​Viv Witts

Skis

 

Faction Royal 183
 

Riding this ski for nearly 2 seasons now, Faction have producted an incredible product.  Massive nose and tail rocker combined with flat camber allow for a playful ride in the deepest powder.  I have no problems hitting the biggest mountain lines on them also.  The only drawback would be that I ride the 183 length, probably too short for me, but what I lose on being able to stomp every single cliff I attempt, I gain on how fun, manoverable and freestyle orientated the ski in the shorter length is.  Faction have now produced the Candide Thovex 4.0, effectively the same ski but stiffer and lighter.  I cannot wait to ride the knew model!

 

 

 

Atomic Blog 185
 

I mounted the Dynafit Z12 onto the Blogs to use as a touring setup.  Unfortunately the conditions in the 2013/14 season have been too dangerous to warrent venturing into the best backcountry.  However, of my minimal time on the ski I can say that it handles well and has a great shape but it definately could benefit from being alot stiffer.

 

 

 

Atomic Atlas 182
 

Mounted with the Salomon Guardian touring binding this ski excelled in the deepest powder and biggest mountain lines.  Unlimitted float stems from the gigantic nose rocker making the biggest drops feel like nothing.  However one thing to take into account are that this ski likes to go straight and nothing else.  Even in the shorter length the flat tail makes the ski difficult to handle in tighter situations.  If you dont like turning, this ski is for you!

 

 

 

Coreupt Candide Pow 186

 

The Candide Pow was a great all mountian ski.  Stiff, fun, freestyle orientated and wide enough for all conditions this ski was perfect all over the mountian (another incredible ski designed by an incredible skier).  This ski however is marketed towards expert skiers and the only improvement I could recomend is to introduce a small and symetrical nose and tail rocker to help flotation for intermediate to advanced skiers.

 

 

 

Coreupt Richard Permin (Born To Drop) 187
 

Like the Atlas, this ski is a beast!  Minimal radius, massive nose rocker and 125 under foot, this ski wants to go straight over everything and feels very long indeed.  Trees and tight manouvers are difficult and the ski at high speeds in crud felt a bit flappy.  A year later Richard Permin introduced the Slasher ski.  A stiffer, thinner and lighter ski which can handle the same conditions with greater underfoot control.

 

 

 

 

Bindings

 

Rossi Axial 15 DIN (Coreupt Branded)

 

Such a solid binding, nothing else needs to be said.  I have riden this binding for 2.5 seasons with it mounted on my fattest skis.  Only recently I had a massive crash (20-30ft drop to rocks) that my skis almost shattered and the plastic toe plate snapped in half.  A sad end to a great binding.

 

 

 

Marker Jester 16 DIN

 

Only been mounted for half a season on my park/do everything ski and so far they have been incredible.  Every binding over 12 DIN sems to be the way to go for harder skiing.  At the moment I like to ride with a 13DIN but would like to increase this, and so to reduce wear on the spring I will be trying to aim for 18DIN bindings from now on.

 

 

Salomon Guardian 16DIN touring

 

Again No problems with this binding.  In a whole season of just touring on this I never came out (perhaps I wasn't going hard enough!).  Drawbacks are that it is exceptionally heavy to tour with as it is mostly aimed for the sidecountry adventurer.

 

 

 

Dynafit Z12 touring

 

A recent addition to my kit which (due to dangerous conditions) has barely been skied on.  However what I have done this binding has excelled.  For touring it is the lightest and strongest binding on the market (minus the dynafit beast - but who has a spare grand lying around!).  Getting used to the difference in flex with this binding has been the biggest hurdle to overcome but after three days you will not notice the difference.

 

 

 

 

Ski Boots:

 

Dalbello Krypton Pro, ID liner

 

One of the most customizable boots on the market, this boot has served me amazingly well.  I ride with an agressive style leant far forward however I use the C flex tongue (softer) to save my shins when in the park and dropping features in variable conditions. I would highly recomend that everybody invest in some Thermo Intuition Liners - heat moulded to your foot it will be difficult to find fault with these liners!

 

 

Scarpa Freedom SL, ID liner

 

A very similar boot to the Krypton Pro however geared very much towards touring.  This boot also allows fo endless adjustments, has the ID liner included and has a walk mode and is significantly lighter than other models making it an ideal choice for performance touring.

 

 

Salomon SPK

 

I rode this boot for around 2 seasons and beeing older the foam liner thinned quickly and endless padding out made it difficult to ride after time.  However, a boot geared towards park skiing this model really did excell in the park making learning freestyle fun and easy.

 

 

 

Outerwear

 

Salomon Goretex Shell Jacket and Pants

 

The best of the best outerwear.  Very costly but the quality builds a lasting product that can handle every weather on the mountain.  It is massively comforting knowing that if a storm comes in and you are stranded for the night, you will be dry!

 

 

Salomon Helmet

 

Allways ride with a helmet with nothing underneath (no hat) and with the goggles on the outside of the helmet.  This is what they are designed for!

 

 

Oakely Crowbar Goggles

 

Owned and wore for 2.5 seasons and still going strong.  A big brand and so finding replacement/new lenses is easy.