As we enter the peak season, test ride events showcasing next season's new models are being held one after another across the country. EOC Japan, which handles brands such as K2, LINE, VÖLKL, DALBELLO, and BCA, was one of the first to hold a test ride event for dealers at Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort in Hokkaido from January 7th to 9th, 2025. We will report on the event along with a digest of the new products
Interested! '25-26 New Model
New models for 2025-2026 from popular ski brands such as K2, which has an overwhelming presence in the freeskiing scene and has continued to produce hits such as the MINDBENDER and DISRUPTION, LINE, which has not only taken the street scene by storm but has also expanded its range of lightweight models, VÖLKL, which has made a name for itself in the freeride competition scene, and DALBELLO boots, which showcase the technical expertise of Italy, the kingdom of boots, gathered at Niseko Moiwa in early January, during the peak season of heavy snowfall
In order to purchase products for the next season's shops, shoppers want to get information on new products and check them out on the snow. Test rides aimed at shops like these are full of interesting information for general users. In particular, are there any new items being released for the 2025-2026 season, including the much-rumored Dual BOA Boots? Let's pick out some of the items that caught our eye
K2 Boots
Dual BOA "CORTEX ZONAL BOA"!
K2, which has been using the BOA® fit system more than any other brand and has released a wide range of models, has announced the "CORTEX ZONAL BOA" for the 2025-2026 season. This is the introduction of a dual BOA shoe equipped with two BOA® fit systems
Of course, this is the top model among BOA boots. With a maximum flex of 140, it's quite tough and seems to be geared towards experts, but what are its features?
With Dual BOA, there are no more buckles
The mechanism is easy to imagine: two wires wrap around the lower part of the lower shell, centered around the instep, and the upper part of the upper shell, from the shin up, and the fit is adjusted with two dials
The unique feature and appeal of the Dual BOA system is that it wraps the entire foot more evenly than a single lower shell, reducing pressure and increasing the sense of unity between the foot and the boot, improving stability and precision of operation. The two BOA systems also allow for precise adjustment of the fit
At the test ride event, professional skier Gota Sakamoto, who is a regular user of K2 Boots, actually tried them on, commented as follows. Be sure to check out the video
Some say that the CORTEX 140 ZONAL BOA has a flex of 140, and its stiffness, structure, and strong hold make it similar to the racing boots used by alpine racers, but Take's comment that "I would like serious skiers to use it" is particularly striking
A women's model will also be released at the same time. Reika Izawa from the K2 team spoke to us about the features and appeal of the "CORTEX 125 ZONAL BOA W."
K2 SKI
Lineup Changes: "BLUR" Series Debuts
The lineup of ski slope models will undergo major changes in the 2025-2026 season.
Part of the DISRUPTION series will be changed, and seven models will be released as successors to the new "BLUR" series. The BLUR series is designed for enjoying carving on the slopes. The top model is the unisex XT, and waist widths of 74, 76, and 79mm will be available for both men and women.
While inheriting the superior performance of the legendary carving machine, the DISRUPTION, it also incorporates three new technologies. The women's model features vertical grooves in the wood below the binding to reduce weight and enable exhilarating turns. The 74, 76, 79, and XT are made with a material called flax, made from flaxseed, for improved responsiveness and versatility, making them easier to handle. Furthermore, the XT features a solid metal base for superior tracking and control
LINE SKI
'25-26 season is "personal space"
Since the brand's founding, LINE has been developing unique, message-driven graphics. For the 2025-2026 season, they announced a design concept called "Personal Space." As a child, you would decorate your room with your favorite toys and stick posters on the walls to create your own favorite space... This childhood love has been incorporated into the graphics. Incidentally, SAKANA's theme is "space." There are probably many boys who loved gazing at the stars as children
Taylor's signature model from BLEND!
Introducing the signature "TBL BLEND" from Taylor Brooke Lundquist, a LINE international rider who is dominating the global freestyle competition scene. The American country-inspired graphics look amazing on the snow. While the BLEND has a softer flex overall, the TBL offers an even softer flex for easier butter tricks. Additionally, the new ski features thin tip technology from LINE's Chronic skis, which thins the tip and tail, resulting in a lighter swing weight and making it extremely easy to ride
Shihori Takahashi of the LINE JAPAN team also participated in the test ride. In the 2024-2025 season, she became the first Japanese rider to win the "SuperUnknown" street skiing video contest hosted by the US freeski film maker LEVEL1. Shihori Takahashi, who has always admired Taylor, told us about the TBL:
Also, LINE team rider and owner of the Yamagata ski pro shop "TRUNKBASE," Mikiya Tanno, was testing out various new models that he saw for the first time at this test ride event. He said that among them, there was one that he "really liked." What does the discerning shop owner recommend?
