to the Roundhouse, total elevation gain of approximately 1200m (4000 ft) over 3 kms. A huge test of lungs and legs. The Saturday 21st stage will see the Spearhead Passage event take over. This race will be the 3rd Ski Mountaineering competition held in Canada this season with the others being hosted at Sunshine Village, Alberta and Nelson, British Columbia.

Competitor cresting Oboe summit

Ski mountaineering is the original form of skiing competition and was the only ski event in the first three Olympic games. Currently there are over 20 international events around the world including a World Championship series. The Movement Skis World Backcountry Freeride Jam is a part of the world renowned TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival held each April at Whistler Resort – attendance in 2006 was over 260,000 people!

MORE ABOUT THE FREERIDE JAM...

Movement Ski World Backcountry Freeride Jam - Free Clinics, Free demos, Free tours... you name it!

Three days of spectacular skiing and boarding in the midcountry, the backcountry…where the powder is and the people are not! The heart and soul of the Jam are the free product demos and skills clinics. To introduce people to the backcountry and to try big mountain, off piste skiing and boarding, to show them how accessible and rewarding it can be. The latest equipment and know-how from backcountry boarding, ski touring, telemark, kiteskiing/boarding experts and equipment, makes it easier than ever to explore the best the mountains have to offer.

Doglotion.com - Freeskiing Community - Movement Skis

Movement Skis Get Mad Props

Gear Review - Movement Goliath Skis

First Ever North Face Ski Mountaineering Championships

More at www.wbfj.ca