Amer Sports Japan, which represents popular brands such as SALOMON, ATOMIC, and ARMADA, held an exhibition of new models for the 2022-23 season in Tokyo in mid-February 2022, right in the middle of the Beijing Olympics. The STEEP editorial team would like to introduce some of the latest models that were unveiled and pick out some that caught our eye
There are three notable topics for the SALOMON brand heading into the 2022-2023 season. The QST series, which has been popular as Salomon's flagship model in the freeride category since its introduction in the 2016-2017 season, has been updated to its third generation. The innovative all-mountain binding, STRIVE, has also been launched, designed to suit the new generation of skis. Furthermore, a futuristic visor helmet has been introduced, combining goggles and a helmet with cutting-edge technology. Let's take a closer look at these evolutions
Packed with the latest technology!
The QST106, the icon of the QST series, has evolved into its third generation.
The SALOMON QST series is popular on snowy mountains around the world. The biggest news for the 2022-2023 season is the full model change of the QST106. The new "Double Sidewall Technology" that was featured in the QST BLANK, the widest waist model, last season in 2021-2022, has now been added to the QST106 as well
The double-layered sidewall structure strengthens edge grip underfoot, firmly gripping the snow surface for sharpness and stability. In addition, by moving the wide points of the tip and tail closer to the center and extending the rocker, power transmission is quicker, allowing for a more flexible riding style that responds to quick turns and playfulness
The base of the ski is made from SALOMON's new proprietary material, CFX. CFX is a fiber layer made from natural hemp woven with carbon, and is patented by SALOMON. Additionally, the tip and tail feature a vibration-absorbing technology called "Cork Dampener," ensuring a smooth and stable glide. Packed with all the latest technology, the QST106 has evolved into the ultimate ski
Watch the video to learn from SALOMON staff
The innovative
"STRIVE" binding, showcasing SALOMON's technological prowess, makes its debut as an all-mountain binding!
A new binding will also be released for the 2022-2023 season. It's called "STRIVE." SALOMON bindings have always had a triangular arrow motif on the toe piece, and this binding continues that same style, creating a form that exudes SALOMON pride
"STRIVE" is the latest all-mountain binding for the new generation of all-mountain skis. Its appeal is roughly stated as "it brings out the natural flex of the ski, has excellent power transmission, is lightweight, has a low center of gravity, and is easy to operate." Let's take a closer look
The most distinctive feature and benefit of Strive bindings is their low center of gravity of 20mm. This is lower than Salomon's Warden freeride binding, and about 30% lower than rival bindings in the same series from other manufacturers. The advantage of a low center of gravity is that it greatly improves contact with the snow surface and power response
The toe and heel heights are 5mm different, but this ramp angle is said to provide the most neutral position. Furthermore, the sliding pad on the toe piece is extremely wide at 72mm, increasing the contact area between the boot sole and binding. This improves power transmission and positioning, resulting in a more direct and sharp riding style
Watch the video to learn from SALOMON staff
that looks like goggles and a helmet are separate items, yet
delivers a premium fit.
For the 2022-2023 season, SALOMON will be producing a completely new visor helmet, the DRIVER PRIME. The first and most notable feature is its design, which combines fashion and functionality. The helmet team at SALOMON headquarters worked hard to come up with the design, hoping to somehow change the typical astronaut-like feel of visor helmets. While the helmet appears to be separate, almost like a visor, it is a fully functional visor helmet, and its greatest appeal is that the goggles and helmet are integrated for a comfortable fit
Equipped with numerous technologies, including MIPS, Smart Safety 360°, and EPS4D, this helmet maximizes safety. It also features BOA360® technology, a dial-type fit system that allows for a perfect fit around the head. The MaxFit construction and merino liner ensure excellent comfort. The helmet also features ample ventilation for a comfortable, sweat-free fit
And the goggles' functionality is key: they use Sigma Photomagnetic lenses, which appropriately change the light to improve contrast and ensure a wide field of view. Lens changes are quick and easy, allowing you to adapt to the lighting conditions on the snowy mountains, giving you an outstanding sense of security
This Sigma Photomagnetic Lens costs around 30,000 to 35,000 yen on the market. The helmet itself costs around 35,000 to 40,000 yen, so the "DRIVER PRIME SIGMA PHOTO MIPS" costs 49,500 yen (tax included), which is very reasonable considering the quality
◆ SALOMON Official Website https://www.salomon.com/
ATOMIC's freeski collection is even more robust for 2023. Roughly speaking, if you're looking to ski downhill, park, backcountry, or all-mountain, we recommend the BENT CHETLER; for those who are into mountaineering, the BACKLAND reduces the strain on the climbs without sacrificing skiing quality; and for those who primarily ski from the lifts, the MARVERICK offers excellent grip on packed slopes. However, even within the same type of ski, the riding feel varies depending on the waist width and length. The appeal of ATOMIC is that its diverse range of specs allows you to choose based on your style, so which one will you choose for the 2022-23 season?