DALBELLO
BOA boots with dual BOA technology
Like K2, DALBELLO also announced boots equipped with two BOA systems for the 2025-2026 season. DALBELLO's BOA series is called "VELOCE SPACE." As the name "Space" suggests, it offers a relaxed and comfortable feeling when you put your foot in, and the BOA system allows you to adjust the tightness just right, achieving both comfort and high performance. In fact, it is positioned as a "comfort model," which is quite different from K2's dual BOA
The lower shell of the DALBELLO is made higher than the usual buckle type, so you can put your fingers through it and slide it in, making it very easy to put on. The inner lining also has a memory fit, so the back part conforms to your foot as soon as you put your foot in. There are many ingenious ideas to make it comfortable to wear, making it truly a comfort model
The reason for the two-tone shell is that the overlapping parts are made of a softer material, while the parts that transmit power while skiing are made of a harder material, and the combination is well-formed to bring out the best in the performance of the two different materials. This is actually a special technique that is the specialty of Dalbello, a long-established brand from the boot kingdom of Italy, and is made possible by the technical expertise
Of course, it is Grip Walk compatible, so it is comfortable to walk in. Asano from EOC Japan DALBELLO Product explained
The long-awaited 101mm waist width is now available for VÖLKL
Volkl boasts an overwhelming presence and strength in the alpine racing scene. In the alpine and basic categories, the new direction they have taken in the 2025-2026 season is a "low center of gravity."
REVOLT comes in two types: one with a softer ride that's more geared toward powder, and one with a stiffer ride for high-speed, powerful riding. The high-speed model debuted in 101mm for the 2025-2026 season. Until now, the lineup included waist widths of 121, 114, 104, and 96mm, with only 96mm below 104, leaving a fairly large gap. The 100mm width, which many users most desire, was unavailable. Now, the long-awaited REVOLT 101mm has been released, and its concept is "For everybody for everyday." It can be used from the beginning to the end of the season and can be enjoyed anytime
The release of this 101mm is also good news for pro shops. It looks like it will be a highly recommended model for next season that will meet user expectations. KJ Kato, also known as KJ, from Paddle Club, a pro shop in Hokkaido, who was participating in the test ride event, immediately took it for a test ride, saying, "I was curious about this and really wanted to ride it."
KJ is known as a skilled dealer who has compared more freeride skis than anyone else in Japan. He has been posting accurate and detailed impressions based on his outstanding skiing skills and vast knowledge on the Paddle Club's YouTube channel, which has attracted a lot of attention. So, what are KJ's impressions of the REVOLT 101?
We will provide detailed information on each brand's 2025-2026 lineup and updates separately
Special content for the EOC test drive event
Part 1: "Let's Talk About TT Boots" by Taro Tamai
Taro Tamai, a legend who has been a driving force in the Japanese snowboarding scene since the late 1990s, has been working with K2 to develop the "TT Boots" in pursuit of the ideal boot. These boots, which allow for "endless freedom, powerful, surf-like riding" in the great outdoors, feature a unique inner design and an excellent balance of rigidity, and are strongly supported by core fans
At this test ride event, the latest 2025-2026 model and the special website for TT boots were unveiled. At the venue, Tamai talked about his commitment to boot making and development anecdotes, captivating the attendees, but the special website will offer more detailed and in-depth information
Take (Godai Sakamoto) highly praises the wrap inner of these TT boots. What kind of inner boots are they? Be sure to check out this special website
Part 2: Niseko Moiwa BC Experience Tour
Every year, the test ride event features special content: a backcountry experience tour of Niseko Moiwa, escorted by professional guides Jun Horie and Kazuya Igarashi from the K2 SKI team. This is a rare opportunity for shop dealers to test out powder-friendly and touring models in the backcountry
Early January is Hokkaido's peak season, and this year, thanks to the La Niña phenomenon, heavy snow has been falling since the beginning of the season. During the test ride, the snow continued to fall in the usual non-stop manner typical of Niseko. Despite being hit by strong winds, the area was covered in fresh powder and the snow conditions were perfect
The STEEP editorial staff also participated in the experience tour, so please read the report
Info
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