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Want a midfat freestyle ski that feels "alive"

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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
In the past 3 days I've demoed a handful of mid-fat/fat freestyle skis. The skis I've demoed are:

K2 Marksman
Armada ARV JJ (106 wasn't available)
Liberty Origin 116
Liberty Origin 106
Faction Candide 3.0

I noticed that the JJs and the Candides felt pretty uninspiring on groomers but solid in moguls, while the Libertys ripped groomers but weren't super easy to whip around in moguls. The Marksman was the first ski I tried and it felt very interesting on groomers, relatively easy in moguls, and it carved pretty well, but since it was the first ski I demoed and didn't have much to compare it to, I'm not super certain of my interpretation of it. I really disliked how dull the JJs and Candides felt, probably due to a their noodly flex. To me, a ski that's fun is a ski that's lively.

Want twin tips to learn some more basic tricks with and to practice skiing switch with. What skis would you guys recommend to me? Kartels? Faction Prodigys?
Jan 5 2019 9:48PM
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LukeTheWaffle
Posts: 1845 - Karma: 8,860
I'd suggest you try the CT 2.0, Prodigy 3.0 or the on3p Kartel 108

You'd probably like the Kartel the most
Jan 5 2019 11:05PM
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7-11_Slurpee
Posts: 1142 - Karma: 1,552
I ride 4frnt Devastators and I feel like they're a fun ski with some life. They're also a pretty great value at the price point.
Jan 5 2019 11:19PM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
LukeTheWaffleI'd suggest you try the CT 2.0, Prodigy 3.0 or the on3p Kartel 108

You'd probably like the Kartel the most


I'd love to try the Prodigys somewhere. Don't know where I would be able to demo the Kartels. I'll have to see what I can do.
Jan 6 2019 12:09AM
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ObjectMocked
Posts: 100 - Karma: 230
I’ve got the 3.0s and honestly they’re insane on groomers and shit in bumps. Having a race background it’s nice to have a ski that drives like a super G ski but can shralp too. I haven’t ridden anything else on ur list but the 3.0s are definitely more alive and stompy the harder you drive them.
Jan 6 2019 4:34PM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
ObjectMockedI’ve got the 3.0s and honestly they’re insane on groomers and shit in bumps. Having a race background it’s nice to have a ski that drives like a super G ski but can shralp too. I haven’t ridden anything else on ur list but the 3.0s are definitely more alive and stompy the harder you drive them.


I mean I felt that they were easier to put on edge but like idk how to describe it. They just felt duller to me in turns compared to the Liberty Origin 106 I used before. Maybe it’s bc they’re bidirectional or something but idk. Maybe I’m just tripping but either way I think I prefer the K2 Marksman to anything I demoed in the past couple days
Jan 6 2019 5:50PM
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Cole9
Posts: 339 - Karma: 741
TheVictatorI mean I felt that they were easier to put on edge but like idk how to describe it. They just felt duller to me in turns compared to the Liberty Origin 106 I used before. Maybe it’s bc they’re bidirectional or something but idk. Maybe I’m just tripping but either way I think I prefer the K2 Marksman to anything I demoed in the past couple days

I’m guessing you think the candides are dull due to there lack of camber and a stiffer flex. I think they only have 2mm while the liberties have 6mm. Also the liberties are bamboo/poplar so they are probably more playful.
Jan 6 2019 10:35PM
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Woos
Posts: 832 - Karma: 1,567
I'd get either the ON3P Kartel 108s or the Moment PB&Js (unless you wanted something wider). Keep in mind I'm in the Midwest so I prefer the smaller side of midfats. I hear those two skis rip everywhere though.
Jan 7 2019 11:43AM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
Y'all think that the Bent Chetler 100 would fit what I'm looking for or would it be too soft at the tips to blast curves down groomers? I like how light they reportedly are, but I don't exactly know how much that would transfer to how they feel.
Jan 7 2019 11:52PM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
teamSESHI'd get either the ON3P Kartel 108s or the Moment PB&Js (unless you wanted something wider). Keep in mind I'm in the Midwest so I prefer the smaller side of midfats. I hear those two skis rip everywhere though.


