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January, 2025

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Side/Backcountry ski discussion.

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Whistlerrider20
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
Sup guys, I got a dilemma. Im looking into getting some powder skis, ive done my research, but I thought i'd drop in to NS for some advice. So my main choices for powder skis are Surface Anthony B New Lifes, Moment Night Trains, Atomic BentChetlers, Line Sir Francis Bacon's and Armada JJ's. Now im leaning torwards Moment Night Trains, or the Surface new life's. Ive heard some bad things about Surface skis though, breakage, de-laminating ect... So, i suppose i should include a little about me, im 5'10, 200lbs 17 years old. I ski Canada's West Coast with journeys into the interior. Im an Advanced to Expert Skier. Price dont matter at this point, im just trying to narrow it down. Also, give me input on some of the other skis I mentioned, as well as anything else you got. Thanks boys.
Feb 18 2011 10:20PM
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vandersteeze
Posts: 2650 - Karma: 1,511
Get full tilts
Feb 18 2011 10:22PM
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Oreos
Posts: 1207 - Karma: 38
Finding JJs in 185 will be hard. They could automatically be out of the equation.
Feb 18 2011 10:32PM
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Whistlerrider20
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
Damn, real helpful. ^^^
Feb 18 2011 10:32PM
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Whistlerrider20
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
Sorry Oreos, i was talikng to the comedian up there
Feb 18 2011 10:37PM
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Oreos
Posts: 1207 - Karma: 38
Sorry, OK well I didn't want to tell you how awesome they are for you to have trouble finding a pair.

But if you insist; the Armarda JJ is an amazing ski. It's flex profile results in a ski that is able to charge through tracked pow and rail groom whilst being a great jibby ski. Flotation is rarely an issue with the skis and the 5 dimensional sidecut enables this float to be controllable in trees by making slashy turns easy and a joy.

They are currently my daily driver when park is off the cards, however they have been through the park a few times, it was fun.
Feb 18 2011 10:38PM
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Oreos
Posts: 1207 - Karma: 38
Sorry I've been defensive already.
Feb 18 2011 10:39PM
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Whistlerrider20
Posts: 8 - Karma: 10
Yo, thanks for the input, I only really mentioned JJ's casue i wanted to see what people though. Im probably gonna go with Surface New Lifes or Moment Night Trains. Thanks anywany dude.
Feb 18 2011 10:41PM
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 903
Feb 18 2011 10:59PM
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hollygrove
Posts: 7845 - Karma: 93
I recommend the Surface's. Awesome ski, so much damn fun. And about the durability concern, Surface's construction issues have only ever been with their park skis. I've owned two pairs of live life's and a pair of green lifes in the past three years and each one has held together perfectly. No quality issues to speak of. hope that's reassuring enough. also, surface's have a lower price tag, and I know you said it doesnt matter, but wouldnt rather spend 600 on a ski of teh same quality as you'd get for spending 800+? your call.
Feb 19 2011 1:04AM
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thisisastickup
Posts: 597 - Karma: -24

This.

I love my new lifes, but they can get sketchy in real tracked stuff because they're real light and they kinda just glide over stuff instead of cutting through it.

Feb 19 2011 1:22AM
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benk
Posts: 1342 - Karma: 988
I'm going to throw this ski in there. ON3P Caylor. I use them as my touring/pow ski and are absolutely amazing, i can shut them down super quick and are unbelievably stable in crud.  
Feb 19 2011 1:52AM
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AALT
Posts: 1775 - Karma: 60
What Oreos said is spot on. JJs rip groomers, float unbelievably well, rip chopped stuff, are super playful, and ive skied mine in the park a few runs and they were fine, and they are super light.
Feb 26 2011 8:57PM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
Definitely look at the caylor. Such a great ski
Feb 27 2011 3:12AM
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Ryan*
Posts: 1827 - Karma: 1,195
If you're planning to take these skis out of the pow, I'd cross off the New Lifes. They get sketchy in crud, very hard to control. The Bent Chetlters, JJs and SFBs all have a lot in common:

-They all are rockered in the tip and tail and have camber underfoot
-They all have early taper
-They all have a low swing weight
-They all are super light
-They all are playful and flexy but still stable enough to stomp cliffs off of (however if that's what you're going for, then the New Lifes would probably be a great choice...they're very stiff and the width, especially in the tip and tail, makes them an awesome platform to land on).
-They all are on my list of skis to get, I'm trying to get a pair of any one of them
-They all are completely impossible to find at this time of the season

So you'd be insanely happy with any of them...but you'll never find them. Insert evil laugh.
You could wait for next year's run; just replace the SFB in that list with the Opus, and get in there in September.
Feb 27 2011 3:21AM
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