February 1, 2010 (Denver, CO) – This is the season for ski trade shows with Outdoor Retailer (OR) recently held in Salt Lake City Jan. 20-23, and the Snowsports Industries America show (SIA) in Denver (Jan. 28-31). With this being an Olympic year there’s lots of great new Nordic gear out there and here’s a sampling of some of the new products we checked out of the SIA show – light weight and classic seems to be the theme.

Last year Salomon introduced all new skate skis and boots but this year look for an all-new Salomon classic binding, new boots and top end skis. The new classic Propulse binding is light weight and bomb proof. The classic Pilot binding remains in the line and all of Salomon’s new classic boots feature the two-bar pilot sole but with the new Propulse binding only the front bar of the boot attaches to the binding (a slot allows the second bar to sit in the binding unimpeded.)

Two versions of the Propulse are available: the RC2 model is designed to be screwed into NIS plates while the RC is a lighter version where the ski boot has more direct contact with top of the ski for a closer-to-snow feel.

All the new top-end classic Salomon boots have the front bar moved to 17mm behind the toe, the optimal position according to Salomon, and include an improved adjustable heel strap and cup for secure heel hold down. Salomon’s S-Lab 10 and 9 skis have a new Propulse camber that is very hard to close at the heel yet easy to close at the toe. Salomon claims increased grip and glide with this camber.

Rossignol is all about weight loss – a whopping 220 grams when you combine Rossi’s new X-ium skate ski, skate boot and new XCelerator binding from Rottefella. Rossi’s Nordic Sales Manager, Robert Lazzaroni, did the math and calculates that the average racer on average snow takes approximately 45 minutes to ski 15km. Each leg stride, which takes about a second per stride, will save about 220 grams per stride – so approximately 2,500 steps or a saving of 1,200 lbs over the 15km – and the time it takes as well!

The new X-ium skate ski has a longer carbon fibre layer in the tip and the tip is slightly shorter. The toe area of the ski is higher that the heel area setting skaters up for a more effective and longer push off. The new X-ium boot is lighter has a new lacing system, cover, and construction method. Rottefella’s new XCelerator NNN binding is way lighter with a simplified latch system and less material. Backing the line this year is the Max AR a popular high performance waxless ski. Rossingnol also generated lots of excitement with its new BC 125 a wide and ultra light waxless metal edged ski.

We’re eager to test Peltonen’s new Nano Grip waxless ski which is breaking new ground. This high-performance, full-length ski, has a tip-to-tail no-wax base that looks smooth but is impregnated with Pelton’s secret liquid with nano particles. Alpina sales manager, Steve Kvinlaugh is an excellent classic skier and is very enthusiastic about the wax like feel and speed of this new base which we’ve heard from others who have tried out this new waxless ski. Many skiers will also love the no-maintenance aspect of the Nano Grip – in fact you must do nothing to it – no glide wax, no rills, no roughing up. Just ski it. Alpina is also introducing two lines of race boots positioned just below their Elite Carbon Racers. Their new Competition series offers a skate boot, a classic boot, and a combi boot while the Race series that has a skate, a classic, and a combi junior boot.

Stay tuned for more SIA coverage…