(SEATTLE) K2 skis has added industry icon JT Holmes to its stable of athletes and will join legendary skiers Mike Hattrup, Reggie and Zach Crist, Kip Garre, Andrew McLean and Martin Volken to it’s BackSide Team. JT will be actively involved in product development of the “Side” skis (Darkside, Sidestash and Hardside), to ensure these skis continue to fit the style and performance needs of the big mountain skier.

“It’s a natural fit for JT to be on K2’s. His personality and style reflect everything that K2 is about and we are looking forward to getting him involved with the development of our BackSide products,” says Global Marketing Manager, Mike Gutt. “JT brings the team a youthful outlook and most importantly resonates with skiers who have been watching his skills and style over the past decade.”

Says Holmes on joining the K2 crew, “K2’s Backside series of skis are perfectly suited to my style. I ski forward, so I don’t need a twin tip. I enjoy clean landings. I need versatility. I spend a lot of time hiking in the backcountry, and both utility and weight are important factors that K2 addresses with the Backside series.”READ THE PRESS RELEASE

Sage was rocking Rossignol and rocking it well for the last couple years. The Rossignol S7 complemented the way Sage skis and gave him the tools to confidently ski the biggest lines in Alaska. Now it looks like he will be rocking a pair of Atomic Bent Chetlers, but for how long? Because of the magnitude of this move there might just be a new Mr. Cattabriga-Alosa pro model ski in the near future. Only time will tell. For now we will ponder the fate of Rossignol and patently wait for new media from Atomic. Congrats Sage.

READ THE PRESS RELEASE

The Red Bull Linecatcher event in Vars, France was quite amazing this year. The new competition format catered to the style of free skiing’s top athletes. For the past couple of years it seems more and more pros are leaving the terrain park for natural hits in the back country. The course in Vars had a big mountain feel with select takeoffs throughout giving everyone the freedom to choose a line and hit huge transfers. Frenchman Candide Thovex took 1st by sticking his final run, K2 Ski’s Sean Pettit placed 2nd but maybe should have been a little higher with his mind blowing run, and CR Johnson rounded out the podium with the bronze. Read More and Watch the Video Recap

Via: Red Bull Skiing

Surface Skis (www.surfaceskis.com) proudly announces its acquisition of Joystick Skiing (www.joystickskiing.com). Joystick adds several ski poles and gloves that complement Surface’s line of snow skis and Causwell’s line of snow sports apparel.
Via: NewSchoolers.com

PK Hunder is finally back to his crazy life. So stoked that his neck is feeling better and he is skiing again. I wish I had a gym like the one in the video. It looks like such a fun time. Watch the video of the gym and the other of an early season ski day.
Watch the PK Hunder Videos

After years of sitting on the ColbyJamesWest.com URL, the man, the myth, yep Mr. West launched one bad ass website. So stoked that he came out swinging. I should not say anymore. Just go visit ColbyJamesWest.com.

Grete Eliassen, one of the most recognizable woman freeskiers in the world has been working for the past two years on a new video project titled, Say My Name. Grete is juggling school, the life of a professional skier, and to say the least some amazing causes. From being a representative of female athletes to visiting troops in Iraq this girl shines in so many ways. I am not sure how she does it. If you follow her on Twitter you find out quite quickly that she is an incredibly hard worker. There is nothing this girl cannot do. Check out the trailer and follow her on twitter.

Watch Say My Name Teaser

Grete Eliassen Twitter

OMG, Miley Cyrus. Looks like the party has left the USA. If you can skip out on work this week it will be worth it. There is a storm pounding BC and Whistler, where the Kokanee flows like wine, is getting a little snow here and there. Lodging is cheap with crazy preseason hotel deals and most importantly it is puking snow. 22″ in 24 hours looks something like the picture above. If you need SkiersRealm to write you a note to get out of school early, we would be happy to.

Visit Whistler Blackcomb

(Bend, Ore – Nov 17, 2009) – Mt. Bachelor is currently on schedule to open for the winter season on Friday, Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. Occasional snow is forecasted to continue in the Oregon Cascades through the weekend adding to Mt. Bachelor’s current base depth of 25 inches at the West Village snow stake. Opening day operating lifts are anticipated to be the Pine Marten Express and Sunshine Express. All services including food and beverage, rentals, Snowsports School, and retail, will be based out of the West Village Base Area. Expansion of open terrain and lifts is likely on Saturday, Nov 21 as well as heading into the Thanksgiving weekend. Mt. Bachelor’s Nordic Lodge and trails will also open for the season on Friday. The latest details can be found at www.mtbachelor.com. READ MORE

Department Of Goods Access Codes:
JN6AR-32K5-A3LZW | 16SY6U-32K7-QNH02 | 1NG2C3-32K9-26STB | 2EFJ1J-32KB-EHFT8 | 2AQQZW-32KD-GXPUW

And then backcountry did it. They decided to develop another first in the outdoor gear industry with the launch of an exclusive shopping experience now known as the “department of goods”. With an ad that says, Full Price is Dead! Request a Membership Now, i of course have a couple of questions. What is going to drive customers to this new storefront and will these new potential customers abandon other discount retailers to join the club? I wonder if backcountry will be able to get past MAP pricing even if it is just for this year by only letting invited guests in? These questions have yet to be answered but I can tell you one thing… They sure know what they are doing when it comes to design and implementation. Up with hope, down with backcountryoutlet.com. READ THE PRESS RELEASE

DepartmentOfGoods.com