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Powder Ski help

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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
Hi, my name is Cade and I am from the Pacific Northwest. I am 6'1 ~150lbs. and an Advanced type 3 skier. I currently ride K2 Poachers and am interested in getting a fatter pair for powder skiing. I ski at Snoqualmi and Alpental but will be doing a lot of skiing at Mt. Baker next year and Ive been looking at Skis like Bent Chetlers, JJs, YLEs, and Opuses. I just want to hear any recommendations from you guys or some good skis I may not have heard of and I appreciate any feedback.
Thanks for the help!
Mar 7 2017 11:48PM
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Zypher
Posts: 2337 - Karma: 2,268
Ive only skied the jjs out of those and they're fun as hell. Light enough to whip around on anything, charge hard as fuck on groomers, and get floaty in powder with a generous amount of rocker in the tips and tail.

Choosing a pow ski depends on your skiing style however. If you're more chargy, playful, or surfy can all dictate which ski you will like better.
Mar 8 2017 2:18PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6883 - Karma: 24,505
I have YLEs and it is my favorite ski for the NW. I also considered the Chetlers and Opuses but I got a good deal on the YLEs and I never had a chance to try the others. Fat skis make a big difference in the NW.
Mar 8 2017 2:39PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7472 - Karma: 11,419
ON3P Kartel 116

On sale currently.
Mar 8 2017 2:49PM
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Bassin
Posts: 273 - Karma: 748
Have this year's JJ 2.0 and I love taking them out. Even on days they are overkill I find myself choosing them over something that might work out better. They are a ton of fun in powder as you'd expect but they hold an edge better than I expected on groomers on the way back to the lift. All those skis you listed are very well reviewed, tried and tested skis so I don't think you could go wrong with any of them.
Mar 8 2017 4:02PM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
I guess I'd say I'm more of a chargy type skier, however I'd like to start doing more playful type skiing like butters and hitting jibs and stuff.
Would the JJs be a playful ski?
I've been eying the Kartel 106s since seeing J Kutcher at Snoqualmie using them and was wondering if the 116s would be fun.
Thanks guys for the suggestions so far!
Mar 8 2017 5:28PM
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Swandog7
Posts: 4955 - Karma: 9,021
Caps4saleI guess I'd say I'm more of a chargy type skier, however I'd like to start doing more playful type skiing like butters and hitting jibs and stuff.
Would the JJs be a playful ski?
I've been eying the Kartel 106s since seeing J Kutcher at Snoqualmie using them and was wondering if the 116s would be fun.
Thanks guys for the suggestions so far!


I'd say the JJs would be the better ski out of the group for you. I picked up a pair of Benchetlers over Christmas and brought them to Tahoe. They were a blast, a little less playful than my friends JJs but they crushed everything. I think a Kartel 116 would have a little less play, maybe an in-between of JJs and Chetlers?
Mar 8 2017 11:46PM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
Swandog7I'd say the JJs would be the better ski out of the group for you. I picked up a pair of Benchetlers over Christmas and brought them to Tahoe. They were a blast, a little less playful than my friends JJs but they crushed everything. I think a Kartel 116 would have a little less play, maybe an in-between of JJs and Chetlers?


Sweet thanks for your help, One more question. If I were looking to jib all over the mountain and ski in between trees and kind of have that style would I be better off with the 185s or 195s? I read from a past article about SFBs and they said the shorter length would be better for a more playful style. Would that be true for JJs as well? Thanks guys this helps a ton!
Mar 9 2017 1:19AM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
YLE or Bent Chets out of those options..

But yeah look into the Kattel 116
Mar 9 2017 1:48AM
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Zypher
Posts: 2337 - Karma: 2,268
Caps4saleSweet thanks for your help, One more question. If I were looking to jib all over the mountain and ski in between trees and kind of have that style would I be better off with the 185s or 195s? I read from a past article about SFBs and they said the shorter length would be better for a more playful style. Would that be true for JJs as well? Thanks guys this helps a ton!


