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Recommendations for a ski on the softer side!

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animator
Posts: 4552 - Karma: 26,250
Ok guys, I need some ideas. I’m 5’11, 185-190lbs. I’m a good skier, new to the park scene. I grew up in Europe skiing pow and dropping cliffs, not so much hitting jumps and rails. I now live on the east coast, so I frequent loon gunstock and Sunday River. My quiver consists of the following:

182cm Faction CT 1.0
177cm Faction Prodigy 2.0
184cm Faction CT 3.0 (this years)

im looking for a 102-108 waisted ski for buttering and wheelieing (wheelying?) around the mountain and lap the park. I don’t want something as soft as the blend, but want to be able to butter and wheelie and Ollie easily. Also unsure about length, I think 180-182 is gonna be my sweet spot. I’ve been thinking about the following

178 or 184 Faction CT 2.0-worried that the edges on these won’t stand up to daily abuse in the park
180 Armada ARV 106-heard great things about these but have yet to ski them
177 K2 Marksman-I’ve heard that these are stiffer than pros make them look, please correct me if I’m wrong
ON3P Kartel 108 181-also heard these are not super soft
ON3P Magnus 102 181-^ same thing
Vishnu Wide 183-very curious about these, I read @Twig s review but want to see if anyone else has experience.

I work at a shop and can get most of these at a deal, but please feel free to drop more suggestions. Cheers guys!
Feb 24 2020 9:27PM
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 62,949
I have Jeffery 96s and they are stiff. The rocker is what makes them playful. Definitely a blast to ski but not the easiest ski to butter around on. What about something like the J skis all play? Or Vacation? I can attest that the all play is super fun easy to butter and wheelie around on although it is 98 underfoot. Can’t remember what the vacation is but it is wider.

Also next years Armada Stranger might be the perfect ski. It sounds like the ski you are describing. However I haven’t heard any info on how it skis yet. But it has a tail specifically for doing wheelies.
Feb 24 2020 9:59PM
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animator
Posts: 4552 - Karma: 26,250
CatdickBojanglesI have Jeffery 96s and they are stiff. The rocker is what makes them playful. Definitely a blast to ski but not the easiest ski to butter around on. What about something like the J skis all play? Or Vacation? I can attest that the all play is super fun easy to butter and wheelie around on although it is 98 underfoot. Can’t remember what the vacation is but it is wider.

Also next years Armada Stranger might be the perfect ski. It sounds like the ski you are describing. However I haven’t heard any info on how it skis yet. But it has a tail specifically for doing wheelies.


I’ve seen the stranger, definitely sounds like a fun ski. Is the vacation just an allplay but wider? Heard good things about them but haven’t been on one. Worried about durability too
Feb 24 2020 10:17PM
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 62,949
animatorI’ve seen the stranger, definitely sounds like a fun ski. Is the vacation just an allplay but wider? Heard good things about them but haven’t been on one. Worried about durability too


It’s not just a wider all play at least I don’t think so. Blister did reviews of the whole J line that are super helpful. J skis are super durable. Like almost On3p durable. You could always do custom ON3Ps too with a softer flex.
Feb 24 2020 10:31PM
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animator
Posts: 4552 - Karma: 26,250
CatdickBojanglesIt’s not just a wider all play at least I don’t think so. Blister did reviews of the whole J line that are super helpful. J skis are super durable. Like almost On3p durable. You could always do custom ON3Ps too with a softer flex.

I’d be so down for custom ON3Ps but they’re dummy expensive. I just read the Vacation review that Blister did and it seems legit as fuck. I’m between the ARV 106 and the Vacation now
Feb 24 2020 10:32PM
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animator
Posts: 4552 - Karma: 26,250
The referenced post has been removed.

Out of stock or I’d probably buy it, skied it at a demo a few weeks ago
Feb 24 2020 11:06PM
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crustyboot.420
Posts: 989 - Karma: 4,275
Armada edollos or b dogs. Line Chronics are also pretty soft, not that surfy tho.
Feb 25 2020 4:31AM
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crustyboot.420
Posts: 989 - Karma: 4,275
Oh shit didn't notice the part you mentioned the waist widht
Feb 25 2020 4:32AM
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crustyboot.420
Posts: 989 - Karma: 4,275
Check out Icelantic and J skis. They have some pretty cool planks.
Feb 25 2020 4:34AM
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Dilldoes
Posts: 761 - Karma: 5,853
J SKI's ALL PLAY
Feb 25 2020 8:13AM
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Phillydog1
Posts: 195 - Karma: 305
Sounds like the Vacation is what you are looking for. J skis durability is the real deal
Feb 25 2020 10:31PM
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
revolt 95? they are almost free here now it seems $200 your weight will make them soft enough, maybe?
Feb 26 2020 10:27AM
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animator
Posts: 4552 - Karma: 26,250
anders_arevolt 95? they are almost free here now it seems $200 your weight will make them soft enough, maybe?

I’ve been on it and I’m not a huge fan, but for sure a solid recommendation. Thanks dude!
Feb 26 2020 10:35AM
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animator
Posts: 4552 - Karma: 26,250
Went with a CT 2.0 in 178, thanks everyone for the recommendations!
Feb 26 2020 10:36AM
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
I only skied the CT 2.0 briefly, and only a few jumps/boxes and groomers, it was a fun ski, been kinda holding out for a good deal on one, seems they are so popular it never happens though. I always feel bad for hitting rails, especially when I payed $500 + :p



I love the 1.0 and 3.0 though! I'm really waiting for the review on the 2021 vs 2020, carbon vs titanal feedback, sometimes newer isnt always better, I scored a cheap spare 1.0 as backup for the current 1.0, as it was pointed out they dont make my "size" anymore aka 188cm



imho the abuse on edges and such on skis is a variable and heavily is affected by style, and skier weight. It's like with a racecar, you can make the tires and car last longer, and shorter depending on your style. but again, some brands / models are just built to a higher standard with the thought of abuse abuse abuse in mind.
Feb 26 2020 11:24AM
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animator
Posts: 4552 - Karma: 26,250
The referenced post has been removed.


You make a great point w the reckoner but I had the chance to ski it and came away unimpressed. It’s a great ski for the right person I just didn’t like it, didn’t suit me personally
Feb 26 2020 11:32AM
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animator
Posts: 4552 - Karma: 26,250
anders_aI only skied the CT 2.0 briefly, and only a few jumps/boxes and groomers, it was a fun ski, been kinda holding out for a good deal on one, seems they are so popular it never happens though. I always feel bad for hitting rails, especially when I payed $500 + :p



I love the 1.0 and 3.0 though! I'm really waiting for the review on the 2021 vs 2020, carbon vs titanal feedback, sometimes newer isnt always better, I scored a cheap spare 1.0 as backup for the current 1.0, as it was pointed out they dont make my "size" anymore aka 188cm



imho the abuse on edges and such on skis is a variable and heavily is affected by style, and skier weight. It's like with a racecar, you can make the tires and car last longer, and shorter depending on your style. but again, some brands / models are just built to a higher standard with the thought of abuse abuse abuse in mind.

Yeah I have a 1.0 and this years 3.0 and they’re 2 of my favorite skis ever. The new CT 1.0 and 2.0 are stupid fun for next year, if you get the chance to ski them I would highly recommend it. I’m a big jump guy but don’t think I’ll be skiing rails a ton, that’s what my 1.0s are for. Thanks for the input brotha
Feb 26 2020 11:36AM
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