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Need Help picking a ski company +K

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Jaymon
Posts: 860 - Karma: 1,213
I am going to switch next year from an individual company sponsorship to a larger shop support deal. Unfortunately the company I currently ride for is not carried at the aforementioned store. The deals I will be getting at the shop are equivalent to what I am currently getting.

I am limited to 1 company as it is a two year program that develops into a full ride for skis on the second year. I need two new pairs of skis: a big mountain comp ski, and a backcountry filming ski

I need to pick between the following companies and would like a bit of advice. I have included the skis interested in as well but feel free to make recommendations.

I am 5'10", 165lbs. Full on aggressive freestyle/big mountain level 3 whatever jib jab you need to know

4Frnt
Comp:193 EHP
Film:187 YLE

Rossi
Comp: 195 Super7
Film: 188 S7

Line
Comp: 186 Influence 115
Film: Mr. Pollards Opus

Armada:
Comp: ANT? AKJJ?
Film: ARG

Salomon
Comp: 190 Czar
Film: 185? Rocker2

Nordica:
Comp: 190 Patron
Film: 185 Radict

At this point Salomon and 4Frnt are my two top picks, but I really dont know enough about all these companies to make a choice. I am not asking for you guys to make a choice for me, but rather help me out by telling me what you love about some of the skis I mentioned or the companies involved.

I am getting the same deal on all skis. I will not get to test ride the skis before I order.
Mar 23 2011 9:15PM
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Matty_K
Posts: 575 - Karma: 222
I love line personally, and I think they would be a great company to be sponsored by. But if it would be skis only, I would say salomon, the rocker 2 looks beautiful and everything I've seen on here says it's amazing. Congrats on even having this choice, and I want you to know you are very lucky. But make the decision you want, and stick with that decision. All companies have a good reputation. If it was me though I would probably pick salomon, then line. Hope I helped!
Mar 23 2011 10:12PM
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db21
Posts: 597 - Karma: 61
armada makes really good, super durable skis. my first pair i rode really hard for 3 years and the skis outlasted the bindings. fantastic skis id highly reccomend them
Mar 23 2011 10:22PM
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Jaymon
Posts: 860 - Karma: 1,213
Thanks guys! +k

Armada is pretty low on my list at this point, although there skis seem quite durable they dont really have much that appeals to me. Salomon is probably my first choice at the time being but i have heard so much shit on suspect durability i am beginning to question their production standards.

You're right I am very fortunate to be given this choice. I am quite pumped on the way the deal is looking.

Also I forgot one.

K2
Comp:188 sidestash OR 189 ObSETHed
Film: 179 Hellbent
Mar 23 2011 10:30PM
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SteezyTJH
Posts: 103 - Karma: 10
this exactly! if you would get more then just skis from Line then itd be dope but the Salomons were the best combo of skis i saw on your list
Mar 23 2011 10:34PM
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Jaymon
Posts: 860 - Karma: 1,213
So its down to these 3 in order:

1. Salomon

2. 4Frnt

3. Line
Mar 23 2011 10:54PM
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Mr-conutco
Posts: 327 - Karma: 26
This!!!! If it where me i would go with Line cause they have super awsome duribal pow and park skis.
Mar 24 2011 4:11PM
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tall_t
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 15
NINTHWARD! they have great pow skis.http://www.ninthward.com/skis/
Mar 24 2011 4:16PM
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Jaymon
Posts: 860 - Karma: 1,213
^ are you retarded?

I didn't mention ninthward because the shop i am going through doesn't carry them, if they did they would have been on the list. The reason i am asking is because i am limited to these companies and my previous sponsor wasnt on the list.

its down to 4frnt and salomon!

bump for help! and +k to intelligent responses
Mar 24 2011 9:26PM
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db21
Posts: 597 - Karma: 61
it is up to you but i have heard some questionable things about both salomon and 4frnt durability. maybe put line back in the running as i know most people ive heard from loooove their line pow skis. just a suggestion
Mar 24 2011 11:07PM
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jon@wh2o
Posts: 314 - Karma: 158
I'd go salomon, but have you looked at their sentinels for a comp ski? assuming you're doing big mtn comps.
Mar 25 2011 12:41AM
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I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,351
BLUEHOUSE
Mar 25 2011 12:54AM
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Jaymon
Posts: 860 - Karma: 1,213
yeah looked at the sentinals, i think a little too small, and the El dictator seems too stiff and heavy to be maneuverable enough.

