officiel : proto Candide/ Cr Johnson

You were skiing on Solomon's halfpipe specific prototype ski in the X-Games. How were they different than you're your regular 1080s?

The design has a thinner tip and tail so that the ski can cut through the air better for tricks. The tails have a certain flex that provides a lot of pop, because in the halfpipe you load your tails and eject off the wall. I think one of the reasons (fellow Solomon Team Rider) Candide and I were going so big is because of the tail flex. The flex of the base is basically a race base as well, so it makes for faster transition riding. So if you ask me, it's the way the tail loads up on the wall. If you ask the designers, they'll say it's the race base.

Snowboard manufacturers are making halfpipe-specific snowboards. Is there a market for halfpipe specific skis?

You know, I don't think there is. The first prototype that Solomon made was strictly for the halfpipe. It really wasn't good for all-around skiing. The second prototype had the same theory, but it was a better all-around 1080. I do think there will be developments that will make skis better in the pipe. Manufacturers just have to be careful not to take too much away from all-around performance.