The FUSE binding is now available at select dealers in small quantities and there is also a handful available directly from Spark R&D online. This binding baseplate is CNC milled from a solid block of aluminum in house at Spark, along with some Bent Metal hardwear its lighter and cleaner then its predecesser the Ignition I & II. I for one am totally stoked and plan to pick up a pair ASAP. Check back here in a few weeks for an initial impression and hopefully a full and detailed review based on REAL BACKCOUNTRY USER EXPERIENCE (not just marketing fluff) before the New Year.

See below a communication I received directly from Spark R&D this morning. Happy shredding everyone…

————————————————————————-

Hello all ye splitboard enthusiasts!

As all of you know Spark R&D has recently released our new Fuse binding, and as you also know.. there are many of you eagerly awaiting their arrival for purchase. Well, we have em!

One reason they are behind is because we were shipped buckles with red and yellow color accents on them instead of the black we ordered. We are finding most folks are not to worried about it, and if you really can’t deal with it, we’ll work with you when the black ones show up.

We have shipped nearly seventy (70) Fuse bindings of various sizes to a handful of dealers.. mostly in North America, here they are:

Prior Snowboards in Whistler, BC; the Back Country in Truckee, California; Hoback Sports in Jackson, Wyoming; Tribute Board Shop in Nelson, BC; White Pine Touring in Park City, Utah; Snowboard Connection in Seattle, Washington, and a handful to our local shop, World Boards here in Bozeman.

For those of you not near any of our dealers, we have put a limited quantity in our online store.. 13 Small and 17 Medium:

http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/SparkRD/StoreFront.bok

For those of you in Europe, our orders for Biwakscharte in Germany and 4 Mountains in Switzerland will be shipping on November 23.

Our friend Takumi from Voltage in Japan has a fresh pack of Fuse with his custom graphics.

These folks only have certain sizes and quantities at the moment, but we are cranking out more binders as fast as we can.. be patient, they are coming! If you need more info about these dealers, check out our “Dealers” page on our website:

http://www.sparkrandd.com/dealers/

Thanks to everybody for your support and enthusiasm for our products. We will keep this list updated in the coming weeks as we build and ship more bindings. Think snow!

–
Spark R&D Sales

PO Box 3284
Bozeman MT 59772
(406) 580-7674
http://www.sparkrandd.com/
sales@sparkrandd.com

Headed out early to make a border crossing into the freshly dumped on Mt. Baker area. More snow then expected had us delicately sliding up the road eventually coming to a rest about a mile from the trailhead, good enough, we were off booting it full speed ahead.

We eventually made it to the mesmerizing Coleman glacier lookout where it was confirmed that safe glacier travel was out of the question, but the blue ice sure did captivate. We stopped for some lunch and set our sights on open gladed slopes above. With the short days and my shortness of breath we decided to make some fine bottomless turns then return on the trail and call it a good 1st day. A sunset lit rip back down the snowy road and some killer steak fajitas and cheap brew at El Nopal in Sumas had only wet our appetite for an awesome season to come. Tomorrow morning we’re at it again with a planned break at 11am to remember all those that fought for us all to be free. What better way to celebrate then some more freeriding!

Pictures of course…

Coleman Glacier Snout

buttery soft 1st turns of the season

Really Good Snow

White Room

Welcome back winter, you were missed.

A good way to spend a Sunday...

With temperatures diving and more snow on the way, look for some resorts to open their doors earlier than expected. But of course, double check these before you head out!  They can certainly change based on what Mother Nature brings us! We’ll try to keep this updated, and if you come across any other opening dates, leave a comment and we’ll add it to the list!

Canada, West:

• Big White (Kelowna, BC) — December 5th
• Canadian Olympic Park (Calgary, AB) — Open!!!
• Castle Mountain (AB) — December 12th
• Crystal Mountain (Westbank, BC) — December 5th
• Cypress Mountain (West Vancouver, BC) — 1st week of December
• Fernie (BC) — December 5th
• Kicking Horse (Golden, BC) — December 11th
• Kimberley (BC) — December 19th
• Lake Louise (Banff, AB) — November 7th
• Marmot Basin (Jasper, AB) — November 11th
• Mt. Norquay (Banff, AB) — October 31st
• Nakiska Ski Area (AB) — November 7th
• Panorama Mountain (BC) — December 12th
• Red Mountain (Rossland, BC) — December 18th
• Revelstoke (BC) — December 5th
• Silver Star (Vernon, BC) — November 28th
• Sunshine (Banff, AB) - November 11th
• Sun Peaks (BC) — November 21st
• Whistler-Blackcomb — November 26th
• Whitewater (Nelson, BC) — November 28th

