Mpora

The Engine Inside: Official Trailer

2023-04-22T08:13:24Z

Riding towards a better future, a new documentary sheds light on the overlooked potential of the Bicycle.

It is an instrument of fun and exploration, a tool for fitness and self expression, a sustainable form transport for humans and cargo. Ubiquitous, the humble bicycle is many things to many different people, but has its potential been fully realised?

A new documentary tells the stories of six everyday people from all over the globe, who reveal the unique power of the bicycle to change lives and build a better world.

Through each character’s story, the film uncovers the often-overlooked potential of this 200-year-old machine, exploring its impact on a wide-range of global issues such as physical and mental health, socio-economic inequality and climate change. By shining a light on people who have embraced cycling as a way to overcome daunting personal and systemic challenges, The Engine Inside ultimately asks viewers to reconsider their own perspective. Is there a transformative power within us all that can be unlocked through the simple act of riding a bike?

Bike Life by Michael Wikan

Narrated by the “voice of cycling” Phil Liggett, paired with an eclectic soundtrack and immersive cinematography, the film weaves together an emotional and informative celebration of the bicycle’s world-changing potential. The film is set to be released this summer. We look forward to it.

Key Release Dates April 22: Official film trailer release on Earth Day

June 3: World Premiere, Move – Pon HQ, Amsterdam
June 4 – July 6: Exclusive premiere events
July 7: Non-exclusive film screening events
Mid-July: Digital Download sales begin (iTunes, Google Play, Vimeo, etc…)

Kwabena Danso By Jo Osborne

Robert Gesink

Bike Life by Michael Wikan

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Meet the women on a mission to bring colour and diversity to the mountains

2023-04-03T18:02:38Z

Founded by a group of college friends, Mount Noire provides community and group trips to skiers and snowboarders of colour.

If we asked you to close your eyes and describe your typical skier, what would you describe? Think about it for a few seconds.

Chances are, you didn’t just describe someone of colour, did you?

We met an incredible group of women at this year’s Ellesse x Tomorrowland Winter festival who are on a mission to smash stereotypes in winter sports, break down barriers, and bring colour and diversity to the mountains.

Photo: Mount Noire

Meet Mount Noire!

The aptly named Mount Noire is a community group of skiers and snowboarders based out of London, UK, with one mission; To bring together people from black and brown backgrounds to experience the joy of skiing and snowboarding.

We sat down with the five co-creators and all-round legends; Wenona, Simi, Blessing, Tobi, and Dee, to learn more about their story, ambitions, what they’re up to, and what the future looks like for Mount Noire.

Q: So, what’s Mount Noire all about?

“It all started a few years back when we recognised that a lot of people don’t have access to, or don’t know how to get into skiing and snowboarding, so we started this group to provide a platform and an opportunity for people to do just that.”

In a nutshell, Mount Noire…

Run organised trips to European resorts each winter (with shorter, budget-friendly trips to places like Bulgaria through to more Luxe-style trips to the French Alps and more).
Run group day trips to UK-based dry or indoor slopes so people can get a taster into the sport and learn for the first time before committing to a full-on trip.
Organise local socials and meet-ups for people interested in mountain or winter sports within the UK.

In their own words, there’s a huge misconception that black and brown people don’t ski or snowboard, and it’s pretty clear to see how wrong this is on every level with what these women are achieving with the success of the Mount Noire movement.

“Getting people into winter sports is obviously such an awesome part of it but what’s also so important for us is to bring people together, create connections and friendships. It’s all for the love of the sport and allowing everyone to experience how fun it is to be in the mountains.”

Q: What’s a standard trip with the Mount Noire crew like?

“In one word? Energy!”

They admit that at times the trips can get pretty lively, but this is actually just a by-product of the community vibe and a bit of organised fun at après.

After spending the week with the Mount Noire crew at this year’s Tomorrowland Winter festival, I can totally see why! It genuinely sounds like these trips are so much fun.

“As much as we love to party and have socials, we also recognise not everyone wants to party. We also organise various team activities, game nights, and treat-yourself spa days on our French trips too. We put a really big emphasis on creating a proper experience for everyone to remember, as well as ensuring any first-timers have a great first experience and get them to want to come back again and again.”

Q: What’s the mix of skiers vs. snowboarders on your trips?

“Up until fairly recently, we’ve always had more skiers than snowboarders. But we can see this changing. One of our more recent trips had about 50/50 so it’s a really good mix. One of the people who came along recently was saying how big of a deal it was for them to finally ride a snowboard with other black people for the first time ever.”

“We’re finding that a lot more people are asking us if they can try switching to snowboarding too. We did a day out with Burton last year to give people snowboard lessons and this had a really great response.”

Photo: Ellesse

Q: Any highlights or stand-out moments to share from any of your trips?

The girls’ recalled some of their favourite memories being the impromptu nights out in the clubs when the locals all join in on the fun.

“There have been times when the DJs let us change the music and the locals and tourists all wanted to be involved. It really is just about the vibe, and that helps bring the togetherness and it’s how great friendships are formed.”

