On March 9th, the pro shop ``Kleb Sports'' in Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture, announced that it would be officially selling ``VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports'' in Japan, and it was featured in the news on STEEP, causing a great response. So I immediately attended the premier test ride event held in March and found out what kind of ski "VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports" actually is. We asked users and Kreb Sports staff about this.
Actual situation of premium test drive event
To commemorate VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports' first landing in Japan, the PREMIUM TESTRIDE is being held in March for 4 days. The venue is the third lift area of Naeba Ski Resort.
Advance reservations are required for three sessions a day: ①9:00~ ②11:00~ ③13:00~. The capacity for each session is limited to only 8 people, making it truly premium. We want you to take your time in a small group and try out many different models to experience their features and appeal. This was planned by Clev Sports, who wanted to communicate well with the staff and help them understand the wonders of DEERS (each ski is affectionately called a DEERS).
At the start time, participants gathered in this large special tent. At check-in, each person's ski profile (skiing experience, binding release value, etc.) is carefully listened to, and then guidance is provided for about 10 minutes. VAN DEER - This is the time to hear detailed stories from the Klev Sports staff about how Red Bull Sports landed in Japan for the first time and about the product. Then, test ride the model you want to ride one by one.
These models are currently available in the lineup. When categorized, there are four types: ``SL W-CUP'' for pure racing SL, ``PRO'' for GS, ``H POWER'' for all-mountain, and ``FREERIDE'' for freeride.
Why did Hilscher develop freeride skis?
This time, in the third session held by STEEP on March 16th, the freeride type was surprisingly the most popular, with a large number of users wanting to try riding it first. "FREERIDE" is a fat ski with a waist of 98 and 108 mm, but wait, wait, why did Alpine champion Hilscher develop a freeride ski?
Here's the answer. Marcel Hirscher is called ``the best alpine skier of our time,'' but to conquer the world of 0.00 commas requires not only incredible skiing skills, but also excellent physical ability and a fighting spirit. It's easy to imagine. But for Hirscher, skiing isn't just about winning; it's first and foremost about having fun.
Hirscher is an incredibly accomplished skier, able to navigate deep powder, rough terrain, and off-piste with ease. Recently, he has performed the ``One Lap of Honor'' on the FWT (Freeride World Tour), and has also performed many skiing scenes on big mountains. It's no surprise that Hilscher has developed its own freeride ski.
What are the product details?
So, what kind of ski is that detail?
Let's introduce product descriptions from the VAN DEER WORKBOOK 2024 that was released early
FREERIDE 98
The FREERIDE 98 is an all-around freeride ski. From corduroy to deep backcountry skis, this ski is one of Marcel Hirscher's favorites. It's floaty in powder, grippy on hardpack, maneuverable in trees, and stable at speed. Achieves the feeling of surfing on a stormy day. Featuring moderate tip and tail rocker, the FREERIDE 98's construction includes a poplar wood core, double laminate of titanium and carbon, full ABS sidewalls, lace edges, and a P-Tex lace base. With Marcel's high-end race room finish and some unique magic touches, he's a ski that's not only great for inbounds hike-to-terrain, but also for deep out-of-bounds days. Finished.
FREERIDE 108
The FREERIDE 108 is a fat freeride ski for big mountain skiers who can draw big lines on any terrain. One of the widest and most exciting skis developed by Marcel Hirscher. Easy to control, light in the air, stable at speed, and very floaty in powder. Provides great flotation for surfing and smearing turns in deep snow, allowing him to charge in the chop. Featuring surf-like tip and tail rocker, it features a poplar wood core reinforced with double layers of titanium and carbon, full ABS sidewalls, lace edges, a P-Tex lace base, and several undisclosed elements. Made according to the same "Winning Line" recipe as the rest of the lineup, including. Marcel won't accept anything less than perfect, so this fat has a genuine laceloom finish.
H-POWER 78
H-POWER is a Hilscher-approved performance on-piste ski that improves a rider's game in groomed, firm, high-speed conditions. Packed with World Cup techniques and full of playfulness, the H-POWER offers the grip and rip of a real race ski without compromising on ease of use. H-POWER enables crisp, short slalom-style turns with solid edge hold. This model features a 78mm waist for agility and maneuverability, and a slightly smaller sidecut and added length compared to the original SL WC model for a more stable ride. A two-layer titanal and ash/poplar wood core guarantees Hilscher-like power transfer.
The H-POWER product line is full of World Cup techniques, so you can ski with confidence and fun, whether you're on the groomer or in the sidecountry. I see, all of them are high performance that can't be described enough.
So, how did the users who test drive it feel?
The users who participated this time included alpine racers, freeride-oriented people, and basic skiers, so their backgrounds were truly diverse. They seemed to be very interested in what kind of ski VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports, which has been talked about for the first time in Japan, is like.
So what are the actual voices from users...
The SL W
-CUP slalom for athletes says, ``As expected from skis that have been on the podium in the W-Cup, I feel very fast.But it's not difficult at all, and it's easy to introduce turns.'' "Well, it has quick reactions, feels easy to maneuver, and is just fast. It's definitely a good ski," one person said.
PRO
The PRO is a GS model for athletes and masters, but on the day of this test drive the temperature was high and the snow was loose and wet, so the conditions were disappointing for the PRO to demonstrate its original performance. However, he said, ``I was able to feel the stability in long turns and the ability to flex the skis, giving me a very good feel for the ride.''
H POWER
H POWER is generally an all-round ski that is mainly used on the slopes, but its 175cm length and 78mm waist width make it highly versatile.
We received the following feedback from a user who usually wears SALOMON's GS model.
