CUSTOM SKIS:
capital - tons of shapes and custom flexes put out of BC
birdos - a few shapes - be that cool guy with the new shit! out of Switzerland
igneous - tons of shapes and custom flexes. legendary JH skis. worth the $
kingswood - FAT & mid fat are 100mm+. can do stiff and med flexes. 185cm max, twinned. from NZ
dp skis - in production, and coming to a mailbox near you. get a pair.
STIFFER SKIS:
prior original - nice shape, moderate twin, can do med & stiff versions. handmade.
armada ant - coolest big mountain full-twin out there.
atomic big daddy - they rock, and are way easier to ski than you think
dynastar legend pro - not the fattest, but they rip.
volkl mantra - shaplier version of the explosiv wizards, lots of sidecut
volkl explosiv - the classic. not as stiff as you think.
blizzard titan pro - long and stiff. they rule for charging hard.
stockli stormriders - as well made as anything out there.
4frnt vct - hearing very good things. great graphics. very small kick in tail
pmgear bros - support you maggot bros. stiff and supa stiff options...
kneissl tanker - basically they rule. low profile tip. they ski like a fat GS ski.
head monster 103 - very stiff. requires a strong pilot. but if you got the balls, they do too
head supermojo - a bit softer than the 103's of old, but still on the stiff side.
ak king salmon - super bomber and fairly fat. 180cm only.
4frnt MSP - pretty fat, fairly stiff all mountain twin. for a fat twin, they'll still hold an edge
Head Mojo - all mountian twin. med flex. pretty bomber.
SOFTER SKIS:
rossi b4 - not the fattest, not the stiffest, but great skis for lighter folks
salomon ak swallowtail - new 05-06 have wood! i personally love these things
salomon s-lab gun - wish the PR was stiffer, fatter and longer?
prior doughboy - fat pow ski. big old shovel. look pretty rad.
atomic sugar daddy - pretty soft. light. make killer AT setups.
dynastar big/lbf/inspired - great in shorter lengths for the GF
Phat Love - the ski of choice for the GF
k2 apache chief - i hate 'em but others like 'em. stiffer than a pistol, no twin.
k2 seth - mount 'em forward a bit for A/M
k2 maiden - SOFT. FAT. FUN.
volkl gotama - not too soft, not too stiff. great everyday ski if you live to roostertail
bros - the soft flex are about as light as anything in the size...
QUIVER SKIS:
sumo - fat and short.....
sanouk - long and soft swallowtails. everone that owns 'em loves 'em
capital g-funk - dunno, but they look like a FUCKING RIOT!
birdos - crazyness coming out of switzerland -a few shapes - be cool with the new shit!
fatypus - retarded fat.
dp lotus - both versions look like they'd be killer.
crystal ship - super sidecut, super fat east coast tree ski. very light. kinda silly
line profit - PM rascal king, he has 2 pairs
CLASSIC SKIS: hard to find, but worth it if you can
spatulas - yes they are as fun as you think
Atomic Powder Plus: the ski that started it all. fat and stiff.
Rossi Axiom - fat and stiff. straight sidecut. 183. foam or wood core. heavy.
Nordica W105/9.1FF - super hard to find. they rip. buy 'em if you can find 'em
volkl snowrangers - classic. great bumpski, rock ski, billygoat ski
dynastar flame bigs/arnos - classic. ditto the above
k2 extreme/TNC/MSL - if you don't know...
SKINNY/EC/EVERYDAY SKIS:
volkl g4/40/41/ax4 - classic. ski the 198 of you dare
stockli stormrider XL - the best skinny a/m ski out there, IMVHO
head monster 85/88 - pretty stiff, ripping everyday skis w/ a bit of sidecut.
ak no ka oi - super well made mid-fat. nice shape.
volkl karma - nice stiff twintip. great a/m ski.
K2 PE - Feels very dead in park but its a solid ski for all mtn
PARK SKIS: (courtesy of skibackwards)
K2 Fujative - very soft so pretty park specific, but i ski mine fine all mtn
Volkl Dogen - soft all over no flex points, really fun but not as good as fujative
armada T-Hall Pro - alot like fujative. RIP tanner
4FRNT STL - pretty stiff compared to others skis. pretty good all mtn
Atomic Triplets - comes as a 3. Good durability. good choice for those who snap skis
Armada AR5 - great ski. Good everywhere
Line Chronic - similar to AR5
Salomon Foil - another ski thats good for everything, particularly carving all mtn
TOURING SKIS:
trab freerando - tour it up, euro-boy
Voile Carbon surf - pretty darn soft, but light and fat. a classic.
r:ex - edges tend to crack, but they are awesome touring skis.
PM Gear Bros - get the soft flex. super light, nice round flex.
CMH explosiv - the cheap stiff touring ski of choice.
k2 lanwchair - the cheap soft touring ski of choice.
k2 shuksan - the ski mountaineering choice.
line mothership/karhu jak - light and fat. what more do you want?
BINDINGS:
look/rossi p12/14 - axials are far superior to the new heel PDX style. vert release. sux w/ trekkers
look tt09 - find 'em on ebay or play it again. sweet oldschool bindings vert release. sux w/ trekkers
look p18/zrs/rossi fks/pro - great light comp bindings (15 and 18DIN), suck w/ trekkers. bending brakes sucks. vert toe release.
salomon s900/912/914 - locktite the toe wings if they some loose
salomon 997/977 - get the 14DIN equipes. best oldschool binding out there...
salomon s916/920 - for huckers, they are the way to go. easy to bend brakes.
tyrolia dx9/mojo15/fisher??? - light than race stock, burlier than retail, cheap too.
atomic 1018 - HEAVY AS HELL, but: move back/forward, can lock vert release, fatty brakes
TOURING BINDINGS:
Naxo 01 - durabuility issues, full alpine toe and ergonomic pivot point
naxo 13DIN - heavier spring, more metal... jury is still out, could be a winner
fritschi Freeride - really tall stack. tele mode on soft skis. lots of heel elevater settings
silvretta pure freeride - jury still out, but look promising. 12DIN, low stack. light. won't tele as easily
dynafit - LIGHT. takes getting used to in/out. better boot selections... dont let it clog w. snow
TELE BINDINGS: (thanks lemon boy & homejay & hop)
Linkens - step in, neutral, durability probs w/ toebar, snow buildup in wet snow
Bombers - bomber, heavy, expensive, adjustable active/neutral
R8's - relatively active, relatively solid, relatively cheap, no frills just performance
Hammerheads - highly adjustable from very active to very neutral in theory but a pain in the field
UTBs - 10 point crampon, semi step in, sweet heel lifter, expensive, between R8 & Linken active
G3 - relatively neutral, somewhat less durable, somewhat sloppier than others, relatively cheap
Voile Hardwire - similar to G3 - neutral - with rigid rods instead of cables - cheap & light.
3-pin hardwire - more active flex than reg. hardwire, for uphill freedom and reduncancy incase wires/cartriges break.
SKINS:
BD ascensions - great material, but clipfix sucks balls, go STS for sure.
bd glidelite - tail clip works well, but they tend to freeze up, and absorb h20
g3 - best out there IMO. does everything well.
