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Big Mountain Ski?

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robsha
Posts: 52 - Karma: 64
Hey guys, my name is Robert and i am planning on doing a road trip across America and Canada this winter! I am at heart though a kangaroo riding Aussie.

Im not sure sure what level skiier i would be classed but i am looking for a big mountain ski that is versitile in that it can handle drops, backcountry booters + tight trees. Previously i had a pair of JJ's which were great yet they seemed to have too much air drag on them when trying tricks.

I am 5'10, 150ish pounds and for now lets exclude the budget as im just interested to see whats out there.

This year im planning on trying a few new tricks in the backcountry, hopefully ill get a few doubles onto the feet! Im looking for a ski that has the diversity of being a powder ski but also feels like a park ski in the air. What are your thoughts guys, i know this isnt possible but whats the closest i can get!

Thanks NS!

Nov 25 2013 7:12AM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,591
... So do you want a big mountain ski or a powder ski?
Nov 25 2013 10:35AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
DO both. Worth Magic double carbons all the way. If I was going coast to coast and could only bring one pair of skis, that would be it for me- no hesitation.
Nov 25 2013 10:51AM
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Skroob
Posts: 266 - Karma: 69
i really like my ninthward rds pro. They are 183s and only 113 underfoot theyve been my only ski for like three seasons now.
Nov 25 2013 11:03AM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,591
Yeah but i feel like OP is claiming he wants a big mountain ski but doesnt really know what that is...
Nov 25 2013 11:11AM
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phiberawptik
Posts: 69 - Karma: 9
You mean like 99% of NS?
Nov 25 2013 11:29AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Exactly. So I recommended a ski that can rip tight turns and is easy to ski but will also rock out with it's cock out once he is comfortable with taking into something big and steep or start hucking.

Honestly what the fuck is a big mountain ski? All mountain? These terms are shit. OP wants something he can take anywhere, who cares what it's classified as? :)
Nov 25 2013 1:31PM
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robsha
Posts: 52 - Karma: 64
yeah i agree i didnt really know what the difference is. To my understanding a powder ski is solely designed for powder and is generally wider allowing for better handling in open powder but has a poor turning radius. A big mountain ski still works well in the powder but not as good, yet it has the ability to make quick turns and is smoother in the air as they are not as chunky. Thats my understanding, am i far off?
I didnt clarify clearly enough that if this is the case i am after a big mountain ski yet i agree with Huck Norris we should move on. My main problem with the JJ's were that they felt like they had too much drag in the air. I am looking for a ski that is great in the air for tricks but also is able to handle the tight trees and obviously powder.
Nov 25 2013 5:43PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
Are you gunna be chasing storms, or just going from place to place whether there is new snow or not? If your chasing/waiting for storms, get a stiffer powder ski like a praxis protest or a 4FRNT renegade. If your going to encounter variable conditions, which is still likely either way, get something thinner w/ a flat tail. Like an Armada Norwalk if you want a playful big mountain ski, or a Moment Governor/On3p Billy Goat that can charge hard but still slice n dice in the trees.
Nov 25 2013 7:44PM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,591
no worries I was just trying to get a better understanding of what kind of ski you are looking for.

Generally, powder skis are wider and actually have a tighter turn radius than most big mountain skis, and are usually softer and a bit more playful. Big mountain skis on the other hand are usually longer, stiffer, more of a wide arcing turn radius, flat tailed and made to charge and stomp. There are certainly crossover skis like Huck Norris mentioned, like jibby big mountain skis or hard charging pow skis, but depending on what you are looking for you may not even want any aspects of a big mountain ski at all.

From what I gather you are looking for a ski that will have good float, easy to maneuver, and will have a low swing weight for huckin tricks. If this is the case then there are tons of choices out there, some of my favorites being the Moment Night Train, and Line Pollard's Opus. I have also heard great things about the Majesty Superior's and the ON3P Caylor's.

I have never rode on the JJ's but alot of my friends claim they have a really low swing weight and are great for throwing tricks, so maybe the reason they feel so clunky is because of the bindings you have on them or perhaps youre just not used to fat skis, who knows. But if they dont float your boat any of those options I listed above should do the trick, I definitely recommend testing a pair out.

Nov 25 2013 7:54PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2828 - Karma: 5,373
ON3P jeffery would be good for what you want. Allmnt badassry but a little wider.
Nov 25 2013 8:13PM
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rylee.the.jedi
Posts: 410 - Karma: 368
Just took a couple of days on my atomic bentchetlers and I feel like they fit exactly what you're looking for.
Nov 25 2013 8:22PM
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gnar_whal
Posts: 1286 - Karma: 3,788
Sage cattabriga alosa and Dana flahr ride those. They're supposed to be pretty sweet. I have no experience with them though
Nov 25 2013 8:43PM
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japanada
Posts: 13785 - Karma: 1,956
If you thought the JJs were clunky/big in the air, idk what to tell you. Maybe find some Black Diamonds or touring specific ski. The JJs are pretty damn light to begin with for a ski of that size.
Nov 25 2013 8:52PM
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MartianMan
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 2,099
Nah they ride the Automatic, but Durtschi and Bentchetler himself ride them.

But seriously, those, also the YLE and Opus, pretty much sound just what you (OP) are looking for, the only thing is that they are not as versatile because they're 123mm underfoot. But if you want something a little skinnier, check out the Candide 3.0, which is wicked light, or the Nordica Patron, which pretty much kicks ass everywhere.
Nov 25 2013 10:07PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
The new Super 7 is a lb lighter per pair than the JJs, because of that hollow tip crap. I wonder how its gunna be in chop compared to the old super 7, probably worse.
Nov 25 2013 11:29PM
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gnar_whal
Posts: 1286 - Karma: 3,788
Oh my bad I thought they rode both.
Nov 26 2013 7:22AM
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*Frankie*
Posts: 532 - Karma: 703
Armada norwalk?!?!?
Nov 26 2013 7:29AM
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minihef
Posts: 813 - Karma: 781
If one of OP's main gripes with the JJ is too much drag in the air for tricks i'm not sure why people are suggesting even fatter skis. Sounds like OP wants a versatile pow ski on the narrower and lighter end of the spectrum so look at the Salomon Rocker 2 108 and maybe the Rossi Soul7 as two obvious choices. http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/update-2012-2013-salomon-rocker2-108/2

There are lots of good options in the 105-115ish waist range that will feel more nimble than a fatter ski in the air but still ski powder well and be versatile. Spend some time reading reviews on Blister, it'll really help give you an idea of what exactly you're looking for and what sacrifices you're willing to make in terms of performance.
Nov 26 2013 8:13AM
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40oz.
Posts: 1758 - Karma: 555
Bentchetlers.
Nov 26 2013 11:09AM
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gnar_whal
Posts: 1286 - Karma: 3,788
K2 shreditor 112
Nov 26 2013 3:25PM
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bieberhole69.
Posts: 654 - Karma: 1,387
Second the Mr Pollard's Opus.
Or on3p jeffery
Nov 26 2013 6:23PM
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