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January, 2025

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Ski that can do: Big Mountain/POW/Trees/Cliffs/Pillows ?

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Ghini
Posts: 2263 - Karma: 3,002

I'm having a hard time debating what ski would be best for me..

Stats: 190cm/6'2 and 75kg/165lbs, expert skier, agressive, like to go fast in pow, love trees and pillows, thight spaces and some big mountain lines..just go switch sometimes, on landings..

Ski's I am thinking about/my ideas about it/ concerns;

Bibby 186 ; to soft for some big mountain lines? how good in different conditions

Bibby 190 ; too long for tight spots/trees/pillow lines?

Night train 186 ; versatile enough? I like the stiffer design..but how is the edge grip?

Surface Live Life 191 ; Trees?

One Life 189 ; Bigger lines? Tail?

4FRNT EHP 186 ; I like the design/low profile of the tip (all rockered ski's should have that!) whats the flex like?

CRJ 188 ; Bigger lines? Too soft for different conditions?

 ... ?

What want/like: I am looking for the right tool for me.. I ski pow when I can, but I live in Europe so it would be nice to be good in different conditions, not only fresh pow.. One of my questions is how good/ok/bad is tail rocker when you land cliffs,pillow drops and how is it in big mountain lines?

I am looking for a ski that can do some big mountain lines but also is quick and nimble in trees and pillow lines..

Please give me some solid input and things I should think about.. Dont just post what kind of pow ski you have, but tell me what you like about them and also what not/could be better..

Ski's I dont like: S7; big tip on top of the rocker, cant blast trought crud, Czar; heavy and short, EP Pro, SOFT! anything thinner that 110mm..

Help me out NS! Thanks!

Mar 7 2010 8:52AM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
Dude, I can do all those things on snowblades, pick a ski that matches how you like to slide, all of them are different.
Mar 7 2010 11:22AM
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Samckoy
Posts: 381 - Karma: 66
Well, I ride my Armada JJ's.

Super versatile ski and I've used it everyday I've gone up in all conditions.

It has some rocker, not the most intense rocker but enough so that it has a short turn radius and help it rip up the pow.

It's 115 at the waist and 136mm at the widest. I use it in the big mountain all the time and doing drops.
I don't necessarily recommend only the JJ's. Maybe the CRJ's or Bentchetlers as well?
Mar 7 2010 11:31AM
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*-*
Posts: 258 - Karma: 82
volkl chopsticks is what you want
Mar 7 2010 3:10PM
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-ShredTheGnar-
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 111
Ninthwards Corey Vanulars for next year... they look dope
Mar 7 2010 4:10PM
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I_ski123
Posts: 421 - Karma: 24
praxis powder boards
Mar 7 2010 4:14PM
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Big_Spence
Posts: 16177 - Karma: 4,346
inb4 someone suggests ever on3p ski ever made.

and my vote says Night Trains.
Mar 7 2010 4:36PM
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noparking
Posts: 1123 - Karma: 50
On3p billy goat or caylor are also great options
Mar 7 2010 4:43PM
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greyninja
Posts: 2399 - Karma: 657
i'm 6'3", 220+ lbs. very big fan of trees/cliffs/powder in general (who isnt)

i have 185 chopsticks, awesome, but sometimes i feel theyre too stiff, sometimes. but they stomp in pow

i have 185 jjs, very awesome, and yes theyre suuuper nimble in the woods and really light. but i feel like they should be longer, mostly because of how light they are. amazing ski overall; they carve groomers and bound through pow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy9nAU0HYuM
https://newschoolers.com/web/content/pictures/id/322510/member_id/112596/

i'm looking into getting 195 praxis powder boards, i'm interested to see what the reverse camber and reverse side-cut combo feels like in the pow. they get great reviews, and are supposedly "bomb-proof". i have a friend with some praxis skis and he says theyre a little heavy and clunky at times, but you'll have that with a big ass pow ski

lastly, i've been talking with campbell, the owner/creator of ninthward skis, and he's pumped on the new CVP, says it's the best ski theyve ever made. theyre hooking up my department at mount snow with skis for prizes, and i'm trying to swindle some CVPs out of it. doubt it'll happen since theyre not released yet, but i'd forever be in his debt if he did

whatever you go with, as long as it's wide, you're pretty much guaranteed a good time in pow pow. good luck, and enjoy
Mar 7 2010 4:58PM
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StReEtPIRATES
Posts: 1378 - Karma: 138
I've heard great things about the DPS lotus 138 and next years rossi super sevens(pretty much a burlier s7)
Mar 7 2010 5:02PM
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starsky_hucks
Posts: 394 - Karma: 62

