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Best Slackcountry and resort pow ski

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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
I'm 6'4 185lbs. I like slashing around, making wide turns, some trees but not many, skiing switch, and buttering around. Will be mounting Salomon Guardian bindings on them. Open to ideas. I'm at a loss here guys, I need opinions. Here are my current options:
Surface Lab 001
Surface New Life
Surface One Life
Line Opus
Armada Magic J
Armada AK JJ
Armada TST
ON3P Caylor
+10/10 k for help/opinions
Nov 28 2012 11:00PM
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SoCore
Posts: 141 - Karma: 222
ON3P Jeffrey
Nov 28 2012 11:23PM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Too short and skinny:/
Nov 28 2012 11:42PM
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Dr.Dickless
Posts: 2620 - Karma: 1,392
haven't skied any of those, but I use Moment Night Trains for pretty much this exactly

the full rocker is playful for butters, its stiff enough that it can perform alright on groomers and offer some support when you charge in the soft stuff

don't take them on ice ever


Nov 28 2012 11:58PM
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Dr.Dickless
Posts: 2620 - Karma: 1,392
also, I haven't ridden the newest ones, only the ones with full length rocker
Nov 29 2012 12:23AM
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SoCore
Posts: 141 - Karma: 222
But you have the Armada TST on there at a 101mm waist...

What's your minimum length? 190?

Lab 001 should be out - only comes in a 181.

Opus 192 probably most fit the bill as slashy and buttery.

A lot of people on here love the Surface New Lifes. Lots of reviews around.

AK JJ is still pretty playful despite it's size - just watch Jacob Wester rip pow on them.

I went for Magic J - haven't gotten out on them yet due to lack of snow so not much help there. Like the idea of a wider platform JJ.

I had Surface One Lifes - wasn't a huge fan of the flex. They're real stiff underfoot because of the funky rocker pattern. Also 112mm waist so similar to the ON3P Jeffrey in dimensions.



Nov 29 2012 12:30AM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
TST is 133 underfoot. Lab is just in because of the deep dish rocker. And one lifes I opted out on soon after posting. So one lifes and labs are out
Nov 29 2012 12:40AM
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BE..
Posts: 1185 - Karma: 81
the tst is not 133 underfoot. you're reading the dimensions wrong. they are 133 at the widest point of the ski which is a little back from the tip. That being said if you want a fun ski you can really play around on, the tst isn't a great choice. but if you want to charge, then it's a great option.
Nov 29 2012 12:46AM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Ah shoot. My bad. TST is out.
Nov 29 2012 12:49AM
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BE..
Posts: 1185 - Karma: 81
The opus sounds like the ski that you're looking for, that or the magic j.
Nov 29 2012 12:51AM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,591

of those choices your best bet would probably be opus caylor or magic j.

you could also look at the volkl shiro

Nov 29 2012 2:00AM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
194 New Life or 192 Opus

New Life is usually cheaper.
Nov 29 2012 4:43AM
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ISellMeth
Posts: 1440 - Karma: 673
191 Caylor for sure. Those things float like a dream and even in the crud they are one of the most skis I've ever skied.
Nov 29 2012 10:02AM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Right now I'm kinda between the Moment Ghost Chant, New Life, Caylor, and Magic J. I'm a little skeptical of the Magic J because I've never skied them or the JJ. I really like the idea of a center mounted pow ski though like the ghost chant and new life
Nov 29 2012 10:35AM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Which of those has the largest rocker?
Nov 29 2012 10:46AM
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SoCore
Posts: 141 - Karma: 222
I would bet the New Life because of the 3-stage rocker. Magic J rocker is just like the JJ and TST.
Nov 29 2012 10:50AM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
What about the Caylor?
Nov 29 2012 11:09AM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Narrowed it down. New Life, Caylor, and Ghost Chant.
Nov 29 2012 11:31AM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Which has a larger rocker? Night Train or Ghost Chant?
Nov 29 2012 11:42AM
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SoCore
Posts: 141 - Karma: 222
194 New Life for $379 on EVO right now if that affects your decision at all.
Nov 29 2012 11:42AM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
I can get them for $300. I just want the best out of them all. Not the best price. New Life or Caylor is my question now.
Nov 29 2012 11:46AM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,591
Id say new life
Nov 29 2012 12:10PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
I think you really need to evaluate what you want out of your skis. The New Life's are a symmetrical ski, whereas the Caylor's are not. While they are both rockered powder skis, they are definitely different beasts. Same goes for the rest of the skis mentioned in your original post.

