Alp. Touring/Randonnee & Telemark Ski Demo 1/5/11

Thanks to the Marmot team and their suppliers that brought out "The Toys".  It was quite moist but it sure wasn't crowded. The propane heaters were real nice.

Thanks for all the hard work that made this demo possible. Sorry to say we bailed on attending after contemplating the long drive down, rush hour traffic, and the likelihood it would be "quite moist" by 6 PM. Had I known you'd be there Zap, that might've tipped the balance.

I bet the wait wasn't long for the NTN skis and boots...

Mark

Gracias to all. The Joy-o-meter of vert skied/miles driven was extreme for me, but I'm glad I went; I got a lot of good info and had fun. Now all I need is cash....

Thanks to everyone that came and enjoyed a classic night of Northwest skiing and snow conditions!  Everyone that attended seem to have great comments and feedback and have a thoroughly great time testing the latest and greatest of this season's backcountry equipment with some classic northwest moist but variable evening weather.

Amazing attendance for the demo this year with almost 100 people officially registering for the demo in person, despite the less than dream-like weather predictions all week.  Great to see the enthusiasm on all levels...no one seemed to be willing to let their enjoyment be lessened by any raindrop or tarp/canopy drippage that happened to make its way through some stealth-like incipient path down the necks of their gore-tex jackets.  Where was that Gore-tex demo sponsorship anyway?  Guess we will have to work on that one for the future....

Many other comments as well as ideas and suggestions for expanding/changing/improving and building on the event in the future were also heard floating about in the air...these thoughts encompassed an array of areas from bar-b-q, to Alpental, to weekend vs. weekday demos, to after partys and music, to NWAC fundraisers, to weather mind control technology, and others.

Special thanks and shout out to Silas for bringing the cookies to provide an extra energy boost to the hardworking demo staff from Marmot Mountain Works, Black Diamond, Dynafit, Garmont, G3, K2, Rossignol, and Scarpa!  These folks live for this stuff, so thanks to all for their support of and participation in this year's ski demo.  Many a wet glove was seen being squeezed out, drying, and warming itself around the heaters after adjusting and fitting countless bindings and boots for all to enjoy...Thanks also to The Summit at Snoqualmie for allowing us to hold this event at their facility once again.

- David May

a classic night of Northwest skiing and snow conditions!

Props to the Marmot crew and all the manufacturers' reps for their perserverance; adjusting bindings all night in the rain just can't be all that much fun. Great chance to try some skis that I've had my eye on for some time, though as mentioned Alpental with 18" of fresh might have made for a better "testing" ground. Nice to see everyone as well!

Looks like another classic Marmot demo day.  Make sure to bring your rain poncho, it's wet out there.    Not sure what Snow god, Marmot pissed off, but they seem to always pick a day that is raining.

Actually, I recall the past two demo nights being bulletproof courderoy skiing, not rain.

Maybe time has modified the reality for me?  Ahh, but TAY search has not!
www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=14886.0
www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=11844.0
Perhaps the 2008 demo was rainy?
www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...dex.php?topic=8642.0

Thanks to Lock and the Marmot Team for coordinating the event, and to the equipment reps for their generosity and perserverance in equipping us to test new dream gear.  It was fun to meet the director of BD ski design, on a nostalgic trip back to his ski roots, learning to ski under the lights, in the rain at Snoqualmie Pass.  Fortunately for him, he now skis and works by the best snow in the world.