“Another major highlight for us is when we introduce people to the sport for the first time. Seeing the first-timers fall in love with the sport and want to come back and do more is actually something really special, and we’re so glad we are a part of that for them. You can see the joy on people’s faces when they tell you about the blue run they nailed. This is actually what makes it all worth it.”

Q: We’re obviously out here at Tomorrowland Winter with Ellesse, but what are all these brand partnerships helping with?

“Being part of the promotional shoots this year for Ellesse and Tomorrowland Winter was a lot of fun. It’s cool we get to do these things with such big brands but one of biggest things this is doing for our community is helping to normalise seeing black and brown people in the sport. There isn’t a great deal of black representation at the elite level in winter sports, but seeing people of colour from all diverse backgrounds in photos, promotional material and everything in between helps future generations and young people think I can totally do that. It’s the introduction to the sport that matters.”

The Mount Noire team still work full-time jobs that help fund their mission, which also means they don’t have big budgets to play with to advertise their stuff. They rely on socials, word of mouth, articles like this one, and coverage through brand partnerships and even the BBC in their Ski Sunday feature earlier this year to spread the word.

Q: What are some of the biggest barriers we need to break down to bring more inclusivity to the mountains so we can all shred together?

At the end of the day, the three biggest barriers are:

1. There aren’t enough grass-roots opportunities for kids and youth groups

“In the UK, there aren’t a lot of grass-roots opportunities to introduce young kids to winter sports.”

“Kids grow up seeing their favourite footballers, they get to play it at school and it’s easy to fall in love with the sport. It would be awesome to see more funding opportunities to allow kids and families to experience local indoor and dry slopes to give them an opportunity to fall in love with skiing and snowboarding.”

2. Cost barriers and funding

This isn’t exclusive to winter sports, but let’s face it, snow trips aren’t cheap! These days a trip to the mountains from the UK is in the thousands, which makes it harder to be inclusive. And, if it’s your first trip, you need to buy all the gear and to go along with it.

“It’s easier said than done, but what we’d love to see more of is packages to cater to families and youth groups to make affordability to the mountains a lot more in-reach.”

3. A lack of diverse representation in winter sports

“As we mentioned earlier, just seeing a more diverse mix of races, colours and cultures on the mountains, as well as in promotional materials, goes a long way in helping to normalise seeing diversity across the sport.”

Photo: Ellesse

Q: So, what’s next for Mount Noire?

“We’ve got three big ambitions this year…

World domination – We’d love to extend our reach wider across the world and organise some trips further afield. Europe is our home, but we’d love to get some trips to North America in the pipeline as we get a lot of interest from the community in the states already. We’d also love to head out to Japan too!
Venture into other sports too – Our mission doesn’t really stop at winter sports. You can obviously go to the mountains in the summer, so we’d love to start exploring the possibilities to get people into nature, hiking, and experience the resorts outside of winter too.
Start building partnerships through a Mount Noire Bursary Programme – We want to do more the help enable grass-roots funding for small families and youth groups. We’d love to talk to brands and potential partners to try to make everything more accessible for everyone. So if you’re a chalet and accommodation provider, ski or snowboard instructor, equipment rental provider, snow brand or anyone else – this is your calling. Get in touch with the team and let’s discuss how we can make this happen.”

Getting the opportunity to sit down with the Mount Noire crew was genuinely awesome, and incredibly eye-opening. If there’s anything you think you can do to help their mission to bring colour and diversity to the mountains, get in touch with them via their Instagram, or visit https://www.mountnoire.com/ to learn more about their trips and their mission.

For a powerful look at inclusivity in the Outdoors check out Phil Young’s piece on our sister publication, Mpora; Skin Deep | Why The Outdoors Has A Race Problem And How It Can Be Fixed.

This article was originally posted on Whitelines: Meet the Women on a Mission to Bring Colour & Diversity to the Mountains

The post Meet the women on a mission to bring colour and diversity to the mountains appeared first on Mpora.

Ellesse x Tomorrowland | The Winter Edit 2023

2023-02-06T14:43:39Z

Ellesse, Tomorrowland, skiers and an Alpe d’Huez cut to get you in the mood

Good vibes, good people, good times. We’ve teamed up with our buddies at Ellesse and Tomorrowland Winter to hype their new collab collection and get pumped for one of the best festivals in the snow, in the alps or anywhere for that matter.

Filmed on location in Tomorrowland Winter’s back garden, Alpe d’Huez. The crew got to soak up some sun, hit some kickers and test out the new Ellesse outerwear. All about freeing that style.

Following the 2022 launch of the Ellesse x Michael Kors collaboration, the 2023 Ellesse x Tomorrowland 21-piece capsule ski collection features ski-jackets, goggles, and layering options for men and women. Inspired by Tomorrowland Winter, it’s filled with peace, love, harmony and ski goodness. Check out the shop here. What is Tomorrowland Winter? A festival experience of snow and music all set in the legendary terrain of Alpe d’Huez’s.

For more information on Tomorrowland Winter, head here.

