So I just wrote up my thoughts on all the skis from next year I skied today. Most are twins. Some are a little more in depth than others. Enjoy...
2007-2008 Ski Reviews
About Me: 6’2” and 185 pounds. I am a very strong skier. I raced for many years as a kid and still ski like a racer. I like to go fast and make large radius turns. In the park I prefer jumps, but do boxes and rails. I don’t really butter on skis.
My Method: All skis were tested for one run down Dan’s Dive (fairly steep even pitch, man made groomed snow) on the back side of Welch Village. Twin tips were skied backwards on the top (flat) section. I tried a few different turn sizes with most skis, but I was mainly going for an overall feel and not a super specific review of each fine point on the ski. I would have liked to take some into the park, but I am nursing a bruised heel and landing is not going to help that. It was also two lifts to get a run through the park and I didn’t have the time.
What follows are my thoughts on the skis I skied. This is, for the most part, how I personally feel about the ski. I have grouped similar types and price points of skis together. The skis are listed in order within each category of how I rated them (best to not best).
Overall thought… Unlike last year where there were some bad skis, every ski I skied this year was good. Nothing was bad. Some were better than others, but they are all good skis. Well done ski companies!
“Pure” Park Skis – Price Point
1) Volkl Ledge – 178 cm – close to center mount: Surprisingly good skiing ski. This is a really good park ski at a cheaper price. It skis switch well. It holds an edge well and can go pretty fast. Was a little dead with not much rebound out of the turns (like the PE).
Graphics: Similar to Wall, pretty cool.
Final Thoughts: Another great price point ski. I would almost call this one the best in the Volkl twin line.
Price: $ cheap
2) K2 Fujative – 179 cm - ~+2-3 mount: The Fujative skis very much the same as last year. Good flex for the park and holds an edge pretty well when you roll it over. It doesn’t like to do other turns much though. Switch skiing is nice.
Graphics: Picasso type stuff looks cool.
Final Thoughts: Great cheap park ski that can hold its own out of the park. Not the best in any category, but not the worst and the price can’t be beat.
Price: $ cheapish
“Pure” Park Skis
1) Salomon Dumont – 181 cm – close to center mount: The Dumont was a nice surprise. The ski has a lot of pop and snap. Skis backwards real nice and holds an edge pretty well, but can be pushed too far. It also gives a nice rebound out of turns and pops really well when ollieing.
Graphics: Not my thing.
Final Thoughts: Great park ski that can do quite well out of the park. Lots of pop.
Price: $ higher
1) Fisher Addict – 181 cm – center mount: This is a surprisingly strong ski out of the park. It is quite stiff and carves really well, especially for having the center mount. I can see how kids and light weight skiers might say it is too stiff (I assume the Habit solves this). I loved it though.
Graphics: Top is meh, bottom is cool with the neon green.
Final Thoughts: This is the ‘park only’ ski I would like to carry (with the Habit too) because it can ski go out of the park.
Price: $ ?? yet
2) Volkl Wall – 177 cm – close to center mount: The Wall is a fun park ski. It skis very well switch. It almost felt like a ‘slalom’ ski compared to other twins. Held an edge pretty well and is relatively quick, but got a little squirrelly at high speeds. The ski felt light with the close to center mount.
Graphics: Kind of cool.
Final Thoughts: Good, but not quite great, park ski (better than Dogen) that does OK out of the park. This is not the old Karma
Price: $ mid
3) 4Frnt TNK – 181 cm – darn close to center mount: This ski skis backwards really well. It does surprisingly well out of the park. Roll it over and it carves. There are better skis for out of the park, but this one is pretty good for in the park. I prefer the Addict though.
Graphics: Quite plain and nothing special
Final Thoughts: Good park ski. There are better ones out there, but this is not bad. I would rather see the Addict and/or Habit in our shop though.
Price: $ higher
4) Line Anthem – 177 cm – center mount: This is the same as the Invader only wider and a little stiffer. Again, skis switch great but also carves out of the park a little better. It will hold an edge better and go faster. Still not near the top in speed or edge hold of others, but not a bad ski.
Graphics: Blue airbrush of wolves = meh.
Final Thoughts: Good medium-soft park ski that can get out of the park if needed.
Price: $ ??
5) Line Invader – 177 cm – center mount: This was a soft true twin. It skis switch really well (true twin). It butters great, but doesn’t carve or hold an edge too well. Great for a park rat looking for a soft ski, but not my thing.
Graphics: Bright yellow with Mexican wrestlers = cool.
Final Thoughts: Good, soft, park only ski. This was the most park specific ski I skied and also my least favorite.
Price: $ ??
All Mountain Twin Tips – Price Point
1) K2 PE – 179 cm - ~+2-3 mount: Skis very similar to this years PE. Skis backwards better than expected given the mount. Holds and edge really well. Likes the big turns. Probably the heaviest twin I skied. The PE also didn’t have as much snap out of the turns as most of the other twins I skied. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Graphics: Kind of cool. Clear sidewall is neat.