The 110cm and 90cm sizes have been added to the "BENT CHETLER" series, completing the BENT family!
Until now, BENT CHETLER only had two sizes, 100mm and 120mm, but for the 2022-23 season, the company has introduced the attractive, middle-of-the-line 110mm, which looks like it fits perfectly. A slimmer 90mm width has also been added, bringing the lineup to four, and the BENT CHETLER family will be developed. The 2022-23 season will continue to feature oil-painted graphics by BENT CHETLER, and the biggest selling point is that there is now a wide selection of widths to suit the skater's style. For those who have been hoping for a width between 100mm and 120mm, the 110mm will be the good news they've been waiting for!
The BENT CHETLER skis are characterized by their incredible lightness, and while they feature a rocker shape at the tip and tail, they also have a bend in the center, making the skis themselves light and extremely flexible. This allows for a large lift from the top, and while bending, they have a large contact surface with the snow, allowing for a solid carving effect
Let the ATOMIC staff teach you in the video
MAVERICK is the most popular in North America
The MAVERICK, developed by a North American team and manufactured in Austria, debuted last year. Built on a titanium sheet, it's the most popular model in North America, capable of handling everything from flat ground to powder. It also boasts a strong carving element, with stronger and more solid underfoot tension than the BENT CHETLER series, but with less camber than the BENT CHETLER. It's sure to be a top-notch addition to the 2022-2023 season
The women's version is the "MAVEN," which has a carbon sheet and does not contain titanium. This also has a firmer underfoot than the BENT CHETLER, and does not lose grip on flat terrain. As this is a model specifically for women, the shape itself is not too sharp, but rather closer to a V-shape, making it an all-around ski that puts less strain on the body and is tailored to the female skeleton. It can be used on a wide range of surfaces, from flat terrain to powder
The classic "BACKLAND" has a graphic change
The "BACKLAND" series, which is closer to the backcountry style and has been popular for a long time, is an icon of the ATOMIC freeride series. It is also well known as the favorite model of professional skier Kodama Tsuyoshi. The head section is entirely made of Horizon Tech, and the center width ranges from 117mm to 78mm, allowing for very detailed setup to suit various uses. For the 2023 season, the lineup and functionality remain the same, but the graphics have been changed
Making skis lighter with climbing in mind can compromise the ski's performance, making it difficult to strike a balance, but the BACKLAND skis are designed to provide a satisfying ride while also taking into consideration the strain of hiking up the mountain, so they're lightweight yet still offer great skiing, which is what makes them so appealing. The 117mm skis are designed with deep powder in mind, so you'll want to use them depending on the mountain you're going to and the high season
The 100mm, released last year, is highly versatile and can be used in a variety of situations. Tsuyoshi Kodama has used all three, the 100mm, 107mm, and 117mm, but he recommends the 100mm because it's "extremely easy to glide on." He says that he usually rides the 100mm when he's out skiing for fun
ATOMIC BOOTS
' incredibly popular "HAWX series" is now even more comfortable and functional!