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Swiss Alps By Train | How To Guide For Skiers

2023-01-24T16:53:51Z

Want a ski trip without the flight guilt? Here’s how to travel to Switzerland’s ski resorts by train

Love skiing but hate flying? It’s a conundrum for climate-conscious skiers and snowboarders eager to minimise their carbon footprint. But if you want to hit the Alps in the greenest, most eco-friendly way, there is an answer – take the train. Here’s why you should give rail a chance, how you can go about doing it, and a selection of some of the best Swiss ski resorts accessible by train.

Why Travel To The Alps By Train

Flying is usually the fastest, simplest and cheapest way to get to the Alps, but air travel is often plagued by problems – massive queues at the check-in desks, painfully slow progress through security, planes so crowded you feel like a sardine in a tin. And that’s before you’ve had a nervy wait at the baggage carousel and a crawling bus transfer to the resort.

Trains can provide an antidote to the stress of flying. You get good legroom, epic views out of the window, and a comfortable travelling experience – simply sit back, relax and enjoy the romance of a European rail journey. That’s what train enthusiasts claim, anyway.

Then there are the environmental considerations. Travelling by train guzzles far less fuel than air travel and produces a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions of flying. A single journey by train from London St Pancras to Zermatt in Switzerland, for example, creates 11.7kg of carbon emissions compared to 134.2kg for the same journey by plane (according to ecopassenger.org) – a whopping 90% reduction. That’s a big win for the planet – and your conscience.

How To Travel To The Swiss Alps By Train

All options start with the Eurostar. From London St Pancras International, you’ll whizz through the Channel Tunnel to Paris Gare du Nord in just under 2 hours and 30 minutes – a speedy start.

Next you’ll have to transfer from Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon. It’s a tad inconvenient, but far from difficult – simply take the Metro, RER local train or jump in a taxi. It won’t take longer than 60 minutes, even if you’re slow.

From Paris Gare de Lyon, take a TGV-Lyria high-speed train to your Swiss destination. This will often involve a change or two (usually via larger stations such as Lausanne, Basel or Zurich), but the SBB rail system in Switzerland is so efficient and punctual you’re unlikely to encounter problems.

“Set off from London on an early train and you can be in-resort tucking into cheese fondue by dinner time”

Door-to-door, these journeys can be completed in a day – set off from London on an early train and you can be in-resort tucking into cheese fondue by dinner time. Take the 07.01 train from St Pancras and you’ll be in Andermatt by 19.06, for example. Alternatively, some passengers prefer a stopover en-route; a bonus city break before hitting the slopes.

Of course, some resorts are quicker and simpler to get to from Paris than others. This all depends on their location within Switzerland, the number of connections required and how well trains are synced with gondolas or bus transfers.

Tickets can be purchased online in advance from websites such as Trainline and Rail Europe. London to Paris by Eurostar costs from £78 return in standard class, while Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria starts at €29 each way in second class. The excellent Seat61 blog has detailed buying instructions to help you get the best deals.

5 of the Best Swiss Ski Resorts By Train

We recently headed by train to the Valais canton of Switzerland – a rather magical and adventure-filled region with 45 peaks over 4,000m, 300 days of sunshine annually and 2,400km of ski slopes. It was a ski odyssey, that also included a visit to the neighbouring canton of Uri. Our aim? To test out some of the best Swiss ski resorts to visit by train. Without further ado, here’s our top 5.

1) Aletsch Arena

Home to the greatest glacier in the Alps and located within the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Aletsch Arena ski area feels (somewhat surprisingly) like a hidden gem. Better known by the Swiss than outsiders, the ski-in ski-out resort offers 104km of slopes linking three charming car-free villages – Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp – with 35 lifts providing “snow guaranteed” conditions between 1,925m and 2,869m at the top of the Eggishorn. The pistes are groomed to perfection too – the local piste bashers have a trophy cabinet full of awards.

How to get there: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord and transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon. Hop on the TGV-Lyria to Betten Talstation, usually connecting via Basel and Brig or Lausanne and Brig. Directly next to the Betten Talstation concourse, you can take the cable car up to Bettmeralp. The total journey time is 10-11 hours.

Where to stay: Hotel Waldhaus in Bettmeralp is a perfect ski-in ski-out base

Where to eat: Restaurant Gläcktricka in Bettmeralp serves up Valais specialities including rösti

More info: aletscharena.ch

2) Saas Fee

Saas Fee is an iconic ski destination – a place of reliable snow, high-altitude skiing and Swiss alpine charm; a place where you’re always surrounded by 18 towering 4,000m peaks. The resort has 150km of blue, red, black and yellow pistes, ranging from 1,500m to 3,600m above sea level. There’s also one of the largest glacier ski areas in the Alps to consider as well. In a world of warming temperatures, it is this height that sets Saas Fee apart. It gives skiers and snowboarders one of the best chances of good snow all-season long.

How to get there: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord and transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon. Hop on the TGV-Lyria to Stalden Saas, via Lausaunne and Visp. From Stalden Saas you need to take a 40-minute Postbus 511 to Saas Fee bus terminal. The total journey time is 11-12 hours.

