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Which skis to get? Looking for 70% all mountain and 30% park in Vermont & Quebec

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usatocanada
Posts: 6 - Karma: 14
I want an all mountain ski that can handle the park. About 70% all mountain, but like the fun side of all mountain, popping off stuff, tree runs, rollers, bumps, occasional small powder (not just groomers). And about 30% park. My park time is pretty basic (just some big air, maybe a 360 here or there, and the occasional rail... not really planning to need to ride backwards much). I will be skiing primarily in Vermont and Quebec, so thinking I don't need much width.




I used to be a Line guy (had the first two models of Darkside ever produced), so I have a little loyalty there. I'm 5'11' and 160 and an intermediate/advanced rider.




My shortlist right now is:



Line Chronic (maybe too parky?)


Line Sick Day 88 (can you still jump and do rails on these easily?)


4FRNT Vandal (seems to check a lot of the boxes, similar to chronic I guess, but maybe a little wider... too wide for east coast riding?)



Thoughts? Am I making mistakes by focusing mostly on freestyle skis and sort of heading away from freeride all mountain skis?


Thanks for any help.
Sep 1 2019 12:38PM
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asdffff123
Posts: 13 - Karma: 30
the vandal is awesome, i believe the waist width goes up with the length of the ski but it is definitely wide enough for an all mountain park oriented ski
Sep 1 2019 4:15PM
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davetron78
Posts: 531 - Karma: 1,117
K2 sight
Nordica soul rider 87
Salomon QST 85
Line Sickday 88
Armada TST

..just a few off the top of my head, i mean the market is saturated with all mountain skis, you just gotta know what you want in a ski
Sep 1 2019 6:42PM
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Slunky
Posts: 689 - Karma: 2,319
Jeffrey 96
Sep 1 2019 9:15PM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
Think for your needs, an all mountain twin would be my choice over a free ride type ski. The difference is that I’d mount the bindings on that twin back a bit from the mostly park(0-2cm from center range) to the park/all mountain(3-5cm back from center) range for better carving performance outside of the park.

Head Framewall/Caddy etc if you’re skiing mostly harder snow or Line Chronic, Soul Rider 97, Jeffrey 96, Revolt 95, Black Ops 98, Menace 98/Slicer Factory etc if you want more versatility with soft snow or powder with decent performance on groomers still.

HUGE deals right now on Revolt 95 181cm for $315 CAN at Sporting Life for last years graphics or $300 CAN/$239 US for Dynastar Slicer Factory(last year’s Menace 98) at Corbetts.com/ASOGear.com. Both are great skis for the money and perfect for your needs.
Sep 1 2019 9:58PM
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crustyboot.420
Posts: 989 - Karma: 4,273
Armada arv 96
Sep 2 2019 3:47AM
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partyandBS
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 68,669
Get some Revisions!
Sep 2 2019 6:18AM
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Crust_Station
Posts: 522 - Karma: 1,851
The skinnier bent chetler actually sounds like exactly what you’re looking for. Nice all mountain twin shape with a surprising amount of float in some east coast pow and can definitely handle some park
Sep 2 2019 7:36AM
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Talltean
Posts: 10 - Karma: 24
Dude check out Shaggys “sarge” 95s and also the Dynastar slicer.
Sep 2 2019 1:42PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10814 - Karma: 57,140
Crust_StationThe skinnier bent chetler actually sounds like exactly what you’re looking for. Nice all mountain twin shape with a surprising amount of float in some east coast pow and can definitely handle some park


I'm going to second this recommendation! The Atomic Bent Chetler 100 is an awesome ski, it handels everything you throw at it. Plus, it's a blast to ride.
Sep 2 2019 3:00PM
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usatocanada
Posts: 6 - Karma: 14
man, a very definite lack of consensus, but feedback has been helpful for sure

I'd have to say that these three are the top of the list right now based on responses and some research, but I'm still sort of going half blind as I'm not familiar with all the technical jargon.

-Line Chronic (on the strength of Twig's review and lower cost).
-Armada ARV 96 (a consistent recommendation here and elsewhere)
-ON3P Jeffrey 96 (seems to be the premium choice of most)

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The Bent Chetler seems maybe more backcountry / less east-coast specific than I need, and the Vandal seems possibly more park/jib than I need.

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I think for me it will boil down to graphics between Armada ARV and Line Chronic (prefer line's to the GOT theme on ARV's this year) OR if I'm willing to throw down some money for premium ON3P's. Also might be curious to see what ends up on best of 2020 model lists.

**This post was edited on Sep 2nd 2019 at 9:29:16pm

**This post was edited on Sep 2nd 2019 at 9:30:09pm
Sep 2 2019 9:18PM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
There’s been consensus on this thread with all the skis listed being good options for you.

Bent 100 is a decent ski and because of its light weight and easy flex, it makes for a very good backcountry touring/resort ski and that’s why you are seeing backcountry often listed in reviews. Still a fun, playful ski all over the resort but it’s light weight makes it just okay through heavy crud even with it punching above it’s light weight.

The Chronic is a good ski but again a little light and softer flexing compared to some other options out there making it not as great in variable conditions compared to heavier, stiffer options.

The ARV96 is a great option for you and it was improved last year by going to a longer full sidewall making it damper and stiffer. I’d pick these over the Chronic for your needs and should be similar pricing.

