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Which powder ski to buy?

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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
So...Hi!

I am wondering which powder ski I should buy. I live in Europe so some ski's aren't very easy to get (like On3p ski's - I know they're very popular here, but getting them shipped+import tax = way too expensive).

I did some research and I pretty much came up with the following ski's. I knów there's a huuuge difference between them, and don't tell me I should specify more on what I do and stuff. I huck cliffs, no 30 footers, I like jibbing around, riding fakie, popping 180's and 360's whenever I get the chance to and I plan on (hopefully, if there's enough snow when I'm on the mountain), maybe, build some booters to get some BC freestyle going.
<b>Whenever there's the tiniest bit of powder I ski pow, so it's not very likely I'll be needing both a park ánd powder ski on the same day</b>
People nowadays say it's useless to have a park ánd BC ski, and that you can just buy like the Kung Fujas or Line Blend and put some Schizo bindings on them. I can hardly believe this really works (maybe I'm being a bit pessimistic). <b>Can you really stomp fakie landings on a Kung-Fuja or Blend?</b>

<b>I already got the 2010/2011 Atomic Punx</b> (which are pretty f'in awesome) so I don't need a park ski anymore.
<b>I can get Atomic ski's very cheaply</b> (buying price) so, ofcourse I'm more inclined to get an Atomic ski, also because I'm the poorest sucker around here.


Note: I'm pretty tall, 6"4, but not very heavy; like 160 lbs (80kg anyway)
Ski's I figured I could buy:

- Line Blend
- Kung Fujas
- AR7
- Bent Chetler (Atomic, yey!)
- Blog (Atomic, awesome graphics (the 2010/2011 graphics are só rad), and I can get them cheaply)
- Hellbents
- EP Pro

Any thoughts on this, or suggestions on which ski might also be good is always (ofcourse) welcome!

Thanks in advance!

 


Sep 14 2010 5:14PM
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Banane.
Posts: 3102 - Karma: 414
Throw in the JJ's in your list, got them and i loved them so much. But if you get some discount on the atomic ski, get the bentchetler !! They are so sick, i tryed them. The blog looks sick too, but never tried them. The bent are very nice ski.
Sep 14 2010 11:09PM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
If u wanna get into some bc freestyle, and a pow specific ski, outta that list I would def ski the bentchetler in a 183 if the playfulnees is most important to u, and a 192 if the ability to stomp big landings, and max float is important to u
Sep 14 2010 11:50PM
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Jarle
Posts: 278 - Karma: 321
I would advise you to not look at allroundskis. If you want a powderski, buy a powderski. Early taper and rocker, waist around 120 or over. You wont regret it
Sep 15 2010 12:33AM
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Candy
Posts: 1051 - Karma: 176
SURFACE NEW LIFE

/thread
Sep 15 2010 3:49AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Thanks for the input everyone!

Most people say to go for the bents, which seems like a good idea. Can I stomp landings switch on a 185 Bent or would I need to go for the 192? I never know what's more important - my length or how much I weigh. Because I'm pretty f'in tall, but not heavy, at all.

I've heard a lot of good things about the surface ski's, but getting them shipped to Europe (and paying import-tax probably) isn't very appealing.

It's weird no-one's really ever skied the blogs, even though pretty much whole Durtschi's part in EDIAS is skied with those babies.
Just check out the graphics - hands down the síckest graphics from the upcoming season!
[img]http://content.backcountry.com/images/items/medium/ATO/ATO0344/ONECOL.jpg[/img]
How siiiiick!

The JJ's I find a bit too expensive (just like the Ep pro's and Hellbents.
Sep 15 2010 4:47AM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
I have not skied the blogs, which in all of the demo days, I find kinda wierd too, but if ur looking for a pure pow ski i'd go wider than 110. If u really like carrying speed backwards, then sure the 192 is gonna do better, but there is a firly significant trade off that u are making if manuverabilty in really tight spaces. If u spend most of ur time above the tree line, or in gladed areas, then why the hell not go for the 192, its gonna float better and be more stable both forward and switch, it might be a little harder to turn, but if ur tall the leverage that u can create with ur legs should compensate for that. The only real downside that I would see is swing weight being signifcantly increased. Let us know what u decide
Sep 15 2010 5:59AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Thanks for the reply man, really helpfull!