I am really leaning towards 4frnt, 186 EHP would be money for both maneuverability and stiffness and YLE looks straight grease.

and to I.B... did you even read the thread? you my friend are a genuine dickfart
Mar 25 2011 1:24AM
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LivinOuttaBounZ
Posts: 949 - Karma: 382
I'd just like to say, just because you buy the best athletes doesn't mean you make the best skis.
Not directed at any one comment, NS member, or brand.
With that said...
For me, skiing was never about having the latest, most popular gear. It has always been more about chasing a feeling. And when a brand makes a product that makes me remember why it is I ski, even when I'm not on the snow, I remain pretty loyal. And because I'll never be paid to ski, nor will I ever be good enough to out perform any of the well made, high performance skis out there, my advice is to go with a company that shares your values. Just my honest opinion.
Mar 25 2011 1:58AM
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Twig
Posts: 6407 - Karma: 60,031
I'd go for Line then 4frnt.. purely because I've only had good experiences with Line and they tend to suit my skiing style well.
However I'm willing to bet the Pollard Opus will still be a fairly soft ski, a friend has checked them out and said they are mid-soft. Dunno if that affects your decsion.
4frnt makes bomber pow skis, the EHP is insane as a charger, if I had enough money/storage space, it'd be my first choice to just charge steeps. And the YLE looks like it will be amazing too.
Mar 25 2011 5:12AM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Best advice in the thread so far. What are you asking us for, this is your contract, do whatever excites you the most and be freaking stoked that someones paying for your gear!
Mar 25 2011 5:20AM
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Ghini
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 3,002

This for shure..

For me the right feeling is quality..

Mar 25 2011 5:48AM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
line or armada
Mar 25 2011 11:18AM
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4FRNT
Posts: 436 - Karma: 6,164
I'd pick 4FRNT, obviously. Although for a comp ski you may want to think about the 186 EHP/Renegade or the 189 Turbo. Those usually do a little better in the variable conditions you always end up competing in.

Just my .02 :)

Congrats on getting such a good hookup either way.
Mar 25 2011 2:36PM
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CDdesign
Posts: 1015 - Karma: 92

i just picked up a Turbo for freestyle pow, and absolutly love it.... what i love even more, is, how stoked 4Frnt is with people being on their gear...  I have talked with people from my local shop rep, to the higher up guys in the company!!

All of the people i have talked to with 4Frnt were really helpful, and really made me feel good about getting a ski from them...  i am sure if i WERE to have any sort of problem/ warrenty issue with my skis or my Deadbolt bindings it would be really easy to get it resolved!

Plus with 4Frnt you can use their binders, the Deadbolt, which are really stylish Mojo 15's

Mar 25 2011 7:25PM
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Jaymon
Posts: 860 - Karma: 1,213
I am seriously leaning towards 4frnt... they seem to have the gear that gets me the most stoked! I have never skiied them or the salomons which is why i was asking.

An to 4frnt i think the 186 would be a better option, I ride faction 13s now and they are definately a little much at times.

The only reason I have strayed from wanting to go through 4frnt is according to the shop they have had a tendency to be unreasonable about what are qualified factory defects and need warranty, both the YLE and the EHP seem like good fits to what I want to do.

and @4FRNT WHat are the weights on the 187 YLE? Because I am thinking I may use them for touring when not on my tour specific skis.

Thanks to everyone and ++++ K all around!
Mar 25 2011 8:29PM
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Barsevskis
Posts: 183 - Karma: 138
i'd say go 4Frnt. i love there big mountain skis. i own a pair of CRJs and they are awesome. super playful, float really nicely in the pow and you can stomp cliffs. i have also used the EHPs and they are so good for charging steep lines and hitting big stuff. i really like how stiff those skis are. i am also interested in the YLEs they look like they would be a great freestyle backcountry ski. i think i'm going to get them next year
Mar 25 2011 9:35PM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
maybe demo the different skis? pick whichever you like best and be stoked on free gear
Mar 28 2011 12:35AM
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4FRNT
Posts: 436 - Karma: 6,164
Thanks for all the nice words guys. We're stoked about the line-up for next year, glad you guys are too!

The YLEs and the Renegades are going to come in right around 11 lbs per pair. So not the lightest skis out there, but definitely tour-able. If you throw on a Dynafit setup they get pretty quick uphill. Hoji rides the Renegade/Dynafit setup all year these days.
Mar 28 2011 12:15PM
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CassiusClay
Posts: 1757 - Karma: 2
If you're choosing between Salomon and 4frnt, I'd go with 4frnt- it seems that they would at least better cater to my big mountain needs (and possibly yours). The issue with factory defects and damage mainly arises with their park skis which is why you may have read about problems with this on this site. I haven't had a chance to get out on recent years 4frnt big mountain sticks, but have only heard great things about their durability (and unfortunately not so great from their park line).
Mar 28 2011 12:30PM
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