Btw I'm in the Midwest like you (4hrs away from Granite Peak) and I'm wondering whether I should get a midfat ski to complement the Blends I already have (for when I go out West once every year, or to Mount Bohemia) or if I should just sell them and get a 100-105mm one ski quiver...having 2 sets of skis does seem kinda excessive to someone who is hoping to ski like 20 days a year

**This post was edited on Jan 8th 2019 at 10:07:50am
Jan 8 2019 12:01AM
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Sharko
Posts: 2274 - Karma: 4,100
Screw bindings to 2 ferrets
Jan 8 2019 12:06AM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,790
If lively is something you’re after I’m not super sure the kartel 108 is your ski.
Just got on mine I just bought after riding on the original-shaped bacons for 10 years and it’s dramatic how much “damper” they are than the soft full-camber bacons (or my old park skis for that matter). Kartels plow through stuff unshaken and are awesomely stable, while still feeling like you can pop them off literally anything anywhere. I feel like the liveliness has to come from you, and the skis will have your back for anything you want to do.

Haven’t ridden any other skis you mentioned so definitely take that with a grain of salt though.
Jan 8 2019 12:32AM
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Woos
Posts: 832 - Karma: 1,567
TheVictatorBtw I'm in the Midwest like you (4hrs away from Granite Peak) and I'm wondering whether I should get a midfat ski to complement the Blends I already have (for when I go out West once every year, or to Mount Bohemia) or if I should just sell them and get a 100-105mm one ski quiver...having 2 sets of skis does seem kinda excessive to someone who is hoping to ski like 20 days a year

**This post was edited on Jan 8th 2019 at 10:07:50am


Idk man that's tough. I'm riding Vishnu Wets, have some Domains (sort of just extra/old park skis that might become backups or urban/backyard skis), and I was thinking about getting Kartel 108s for everything else other than park (including a Bohemia trip or two a year). So three skis but realistically it's a two ski quiver. I think that's the perfect setup for my situation but you're already a fan of fat skis. If I was riding a 100mm+ ski in the park, maybe I'd try to go one ski quiver. My Wets were fine on every fun everywhere at Granite last weekend (first time riding them) but sometimes I want a fatter, sturdier, faster ski. The Wets can kind of get scary depending on the situation as well. Sorry for the rambling reply, I guess the short story is you could really go either route.
Jan 8 2019 2:22PM
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xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,175
Fatypus L toro or m5
Jan 8 2019 11:03PM
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Paul.
Posts: 1614 - Karma: 11,194
KevskiIf lively is something you’re after I’m not super sure the kartel 108 is your ski.
Just got on mine I just bought after riding on the original-shaped bacons for 10 years and it’s dramatic how much “damper” they are than the soft full-camber bacons (or my old park skis for that matter). Kartels plow through stuff unshaken and are awesomely stable, while still feeling like you can pop them off literally anything anywhere. I feel like the liveliness has to come from you, and the skis will have your back for anything you want to do.

Haven’t ridden any other skis you mentioned so definitely take that with a grain of salt though.


I think you and I have very different ideas of what "lively" means when used to describe skis
Jan 9 2019 7:47PM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4887 - Karma: 17,385
TheVictator...having 2 sets of skis does seem kinda excessive to someone who is hoping to ski like 20 days a year

**This post was edited on Jan 8th 2019 at 10:07:50am


I have two pairs of skis and hope to ski like 20 days this year as well. It's okay as long as you can afford it. After a year or two you can just end up with your good skis and your rock skis.
Jan 9 2019 8:47PM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,790
Paul.I think you and I have very different ideas of what "lively" means when used to describe skis


Quite possible. For me a lively ski is light and snappy, where you can feel it bounce back from everything. It absorbs less and reacts more. Almost pops for itself you know?

Interested to hear what “lively” means to you. I imagine you’re suggesting you would describe the K108 as a lively ski?
Jan 9 2019 8:53PM
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Cryptno
Posts: 176 - Karma: -11
TheVictatorIn the past 3 days I've demoed a handful of mid-fat/fat freestyle skis. The skis I've demoed are:

K2 Marksman
Armada ARV JJ (106 wasn't available)
Liberty Origin 116
Liberty Origin 106
Faction Candide 3.0

I noticed that the JJs and the Candides felt pretty uninspiring on groomers but solid in moguls, while the Libertys ripped groomers but weren't super easy to whip around in moguls. The Marksman was the first ski I tried and it felt very interesting on groomers, relatively easy in moguls, and it carved pretty well, but since it was the first ski I demoed and didn't have much to compare it to, I'm not super certain of my interpretation of it. I really disliked how dull the JJs and Candides felt, probably due to a their noodly flex. To me, a ski that's fun is a ski that's lively.

