G3 Ski Reviews with Ruedi Beglinger

Ski mountaineering and testing a spanking new ski brand? Doesn't sound like a bad way to spend a winter. Just ask Ruedi Beglinger.

Beglinger, founder of Selkirk Mountain Experience, had the opportunity to put the G3 Baron through the wringer. He spent more than 150 days on them; skiing his home turf in British Columbia's northern Selkirk Mountains as well as the Saint Elias Mountain Range and the Alps.

Certified by UIAGM and ACMG, Beglinger begins his 30th year of guiding this season, which also marks Selkirk Mountain Experience's 20th year of operation.

Before giving a slide show presentation at Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder, Colorado, Ruedi took some time to chat with G3 News about his experience on the Baron last season.

What was your initial reaction to the Baron?

My first reaction, my first time on the Baron was in very beautiful snow in the Selkirks. I felt that the ski was extremely smooth with super easy turning. I concentrated on the smoothness of the ski, how it performed in super short turns and how it could be pulled at speed. The Baron was unbelievably stable and calm, which surprised me because skis of these dimensions can be unstable.
I had initially skied it as a high-end skier would. So then I spent some time skiing as a low-end skier would - legs more apart, a little in the backseat - and the ski still performed. It was very forgiving. The Baron covers a wide range of skiers.
I always felt that a ski tip should be less than 114 millimeters. When Paul told me that they would be 116mm, I thought, "Oh, no." But it turns out they're just fine.

How effective was the Baron in particularly harsh snow conditions?

I encountered lots of horrible snow last season. Some of the worst conditions I've ever seen in the Alps. Not a lack of snow, but snow followed by too much sun.
I was skiing with Paul Parker on Tödi (in Switzerland), generally considered one of the most technically difficult lines in the Alps, almost a 10,000-foot descent. About this much snow fell (His hand hovered near his waist) and the next the sun came out. Put a thick crust on this new snow. A deep crust. Just horrible conditions. But the skis still performed. They would hold a straight line and turn when I needed them to, which is important because there are many crevasses, you can't just turn when you want to turn.
In terrible crust like that, there's a tendency for skis to track outward. But with just slight pressure on the skis inside edge, they held. Did well with jump turns too. The ski lets you jump and then responds with a pop. You can get out of the crust quick. Ice as well. We had some pretty severe ice conditions, but the ski definitely held a nice edge; didn't get chattery.
A terrible snow experience, but the ski held its own. Fast and efficient skiing in horrible conditions.

What length ski did you test?
I tested the 184, I asked for something shorter-177 centimeters-for steep skiing, but I couldn't get them. But the 184 skied short when needed. For spring steeps in the Selkirks, they skied short just as well. You can ski the ski short and long. Very versatile but with a high performance value.

How did the Baron climb?
You know how when you're skinning across a steep face and your bottom ski smears out on you? Didn't happen so much with the Baron. It kept a positive edge for a good, clean cut when cutting the trail.

Who would you recommend the ski to?
I'm putting them in to my rental program. We tend to have a high-level of skier. But I'm totally comfortable putting all levels of skiers on this ski. A skier just coming from in-bounds skiing, or a telemark skier who wants to try alpine, anybody.

Paul Parker's previous ski project, Tua, was known for its, and I'll use quotes here because it's been overused, "sweet, round flex." Can purchasers of G3 skis expect to find some similarities?
To some degree. Paul always had to convince Tua about his ski ideas and design. With G3, Oliver gave him free range to build what he wanted. For the first time, he was able to do exactly what he wanted with the ski design. They've done a tremendous job. Paul was very critical. He wanted them to be correct. During our four-day trip on Tödi, we talked about the skis, that's all we talked about. The only thing.

Why would you recommend the Baron?
That ski reached what I had been looking for from a ski company. And I'm very critical. Finally a ski where I wouldn't hesitate to put anybody in this store on them.

What ski will you spend the majority of your time on this season?
The Baron and the Reverend.