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Kartel108 vs Wren108 vs Sakana ???

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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,663
So I've spent this year on some beat up old armadas i was given to by a friend of mine because I didnt have skis at the beginning of this season.
Fast foward to 8 weeks on them, both skis have delammed, one edge completely ripped out and i'm honestly just waiting for these skis to snap, hopefully they last the rest of the season but theyre definitely gonna end up in the dumpster or a shot ski come april.

So I'm starting to look at skis to buy in late spring/over the summer for next year. I'm transferring to the university of Utah in the fall so i'll be spending the majority of next season at Snowbird and Brighton and i'm looking for a 1 ski quiver that can handle everything from early season to deep days to spring corn. I don't ski much park anymore so i'm looking for something stable that I can go fast on groomers, won't hook up on slashes on deep days and can still be surfy/fun for the days i do go through the park.
I had a pair of kartel106s the first year they came out and i absolutely loved them. They're my favorite skis i've ever had. So right now the 108 is near the top of my list, but the wrenegade intrigues me, as does the sakana. They look like stable fast fun skis that rip. I've never skied either of them so i'm not sure what theyre like so I was hoping you guys could help me make my decision.

I'm 6' & 230lbs, I would say i'm an advanced skier on the east coast, intermediate on the west coast. I come from a 800 vert hill thats pretty mellow so when I ski Alta/snowbird it takes some getting used to on terrain that steep but once i get my west coast legs under me I can ski the steeper runs fine. I like going fast, jumping off sidehits/smaller cliffs and laying fat slashes. I rarely hit rails anymore so I'm really not focused on the park aspect of my skiing with this purchase, but I'm sure there will be days lapping the park.

Reasons why I like each ski:
Kartel108 - I had the 106 for 2.5 seasons, took them from WNY where i'm from, to Utah, Vermont, NH, Mt Hood and those skis never let me down, they were so fun, surfy, buttery but stable when i needed them to. They were so fun at when I skied them at the Bird. Probably my #1 choice right now.
Wren108 - Looks like a directional more "chargy" version of the Kartel, I dont ski switch very often and don't plan on throwing 180s or 5's off of cliffs so landing/skiing switch isn't a deal breaker for me. But it looks like the rocker on the tail allows for occasional switch skiing. But these just seem like a bad ass charger of a ski. I feel like they would fit my style of skiing pretty well.
Sakana - I mean just look at them. They seem like a super surfy, fun all mountain ski that rips carves like a mother fucker. Theyre around the same price as the on3p's so thats why I'm looking at them, i think if i'm spending nearly a 1000 dollars on a set up I should keep my options open for something new and exciting.


So from the info given, what would you guys say I should pick? I would pick any of these in a heartbeat I just don't want to make the wrong choice. Selling my on3ps is definitely one of my biggest regrets in the last few years, I miss those skis every day and wanna be one something that'll last a few seasons and allow me to ski anything I want.
Jan 31 2019 6:15PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 5,449
I have Wren 102 from 2016. Its my go to ski for everything except super deep days (2ft). I would not go with anything else.
I don't ski park at all. Steep or deep.
a 108 would kill it.
Jan 31 2019 7:07PM
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1627 - Karma: 8,686
Sounds like the Kartel 108 is the way to go. Wren 108 is an awesome ski, but it's not all that comfortable slashing / surfing around. Likes to go fast and fairly straight. Kartel isn't far off in terms of stability, but is way more playful. Sakana is a totally different ski. Tons of fun to carve, but nowhere near as stable as the Kartel or Wren.
Jan 31 2019 10:48PM
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AltaOmega
Posts: 8 - Karma: 44
Hey man, of those options I think the Kartel 108 is your best bet. I’m from Alta and I’ve been skiing Snowbird my whole life as well... Snowbird can be quite a technical mountain if you choose it to be, and I think the wrenegade is a little too focus on charging long radius turns and is going to be more difficult in those chutes, trees, and tight spots. You’re going to get almost as much stability with the Kartel but significant more maneuverability. My everyday ski is the Blizzard Rustler 11 which pivots from a neutral stance but carves rails as you lean into the boot...for me it’s been the perfect ski for Snowbird/Alta... something to consider. But I think if you want to go narrower and damper the Kartel is awesome.
Jan 31 2019 11:38PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Past Wrens have definitely been charge monster skis, but I think that reputation doesnt fully apply to the Wren in its current incarnation. Wrens need to be drivne - you get lazy on them and they will kick your ass. Its a ski thats wants to be driven though, shins pinned against the front of your boots and at speed. It rewards this treatment. Its still stiff enough to slice through mank and leftovers - the recent tweaks have just made it a bit more friendly in oh shit situations (tail rocker does allow you to kick the tails wide to dump speed, turn radius has been dialed back from 30m).

I think you are probably looking for a ski thats more of a blend between the Wren and Kartel. I'd wait till spring and keep your fingers crossed.
Feb 1 2019 12:38AM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6929 - Karma: 24,871
Hold out for the old 106s to pop up for sale some place. In the meantime maybe another deal will pop up that you can't pass on. You are going to Utah and will have a ton of expenses so I wouldn't dump all my funds into one setup. Good chance deals on skis will pop up locally when you are out there. If you are that close to the action you will probably be better served by 2 or 3 setups that can make the most out of your conditions too. A nice pow ski to make the best of the best days and something for dinking around on groomers/park when there is no new snow. Lots of good shapes have been made at good ski factories and are kicking around the market on the low. Elan factory made skis, 4fnt etc. for example.
Get at least 2 set ups for your $1000, you've broken ski stuff before so you'll want to have a back up at least.
Feb 1 2019 1:15PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,663
RudyGarmischPast Wrens have definitely been charge monster skis, but I think that reputation doesnt fully apply to the Wren in its current incarnation. Wrens need to be drivne - you get lazy on them and they will kick your ass. Its a ski thats wants to be driven though, shins pinned against the front of your boots and at speed. It rewards this treatment. Its still stiff enough to slice through mank and leftovers - the recent tweaks have just made it a bit more friendly in oh shit situations (tail rocker does allow you to kick the tails wide to dump speed, turn radius has been dialed back from 30m).

I think you are probably looking for a ski thats more of a blend between the Wren and Kartel. I'd wait till spring and keep your fingers crossed.


Hmmm after reading through the Karl thread in ski Gabber your last sentence is even more intriguing. Very excited to hear more about that possibility.
Feb 5 2019 4:04AM
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