I ski 181 live lifes, can tell u that they rock it in the trees, very responsive, great float and soft tail which allows you to slash tight turns.. still nowhere as soft as EPs
i didnt realy find them to be a burden when landing but then again i havnt dropped anything over 10ft on them

where i think they could be better: in terms of crud bashing they definetly get the job done. maple (syrup) wood core ski, super light, so it wont blast thru as much as skis with metal strips _, dont get me wrong theyre not bad in crud but its just not where they excel

imo

Mar 7 2010 6:28PM
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wrichmond
Posts: 562 - Karma: 369
I'd add Fatypus D-Sender and ON3P Wrenegade if you're considering stiffer skis.
Mar 7 2010 8:18PM
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Banane.
Posts: 3102 - Karma: 414
Armada JJ next year come in 185 and 195, for me i got the 175cm and i love them, Im live in the east but i bought these to go to Utah this week and i don't regret it at all, maybe too small but they kill everywhere
Mar 7 2010 9:48PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
this

but in 191

im 5 10, 180 lbs. advanced, race background etc. and i gotta say my caylors are plenty burly for pretty much anything.
Mar 7 2010 11:11PM
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ReetsAdeets
Posts: 1531 - Karma: 611
One lifes would be great for you. My friend has them, and they are much stiffer than any other pow ski I have ever seen, but because of the 3 stage rocker, they are very nimble. And dont worry about landing switch off whatever, the massive tail rocker will keep you up while the camber (yes, they have camber, and are not flat underfoot as surface states) lets you tear up the groomers quite well. By far the best choice for you.
Mar 8 2010 12:05AM
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Backyard.Skier
Posts: 5397 - Karma: 1,498
^^yes
Mar 8 2010 12:17AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21097 - Karma: 8,526
You sound like you like to charge on powder and variable terrain. Go with the EHP's.

I have the CRJ's and they would be too soft for you. Great all around ski though.


Don't get the chopsticks, you don't ski switch enough for the symmetrical design to be worth it.
Mar 8 2010 1:26AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21097 - Karma: 8,526
check out the gotamas though. i also hear that volkl is coming out with a ski that is a cross between the mantra and the gotama.
Mar 8 2010 1:27AM
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Ghini
Posts: 2263 - Karma: 3,002

Thanks all for your info/input..

ON3P is not an option for me, shipping cost + import cost + normal price = not an option for me.. They look really sick though, some nice designs there!!

The volkl options are not for my either, chopsticks are symetrical so.. no...

First I thought the one life would be great for me, but the running length is really short and I just wouldnt trust them on some more serious lines with that abrupt tip and tail rocker?

I'm leaning towards the 186 EHP or de 190 Bibby.. Night Train wouldnt hold an edge enough for me but i like the width..

But question to people who know the EHP: how do they perform in the trees with a 40m radius? and whats the flex like? And on some pictures the rocker seems pretty small??

And who skies the 190 bibby?? are they to long for trees? I like the radius and flex patern and I guess with a short eff edge and rockerd tip and tail they are still really manouverable enough??

Mar 10 2010 10:31AM
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,705
The EHP is a charging ski, like you said - 40 meter radius.  It turns like about as well as a semi truck in tight stuff.  I haven't ever skied the Bibby's, but I have ridden quite a few of the other skis you listed up there.  Honestly even though you say no ON3P, I can't think of a better option for you than the Billy Goat for tree skiing.  Turns on a dime and is very stable.  It is what I'm riding these days and I am very glad I took the chance with a different style of pow ski.

If you want to go with a charging ski that hauls ass, the EHP is a good choice.  If you really need that tree performance, keep looking.
Mar 10 2010 11:08AM
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assface
Posts: 4319 - Karma: 2,031
I think the atomic atlas matches your description a bit. Ihavent really read into them but check out the atomic blog and atomic atlas
Mar 10 2010 11:18AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21097 - Karma: 8,526
this is a good idea. and i still suggest checking out the Gotamas or the volkl bridge maybe?
Mar 11 2010 1:00AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21097 - Karma: 8,526
you could check out the salomon rocker or czar too
Mar 11 2010 1:01AM
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assface
Posts: 4319 - Karma: 2,031
"Ski's I dont like: S7; big tip on top of the rocker, cant blast trought crud, Czar; heavy and short, "

but possibly the rocker or the el diablo coming out next season
Mar 11 2010 1:13AM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
190 bibby for suuuure
Mar 11 2010 1:16AM
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Ghini
Posts: 2263 - Karma: 3,002

Salomon Rocker has 50m radius, and that new ski for next year, and the rocker, have a flat tail, if you ski short bits back in pow or trees, to possition yourself for a drop/cliff/line it sucks to get your tail stuck with a flat tail..

