Alpine Archery is celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year. Alpine Archery has been a leader in innovation, technology and engineering and with last years’ introduction of Alpine’s Silverado Velocitec Cam System, refined by Alpine engineers, Alpine has raised the bar once again on effectiveness, speed and the draw and release are smooth and quiet.

Many manufacturers list arrow speeds as 350 feet per second (fps) IBO with a 70 lb. draw weight, 350-grain arrow, 30” draw; this, obviously, is performance in optimum staged performance settings. Most practical hunting setups won’t produce such astronomical speeds, but the IBO rating gives a basis for comparison.

With the Silverado’s Velocitec Cam System, a licensed hybrid technology, the cables do not attach to the limbs, and the dual cams, although very different, have dual payout grooves to balance the load. The upper Velocitec Control Cam gives the Silverado a smooth draw and minimal recoil. The lower Velocitec Power Cam generates arrow velocity; giving the Silverado it’s IBO rating of 325 fps and delivers 80 ft pounds of kinetic energy. The Silverado, at 32” long with a brace height of 7.25, is built around Alpine’s modular riser, the limbs are anchored in place by VX Pocket Technology, and the cams are fitted with Fast Trac Ball Bearings. The Silverado Sabre tapes in at 34” with a brace height of 7 inches. Both weigh in at a little over 4 lbs with an 80% let-off and a draw length of 27-30 inches. The draw is smooth and the speed is sensational.

The Alpine Avalanche, which is fitted from top to bottom with Alpine’s own Vibration Dampers and maintains a shorter axle-to-axle length of 31 “ and a brace height of 6.25 ft and is rated at 310 fps IBO Since I am 5’ 4” and weigh in at 110 pounds my draw length is a mere 26 inches and I pull, on average, 40 lbs. The Avalanche fit my height well; it was comfortable to carry through thick brush and was not as cumbersome as some of the bows with a larger brace length. As far as the performance of the bow, I was truly impressed. The bow shot quietly and smoothly; the arrow trajectory was smooth and straight allowing for accuracy at a greater distance. There was very little recoil or noise and the vibration was minimal. The speed was what blew me away. Shooting a 26-inch draw and only 40 lbs. has been a handicap at times. I have been required to get closer to game than an average shooter shooting 70 lbs with a 28-30” draw length, and the power of the shot has been less. With the Avalanche, I can shoot farther with much more power behind my shot, making my hunting much more competitive to that of a man shooting 60 lbs on another make of bow.

In addition, Alpine Archery is a huge supporter of our troops and several organizations that provide donated hunting adventures for our soldiers and civil servants, they give willingly and generously. Alpine Archery has become my bow of choice with their technology, engineering, performance and strong support of our troops.

© April 2008