Field Notes: Day 20 @ Vail: 15 Inches, Still Dumping – A ShredShox Adventure

After an incredible holiday week with family and friends in Vail, today was my chance to put the ShredShox platform through its paces in some serious powder. With 15 inches of fresh snow overnight and flakes still falling, I hit the mountain a bit later than planned but ready for an epic day of testing.

The Setup:

• Skis: Atomic Bent Chetler 100 (180cm) mounted with ShredShox

• Settings: 40 PSI in both front and rear shocks (30 PSI less than baseline), rebound at the slowest setting

• Control Skis: Atomic Bent Chetler 110 (188cm)

My test plan included alternating runs on the ShredShox setup and the control skis to get a side-by-side comparison. Runs included Over Yonder, Whiskey Jack, Northwoods, and Riva’s Ridge—a mix of deep powder, trees, crud, and chopped-up groomers.

Run 1: Over Yonder (ShredShox Setup)

I started in Sun Up Bowl, weaving through the moderately spaced trees and dropping into the bowl. The deep snow and hidden bumps provided a great test for the ShredShox platform.

Observations:

• Impact: Noticeably less jarring on those sneaky powder-covered bumps compared to traditional skis.

• Performance: The suspension smoothed out the ride, absorbing shocks and reducing fatigue.

While the benefits of ShredShox weren’t as pronounced in smooth powder, the hidden bumps under the surface really highlighted the platform’s capability.

Run 2: Riva’s Ridge (ShredShox Setup)

Riva’s Ridge was a chopped-up mix of fluffy snow, skied-off sections, and bumps. This legendary run’s varying pitches make it a perfect test track.

Observations:

• Conditions: Fun but choppy, with some challenging technical sections.

• Performance: The ShredShox setup handled the mix with ease, making transitions between conditions feel smoother.

By the time I reached Golden Peak, I felt fresh and ready to compare with the control skis.

Run 3: Over Yonder (Control Skis)

Switching to the wider, longer Atomic Bent Chetler 110s, I headed back to Over Yonder for a direct comparison.

Observations:

• Impact: The wider platform floated well but didn’t absorb those surprise bumps as effectively. The impacts were sharper and more noticeable.

• Fatigue: The lack of suspension required more effort to manage the terrain.

Run 4: Whiskey Jack to Northwoods (Control Skis)

On Whiskey Jack, I felt every rut and bump. By the time I reached Northwoods, I was carving through crud with more effort than before.

Observations:

• Chatter: Ice patches and variable snow caused significant chatter, which the ShredShox had previously smoothed out.

• Effort: My heart rate averaged 110 bpm compared to 100 bpm on the ShredShox setup—a clear indication of the added physical demand.

Final Test: Riva’s Ridge (Control Skis)

On my final run, the bumps had grown larger, and the difference was stark. The ShredShox noticeably reduced chatter and absorbed impacts, allowing me to ski more efficiently and with less fatigue.

Key Takeaways:

• Powder: If you’re a powder purist, the gains from ShredShox may be subtle.

• Chop & Crud: For skiers who transition from morning powder to afternoon chop, ShredShox is a game-changer.

• Fatigue Reduction: The suspension reduces physical strain, making longer days on the mountain more enjoyable.

Tagline of the Day:

“ShredShox: Back Bowls Ready, Frontside Ninja on a Pow Day!”

Closing Thoughts:

Today’s 15-inch powder day at Vail confirmed that the ShredShox platform excels in variable conditions. From the hidden bumps in the back bowls to the chopped-up frontside runs, the suspension system delivered smoother, more controlled skiing. If your ski days include tackling mixed terrain after the freshies are gone, ShredShox might just be your ultimate companion.