Evaporative Cooling: What It Is and Why It’s So Important In skiing, physics is everything. It determines what kind of snow falls, its consistency, and how it changes over time once it has fallen on the ground. One big concept that factors into these processes is evaporative cooling. This article will look at evaporative cooling and why it’s so important. Essentially, evaporative cooling describes the cooling of an object due to water […] Brains Clay Malott | October 13, 2022 0 Comments
Gear Review: RAB Khroma Kinetic Kit This past season, I had the opportunity to test RAB’s Khroma Kinetic touring kit. From November to June, I tested this kit in every condition imaginable; from nuking January storm days to cloudless May bluebird days. I’ve broken the review up into 5 sections: fit, uphill performance, protection from the elements, miscellaneous pros/cons, and “the bottom line.” This is my initial, […] Gear Clay Malott | September 5, 2022 1 Comment
SnowBrains Review: Aleck 006 Wireless Helmet Audio This past season, I had the opportunity to test the Aleck 006, Aleck’s new flagship product. In this review, I’ll be evaluating the Aleck 006 system in comfort, sound quality, functionality, and ease of use. Comfort The Aleck 006 is compatible with nearly every modern helmet. These days, most helmets feature pockets in the ear flaps for headphones, so compatibility […] Gear Clay Malott | August 29, 2022 2 Comments
Gear Review: 2022-2023 TGR Higher Cylindrical Goggles This spring, I had the opportunity to test Teton Gravity Research’s brand new Higher Cylindrical Goggles. Over the course of roughly 20 days, I was able to thoroughly experience these goggles’ performance in absolutely every condition imaginable, from bluebird sunny days to stormy whiteouts. In this review, I’ll be evaluating the goggles in both fit and performance. Fit Straight out of […] Gear Clay Malott | August 28, 2022 0 Comments
Gear Review: 2022-2023 Scarpa 4-Quattro XT Boot This review was written by Jeff Jacka; Snoqualmie Pass, Washington. This spring, I had the opportunity to test out Scarpa’s new 4-Quattro boot series (pizza, anyone?), specifically the XT, the beefiest boot in the new lineup. As SnowBrains has done in the past, this review is broken up into several sections: initial impressions, fit, uphill performance, downhill performance, miscellaneous pros/cons, […] Gear Clay Malott | August 22, 2022 0 Comments
SnowBrains Forecast: First Significant Snow of the Season on Tap For Colorado This Weekend Forecast written by Clay Malott on August 18th, 2022, 10 pm PST Late this week and weekend, a weak low-pressure system will move through Colorado, bringing the first significant snowfall of the 2022-2023 season. The snowfall will be relegated to points mostly above 14,000 feet, although snowflakes are possible at times down to 13,000 feet. Related: First Snow of the […] Weather Clay Malott | August 18, 2022 0 Comments
DPS 2022-2023 Dreamtime Event Starts Today DPS Skis has kicked off its annual Dreamtime event today (July 25) until August 10, ushering in its next generation of equipment along with its only sale of the year. Here’s your guide for all-things-Dreamtime. Starting off with some of DPS’ new limited-edition products. DPS’ Powderworks skis are released in limited quantities once a year during Dreamtime and their unique […] Industry News Clay Malott | July 25, 2022 0 Comments
SnowBrains Forecast: 1+ Foot Possible for New Zealand This Week Early this week, a strong winter storm will push through New Zealand, dumping 1+ feet at many resorts around the country. The highest totals will be located on along the eastern central mountains on the southern island. Accumulation will begin on the northern island on Monday morning into the afternoon. Since the storm system is carrying significant air and moisture from […] Weather Clay Malott | July 23, 2022 1 Comment
Where Does Wildfire Smoke Go? Year after year, it seems like wildfire season is a perennial experience shared by millions in the Western United States. Millions upon millions of tons of smoke and ash drift into the atmosphere, causing hazy skies, electric red sunsets, and stiflingly poor air quality. However, what happens to this smoke? Does it circulate in the atmosphere forever? Does it magically vanish? Related: […] Fire Clay Malott | July 21, 2022 1 Comment
SnowBrains Forecast: 30+ Inches on Tap For South America This Weekend A powerful winter storm is currently hammering South America. By early next week, most resorts should have totals ranging between 20 and 40 inches, building on what has already been an impressive start to their season. An exceptionally strong low-pressure system is sitting just off the southern tip of Argentina, allowing cold air to pool in Chile and Argentina […] Weather Clay Malott | July 19, 2022 0 Comments