I'd say 185 if you're looking for a bit more playfullness. As well, the 185s ability to maneuver trees better and be easier to spin and trick on.
On the other hand, I'd go 195 if you're looking at more open terrain and high speeds/chutes.
Mar 9 2017 2:07AM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
Thanks for the suggestions. I guess I'll be looking into getting some JJs for Mt baker next year.
Mar 9 2017 11:49AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7143 - Karma: 17,438
Check out the new k2 catamaran. It really was one of the most fun pow skis I have used in ages. Just search k2 catamaran and google and you should find the review
Mar 9 2017 1:38PM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
tomPietrowskiCheck out the new k2 catamaran. It really was one of the most fun pow skis I have used in ages. Just search k2 catamaran and google and you should find the review


I just got finished reading your review and I must say that I'm not so sure on the JJs anymore. The part about the Catamarans performing super well on groomers made me really interested cause I may ski areas withoight much powder next season. However I did notice that the Catamarans looked pretty beat up after what I assume wasn't much time skied on. Do you think the durability would be much of a problem if these were my dailys?
Mar 9 2017 1:52PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7143 - Karma: 17,438
Caps4saleI just got finished reading your review and I must say that I'm not so sure on the JJs anymore. The part about the Catamarans performing super well on groomers made me really interested cause I may ski areas withoight much powder next season. However I did notice that the Catamarans looked pretty beat up after what I assume wasn't much time skied on. Do you think the durability would be much of a problem if these were my dailys?


I would not be too worried about the durability. It did take a bit of a beating but I was using them hard for the time I had them. We have used those same skis and another pair for public and dealer demos over the last month and the skis have held up really well. I think I was just crossing the skis a bit. I would also recommend defining the tip and tail edges to help address the issue too, somthing which I did not do prior to testing.

They are a super fun ski though and through testing with the public and dealers everyone confirmed just how well they carved.
Mar 9 2017 2:02PM
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soupcan
Posts: 364 - Karma: 562
Caps4saleSweet thanks for your help, One more question. If I were looking to jib all over the mountain and ski in between trees and kind of have that style would I be better off with the 185s or 195s? I read from a past article about SFBs and they said the shorter length would be better for a more playful style. Would that be true for JJs as well? Thanks guys this helps a ton!

The jj jumps to 120mm underfoot when you get to the 195 length so it would be more work to haul around forsure but the jj's do ski quite short with there pronounced rocker and the taper so that is something to keep in mind aswell. Fun ski though that's forsure
Mar 9 2017 4:16PM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
tomPietrowskiI would not be too worried about the durability. It did take a bit of a beating but I was using them hard for the time I had them. We have used those same skis and another pair for public and dealer demos over the last month and the skis have held up really well. I think I was just crossing the skis a bit. I would also recommend defining the tip and tail edges to help address the issue too, somthing which I did not do prior to testing.

They are a super fun ski though and through testing with the public and dealers everyone confirmed just how well they carved.


Have you skied the JJ 2.0s ? And if so how do they compare to the Catamarans?
Mar 10 2017 12:57AM
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Kbob94
Posts: 1257 - Karma: 7,879
Caps4saleHave you skied the JJ 2.0s ? And if so how do they compare to the Catamarans?


Im also 6'1" and I personally own the 195 jj zero and i absolutely love that ski for doing everything. I have ridden that ski more this season then any other ski that I own. For being 120mm underfoot it definitely doesn't ski like that wide, it handles everything from bing open faces to tight trees and I've even skied the park on them. Hands down the best ski ive ever spent money on. I'll probably be getting another pair next season just cause its such a badass ski.
Mar 10 2017 8:33AM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
Anyone ski Pettitors? Are they playful like the JJ 2.0s? Only asking cause the Catamarans are replacing them next year and I might be able to get a deal.
Mar 10 2017 12:28PM
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Zypher
Posts: 2337 - Karma: 2,268
Caps4saleAnyone ski Pettitors? Are they playful like the JJ 2.0s? Only asking cause the Catamarans are replacing them next year and I might be able to get a deal.