Canada, East:

• Mont Tremblant (QC) — November 20th

Utah:

• Alta Ski Area — November 20th
• Beaver Mountain — TBA
• Brian Head Resort — November 21st
• Brighton Resort — November 16th
• Deer Valley Resort — December 5th
• Powder Mountain Winter Resort — November 2nd (night skiing only 4p-10p)
• Snowbasin Resort — November 26th
• Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort — November 21th
• Solitude Mountain Resort — November 13th
• Sundance — December 11th
• The Canyons Resort — November 27th
• Park City Mountain Resort — November 21th

Colorado:

• Aspen — November 26th
• Aspen Highlands — December 12th
• Beaver Creek — November 25th
• Breckenridge — November 12th
• Buttermilk — December 13th
• Copper — November 25th
• Crested Butte — November 25th
• Echo Mountain — November 21st
• Eldora — November 21st
• Howelsen — December 6th
• Keystone — November 5th
• Monarch Mountain — November 26th
• Powderhorn — December 11th
• Purgatory (Durango) — November 26th
• Silverton Mountain — November 29th
• Ski Cooper — November 27th
• Snowmass — November 26th
• Sol Vista Basin — December 19th
• Steamboat — November 25th
• Sunlight — December 5th
• Telluride — November 26th
• Vail — November 20th
• Winter Park — November 19th

California:

• Heavenly — November 20th
• Mammoth — November 12th
• Northstar — November 21st
• Squaw — November 21st

Wyoming:

• Jackson Hole — November 28th

Montana:

• Big Sky Resort — November 26th
• Bridger Bowl — December 11th
• Moonlight Basin — December 12th
• Red Lodge — November 27th
• Whitefish Mountain Resort - December 5th

Idaho:

• Bogus Basin — November 25th
• Brundage — November 25th
• Sun Valley — TBA

Vermont:

• Killington — December 13th
• Stowe — November 21st

Alaska:

• EagleCrest (Juneau) — December 5th (thanks for the update Lisa!)

October 3, 2009. "First turns of the season are always so delicious."

After many (or few, or no) months off the snowy slopes, we all need it bad, we’re desperate, consumed with snow forecasts, plotting road trips to the highest, coldest places we can think of, anything to get those first turns soon, NOW! I hate to say it but I’m not as desperate as many, in fact this October less then any other year I can remember I feel calm, patient, like I’m viewing the hype from the outside. I haven’t lost the stoke, I have it in spades, its just that my season has already begun. I hiked a lot this summer, and did not hesitate to hike some more the moment there was enough snow (barely) settled on the ground to make turns. I kicked my season off on a beautiful Saturday, October 3rd and it was glorious. I’m not the only one either, there are a lot of (lucky) people who have already gotten out to ski, board, gt snowrace? For the luckiest (or hardest working), their season never ends, they either chase the snow from hemisphere to hemisphere or they find it by travelling to the highest places, gruelling ascents, making turns all year regardless of conditions or sacrifice. if you are jealous of these people (and to a degree we all are), then use it as motivation to make your own sacrifice to make this a season (or calender year) a one to remember, its all up to you, get your priorities straight!

Be it scrounging a few dollars together for a seasons pass, using up your sick days (cough H1N1 cough) when it dumps, or just getting to a hill, any hill, as often as possible to do what you love to do. But savour these early feelings, because soon all that preseason hype might subside. All the hills will eventually open and you’ll hear people whining about snow quality or the slow friend of a friend you’re riding with, horrendous lift lines, shitty parking, ice, rain, you might even get pissed off by some of it yourself. Just remember that back in the fall, before the snow was sticking to the slopes, you would have given your first born for a turn, any turn. So enjoy it, revel in it, both the highs and the lows of the season, because for be it mediocre or epic, you’ll still miss it when its gone, that I assure you.

I’ll leave you with a couple more pics from my opening day of the 2009/2010 season, the snow is falling!!!

