Heres the deal. I just got back from Vars in france where it dumped all week and I only had my park skis (Moment Jibs, which I am selling). This drove me to a conclusion I have slowly been reaching for a while, I don't like skiing park skis full stop. So heres the deal, I still want to ski park but I want a fatter ski with moderate rocker to do it on.
I have a 2 ski quiver because that is what I can afford. However when I travel I often can't afford to take both pairs. I also can't be bothered to carry both on public transport in europe.
This ski will used as a one ski quiver for trips in Europe and Colorado. If i go to Utah or the PNW and when I go to Japan I'll take my fat skis (Surface New Lifes if they ever get here). I will be mounting them at centre because I am used to a centre mounted ski and will land switch a lot if there is some pow. They will see a good amount of park including rails/boxes and even some indoor park, a bit of groomer use (it would be nice to basically be able to carve) and pow when I get it and only have these with me. My favorite skiing is jibbing off pillows, tree taps, slashes and just having fun in the pow.
I'm 175 cm (5'9) and 60-62 kg (135-140).
Skis I've loved: Elizabeth, EP Pro
Skis I've liked: Reno Rockers, Rossignol S3
Skis I've not liked much: Reno Jib, Volkl Wall (Both just too narrow and stiff for my tastes), K2 Hellbents, Anthems
So choices are between:
Rossignol S3 (177):
I demoed these in a 177 (which measures more like 173) in Vars for a day, I thought they did ok in the pow but they were mounted further back than I would mount them. They are also narrower than I'd like. They also have fairly narrow edges which worries me. But they have a mounting point at -1cm and the rocker is very close to symmetrical, so they ski pretty well at centre as a result. Not my favorite ski so I'm unlikely to buy them. I'd prefer either of the next two (I think).
K2 Obsethed (169):
Never skied these. They measure about 1cm shorter than 177 S3s and they are a bit softer (in the tip/tail) which would be fun for butters. They have a mellower longer rocker which I also think I will like. Fat edges and K2 durability are also good. But they are designed as a big mountain ski and have quite a directional shape even though the rocker is symmetrical. Core centre is at true (or very very close) which is also nice. Does anyone use these as a park ski? Do they have metal in?
Atomic Blog (177)
The longest and widest but also the lightest from what I hear. Never even flexed these but apparently they ski really well at true centre even on groomed. Symmetrical rocker, Early Taper and a relatively close to centre mount point are all good. Questions about the edges though? Do they use the same narrow edge as the JJs or are they 2.5mm? Biggest worry with these is durability in the park.
So what do you guys think? (P.S I can get them all for a discount mounted with jesters and they are all roughly equal in price for me).