Leaning towards the Bibby 190.. good length for me, no huge turn radius, rockerd tip and tail but very solid en more stiff in tail for landings, yet still very manouverable in the trees thanks to the rockerd tip and tail..just maybe wanted it to be a bit wider..

Mar 11 2010 10:15AM
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Big_Spence
Posts: 16177 - Karma: 4,346
118 is plenty big.
plus you can't tell the difference in float +/- 1cm or so. a cm is next to nothing.
Mar 11 2010 11:09AM
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zylstra
Posts: 3613 - Karma: 125
High Society FR
Mar 11 2010 12:52PM
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CottonPuff
Posts: 377 - Karma: 105
you wont be able to notice a big difference between the 186 and 190 bibbys, they are rad skis though
Mar 11 2010 12:54PM
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Ghini
Posts: 2263 - Karma: 3,002

Ok, thanks for all you input guys..

^ camber vs flat underfoot and a stiffer tail..........

But float is more created by length than wide I gues..

Again thanks, +K and powder to you all!!

Mar 11 2010 1:11PM
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mrsmith
Posts: 93 - Karma: 10
Sounds like you are looking for the 2011 Obsethed. Charges big mountain lines, rips powder with a big rocker tip, has so it rips groomers and hardpack. Plus its seth morrisons pro model so if its good enough for him, it will probably be good enough for you! camber
Mar 11 2010 5:28PM
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T.C.M
Posts: 67 - Karma: 19
I can't believe more people haven't said Obsethed.
I'm 6'1 just ripped Revelstoke for a month on 189s, even in the tightest trees these things were sweet, they're my comp ski for back in N.Z, there's enough running length and edge to hold it down in average conditions too.
I'm mounted at 3 back from true centre and definitely stepped up the switch pow landings and lines on these things, super solid on drops, spin easy and bomb-proof, 7footer to rock landing = 4cm core shot no edge damage.
What more do you want?
Mar 11 2010 6:58PM
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iFail
Posts: 2066 - Karma: 65

191 Wrenegades would work great.  I like what you were saying and if I had to have one ski and wasn't in pow at least 60% of the time there's a good chance I'd choose those.  I wouldn't go over 120 waste, the only time I really think that much over 120 is worth it is on reverse sidecut skis.

 Taper makes skis turn easier, so 193 EHPs could be a good choice.  Don't be afraid of the length, they will be easy... but honestly what are you looking for here? every post will be different. Just get something stiff in the type of shape you want.
 Tail rocker really doesn't hurt you on cliffs IMO(and I own One Lifes..).

Mar 11 2010 10:03PM
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hiphopopotamus
Posts: 1177 - Karma: 45
i have the 186 bibbys and ski "big mountian lines" in Crested Butte, super fun ski in the powder and everywhere else(including park) except high speeds in crud. they are not a stiff as i would like for those conditions. i have also riding the jjs and love those too.
Mar 11 2010 11:37PM
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factory81
Posts: 3967 - Karma: 63
I have rode One Life's in 189 center mounted, and 08/09 Rory Silva's in 183.

One Life's are beautiful. Super light. Stiff, and just what I am looking for. Ski short, but this center mounted ski performed great in chop, crud, booters, hucking. Center mounted made it like skiing on your park skis, and turning was super easy.

They were like riding in a Caddy. I wouldn't have minded trying the Live Life's on the 20 inch+ day.

I could see the One Life ski being a one quiver ski.

The Rory Silva's suffer from tip dive a little bit, and require some finesse to keep them floating good, and they are pretty heavy in comparison to an even bigger ski. I prefer how nimble the One Life's were, and I think they are confidence building skis. I took them in to some pretty tight trees and we got along fucking great.

Plus if you like meeting gapers, everyone will be asking you about your crazy looking skis. It was cool the first couple chair rides up, but then I get tired of explaining.

I think you should support smaller ski companies. Causwell / Surface is a great company, and they need your funds more than Rossi does.


Mar 12 2010 12:44AM
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Jamestown
Posts: 4002 - Karma: 51
The 190 is significantly stiffer. Pretty big difference.
Mar 12 2010 2:05AM
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CottonPuff
Posts: 377 - Karma: 105
owned.
Mar 12 2010 3:06AM
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HiTz
Posts: 1467 - Karma: 11
Prophet 130s
Mar 12 2010 2:32PM
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Chompo.
Posts: 4952 - Karma: 88
Chopsticks or obsetheds
Mar 12 2010 9:25PM
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