Go out and get some!

By SplitBoarder.

and the trail begins, we'll have to make some major elevation gains before we can even consider strapping in.

Berries getting buried. Sorbet anyone?

Fresh and deep snow. Still, boulder fields are not a wise terrain choice, neither is a lake.

Good enough for you? More then good enough for me...

Early season obstacles are fun to play with.

soft and quiet, enjoying every moment.

final lap and the afternoon fades, a long hike back to the car before dark.

Chicago

> Chicago Ski Show & Snowboard Expo, Chicago IL — November 6 – 8

Albany

> Ski and Snowboard Expo, Albany, NY — November 6 – 8

Minneapolis

> Minnesota Ski and Snowboard EXPO, Minneapolis, MN — November 6  – 8

Portland

> Portland SkiFever and Snowboard Show, Portland, OR — November 6 – 8

Calgary

> Calgary Snow Show, Calgary, AB, CAN — November 7 – 8

San Francisco

> San Francisco Ski & Snowboard Festival, San Francisco, CA — November 7 – 8

Denver

> Colorado Ski and Snowboard Expo, Denver, CO — November 13 – 15

San Jose

> Bay Area Ski and Snowboard Show, San Jose, CA — November 13 – 15

San Diego

> SnowJam Ski and Snowboard Show, San Diego, CA — November 13 – 15

Santa Clara

> Silicon Valley Ski & Snowboard Festival, Santa Clara — CA, November 14 – 15

Las Vegas

> SnowJam Ski and Snowboard Show, Las Vegas, NV — November 20-22

Seattle

> Seattle SkiFever and Snowboard Show, Seattle, WA — November 20 – 22

Boston

> Boston Globe Ski and Snowboard EXPO, Boston, MA — November 19 – 22

Sacramento

> Sacramento Ski and Snowboard EXPO, Sacramento, CA — November 21 – 22

View source article

(http://www.thegearcaster.com)

Gotta love that big fat heelside slash at the start of the homepage video on Kicking Horse Resort’s updated website. There is new slicker and slightly more detailed trail maps, overall its an improvement, and I wish some of the many other beautiful mountains played us more shred porn. Maybe its not safe for the kiddies, wouldn’t want them glued to their computer screens all day long watching pow porn, they gotta get out and play. Then again I enjoyed a little shred porn here and there as a younger lad, I still have subjekt haakonsen on VHS somewhere. I say let the kids watch shred porn, so that when they grow up, they’ll at least shred like they know what they’re supposed to be doing. Anyways, check out the new site, but don’t forget where you can find the latest and hottest snow pornos on the internet, SNOWFLIX!

I also have to give respect to Loveland, for always pushing and often winning the race for first to open. They aren’t the biggest act in town, they are a little fish in the big pond that is the Colorado ski industry, but their hearts are always in it. Though there is certainly some brief fame and glory in claiming first each year, essentially what they are trying to do is get people out riding as soon as possible, afterall they love making turns just as much as any of us! At least they aren’t keeping it all to themselves.

Polar opposite Kicking Horse Resort, which sets an opening date in stone despite huge early season snowfalls keeps the pow out of limits, horded, protected, wasted? Only to open their gates to the patient on the day decided by a vote from the board. I can’t imagine the suffering of living in Golden, BC watching it snow every day in November and still not being able to ride at the local hill. All I can say is that everyone should stand up in protest and boycott Kicking Horse’s opening day, its the right thing to do to support the unfortunate citizens of Golden;)

Look for a trip report up soon of my first jaunt into snowy terrain this season. Dusted off the board and made some simple but oh so sweet turns last Saturday October 3rd. Well earned and so worth it. So get stoked to shred and get your asses off the internet and onto the highest, snowiest slope you can find (use whatever transportation neccesary) just do it!  Its early season, watch those mountain webcams and weather stations, timing is everything, when the moment is right, know whats at stake and be committed to the cause.

Well there you have it, thats a whole lot of stoke for one post. Check back for more, soon, often.

See y’all on them hills.

Just last week, Jeremy Jones, one of the pioneering big mountain snowboard elite announced he was leaving his major sponsor of 17 years, Rossignol. The news came as a shock to most, and Jones was quick to thank Rossignol for all they’re support, it seemed like big things were a brewing. He hinted of an announcement soon and people guessed at which new sponsor he would be switching to now?

