February began in Munich, Germany, at the ISPO trade show for the MFD crew. As the ski industry seemed to be scrambling to keep up with the demands of the hard-core ‘free-touring’ market, the MFD ALLTIME stood alone as the only real bomber option that tied all the elements of downhill and alpine skiing together. Jason Prigge, founder and brainchild of MFD, commented after the show: ”It’s amazingly simple.  The MFD ALLTIME is able to give skiers a better AT option just by letting them use their existing alpine bindings.”

After a few nights of liter-mugs of beer and roasted chickens at the Hofbrauhaus, the MFD boys headed out to Davos, Switzerland, to the MFD Euro command center.

Putting the product to the test in the most perfect conditions in the Alps for a week was the plan and things could not have been better. With overnight temperatures sinking the mercury to -22°C ( -5°F!), the extremely fat snowpack caked the pillow lines and steep faces, and boys wasted no time getting the goods. Starting with a few hikes just beyond the area boundaries at Jakobshorn and dropping 3,500-foot pow lines, the legs were warmed up and the motivation soared. Day two and three were epic, as the crew wasted no time in jumping on the early gondola at Rinerhorn, heading up on the frigid T-bar up to the alpine and started walking up to the frosty pow spines around the Alpihorn massif. Fresh tracks, face-shots and sluff-management were the themes, as the MFD crew proceeded to open new lines in the Davos back- and side-country.

“This place is so optimal for using the MFD ALLTIME,” said Dave McReynolds, global Sales Manager for MFD. “There are numerous descents just an hour or two walk from the myriad of lifts, and the lines accessed are almost AK-style, so it’s nice to have your alpine bindings under your feet when dropping into these steep-ass spines!”

Mountain-guides and freeriders alike all gaped at the binding set-ups they saw on our fat skis in the lift-lines and buses. And the notoriously conservative touring mentality of the ‘skinny-ski with lightweight bindings set-up’ seemed to be a bit altered when they realized where we had gone and they gazed off at the tracks we’d left on the adjacent hills.
 
MFD Euro Mission 2012… Total success in more ways than one!
 
Schmitten (GR), Switzerland.
Feb. 5, 2012

Finally… we get the right conditions for an early morning Mt. Superior assault. The recent storm cycle in Little Cottonwood Canyon dropped 3.5 feet over the last three days. Even more amazing is that it came in cold with light winds and somehow bonded ridiculously well to our year long fragile snowpack. 

Apparently people with Subarus like to get up early.

LCC, 6am start. Typically a late start for heading up to Superior, but with the recent time change and plans to move fast we are just about right on time. 

It snowed another 4” overnight and right away we can tell the snow is going to be light as air. Our ski poles move through the snow like it’s not even there.

It gets steep. The MFD ALLTIMES get put into 14 degree. We are making great time —  overtaking a few other parties that got out before us — just as planned. Then, half-way up to Mt. Superior, the cold air that brought us the 2% duff overnight decides to work against me and one of my skins wants nothing to do with my ski anymore. Skin failure ensues, some time is lost, but I quickly send my angry skin to “time out” inside my jacket that is now acting more like a sauna (a direct effect from post holing). Somehow, this works and I manage to heat up my snow skin enough to get it to stick again. Damage has been done, but I don’t end up losing too many places on the skin track. 

Mt. Superior Summit with Alta and Snowbird staring back across the road

2 hours in we get to the top and get lucky. The clouds that hovered over Superior all morning break up and we are treated to a full blue sky morning. 

Harrison Brickman at the top with Monte Cristo in the background. There are a few parties ahead of us on Superior, so a different route down the skier’s left side of Monte Cristo is discussed (it’s not settled enough for the ramp in the background today).  Tempting, but I know Supes is going to be deep and I convince him to stick to the plan.

Superior -- looking in

Fortunately, there is still tons of room on the upper ramps of Superior. Looking down it looks good, but the first turn reveals that it’s deep. Really deep. Stability feels great and the snow is so light it seems to just hit us in the face and float right back down to its previous home. Only our fall line troughs are left to be seen. 

