■LINE's first PV video that doesn't float in the air
LINE has been making unconventional skis for over 20 years, and now they've released another unique ski: the BLADE
Let's start by looking at the video
The first video is a promotional video for "BLADE." The remaining two videos show Mikiya Tanno, who became addicted to this board during the season
The "BLADE" skis bring out the fun of turning at high speeds, with deep carving turns, billowing snow clouds, and edge-to-edge transitions
■What kind of board is a blade?
LINE released the versatile SAKANA in 2018, featuring a 105mm waist width. Its distinctive swallowtail shape allows for long and short turns, and it's popular for its float in powder.
Taking inspiration from the SAKANA design, the BLADE was created with greater all-mountain performance and versatility in mind. Two models, 95mm and 92mm, are available, each with a different waist width.
In one word, these skis allow for stable turns at high speeds
The Blade's shape is quite tapered, measuring 154-95-124 from the top. Although the waist width is 10mm narrower than the Sakana, the top is 4mm wider. The tail is 14mm narrower to allow for smooth turns. The rocker at the top is low and the effective edge is long, providing grip and stability
The core material is made of 100% aspen (❷), which provides a light and stable ski.
Two independent titanium metals (❸) are incorporated into the tips of the nose and tail, which transfer power to the ski without loss when entering and exiting turns.
A distinctive feature is the hollow titanium metal "GAS PEDAL METAL" (❶), which is shaped like a fishbone and covers the entire ski. This enhances edge grip and torsional stability while taking advantage of the properties of the core material.
Click here for the latest review article of the 21-22 season
・A Q&A and review from Mikiya Tanno, the ski expert in Japan
Now, let's hear from LINE's support rider, Mikiya Tanno, about his impressions of these skis.
He has been active in slopestyle and halfpipe competition scenes both in Japan and overseas, and currently runs a ski shop "TRANKBASE" , while also engaging in a variety of activities in the backcountry and at ski resorts.
Editorial Department (hereinafter referred to as "eds"): What was your first impression?
Mikiya Tanno (hereafter referred to as Tan): At first, I had the preconceived notion that these skis would be stiff and
mainly suited to hard pack because they contain metal. The image is that you pick up speed, apply force to suppress the rebound of the skis, and then drop the skis into the fall line. But when I tried riding them, they weren't as stiff as I thought they would be. Personally, I thought they were skis that weren't too stiff and had good flex for skis with metal.
Editor: Even though it contains metal, it flexes well and bends well at high speeds?
Dan: That's right. They turn really well. When I first looked at the catalog, the radius was listed as "Tight."
I thought, "What's that?" so I actually measured the arc of the turn to see how long it would be. I got on the edge and drew a semicircle to see how long it would be (Editor's note: The video above is a reference turn). It's not exact, but it was roughly 13m.
So, since the skis I've ridden up until now have been mogul skis, twin tips, and fat skis, I got the impression that these skis turn quite well.
Editor: How did you enjoy these skis?
Dan: I don't often ride these types of skis myself, so it was a very refreshing experience.
There wasn't much snow last season, so I think it was just right for skiing on the course. The bindings weren't attached too close to the tail, so I thought I could actually do switch skiing, and I enjoyed carving with a switch. I also did some park skiing. I flew off the carves on the kickers and skied over wave-like obstacles.
When I rode them, I thought they were good skis, but they were also thick. The nose shape is over 150mm. The edges may feel looser than on skis with a thinner shape,
but they're more stable and you can easily get into powder at the ski resort.
I thought they might offer a new way to play for people like us who come from freeskiing and moguls. We often see skis with thin, small radii, but these are thick, scoop-like skis with bindings closer to the center, and they can do anything, whether it's switch or carving.
I think they're very LINE-like.
Editor: There are skis like the "PESCADO" and "Sakana" that have a similar shape to the "BLADE," but are these skis an extension of those?
Tan: Although each ski has different characteristics, I feel that Blade and Sakana are connected
The Sakana is really great in powder thanks to the differences in shape, such as the waist width (105mm), the nose rocker, and the swallowtail. You can also enjoy powder with the Blade, but the Sakana has the advantage in terms of narrower waist width and, above all, the ability to get the turns out. I think the swallowtail is what makes it so effective
However, in terms of flat burn, it has something in common with the "Sakana." The "Sakana" bends easily, but the "Blade" is better in terms of sharpness
Editor: How do you adapt your skiing to the terrain? Hitting the wall, banking, etc
Dan: You can have fun on the bank. However, to be honest, it's not that easy to move off the bank or make a slash-like move. It's possible, but it's more fun to cut the bank, maintain speed, and connect turns rather than moving off the bank
The edges grip the skis well, so it's hard to slip off. Once you've got the edge set, it feels like you're running on rails.
However, it's not like you're forcing yourself to run. You keep your position in the center so that your body doesn't lag behind the skis, and as you push down on the skis, you accelerate more and more. That's the image.
Editor: This is a completely new axis for LINE
Tan: That's right. If you want to make quick turns, narrow skis are good because they respond well
With the Blade, there's a slight lag before the edge bites in. It's like there's some play. When you transition into a turn, there's a moment when you're riding flat, and then you start to turn. At that point, the edge doesn't suddenly bite in deeply, but rather it starts off shallow and then gradually bites in deeply.
In a big turn, if you keep riding on the edge, the ski won't point towards the fall line, and the turn will be pulled sideways endlessly, eventually climbing up the slope.
Editor: It seems like you can have fun with a variety of turning arcs depending on the slope conditions. Lastly, what kind of skier is it suitable for?
Dan: Most people can enjoy them as long as they can control their turns and ski on mid-slope slopes.
Also, because they're twin-tip, they can be used in parks, but this depends on your level. They're heavier than park skis, so they're not for beginners. Experienced skiers will be able to see the items lined up in a different light and discover new movements and lines. Also
, if you mainly ski on the slopes and go backcountry a few times a year, having both a Blade and a Sakana will allow you to choose skis to suit the conditions throughout the season, making skiing at ski resorts a lot more fun.
Editor: Thank you very much
For a full lineup of LINE products, please visit the following website
: https://lineskis.com/en-jp