Final Thoughts: Again a great all-mountain twin with the focus on more mountain than park. For someone around here I would look at the Foil or Ghetto or Silencer on a budget first. Great for people who are going out west some.
Price: $ reasonable
1) K2 Silencer - 179 cm - ~+2-3 mount: Really, really good ski for the price. It is not as wide as the PE, but skis very similar if not better on the hard pack. The Silencer is a better all-mountain twin for Minnesota than the PE (narrower). Skis backwards real nice. I like this ski a lot.
Graphics: The black on black is cool.
Final Thoughts: Great ski for the price. As long as you aren’t in lots of deep snow this is a fantastic park/all-mountain ski for the money.
Price: $ cheap
2) Nordica Spark – 170 cm – mounted midsole (little back of center): Price point ski that skied pretty well. Again, the ski was short so it was easy to over power. Switch was nice. This is just a good, cheap park ski.
Graphics: Comic bookey and bright, I like them.
Final Thoughts: Good, cheap park ski. I like the Silencer a little bit more, but the Spark is still a great ski for the price.
Price: $ cheap
All Mountain Twin Tips
1) Salomon Foil – 182 cm - +1 cm from mark (close to center): I have owned this ski for two years now. It is the same next year with new graphics. I still love this ski. It is awesome in the park and equally awesome out of the park. It is light weight and very maneuverable. It carves great and likes many different turn sizes and shapes. Overall it is a very fun and playful ski.
Graphics: Kind of neat but nothing special.
Final Thoughts: The Foil is in my top 2 all mountain/park ski list. It rocks.
Price: $ high
1) Rossignol Ghetto (Scratch FS) – 181 cm - mounted a little ahead of Modern (side-cut center): The Ghetto is another great improvement from Rossignol. It is a great all-mountain and park ski. It skis very similar to the Foil. Backwards was great. Forwards carving was great. The wood in the core makes it fell a little more ‘meaty’ than the Foil but it is still quite light.
Graphics: Not my favorite, but not bad.
Final Thoughts: The Ghetto is in my top 2 all mountain/park ski list. I might buy this instead of a new Foil.
Price: $ ?? high
2) Dynastar Troublemaker – 175 cm – midsole mount: This is a fun snappy ski. It is light weight and has quite a bit of pop. Carves quite well, but couldn’t go as fast as some other skis (partially due to length).
Graphics: You either love or hate, I’m still not sure.
Final Thoughts: I really liked this ski. It is light and snappy and fun to ski. Similar to the Foil and Ghetto.
Price: $ ??
3) Volkl Bridge – 177 cm – midsole mount (back some): This replaces the Karma, but the Karma it is not. It is wider and felt softer. The Bridge was a fun 50-50 ski. It skied switch quite well for having such a short tail. The ski skis similar to the Karma, but is slower edge to edge and doesn’t hold an edge as well. The ski held and edge quite well but I could push it too far and chatter/wash out. The ski also felt a little on the heavy side, but not bad.
Graphics: Meh.
Final Thoughts: Pretty good all mountain twin, but I felt there was better for my skiing style. Defiantly not a bad ski by any means but, as I said, it’s not the Karma.
Price: $ ?? high
4) 4FRNT STL – 183 cm – mounted between freeride and center: This STL skis similarly to my old one (’05-‘06). It is predictable and stable. This is not really a quick ski (though it did jump out of a turn quite quickly on me once). There are better skis in the category, but this is a solid ski. Better for skiers that are more in the park than out.
Graphics: Simple and cool.
Final Thoughts: Good all mountain park ski with more focus on the park. It likes its one turn but can do a few others.
Price: $ high
4) Nordica Ignition – 170 cm – mounted midsole (little back of center): The ski was short for me. This ski is much improved over last years. It skis backwards pretty well for having a small tail. It carved well and held an edge well. I could push it too far fairly easily, but it was short on me.
Graphics: Green comic book look is cool.
Final Thoughts: Not my favorite ski, but not a bad ski. It is a good park/all-mountain ski. I probably wouldn’t ski it myself, but it is still a great ski.
Price: $ mid
All Mountain Twin Tips – WIDE
1) 4FRNT MSP – 181 cm – mounted at midsole: This is a great one-ski quiver ski. Holds an edge really well. Loves to go fast and do big turns. Only downside is that it isn’t as versatile in turn shape as other skis (Magfire 12 and other mid-fats). This was one of my favorites of the day.
Graphics: Some of the best I’ve ever seen.
Final Thoughts: I really, really like this ski. I could see it replacing my Monster 82s. It kills it all mountain and should be quite good in the park. It is really stable and strong going really fast.
Price: $ high
2) Rossignol Brigade (Scratch BC) – 185 cm – mounted about Modern (side-cut center): One of the most improved skis from last year. They have stiffened it up quite a bit. The ski holds an edge really well and carves the hard pack really well. It also skis switch fantastically. I really like the ski as an out West all mountain do-it-all. The ski feels like a slightly toned down MSP.
