So.... The following is my initial review of the 181 Jeronimo
I realize that NS is full of on3p supporters and rightfully so, they are an excellent small buisness. However no product is perfect so don't please refrain from sending the minions after me if you don't agree ok?
First off my stats:
30 yrs young male, 5'10" tall, 195lbs., I love trees, surfing pow, cliffs, going fast, long walks on the beach...etc.... Not really into rails, small bag of tricks including threes and 180s, wimpy grabs... I just like ripping turns...alot.
I set the skis up with px 14s because, well they are cheap and reliable. I know what your thinking oh those are heavy get jesters, well I just don't care about the extra grams...it is downhill skiing for christsakes. I ride Lange super blasters.
Okay Here we go
I got the package after waiting two months. Two excruciating months of mental aggravation.
Nevertheless, it was certainly worth the wait. The skis are beautifully crafted. Yes handcrafted they are functional art. The finish was something to behold, however the graphics are pretty lame. I think it was some kind of punk statemwnt, but the shitty graffetti style was lost on me. The other On3p model have some interesting looks, but these look cheap and halfhazard compared to the competition including Moment, Icelandic, and Liberty. But in the end I didn't choose these skis for their appearance. I wanted their quality and performance.
On3p has found the sweet spot in term of the rigidity of this ski. They are stiff enough to rail GS styled turns and flexible enough to remain playfull in the trees. Lateral rigidity is also excellent; it can hold an edge like a race ski.
The early rise/rocker/elf shoe/whateveryouwanttolabelit is amazing it can float like a much fatter waisted ski. There is a little chatter on the hard stuff, it would bullshit to say it doesn't (it will probably chatter more as it ages), but it wasn't even distracting. Much like the stiffness, the guys at On3p found the perfect balance between corduroy stability and powder surfability.'
The Jeronimo doesn't excel in any specific catergory. It does however, do everything well. It can carve hard, it can feel and poppy and playfull, it can handle powder, it can ski switch and stomp landings, it is durable (the edges are massive) and it is also light.
Maybe it is the bamboo core or maybe it is the care that it was built with..., whatever it is, the Jeronimo is one of those skis that you clunk inot and completely forget about because you know it can handle everything the mountains have to offer.
Thanks
note: The factory prep was excellent, the edges were tuned nicely and the bases glided smoothly.Be sure to smooth the topsheet sidewall corners a little with a sanding block and sandpapper to reduce the chances of topsheet chipping/tearout
