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What skis do athletes on the FWT use?

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ljackstar
Posts: 114 - Karma: 233
Mostly out of curiosity, and slightly because I want to compete in a couple of FWT qualifiers in the next couple of years and want to make sure I have the right type of equipment.
Jan 20 2019 6:37PM
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-eREKTion-
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 10,959
Depends who they're sponsored by, you just need a big stable ski for freeride.
Jan 20 2019 6:58PM
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1627 - Karma: 8,688
It varies a lot. Some are on stiff, heavy, directional skis like the old Dynastar Pro Rider, Blizzard Bodacious, Volkl Confession, etc. Others are on much lighter and more playful skis like the Armada ARV 116 JJ, Blizzard Rustler 11, Atomic Backland 117, etc. Just depends on each skier's style and their sponsors. Some choose to prioritize playfulness over stability so they can throw tricks easier and are willing to deal with the lack of stability. Others prioritize stability and are willing to deal with a ski that's not quite as easy to spin, not as balanced in the air, etc.
Jan 20 2019 7:22PM
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ljackstar
Posts: 114 - Karma: 233
So I'm assuming they don't need to tour at all if some of them are riding heavy directional chargers?
Jan 20 2019 7:51PM
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1627 - Karma: 8,688
ljackstarSo I'm assuming they don't need to tour at all if some of them are riding heavy directional chargers?


Yeah, the pro-level riders have to hike up to the top of the line, but since it's just one hike, most would rather have a ski that's solid on the downhill rather than have one that's slightly lighter during that one hike.
Jan 20 2019 8:01PM
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-eREKTion-
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 10,959
ljackstarSo I'm assuming they don't need to tour at all if some of them are riding heavy directional chargers?

The most they'll ever hike is ~1 hour, so very little thought is given to the skis on their back. If you watched Hakuba at all it should give you a good idea of the types of skis used by different riders. The guys taking the more playful lines (Markus Eder, THall, etc.) were on lighter more progressive skis like the Revolt 121, ARV, or the Rustler. The more directional riders were riding bigger heavier skis like the Bodacious or Pro Riders (I think Tabke was riding RX's). Freeride comps, despite all their faults, are sort of the wild west of skiing at the moment. You can be playful and flowy or chargy as fuck and still gun for the podium, so it's really about how you ride.

You should just buy the playful charger, the Moment Wildcat it'll do errrthing.
Jan 20 2019 11:08PM
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Denseclouds
Posts: 529 - Karma: 3,126
patagonialukeYeah, the pro-level riders have to hike up to the top of the line, but since it's just one hike, most would rather have a ski that's solid on the downhill rather than have one that's slightly lighter during that one hike.


^ This. They also will prioritize a regular downhill alpine binding compared to a tech touring binding
Jan 20 2019 11:17PM
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ljackstar
Posts: 114 - Karma: 233
-eREKTion-The most they'll ever hike is ~1 hour, so very little thought is given to the skis on their back. If you watched Hakuba at all it should give you a good idea of the types of skis used by different riders. The guys taking the more playful lines (Markus Eder, THall, etc.) were on lighter more progressive skis like the Revolt 121, ARV, or the Rustler. The more directional riders were riding bigger heavier skis like the Bodacious or Pro Riders (I think Tabke was riding RX's). Freeride comps, despite all their faults, are sort of the wild west of skiing at the moment. You can be playful and flowy or chargy as fuck and still gun for the podium, so it's really about how you ride.

You should just buy the playful charger, the Moment Wildcat it'll do errrthing.


Nah, I'm a charger at heart, so I'll probably just ride my Billy Goats for now, but I should probably start demoing some more playful skis just to see if I can handle the unstableness.
Jan 21 2019 12:31AM
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mvxri
Posts: 190 - Karma: 2,114
Are you sure the FWQ are the right thing for you? 2 years ago you asked how to drop cliffs.
Maybe start with some smaller events and ride whatever feels good on your feet.
Jan 21 2019 3:52AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6724 - Karma: 11,551
For Atomic, the men are on Backland 117 skis, Ultra XTD 130 or Redster CS 130 boots, STH2 16 bindings. And Arianna uses the Bentchetler 120, Redster CS 110 boots, and STH2 16 bindings.