We near the bottom skiing into morning sun – the snow crystals are firing and it feels like we’re in outer space. 

High fives go wild at the road. One of the deepest Supes ever. But it’s still cold and clear so we move quickly and carry on with our plan to access more backcountry pow off Alta Ski area.

Backside at Alta

It’s still only 9:30, the lifts just cracked and all of Alta is covered with a fresh coat of white paint – It’s blue and not a bump in sight. Tempting, but we stick with our agenda. 

Alta Java saves the day again

A quick stop by Alta Java to combat the early morning wake up and we are off to Alta’s Supreme lift, under the forest service rope back beyond the piste.  Thanks Alta for the 2000 ft bump…

Rocky Point

It doesn’t take long to get sessioned on days like this.  Backcountry jib capital of Alta – Rocky Point – in all it’s glory.

Another 30 minute skin and we transition into the Freeride backcountry capital of Alta, Wolverine Cirque. It’s heating up now, but nowhere near the norm for a bluebird day in March. Still blower at 11am. 

Wolvie, seeing new features by the minute.

Time to head back up and someone decided it would be good to wreck Tips and Tails Chute by setting a skin/boot track up it. We curse their name, but our exit for the day back to Alta will be Patsy Marley on the backside of Wolverine Cirque. To be fair, whoever desecrated this legendary straight line did shred it first (but still…).  Regardless, the damage is done. So we swallow our pride and opt for the path of least resistance back up to the top.  

Harrison's first time "up" Tips and Tails Chute

Back at the top by noon. West/northwest facing Patsy is still holding cold.  

Dave Steiner using his MFD ALLTIMES in locked mode

We drop back in one more time. With one last flurry of face shots to the dome. We descend back into the boundaries of Alta Ski Area. 

LCC delivered it up today. Finally…

Mt. Superior from Alta

Chirouze Goodness | Photo: Andy Brooks

“Business As Usual In La Grave…But Better!”

Touring up to the Pan | Photo: Andy Brooks

Preparing to ski cut the traverse. | Photo: Andy Brooks

Nothing really new in here in La Grave this winter. Same old 2000-mter powder runs down couloirs, glaciers and trees. The days all melt together because each one just gets better than the next. Yet, every year just gets better than the next. The never ending learning keeps the novelty as well as the appreciation and enjoyment of full-on north facing fall line…high. This years expansion in ski consciousness has been boosted by a good, good dose of  MFD ALLTIME. Finally, the ultimate off-the-lift touring device has shown up perfectly to further augment a big year.

I can’t even count the epic days riding the telepherique this year. Maybe I don’t want to…so I’ll just say that my last day was the best one yet, like always. Dan Caruso’s buddies Andy and Kim were in town and he asked me to show them around a bit. I think we all had a day to remember. Fifty centimeters of fresh, barely any wind, filled in to the bottom, and minus-20 just about everywhere.

Dropping into the Middle Kingdom for last light | Photo: Andy Brooks

First run we hit the opening of the glacier T-bar to rip one down to the road on the classic Girouse right. The Pan de Rideau was looking sooooo inviting we just had to check it out next run. This is the ultimate run for the ALLTIME’s because you have a half-hour tour before sticking it out across the steep traverse to get to the 50 degree face entrance to the glacier below. Today however, the entrance remained rather sketchy as it had the whole year. It had been skied only twice so far in hard conditions, which had fully gripped the hearty souls who had dared venture. Worse was that there was new snow blown into a slab covering the rocky scenario of the traverse.

Dropping in to punch the track in with Andy belaying me, I immediately kicked off a two-layer slab that rumbled down the throat of the Ygrek couloir below. After regrouping at an anchor point, we weren’t feeling it and backed out. Not the usual move, but the right one. Several days later Joe Vallone burled 45 minutes through the rest of the traverse and then danced over a bad slab on the face, ripped out the exit to the ice and navigated the convoluted bergshrund for the glacier powder prize. Glad I wasn’t there but hey, Joe’s on fire these days.

