Companies discontinuing freestyle pow skis

chuckmartySo, what's up with Salomon discontinuing the rocker 2s, K2 discontinuing the Remedy series, and Armada discontinuing the VJJ? What's Bobby gonna ride when he wants to rip pow and what are the ladies gonna ride if they want wider twin tip skis?

From what I've heard, Salomon removed the Rocker series because it doesn't fit with their current lineup which doesn't really make sense to me, but who am I to judge.. And I'd really like to know why K2 and Armada no longer make women's twin tip pow skis. It seemed like they were the front-runners and had the best skis in that category.

Forgive me if I'm wrong here....but most ladies that are good enough to need a freestyle pow ski are fine with/need a men's ski. So I can't imagine they are selling to many. Also, there simply aren't that many girls that require a freestyle pow ski.

It's a dying section. People are realizing that there are better skis out there for 90% of conditions. The days of soft uber rockered freestyle pow skis are over. They simply aren't too useful for most skiers.

They won't go away ever though. Almost every company still makes freestyle pow skis and this is nothing new. They probably will just look a little different. Just because one company which caters almost nothing to the freestyle market cut their ski means nothing.

chuckmartywhat are the ladies gonna ride if they want wider twin tip skis?

That's why Armada makes a 175 JJ.

-eREKTion-That's why Armada makes a 175 JJ.

I should have said "what are the shorter ladies gonna ride".
175 can still be a bit big for girls who are average height or shorter.
I know at least a few female athletes that aren't stoked on the removal of the Remedy and VJJ skis.

chuckmartyI should have said "what are the shorter ladies gonna ride".
175 can still be a bit big for girls who are average height or shorter.
I know at least a few female athletes that aren't stoked on the removal of the Remedy and VJJ skis.

116 is a big ski for most female skiers. Women are smaller than men, they weigh less and they're shorter, there's not a lot of female skiers who need a 116. Women don't need the same surface area to achieve the same floatation so your average female skier can absolutely rip blower on something in the 105-110 range. My ex was pretty small and she floated no problem on 165 TST 100's. The advanced/expert women might want something in the 116 range but they'll also be chill with a 175 or more likely the 185 JJ. The bottom line is that a 116 underfoot for a chick is equivalent to a 130 or so for a dude and you don't see a whole lot of skis being made in the 130 range for dudes.

-eREKTion-116 is a big ski for most female skiers. Women are smaller than men, they weigh less and they're shorter, there's not a lot of female skiers who need a 116

Right, but that's where the Remedy series from K2 came in and did a great job, but that got cut. I know most girls don't need a 116 underfoot ski, but all the big companies stopped making W's twin tip skis that even came anywhere near that.

Like other posters said, not enough sales to consider keeping them around. If there was profit to be made from those skis then there would be no reason to get rid of those models.

It is a bummer to see them go though. My girlfriend is on the petite side and finding gear that fits, performs and doesn't cost a mint for her can get to be a pain. Definitely not as many options out there as men's gear.

chuckmartySo, what's up with Salomon discontinuing the rocker 2s, K2 discontinuing the Remedy series, and Armada discontinuing the VJJ? What's Bobby gonna ride when he wants to rip pow and what are the ladies gonna ride if they want wider twin tip skis?

From what I've heard, Salomon removed the Rocker series because it doesn't fit with their current lineup which doesn't really make sense to me, but who am I to judge.. And I'd really like to know why K2 and Armada no longer make women's twin tip pow skis. It seemed like they were the front-runners and had the best skis in that category.

Yeah like profahoben said, i doubt the VJJ sold well. Most girls would A) either be fine with a mens pow ski or B) not need a ski that fat. They were 116 underfoot right? Just the JJ in a girl color? Ive never seen a girl ride anything that fat haha.

I also doubt salomon was selling freestyle pow skis very well either, and their QST 118 would be a way better pow ski anyway haha. There are so many brands still selling freestyle pow skis anyways.. salomon knows their market well.

And K2 totally re did their line?? they have their asymmetric left/right ski thing now which is actually pretty cool and I would love to get on a pair of marksman or catamaran.

Armada still makes the Magic J, ARV 116 JJ
4FRNT has the Inthayne.. there are probably some YLEs out there still
ON3P has the Kartel line up, witch is bitchin.
Caravan skis has the SB 110 and 120
Faction still makes some sick freestyle pow skis too right??

Theyre out there, but you might notice that the older brands like salomon and K2 just weren't moving some product, so it made sense for them to cut them

Pretty sure Bobby's been riding the QST 118, which definitely have enough tail splay and rocker for switch landings etc. As for K2 they've just released the Catamaran which is an amazing freestyle pow ski.

As for the women's thing I think other people have pretty much nailed it, majority of women can rip pow are much narrower boards than most men, and if they're taller or heavier women they should be fine on the short to mid-size mens options. That being said, a french company called ZAG are making a 112 waist womens pow twin tip which I can confirm is awesome having ridden the mens line which has the same construction

Most chicks on k2 were already riding the marksman instead last season. plus the remedy was unchanged for what 3-4 seasons. So like the shredditor it was time to retire. So chicks on k2 will have to deal with the marksman or catermaran or get the directional luv boat.

As for why. It's such a small market and with the amount that were on offer it was a little saturated.

It's not just those companies, 4frnt dropped the YLE...

sickskiIt's not just those companies, 4frnt dropped the YLE...

Yeah but they added the inthayne which is a freestyle pow ski

Cole9Yeah but they added the inthayne which is a freestyle pow ski

Well the InThayne was around when the YLE still was...

sickskiWell the InThayne was around when the YLE still was...

Which means???

4FRNT is constantly changing their line up as well. Wiley has been skiing on other skis WHILE the YLE was still around. Style and use change my dude, it's all good. ON3P changes their line up almost every 2-3 years. They still have freestyle pow skis, but they mix it up.


On another note, it is sad that the YLE is gone.. that was probably my favorite ski shape. Wish it was still around.