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April, 2025

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Line Opus vs. Surface New Life

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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
 I'm 15, 6'4, 195 pounds and still growing. I'm basically looking for a back country ski and the occasional pow day ski. Which is better? (We all know that BC doesn't exactly always mean pow). I need a ski that can shred and effortlessly float the pow but still hold its own in variable conditions. Anyone have experience with both? Also, what binding would you recommend for each ski? Thanks in advance!
13 years ago
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oil.
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,257
you are a big 15 year old.
never skied either but i just wanted to say that.
13 years ago
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7571 - Karma: 12,625
192 Opus. Or if youre adventurous, a 191 Atomic Automatic or Atlas.
13 years ago
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ianj
Posts: 536 - Karma: 167
I have 2011 Opuses with Barons. I absolutely love them. I didn't get to use them very much last season or hike with them but these skis are great with the powder and the chopped up leftovers. I have a friends who has the live life and one who used to have LL 2s and they both love them. The 3 stage is not has extreme as it is with the New Life so they will handle crud and corn a little better. Hope that points you in the right direction.
13 years ago
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
which would you recomend for playing around in the BC? like charging, jumps, butters,
13 years ago
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
etc. which floats better? (sorry about the cutoff)
13 years ago
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50Kal
Posts: 2836 - Karma: 5,541
On your list of skis to check out Look up ON3P caylor 191. It would do everything your asking and more.

13 years ago
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rudager
Posts: 11336 - Karma: 4,650
For a bigger fella like you, I'd go with the New Life

Here is a review I wrote
https://newschoolers.com/ns/content/reviews/action/read/id/1690/
13 years ago
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ianj
Posts: 536 - Karma: 167
That's a good question. The new life is pretty sick and I think it's a little stiffer than the Opus. Really your call. Oh, also I am 6'2" and 165 and I got the 185 Opuses. SIck ski for sure.
13 years ago
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bigwhite.steeze
Posts: 8228 - Karma: 1,032
new life would charge much harder than the opus, pretty stiff ski with a heavy rocker, not super agile, but it will never sink and can charge through most anything
13 years ago
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
The Opus is a thinner ski, about 5mm thinner in the waist and closer to 10mm thinner at the tip and tail. Also the Opus is much softer. There turning radius is fairly similar.

The opus would probably be better for everyday use if you like to go edge to edge obviously, but the New life is gunna charge pow better.There both great skis.

The Opus is going to be like a K2 Obsethed or The Moment Bibby Pro.

While the Surface New life would ride more like and improved Icelandic Gypsy or like a Salomon Rocker 2 122 with bigger tip/tail more sidecut.
13 years ago
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Thanks guys! +k for everyone. Are the New Lifes playful like the opus?
13 years ago
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ianj
Posts: 536 - Karma: 167
The New Life is stiffer than the Opus but you should be able to butter it around in the powder with the 3 stage.
13 years ago
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
allright sweet! thanks again
13 years ago
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
get the new life...its uniquely stiff and flat underfoot. i just got mine in the mail. Looks hardcore man its sooo sweet.
13 years ago
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Andi_G
Posts: 3100 - Karma: 15,255
I love my new lifes. Super fun in pow, and they rail groomers
13 years ago
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Yeah, I get that alot.
13 years ago
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Allright guys, I made my decision! And it's niether of them! Gettin the Surface Lab 01!! They're a wider, longer New Life with "Deep Dish" Rocker! Look them up! They're ill!
13 years ago
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ianj
Posts: 536 - Karma: 167
I've glanced online at those before. Rad ski for sure
13 years ago
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
Ya there sweet, but pricey for surface.

And im almost positive that they are reverse sidecut...I hope you have skiied reverse sidecut before
13 years ago
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