Speaking of Joe, that’s who we met last run. After refreshments with the usual suspects at the 3200 restaurant, he invited us down the infamous “Middle Line.” It was getting late and after organizing enough rope for the two big rappels we raced downwards against the fleeting, but magnificent winter twilight. Fortunately the moon was already out when we completed the spectacular rappels and began skiing the thigh-deep fluff down to the valley. Headlights would have diminished  the experience I think. Back in town at dark tired, blown away.

Nope, nothing new here in La Grave.

—Ptor Spricenieks

All new and current MFD ALLTIMES from the web store at www.runmfd.com now ship with the 2013 MFD ALLTIME switch pivot screw system.  The new screw system features an interlocking screw/aluminum bearing connection that “click” locks in place when tighten.  This system is also the catalyst for our 2013 Switch Plate ski to ski transfer system and will come standard on all 2013 ALLTIME models.  Starting 3/26 we will also be offering the new switch screw system as an upgrade to your existing MFD ALLTIMES.  The swap out is easy to perform by the user.  You will only need a #3 posi-drive type screw driver. 

PIVOT SCREW UPDATE 3/7/12:

Thank you for your support and positive comments regarding the MFD ALLTIME pivot screws. We are pleased to announce that we are now offering replacement screw kits through your local MFD dealer. Even if you haven’t experienced any of the pivot screws loosening on your MFD ALLTIME BINDING system, we intend to eliminate the issue and MFD is offering to swap your existing pivot screws for you at no charge. Visit our dealer page on www.runmfd.com to find and contact your closest local dealer — No matter if you purchased the bindings there or not. If you don’t have a local dealer nearby, unable to make it in or the dealer for some reason can’t assist you, please contact us at info@runmfd.com and we will send you a new screw kit to swap out the new pivot screws with RED Loctite to use on install.  *On another note if you are looking for a backup pivot screw now — M5 x 16mm Flathead machine screws and Loctite can also be found at most good (small) hardware stores (stainless steel w/ 3mm allen drive preferred).

Again, this is a very manageable issue as the MFD ALLTIME is designed to be serviceable and replaceable. Thank you for your continued support of MFD. We will always keep the dialog open. As with any new products there will be updates and improvements along the way. Here’s our way to address any of these and make sure you know all info and tools you need to use your gear to its fullest potential.

(Previous post below)

Front pivot screw loosening:

Due to a few observations we’ve received from skiers using the MFD ALLTIME this season. Note: some customers have experienced seeing one side ONLY of their pivot screws loosen while ski touring. Therefore, we have decided to list this notice to inform our customers. Further, added security can be known in that if this does happen the opposite side screw will still adequately hold you in place to carefully downhill ski back out. We believe this is an isolated issue and a very small percentage of users will actually encounter the issue. Those who have noticed a screw loosening have been able to re-tighten using a 3mm allen wrench or get a replacement screw from MFD and fix the problem. Therefore, by educating our customers we hope to eliminate issues here forward.

“While this pivot screw issue has only been a few isolated instances, we want to make sure our customers are aware of any potential issues with their MFD ALLTIMES,” explains Jason Prigge, President of MFD. “The ALLTIME bindings system has been designed to be extremely serviceable and replaceable to maintain the longevity of the product. In order to do this we are introducing accepted techniques from other sports to keep our products performing at an optimal level at all times. At MFD, we stand behind our products and will always strive to maintain an open dialog with our customers and notify and make available any improvements or upgrades”.

Issue: One side pivot screw loosening during ski touring.

Bright side: This is a very manageable issue. If you notice one of the two front screws loosening upon checking or during ski touring, you can easily tighten the screw with a 3mm allen wrench. Again, this has been isolated to a few instances only. In our opinion, it is an unacceptable inconvenience to some of our customers. However, herein we will aim to address and fix any problems.

