Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Need help with finding me a powder ski ( ≤120 )

profile picture
Nippletron
Posts: 148 - Karma: 670
Hi I'm a 19 year old dude in search for a pair of powder skis. I already own a pair of Line Prophets 98 2012/2013 as a one ski quiver but I want a pair for my powder skiing.


I ski in the Swiss/French Alps and I'm 5ft11/12inches weighing 154 pounds so I'm not the beefiest guy there is. I am an advanced skiier and I ski fast and aggressive, I like carving/sharp turning down steep groomers and find powder wherever possible. I haven't really experienced pure backcountry and don't find the opportunity to do much of it so I can't justify buying a ski over 120mm wide underfoot. Yet I ski fast and aggressive I'm a big scardy cat with big kickers and I'm not the most acrobatic, I'm not that flipping guy, I can 360, 540 but won't be more than that. I do like air but I might be more adventurous the coming seasons. I can ski backwards quite well. Having said this I want the skis to be able to do quick/sharp turns if I want and still be able to handle the groomers quite well.


Due to my location in Switzerland, I am not too familiar with North American ski brands like Moment and ON3P but perhaps I can still manage to look into your suggestions. I have so far found and considered the K2 Petittors, Line Opus, Armada JJs and was initially looking into the Bent Chetlers but I don't think I'll go for them after reading a few things on the internet (however I heard the 2015 models have been redone so maybe worth considering).


My Line Prophets are 179 but I suppose for freeride/powder skis I'm looking at the region of 184-189ish in length? Any recommendations on what model Marker Bindings will suit me will be great, don't think I'll have them centred, maybe 5cm or so back.


Thanks for your help! Cheers!
Feb 15 2014 5:24PM
4 1
profile picture
Tucks
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 161
Hey Man!

Newschoolers will definitely give you some solid suggestions but I would recommend checking out: http://blistergearreview.com as they have a wealth of information on a bunch of skis in that ~120 range.

Cheers!
Feb 15 2014 6:50PM
0 0
profile picture
jakejolo_9
Posts: 96 - Karma: 23
The new redisgined bent chetlers are so sick
Feb 16 2014 12:30PM
0 0
profile picture
profa_212
Posts: 8898 - Karma: 35,864
What did you hear about the bentchetlers that turned you off? I absolutely love mine
Feb 16 2014 12:37PM
0 0
profile picture
Nippletron
Posts: 148 - Karma: 670
I read that its not that versatile as the other choices in the same range, not that great on groomers, but that can just be a small portion of the opinions on it. The redesigned 2015 model looks great though, could be the one! Just a quick question, is a short side cut or a long side cut better? Is longer side cut greater on groomers I suppose for more grip?
Feb 16 2014 1:18PM
0 0
profile picture
profa_212
Posts: 8898 - Karma: 35,864
Well mine are fabulous for a 123mm waisted ski on groomers. From what I read the opuses and Chet's are some of the best super fats on groomers. Never been on the opuses though
Feb 16 2014 2:32PM
0 0
profile picture
.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7481 - Karma: 11,497
Check out Down skis. Ive heard great things about them, they are local in your area, so you may be able to actually demo some.

Feb 16 2014 3:05PM
1 0
profile picture
.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,150
k2 shreditor 112 sounds just right for you. comes in a 179 and 189 but they measure to about 182 and 192 (k2 has always done that, stupid but it works I guess)
Feb 16 2014 3:57PM
0 0
profile picture
jakejolo_9
Posts: 96 - Karma: 23
Wait till next year and either get the atomic bent chentler or the line magnum opus
Feb 16 2014 8:54PM
0 0
profile picture
RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
ON3P and other American indies do have retailers in Europe, and can ship international. I'm not saying they'll be cheap, but price it out or give a retail store a call before writing any option off.
Feb 16 2014 9:08PM
0 0
profile picture
saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
I've got Surface New Life's (151/122/151) and I absolutely love them. They rip absolutely everywhere. They carve great on groomers (nice and stiff), have huge tip and tail rocker so they are great in pow and considering their dimensions, they are pretty darn light. I highly recommend them.
Feb 16 2014 9:25PM
1 1
profile picture
jakejolo_9
Posts: 96 - Karma: 23
Yeah it's better on groomers because of the longer side cut but it can also float just as well even though there isnt as much tip or tail rocker because it has the side rocker in the tips and tails
Feb 18 2014 5:29PM
0 0
profile picture
VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
Yeah, I've heard good things about Down too, maybe have a look at the Countdown 7 or the Countdown 3 if you want something a little more directional and aggressive than the CD3. I might be worth shooting the guy who runs Down, I think he's called Geo, whenever I've mailed him, he's always been really helpful.

My personal recommendation would be the ON3P Caylor, take a look a my review of them here -https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/738920/

I haven't skied it myself yet, but the new Moment Bibby Pro might be worth a look, here's a link to a really solid review by Blister Gear -http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/2013-2014-moment-bibby-pro

(sorry about the lack of clickies, the pop up to put one in isn't working for me right now)
Feb 18 2014 5:51PM
1 0
profile picture
Nippletron
Posts: 148 - Karma: 670
Your review was great. Both the Bibby Pro and Caylors look like great skis that I'm looking for. I now know I need a more stiff ski if I ski fast and aggressive, but I don't know what camber/rocker profile I should look for. Hopefully I'll be able to find these American brands in Switzerland/France , I can maybe demo Moments in Courchavel, not too sure about ON3Ps but ill keep looking. So many choices! Liberty Double Helix are also contenders .
Feb 19 2014 11:34AM
0 0
profile picture
VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
*CD7 ... *shooting him a message
Feb 19 2014 1:03PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)