Preview: WNDR Alpine 2023 Lineup This week, WNDR Alpine unveiled its 2023 lineup. WNDR is well known as the industry leader in sustainability and environmentally friendly engineering, so it’s always cool to see what new products they’ve been cooking up in the lab over the past year! I’m a big fan of WNDR Alpine’s skis after having tested the Vital 100 Camber and Reverse Camber models, […] Industry News Clay Malott | July 18, 2022 0 Comments
5 Largest Ski Resort Vertical Drops in the World Skiing is fueled by vertical: without elevation and pitch, the greatest sport on Earth would not be possible. When skiers think about vertical drops, Revelstoke typically comes to mind. Revelstoke, located in interior British Columbia, boasts a whopping 5,620-ft of skiable elevation. However, surprisingly, several European resorts put Revelstoke’s vertical to shame. #5: 7,283′ – Alpe d’Huez, France #4: 7,283′ – Les 2 […] Brains Clay Malott | June 21, 2022 3 Comments
Gear Review: Pomoca Climb 2.0 Skins This spring, I had the opportunity to test the Pomoca Climb 2.0 skins. I’ve been a huge fan of Pomoca skins since switching from another brand in 2019, so I was super excited to get on a new pair this spring! I was able to test the Climb 2.0s over 11 days this spring, where I was able to test them […] Gear Clay Malott | June 20, 2022 2 Comments
Gear Review: Outdoor Research RadiantX Gloves This past season, I had the opportunity to test the Outdoor Research RadiantX gloves. In my opinion, gloves are often an afterthought to more prominent layers like jackets and pants. However, gloves are one of the only layers that can truly either make or break a day, so having a good pair is incredibly important for having fun in the […] Gear Clay Malott | June 19, 2022 0 Comments
Gear Review: Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Kit This past season, I had the opportunity to test Outdoor Research’s new Skytour AscentShell kit. I’ve broken the review up into 5 sections: fit, uphill performance, protection from the elements, miscellaneous pros/cons, and “the bottom line.” This is my initial, unbiased review of the kit – both the shell and the bibs. Reviewer Stats: Name: Clay Malott Days with the Skytour […] Gear Clay Malott | June 18, 2022 0 Comments
Satellites: The Secret Weapon of Modern Weather Forecasting Satellite observations are a vital component of modern weather forecasting. By providing a bird’s eye view of the atmosphere, satellites give forecasters a much better understanding of the large-scale weather patterns that impact our daily lives. One of the most important applications of satellite data is in the development of numerical weather prediction models. These models are used to forecast […] Clay Malott | June 3, 2022 3 Comments
Trip Report: Mt. Shasta Summit and Ski With Blackbird Mountain Guides Report from 29th & 30th May 2022 Over the long weekend, I had the pleasure of climbing and skiing Mt. Shasta with Blackbird Mountain Guides, based in Truckee, California. Blackbird has an excellent track record of safe, successful summits, so I was super excited to join a guided trip to the summit. After spending the night in Redding on Saturday, […] Clay Malott | June 2, 2022 1 Comment
Gear Review: 2021-2022 WNDR Alpine Vital 100 Last season, I had the pleasure of testing the 2020-2021 WNDR Alpine Vital 100 Camber ski. That was among my favorite skis that I tested last season; so much so that I came back for more this season. I had the opportunity to test the updated version of the ski in a reverse camber configuration, which presents various pros and cons […] Gear Clay Malott | May 22, 2022 0 Comments
Round Top, CA – Crescent Moon Couloir Report: Great Line, Great Snow, Great Weather, Great Day! Report from Saturday 14th May, 2022 Inspired by Miles’ descent of the Crescent a few days ago, we made the four-hour haul up to South Lake Tahoe on Friday night to ski Round Top’s Crescent Moon Couloir on Saturday. The last time I skied the Crescent was in March 2020. It felt great to be back in that zone. We […] Trip Report Clay Malott | May 14, 2022 0 Comments
Rossignol Essential: The World’s First Recyclable Ski In celebration of Earth Day today, 4/22, Rossignol unveiled the world’s first-ever recyclable ski: the Essential. The Essential lineup will be available in limited quantities for the 2022-2023 season. Related: Chris Davenport and Bode Miller’s Daily Driver: SCARPA’s New 4-Quattro Series Boots According to Rossignol, more than 75% of the ski is 100% recyclable. So how do they do it? The ski […] Industry News Clay Malott | April 22, 2022 2 Comments
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