Despite the grand size, panache, and dash of the Outdoor Retailer show, sometimes it’s the small innovations on display that catch my eye. Sure, bindings and boots are getting lighter, and skis for the American market are getting wider than ever.
But whether you use wider planks, or mid-fats, or even skinnier race skis, one occurrence tends to plague all ski widths: snow accumulation on the topside of the skis. No doubt there is a bit of irony to be found in buying expensive, lightweight gear, then watching heavy snow accumulate on the surface of the skis, adding unwanted weight.
Snow accumulates, and you’re right to ‘YIKES!’ Easily an extra pound per foot. Irritating, especially for those who try hard to travel lightly.
For those riding heavier, wider, and somewhat cheaper planks, the problem is worse – even more snow accumulates on a spatula than on a pair of skinnier skis. Those who power themselves uphill, regardless of preferred ski width, know only too well that snow accumulation bogs down the day’s uphill movement.
It’s with this in mind that K2 has brought forth their snowphobic topsheet wax. In the company’s own words: Applying this wax to K2 snowphobic topsheets will further reduce snow accumulation and weight.
K2′s snowphobic wax on display on a new pair of Wayback skis.
No word yet on whether this wax might possibly maybe ever so slightly even just a little bit perhaps work on a pair of skis NOT sporting K2 snowphobic topsheets. But I remain ever curious and interested: all human powered uphill skiers could benefit from a product that actually helps ski topsheets shed snow.
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