Eastern Ice ski? kastle?

I'm in Stowe for maybe 50 days a year, ex-racer too. I've had fun on the Course TI before, like a race ski with more flex to it. That and the Outland 78 are fun for icy days.

Just get some ice skate and shred.

Got Nordica Superchargers 2 season back and ride them so much. Ripping ice is so dam fun. Highly recommend getting a pair. I demo'd about 15 pairs on a demo day so I rode the spectrum. If you can afford Kastle they are amazing

KravtZGot Nordica Superchargers 2 season back and ride them so much. Ripping ice is so dam fun. Highly recommend getting a pair. I demo'd about 15 pairs on a demo day so I rode the spectrum. If you can afford Kastle they are amazing

to what extent do race skis with nice edges save you on icy days? obviously they're leaps and bounds above park skis etc but ive never ridden them on one of those truly horrendous ice days. would they surprise me what they can hold an edge on?

RubberSoulto what extent do race skis with nice edges save you on icy days? obviously they're leaps and bounds above park skis etc but ive never ridden them on one of those truly horrendous ice days. would they surprise me what they can hold an edge on?

If you havent ridden anything but park skis and pricepoint consumer skis, then you will be in for a treat. There is a reason why those skis are so expensive and theres also a reason why so many people have those expensive skis. They are made for the ice and they actually RAIL on ice

RubberSoulto what extent do race skis with nice edges save you on icy days? obviously they're leaps and bounds above park skis etc but ive never ridden them on one of those truly horrendous ice days. would they surprise me what they can hold an edge on?

Your mind would be blown away on a pair of skis like the superchargers compared to twin tips. They are black and white. Fresh wax / tune and I can lay down serious edges at most speeds on almost solid ice. I got them specifically for when its mega icy and I dont want to go into the park / conditions suck. I have been searching for an EC twin with race quality edge hold and it doesn't exist. Take out a few pairs on a demo day you can find a great deal on a couple year old model. I got my top of the line superchargers w/bindings for $500.

thanks for the replies guys. yeah, next time it's brutally icy im def gonna try to demo some, sounds awesome. i love twins but i do appreciate some good edge hold and slamming some big turns

you get a kastle ski and we'll throw a brick through your window

RubberSoulthanks for the replies guys. yeah, next time it's brutally icy im def gonna try to demo some, sounds awesome. i love twins but i do appreciate some good edge hold and slamming some big turns

Good looks man. If your a solid skier fundamentally you will have an absolute blast. Surprising how much carving skis ride varies also. So much more variations thatn twin tips which all ride more or less kinda similar.

KravtZGood looks man. If your a solid skier fundamentally you will have an absolute blast. Surprising how much carving skis ride varies also. So much more variations thatn twin tips which all ride more or less kinda similar.

oh yeah, i have solid fundamentals, nowadays im more into freeride and banging big GS turns coming hot out of terrain, so i think i'll definitely appreciate a good carving ski for days on groomers. can't wait!

I've always wanted a pair of hardcore slalom skis for super icy nights in NJ. Trails are skinny enough as it is so a slalom ski would be fantastic. The length confuses me though, seems like I'd get shorter than my twins?

They haven't been made for a while, but I have a pair of Rossignol powderbirds that are almost exactly what you're talking about. 19m radius and 3 titanal laminates. I don't really know what they were thinking marketing these as tele/at powder skis, but they work really well in shit/icy conditions. They may also have been branded as the bandit b3 with a different topsheet.

a_pla5tic_bagI've always wanted a pair of hardcore slalom skis for super icy nights in NJ. Trails are skinny enough as it is so a slalom ski would be fantastic. The length confuses me though, seems like I'd get shorter than my twins?

Slalom skis only go up to 165, as that the is max length for FIS slalom racing.

OP, a GS ski would work best in this circumstance, but if you want more of a frontside ski, the Nordica Fire Arrow 84 EDTs fucking rip. I am in love with mine on hardback east coast day that I just feel like charging. They hold an edge incredibly well, are stable at high speeds, but can be quick and nimble if you need them to be.