How much more nimble would the 183's be compared to the 192's? I've come to the point where it's either the Bents or Blogs pretty much.
As someone already pointed out, that íf I want a powder ski, why would I just wing and get a full-on pow ski and not something like the Kung Fujas or Blends, as they're more a combi of park/pow. I already have a park ski and I won't ski in the park when there's pow, so that's problem solved pretty much.

So...I think there's 3 options left:
- 183 Bents
- 192 Bents
- 185 Blogs

I have never skied any of them so I find it hard to say what I should do? Aargh!

Any help is still appreciated.

+K'ed the people that helped me out!
Sep 15 2010 7:00AM
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mvele
Posts: 101 - Karma: 12
If I were you I would go for the 183 Bent. I haven't skied the Blog either, but it seems to be more of a filler ski (to fill the waist dimension gap) than a pow ski. It would be a bit more all mountain than pow specific. As for the size of the bents, you are pretty light. The 192's are for Big guys or guys who ski like Sage. I am not positive on this because I haven't seen them to compare but the guys at my shop said they are going to be stiffer than the 183's. Makes sense seeing as Sage has been rocking them all year.
Sep 15 2010 9:36AM
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K_FRANK
Posts: 513 - Karma: 277
YES!
Sep 15 2010 11:03AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
@Mvele Thanks for the info. I don't know if you're right about the Blogs but what you say about the Bents seems logical. Though, as I'm taller, wouldn't the leverage when I'm landing be too much so I can't keep my balance when I stomp a landing on the 183 Bents?

To me the Blogs look like a good and pow-specific ski (when I look at the specs). I mean, a 110 or 123 waist isn't that much of a difference (it's only 1cm...half an inch.)

Sep 15 2010 2:55PM
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OMGHEDIDNT
Posts: 706 - Karma: 12
check out moment ski's too, there's a dutch gut importing them now...(not cheap but moment is an awesome brand imo)
Sep 15 2010 3:15PM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
110 and 123 is a HUGE difference in wait width, if u thinka about it its the same as the difference between a 90 and a 103. A one ten, depending on shape and flex pattern would fall into the all mtn pow category, a look at many of the pow specific skis in the industry and the fall between that 120 and 127 mark. I ski the jj(115) every day and my pow specific skis are 127
Sep 15 2010 3:33PM
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ckskier
Posts: 109 - Karma: 30
i second this
Sep 15 2010 4:47PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
The difference between a 90 and 103 or a 110 and 123 is not the same, because it's a percentage of the total width. Besides there's a breaking point where there's 'enough' float in accordance with the softness and width of tip and tail. Otherwise pow ski's would have a 160mm width standard - but they don't because it would be an enormous overkill.

In your example, I think the 1cm width difference is less important than the specs of the ski itself (width of tip/tail, softness, how much rocker, etc.) I could be wrong ofcourse!
Sep 15 2010 5:38PM
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edd1e
Posts: 679 - Karma: 16
I thought Id help you out as I too was/am in a similar situation in that I get atomic skis cheap.

Im 5'11 155 ski alot of trees, pillows, mainly pow. Have spent at least 100 days a year skiing whistler the last 3 years.

Skis I currently have

Atomic Patent 184
Atomic Bentchetler 183
k2 Obsethed 179 (08/09)

So I love my obsethed as my all-mountain ski. It feels longer than the Bentchetler because of the less rocker. It is my go to ski. (150 days plus and still lots of Camber)

The Bentchtler however is my pure pow ski 20cm+ . The taper in the shovel allows quick turns and transitions that are impossible on other skis. It gives you alot of confidence to go faster knowing you can shut it down quicker. Watch Bentchetler and Bene Mayer tear it up on them in the new nimbus webisodes. (see imbus artictle on home page of Newschoolers).

However The bentchetler offers minimal grip on tight exposed scratchy, nasty couloir  entrances, that is more to do with the width than anything (any 115mm+ waisted ski suffers in these conditions).