Where to stay: Mistral Hotel is perfectly located for access to cable cars

Where to eat: At 3,500m altitude, the Mittelallalin is the highest revolving restaurant in the world

More info: saas-fee.ch

3) Andermatt

Transformed from sleepy ex-military base into a Swiss alpine skiing paradise courtesy of a $2 billion investment spearheaded by Egyptian real estate mogul Samih Sawiris, Andermatt in the canton of Uri is a resort on the rise. With 180km of pistes, 33 lifts and rising up to 3,000m above sea level, the resort – spread across the Andermatt, Sedrun and Disentis ski areas – serves up a lot of bang for your buck. For experienced skiers and snowboarders, Gemsstock (2,961m) delivers demanding slopes, deep snow and freeriding fun with non-stop descents of up to 1,500m. Gütsch (2,344m) and Schneehüenerstock (2,600m), meanwhile, have something for everyone; we’re talking red and blue runs galore.

How to get there: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord and transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon. Hop on the TGV-Lyria to Andermatt, with connections via Basel and Göschenen. The total journey time is 11 hours.

Where to stay: The new Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen in Andermatt combines contemporary styling with alpine charm

Where to eat: If you want to splash the cash, the 5-star The Chedi is a gastronomic delight

More info: andermatt.ch

4) Zermatt

Stylish, high-class and elegant, Zermatt is one of the world’s premier snow destinations. Nestled at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn, Zermatt is home to Europe’s highest ski resort, rising to a height of 3,883m above sea level. The ‘Matterhorn Ski Paradise’ area has 360km of blue, red, black and yellow runs. Promising “fantastic skiing” for a long season, it combines a jam-packed programme of events, delicious dining options, and lively après-ski entertainment.

How to get there: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord and transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon. Hop on the TGV-Lyria to Visp via Basel or Lausanne. Next change to the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn train to Zermatt. The total journey time is 11 hours.

Where to stay: Zermatt Youth Hostel has well-priced rooms and is centrally located

Where to eat: 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat is Switzerland’s highest hotel and a perfect spot for lunch

More info: zermatt.ch

5) Verbier / 4 Vallées

Double-winner of the prestigious World’s Best Ski Resort accolade at the World Ski Awards in both 2021 and 2022, Verbier has a long-standing reputation as a first-rate ski destination – and it’s easy to see why. Striking a perfect balance between charming Swiss alpine village, rugged mountain adventure hub, and cosmopolitan and lively après party centre, Verbier is the gateway to the 4 Vallées ski area with more than 400km of runs and 100 lifts. Whether you’re looking for a freeriding paradise or simply on-piste fun, there is something for everyone in Verbier.

How to get there: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord and transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon. Hop on the TGV-Lyria to Le Châble via Lausanne and Martigny. Directly next to Le Châble train station you can take the Médran cable car to Verbier. The total journey time is 10 hours.

Where to stay: Hôtel Ermitage is in central Verbier, close to local amenities.

Where to eat: Try the melted cheese delights of a traditional Swiss raclette dinner at Le Caveau.

More info: verbier.ch

The High Life | Patagonia Film Tells The Story Of A Family Living In Chamonix’s Oldest Refuge

2023-01-16T11:56:04Z

What’s it like living in an old mountain refuge high above Chamonix Valley then?

Credit: Pierre Cadot

With the world in its current state, with all of the economic and environmental stresses to worry about, there’s certainly something quite tempting about packing civilisation in for a solid chunk of time in a mountain refuge well above sea level in the Chamonix Valley. The High Life, a brand new documentary from Patagonia, follows a family living at Le Refuge de la Charpoua in the French Alps. It’s the kind of content that might just inspire you to get outside, and get away from *gestures at everything*, more in 2023. Yes, one wooden shack for me please. No news updates, thanks.

Refuge de la Charpoua was built way back in 1904. The planks of pine from which it was constructed were carried up on the backs of the Chamonix Alpine Sports Club. Over the years, it’s established itself as an essential stops for mountaineers taking on the legendary peaks of Les Drus. The tiny hut, which serves as a start and end point for many famous mountain routes and climbs in the area, can only be reached after a long trek up from the Montenvers train station.

Vertigo-inducing ladders, glacier crossings and unstable moraines are all part of the journey to the hut. Getting to it is something of a mission, and it’s definitely not one for the casual tourists out there. For the seasoned climbers and determined / experienced hikers though, it’s a sanctuary a world away from, well, the world.

“With the world in its current state… there’s certainly something quite tempting about packing civilisation in”

Eight years ago, Sarah Cartier, a young woman from Chamonix decided to take on the responsibility of looking after this outpost. From mid-June to late August, she offers board and lodging to climbers. She also provides useful information to adventurers, keeps an eye on their progress and administers first aid should it be needed.

With the support of her partner, Noé, Sarah has found a way to combine her passion for the hut’s caretaker role with her family life. As various moments in the film show, the refuge life is the kind of existence that isn’t for everyone but it is one which will undoubtedly appeal to anyone who’s got the mountains’ number on speed dial.