Want twin tips to learn some more basic tricks with and to practice skiing switch with. What skis would you guys recommend to me? Kartels? Faction Prodigys?


Just get Fatty's . I have yet to ski powder once in 2 years of having them and they have been a blast. They rip just as hard as any other ski and go over bumps and soft snow way easier. You will feel plenty alive on some ski with a stupid amount of rocker for groomers. My favorite Fatty's that you could rip everywhere would be pescados, Rossi souls, and head turbines. What ever you do don't get some boringly stiff box ski with a 27 m turn radius.
Jan 9 2019 9:54PM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4887 - Karma: 17,385
TheVictatorI mean I felt that they were easier to put on edge but like idk how to describe it. They just felt duller to me in turns compared to the Liberty Origin 106 I used before. Maybe it’s bc they’re bidirectional or something but idk. Maybe I’m just tripping but either way I think I prefer the K2 Marksman to anything I demoed in the past couple days


I'm not going to look up all the numbers for myself but you may want to look at the turn radii of the skis and see if that has any correlation to your like and dislike. I know the Liberty Origin has a pretty short radius and think the CT 2.0 has a medium 20ish m radius.

I could be totally wrong though, I'm just going off the top of my head.
Jan 9 2019 10:18PM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
mystery3I'm not going to look up all the numbers for myself but you may want to look at the turn radii of the skis and see if that has any correlation to your like and dislike. I know the Liberty Origin has a pretty short radius and think the CT 2.0 has a medium 20ish m radius.

I could be totally wrong though, I'm just going off the top of my head.


Oh cool, the Marksman also has like a 17m radius so maybe that's it, but I also think the rebound of the ski matters a good amount too. Marksman felt pretty dope cuz it has a lot of rebound, Liberty felt p stout too.
Jan 10 2019 12:13AM
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tahoearmada20
Posts: 972 - Karma: 357
theres a reason the arv 106 wasnt available: its the best ski on the market in that category
Jan 10 2019 12:14AM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
CryptnoJust get Fatty's . I have yet to ski powder once in 2 years of having them and they have been a blast. They rip just as hard as any other ski and go over bumps and soft snow way easier. You will feel plenty alive on some ski with a stupid amount of rocker for groomers. My favorite Fatty's that you could rip everywhere would be pescados, Rossi souls, and head turbines. What ever you do don't get some boringly stiff box ski with a 27 m turn radius.


If I get a fatty it finna be K2 Catamarans or Moment Wildcats, anything else I should look at? Don't want it to be directional so I can jib and spin all over the mountain and practice riding switch. Honestly might be too much ski tho. I lowkey suck at bumps so would they be too much to work with in that terrain?
Jan 10 2019 12:29AM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
KevskiQuite possible. For me a lively ski is light and snappy, where you can feel it bounce back from everything. It absorbs less and reacts more. Almost pops for itself you know?


Yeah this is good, and if it's nimble even better. What skis are like this between 100 and 120mm waist width? Perhaps this is a better way to pose the question.
Jan 10 2019 12:35AM
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Zypher
Posts: 2337 - Karma: 2,268
TheVictatorIf I get a fatty it finna be K2 Catamarans or Moment Wildcats, anything else I should look at? Don't want it to be directional so I can jib and spin all over the mountain and practice riding switch. Honestly might be too much ski tho. I lowkey suck at bumps so would they be too much to work with in that terrain?


Candide 4.0s
Icelantic Nomad 115
Icelantic Nomad 125
K2 Cats
Kartel 116s
Line Mordecais
etc.

I highly recommend looking at icelantic nomad 115s if you thought the 3.0s were too stiff and damp. the candide 4.0s and the Nomad 125 are suuuper similar skis in profile, dimensions, and sidecut but the Nomad 125s are alot flexier and more playful in my opinion. Owning both, I'd take the candides out on big mtn lines or choppier days and the nomads out on easy jibby days.
Jan 10 2019 1:30PM
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Cryptno
Posts: 176 - Karma: -11
TheVictatorIf I get a fatty it finna be K2 Catamarans or Moment Wildcats, anything else I should look at? Don't want it to be directional so I can jib and spin all over the mountain and practice riding switch. Honestly might be too much ski tho. I lowkey suck at bumps so would they be too much to work with in that terrain?