KravtZYour mind would be blown away on a pair of skis like the superchargers compared to twin tips. They are black and white. Fresh wax / tune and I can lay down serious edges at most speeds on almost solid ice. I got them specifically for when its mega icy and I dont want to go into the park / conditions suck. I have been searching for an EC twin with race quality edge hold and it doesn't exist. Take out a few pairs on a demo day you can find a great deal on a couple year old model. I got my top of the line superchargers w/bindings for $500.

this brings up a good question, is there such thing as a twin tip with edge hold at least comparable to a carving ski?

Tuning is probably half the battle but twintips also seem to have a lot less sidecut. I wouldn't mind such a ski for bombing runs switch when the park is too sketch/closed.

so many choice that you wont go wrong with:
Rossignol E88
Kastle MX88
Salomon 24 Hours (or even the enduro which is the non "race" version)
Nordica GSR (the one exception that is a race ski

A_Burgerthis brings up a good question, is there such thing as a twin tip with edge hold at least comparable to a carving ski?

Tuning is probably half the battle but twintips also seem to have a lot less sidecut. I wouldn't mind such a ski for bombing runs switch when the park is too sketch/closed.

Nordica Soul Rider. My favorite 1 ski quiver

A_Burgerthis brings up a good question, is there such thing as a twin tip with edge hold at least comparable to a carving ski?

Tuning is probably half the battle but twintips also seem to have a lot less sidecut. I wouldn't mind such a ski for bombing runs switch when the park is too sketch/closed.

The salomon suspect is an amazing ski for ripping around fast on. I had some of my best days on whistler tippin about the groomers on suspects. The new NFx would be a good choice too.

GmartNordica Soul Rider. My favorite 1 ski quiver

lol well that partly answers my question about the Soul Riders on ice In my thread. The grip on them is decent though ? I don't mean for straight boiler plate but close, I'm guessing you just need to really try and dig in because of the available edge

FOr a park ski that rails, Nordica Ace of spades or Ace is 2 layers of titanol with a race ski build. seriously had better ice performmance than my gs skis while they were still tuned. then, with even better performance than that, APO had the same performance skis I have ever used (for park), but without a doubt, after trying nearly every brand, Blizzards are leaps and bounds ahead of any ski I have ever used. I even got to try those FIS atomic double deck elastic construction slalom skis (friend is sponsored by Atomic to race) and the Blizzards were better.

Also the Nordica Firearrow EDT 84 is probably the most intimidating ski I have ever used... but damn is it worth it if she doesnt make you her bitch

KravtZI have been searching for an EC twin with race quality edge hold and it doesn't exist.

Yeah, it's always hilarious to me when people on here talk about how great the edge hold is on their park skis, and how it's "totally comparable and just as good as a flat-tailed ski" designed to carve

WattsYeah, it's always hilarious to me when people on here talk about how great the edge hold is on their park skis, and how it's "totally comparable and just as good as a flat-tailed ski" designed to carve

Yeah. It's always hilarious to me when stupid kids like you don't know the technology of skis these days or look at turn radius measurements. Sure GS skiers won't use them for racing but this kid is never going to notice the difference, except for a real GS ski being controlling and skiing like shit

Believe me when I say this: Never buy Kastle.

I bought a pair of James' and they were awful. The edge broke a total of 5 times in one season. One of those times I was just skiing a simple mogul line. I talked to other Kastle (not just park skiers) users and they had the exact same problem. To add insult to injury, their customer service was a joke.


The Fischer all-mountain motive series sounds like it would be a good fit. My friend demo'd a pair and says that they go insanely fast and have impeccable edge control.

.nylesYeah. It's always hilarious to me when stupid kids like you don't know the technology of skis these days or look at turn radius measurements. Sure GS skiers won't use them for racing but this kid is never going to notice the difference, except for a real GS ski being controlling and skiing like shit

If you honestly think a twintip ski designed for park use is going to hold an edge as well as a ski designed to carve, you need to get your head checked. Just because someone may not notice the difference, doesn't mean the difference doesn't exist, and it doesn't make a comparison between a park ski and a race ski in terms of edge hold accurate. Not sure what it is I said that's so stupid.

Gmartso many choice that you wont go wrong with:
Rossignol E88
Kastle MX88
Salomon 24 Hours (or even the enduro which is the non "race" version)
Nordica GSR (the one exception that is a race ski

Out of the above as an all out groomed runs ski the Salomon 24 hours is the only one that really cuts it as something close to a race ski. I had them in 178 and when it was hero snow in resort I could push them nearly as hard as my full word cup GS skis.

The E88's are good as are the Fischer Watea (now Ranger 84's) I had Kastle FX94s too which were not that great on groomed runs, my Fischers were better in every way. Im 220 though so I tend to overflex anything noodly with ease.

parkplaygroundFOr a park ski that rails, Nordica Ace of spades or Ace is 2 layers of titanol with a race ski build. seriously had better ice performmance than my gs skis while they were still tuned. then, with even better performance than that, APO had the same performance skis I have ever used (for park), but without a doubt, after trying nearly every brand, Blizzards are leaps and bounds ahead of any ski I have ever used. I even got to try those FIS atomic double deck elastic construction slalom skis (friend is sponsored by Atomic to race) and the Blizzards were better.

Also the Nordica Firearrow EDT 84 is probably the most intimidating ski I have ever used... but damn is it worth it if she doesnt make you her bitch

Okkkk, everyone but me is on Blizzards dick the past 5 years but I give credit where credits due. That being said, their freeride stuff is some of the best, Bonafide, Gunsmoke, Peacemaker even the Bushwacker, all sick skis. Everything else, Latigo, Brahma, Magnum series skis, mehhh skis. The regulator? ehhhh. Blizzard race skis, ehh. Flipcore doesn't make blizzard "leaps and bounds ahead". It means the wider the skis get and the more rocker you put in them, the better that more natural rocker works. Moving on, theres a reason the Ace of spades TI ain't around anymore, its a race ski lol. The OMW is a more suitable ski for the average person. And the Fire Arrow EDT is a 1200 dollar beer league race ski, it makes the average person it's bitch lol.

Lordf*Out of the above as an all out groomed runs ski the Salomon 24 hours is the only one that really cuts it as something close to a race ski. I had them in 178 and when it was hero snow in resort I could push them nearly as hard as my full word cup GS skis.

The E88's are good as are the Fischer Watea (now Ranger 84's) I had Kastle FX94s too which were not that great on groomed runs, my Fischers were better in every way. Im 220 though so I tend to overflex anything noodly with ease.

fatty...lol jk jk. The 24 hours is just so quick! As for the Kastle situation, you guys may have had bad experiences with them, but I for one, have not! Listen, there's a reason those skis are 1200+ FLAT. And yes, they sell, so I don't wanna hear o it's just a price tag lol. Not a big fan of fischer skis either but their race stuff is pretty up there.

GmartOkkkk, everyone but me is on Blizzards dick the past 5 years but I give credit where credits due. That being said, their freeride stuff is some of the best, Bonafide, Gunsmoke, Peacemaker even the Bushwacker, all sick skis. Everything else, Latigo, Brahma, Magnum series skis, mehhh skis. The regulator? ehhhh. Blizzard race skis, ehh. Flipcore doesn't make blizzard "leaps and bounds ahead". It means the wider the skis get and the more rocker you put in them, the better that more natural rocker works. Moving on, theres a reason the Ace of spades TI ain't around anymore, its a race ski lol. The OMW is a more suitable ski for the average person. And the Fire Arrow EDT is a 1200 dollar beer league race ski, it makes the average person it's bitch lol.




THe Blizzards were Slalom skis that I used that amazed me. Seriously had the best performance I have ever seen (I did only use them on some fresh groomers though), and I don't really like trying out regular skis, so what is better than blizzard skis (company as a whole) because I am not on their dicks i dont think. I tried some of their intermediate freeride skis and I thought they were absolute shit. Couldn't believe people were buying those things. Anyway, people were asking about what was a good park ski that ripped, and the Ace is the ski to get. It is still in production too. THe TI version had carbon inlays underfoot for pop, but the metal construction is still in the 2015 Ace.

GmartOkkkk, everyone but me is on Blizzards dick the past 5 years but I give credit where credits due. That being said, their freeride stuff is some of the best, Bonafide, Gunsmoke, Peacemaker even the Bushwacker, all sick skis. Everything else, Latigo, Brahma, Magnum series skis, mehhh skis. The regulator? ehhhh. Blizzard race skis, ehh. Flipcore doesn't make blizzard "leaps and bounds ahead". It means the wider the skis get and the more rocker you put in them, the better that more natural rocker works. Moving on, theres a reason the Ace of spades TI ain't around anymore, its a race ski lol. The OMW is a more suitable ski for the average person. And the Fire Arrow EDT is a 1200 dollar beer league race ski, it makes the average person it's bitch lol.

Not really sure you know what you're talking about. Blizzard is 100% on its game across its entire freeride line. Seems pretty odd to me that you praise skis like the Bonafide and Peacemaker, and then say the 10mm skinnier versions suck. It's the same ski, just with a different waist width. All those skis you mentioned are top notch, even the race skis (although I can't touch on the Magnums).

Also the Fire Arrow EDT is a totally manageable ski for anyone who is a competent skier. If all you do is slarve around park and you can't carve, then it will seem overpowering, but that is because you don't know what the hell you're doing. It definitely does not make you its bitch.

Also the Fire Arrow EDT is a totally manageable ski for anyone who is a competent skier. If all you do is slarve around park and you can't carve, then it will seem overpowering, but that is because you don't know what the hell you're doing. It definitely does not make you its bitch.[/QUOTE]

HA, cmon if you have ever used them, they are probably some of the stiffest skis on the market and that translates to you going very fast for the ski to shine. I know plenty of "competent skiers" that would simply not be able to handle those kind of speeds and stiff+power. You need to be aggressive at all times or the ski will take over. It is not even comparable to a leisurely ski. Its a beast all its own. Hell, the thing is a harder charger than some 200cm atomic gs skis (dont remember the name). Hate to sound arrogant or a douchebag but i cant let someone spread lies about my favorite groomer ski

parkplaygroundAlso the Fire Arrow EDT is a totally manageable ski for anyone who is a competent skier. If all you do is slarve around park and you can't carve, then it will seem overpowering, but that is because you don't know what the hell you're doing. It definitely does not make you its bitch.

HA, cmon if you have ever used them, they are probably some of the stiffest skis on the market and that translates to you going very fast for the ski to shine. I know plenty of "competent skiers" that would simply not be able to handle those kind of speeds and stiff+power. You need to be aggressive at all times or the ski will take over. It is not even comparable to a leisurely ski. Its a beast all its own. Hell, the thing is a harder charger than some 200cm atomic gs skis (dont remember the name). Hate to sound arrogant or a douchebag but i cant let someone spread lies about my favorite groomer ski

Bro I have not only used them, I own them. Literally looking at them in the shelf in my basement. I ski race too, and I can tell you that the Fire arrow is a hell of a lot easier to manage then some of the race skis nowadays. Granted it is for and expert skier, but it shouldn't be viewed as a rite of passage. It's a ski with some metal in it and an 18 m sidecut. It's virtually a wider GS ski with an EVO plate.

MartianManBro I have not only used them, I own them. Literally looking at them in the shelf in my basement. I ski race too, and I can tell you that the Fire arrow is a hell of a lot easier to manage then some of the race skis nowadays. Granted it is for and expert skier, but it shouldn't be viewed as a rite of passage. It's a ski with some metal in it and an 18 m sidecut. It's virtually a wider GS ski with an EVO plate.

exactly and since you race then you should know what im talking about. the thing is marketed to recreational skiing so compared to other rec skis its an animal.

parkplaygroundexactly and since you race then you should know what im talking about. the thing is marketed to recreational skiing so compared to other rec skis its an animal.

Wouldnt call it a recreational ski. Those are the ones that Bogner-wearing hotel guests pick up at the rental shop. It is a carving ski meant for expert skiers. All large race companies have one. The fire arrow is not miles ahead of the others in stiffness and difficulty of management.

But whatever, it's a kick ass ski that crushes East coast ice. OP, trust me I deal with shot like that more than anyone. If u are a fast and aggressive carver on the groomers, give it a shot.

MartianManNot really sure you know what you're talking about. Blizzard is 100% on its game across its entire freeride line. Seems pretty odd to me that you praise skis like the Bonafide and Peacemaker, and then say the 10mm skinnier versions suck. It's the same ski, just with a different waist width. All those skis you mentioned are top notch, even the race skis (although I can't touch on the Magnums).

Also the Fire Arrow EDT is a totally manageable ski for anyone who is a competent skier. If all you do is slarve around park and you can't carve, then it will seem overpowering, but that is because you don't know what the hell you're doing. It definitely does not make you its bitch.

We are on newschoolers, clearly I don't know what I'm talking about and ski in the park. LOLOLOLOL. Clearly you're not the ski connoisseur you think you are. Not all online reviews are as accurate as you would think because companies pay money to have good reviews written up. See who has the number one ski and see who has the most ads in that magazine. Drop the gear guide and stop reading blister reviews and go ski ALL the skis were talking about and come back and talk to me.

First off, I can personally tell you Blizzard skis are great, I'm not arguing that. But they aren't all the best. I stand behind my statement that the freeride skis they make are for the most part top of their class. Ex: Peacemaker, Gunsmoke, Bonafide, Kabookie, even the Bushwacker are top 1 or 2 skis in their class. But you can't tell me the Brahma, Latigo, Magnum's are everything you expect it to be? Ha. Haha.

The Brahma and LatiGo are two skis that EAST COAST SKIERS had specifically asked Blizzard to make because skis like the Kabookie and Bushwacker were so freakin good with out metal, that surely if we added metal to them they would be the PERFECT east coast ski. On paper, they are that one ski quiver for the east. That being said, after some RnD (R and D),they aren't the best in their class and aren't anything like you read online. I would take a Salomon EnduroXT800 (now known as the Drive series) over a Brahma any day of the week. Not to mention the LatiGo or any magnum skis? Yea, I'd pass on those too. I'll take a RTM81 over those narrower skis, with or without metal.Sorry :(

Moving on, the Fire Arrow EDT is NOT manageable for the average skier. It's a 1300 dollar ski with metal to make it stable (as well as stiff) and carbon fiber to add torsional rigidity to the ski. I figured we'd agree since clearly you love wikipediaing skis. Go read the reviews. What about this says to the average skier, "buy me, you'll have a great time!"? Nothing. For the second time, it's a beer league race ski that is even tough for a decent skier to use. You can get much more out of skis like VWERKS RTM or Kastle's because you can bend them lol.

Clearly you race. I think you mentioned that like once or twice. You've convinced me that you are a top tier racer who is the best on the mountain and very, very, knowledgeable about skis. You probably demolish those nastar courses! I'm impressed, honestly, I am. But, I really don't think YOU have a clue about what you're talking about you race dweeb.

Kisses for my bishes *mwah* *mwah* ;)

GmartWe are on newschoolers, clearly I don't know what I'm talking about and ski in the park. LOLOLOLOL. Clearly you're not the ski connoisseur you think you are. Not all online reviews are as accurate as you would think because companies pay money to have good reviews written up. See who has the number one ski and see who has the most ads in that magazine. Drop the gear guide and stop reading blister reviews and go ski ALL the skis were talking about and come back and talk to me.

First off, I can personally tell you Blizzard skis are great, I'm not arguing that. But they aren't all the best. I stand behind my statement that the freeride skis they make are for the most part top of their class. Ex: Peacemaker, Gunsmoke, Bonafide, Kabookie, even the Bushwacker are top 1 or 2 skis in their class. But you can't tell me the Brahma, Latigo, Magnum's are everything you expect it to be? Ha. Haha.