“Having children here has brought with it a certain rebalancing of relationships,” says Sarah. “When some of the climbers realise I’m bringing up my children alone here, they say that climbing Les Drus isn’t really such a big thing.”

Credit: Pierre Cadot

Pair of Kings | We Test Out Sam Anthamatten And Antti Ollila’s New Collab Goggle

2023-01-16T09:42:22Z

We joined the Julbo team in Zermatt to test the new Sam Anthamatten and Antti Ollila pro model in all lighting conditions

Image: Juan Aizpuru @juanaizpuruphotomountain

We recently travelled out to Zermatt to take a look at Julbo’s latest pro model ski goggle, the ‘Pair of Kings’ Cyclon. Being the brainchild of Sam Anthamatten and Antti Ollila, we knew it would have some serious pedigree. Now Sam Anthamatten is no stranger to sharing a pro line with other athletes, including the likes of Vivian Bruchez and Glen Plake. When it comes to Antti and Sam though, the two couldn’t be further apart in terms of ski goggle requirements.

Antti has grown up skiing under floodlights at his home resort of Ruka, while Sam needs very little introduction after stamping his mark on many of the steepest faces of the Alps (and Alaska to be fair).

This is where the French optics brand, Julbo, comes in. They pitched the idea to Sam that he could share another pro model goggle and he came back with the nearly impossible task of creating a goggle that can meet the needs of Antti’s floodlit sessions, and his own high-altitude, retina-burning ascents. Meet the new Pair of Kings Cyclon from Julbo.

Image: Juan Aizpuru @juanaizpuruphotomountain

The Goggles

Capable of varying between category 0-4, these goggles feature a light transmission rate (LTV) of 7 – 80%. To the layman, that’s nearly clear all the way up to blocking out all but the strongest light.

This makes the Pair of Kings goggles a real chameleon in terms of their varying lenses. They’re comfortable providing essential protection in the evenings, while still remaining clear, and they’re also capable of blocking out any potentially damaging light when you find yourself up high in the alpine.

Image: Juan Aizpuru @juanaizpuruphotomountain

On top of the varying lens tech, the Cyclon’s cylindrical lens also features an anti-fog coating on the inner surface of the lens to keep you going no matter how humid things get. This coating also works in conjunction with the frame which provides ample airflow and circulation to help further reduce any fogging.

Speaking of the frame, the Cyclon goggles feature a frameless construction around the lens to help boost peripheral vision. This means the lens is fixed into place, but who cares when you’ve got this much LTV versatility packed into the lens?

A neat strap, that matches the ‘Pair of Kings’ name, wraps up the whole goggle and provides a secure fit to a beanie or helmet; thanks to the silicone strip to help boost grip. This strap slots into the frame seamlessly, which helps to give the goggles a clean look.

How They Performed

There perhaps isn’t anywhere better to test the photochromic abilities of a pair of goggles than in the high altitude resort of Zermatt. Featuring the highest lift station in Europe, you’re able to go from 1,600 – 3,800 metres in a matter of minutes. This is exactly what we did when we took the Pair of Kings goggles for their first high altitude spin.

The goggles performed exactly as expected. As we climbed out of the shade in Zermatt and into the alpine, the tint of the goggles began to darken, cutting out any potentially dangerous UV light. This continued as we were skiing through the seemingly endless alpine terrain of Zermatt. The goggles stayed protective while providing great contrast for the usually blown-out whites you get in bright sunshine.

Image: Juan Aizpuru @juanaizpuruphotomountain

One aspect I was interested to see the goggles perform was going from dark to clear. Julbo had mentioned that the goggles were slower in lightening in tint, compared to darkening. This was down to the composition of the reactive layer coating the lens. This became clear when going from the slopes (where the light was extremely strong), to the inside of a gondola lift station (that usually has as much light as a dingy warehouse rave). The goggles were certainly much slower in reacting to the darkening light conditions, before coming clear enough to not feel as though you have yo take them off to see.

This, however, is certainly a compromise I’m willing to make when it comes to having a pair of reactive ski goggles. It’s very rare for you to require the quickest change in tints when skiing in the backcountry, as the light is usually consistent, or slowly changing. The goggles definitely performed well in those moments you go from bright sunlight to dark shade (such as a couloir).

While out in Zermatt, I was also booked in to ski and climb the Breithorn with Sam. This provided great testing conditions for the goggles as we were caught out in a storm close to the summit (check out the video below).

The goggles provided ideal protection from the howling wind, while also providing fantastic ventilation during the sweaty ascent. It was here, when skiing from the summit at 16:15 down to Zermatt town, where we really noticed the slow change of the lens. It wasn’t until it was really pitch black before the goggle became clear enough to see from. When it did, it provided a fantastic clear lens; enabling us to ski back to Zermatt under headlight.

An impressive feat, I might add, considering we’d just skied off the summit of a 4,000 metre peak just an hour before.