The pescados aren't really directional. If you can find brand new turbines it's usually a killer deal since they are three seasons old
Jan 11 2019 4:56PM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4887 - Karma: 17,385
CryptnoThe pescados aren't really directional. d


Whaaa?
Jan 12 2019 12:41AM
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,482
TheVictatorIf I get a fatty it finna be K2 Catamarans or Moment Wildcats, anything else I should look at? Don't want it to be directional so I can jib and spin all over the mountain and practice riding switch. Honestly might be too much ski tho. I lowkey suck at bumps so would they be too much to work with in that terrain?


Get the wildcats. The rocker profile makes them easy to maneuver at slower speeds and jib around while the stiff flex and straighter side cut allow them to slice through chop like a hot knife through butter. They are by far the most versatile ski in their category.
Jan 12 2019 2:53AM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
Rum_HamGet the wildcats. The rocker profile makes them easy to maneuver at slower speeds and jib around while the stiff flex and straighter side cut allow them to slice through chop like a hot knife through butter. They are by far the most versatile ski in their category.

You sure I should get them over the catamarans? Do you know if the cats feel like a bigger Marksman?

I also need them to not suck dickeroni in bumps, idk which ski would be better for that.
Jan 12 2019 3:17PM
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,482
TheVictatorYou sure I should get them over the catamarans? Do you know if the cats feel like a bigger Marksman?

I also need them to not suck dickeroni in bumps, idk which ski would be better for that.


I have no comparison to the catamarans or marksman personally but of course the catamarans feel like a bigger marksman because that’s what they are. K2s are known for being soft heavy and damp while the wildcat is stiffer lighter and damp. They won’t suck in bumps if you don’t, if you do they’ll work you a bit till you figure out how to properly ski bumps.
Jan 12 2019 8:59PM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
Yo so this is probably not what I'm looking for but what do people think about the Vishnu Wides? They seem interesting but are probs pretty floppy idk
Jan 14 2019 1:00PM
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Chunderface
Posts: 2524 - Karma: 9,933
TheVictatorYou sure I should get them over the catamarans? Do you know if the cats feel like a bigger Marksman?

I also need them to not suck dickeroni in bumps, idk which ski would be better for that.


I own both the Bibbys and the Pettitors (replaced by the Catamaran,vso close but not exact comparison). The Pettitors are softer in the tips and tails and overall a little more playful and butterable. Both are chargey and a lot of fun and very stable jumps and blasting crud. Bibbys are a little more nimble, and overall probably more capable if you ski really hard. In the right snow the Bibbys will make you a better skier.
Jan 15 2019 11:59PM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
TubeBroI own both the Bibbys and the Pettitors (replaced by the Catamaran,vso close but not exact comparison). The Pettitors are softer in the tips and tails and overall a little more playful and butterable. Both are chargey and a lot of fun and very stable jumps and blasting crud. Bibbys are a little more nimble, and overall probably more capable if you ski really hard. In the right snow the Bibbys will make you a better skier.


Sounds good and I would get the Wildcats but they're almost out of stock in my size on Evo and the store I work at wouldn't stock an indie brand like Moment. They do stock K2 though so I could realistically get a Catamaran for the price the shop pays for, but I don't wanna pull the trigger without having tried them. And I doubt I will get any opportunity to try them here in the Midwest. Maybe I should just go with the Marksman after all, Catamaran seems wide af. Wildcat would be optimal from a skiing perspective but from a money perspective the Cats or Marksmans are much better. Fug.....
Jan 16 2019 1:32AM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4887 - Karma: 17,385
TheVictatorSounds good and I would get the Wildcats but they're almost out of stock in my size on Evo and the store I work at wouldn't stock an indie brand like Moment. They do stock K2 though so I could realistically get a Catamaran for the price the shop pays for, but I don't wanna pull the trigger without having tried them. And I doubt I will get any opportunity to try them here in the Midwest. Maybe I should just go with the Marksman after all, Catamaran seems wide af. Wildcat would be optimal from a skiing perspective but from a money perspective the Cats or Marksmans are much better. Fug.....


What other brands do you have a hookup on?
Jan 16 2019 1:34AM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
mystery3What other brands do you have a hookup on?


Blizzard, Armada, Line, Nordica, Elan, Atomic, Volkl
Jan 16 2019 2:41PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6925 - Karma: 24,825
TheVictatorBlizzard, Armada, Line, Nordica, Elan, Atomic, Volkl


I’d look at the Elans . I haven’t been on any elan branded skis but my favorite skis RN are both Elanians . Hoji’s and YLEs. They are really good at making skis.
Jan 16 2019 10:11PM
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