Preparation: Very similar to mountain biking preparedness, MFD recommends for (at least) your first few days out on the system, especially first few ski tours with your new ALLTIMES, you carry a 3mm allen wrench. Or the best scenario is to always carry a 3mm allen tool with you at all times. Again, similar to how you would when you go mountain biking

Fix: If you do experience the screw loosening, tighten the screw clockwise using the 3mm allen tool and hand torque tight. This will take care of the issue short term, but our intent is to eliminate the issue and maintenance there of. DO NOT attempt to tighten the screw otherwise if it does not appear loose since the screw is seated with an epoxy lock coating.

Action: If you encounter the issue, please contact MFD at info@runmfd.com and we will coordinate sending you replacement screws and a 3mm allen wrench at no charge. Further, we are in the process of developing a more permanent fix for users who experience the issue. Spare part kits will also soon be available via our website www.runmfd.com.

Area in question:

After nearly three years+ of testing, tweaking and perfecting, MFD’s ALLTIME alpine touring binding has taken the ski industry by storm. The MFD ALLTIME Alpine Touring binding system was specifically designed for freeriders and until now, hard charging skiers had to choose touring bindings that did not perform well enough for their everyday style of skiing. The age-old problem of sacrificing downhill performance to have a touring option plagued skiers. The solution, it seems, has been under our feet the entire time. Enter the MFD ALLTIME: the perfect combination of uphill efficiency and downhill performance.

The MFD ALLTIME binding system gets the job done by creating an accessory AT binding system to add touring function to your standard alpine bindings. It is compatible with most major brands and, once mounted between the ski and the binding, it offers a rugged touring option with optimal skiing performance.

“We knew we had to make an AT binding system that was quick to use, torsionally stiff, and matched the performance of skiers’ existing downhill bindings, all while touring effectively,” said MFD ALLTIME creator and former pro skier Jason Prigge. “Skiers already have bindings they like. Let’s let people use them.”

Receiving applause from every major ski publication’s fall gear guides–and nominated as a finalist for the ISPO Brand New Awards–the MFD ALLTIME is poised to change the skiing experience forever.

Writes Powder Magazine under the headline Two Innovations That Could Change Skiing: “Jason Prigge’s MFD ALLTIME binding looks to be the one-shop clamp quiver … With an ISPO Brand New nomination, a customization option with your trusted alpine clamp of choice, and an innovative product developed and produced in the U.S., MFD ALLTIME could be the quiver call.”

Where many alpine touring bindings on the market attempt to be everything to everybody, they have until now left skiers wanting more–whether it’s being too light duty to hold up to resort skiing or lacking the touring performance and ingenuity of a well designed heel lock and climbing riser system. The MFD ALLTIME comes in with a solution that will keep you charging the hill and flying around the backcountry–all while using your trusted binding of choice.

Additionally, the MFD ALLTIMES drop down channel lowers your boot to the ski achieving the lowest stand height of all high-DIN AT binding systems. The MFD’s Pendulum Pivot allows efficient ski touring while the free-floating heel lock keeps the ski flexing naturally. To top it all off, the ALLTIME’s torsionally strong 0-, 6-, and 14-degree ski pole-activated locking mechanism and climbing riser offers the fastest transition time on the market. All this adds up to give you major benefits that let’s you fly up the hill and ski how you want to once you get there.

MFD ALLTIME Locked / Touring Positions

The MFD ALLTME is quickly becoming the choice for skiing’s top professional athletes. Big names such as Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, Eric Roner, Jason Tattersal, Shroder Baker, Daryl Treadway, Ptor Spricenieks, and Matty Richard endorse and have used the product for the past year. “I have been using the MFD ALLTIME for a year now and my life has changed,” says Sage. Stay tuned as MFD’s official handpicked athlete team is growing daily and will be announced in the weeks to come.

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