Check out the Pair of Kings goggle here

Ski Gear Product Preview For Winter 2023/2024

2023-01-12T17:59:40Z

We went to Slide 2023 to take a first look at the 2023-2024 ski gear, featuring some new and exciting ski, boot and binding developments

With ISPO pushed back to in November 2022, there wasn’t much in the way of exciting new developments being released to the public at the Munich tradeshow. Ski brands were still busy finishing off their stories for 22/23 product releases, so didn’t really bring anything new and exciting along with them.

So, with Slide 2023 coming around, it was great to get our hands on next year’s ski kit. Right off the back of this winter show, we’re bringing a quick snapshot of the most exciting products and the best skis for the 23/24 winter season, with lots of exciting developments in pretty much all categories of products.

We’re off to the SIGB ski test in La Clusaz towards the end of the month, so we’ll be sure to put our top selection of skis, boots and bindings through their paces. Then it’ll soon be time to get started on the production of the 2023 – 2024 Mpora Ski 100 – your one stop shop for all the information required to make an informed decision on your ski equipment for next year.

Ski Industry Trends 2023 – 2024

Many ski boots see an overhaul for next season, with many news lines also being introduced, particularly on the touring and hybrid side of the market.

With the introduction of the all-new BOA winter system, a lot of boot manufacturers have taken quite a creative approach to locking down the instep and lower buckle of their boots. We’re psyched to try out these new BOA boots on snow and feel the difference between this and a traditional buckle setup.

There looks to be quite a bit of carry over from last season, with a few tweaks to ski ranges, but not too many new lines of skis. We’re fans of this approach from ski brands, however, as we don’t feel there needs to be a constant overhaul of skis – especially with that (we feel) don’t need any improvements.

Dynafit 2023 – 2024

We’re kicking things off for what is (for us) one of the most exciting products set to launch next season, and that’s the all new ‘Tigard’ (terrible name) boot from Dynafit.

As you can see from the photos, the boot is the product of boot building wizard Eric Hjorjlesson, feating the Hoji lock system that features on the Hoji Pro. This single motion ski/walk lever opens up the top two cuff buckles, while also putting the boot into walk mode with just one flip of the lever.

The Hoji Pro (and Radical Pro, for that matter) is one of our favourite freeride touring boots, so we’re stoked to get out on snow with these beasts.

The Radical boot range stays the same with updated colours.

The TLT X now has a wide option.

Volkl Skis 2023 – 2024

The ski designers at Volkl have been pretty busy tweaking their range as the company reaches their 100 year birthday. A new Revolt 114 comes into play which features a neat pintail design.

There’s also a new Blaze 114 and 105 that both sit within the freeride touring category.

Dalbello 2023 – 2024

Dalbello have merged the Lupo and Krypton to create the new Cabrio range of freeride touring boots. We got our feet in these during the test and the flex feels smooooth.

New and updated Il Moro. Long overdue.

A kids’ Quantum touring boot.

Marker 2023 – 2024

There’s just a new kids’ Alpinist touring binding that ranges from 2-6 RV, to go along with that new Quantum touring boot.

Salomon Products 2023 – 2024

Salomon have brought in BOA to their products with their S/Pro range of ski boots. They’ve also got a new ski – the QST Echo. The new topsheets on the QST and Stance ranges are looking smart.

Recycled sidewalls. More environmentally friendly moves from the French ski brand.

Scott Skis 2023 – 2024

Black Crows Skis 2023 – 2024

As ever, the topsheets on the ‘Crows skis are looking neat. They’ve got a new touring ski coming out next season that’s going to sit as the widest ski in the Freebird range. Black Crows didn’t have it with them, but it’s set to replace the Ferox.

Armada 2023 – 2024

There’s a new and updated ARV/W 88, 94 and 100 from Armada and new top sheets on the Declivity series.

K2 Skis 2023 – 2024

Faction Skis 2023 – 2024

FW Products 2023 – 2024

Atomic 2023 – 2024

More BOA goodness from Atomic with the new and improved Hawx Ultra XTD 130 (which you can get in either traditional or BOA versions, so we’ll be sure to A/B the two versions on snow). The new Backland XTD Carbon also looks exciting, slotting in between the Hawx Ultra XTD and Backland Carbon boot. The Atomic rep was raving about this boot.

Backland range above 98 mm just sees a topsheet update.

There’s a new binding from the Amer crew. It’s essentially a beefed-up MTN binding for those who want a little more confidence at speed. It features a slightly heavier weight, beefier construction and a little forward pressure spring in the heel.

Line Skis 2023 – 2024

Head Skis 2023 – 2024

Random Bits And Pieces

Mount Hood | Watch The Faction Collective Have Some Fun In Oregon

2023-01-16T09:47:06Z

Here’s a bit of top level skiing stateside to get you in the mood for your upcoming trips

OK. You’ll have to go with us on this one. Mount Hood is the kitchen, hand-built booters and deep spring slush are the pots and pans, and The Faction Collective shredders are the ingredients; not sure what else you need to know really. Not sure what other information you could possibly want that would make watching this any more enticing than it already is. What’s that? No, there’s no nudity. Please, stop asking us this question. It’s getting weird.