Based on your posts in other threads, you made it seem like you "knew a ton about this stuff" because "skiing is your life." (www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/721183/) So why is it so hard now to pick out a pair of skis for yourself when you can so easily recommend skis for other people based on very limited information about their abilities/location/personal preferences?

Personally, I would go Caylor's, but that's my opinion based on my own preferences. I found the Caylor's able to dominate any terrain that I put in front of them with ease. They were playful, nimble, and exceptionally stable despite their 120mm waist.

I would never mount touring bindings on a symmetrical ski. Could you? Absolutely, but I personally wouldn't want to deal with that much tail when skinning/kick turns.

Less posting and more research or asking yourself what you want your skis to do for you will probably result in better decision making when it comes time to purchase skis.

/my $.02
Nov 29 2012 12:29PM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
He's lighter than me so the Opus's flex is right at his 150lbs. Skiing is all I do really. In all my spare time, im on here. You raise a good point, but let's not get into this. Not worth it. I do know a lot about this, not near what others.know, but I know skiing pretty well. i just wanted others opinions about the skis, as I have never ridden the new lifes or caylors or any moment or Armada skis.
Nov 29 2012 12:52PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
I really, really like my Caylors. I am 5'8" and bought 181 so I could still ski Mad River terrain without much hassle. Even with a heavy setup (MFD+FKS on there), they are maneuverable enough.

I wrote a review on them on here with a little bit more information.
Nov 29 2012 2:20PM
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Phantom
Posts: 908 - Karma: 180
quit flaming the guy, but you're right on the caylors, I ski them in a 191 and i'm amazed how nimble they are in the trees but still rip giant turns with ease and are amazingly stable on drops and hucks.
Nov 29 2012 3:51PM
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WAskibum
Posts: 10 - Karma: 13
Why is the k2 hellbent not on your list? amazing ski for pow but still can tear up groomers. And lots of rocker so they butter well
Nov 29 2012 6:58PM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
I typically stay away from K2 just because of the topsheet chipping they are infamous for. What are your thoughts on the Hellbent?
Nov 29 2012 7:27PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
Hellbents are a terrible outdated ski.
Nov 29 2012 7:30PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
Ghost chant, but it's not just about a huge amount of rocker.

If you like buttering around and skiing switch these are the skis, especially for $300.
Nov 29 2012 7:34PM
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bighomieflock
Posts: 2040 - Karma: 2,445
I'm going to buy something similar and the night trains or line pollards opus are at the top of my list.

What is the flex like on the magic js?
Nov 29 2012 8:50PM
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BE..
Posts: 1185 - Karma: 81
slightly stiffer than a normal jj.
Nov 29 2012 9:06PM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
$300? Where could I get the Ghost Chant for $300?
Nov 29 2012 9:24PM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,591
Easy there man. Yeah its a sweet ski and for a good price but that is alot of rocker for an inbounds pow ski, especially paired with the crazy soft flex those are going to be a nightmare in crud and wont do too well on hardpack either
Nov 29 2012 11:02PM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Really? So you think New Life?
Nov 29 2012 11:12PM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,591

that would be my 2 cents.

symmetrical and fun to play around on, nice rocker profile and pretty stiff so you can charge through that chop with no prob.

New life seems like the way to go to me

Nov 29 2012 11:45PM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
But the Ghost Chant is also symmetrical? Could I still butter on the new life in the soft stuff?
Nov 29 2012 11:51PM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,591

yep

Eliel Hindert // Retrospect // Seasonal Shred 09.10 from Eliel Saarinen on Vimeo.

Nov 30 2012 12:09AM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
New Life it i! Thanks guys!
Nov 30 2012 12:32AM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Is*
Nov 30 2012 12:40AM
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Casey
Posts: 7846 - Karma: 24,308
Did everyone take note of that cork 7 at like 2:40ish. Holy hell that was big.
Nov 30 2012 12:45AM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
I was all like "WHOOOOOOAAA."
Nov 30 2012 1:01AM
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gnarles.
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 130
/\ that was hugeeeee and also that avalanche was scary
Nov 30 2012 1:27AM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
woops I fucked up, I was referring to the New Lifes for $300.

Ghost Chants from what I've read are on the softer side.
Nov 30 2012 6:18AM
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Oh alright gotcha. Thanks!
Nov 30 2012 11:12AM
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