Currency of Trust: Meet the CAST Collective

In the backcountry, confidence in your gear is vital. When you’re staring down a 50-degree face or running an avalanche control route before the lifts turn, the only thing that matters is whether your equipment will do exactly what it was engineered to do.

The CAST Collective was formed due to the overwhelming support from the wide range of ski professionals and die-hard skiers. We built it to support the people who live in their boots—the guides, patrollers, instructors, and technical skiers who have total skin in the game. These are the individuals who put their gear through rigorous paces every day. 

The Instructor’s Perspective: Matilde Tentori

Our featured ambassador this month, Matilde Tentori, represents the next generation of freeride precision. Originally from the steep, demanding terrain of Madesimo, Italy, Matilde is currently based in Whistler Blackcomb, where she works as a professional ski instructor.

At 23, Matilde’s focus has shifted from the groomed runs of her youth to the technical complexity of freeride competition. 

"I don’t mind carrying extra weight if it means absolute trust in my equipment," Matilde says. "CAST is the system that lets me ski without compromise. I want the confidence of a true alpine binding when I drop into technical lines. The ability to tour is a tool, but the downhill is always the priority."

Whether she is navigating the technical 3000-meter peaks of Italy or the exposed natural cliffs of Whistler, Matilde relies on the Freetour system to provide the power transfer and reliability needed for high-consequence terrain.

Follow Matilde's journey: @matildetentori

The Backbone of the Ski Industry: Patrol and Guides

For the professionals who keep the mountains running, gear isn't just a preference—it’s a requirement for the job.

  • Justin Tremlin (Senior Manager of Resort Operations, Stevens Pass): Justin's job requires him to ski in all conditions, day and night. After wearing out and breaking multiple pairs of traditional touring bindings, he moved to CAST. "The ability to ski an alpine binding while working gives me the control and confidence I need," he notes.

  • Mike Vakula (Avalanche Dog Handler, Canyons Resort): Mike spends every day on a CAST setup, running control routes and rescue drills. For a patroller, the ability to transition quickly in the field without sacrificing the safety of a trusted alpine binding is the definitive standard.

  • Calvin Davenport (Heli-Ski Guide/Patrol, Silverton, CO): In a place as rugged as Silverton, Calvin needs a binding where reliable step-ins and downhill performance are non-negotiable. "It still blows some of my guests' minds when I tell them, 'Yes, it is a touring binding,'" says Calvin.

The Specialist’s Eye: The Value of Reliability 

Beyond the resort boundaries, our Collective includes specialists who take the Freetour into environments where a pre-release isn't just an inconvenience—it’s a catastrophe.

  • Clark Robinson (Pro Skydiver/BASE Jumper/GC): Based in Salt Lake City, Clark uses the CAST system for missions that combine skiing with parachutes. "There are a lot of missions we do in absolute no-fall zones where a pre-release is just not an option," Clark explains. He trusts the system on his daily drivers because it allows him to maintain a quiver that suits the terrain without compromising on safety.

  • Matt Rolfson (Tuner/Mechanic/Business Owner): Looking at the gear through a mechanic’s lens, Matt highlights the manufacturing of the Freetour 2.0. "The tolerances are tight and give a great mechanical feel when swapping the toes," he says—a testament to the engineering we’ve poured into the new facility.

  • Alex Shuman (Wildland Firefighter): After tearing both ACLs in back-to-back seasons, Alex refused to trust his knees to a pin binding. Moving from a shop tech in Vermont to the mountains of Montana, his philosophy is simple: "People can complain about weight all they want, but all it does is make you stronger."

Total Skin in the Game

The CAST Collective is proof that there is no substitute for field-tested authenticity. We are proud to support this diverse group of professionals who are breaking trail, keeping slopes safe, and pushing the limits of what is possible on skis.

They don't ski CAST because it's the lightest option. They ski it because when the snow gets firm and the line gets steep, trust is the only thing that matters.

If you're an industry professional and would like to help CAST share stories from the mountains, knowledge and product feedback, click here to learn more and apply for the CAST Collective.

Explore the FREETOUR 2.0

 

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