K2 Apache Crossfire

It has been dubbed as the ultimate cross-mountain ski. Is it worthy? I think the Crossfire has a very good go at it…

Model: Apache
Size(cm) / Radius(m): 153/? 160/? 167/? 174/16 181/?
Sidecut : 109/68/99
Length Tested: 174cm

Manufacturer's Description:

“High Performance Cross Mountain”

The Apache Hellfire had all the characteristics and behaviour of a detuned slalom ski, as the dimensions are identical as the K2 mach SL.

The Apache Crossfire however has a much less exaggerated sidecut – just 18mm and its arc comes in at 16m on a 174. This has shaped this ski to something very stable at both slow and high speeds. I took it down a blue, red and a black - the snow was two day old powder so had been skied and groomed by our old friends with cat tracks. This ski was as fun and responsive in short, medium and long turns. I had to work and persuade the ski on the really short turns due to the medium radius. Unfortunately there was no real powder to speak of.
It is a shame that the longer 181cm model was not available for me to try as I think it could be quite something as the 174cm was rather special.

Conclusion?
K2 is doing well with this new range.

The Crossfire seems to have one up on the Hellfire for all mountain cruising. I know what I would buy of the two!

Falls Creek

Falls Creek Resort Profile

Falls Creek is 356kms (about 4.5 hours) from Melbourne and approximately eight hours' drive from Sydney. Falls Creek enjoys some of the best snow cover of all the Victorian Ski Resorts, combined with the ambience of a beautiful Alpine Village. It has 450 hectares of ski terrain for the downhill and snowboarding enthusiast and a fully integrated lift network. For the cross country and ski touring skiers, the Bogong High Plains offer some of the most beautiful mountain scenery anywhere. 2004 saw the addition of a superpipe, the first in Australia and the resort continues to develop new terrian for hucking riders. The real attraction of this resort is the opportunity to ski at the adjacent Mt McKay, with 365m of true black dimond terrain. Guided snow cat trips take place twice a day and it is well worth the trip. Off the slopes, Falls Creek has more than 4,200 beds in the village ranging from economy style to luxury. Find a variety of self contained apartments, commercial lodges, and self catering lodges. Off-mountain accommodation is available at Mt. Beauty, Bogong Village, and Howman's Gap.
Trails (Pistes): 45
Summit: 1780 metres
Beg: 17% Int: 60% Adv: 23%
Vertical Drop: 180 metres
Lifts: 18
Gondolas / Cable Cars: -
Restaurants: Y
Bars: Y
Nearest Train : Albury
Halfpipes: 1
Toplift: 1780lift metres
Terrain Parks: 1
X-Country: 70km
Snowmaking: 25%
Slopeside accom. : Y
Acres of ski: 450ha
Nearest Airport: Albury

Web Cam 1 (Tower)
Web Cam 2 (Cloud 9)
Web Cam 3 (Summit)
Web Cam 4 (Carpark)

1.80 Head Boots

Rider Level: beginner

Sizes: 22.5-31.5

Shell controller - reinforcement for active forwards and sideways support
Cuff cut for smooth forward flex
Low-profile Integral S sole construction with protected EVA midsole
Custom ThermoFit liner
Butterfly II integrated thermo-moldable heel-hold
Pull 'n lock lacing - patented quick-release locking hooks on shell
Board rest panels for chair lift riding
Side armor protects from sharp binding parts

Rider's Report: Good looking, compact and comfortable boot.

Illuminati 2003 Pentagon 158 CM Snowboard

This is your board...if you like to ride the entire mountain as a playground.

This is your board...if a typical run is through the trees, out to the jump run, over the groomers and bumps, then over to the park.

This is your board...if you would like a snowboard that out performs overpriced off the rack snowboards.

This is your board...if you like a well rounded and fine tuned product.

Price $239.95

Snow

For those of us who live in Australia our snow season is just starting, and with the limited amount of season time there is no time like the present to start organising your snow trip.

I personally am taking off the NewZealand for 1 week of snowboarding but that is just because i have never been there.

So enjoy.