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Japow Trip w/ DPS Wailer RP2 Tour1 + Daymakers (Am I crazy?)

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sstricky
Posts: 1876 - Karma: 111
Trip planned to Nagano for the end of the month! Been my dream for years.
I'm planning on skiing 50/50 Resort/Backcountry

Therefore I need a true powder ski / touring setup.
(I currently only have a 1-ski Colorado quiver)

My buddy has a pair of new 178 DPS Wailer RP2 Tour1's he's willing to sell me for cheap.
These skis look amazing, especially for Japow. Light skis for some light pow, amirite?
I'm 5'9" - 160lbs

As far as touring setup... Would I be crazy to throw some Alpine Bindings (Marker Griffon 13) on these "touring" skis and use some Daymakers with them? I don't own any AT Boots / AT Bindings... Therefore the only thing I'd be purchasing would be the skis themselves and the Daymakers.

Whatdy'all think? Crazy or naw?
Jan 9 2018 3:08PM
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KyleA
Posts: 865 - Karma: 510
Riding any DPS ski with the expectation of having fun is crazy. Especially a tour1.
Jan 9 2018 7:49PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5074 - Karma: 43,034
That's 112 underfoot right? Seems like a little underkill width wise, but not the end of the world. And sure, if you really can't spring for tech stuff that makes sense, I guess. Why wouldn't you just put Guardians on them though? That makes way more sense to me. Still kind of a silly setup, but an awesome trip of a lifetime calls for silly setups.

Personally I'd spring for something a little wider, wouldn't have to be touring specific, and throw a frame binding on there if you're really not going to go for a tech setup.

And yeah, I totally get the DPS hate, and sure, I've been a hater too, but they make plenty of fun skis, and anyone who discounts the whole brand is pretty biased. I'm really really into fun, jibby, playful skis, but I could make the Alchemist Wailer 112 work very well as a one ski west coast quiver. That ski is a hoot.
Jan 9 2018 9:08PM
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sstricky
Posts: 1876 - Karma: 111
KyleARiding any DPS ski with the expectation of having fun is crazy. Especially a tour1.

Bashing on overpriced DPS I'm assuming? If I was paying MSRP for a ski I would go w/ a pair of Armada JJ Zero's, but since I'm getting hooked up I'm fancying these DPS sticks. I feel your comment tho.

cydwhitThat's 112 underfoot right? Seems like a little underkill width wise, but not the end of the world. And sure, if you really can't spring for tech stuff that makes sense, I guess. Why wouldn't you just put Guardians on them though? .


Yup 112 underfoot. And thanks for the honest feedback. I do agree that 112 is a little underkill. I've been skiing CO / Utah pow @ 95 underfoot the last 3 years, so I'll definitely feel better on them. But I'll consider something else wider before I pull the trigger on my friend's DPS's.
As far as throwing guardians/dukes on there: I'm a pretty light guy, so I guess I liked the idea of keeping a light alpine setup with the ability to tour w/ the Daymakers when I need to, and then shred a super lightweight alpine setup after the fact. Might be too light though!

Everyone out there: dream alpine Japow setup!?
Jan 9 2018 10:58PM
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KyleA
Posts: 865 - Karma: 510
sstrickyBashing on overpriced DPS I'm assuming? If I was paying MSRP for a ski I would go w/ a pair of Armada JJ Zero's, but since I'm getting hooked up I'm fancying these DPS sticks. I feel your comment tho.


No, I don't think their carbon skis are over priced at all. I'm bashing their short turn radius, cap construction, lack of torsional rigidity, excessive taper, gimicky spoon tech, "juiced" bases and their suggested mount of -12. If you are an aggressive skier, DPS carbon skis are prone to snapping. Even more so with a balsa core. I would not suggest anyone mount an alpine binding to a tour1. Getting "hooked up" with these skis now will probably result in you breaking a ski, missing a pow day in Japan, and then spending $800 on a new pair of skis there.
Jan 9 2018 11:23PM
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sstricky
Posts: 1876 - Karma: 111
KyleANo, I don't think their carbon skis are over priced at all.......


Righteous Kyle. I totally feel and agree with everything you just said. Thanks for the 2x reply. U R A G.
At this point, I'm going to try to find a pair of 185 Armada JJ Zeros (best case scenario, or just something much fatter so I enjoy the Japow at it's fullest)
Jan 9 2018 11:52PM
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Peach.
Posts: 3879 - Karma: 933
At least get a frame binding.

Love yourself.

PS:
Lotus 138 Spoon is the dumbest/funnest ski I've ever been on.
Jan 11 2018 10:26AM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6925 - Karma: 24,825
Daymakers are performing better than I expected. Recently finished a 3 day Avy 1 course that included a lot of transitions. I'd only used the daymakers once before and I was still faster than the splitboarders and the guy with the cast system. Had Marker tours before and they were worse at everything except the transition and then they broke while I was skiing because the important part that bolts to the ski is just cheap plastic. Touring is better with the daymakers by far.
Jan 11 2018 12:15PM
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skistupid
Posts: 304 - Karma: 1,196
Jan 11 2018 1:03PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
Dentist powder skis are meh.

I like the old Wailer 112 RPC though. 115mm wide, and FUUUUCKING meaty.

I haven't ridden the alchemist 112. The 106 was alright, but I would definitely find the speed limit quickly on variable snow..

I wouldn't wish the tour 1 on my enemy... especially the wailer 99 shape.. the 112? eh. only for deep days in the BC...
Jan 12 2018 12:17PM
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