ATOMIC's HAWX series of boots—Ultra, Prime, and Magnum—are all lightweight. Not only do they have a hard outer shell, but the Mimic liner itself can be heat-molded in an oven to reshape itself multiple times, allowing for a perfect fit
The Ultra has a last width of 98mm, while the Prime has a 100mm, making it the most popular. The Magnum is rated at 102mm, so comfortable that it's easier to wear standing up. For the 2022-23 season, all shells have been updated with a memory fit, and the inner liner itself has been heat-molded, further accelerating the pursuit of the ultimate fit
Let the ATOMIC staff teach you in the video
◆ ATOMIC official website https://atomicsnow.jp/
ARMADA is a riders' brand that dates back to 2002, when mischievous street kid Tanner Hall founded it with his buddy J.P. Auclair. Since then, it has always seemed to be focused on the street, but as the brand has grown and its lineup has matured, it has finally produced a completely new touring ski series, "LOCATOR," for the 2023 season. Each category has a different designer, and the designs vary depending on the snow play scene, so there is a lack of consistency, in a good way. What makes ARMADA unique is that it caters to user preferences in each genre
The ZERO series sees a groundbreaking debut with the revolutionary
"SHORT PANTS PARADOX"!
At the unveiling of the ZERO series for the 22-23 season, the first thing that catches the eye is its visual design. With a black base, the color of the tip and base of each ski subtly changes. But more than anything, there's a big news addition to the lineup: a unique model called "PARADOX" has been released. PARADOX means paradoxical, and while typical freeride skis are usually around 180cm to 190cm, these skis are a mere 176cm and 168cm. This is a challenger model that defies the conventional wisdom and fixed idea that high-speed skiing and big turns are impossible with short skis, enabling performance that surpasses expectations.
The waist width is 112mm, R = 21.5m (176cm), the nose rocker is moderate to avoid resistance, and the tail rocker also starts slightly towards the center for improved maneuverability. The directional shape with a large setback in the center position means that the entire ski generates buoyancy in powder. It gives you the feeling of riding a surfboard. The short length gives excellent maneuverability and a wide range of freedom of play. Even with a center over 110mm, the slightly firm flex and camber balance ensure reliable turning performance on groomed surfaces
the "ultimate powder tool."
calledWhite Walker 121,Introducing
A new signature model for Sammy Carlson, the "White Walker121," is being released in the Zero series. It's 5mm wider than Sammy's signature model from last season, with a waist width of 121mm. It's designed for riding with a focus on creating spray with the tail. It features a 3D structure in the tail, and unusually for the ARMADA, the binding position is further back, making it a new option for riders who prefer vertical riding. It's characterized by its very short edge and almost zero camber flat shape. For someone 183cm tall, the effective edge might be less than 150cm? It's that short.
In the 2021-2022 season, the difference between JJ's UL and White Walker was that JJ's UL was a powder ski that allowed you to float a little in the powder and enjoy turns, while White Walker didn't float as much but was for people who wanted speed in the powder. So you had two choices, but the "White Walker121" floats, is fast, and can even side-slip, and Sammy Carlson commented that it's "the ultimate tool for enjoying powder runs!"
And, a marketing staff member at ARMADA commented, "I think people who really want to enjoy deep powder will jump at the chance. Just by looking at it, you'll think, 'This is definitely going to be great.'" This is something I'm really curious about!
ARMADA expands its range
with the new "LOCATOR" touring skis, taking on the world of mountaineering.
Designed to handle all types of backcountry terrain and snow conditions, it comes in four waist widths: 112, 104, 96, and 88mm. It's unisex, so it's available in a wide range of sizes, from short to long. Even more impressive than its calm, sophisticated graphics, which are unusual for ARMADA, is its lightness. The LOCATOR 112 is an astonishing 1500g for a 180cm ski. And yet, it still offers great glide
Its most notable feature is the low camber. The low camber provides good grip when climbing with skis. By inserting a carbon sheet into a lightweight core called Carba, it is light yet has strong torsion. It's light and great for climbing, but what about sliding? This is a product that solves the problem of "It can slide, it can climb, and it's going to do it!" and is a product that we are confident in
ARV series, DECLIVITY series, apparel line
In addition to this, the classic ARV and DECLIVITY ski series have undergone graphic changes. While the style changes every year, the 2022-2023 season also features bold graphics. The apparel line also offers a variety of designs, from vibrant solid colors to ARMADA's signature camouflage patterns. This anything-goes diversity packs a punch and creates a unique worldview
◆ ARMADA Official Website https://armadaskis.jp/