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December, 2024

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Good all mountain ski for a BIG DUDE

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cdisacdplayer
Posts: 6 - Karma: 10
Hey guys and gals looking for some advice for ski purchasing.

Im 6ft 3-4 inches, about 285lbs.

For my entire life I have pretty much been in the park; growing up in Wisconsin and then spending the last four years riding in  Vermont there has not been much else for me to do.  However, I just moved to Colorado, and now that i have the opportunity I want to get into some "real" skiing. My last skis were armada AR5s and 4frnt STLs from a  few years back. I havent had the opportunity to buy skis in a while, and im pretty unfamiliar with the new"ish" reverse camber technology that has come out. AR5s and STLs have treated me well for what ive been skiing in the past, but now I think I might something that has more float in the powder, but still can hold its own on rails and jumps. I would describe myself as someone who is beginning to phase out the park, but still has a little park rat in his heart. In my mind I dont want rocker on the tip and tail because with my size i feel like it would noodle out on me. So ive been thinking about going with just the early rise, to give myself a little more float.

I have two skis recommended to me...

Armada TST (but what from ive read thiis seems to be more catered towards powder than what im looking for. With the amount of early rise I should be riding a longer ski than usual right? I cant imagine getting onto a down rail with something taller than me.) Would you agree that this is more catered towards backcountry than what im looking for?

4FRNT Turbo: If i  was to take no other advice this seems like a good ski for me. Designed for all over the mountain. Not too skinny under the foot. Some early rise.

Any advice would be awesome. Also, any other options i should look at? What size should I be riding with the early rise stuff? Do I still want to be center mounted with early rise? Thanks! 
Oct 24 2012 1:42PM
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JacheOReally
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 253
As a large gentlemen myself, I mean this when I tell you, the Line Influence 105 is 100% the best all mountain ski, period. Fast as fuck, super responsive, and float really nicely. they are camber underfoot so are super stable at high speeds on groomers, chalk, chunder. By far the most stable, fast, and fun ski you will ever purchase. I live in Tahoe and have a 3 ski quiver (semetrical park ski, 140 underfoot pow ski, and the influence) and since I bought the influence, I have sold my park skis, and pretty much retired my pow skis. I also brought the influences to Alaska last year, and they held up perfectly on everything we skied, steep AK lines, and some of the deepest snow I've skied.

buy em
Oct 24 2012 1:51PM
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JacheOReally
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 253
Best of all, they are mad stiff, and you won't wash or noodle out.
Oct 24 2012 1:51PM
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JacheOReally
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 253
And as for rails and jump, I keep my edges sharp so I haven't tested them on rails, but jumps are pretty prime, riding switch is sketch because they are more of less directional (their is a tail, but its mild) But spinning really isn't bad, they are heavy, but you get use to it.
Oct 24 2012 1:53PM
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Breeneh
Posts: 66 - Karma: 15
I'd say take a look at the moment jaguar shark or the new line chronic. If you want something you can take in pie the moments are great and I'm sure then can go on groomers no prob as well. If you want something a little more playful definitely grab the chronicle. This year they're super light and line has encorporated the early rise tech Ito them so theylle even go in deeper snow with some ease. Also, they slay in the park.
Oct 24 2012 2:36PM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
I ski 189 Turbos as my every day ski, and I love them.

I'm 5'11, 195lbs and I ski Kicking Horse.
Oct 24 2012 2:55PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 5,463
I think 4frt turbo would be a great choice for you. It has early rise in front, none in the back but still has enough tail to go switch in the park if you want. Detune the edges a little and hit some rails. I say size big and get 189 if you do. Yes thats a big ski but your a big guy. And dont forget that your on a rockerd ski so it will feel shorter than it is.

Another ski I say take a look at is ON3P Vick 186. 136-106-126. For a do it all ski this would proably fit you pretty good. I know there is raised tail but not sure how much. Call the guys at ON3P and they can email you pics and see if it's enough to go switch.
http://www.on3pskis.com/products/skis/vicik/

I rode the TST last season and felt like it was a "ehhh" kinda ski. I sure some people will like it but I didnt. For me it felt it was lacking in high speed stability and I didnt like the lack turning radius (it was 18m last years). You might like cause it comes in a 192, but that's it.
I feel past couple years Armada has been slacking in their BC skis. It's like they take one ski, tweak it a little and call it new. EX: The JJ is the platform for all their BC skis. TST has exact same front rocker. AKJJ, MJ, Bubba all same as JJ except different flexes and dimensions.
Oct 24 2012 2:57PM
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cdisacdplayer
Posts: 6 - Karma: 10
Thanks for the advice. Everything about the Influence sounds great, except that its not true twin. I definitely want something that can be ridden switch. Anything else that you would look at? Also what range of widths should  be looking at for a ski thats good in the pow and the park.

So someone at 285 can ride a full rocker as long as its stiff? Good to know. For what im looking for would you reccoomend full rocker, or just early rise?
Oct 24 2012 3:05PM
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cdisacdplayer
Posts: 6 - Karma: 10
It seems like 4frnt Turbo is winning for me right now
Oct 24 2012 3:08PM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
The Turbo has early rise tips and tails.

Click for larger image
Oct 24 2012 3:16PM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
They're the ones with the green sidewalls on the left.
Oct 24 2012 3:20PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
188 Moment Tahoe's could be a good choice. A lot of people in Tahoe run this as their no new snow daily driver. It's 3/4 on their stiffness scale, and I remember Moment's being really stiff. Little bit of tip rocker with a twin tail, 96 underfoot will kill it everywhere on the east.

http://www.momentskis.com/shop/product/tahoe/

186 Jmo's could be a good option too, more rocker so they will ski a bit shorter, but ON3P's are known for being stiff and stable. More park oriented than the Tahoe.

http://www.on3pskis.com/products/skis/jeronimo/

Volkl's make some bigger/taller sticks as well, so definitely check those out.
Oct 24 2012 4:23PM
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SlurrP
Posts: 172 - Karma: 26
im 6'2" and pushing 200 lbs. i ski the turbo at Vail and love it. i highly recommend this ski. also i rip. fyi
Oct 24 2012 4:45PM
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snakerton
Posts: 2434 - Karma: 1,977
i love my turbos. great charging ski
Oct 24 2012 4:52PM
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cdisacdplayer
Posts: 6 - Karma: 10
The Turbo does well in powder too? Where should I be mounted on it for what I'm looking to do? The 192 for sure?
Oct 24 2012 6:00PM
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snakerton
Posts: 2434 - Karma: 1,977
I've never actually skied my turbos in pow cause i.have a pow ski. mine are at -1.5. works well for me. get the 192 with your size
Oct 24 2012 6:33PM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
192?  The longest length they make is the 189.

I have Dukes mounted at 1cm back of the line.  They handle pow just fine.  I found myself at the top of Whitewall last year with them as the patrollers were dropping the ropes.  I've got a vid somewhere.
Oct 24 2012 6:42PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
Line Blend. Groomers, Park, and Powder.
Oct 24 2012 9:04PM
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snakerton
Posts: 2434 - Karma: 1,977
^hes too big. he needs something stiffer
Oct 24 2012 10:00PM
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cdisacdplayer
Posts: 6 - Karma: 10
haha yeah no clue what was looking at
Oct 24 2012 10:27PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
tahoes would be clutch. colorado doesnt get huge dumps, or wet snow, so you arent gonna be skiing waist deep heavy pow where you would really want a strictly pow ski.

tahoes would be perfect for you.
Oct 24 2012 10:39PM
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