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Michael Kern

Skier // Camper/Hiker // Biker // Alpine Skier // AT Skier // Telemark Skier // Sport Climber // Mountain Biker // Road Biker

Michael Kern: #4,446 of 167,331 More Information

25 Reviews:

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6 Yes

0 Questions:

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11 Answers:

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1 Yes

0 Photos:

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0 Videos:

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2 Comments:

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0 Wishlists:

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  • Stomping Grounds:

    SLC and beyond
  • Bio:

    I am a designer who wishes he was a pro skier.

    http://www.welikesmall.com

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Rossignol S7 Barras Ski

January 5, 2010

This is the ski for you, once you get past the playfulness. I have found these to be far more versatile than any ski I have ever owned before, and that includes both gotama's and the much lauded JJ's. If you need stiffer get the Super S7's but these skis really are unbelievable.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Rossignol S7 Barras Ski

January 5, 2010

My buddy had these mounted both at true center which I believe is +6 and he hated it... then he mounted them at 0 and it was tolerable but they are a little soft behind the boot for a teleski... I would go with the Mancini version of these which I believe is a bit stiffer underfoot and behind the boot.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Rossignol Super S7 Ski

January 5, 2010

As a bigger guy, if you are an expert skier, I would go with the Super S7. But it really depends on whether you like soft or stiff skis. I have skied everything from EP Pro's which are about as soft as you can get to Stockli's and finding the balance is all about testing skis and feeling what you like. But my hunch is the Super S7's are the better all around tool for you.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Smith Variant Brim Helmet

January 5, 2010

I actually like the brim b/c it allows me to lock my goggles on a little better without the fear of them falling off from being too loose.

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Super solid

Smith Variant Brim Helmet

Smith Variant Brim Helmet

Rating for this product: 5 January 5, 2010

I love the vent system and the new school look with old school functionality. Best of both worlds. It's very comfortable, and works great with the audio kit. I love the adjustment system on it which is similar to a well made bike helmet. Googles also fit nicely on it.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Well made

The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag - 2560-4395cu in

The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag - 2560-4395cu in

Rating for this product: 5 January 5, 2010

This is a classic north face duffle. The topo design is super cool. Most importantly it travel super well and works for all sorts of gear. The backpack straps are bomber, and what really make this thing super versatile.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Good for a day

Black Diamond Covert Avalung Winter Pack - 1343-1953cu in

Black Diamond Covert Avalung Winter Pack - 1343-1953cu in

Rating for this product: 4 January 5, 2010

Great daytrip pack. This is a huge improvement over the old BD backpacks which were for lack of a better word.... Junk. It's comfy and easy to access everything. I wish there was an external quick release shovel mount but it is very comfortable and having an avalung just in case is a definite nice to have.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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My favorite Jacket

Norrøna Lyngen CLO 100 Insulated Jacket - Men's

Norrøna Lyngen CLO 100 Insulated Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 January 5, 2010

This jacket is super light and can be packed down into it's on pocket and used as a pillow. It breathes really well, and is perfect under a lightweight ski shell. Feels strange skiing b/c you feel naked but are completely warm. Perfect product.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Nice pants....

Norrøna Røldal Gore-Tex Perf. Shell Insulated Pant - Men's

Norrøna Røldal Gore-Tex Perf. Shell Insulated Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 January 5, 2010

I have been using these all season and they are holding up really well. Typically I get tears in the cuff area, from doing grabs or drops, and these pants are bulletproof. They are extremely comfortable, lightweight, and stylish. Plus it's easy for people to see the Neon Orange so my buddies have no problem finding me. They do have a fairly slim fit... not emo... but slim.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Skiing

Norrøna Lyngen Softshell Jacket - Men's

Norrøna Lyngen Softshell Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 3 January 5, 2010

I have been using this as my AT shell, and it works great thus far. It's made really we but at this point I am a bit skeptical of the long term quality. I have it paired with a down inner jacket and it has been warm enough but so far it has only gotten light use. Have noticed some loose threads

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Rossignol Super S7 Ski

January 5, 2010

I personally like a true center ski... and have been having a great time on these mounted at +3

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Rossi Super S7

Rossignol Super S7 Ski

Rossignol Super S7 Ski

Rating for this product: 5 January 5, 2010

I am skiing both these and the regular S7's, and they are the perfect complimentary tool. Every line that you think might be not quite right for the S7, these are perfect for. With added stiffness and a similar flex pattern, you are not learning a whole new ski, you are just getting a better tool for the job. The one drawback is that they are heavy... but they are the most fun point and go ski on the market.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

2 Comments

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5 years = Done

Backcountry Access Tracker DTS Beacon

Backcountry Access Tracker DTS Beacon

Rating for this product: 3 July 20, 2009

This beacon is great and easy to use but I do question the reliability. Mine just hit 5 years and died. Not sure if anyone else has had these problems but I have to say I was very disappointed. I looked at several other beacons but have decided to wait to see what the Tracker 2 looks like and how it performs. Heard it was on delay b/c they could not get the new builds to be reliable, hopefully they can get it together.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Marker Duke Ski Binding

July 20, 2009

Get these. The freerides are not even close, if you want to do long tours look into Naxo's. These are the choice for steep sidecountry!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Bomber

Marker Duke Ski Binding

Marker Duke Ski Binding

Rating for this product: 5 July 20, 2009

The only negative which has been said plenty is the weight but these things are very high quality. Not always the easiest to get hooked up in steeps but when you are coming down they are simply the best. I take this same mentality when biking. I am okay if it takes a little longer to get up if I have the added reliability when charging, and these things definitely give me that. I have dropped cliffs in the 20 to 50 foot range on these and they have held up. Absolutely love them. They work best for sidecountry... for long tours get a different setup.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Mediocre

