Black Diamond Drift

Sometimes you want to go fat without the unseemly weight gain. A fast-and-light backcountry powder seeker, the Black Diamond Drift was built to maximize your soft-snow obsession. Its wide, soft-flexing, early-rise tip provides maximum flotation, a super smooth turn and easy trail breaking. So whether you're hunting for extra vert on a pre-work dawn patrol or need the legs to crank out one more skin-track lap on an all-day powder session, the lightweight, 100 mm-waisted Drift is your tool.

• Semi-rockered tip and a 100 mm waist for easy trail breaking on the up and effortless surfing on the down
• Lightweight paulownia wood core surrounded by Torsion Box construction
• Formula One Technology with carbon fiber reinforcements for maximum torsional stiffness
• Flat tail with SkinLock for solid anchors and secure, durable skin attachment while maximizing running length

New from K2 the ObSethed and SideStash

Whether tracking out your hidden in bound stashes or ducking the ropes to harvest week-old pow, the 2010-11 SideStash might just be the perfect tool. As you tick off your hit list, the All-Terrain shovel rocker in this adventure ski provides both the floatation and predictability needed to flash wide-open slopes and the nimbleness required to charge tight chutes. When the frenzy’s over, the powerful metal-laminate Hybritech sidewall construction in the K2 SideStash ski delivers a smooth, damp, stable ride as you confidently blast through leftover crud.

Performance: Variable Snow 20%; Soft Snow 80%
Sizes: 167, 174, 181, 188
Radius: 23m@174
Construction: Metal Laminate Hybritech sidewall
Core: Aspen/Paulownia
Weight: 2070g@ 174


Obsethed
For 2010-11 Seth Morrison incorporated more Rocker on a new wider 117 mm chassis to create the ultimate tool to charge big mountains and backcountry zones, yet versatile enough (like his previous Pro Models) to ski in the resort. The new Powder Rocker design in the K2 ObSETHed eliminates tip dive and breaks through crud, crusts and chopped up conditions. Add to this Factory Team ski Progressive Sidecut and camber underfoot and you have a twin tip ski perfect for any conditions or terrain. That’s Seth looking out for the hard charging masses!

Performance: Powder: 70% Park: 30 %
Sizes: 169, 179, 189
Radius: 23m @ 179/Directional Taper
Construction: Twin Tech with Vertical ABS Sidewall
Core: Fir, Aspen
Binding Options: Griffon Schizo Frantic or Flat

ABS Airbag backpacks now in stock

According to resent studies the best way to survive an avalanche is by adding one of these packs to your tool kit.

Alpine Quest will be carrying the latest in airbag backpacks. Come by and check them out. The ABS packs are already in stock. Here is a video grabbed from youtube of a guy inflating his pack for a test. You can find out more about ABS by clicking HERE. Make your backcountry experience as safe as possible this season. The staff at AQS will show you how.

Vail Whitewater Park Demo wrap up

This spring, every Tuesday John O'Neill and Ross Herr hosted free playboating clinics at the Vail Whitewater Park. The park is very unique because we are able to adjust the wave to suit the abilities of the people showing up. It can be anything from a friendly wave to an aggressive competition hole. The last demo on July 6th was a great way to really put the adjustability to the test. The water was very low and any other whitewater park would not be usable. Luckily these two instructors cannot be stopped when it comes to creativity and putting on a great show for the crowds.

While John threw down in his kayak, Ross decided to give it a go on a Stand Up Board. Here are some pictures from that day.

Here is Ross paddling through the wave.

John throwing down.

Ross avoiding the rocks above the wave.

John doesn't need no stinking paddle.

JD was there trying out a Liquidlogic Biscuit 65.

After several attempts John was getting frustrated with Ross not falling into the icy waters of Gore Creek so he decided it was time to take matters into his own hands. Here he is about to swan dive off the banks to get Ross.

His attempts failed! But Ross eventually took several swims in the river that day.

We all hope to see the community out there with us next year. If you are still in the area and hoping to try out the latest playboats or learn some new skills please come join us in Glenwood every Tuesday from 5-dark. We will be announcing specials and giving away prizes. You can keep track of it on Facebook by fanning us here http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Edwards-CO/Alpine-Quest-Sports/44466145862?ref=ts&__a=6&ajaxpipe=1

Until next time, SYOTR

The Crew @ AQS