I've skied the 179 petitors. Tbh, didn't like them too much. I'm 5'9 about 165 lbs and i could easily flex those skis out. They are soft as hell and don't preform in powder as well as any of the other skis you've listed.

if you are looking at other skis, look at the icelantic nomad 125 (previously known as the gypsy) or the nomad 115.
The nomad 125s are the most fun powder skis I've ever ridden. I own the gypsys from 2013 and the design hasn't changed. These skis rip groomers harder than any fat ski I've ever ridden and I often find myself taking them out even when there isn't fresh snow to be had. They do not have camber underfoot but to me, that's a plus. It makes the ski pivoty and hella surfy which is something that I like to see in a pow ski. It's able to run through tight trees at Mach speeds because of this and when you want to open them up on groomers they will charge just as you want them too.
the nomad 115s are similar in the sense except they have camber underfoot. The 115s will probably be joining my quiver next year even though I have no need for more skis just because I have more fun on icelantics than every other brand I've tried so far.
Mar 10 2017 12:55PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7143 - Karma: 17,438
Caps4saleAnyone ski Pettitors? Are they playful like the JJ 2.0s? Only asking cause the Catamarans are replacing them next year and I might be able to get a deal.


Pets are not really in the same league as catamarans. They are quite heavy and really soft. Fun in the right conditions but not anything like as manoeuvrable, poppy or as good at carving.

JJ's are good for sure but quite different. They don't feel as stable on edge partly down to being a much shorter turn radius. Is a ski that wants to pivot rather then carve. The rocker profile is similar but I find they have a little less pop. The arv 118 may be worth a look. I'm hoping to spend some time on that soon so look out for an upcoming review.
Mar 10 2017 1:14PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
Ill see you some 187 yles for 150 bucks
Mar 11 2017 8:42AM
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,294
You should go to the demo events that are happening at Stevens or Crystal at the end of this month. Skis are personal preference, no one here is going to know what you'll like.

That being said, my 2 cents as a PNW skier is to steer you towards something full rocker. Our snow is heavy and wet and we have a lot of trees so the ability to pivot and slarve is critical.
Mar 11 2017 4:22PM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
CyanicenineYou should go to the demo events that are happening at Stevens or Crystal at the end of this month. Skis are personal preference, no one here is going to know what you'll like.

That being said, my 2 cents as a PNW skier is to steer you towards something full rocker. Our snow is heavy and wet and we have a lot of trees so the ability to pivot and slarve is critical.


What are some good pow skis with full rocker?
Mar 11 2017 5:38PM
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,294
Caps4saleWhat are some good pow skis with full rocker?


I'm current skiing the Volkl two's so I'm partial to them. Before that I was riding K2 Hellbents which have great wet snow performance. The Icelantic nomad 125 that someone else mentioned would be another good choice, or the 4frnt hoji. There were lots more full rocker skis from a couple years ago, like the shiro, candide 4.0, cochise.
Mar 11 2017 7:31PM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
CyanicenineI'm current skiing the Volkl two's so I'm partial to them. Before that I was riding K2 Hellbents which have great wet snow performance. The Icelantic nomad 125 that someone else mentioned would be another good choice, or the 4frnt hoji. There were lots more full rocker skis from a couple years ago, like the shiro, candide 4.0, cochise.


Thanks for the suggestions! I'll check those out
Mar 11 2017 7:37PM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
alright I have a few more questions

1. Out of these skis which is the softest?

JJ 2.0 Nomad 125/gypsy YLE Catamaran Magic J


2. Im also curious if anyone has had any experience going off kickers with any of these skis?

Thanks again you guys are a great help!
Mar 12 2017 12:43AM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
also I want to add that I won't be able to test any skis
Mar 12 2017 12:44AM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
Get YLES or K116s
Mar 12 2017 1:10AM
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Zypher
Posts: 2337 - Karma: 2,268
Caps4salealright I have a few more questions

1. Out of these skis which is the softest?

JJ 2.0 Nomad 125/gypsy YLE Catamaran Magic J


2. Im also curious if anyone has had any experience going off kickers with any of these skis?

Thanks again you guys are a great help!


Hmm between the JJ 2.0s and the Gypsys I'd say the gypsys but not by too much. It's also because the skis are fully rocketed so it's easier to roll back into the tails but they're still super chargy when you want them to be but still hella playful in the powder
Mar 12 2017 3:25AM
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