Let’s cut the fluff. The ski industry is full of robots who can spin to win in a park but look like absolute Jerries the second they hit variable variable snow. Then there’s Cole Richardson. If you haven't been paying attention to this guy, wake up. He rips, but more importantly, he’s bringing a level of creativity to big mountain lines that we haven't seen since the early days of the Nimbus crew.
The Salomon Shift
News dropped that Cole has officially signed with Salomon. This isn't just another logo on a helmet; it’s a strategic alignment. Salomon has been pushing their "Blank" collective hard, focusing on the artistic side of freeride rather than just stopwatch racing or FIS point chasing. Cole fits this mold perfectly. He treats the mountain like a canvas, not a racecourse.
For those of us who obsess over ski construction, this partnership makes sense. To ski the way Cole does—massive pillow stacks, natural feature jibs, and high-consequence lines—you need equipment that is damp enough to charge but playful enough to butter.
The Gear Check
If you think you can emulate Richardson’s style on a pair of stiff, traditional camber race skis, you’re going to have a bad time. You need a platform that floats in the deep stuff but engages when you hit the inevitable crust layer underneath.
Here is the kit you need to even think about riding lines like this:
- The Daily Driver: You need a waist width around 112mm for true backcountry versatility. The Salomon QST Blank Skis are the weapon of choice here. They have the stability to stomp heavy landings but the rocker profile to slash speed when you're in tight trees.
- The Binding: If you are touring for your lines (which you should be), don't compromise safety for weight. The Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC Bindings are the only hybrid bindings I trust to hold me in when I'm maching through chop.
- The Boots: You can't drive a fat ski with a slipper. Get a boot with a progressive flex. The Salomon Shift Pro 130 Boots give you the range of motion for the ascent without folding like a lawn chair on the descent.
Creativity vs. Consequence
Richardson talks a lot about creativity and ski movies in his latest interviews. It’s easy to get caught up in the visuals—the slow-mo powder clouds and the effortless 360s. But let me remind you: the backcountry doesn't care about your Instagram edit.
Creativity in the mountains requires a solid foundation of safety and snow science. You can't be creative if you're buried. Cole’s progression is built on calculated risk, not blind hucking. When you see these pros interpreting a face in a new way, remember that they have likely spent hours analyzing the snowpack and runout zones before dropping in.
If you want to progress, take a page out of Cole's book: stop looking at the mountain as a series of obstacles to survive, and start looking at it as a playground to interpret. Just make sure you have the skills—and the right gear—to back it up.
Source: Original story reported by Powder.com