Graphics: Nothing special, simple and clean
Final Thoughts: I would rather ski the Brigade than the Bridge. It is a great all-mountain ski. Not sure if it will sell here in MN.
Price: $ high
3) Line Prophet 90 – 179 cm – midsole mount: This ski is an all-mountain ski. It skis similar to the MSP, but not quite on that level. It carves well and holds an edge quite well. Likes bigger turns and fairly high speed.
Graphics: All of the Prophets together look cool, but by themselves = meh.
Final Thoughts: Better than expected all-mountain/powder ski. It comes close to the MSP, but I would still rather be on the MSP.
Price: $ ??
Big Mountain Skis
1) Volkl Mantra – 176cm: This is a fantastic out west mostly powder ski. It holds an edge great on ice and hauls ass.
Graphics: White top looks cool
Final Thoughts: If I had a quiver, this ski would probably be in it for the big mountain powder side of things. Might be a hair wide if you are mostly on groomers (go with the Monster 82 or 88).
Price: $ high
1.5) Nordica Hellcat – 170 cm: Great out west ski. Loves to go fast and do big turns. Slow edge to edge, but plows through everything. Not great for here, but great for out west with something like 65/35 back to front side.
Graphics: The best of the Hot Rod group (bright yellow)
Final Thoughts: This is on par with the Monster 82 only wider. Nice ski, might be too much for most of our customers.
Price: $ high
2) Volkl Goat Hammer (Gotama) – 176 cm – mounted midsole (back): Holds and edge quite well for the width. Skied switch pretty well for the mounting point. This ski is quite slow edge to edge. I think it would be a great high sped/power powder ski, especially if you are jumping quite a bit.
Graphics: Pretty cool with the embossed Buddha
Final Thoughts: I just tried it for fun. It’s not anything we would carry.
Mid-fat All Mountain
1) Head Monster 82 – 172 & 182 cm: Better than the 78, but not by as much as last year (78 got better). Awesome Ski! Loves many turn sizes and speeds. Holds an edge fantastically on ice. One of the best all mtn/carving ski of the day. If you want even higher speed and a little less turn variety, ski it long.
Graphics: Green, not bad.
Final Thoughts: I love the Monster 82. I own the Monster 82. It is still the best mid-fat I’ve skied.
Price: $ high
2) Elan Magfire 14 – 176 cm: As close to the old Mag 12 as Elan gets. I really liked this ski for going fast, holding an edge and plowing through stuff. In one run I didn’t really notice the Speed Wave.
Graphics: Orange flame motif = pretty sharp
Final Thoughts: The Magfire I would buy. Great at speed and wide enough to get some float.
Price: $ ?? high
3) Head Monster 78 – 171 cm: Skis similar to the Mag 10. This length had a little more of a slalom cut on it. It still can go fast and holds and edge well now that it is a sidewall ski. Not quite like the 82 though. This is a great mostly Midwest ski.
Graphics: Red, not bad
Final Thoughts: One of the best of the 75-80 mm width skis. Great for people who are mostly in the Midwest.
Price: $ ??
4) Nordica Top Fuel – 170 cm: Same as Nitrous with more metal. Better edge hold, more energy and better plowing through stuff than the Nitrous. Great for the stronger more aggressive skiers.
Graphics: I like them
Final Thoughts: Real nice all-mountain ski for the stronger skier.
Price: $ high
5) Elan Magfire 12 – 176 cm: This is not the 12 that I am used to. It is toned down and has the waves. This is still a heavy ski, but it has lost some of its edge hold from last year. It still likes the big turns (but does other very well) and likes speed, but the edge hold isn’t quite as good as previous versions.
Graphics: Orange flame motif = pretty sharp
Final Thoughts: This is a toned down version of the old 12. Still a good fast strong ski, but I like the 14 more.
Price: $ mid/high
6) Nordica Jet Fuel – 170 cm: Wider version of the Top Fuel = a little slower edge to edge. Holds an edge well and likes the bigger turns. Plows through everything with ease. Probably a little wide for people around the Midwest.
Graphics: Again, I like them
Final Thoughts: Good 50-50 front/backside ski for stronger skiers out west.
Price: $ high
7) Nordica Nitrous – 170 cm: This is a great, fun ski. It carves great and holds well, but isn’t ‘too much ski.’ Personally I liked the Top Fuel more for my style.
Graphics: I like them
Final Thoughts: A great all-mountain mid-fat ski. If you are real large or real strong/powerful I would man up to the Top Fuel.
Price: $ mid/high
8) Elan Magfire 10 – 176 cm: Fun ski with a slalom cut. Turns quick and holds an edge quite well. Plowed through most of the bumps/ruts. Not quite as high speed as the 12 or 14 though.
Graphics: Red flame motif = pretty sharp
Final Thoughts: I see why most people like this ski. If you prefer tighter turns or are spending most of your time in the Midwest, it is a great ski. I still like the 12 & 14 more.
Price: $ mid
