SIA Demo Day Highlights

What’s better than testing out next year’s skis and snowboards? Doing it in absolutely perfect conditions. Active Junky’s gear testing crew hit Colorado’s Copper Mountain for the SIA Snow Show Demo Days on Monday and Tuesday—and the snow didn’t stop falling. 

For those who aren’t familiar, SIA (SnowSports Industries America) is the ski industry’s biggest tradeshow. Over several days, brands from all over the globe converge on the Rocky Mountains to unveil their latest and greatest gear. The tradeshow takes place in Denver, but after exhibiting in the city, the show heads to the mountains for an on-snow test. Just picture it: steps from the chairlift at Copper Mountain, hundreds of tents filled with next year’s skis, snowboards, boots, bindings and accessories, fresh from the R&D labs of your companies. This year, with double-digit storm totals, the on-snow test was truly a powderhound’s paradise. 

Active Junky ran through the demo and sampled the 2016/17 lineup. Amongst a heavy showing, these were two of our favorite pieces of gear we tested: the Line Skis Mordecai and the Burton Custom X Flying V. 

First Look: Line Mordecai

Image by Drew Zieff

In addition to having a killer graphic (courtesy of Eric Pollard), the Mordecai slayed all the fresh pow that Copper Mountain had to offer. While our tester noted that the Mordecai was more than capable on groomers, the ski truly crushed it when dipping off into the untouched trees or dropping cliffs into choppy yet soft snow. “They’re incredibly lightweight for the size,” said our gear tester. “Making them nimble in tight places.” Ideal for those who chase the deep days, this 114-underfoot ski unsurprisingly surfed through untouched pow, yet it still held an edge on hardpack with the best of ‘em. Even though it’s a light ski, the Mordecai’s Thin Tip Technology minimized chatter when testers took the fall line down bump runs. 

Bottom Line: Line’s 16/17 lineup is looking fantastic—as per usual. This ski handled deep snow perfectly and testers were blown away by the light weight, hardpack performance and tight turns made possible by the Mordecai. 

First Look: Burton Custom X Flying V

Image by Lio DelPiccolo

On the stiffer side of the Burton line: the venerated Custom X. This beloved stick got a makeover for 2016/17, as it’s now available in a Flying V shape in addition to the traditional camber profile for which the Custom X has always been known.  

We couldn’t be more hyped about the way this thing rides. A hybrid camber “Flying V” profile puts rocker between and outside the feet with camber underfoot—a profile perfect for all-mountain riding. Testers laid hand-dragging Euro carves on groomers and sent 12-foot cliffs into untouched pow on the same runs (Thanks, Copper Mountain). Effortless float, provided by the rocker between the feet, ensured that tester’s legs weren’t toasted after scoring thigh-deep pow on clandestine tree runs. On hardpack, this board makes fast riders faster, encouraging confident riding with quick edge-to-edge control, serrated “Frostbite Edges” (Burton’s multiple contact point sidewalls) and an aggressive turning radius. Not for the slow pokes, this sleek beauty is for those who crank up the forward lean and send it.

Bottom line: Burton’s premiere Custom X gets the Flying V treatment. The result? An everyday all-mountain board that is all about speed, power and precision—and can still handle freestyle flavor.