Starring Alex Hall, Blake Wilson, Mac Forehand and Will German, one watch of this Mount Hood based edit (simply called MT. HOOD) and you may well feel yourself powerlessly looking up two-week weather forecasts, cheap flights, and easy-lift-access accommodation. Bon appétit.

Mount Hood is good. That’s it. That’s all you need to know.

Screenshot: YouTube (Faction Collective)

Production by: Bluemax Media

Directed & edited by: Etienne Mérel

Cinematography by: Etienne Mérel & Julien Eustache

Additional cinematography by: Owen Dahlberg

Photography by: Christopher Newett

Special thanks to: Timberline Resort

Soundtrack: William DeVaughn — Be Thankful for What You Got, Ponsuda. — What Yo Life Like?

Carbon Neutral Media Production

Albert Certified Production

Check out Faction Skis website here.

How to Huck Cliffs | Our Expert’s Guide To Getting Sendy On Skis

2023-01-10T12:10:07Z

Always wanted to drop cliffs on skis? Here’s our expert’s guide

Image: Samuel Ingles

Planning on getting sendy this winter? Or maybe you’re thinking that getting air under your skis is reserved for the reckless? Wherever you’re at with your skiing or riding, learning how to huck cliffs this winter is within reach for you.

“If you can link turns together, then you can take air”

If you can link turns together, then you can take air. Start as small as you like on the friendliest terrain and work your way up from there. Like any sport, this is all about progression. Here’s our top tips for stomping cliff drops, whether they’re one-foot or ten-foot tall.

Image: Jordan Tiernan

Start Small

If taking air is completely new to you, start by jumping around wherever you can to find your balance. Get a feel for air beneath your feet as you ride over rollers, take small jumps on and off the side of the piste, and practise jumping on the move. Be sure to practise landing square in the middle of your skis.

This might feel trivial now, but just wait until you’re launching 20-footers en-route to après-ski… We can almost smell the Insta likes.

Top Tip: If the tips of your skis land first then your weight is too far forward, if your tails land first, then your weight is too far back. Try to land with your skis completely flat to the snow and absorb the impact by flexing your ankles, knees and hips.

Image: Arc’teryx

Find Your Pop

Now, get yourself to the park and find a kicker you feel comfortable on. Don’t worry about the park kids throwing shapes all around you, you’ve got your eyes on a big rocky prize. Learning to pop off a kicker will ensure you stay balanced in the air when you get to a cliff.

Approach the jump with your knees, ankles, and hips flexed in a normal ski position.
As you approach the lip of the kicker, ready yourself to jump (or ‘pop’) up and forwards off the lip.
Time the extension of your legs with the moment you take off, think about jumping up and forwards.
Imagine your skis arcing through the air and try to keep your hips over your toes. Tuck your knees up in the air and keep your arms forward.
As you come to land, extend your legs to absorb the impact and flex your knees on contact with the ground. When you land, you should feel the whole ski hit the ground softly.

Image: Samuel Ingles

Scope It Out

Next find a wind lip, pillow, rock or cliff that looks manageable. Remember, a four-foot cliff will feel more like ten-foot once you’re standing above it. So, no matter who’s watching, start small and work your way up.

The Take-Off: Check the take-off and even mark the snow where you plan to jump. It’s a good idea to imagine where you will approach from, it may be that there is a safer route that won’t bring sluff down onto your take-off or landing.
The Landing: Check how steep your landing is (try and avoid landing on the flat) and whether there are any obstacles to avoid. You might want to check the snow depth with a probe and work out if the landing will be soft or firm.
The Run-Out: Check if there is space for you to carry speed on landing or whether you need to shave off speed quickly. If you do crash, is there a clear run-out for your tomahawk?

Time For Take-Off

Now you’re all set, it’s time to step up. Be sure to manage your speed – you need enough to clear the cliff and any rock below it. If you manage a strong pop, you should be able to carry enough momentum without absolutely hooning it in, (extra style points if you can incorporate a few turns before you take-off).

On your approach, set your feet shoulder width apart and prepare to pop off the edge. Take a deep breath, say a prayer, and go for it! Tuck your knees up and keep your arms forward as you spot the landing in front of you.

As you land, extend your legs down to absorb the impact. Try to land as centred as possible on your skis and fight the instinct to lean back on your heels. Remember to look up as you shoot forwards on landing and prepare to shut down the speed with a few turns.

Image: Samuel Ingles

Style It Out

The more practise you have taking air, the more comfortable you’ll feel airborne and the more effortless your cliff-hucks will seem to the crowds of gaping onlookers (be sure to claim your send with a compulsory fist pump to make sure they knew it was you).

Once you’re comfortable with a rock or cliff drop, why not try a simple grab or a shifty? You could also try incorporating it into a bigger line from the top to the bottom of the slope.

Keen to get better at scouting and riding a line from top to bottom? Read our guide on how to freeride here.

Do I Need Different Equipment To Drop Cliffs?