Jeffrey 96 would have a solid flex and nice weight behind it that’s definitely worth considering if you have the budget. Playful but stable ski that can take anything in stride and build quality is top notch. Very Durable bases and edges that can take lots of abuse.

Bang for the buck king is the 2019 Dynastar Slicer Factory which is now called the Menace 98 for 2020. Been around for years under the Slicer name and it’s a well built, nicely weighted ski that’s fun everywhere. In last year’s Slicer Factory top sheet, you can get it for $239 US right now!
Here’s a great review of it.

https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/2019-2020-dynastar-menace-98
Sep 2 2019 11:27PM
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usatocanada
Posts: 6 - Karma: 14
Greg, thanks a lot for the detail. The reviewers at A Better Ski seem to have a different take on the Dynastar Menace than Blister, which is confusing, but I think that is the right direction for me with it being a little stiffer and a tad more directional than some of the other all mountain freestyle skis. However, the Dynastar is probably too much in that direction for me as it supposedly requires a lot more user input, being "heavy" and having a wider turning radius, and sounds like more geared for speed first and foremost. But maybe I'm reading it wrong. In the video, the reviewer compared it to a bombproof heavily armored suburban. I'm probably looking for something more like a crossover or AWD sports wagon, if his take is correct.
Sep 3 2019 8:24AM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
The better ski guy took out the longer turning radius and heavier 187cm and even though he’s a larger guy, he’s not really a strong skier. He would have loved the 181cm I bet. The same reviewer took out 173cm Revolt 95 and wondered why they were squirrelly.....lol

Also, most testers like ABski would have had the mount on a much further back “all mountain” mount about 8cm back. Moving that/any all mountain twin’s mount forward to the -5cm range like Blister did will make it pivot easier, feel more balanced in the air and lighter on it’s feet.

Blister is the more accurate review as they have properly sized skis and adjusted the mount. The Armada arv 96 in 184 is similar weight to the 181cm Slicer.

**This post was edited on Sep 3rd 2019 at 10:00:49am
Sep 3 2019 9:58AM
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usatocanada
Posts: 6 - Karma: 14
Ah, that helps. I've been aiming for mid 170's cm length in freestyle all mtn skis. Does that make sense for me at 5'11' and 160lbs intermediate/advanced? Seems like everyone likes to run them a little long.
Sep 3 2019 10:32AM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
Could go as low as 175cm but better stability/float in the 181cm length. Always lose a bit of effective edge with twin tips so usually you go 5-10cm longer than traditional skis. With light bindings like the Attack2 13, it will be a good weight for you even in the 181cm with the mount forward.

Another link to Slicer reviews.

https://www.skiessentials.com/Chairlift-Chat/2016-Dynastar-TWIN-Ski-Collection-Overview/

**This post was edited on Sep 3rd 2019 at 11:01:52am
Sep 3 2019 10:44AM
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usatocanada
Posts: 6 - Karma: 14
Just picked up some Slicers for $225. Seemed like too good of a deal to pass up and won't break the bank if it turns out I need something a little different later. Thanks again
Sep 3 2019 2:02PM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
usatocanadaJust picked up some Slicers for $225. Seemed like too good of a deal to pass up and won't break the bank if it turns out I need something a little different later. Thanks again


Awesome! You’ll love them and that’s an insane deal for sure! Noticed Corbetts listing just showed “one available” now. Lol

You get some bindings too? Great deals on Attack2 13 95mm bindings there too!

**This post was edited on Sep 3rd 2019 at 2:53:16pm
Sep 3 2019 2:49PM
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usatocanada
Posts: 6 - Karma: 14
I went with the 110 width because I thought the 95mm would be too narrow for the waist of the ski at 98mm, or so I thought.
Sep 3 2019 3:13PM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
usatocanadaI went with the 110 width because I thought the 95mm would be too narrow for the waist of the ski at 98mm, or so I thought.


No, get the 95mm brake. 110 way too big as the 95 can work on 104 skis! Just call and get them to swap.
Sep 3 2019 3:42PM
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usatocanada
Posts: 6 - Karma: 14
boom... done! thanks again!
Sep 3 2019 4:08PM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
Glad you ended up getting them!

Decided they were such a good deal, I even picked up a set with the same bindings for myself for a fun Spring ski.
Corbetts has one pair in 175cm
and one in 181cm left now.
Sep 3 2019 8:39PM
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CalumSKI
Posts: 4140 - Karma: 23,335
Marksmans or sakanas for wider skis

marksmans would be good at carving due to them being asymetric
Sep 5 2019 8:49AM
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freeskibum82
Posts: 6355 - Karma: 5,055
Crust_StationThe skinnier bent chetler actually sounds like exactly what you’re looking for. Nice all mountain twin shape with a surprising amount of float in some east coast pow and can definitely handle some park


I'll second this and i ski vermont. I run the bentchetler100 in a 180 for my daily ski on the east coast. its slightly soft on those super bulletproof days but is my go to ski and i hit everything at carinthia last season with them without issue. I started on a line chronic but found that to be a little soft for all mountain skiing even though the shape changed to make it more all mountain. It is more a 50/50 ski for park/mountain. Another ski to look into may be the Line Vision 98. It has enough tail to ski switch but is a great all mountain lightweight ski. Ill be looking to get the 108 version this season paired to a touring binding.
Sep 5 2019 9:04AM
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