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Final decisions on choosing a Ski.

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Alistair.
Posts: 458 - Karma: 212
6'2
175 Lbs
Dunno what type of skiier I am, never been graded but I'd put myself at level 7/8 on this http://www.insideoutskiing.com/level.html

I've been looking into getting my first proper powder ski for my season in France, so there'll be no bottomless powder days like you lot get in places like Revelstoke.

I'll be using the ski for a lot of tree runs, few little drops around the mountain, hopefully progressing to a few bigger ones during the year, maybe a couple of steepish faces if I bring myself to a standard where I'm capable of doing so. It won't be a touring ski as I'm working the season and will rarely get chance to go touring far so if I need to get anywhere I'll just strap em up and hike.

After looking around, and a couple of previous posts I've brought it down to the following

Line Opus
Armada AK JJ
Salomon Rocker2 115
Black Crows Nocta (Looks like a really sick ski, Julien Regnier's ski of choice, and he's from the resort I'm doing my season in.)
Atomic Bent Chetler

However, I'm thinking the Bent Chetler and the Nocta are a bit overkill for the French Alps. I'm open to suggestions and obviously +K to helpful responses.

Thanks! :)
Oct 24 2012 2:35PM
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Breeneh
Posts: 66 - Karma: 15
Go with the opus. It's been under development since the beginning of line. I've heard it's pretty playful and the graphic is sick.
Oct 24 2012 2:40PM
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steezy.stew
Posts: 1137 - Karma: 568
OPUS
Oct 24 2012 2:44PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 5,401
Right now your list of skis to me screams, Jibbin deep pow, Jibbin deep pow, Jibbin deep pow.

Thats fine if you want a ski for jibbing deep powder but Is there enough deep powder to make the ski worth the Buy? I've never skied in France so I dont know what your skiing for terrain and snow.

Im Just saying maybe re-evaluate your quiver. If you need a super deep pow twin tip go for it. But if your skiing in a place that has more of a variety of snow maybe choose something more versatile. Maybe something that handles deep snow but can handle the steeps as well. Something Like 100-115 underfoot.

Just something to think about. If this doesn't apply to you Just ignore what I posted and carry on.

A season skiing in France sounds awesome.
Oct 24 2012 4:37PM
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Alistair.
Posts: 458 - Karma: 212
It'll be reasonable on a good day but it won't be bottomless chest deep pow.

Yeah I'm struggling a bit haha. The Opus Bents + Nocta I realize are proper jibbin skis but they seem to rip everything anyway?

I've got my 85 chronic mounted for all mountain for throwing around the piste so I don't have to worry about the ski performing super well on hardpack.

Salomon Rocker2 115 looks interesting to me.
Oct 24 2012 5:05PM
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Lucas
Posts: 4881 - Karma: 1,575
What is a jibbin ski?
Oct 24 2012 6:56PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 5,401
Alistair I PMd you ski recommendations. check them out and see what you think. Im to sick to be posting right now.
Oct 24 2012 7:20PM
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Alistair.
Posts: 458 - Karma: 212
So essentially my dilemna now is get a stiffer more directional ski like the Automatic, or a softer more playful ski like the Opus.

Still open to suggestions!
Oct 25 2012 8:39AM
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SteezyVandy
Posts: 137 - Karma: 39
bent chetlers will be too big imo.. look at something further down the line like the blogs. my mate rides them and loves them. relatively stiff and hard charging because of the triple side wall they have underfoot and super versatile. however i havent skied them so i cant say much more then that.
Oct 25 2012 11:30AM
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Alistair.
Posts: 458 - Karma: 212
Yeah I've ruled out the Bents, Blogs are only in 185 which I feel will be too small for me due to the rocker and me being 6'2.
Oct 25 2012 12:07PM
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Alistair.
Posts: 458 - Karma: 212
bump?
Oct 25 2012 10:03PM
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Alistair.
Posts: 458 - Karma: 212
Bump again?!
Oct 26 2012 8:06PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
It sounds like you are looking for a ski thats going to make you a better skier. you need a stiff ski that will give you confidence off bigger cliffs. you need a ski thats also good in trees.

On3p Billy Goat
Oct 26 2012 8:20PM
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Alistair.
Posts: 458 - Karma: 212
I would get the Billy Goat but living in the UK, it's outside my price range with shipping ! :(
Oct 26 2012 8:36PM
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zwiefel12
Posts: 173 - Karma: 81

How about a slightly stiffer version of the opus? Say the 2013 Influence 115... I had the opus and while is was a TON of fun it was too soft when cruising at high speeds and variable terrain.  Now that I have the 115 it is stiffer but not a super crazy stiff ski. Im excited to get out on the snow with it!!! should slay just about everything that comes its way.

http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/2012-2013-line-influence-115

http://www.earlyups.com/featured/gear-2013-line-influence-115-first-impressions/

http://theskimonster.com/blog/posts/2013-line-influence-115-ski-review/

http://www.backcountry.com/line-influence-115-ski

couple reviews and write ups. Backcountry has a cool write up from Andrew Whiteford who helped design the ski.

Oct 27 2012 1:20PM
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