Well on Monday he shocked the world again, as he announced the launch of JONES SNOWBOARDS.

In collaboration with Nidecker, Jones will design and produce his own full lineup of freeride focused shred sticks. You can absolutely guarantee this will include at least one splitboard model as this has been his weapon of choice this past season. The man has been  stacking up loads of vertical with just two feet and a heart beat all season long. Jeremy Jones has over 25 years of experience as a professional freerider, he has piled up uncountable first descents and has never stopped pushing deeper into bigger terrain, more exposure and new zones.

An advocate of sustainable snowboarding he has turned to splitboarding and ski mountaineering as an alternative to free shuttles in the heli. You have to give him credit for skipping the lift to the top and finding that stronger connection within these epic settings. He’ll strive to make his own lineup of snowboard hardgoods as eco-concious as possible no doubt, as he is one of the founders of Protect Our Winters (POW), an organization made up of die hard shredders just like me and you, willing to do the part and encouraging others to make eco-friendly choices. The Snowboard line will be previewed at the 2010 SIA in Las Vegas, and will hit the market for the 2010-2011 season, expect to see focused design, and a quiver of boards that’ll be just as fun to ride in Jackson Hole as they are in the steeps spines of Alaska or the crevasse minefields of the European Alps.

I for one am very very stoked, mainly because not enough companies are making splitboards, I’d love to see more options available to this fast growing market and who better then Jones himself. To find out the whole story and more of what Jeremy Jones has been up to over the summer (and explore the archives, his blog is SICK!) check out www.jeremyjones.net and follow the latest on his upcoming line of pow sticks peep at www.jonessnowboards.com.

A sample of the goodies you’ll find at jeremeyjones.net, he’s a f$%king incredible freerider.

Russia. Photo, Eric Bergeri

Whether your looking for the latest in new gear, or even looking to pick up some free swag, then you can’t go wrong checking out your local ski and snowboard show!

As always, you’ll find great deals, and great entertainment at all of the shows. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of your favourite athlete!

Here are some of the shows coming up in October.

Toronto

> Toronto Ski Snowboard & Travel Show, Toronto, ON – October 15 – 18

Philadelphia

> Philadelphia National Ski & Snowboard Expo, Philadelphia, PA – October 16 – 18

Harrisburg

> Harrisburg National Ski & Snowboard Expo, Harrisburg, PA – October 16 – 18

Ottawa

> Ottawa Ski Show, Ottawa, ON – October 23 – 25

Schaumburg

> Windy City Ski Show and Snowboard EXPO, Schaumburg, IL – October 23 – 25

Vancouver

> Vancouver Snow Show, Vancouver, BC, – October 24 – 25 (Get your 2 for 1 admission here!)

Los Angeles

> Los Angeles Ski and Snowboard EXPO, Los Angeles, CA – October 29 – November 1

Edmonton

> Edmonton Ski & Snowboard Show, Edmonton, AB – October 31 – November 1

Photo Credit: Matt Taylor, via Flikr

The all-star roster includes your favourite local rippers Ian Mcintosh, Dana Flahr, Kye Petersen and debuting Callum Pettit, alongside TGR regulars Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, Seth Morrison, Dylan Hood, Erik Roner, Tanner Hall, Sammy Carlson and of course snowboarding legend Jeremy Jones. Come support the local boys at the show, and get your chest autographed, or something like that.

Tix are only $10 bucks, and there’s tons of swag to score, including a pair of Atomic Skis, and a pair of Rossignol big mountain skis at the Longhorn Saloon After Party. Plus enter to win the overall tour Grand Prizes – an Alaskan heli ski/snowboard trip with Alaska Heliskiing or a vacation for two to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Sponsored by The North Face, Rossignol, Dynastar/Lange, Powder Magazine and Oakley; and Local Sponsors Surefoot, Comor Sports, Rossignol, Atomic, Longhorn

When: Friday October 2nd, 2009. Shows at 7 & 9pm
Where: Films at MY Millenium Place Theatre.
Tix: $10. Buy in advance. They WILL SELL OUT! At Millennium Place, or by phone at 604 935 8410, or
BUY TICKETS ONLINE.

See you there!
Dave – SnowFlix

WATCH THE TRAILER NOW!