. If you ski more playful terrain than gnarl 60 degree pitches, they are sick, any 115mm+ waisted ski suffers in these conditions.

I have tried the blog and really enjoyed it, will probably get a pair to replace my obsethed as my allmountain ski.




Sep 15 2010 11:40PM
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Jaymon
Posts: 860 - Karma: 1,213
i am supported by atomic (claim) and get to ski all their skis, althought the bents are super sick, and so are the atlas, nothing compares to the versatility and bc freestyle abilities of the blogs... just sayin. i have the 185 and they are my go to ski on just about any day there is snow.
Sep 16 2010 1:05AM
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AlexF
Posts: 271 - Karma: 206

Extra width can make huge difference. As does rocker. I've got Fatypus D-senders, S7s and Kuros.

The effect of rocker is pretty damn big. My S7s float much more easily than the D-senders depsite being pretty similar in size.

The Kuros extra width and full reverse camber makes them the easiest to float by a mile and the ride on them in pow, chop and crud is incredible. Does make 'em slower though

I ski in CO so the pow is light and probably requires a ski with more width than regions with heavier snow. That said, if your looking for a pure powder ski then I'd go as wide as possible, and with a lot of or full reverse camber. Despite being the biggest ski I've used the Kuro is easily the most agile in trees and stuff, they pivot and turn in pow much more easily than any other ski I've been on, despite their size.

The downside of being completely reverse camber is that they're probably the worst skis I've been on on hardpack and ice. Thats why I got the S7s, they're my resort powder ski. In pow, chop and soft crud the Kuro slays the S7s and D-senders but they're miserable anywhere else. The reverse camber gives an amazing quick turning feeling in pow but makes them feel like the super heavy snowlerblades on hardpack...not fun.

Although none of these would be good for landing switch in pow I think that the effect of their designs on their behaviourwould apply to a fat ski designed for landing switch. Basically, if you're only going to be using these BC or the occasional deep day in a resort then I'd go for a fully reverse cambered ski. If you're going to use them in a resort, go for a ski with some camber underfoot. I'd also go really wide. I've never been skiing powder and wished I was using a narrower ski.


I was looking at the Hell Bents too as I want a ski for landing switch into pow and I want/need all the float I can get (I weigh around 210lbs/95kg). I was also thinking about the Volkl chopstick (I've always liked Volkl's big skis and the power they have). But then I found these:

Click for larger image

They look big, even next to my Kuros! They're Depth Hoars (by a company called skilogik). They've got some camber under foot and rocker in the tip and tail. I went with them because of their extra size and I liked the way they flexed in hand. The pretty beefy in the middle but soften up quite a lot in the tip and tail.

I'm hoping that the regular camber underfoot will make them manageable in a resort while the size and length should make landing switch in even the lightest pow possible, even for somebody of my size. Its a bit of a risk buying a ski without skiing it but I was sold when I picked up a pair.They amazingly light for their size (191cm, 143mm underfoot) despite a pretty traditional construction with a lot of hardwood (the joys and delights of a core wrapped in carbon fibre I guess).

I'll also admit to being a bit superficial as they look amazing in real life and that did make me want them really bad. You can't tell from the pic but the eyes are polished moter of pearl and the design isn't printed on, its made from different types of wood cut and fitted together to that pattern! 

I haven't tried the other skis already mentioned so can't really comment on them. Heard good things about the Bibbys though. 

Sep 16 2010 1:59AM
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Newschool_Pope
Posts: 2473 - Karma: 267
http://www.skiwebkauf.com/produktmarke/surface.html

449 euros for boronowskis pro model new lifes. thats a steal!
Sep 16 2010 5:19AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Cheers bro, really helpful

The New Life Surface's are pretty beast too, and well worth considering I think.

So that would leave me with 4 options?

- Blogs - 185
- Bents - 183
- Bents - 192
- Surface New Life's - 184 or 194...?

Ofcourse I could put down another 200-250 and go for like Hellbents or Ep-pro's but it doesn't feel the way to go...

