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Bridge and Dukes?

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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
So, I am heading to South America for the summer, and am getting round to thinking about what skis to take. I figure I'll only be able to take one pair. At the moment I have Chopsticks, Walls and Progressors, none of these is what you would call an all mountain ski, so I think I need something new.

Whilst I am down there I want to do a bit of soft touring, resort skiing, and where there's a park, park. The Bridge sounds good for those. Thinking Dukes on them. Anyone skied the Bridge for these applications? How does the rocker/elp deal with touring? Do Dukes hold up ok for occasional park laps?

Any ideas for alternatives? S3s? Blends? Patents?

I'm 6'2, 85kgs, strong skier. Thanks in advance for any replies.
Mar 11 2011 12:47AM
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ReetsAdeets
Posts: 1531 - Karma: 611
The Bridges seem like they would be sick for what you described. As long as it's soft, you should hopefully sink in enough to have plenty of surface area with the skis, especially with the small rocker. I have heard of Dukes breaking from landing switch, but never seen it...just something to think about. Maybe look into the MFD Alltimes for a touring alternative?
Mar 11 2011 12:55AM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,624
I would look into something with a little more waist if you plan on doing some touring.
Atomic Blogs?
Line Blends?
Surface Watch Life?

Anything between 112mm and 95mm.

If you say park when there is park, it seems like it isn't a nessacery thing on your ski search.

I usually am able to list more all mountain skis in that waist range. But there is just no way right now. I apologize
Mar 11 2011 1:01AM
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Pastie
Posts: 676 - Karma: 146
I have to say I've been riding the Line Blends for a little while and they've been a great for a ski that can shred all over the mountain, piste, off piste, and park, no rails though. The resort I ski at doesn't get an incredible amount of snow, but me and my buddies went hiking up on a glacier and they were fantastic.
Mar 11 2011 1:10AM
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Rockhound
Posts: 3432 - Karma: 851
mount some surface one lifes up with dukes... that would be awesome for what you want
Mar 11 2011 1:30AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Don't try to ski park on Dukes. Get two setups or use inserts or swap plates to let you switch between alpine bindings and Dukes.
Mar 11 2011 1:49AM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
Inserts, good call! Is the mount pattern the same on dukes and jesters? Also, what's likely to happen to the Dukes if I ski park on them?
Mar 11 2011 4:21AM
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sagaRIP
Posts: 287 - Karma: 12
I have this years bridges and they are sweet at everything. Really light and low swing weight, elp rocker which carves really hard when you want it to. Floats like a dream in the pow. A little chattery/unstable at super high speeds, but if you are a good skiier you will have no problem.
Mar 11 2011 7:35AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Dukes might be fine in the park, but the might break (especially switch). I wouldn't risk it on a $500 binding.

Dukes and Jesters are different patterns. Talk to your shop about what will work to space out the holes properly with the bindings in the position you want them (eg. alpine at -1, Dukes at -5) and your size of boots.
Mar 11 2011 8:34AM
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Evilchris
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 44
How about possibly investing in a larger SKI bag and bringing 2 pairs of skis instead of buying new skis?
Mar 11 2011 10:42AM
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Dyar
Posts: 622 - Karma: 35
That's just crazy :) But seriously Dukes=/=Park.
Mar 11 2011 11:19AM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14486 - Karma: 10,632
I have barons on my one lifes and I love them. Haven't toured on them yet, and haven't had any issue on the occasional park lap.
Mar 11 2011 11:37AM
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thisisastickup
Posts: 597 - Karma: -24

YEAH DUDE, BECAUSE TOURING ON SKIS WITH AN EFFECTIVE RUNNING LENGTH SMALLER THAN A SNOWBLADE IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA.

find something high. jump off of it.

Mar 11 2011 12:43PM
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DUKES
Posts: 5150 - Karma: 691
liberty helixs would be sick for touring
Mar 11 2011 1:38PM
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silas
Posts: 24 - Karma: 10
bridge and schizos is what u r looking for.. i just bought them and i am very happy!! 6 cm at the mounting point is a lot of diffrence... i skied on deep powder they were excelent, park with the schizos on +3 they rocked, on piste and carving quit well thought at high speeds they were a bit unstable but i may be rided them wrong cause was my 1st rocker ski..
Mar 11 2011 2:23PM
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silas
Posts: 24 - Karma: 10
.. hmmm sry i forgot about touring... so dukes on bridges?? u lose a lot from what the the ski has to offer.. i would considering to buy another ski not so park-friendly.. maybe mantras or prophets??
Mar 11 2011 2:32PM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
Dukes have the same mounting pattern as Jesters in the heel right? Are the toe piece holes far enough away that you could just use inserts and swap them?
Mar 11 2011 5:11PM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
My ski bag is plenty big enough, I have been carrying 2 pairs of skis round the world in it for the last 5 years. The issue is that South American budget airlines don't have much baggage allowance, and as I am taking quite a few flights (going to an island in Venezuela before the snow, and Bolivia after), staying under that baggage allowance is key.

This said, I am seriously thinking about just getting another set of skis when I get down there, just one pair is going to be a pain for a whole season.
Mar 11 2011 5:20PM
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Rockhound
Posts: 3432 - Karma: 851
this is a great idea, but do this with Surface one lifes, they kill it in the park and the pow
Mar 11 2011 9:22PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Read my previous message. They're different. And you might want your mounts at different points. Get your shop to line it up with the jigs at various mount points and they'll tell you what works and what doesn't.
Mar 12 2011 5:10AM
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