72
MLCM
FALL/WINTER2016
“We’re really happywithhow the bindings have progressed,” says Prior.“It’s
improved the overall performance of a board tenfold.”A fewother companies
have followed suit, includingBurton, Karakoram andVoile.There’s also a
growingnumber of splitterswho are opting for a hardboot set-up, using a set
of Dynafit toe-pieces for theway up and something that resembles an alpine
racing set-up for theway down.
Of course, therewill always be grumblers.Andwhile the last couple of decades
have really seen the hills come alivewith snowboarders unable toblow2–3
paycheques formechanizedbackcountry bliss, therewill always be those
people claiming that their hallowedbackcountry zones are being invadedby
toeside-slashin’,method-crankin’ reprobates.
The backcountry’s a bigplace though.You just have tohead to the next valley
over. But if youget there and find a couple of ski tracks on theway up and
snowboard tracks on theway down, you’ll knowwhat happened.
ABOVE
AndyWalbon and Shawn Freyer dancinggently amongst the snowghosts ofMt. Baker. JUSTINKIOUS.
BELOW
Chris Prior, splittingboards andmakingdreams come true. COURTESYOF PRIOR