Thanks everybody, lot of good input, keep it up! :)
Sep 16 2010 7:19AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
i personally would go for the 192 bentchetlers for pure powder
and for a bit more allround performance in variable snow (crud, melting, groomers, etc) i'd get the 185? blogs ....

depends on what skis you have, if you already have an allround fat ski (100+waist) i'd get the bentchetlers otherwise i think the blogs are gonna be more versatile/fun for you first powder weapon ....
Sep 16 2010 7:23AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
I dont have a 100+ waist ski yet, so you'd say I should go for the 185 blogs?
Hmmm...The only thing I'm afraid of is that the Blogs would be a bit too short (I'm 6"4/196cm) so I'm not sure 'bout that...

Thanks for the info, +K!
Sep 16 2010 7:30AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
yeah, 192 bentchetlers are possibly a better option then;
with your height you'll handle em without a problem and once you learn a trick on those babies and then strap into your park skis and try it in the park it'll feel super light and easy :)

there are enough people shredding fatskis all over the mountain, it just requires some getting used to and learning to apreciate the pros and contras of it :)

go for the benchetlers then :)
Sep 16 2010 7:44AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Seems very fair! If I mount them with Schizo bindings, do you reckon I could use them as pow 'chargers'  as well. Like. If I put the +3 setting on the Schizo's at center mount, if I'd put the binding more back, I'd get more float and thus can charger harder? Or won't it work like that?
Sep 16 2010 8:04AM
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edd1e
Posts: 679 - Karma: 16
could do, but I wouldnt rely on Schizo's personally, I would go Salomon sth16 , jesters or fks 155/185 .

I have my 183 bentchetlers 2.5cm back from centre, I had them 1cm behind centre and really didnt like it. With such a big wide tail its hard to get it to release. I find 2.5cm back far enough back to charge a bit but still jibby and playful and pretty good switch. 


Sep 16 2010 10:59AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Thanks bro! Really helpful! How heavy/tall are you though? That's the bitching factor in my case.
Sep 16 2010 1:12PM
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aoash2
Posts: 69 - Karma: 13
I would suggest the 4frn msp. Its wide enough to float through pow and has an early rise for win bounce. But they'll rip up piste smoothly. Also they've got dirty topsheets.

Sep 16 2010 2:44PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Thanks for the input, I'll look into it later on!
Sep 16 2010 7:13PM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
Center mount is good if ur only gonna be doing bc freestyle, if u wanna ski it as an all around pow weapon w/ the ability to ski switch, I would most def stay around the 2.5cm region, esp being a big guy if u center mount u will likely not be happy with their performance at speed
Sep 16 2010 8:04PM
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Newschool_Pope
Posts: 2473 - Karma: 267
i got my 189 hellbents centered, and could not be happier. i guess its all just preferences. although i must say im only 6'2". i also mounted it centre cuz the swingweight of the hellbents is quite high. dont know how it is for the chetlers.
but i guess you wont feel much of a difference with just 2.5 cm back
Sep 17 2010 3:02AM
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Ghini
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 3,002
THIS!! ;-)
Sep 17 2010 3:29AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
In that case I'd probably mount them 2-2.5cm back from true center I guess.
Would a Schizo binding be an option?
Sep 17 2010 8:59AM
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Nicko1981
Posts: 527 - Karma: 180
Liberty Genome, kapow. Soooo wide, it's silly.
Sep 17 2010 12:24PM
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derpina
Posts: 2186 - Karma: 55
Rosi S7's. Most phenomenal ski I've ever ridden... Easy to ride on any surface. Powder/Groomers/Ice/Jumps.
Sep 17 2010 3:57PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Thanks for the input, but they're very expensive. Both the S7's and the Liberty Genomes are way above my budget!
Sep 19 2010 9:44AM
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Nicko1981
Posts: 527 - Karma: 180
Yeah the Genomes are definitely not for the budget-tight; to be honest I haven't actually skied them yet but can't wait to this year; for the size they are really light.

