Pretty cool article in the New York Times today about small independent ski companies. Bluehouse is stoked to have been listed among those featured. The article was written by Cindy Hirschfield and is worth checking out.
I have to say, it’s really cool to be hanging out at Snowbird for a demo and randomly see Bluehouse skis cruising by, especially when they are not part of the demo.
The same has happened to me at Park City (see the photo below), The Canyons and Brighton. Perhaps it’s happened at your resort. Either way there’s a brotherhood of sorts that you feel with other skiers you see who are also skiing a new ski from a new company.
We’ve heard back from a lot of these skiers lately and this MR review from skier Denny Lovell is worthy of being published:
The Review
I had a chance to use my MR 171’s for four days at Breckenridge last week. I had hoped to try them first at my home resort, Seven Springs in W. PA but we have not had enough snow to even get them out. I live in Western WV in the Ohio Valley. You and I have talked on the phone a couple of times. I told you I would give you some feedback so here are my impressions of the MR.
The MR is as close to a one quiver, do it all ski as I have ever had. When traveling from the east to ski in the west deciding on what boards to bring is always a challenge. Then packing and carrying them through the airport is even more difficult. Multiply this by two if your wife is with you. I took a chance and brought only one ski bag with my MR’s and her K2’s. I was not disappointed.
For three plus days I skied every bit of Breckenridge that was open. I hit plenty of blue groomers with my wife and made to many trips up the T-Bar and down into Horseshoe Bowl to count. Unfortunately the Imperial Lift was not open yet. The best runs on the Mt. were the steeps and trees off and under the E-Lift and some untracked heavy powder runs off of Peak 10 when it finally opened on Saturday.
The MR’s ate up everything. I loved the flex and especially the lightness. The float in the heavy stuff was great, I expected that, but what surprised me was the pop and quickness in the bumps. I was impressed that a ski as light as the MR, with a 93 mm waist could smoke through bumps and wind blown, chopped up, crud with ease. On the steep stuff they held a great edge even on hardpack and scraped over areas. I felt very confident on every part of the mountain.. They ski much stiffer than they feel. The only place I did not enter was the park and pipe. That area is best left to younger skiers than me.
My Atomic Metron EX’s (former one quiver ski) are in permanent retirement. The MR’s blow them away. They are so light and versatile that comparing them to the Metron EX is not even fair. My powder boards are K2 Made N Ak’s. They are great boards but a bit heavy. If the Districts are as good in the Powder as the MR’s are all over the mountains I may have to retire the K2`s also. I will be in SLC (Alta/Snowbird) Jan 16-21 and would love to check the District’s out.
The bindings on the MR’s are Rossi TI Pro 120’s with the boot center on the Freeride Line.
This past Saturday we had our first on snow demo and I think it could easily be said that it was a success. Despite having limited terrain open at The Canyons, there were multiple times throughout the cold and snowy day that the entire demo fleet was out. Both skis, the MR and the District, received favorable reviews. Our wax/tune on the skis, or the lack thereof, wasn’t so highly favorable due to the cold temps and new snow but people were stoked nonetheless.
Shane, Adam, Dan and myself were all there throughout the day and it was awesome to chat with people who were stoked about Bluehouse and eager to see it grow. Even better was to see a pair of the MR’s go skiing by or to have someone roll up and rave about the Districts.
I have mention the helpful and positive atmosphere that existed between the various ski companies that were there - namely Ashley from Icelandic skis, Jeremy from Rossignol and Sue from Roxy. Big thanks to them for being so helpful during this our first demo.
This coming Friday December 14 we’ll be at Snowbird and the 15th we’ll be at Brighton Ski Resort.
If ever there was a time to hit up a demo day and try out our skis, tomorrow would be that day. We will be at the Canyons all day December 8 along with other retailers from across the snow sports industry. With 12″ last night, the snow continuing all day today, and more snow on the way tonight, tomorrow should be some ideal conditions to put our skis to the test. So bring those free ski coupons you got at the Warren Miller show and come hang out with Bluehouse tomorrow.
See you then.
Tuesday found us at Park City Mountain Resort with Bluehouse riders John Kutcher, Dave Wintzer, Ryan Wyble, and Parker Cook. Although the terrain was limited it was a great time and the park features, including three jumps on Silver Hollow kept the stoked high.
Park City TV was following us around filming and asking questions about the skis and the company. This is the result.
Props to PCTV on a great video!
A couple weeks ago, Bluehouse had its official coming out party gathering over 300 skiers from around the Salt Lake valley in the old-style Post Theater to share some excellent film, tons of SWAG, and a good time. After debuting the Pickings Fam film, and showing some clips from 4bi9, Off Trail, and Clown School, Dan introduced the crowd to the Bluehouse Team, after which Shane unveiled the Bluehouse Design Contest. Thanks to all the sponsors of the show, only a few left the show empty handed. After Rage’s “Enjoy” ended, the crowd headed over to the new 100% eco-friendly yogurt shop “SpoonMe” for some live music by Ivy League.
Here’s a little video recap:
And some images from the night:
