Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 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!

A Not Quite "Choose my ski" Choose my ski thread

profile picture
CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
Hey everyone,

At the end of this season I will be purchasing a whole new setup. It's been a long time since I've actually been in the market to buy, but I'm by no means a stranger to the process, the choices, and the nuances of choosing the right ski.

I'm using this season to demo skis in order to better make my decision. I've got a list of skis I plan to hunt down and try, but I wanted to get input from those of you who have ridden sticks I have not. For about 6 years now I've been Liberty faithful. Don't know why, I just found a ski I liked and didn't deviate. I'm thinking of expanding back into other brands, but want to make sure I don't overlook any awesome skis.

What I'm looking for:
-A solid all-mountain ski.
-Rocker is a plus (since I've never actually owned a rockered ski) but not a must have - especially severe rocker.
-I'm looking for 105-115 underfoot. This will be my "pretty much" everyday ski with the exception of total groomer days and park days (though my park days have lessened with time)
-Keeping with the everyday ski tone, I'm not looking for noodles. I want to be able to get this thing up to speed if I want to.
-I'm not super concerned about cost. I'm looking to do this right, so spending $700 on a ski is ok

My Stats:
5'10"
185 lbs
Skiing since I was 4 (so 23 years)
Very aggressive skier
I ski pretty much everything on the mountain, but my emphasis is more in the trees and in-bounds backcountry type terrain
I like longer, so I'm shooting for 180-185 in length

Current skis on my radar:
Liberty Origin (I do love Liberty and this is a brand new one to them)
ON3P Kartel 106
ON3P Billy Goat
Armada JJ2.0
Line Sir Francis Bacon (Line's make me nervous from a quality perspective)
WhiteDot Preacher (demoing these will be near impossible, so it would be a chance)

If you have input on skis I've listed or you have suggestions of others I should try to demo this season, let me know. Thanks everyone.
Oct 15 2014 11:23AM
14 4
profile picture
division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
Kartel 106's and Billy Goats, but no Jeffrey's? For a "solid all-mountain ski" the Jeffrey's would be my personal choice. I do own Billy Goats and as much as I love them, they wouldn't be my choice for a playful, yet stable all mountain ski.

In fact, the 186 Jeffery is my personal choice for an everyday ski. I'm 6'2" @ 185lbs and they are perfect for what I need here in the PNW. I've had more fun charging groomers on the spring days on Jeffrey's than I have on any other ski I've been on, and that list is pretty long these days.

If I am traveling, or for some reason have no idea what the conditions will be like, that's where the Jeffrey shines. They can handle it all. I am able to ride comfortably everywhere with the Jeffrey's and never have a feeling of having "too much" or "too little" ski (except for the 18"+ really deep days, but that's only because my quiver is made predominantly of powder skis) for whatever the conditions may be.
Oct 15 2014 1:33PM
1 0
profile picture
LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
TheSeaCaptainVery aggressive skier


Forget JJs.

Automatics would do you very nicely. They don't handle crud well but are solid everywhere else.
Oct 15 2014 1:44PM
1 0
profile picture
CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
division.bellKartel 106's and Billy Goats, but no Jeffrey's? For a "solid all-mountain ski" the Jeffrey's would be my personal choice. I do own Billy Goats and as much as I love them, they wouldn't be my choice for a playful, yet stable all mountain ski.

In fact, the 186 Jeffery is my personal choice for an everyday ski. I'm 6'2" @ 185lbs and they are perfect for what I need here in the PNW. I've had more fun charging groomers on the spring days on Jeffrey's than I have on any other ski I've been on, and that list is pretty long these days.

If I am traveling, or for some reason have no idea what the conditions will be like, that's where the Jeffrey shines. They can handle it all. I am able to ride comfortably everywhere with the Jeffrey's and never have a feeling of having "too much" or "too little" ski (except for the 18"+ really deep days, but that's only because my quiver is made predominantly of powder skis) for whatever the conditions may be.

Solid, thanks for the advice. I hadn't really looked into the Jeffreys. Don't know why. Sounds like they might be better to try out though.

BoaxForget JJs.

Automatics would do you very nicely. They don't handle crud well but are solid everywhere else.

Why no JJs? I trust you, but are they too soft for an aggressive skier or what? Also, who makes the Automatics?
The referenced post has been removed.

I've heard very shaky things about 4frnt, which is why they weren't on my list.
Oct 15 2014 2:37PM
0 0
profile picture
division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
TheSeaCaptainSolid, thanks for the advice. I hadn't really looked into the Jeffreys. Don't know why. Sounds like they might be better to try out though.


Why no JJs? I trust you, but are they too soft for an aggressive skier or what? Also, who makes the Automatics?


JJ's are pretty fucking soft for someone your size. This "softness" is exacerbated if you are an aggressive skier. They may be lightweight and nimble, but you pay for it with the lack of stability. I owned some 185cm JJ's and had to sell them for being noodles.

Atomic makes the Automatics.
Oct 15 2014 2:46PM
1 0
profile picture
CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
The referenced post has been removed.

Shakyness in terms of quality and durability. No first-hand experience, but I've read a few things about them not lasting very long.
division.bellJJ's are pretty fucking soft for someone your size. This "softness" is exacerbated if you are an aggressive skier. They may be lightweight and nimble, but you pay for it with the lack of stability. I owned some 185cm JJ's and had to sell them for being noodles.

Atomic makes the Automatics.

It sounds like a resounding no on the JJs. Good to know. Thanks everyone. And I'll check out the Automatics, thanks man.
Oct 15 2014 2:48PM
0 0
profile picture
RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Another vote for Jeffrey's!
Oct 15 2014 8:22PM
1 0
profile picture
.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,186
Check out batalla all mtn twins

I ordered some park reapers which are the same thing just skinnier pretty much. I'll let you know what I think of the reapers.
Oct 15 2014 8:33PM
2 2
profile picture
ghosthop
Posts: 631 - Karma: 1,027
I think park kids beat the shit out of their 4frnts. I have some ehp's that I'm stoked about the construction. Devastator is a sweet ski, really good in post storm resort conditions.

SFB is so much fun, but can def be overpowered.

save some money and get a rossi sickle
Oct 15 2014 10:29PM
1 0
profile picture
BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
Get the sfbacon or kartel, depends on how buttery you want them or if If you need them to be better in crud. K2 shreditor 112 seems awesome as well.
Oct 15 2014 10:39PM
0 1
profile picture
.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,186
PentHausGet the sfbacon or kartel, depends on how buttery you want them or if If you need them to be better in crud. K2 shreditor 112 seems awesome as well.


op earlier said he didn't want something too soft. The sfb is pretty soft. The kartel is a good option tho.

But really op, take a look at the batalla all Mtn twins. I can direct you towards some people who have skied them. Super light. 106 underfoot. Rocker in tip/tail with camber underfoot.
Oct 15 2014 10:53PM
1 1
profile picture
BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
Blizzard Peacemakers seem awesome.
Oct 15 2014 11:21PM
0 0
profile picture
CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
.Lincolnop earlier said he didn't want something too soft. The sfb is pretty soft. The kartel is a good option tho.

But really op, take a look at the batalla all Mtn twins. I can direct you towards some people who have skied them. Super light. 106 underfoot. Rocker in tip/tail with camber underfoot.


Yeah, I want to demo the SFB because I hear it's a blast, but I've also heard it's way soft. Ill check out batalla, but I don't know if ill be able to find a place to demo them.
Oct 15 2014 11:40PM
0 0
profile picture
.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,186
TheSeaCaptainYeah, I want to demo the SFB because I hear it's a blast, but I've also heard it's way soft. Ill check out batalla, but I don't know if ill be able to find a place to demo them.


Yeah not sure where you can demo tjem. But the owner gives out his number on the site so shot him a text asking for demo dates this year
Oct 16 2014 9:10AM
0 0
profile picture
CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
Can I get an unbiased opinion about Moment skis as a whole? Or good ones to possibly try out?
Oct 16 2014 6:22PM
0 0
profile picture
CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
Dub post, but I forgot to add that the Icelantic Nomad RKR is on my list to demo.
Oct 16 2014 6:23PM
0 0
profile picture
MartianMan
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 2,099
TheSeaCaptainCan I get an unbiased opinion about Moment skis as a whole? Or good ones to possibly try out?


Moment Deathwish is a good one to look at.

My recommendation would be my favorite ski in my quiver, the Faction 3.Zero. 112 underfoot, slight rocker tip and tail, camber underfoot, stiff flex. This thing fucking trucks, and is so much fun at high speeds. Not to mention it handles any condition with ease. I ski it often here on the East coast, and am amazed with its carving performance on the groomers. When I took it to Jackson, it crushed the crud no problem, and floated well through fresh. You will not be disappointed.
Oct 16 2014 7:14PM
1 0
profile picture
CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
Has anyone ever ridden High Society skis? I just saw the discount for NS and realized I hadn't even looked at theirs.
Oct 17 2014 10:20AM
0 0
profile picture
FrankerZ
Posts: 223 - Karma: 1,129
The JJ is an amazing ski. Handles varied conditions and is really fun for charging groomers and bumps.
Oct 18 2014 8:25AM
0 0
profile picture
crotchvent
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 2,184
For people saying forget the JJ and SFB i would still demo them. That way you can know if you like them or not.
Oct 18 2014 9:17PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)