Re: Backland 117 skis- the 193 length is stiffer than the 186. I used the 193s this weekend and they were SO sick on bigger, more open faces but (for me) they were a handful in the trees. I think I will be sticking with the 186 as my tree ski.
Jan 21 2019 4:06AM
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Finito
Posts: 88 - Karma: 340
The new Völkl Revolt 121 seems to be a sick ski.
Jan 21 2019 5:08AM
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,482
ljackstarNah, I'm a charger at heart, so I'll probably just ride my Billy Goats for now, but I should probably start demoing some more playful skis just to see if I can handle the unstableness.


You could definitely ride goats on FWT. I’m sure there are a few people who ride the wrens
Jan 21 2019 3:52PM
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xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,177
Billy Goats, Bibbies or Wrens would be my choice if I where to compete.
Jan 21 2019 5:53PM
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ljackstar
Posts: 114 - Karma: 233
mvxriAre you sure the FWQ are the right thing for you? 2 years ago you asked how to drop cliffs.
Maybe start with some smaller events and ride whatever feels good on your feet.


Is it the right thing for me? I dunno probably not, but in the last 2 years I think I have gotten a lot better at skiing and watching the event last week got me hyped. In reality I'll probably just compete in the Lake Louise Big Mountain Challenge and I'll make up for my skiing in the lounge afterwords.
Jan 21 2019 6:41PM
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slothking
Posts: 53 - Karma: 140
ljackstarIs it the right thing for me? I dunno probably not, but in the last 2 years I think I have gotten a lot better at skiing and watching the event last week got me hyped. In reality I'll probably just compete in the Lake Louise Big Mountain Challenge and I'll make up for my skiing in the lounge afterwords.


I've used billygoats for a couple of FWQs and they work well. Also, most of the 2* FWQ events aren't on anything super technical so as long as you're comfortable getting down the venue they're a fun way to get into freeride comps
Jan 21 2019 10:04PM
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thecazdog
Posts: 16 - Karma: 40
I nerded out and looked at last year's athletes when I was choosing a big boy ski. Most common ski was Rustler 11. Kore 117 was there 2 or 3 times, and there were also a couple of guys each on Dynstars and Atomics.

3 of the top 10 skied Rustlers...cool ski, but I bought Wildcats instead (mostly because they were a lighter version of the Black Crows Anima, which was the ski of last year's overall winner).
Jan 21 2019 11:38PM
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,482
thecazdogI nerded out and looked at last year's athletes when I was choosing a big boy ski. Most common ski was Rustler 11. Kore 117 was there 2 or 3 times, and there were also a couple of guys each on Dynstars and Atomics.

3 of the top 10 skied Rustlers...cool ski, but I bought Wildcats instead (mostly because they were a lighter version of the Black Crows Anima, which was the ski of last year's overall winner).


They’re also a better ski so great choice
Jan 22 2019 1:51AM
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rsvp
Posts: 1516 - Karma: 2,611
i dropped into my first FWT event on a pair of Soul 7's lol

after that I used Super 7 RD's
Jan 24 2019 2:03AM
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profa_212
Posts: 9030 - Karma: 37,817
ljackstarNah, I'm a charger at heart, so I'll probably just ride my Billy Goats for now, but I should probably start demoing some more playful skis just to see if I can handle the unstableness.


Billy goats are my go to comp ski. You'll be fine
Jan 24 2019 4:37AM
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,294
Benny.310The new Völkl Revolt 121 seems to be a sick ski.


Is this a for real ski? I only see it mentioned on a TGR gear rumor thread. The Revolt 124 is just the Volkl Two renamed, which was a popular FWT ski when it came out, and still remains so with its new name (not sure why every voklk ski is just called the revolt now). I have a pair and I love them.
Jan 26 2019 2:31PM
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Finito
Posts: 88 - Karma: 340
CyanicenineIs this a for real ski? I only see it mentioned on a TGR gear rumor thread. The Revolt 124 is just the Volkl Two renamed, which was a popular FWT ski when it came out, and still remains so with its new name (not sure why every voklk ski is just called the revolt now). I have a pair and I love them.

Yes it is for real, Markus Eder took the win at Hakuba on them. The Ski was build with the athletes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_SxqlvEgpc

**This post was edited on Jan 26th 2019 at 3:26:36pm
Jan 26 2019 3:25PM
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