Let's hear impressions from riders about their favorite gear that they used extensively this winter.
This time, we'll hear from Yuki Kuwahara, who has a career in mogul and halfpipe competitions and continues to be active in a wide range of events including backcountry and freewheel competitions.
Yuki Kuwahara, 40 years old
, was born and raised in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.
Having grown up in an area where it rarely snows, he has a strong longing for snow. At the age of 10, he went to a ski resort for the first time on a family trip and was captivated by the fun and allure of skiing. Driven by a desire to stand on the snow even for a short time, he spent time in the mountains as a park digger during high school, experiencing freestyle skiing. At the same time, he competed in mogul competitions while working as a salesperson at a pro shop in Nagoya. After switching from mogul to halfpipe due to an injury, he went on to compete in world championships and World Cups, and in recent years has expanded his field to the backcountry, becoming interested in skiing on natural terrain that is different from artificial structures such as halfpipes. For the past few years, he has been competing in freeride competitions such as FWQ.
Instagram:@yu_ki_b
Yuki Kuwahara's setup
Skis ①: Extreme FUSION CARBON 95 cm (129-95-117) '21-22 model
Boots ①: LANGE XT3 130 '21-22 model
Bindings ①: MARKER KINGPIN 13 Release value set to 11 '16-17 model
Skis ②: Extreme FINAL OPINION 118 187 cm (142-118-132) '22-23 model
Bindings ②: LOOK P18 (+CAST custom) Release value set to 11 '07-08 model
Ratings and reviews of each gear
Skiing ① Review
Extreme Fusion Carbon 95
●Please rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★☆☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★☆
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard Pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
● Common usage situations:
Groomed slopes at the beginning of the season, and spring backcountry.
●Review:
This carbon fiber model isn't just about lightness; it's a ski with high rebound, responsiveness, and excellent gliding performance. The firm edge grip makes carving enjoyable, and it's an all-mountain ski that can even handle powder. It strikes a good balance between lightweight design and gliding performance, making it ideal for spring backcountry skiing, which I really like. Recommended for anyone who wants to climb more easily and enjoy the descent.
Boots ① Review
LANGE XT3 130
●Impression of hardness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Lower shell: ★★★☆☆
Upper: ★★★☆☆
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard Pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
● Common situations (time of year, location, conditions, etc.)
Time of year: December to April
Location (slope, course, ski resort, mountain area, etc.): Ski resorts and long tours (hikes of 5 hours or more) BC
conditions: Not selected
●Ease of use of the walk mode function:
There is sufficient range of motion in the ankle when climbing with skins, and switching modes is simple and easy to use.
●Review:
With a last width of 100mm, these boots are comfortable all day long. However, they are by no means loose boots; they offer excellent hold from the heel and ankle to the calf and shin, and power transfer is good. Because they are lightweight, you can fully appreciate the benefits of their lightness when hiking in the backcountry. I love these boots because I can do everything from moguls, park, jibbing, and freeriding to backcountry climbing that requires skinning.
Binding ① Review
MARKER KINGPIN 13
● Impression on a 5-point scale
: Power transmission: ★★★☆☆
Reliability: ★★★☆☆
Ease of use: ★★★★☆
Lightweight: ★★★★★
Ease of operation of climbing mode change: ★★★★★
Ease of operation of heel lifter: ★★★★★
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard Pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★☆☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Comments on the usability of the walk mode function:
It's easy to switch modes with simple operation, and raising and lowering the heel lifter is also easy.
● Common usage situations (time of year, location, conditions, etc.):
Backcountry, early in the season, in spring with granular snow, and often used in powder.
●Review:
I like the balance between lightweight design, hold, and transmission. The mode switching is simple and easy to use.
I recommend pairing it with skis that are lightweight and offer good gliding performance.
Ski 2 Review
Extreme FINAL OPINION 118
●Please rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★★☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★★☆
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard Pack: ★★★★☆
Park: ★★☆☆☆
Moguls: ★☆☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★☆
● Common Usage Situations: This
is my main model for use throughout the season, including freeriding on groomed slopes, tree riding, and backcountry in the high season. It's also ideal for when conditions change throughout the day. Of course, it's a must-have on deep powder days.
●
Overall, the flex is slightly strong, resulting in less chatter even on hardpack, and high-speed turns on groomed slopes feel great. Even in deep powder, the 118mm waist width and moderate rocker in the nose and tail make it easy to generate buoyancy. It's also easy to handle and stable in rough off-piste, spring slush, and crusty conditions. I also like how easy it is to slide at low to high speeds, allowing me to control it exactly as I intend. This ski is suitable for a wide range of situations, so I recommend it to anyone looking for an easy-to-handle fat ski for aggressive riding.
Bindings 2 Review
LOOK P18
● Impression on a 5-point scale
: Power transmission: ★★★★★
Reliability: ★★★★★
Ease of use: ★★★★★
Lightweight feel: ★★☆☆☆
Ease of operation of climbing mode change: ★★★☆☆ *When using CAST
Ease of operation of heel lifter: ★★★☆☆ *When using CAST
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point scale
Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard Pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★★★★
Moguls: ★★★★★
Touring: ★★★☆☆ *When using CAST
●Comments on the usability of the walk mode function
(when using CAST): It takes some getting used to as you need to remove the toe piece when changing modes, but it's very convenient to be able to use the Look P18 in the backcountry.
● Common usage situations (season, location, conditions, etc.):
Suitable for year-round use regardless of location or conditions, from groomed slopes to backcountry and competitions.
●Review:
When skiing, the power transfer to the toe side is excellent. I like that the mounting screws are closer to the center of the ski due to the shape of the heel piece, and that the unique turntable function allows me to feel the ski's flex to the fullest.
Photo / Takenaka Takashi