Interview with Avant Skis

Avant Skis Aviator

We recently had an opportunity to interview Ben Callaghan and Joel Nashett of Avant Skis. Both are avid outdoorsmen from the Northern Adirondacks. Joel, originally from Saranac Lake, is a former ski racer, involved with ski cross, cycling, canoeing, hunting and fishing. Ben, from Tupper Lake, is an artist, a long-distance runner, and loves being in the woods, where he skis, camps, hikes, canoes and kayaks. Both are within a handful of summits of completing the 46 High Peaks.

How did Avant begin?

Ben: Avant began on the slopes of Big Tupper. Both Joel and I are inventors. As kids, instead of playing video games, we were out building two-story camps in the woods, making air pressured potato guns out of bike pumps and constantly testing our knowledge of combustion. After we got some proper education in design and engineering, we began researching how to make skis in 2005, and pressed our first pair in 2006.

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The Gear Source in North Creek

Last December, after a Top 10 powder day at Gore, Powderqueen turned me on to a new gear store in North Creek, NY – The Gear Source. They carry new and used gear and the prices are really good. I found a pair of ski boots for our 3-year old for FIVE BUCKS.

I skied Gore on January 8, and I had a tough day for gear. I didn’t go into details in my report, but I think part of that tale is relevant here. There’s a small nut that holds the bail onto the cable of my Targa G3 binding. Over time, that nut/bolt assembly worked it self loose. I found myself on Foxlair, right before the big curve, with only one ski attached. Not fun.

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Scarpa T2X

Scarpa T2xI’ve been eyeing up the Scarpa T2x for two years now. I got a Mountain Gear catalog last night and noticed that they’ve been discontinued. Replaced with something called the T2 ECO — a newer version made out of mazzola instead of dead dinosaurs. “Protect the backcountry while you ski it!” OK.

I truly have no business buying these bad boys. My old T2’s are a little beat but basically ok. I’ve gone to a wider ski (Atomic RT-86) but still, I don’t HAVE to have stiffer boots.

I’m sitting here in the office and I started Googling the T2Xs. Everyone’s got them on sale because they are discontinued. Looking, looking, looking… of course NONE are in my size — a fairly average size 10 foot. Then I find some Wilderness Experience in Colorado – ONE PAIR IN MY SIZE.

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