The Brahma and LatiGo are two skis that EAST COAST SKIERS had specifically asked Blizzard to make because skis like the Kabookie and Bushwacker were so freakin good with out metal, that surely if we added metal to them they would be the PERFECT east coast ski. On paper, they are that one ski quiver for the east. That being said, after some RnD (R and D),they aren't the best in their class and aren't anything like you read online. I would take a Salomon EnduroXT800 (now known as the Drive series) over a Brahma any day of the week. Not to mention the LatiGo or any magnum skis? Yea, I'd pass on those too. I'll take a RTM81 over those narrower skis, with or without metal.Sorry :(

Moving on, the Fire Arrow EDT is NOT manageable for the average skier. It's a 1300 dollar ski with metal to make it stable (as well as stiff) and carbon fiber to add torsional rigidity to the ski. I figured we'd agree since clearly you love wikipediaing skis. Go read the reviews. What about this says to the average skier, "buy me, you'll have a great time!"? Nothing. For the second time, it's a beer league race ski that is even tough for a decent skier to use. You can get much more out of skis like VWERKS RTM or Kastle's because you can bend them lol.

Clearly you race. I think you mentioned that like once or twice. You've convinced me that you are a top tier racer who is the best on the mountain and very, very, knowledgeable about skis. You probably demolish those nastar courses! I'm impressed, honestly, I am. But, I really don't think YOU have a clue about what you're talking about you race dweeb.

Kisses for my bishes *mwah* *mwah* ;)

Whatever man. I don't Wikipedia skis. Sure, I don't work in a ski shop or have the expertise of tom or onenerdy, but I know a thing or two about skis. I just come to help steer NS posts in the right direction cuz often they are far from it.

As far as blizzard goes, the only option there is to agree to disagree. I skied the Brahma and loved it. If u think it's a shitty ski, than so be it.

I sure as hell didn't just Wikipedia the Fire Arrow. If you would bother to read my posts, you would see that I own a pair and ski them frequently. Also I never called it a ski for average skiers. I said for advanced/expert skiers who know how to carve, it is definitely manageable. Again, if you have ever skied it (which is pretty clear you haven't) and still disagree with me, then again we have to agree to disagree.

One last thing, I didn't bring up racing to sound like a dick. All I was saying is I've skied less manageable skis than the Fire Arrow. They are skis for top notch skiers. But they are not like Faction Thirteens. There are people who can ski them. And those who can love them to death.

Check yourself before you make stupid ass claims. I'm just trying to help out OP.

MartianManI said for advanced/expert skiers who know how to carve, it is definitely manageable.

I agree wholeheartedly with that description of the NFA EDT. It is a ripping ski that can perform for an advanced skier who wants and knows how to drive a stiff ski. It can provide a huge amount of energy out of the turn and has awesome edgehold. That said, if you get lazy or have poor technique, it will not deliver.

Other thing to keep in mind is that a soft boot will render the benefits of a stiff ski nearly useless as you won't be able to flex the ski properly. For example, if you have a softer park-orientated boot, you're much better off going with the Firearrow 84 Pro which is a softer iteration of the EDT.

MartianManCheck yourself before you make stupid ass claims. I'm just trying to help out OP.

I'm pretty sure I laid down some solid facts but what ever. Sorry, I can come off like a dick, anyways, if you ever wanna ski together, shoot me a pm, we live near each other

GmartI'm pretty sure I laid down some solid facts but what ever. Sorry, I can come off like a dick, anyways, if you ever wanna ski together, shoot me a pm, we live near each other

Alright I probably was a little defensive. My bad. And yeah, I can bring the Fire Arrows and we can settle this once and for all. ;)

Blizzards are some of the best skis I have ever ridden. OP DONT buy a "carving ski" to use all mountain...commit to a straight groomer/ice ski you won't be disappointed. Ignore the blabber here you gotta demo skis they have so much more ride variation than twin tips.

MartianManAlright I probably was a little defensive. My bad. And yeah, I can bring the Fire Arrows and we can settle this once and for all. ;)

fair enough lol