Volkl Chopstick Alpine Ski

Volkl Chopstick Alpine Ski

Rating for this product: 2 July 20, 2009

They have definitely been a hot ski on Tramdock this post season but I really did not find these skis exciting. They did a worse job at float then both my S7's, and Armada ARG's, they just didn't live up to what I thought they would be. Also felt like they were very one dimensional.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Armada ARG Alpine Ski

July 20, 2009

I skied both of these this past year and I think the answer above is a little overrated. I would only go with this ski if you are going to be somewhere it is dumping constantly. I really liked the JJ's and found them to be much more dimensional.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Rocked these for half a season

Armada ARG Alpine Ski

Armada ARG Alpine Ski

Rating for this product: 3 July 20, 2009

I found these skis to be really fun but not as versatile as others. They were very powder specific. They felt kinda like spatulas to me. A very one sided tool. They were fun but not as much fun as the EP Pros, or as versatile as JJ's or S7s

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Rossignol S7 Caballero Alpine Ski

July 18, 2009

I have dukes on these and they are fine... they can be a bit dicey on the steeps but they work.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Rossignol S7 Caballero Alpine Ski

July 18, 2009

I would go with the 176. I am an aggressive skier with 188s and am 6'1" and these feel perfect for me with just a touch of playfulness.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Rossignol S7 Caballero Alpine Ski

July 18, 2009

These are much more versatile than the obseth's. They ski like armada JJ's with a lot more refinement. I found that they hold a line better than anything else I have ever skied in the deep.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Nice I like.

The North Face XTC Midweight Crew - Men's

The North Face XTC Midweight Crew - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 July 18, 2009

In the winter I often wear just this midweight under my jacket and call it a day. It is the best wicking item I own.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Most comfortable fleece ever

The North Face Momentum Hybrid 1/4 Zip - Men's

The North Face Momentum Hybrid 1/4 Zip - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 July 18, 2009

I love this thing and wear it all the time in the winter. It is very comfortable. The wife loves it too b/c it is extra soft. Get one.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Good poles. Great service.

Scott Team Issue Series 4 Ski Poles

Scott Team Issue Series 4 Ski Poles

Rating for this product: 5 July 18, 2009

Poles were great... but backcountry was out of the leather straps when I got them, so I was a little bummed. Contacted Scott and the marketing rep sent me a pair on the spot. Here's to a great customer service oriented company. However, I left them in the parking lot at the bird in a pile of slush this spring... if anyone has them please bring them back!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Nice camera

V.I.O. POV.1 Camera Package

V.I.O. POV.1 Camera Package

Rating for this product: 4 July 18, 2009

The camera is not perfect but it is the most bomb proof I have ever seen. We use it for all kinds of odd situations and it has been working out great for us. The quality could be better but rumor has it they will be releasing an HD cam next year.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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No more shin bang

Full Tilt Konflict Ski Boot - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 July 18, 2009

These boots are amazing, I never get shinbang any more and very rarely put on my boot heaters. I will say I have jammed my big toe in them pretty bad but I will take that once a season over not being able to ski. They are extremely light and are great to hike in.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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It was free with a Nuun

Nuun Water Bottle

Nuun Water Bottle

Rating for this product: 2 July 18, 2009

Don't drink too hard from it or it sprays all over you. I prefer the camelbak bottles as they never leak

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Very good for my second bottle

Nuun Nuun Tube - 8 Pack

Nuun Nuun Tube - 8 Pack

Rating for this product: 5 July 18, 2009

I use Nuun in my second bottle when riding and tend to dilute it a bit to avoid getting a upset stomach but it works great. Just don't overdo it.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Pink

Castelli Prologo Half-ZipJersey - Short-Sleeve - Women's

Castelli Prologo Half-ZipJersey - Short-Sleeve - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 July 18, 2009

We got these in pink for the tour de cure for our team b/c we were in a hurry and hey who can't find pink in a crowd?We got lots of compliments on them and I really liked the pockets. Here's to Italian style!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Pink

Castelli Premura Cycling Jersey - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 July 18, 2009

We got these in pink for the tour de cure for our team b/c we were in a hurry and hey who can't find pink in a crowd?We got lots of compliments on them and I really liked the pockets. Here's to Italian style!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Good looking

Oakley Seth Morrison Signature Crowbar Goggle

Rating for this product: 5 May 11, 2009

Came to these from Wisdom's which were way too big for my face. These offer a nice balance and still keep my peripheral vision. Just try not to lose them.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Once you go Hestra you never go back

Hestra Seth Morrison Pro Model Glove

Hestra Seth Morrison Pro Model Glove

Rating for this product: 5 May 11, 2009

This is my third pair of Hestra gloves, I strayed for a bit but came back and bought these. These gloves are simply amazing, comfortable, warm, super flexible. The one drawback might be that the cuff is not a little longer but its pretty minor.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Once you go Hestra you never go back

Hestra Seth Morrison Pro Model Glove

Hestra Seth Morrison Pro Model Glove

Rating for this product: 5 May 11, 2009

This is my third pair of Hestra gloves, I strayed for a bit but came back and bought these. These gloves are simply amazing, comfortable, warm, super flexible. The one drawback might be that the cuff is not a little longer but its pretty minor.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Blown Away

Rossignol S7 Caballero Alpine Ski

Rating for this product: 5 May 11, 2009

I had been skiing both Armada ARG's and Armada JJ's, this ski replaced both. Rossi has truly taken a step up in my book, they seem to hold every single line you put them on, and have just enough stiffness under foot and in the tail to stomp sketchier lines, but still float with easy in deep pow. The best all around one quiver ski for the West.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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