``As soon as I put them on, I could see how well they had a good front-to-rear balance.Even in soft snow like today, I was able to make firm, clean turns.The skis were sharp, and the faster I went, the more stable I felt, which surprised me. I did. This is really good skiing!”
According to Kreb Sports Staff,
``Currently, skiing in Japan tends to be based on short turns, including the fact that there are a large number of basic skiers, and men's general models tend to be 165 cm long, so it is difficult for people to go for long skis such as 175 cm. I've never ridden one before.But this time, even though it was 175 cm, everyone was able to ride it naturally and comfortably without feeling the length.I was able to experience how comfortable it was to slide down a long slope, and it was a good evaluation. I'm glad it came out."
FREERIDE
The two FREERIDE models were originally more suitable for powder and sidecountry ski slopes than today's wet snow slopes, but...
A user who skied down the third lift faster than anyone else said,
``It doesn't feel as thick as I expected, so it's very easy to ride.I'm impressed by the stability that allows you to ride with confidence even in this spring snow. "I don't feel like I'm going to ski. It's fun skiing," he said.
According to Kleb Sports Staff,
``I think the essential high performance of this ski is that you can feel the goodness of the ski, including its turning performance, in these burn conditions. Normally, there are a lot of people who have trouble with it on the slopes, but that wasn't the case today.I was impressed by the comments that I received saying that I could play with this one all season long.''
Thoughts from Kleb Sports staff
"At today's test ride event, there were no negative comments about any of the models. With a lineup this big, it's normal for reviews to vary based on likes and dislikes, pros and cons, and there were some negative comments, but this is the first time I've seen this. People who have ridden these race skis have commented with smiles, such as, "Huh?! It's so easy to ride!" and "It feels so good!"
VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports may seem a little expensive to enter based on the brand image and price, but when you actually experience it, you'll find that it's not at all like that.It's a great ski that is very easy to ride and suitable for any rider. The results of the test drive event have exceeded our expectations! Some people have ordered from here! ”The staff were also excited.
This premier test drive event is filled with a sense of hospitality. At a special tent, you will be welcomed with hot coffee, and with the careful attention of our staff, you will be able to test drive each model for two hours, and at the end you will receive a souvenir. From beginning to end, the big smiles on the faces of the users were impressive.
There are still two more premier test drive events to be held at Naeba. There are a few premium seats available on March 20th (Wednesday) and March 23rd (Saturday). If you want to go see DEERS, check out the details on this special website
First landing in Japan/Premium test ride @Naeba Ski Resort
PREMIUM TEST RIDE
Date and time: March 9th (Sat), 16th (Sat) , 20th (Wed), 23rd (Sat)
Time: ①9:00-11:00 ②11:00-13:00 ③13:00-15:00
Registration starts: 8:30~
Venue: Naeba Ski Resort, near the 3rd high-speed lift
Participation fee: Free
Capacity: 8 people for each section ①②③
*Same-day reception is only available if there is space in the reservation slot.
*Driver's license and mobile phone
required.* Applicants must be 18 years or older.
Here's a review
What is “VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports”?
Marcel Hirscher, the world's strongest racer, who has a legendary record of winning 8 overall World Cup championships, 7 world championships, and 2 Olympic gold medals, created the ski "VAN DEER-Red Bull" with his hands. Sports.”
Hilscher has been at the top of the world for 15 years. He has revolutionized the world of ski racing with his outstanding intelligence, superior technical ability and physical strength, unique training methods and racing strategies, and has reached a different level that no one else can come close to. It wasn't just his unique talent, but his uncompromising professional passion for his gear.
``You can be the best skier in the world, but unless you have the best materials, you will never win,'' Marcel Hirscher once said. "I want you to win. I want you to skate as fast as you can. I want you to challenge your limits and break new ground."
With this in mind, Hilscher himself passionately developed and tested the ultimate ski on the snow with his commitment to gear backed by his amazing experience and track record. -Red Bull Sports.” Each car is hand-tuned with the same race room finish that Hirscher used to reach the top of the podium.
There is no way that such a miraculous product would not receive attention around the world. "VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports" has been admired by anyone who has stepped into the world of alpine skiing and has received high praise, and many skiers in Japan have been looking forward to getting their hands on it. did it. In March 2024, that dream finally came true.
How did the pro shop ``Kleb Sports'' land in Japan for the first time?
Normally, foreign brand skis are overwhelmingly imported and sold by so-called ski manufacturers and trading companies. Why did "Kleb Sports", a pro shop in Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture, decide to officially sell VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports, which is attracting worldwide attention, in Japan? There was a reason for that.
VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports skis have the tagline, "Magic happens when you push for perfection." VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports skis have a number of magical tricks.
One of the secrets behind this wonderful finish that leaves you wondering, "How did they create such amazing skis? It's like magic!" is the world's most advanced tune-up machine, "Jupiter-X. " ” for high-precision tune-up.
Jupiter-X is a fully automatic tune-up machine developed by the Austrian company Wintersteiger. It is a versatile machine that automatically performs all processes from edges, sliding surfaces, and waxing. VAN DEER - All models of Red Bull Sports skis are equipped with Jupiter-X's ``V-Edge'' technology that allows the side edges and base edges to change angles for the top, center, and tail. .
The details of the innovative Jupiter-X have been previously introduced in detail on STEEP , but the only company in Japan that owns this Jupiter-X is Zebra Co., Ltd. (Zebra TUNEUP Factory), a group company of Crev Sports. ), which led to the creation of a partnership between VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports and Klev Sports. I see! The two met just as they were meant to be together, and the groundbreaking first launch in Japan took place. Let's pay attention to future developments.
Information
Creb
Creb Sports
Official website: https://www.xraeb.co.jp/xraebsport
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