My current powder ski is the Double Helix, and I really love it; performs amazing in powder and actually pretty well on piste as well; I'm 6'0 and fairly heavy and the 190 is perfect for me. Definitely worth a look if it's in your price range.
Sep 19 2010 10:29AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Thanks bro! Pretty helpful, too bad the Liberty ski's are so darn expensive, haha!
The New Life's are pretty dope, I gotta say, but so are the bents and the blog
Sep 19 2010 11:40AM
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brlehmann
Posts: 25 - Karma: 19
Anyone thought of the Obseth's?
I weigh roughly 150 and think that's the pow ski for me
Sep 19 2010 11:55PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
It's a very nice ski indeed, but they're pretty expensive, and they're an all-mountain ski and not really a pure pow ski. Thanks for the input though!
Sep 20 2010 2:30AM
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derpina
Posts: 2186 - Karma: 55
Maybe you'd be better off looking for some used skis... pow skis just aren't cheap because of all the extra material and special cut. Good luck!!!
Sep 20 2010 1:38PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Good idea! Thing is, it's not all that easy to get second-hand quality ski's in the Netherlands. I could check like the German/Austrian Ebay ofcourse!
Thanks again! +K
Sep 20 2010 4:06PM
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Gnarmy
Posts: 45 - Karma: 55
NEW LIFE or you will regret it..
Sep 20 2010 4:49PM
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Daydreaming
Posts: 1686 - Karma: 48
BENNYS
/thread

Bent Chetlers are an awesome ski, I've tried them, they slay everything. If you can get them cheap then definitely do this. If not, I'm in Europe until the end of november! Hook me up with teh discounts!!!11!1one!!1
Sep 20 2010 5:21PM
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edd1e
Posts: 679 - Karma: 16
I am only 155lbs but I really like the -2.5cm mount on the 183 bentchetler,my roommate is 5'9 185 and skis the 183 too. At your size if you want to ski hard then maybe the 192. Granted they feel short on hard pack but in the pow they feel true to length.


 Also Durtschi is like 6ft plus and he still skis the 183. Remember as well alot of people centre mount Hellbents as they have huge rocker and much less camber, a 189 hellbent measures around 194.

Sep 20 2010 5:22PM
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.ste
Posts: 1068 - Karma: 244
probably kung fujas
Sep 20 2010 10:06PM
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Jarle
Posts: 278 - Karma: 321
Check out sport-conrad.com and telemark-pyrenees.com for good deals. I know T-P had bent chetlers last year for under 500 euros nad s-c usually has good deal if you buy skis with bindings. Both in EU so no custom fees or extra taxes.
Sep 21 2010 1:15AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Thanks man! Is Durtschi tall? Didn't know that!
Anyway...6ft and a bit or 6"5 is quite the difference so I'm still undecided.
Everybody keeps hammering I should buy the New Life's; I know it's ghetto and G to have an 'underground' and 'unknown' brand like Surface, but are they stepping up to the plate like everyone claims they do? Are the New Life's better than the Bents?

Damn...it's so god-damn hard to decide! Argh!
Sep 21 2010 4:09AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Bump!
Sep 27 2010 7:00PM
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Daydreaming
Posts: 1686 - Karma: 48
I still say bennys
Sep 27 2010 8:13PM
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AlexF
Posts: 271 - Karma: 206

Coreupt Richard Permin's seem a pretty good deal at 359Euros

http://www.coreupt.com/ski/freeride/richard-permin

Haven't tried them (or any Coreupts for that matter) so can't say if their any good. But they tick some boxes; rocker, fat, near symmetrical.

I reckon a pair of last seasons Volkl Chopsticks could probably be found at a reasonable price and I think they'd be great for what you want. This is what I was going to do before I saw the SkiLogiks.

Sep 27 2010 9:02PM
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kipppmartin
Posts: 50 - Karma: 144

Bluehouse skis has some sick pow skis this year. Their prices are unbeatable because they sell direct. Not quite sure how much it would be to ship but going with bluehouse you will save a lot of money and have money to spend on shipping. Check out their skis!

http://www.factorydirectskis.com/powder-skis.html

Sep 28 2010 1:05AM
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