Learning to drop cliffs on a powder day is going to be much easier than on firm snow. While skiing on skinny piste skis will of course still work just fine, using a wider freeride or powder ski will make landing and skiing away from your first cliff drop a lot easier.

With a wider platform under your feet and a rocker on the tip and tail, these skis are designed to float and bounce more easily in deep snow. Take a look here at some of our favourite skis for hucking cliffs.

Arc’teryx Freeride Academy | The Freeride Festival Returns To St Anton

2023-01-09T17:51:34Z

Following the success of the first edition of the Arc’teryx Freeride Academy, the four-day freeride festival is set to return to the freeride Mecca of St Anton am Arlberg for 2023

In what is quickly becoming one of the go-to stops in every freeriders’ calendar, the Arc’teryx Freeride Academy is, once again, gracing the slopes of St Anton am Arlberg for this season. Promising clinics with Arc’teryx athletes, beginner ‘how to’ sessions and a packed evening schedule, the festival is stepping things up a notch following on from its success last year.

Running from 2-5 February, the festival offers everyone from aspiring freeriders to weather-beaten veterans the chance to sample some of the finest freeride terrain in Europe found in St Anton am Arlberg. Along with expert guiding sessions for all abilities, Arc’teryx are offering you the chance to ski with some of their athletes, including Eric “Hjorleifson and Sam Kuch from North America and Silvia Moser and Max Kroneck on the European side.

Everything there is to know about dialling in the dark art of freeriding is covered within the clinics, including: touring, avalanche safety, ski alpinism and photography. There are also women’s-specific clinics available, ensuring everyone is able to push their ski or snowboard experience to the next level.

“The support and passion from St. Anton town and local community has always been amazing and it’s awesome to be heading back for the 2023 Arc’teryx Freeride Academy. We’re stoked to be able to really build on last year with a refreshed clinic offering, a stacked off-mountain program and an even greater number of world-class freeriders” says Stéphane Tenailleau, Director of Marketing at Arc’teryx

Full details on the Arc’teryx Freeride Academy and the complete clinic program can be viewed here: freeride-stanton.arcteryxacademy.com/

Mpora

The Engine Inside: Official Trailer

Riding towards a better future, a new documentary sheds light on the overlooked potential of the Bicycle.

Meet the women on a mission to bring colour and diversity to the mountains

Founded by a group of college friends, Mount Noire provides community and group trips to skiers and snowboarders of colour.

Meet Mount Noire!

Q: So, what’s Mount Noire all about?

Q: What’s a standard trip with the Mount Noire crew like?

Q: What’s the mix of skiers vs. snowboarders on your trips?

Q: Any highlights or stand-out moments to share from any of your trips?

Q: We’re obviously out here at Tomorrowland Winter with Ellesse, but what are all these brand partnerships helping with?

Q: What are some of the biggest barriers we need to break down to bring more inclusivity to the mountains so we can all shred together?

1. There aren’t enough grass-roots opportunities for kids and youth groups

2. Cost barriers and funding

3. A lack of diverse representation in winter sports

Q: So, what’s next for Mount Noire?

Ellesse x Tomorrowland | The Winter Edit 2023

Ellesse, Tomorrowland, skiers and an Alpe d’Huez cut to get you in the mood

Swiss Alps By Train | How To Guide For Skiers

Want a ski trip without the flight guilt? Here’s how to travel to Switzerland’s ski resorts by train

Why Travel To The Alps By Train

How To Travel To The Swiss Alps By Train

5 of the Best Swiss Ski Resorts By Train

1) Aletsch Arena

2) Saas Fee

3) Andermatt

4) Zermatt

5) Verbier / 4 Vallées

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We joined the Julbo team in Zermatt to test the new Sam Anthamatten and Antti Ollila pro model in all lighting conditions

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We went to Slide 2023 to take a first look at the 2023-2024 ski gear, featuring some new and exciting ski, boot and binding developments

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Dynafit 2023 – 2024

Volkl Skis 2023 – 2024

Dalbello 2023 – 2024

Marker 2023 – 2024

Salomon Products 2023 – 2024

Scott Skis 2023 – 2024

Black Crows Skis 2023 – 2024

Armada 2023 – 2024

K2 Skis 2023 – 2024

Faction Skis 2023 – 2024

FW Products 2023 – 2024

Atomic 2023 – 2024

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Head Skis 2023 – 2024

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Mount Hood | Watch The Faction Collective Have Some Fun In Oregon

Here’s a bit of top level skiing stateside to get you in the mood for your upcoming trips

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How to Huck Cliffs | Our Expert’s Guide To Getting Sendy On Skis

Always wanted to drop cliffs on skis? Here’s our expert’s guide

Start Small

Find Your Pop

Scope It Out

Time For Take-Off

Style It Out

Do I Need Different Equipment To Drop Cliffs?

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Arc’teryx Freeride Academy | The Freeride Festival Returns To St Anton

Following the success of the first edition of the Arc’teryx Freeride Academy, the four-day freeride festival is set to return to the freeride Mecca of St Anton am Arlberg for 2023

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