Backcountry Beacon

By now, you might be aware of our fondness for Moment Skis. As small as they are, the Reno-based company’s hardcore fan base has made squared-off tips a frequent sight in lift lines as far east as Vermont and even across the pond in the Alps. We’re particularly stoked on returning from SIA because the upcoming season looks to be Moment’s best, both design-wise and performance-wise.

While the new eye-popping graphic treatments are the most obvious, the most significant changes to the 2011 line are invisible. The basalt fabric Moment used in many models to retain pop and shape has been replaced by lighter carbon fiber stringers, and a new Density-Tuned wood core construction makes some of Moment’s wider planks lighter and more playful without reducing strength.

A brand-new model, the Belafonte, arrives to replace the bestial, straightline-happy Garbones pro model. Wide and straight with a rockered tip and camber underfoot like its competition-tailored predecessor, the Belafonte is lighter and has a slightly more manageable flex that will please mortals and pros alike.

Few of the current models will see major changes in dimension, but Moment has been tweaking camber and flex profiles like mad to increase performance in each ski’s chosen discipline. The cult-favorite Night Train now has carbon fiber and a longer tip-rocker profile to aid maneuverability and give the ski a more surfy feel in powder. The Ruby and Bibby Pro Model have been flex-tuned to better handle hard snow and high speeds, while the mega-fat, fully rockered Donner Party gets slightly softer and almost a pound lighter to gain appeal with recent rockered-ski converts.

Moment also introduced a new outerwear line to the SIA crowd, and it looks promising. The function is there with fully taped seams and burly oxford weaves, but style is clearly a top priority for the collection. We’re eager to see how it stacks up to competition from established small brands like TREW and Armada.

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