Oliver Steffen

G3 GENUINE GUIDE GEAR INC.
www.genuineguidegear.com

 

February 24, 2005-- G3 introduced their new line of skis this past fall and in this wide ranging interview, the man, the myth, the legend, Paul Parker updates us on the line and more...(click the link above)

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New ski brands are fairly uncommon these days, what with consolidation being the name of the game. It's even more unusual for the entire line to receive nearly universal praise from testers. And when one of the models brings a new concept to the market, SNEWS® takes note.
 

The G3 Ticket is the first freeheel ski with an asymmetric sidecut to help initiate turns. The outside (pinkie toe) edge has a tighter radius than the inner (big toe) edge, which gives the ski a somewhat lopsided look to the tip and tail. Asymmetric skis were tried by the alpine world in the past, but that was before the modern era of shaped all-mountain skis.

Appearances aside, the Ticket takes all of a half dozen turns to figure out -- they turn easily and predictably. Unlike the truly radical, telemark-only Scotty Bob skis, the Ticket is equally adept at parallel and telemark turns. While the Scotty Bob's take a while to get used to and may require an alteration of technique, the Ticket has no learning curve and is fun right off the bat.

With a tip 120 mm wide and an 81 mm underfoot, the Ticket is considered a modern mid-fat ski that is remarkably versatile. At speed on groomed trails, the ski is stable, resists chatter, and is reasonably quick edge-to-edge. In soft conditions, the Ticket handles like any other performance-oriented ski.

Like the rest of the G3 ski line, the Ticket features a poplar wood core that is vertically laminated with dual fiberglass torsion box construction. This should make for a durable ski that resists flattening. At 3,700 grams, these are reasonably lightweight as well. Although the lack of binding inserts is lamentable, G3 does the next best thing by providing boot-size-specific mounting locations for both telemark and alpine touring bindings.

Our sample came with flat bases (no railed edges) and a good tune. It may be built in northern Africa (Tunisia to be precise) but you'd never know it without being told.

Overall, we've been quite impressed by the Ticket -- it's a high performance ski that isn't too radical. This is probably more ski than a beginner wants, but it is a great choice for advanced skiers and gives intermediates growing room. Since it only comes in 174 and 182 cm, it's certainly intended for larger, more aggressive skiers.

At the current price of $620, the Ticket is already on the high side of the telemark market. At next season's suggested retail of $675 -- considerably more than other brands -- the price becomes a little tougher to swallow. But we are convinced that those who bite will be immensely pleased…these skis rip!

SNEWS® Applause Meter: 5 hands clapping (1 to 5 hands clapping possible, with 5 clapping hands representing functional and design perfection)

Suggested Retail: $620

http://www.telemarktips.com/TeleNews20.html

G3 Launches A New Line Of Telemark And Backcountry Skis

G3 founder Oliver Steffen puts recently hired product developer Paul Parker's extensive experience and ski design expertise to good use in bringing four distinct ski models to market this fall, engineered for use by both tele and AT skiers.

http://www.telemarktips.com/NewRev.html

G3's Reverend

Dimensions: 126/93/114....... Lengths 177, 185....WWeight: 4.0 kg, 8.8 lbs (185 pair)

January, 2005-- We've spent more than a dozen days on the Revs now, at the ski area as well as touring for backcountry turns. In that time we have been fortunate to experience everything from waist-deep, light powder to hardpack, and almost everything in between. We've broken trail in up to a foot of fresh and racked up many, many thousands of vertical feet off the top of our local area's 11,053 foot summit.

(click the link above for more........of this review)

http://www.feedthehabit.com/gear_reviews/genuine_guide_gear_2005.html

G3 Skis and Climbing Skins

A decade after G3's first product emerged from a basement, the company has come out of the shadows and into the mainstream with a new ski line and improved products throughout. These guys are passionate about creating bombproof gear for backcountry use. The idea is to make every product they make "guide worthy." What's meant by that? Well, think of all the mountain guides you know. Now, think of how much they abuse their telemark bindings, avalanche shovel, skis, pack and other gear. Every guide I can think of has more duct tape than your local Home Depot. Well, G3's mission is to reduce the overall duct tape consumption of backcountry skiers and guides alike.

Building great products for the backcountry that your life can depend on, that's G3's mission. Check out their new ski line and improved G3 Climbing Skins for 2005-2006.

G3 Reverend Skis
Two years of intense R&D at the hands of 20-year industry veteran, Paul Parker, and some of the world's foremost mountain guides has revealed a ski straight from the heart of the local congregation. The Reverend looks to be a fat ski that hasn't lost its edge. Many fat skis offer a soft flex that's great for powder, but not much else. According to G3, the Reverend is "not a specialized powder ski, but rather a wide ski that rides high in soft conditions, the Reverend's flex and shape allows it to snap from turn to turn and carve with grace on firm snow." Translation... if you only choose to plunk down the Visa for one pair of skis, make it the G3 Reverend.

The Reverend is wide, but not portly. With a 126mm tip, 93mm waist and 114mm tail, it's in the middle of the fat ski pack as far as width is concerned. Aimed at fast-skiing AT and telemark skiers, the Reverend will ride like a Cadillac over speed bumps.

Using a laminated wood core, the Reverend is built using cap construction for a smooth flex and consistent, durable performance. Like all G3 skis, the Reverend has a removable tip plug for emergency rescue situations and a slightly turned-up tail for versatility. The notched tail is perfect for securing most climbing skins--specifically, but not exclusively G3's Climbing Skins.

The retail price of $675 (if you can find them) is inline with other skis of this caliber. Most retailers are completely sold out of the Reverends, so you'll have to wait until the Fall, when G3 has committed to up the production to meet demand.

G3 Baron Skis
The new G3 Baron skis are built for versatility both on and off-piste. Its moderate dimensions of 116/81/104 provide a great all-around size and shape for nearly every mountain. If your travels take you to both sides of the continent with varying snow conditions, the Baron will reward you with an all-around performer that's hard to beat. The G3 Baron is the guide's pick for varying snow conditions on various types of terrain throughout the world.

Using the same construction techniques as other skis in the G3's line, the Baron will withstand years of abuse off the chairlift or in the backcountry. At 7.8 lbs. per pair, the Baron won't weigh you down while skinning up your favorite powder stash. The standard tip plug and notched tail add to the versatility of the new G3 Baron skis. The bottom line is... if you don't know what conditions to expect, take the Baron--it will float in powder and carve through crud.

Look for the G3 Baron in shops now (if you're lucky), but most likely this Fall for a wallet-friendly price of $599.

G3 Climbing Skins
Have you ever had a pair of skins stuck together so bad that you and your buddy had to re-enact the World's Strongest Man Competition just to un-stick them from each other? Or, have you ever had your skins refuse to stay on in cold conditions? If you haven't, then either you don't get out much, or you're using G3's Climbing Skins. At OR, Sally Carmichael, showed me the consistent tackyness and pull of the G3 glue. These skins pulled apart easily and consistently, yet still provide enough sticky to stay on your skis no matter the temperature.

After a hiatus from the climbing skin market, G3 came back into the fold with some of the most durable and functional climbing skins on the market. Tested by polar explorers, Tash Wright and Polly Murray in sub -30 degree temperatures, the G3 climbing skins will attach quickly and easily and stay put in even the coldest of conditions.

Available in 10cm increments from 50mm to 130mm, the G3 Climbing Skins are available in what's likely the widest widths available today. No matter the width of your skis, the complete skins from G3 will have you covered. Retail price ranges from $102 - $164.