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Everyday Utah Ski for an Aging Millenial Fuck

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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
I've hit 31 and there's no denying I heal slower and can't ski like a 12 year old 8 hours a day/7 days a week anymore. Here are the stats:

-I ski SNOWBASIN, UTAH a few days a week and have a 2 year old who is learning.
-31 years old, Advanced Type 3+ kind of guy, 185lbs, 6'. I ski FAST in all conditions, but frankly that's starting to crush my legs and I'm focusing more on technique to help it. A better ski will help too. Not afraid to drop a cliff, hit huge jumps, whatever. Like to ski it all still. I work out a lot and work on mobility, not extremely ski specific yet.

-Current quiver:
-2009 181 ON3P Jeronimo (think it's the Jeffrey 96 now) for park, sunny days, dragging my toddler around
-2009 186 ON3P Billy Goat. Nipple Deep days and showing kids how old I am. Nostalgia ski that won't die.
-2013ish 185 ON3P Jeffrey. Every day ski. Love it. However, the Guardians I have on them feel heavier every year and the wider base under foot (108?) is tiring me out. Used to live in Europe so they were a great "skin out of going the wrong way" every day driver.

WANT:

-Budget no factor, I'm ON3P heavy now but I usually love Atomic, Armada, Volkl, and some Salomon. I've skied TONS of skis in the past, just haven't bought a pair in a long time now.
-Smaller, lighter every day Utah driver, directional is great since I already have jibby everyday stuff and ski switch plenty on sunny days.
-About 100 under foot
-Lighter than my Jeffrey setup. Basically impossible not to be. Not for touring, but open to ideas about throwing a Shift on if it doesn't hurt anything but my wallet.

What I'm perusing:

-Pretty sure Armada is coming out with a Declivity X 102 next year, could be a player
-ON3P Wrenegade 102 TI, but in 184 or even 179 to make it more manueverable. Always wanted a pair of Wrens and never did it. Maybe a Baby Wren is the truth. I am 100% trying to convince myself to make the Wren's work haha.
-ON3P Woodsman 102 in a 182 honestly sounds like what I want, but never ridden it or the Vicik.
-Atomic Bentchetler 100? Seems like it would be awesome, like the old Blog. But probably the same style as my Jeffrey...
-Atomic Backland 100.
-Armada ARV, maybe the 96. 106 is what I would usually get, so it's probably wrong. ARV's were basically park skis in the past though.
-Salomon QST?

Hopefully this helps you get the idea, lots of words.
Feb 18 2021 12:21PM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9337 - Karma: 68,195
You might really like the Fischer FR102 or whatever that pink ski is called. Also, would recommend against shifts for durability reasons at this point in time.

Also NGL, this ski reviewer has been growing on me lately
https://www.skiessentials.com/2021-ski-test/skis/2021-fischer-ranger-102-fr/

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2021 at 12:43:50pm
Feb 18 2021 12:41PM
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WoFlowz
Posts: 7896 - Karma: 63,930
Ik a guy who rly likes his Salomon stances are pretty stiff and a total directional ski but the 102 has an all neon orange base which has a cool under glow. Ik people who love the qst 106 also. Another person I ski with really likes the new declevity line or however tf you spell it
Feb 18 2021 12:46PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Get on one of the new Tour layups from ON3P. Woodsman 102 in that might be the ticket, but I get looking to other brands and trying a new ride.
Feb 18 2021 12:46PM
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ericforman
Posts: 722 - Karma: 6,212
I wouldn’t put a shift on it unless you really plan on touring with it a lot. You have to treat that binding very kindly, which most people don’t do to an inbounds basher. It’s also kind of irritating to switch boots on a shift. The forward pressure has to be literally perfect and the afd is a pain. I have shifts and love them, but my use case is skiing aggressively on the down after uphill resort laps or for shorter backcountry days where I’m trying to have as much fun on mellow slopes as possible.
Feb 18 2021 1:30PM
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OhJay
Posts: 323 - Karma: 1,145
Prob want to avoid the ARV 106 if you're trying to go lighter than your Jeffs. My '21 188s weigh in at 2245/ski which is about what the Jeffs prob weigh at a similar length.
Feb 18 2021 2:07PM
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That_One_Dude
Posts: 1050 - Karma: 760
Fellow millennial here, you've got a few years on me but I can attest that falling hurts more and more every season it seems.

Anyway, of the skis you listed, the ARV 96 is the most "park ski" of them. I use a pair as my daily driver, which mostly does consist of park, but I've had them at bigger mountains on harder pack days and they can carve a solid edge considering they're almost centered. They won't be in the same league as some of the more directional skis you've listed though. If you want something that's for park and kind of everything it's a great ski, but if you don't plan to take your new ski in the park (which is what it sounds like), I'd consider your more directional options.

I have a friend on the Declivity 92 that really enjoys them, and I myself really want to get some runs in on a pair of Bentchetler 100s. I would also check out the new Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, looks like an absolute charger. My brother just got a pair and really seems to like them. Take a look at the K2 Mindbender line as well.
Feb 18 2021 2:12PM
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
I saw the pink 102 FR in "the wild" yesterday
SO SEXY
Feb 18 2021 2:15PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
Awesome advice everyone! Keep it coming!
Feb 18 2021 10:53PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
RudyGarmischGet on one of the new Tour layups from ON3P. Woodsman 102 in that might be the ticket, but I get looking to other brands and trying a new ride.


I've definitely looked at this, how does the tour layup affect the ride? Much difference other than weight? I saw they do a 50/50 as well if you go custom.
Feb 18 2021 10:54PM
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,099
I feel like moving from twintips to directional skis is what you do so your kids dont think their father is a punk.

but fuck that op.

Id get either volkl revolt 95s or 104s.

Oystein bratten threw a great park run down in xg norway last yr on revolt 95s.

i feel like if a wide ski is still parkable then its a damn good ski.

k2 reckoner 102s are also interesting because alot of pros are throwing down with them.

Also, revolt 104s are sexy as fuck


Feb 19 2021 12:37AM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6598 - Karma: 69,840
I know you mentioned 'lighter' but man, I got some nordica enforcer 110's recently and they're becoming one of my fav skis. They bite groomers so hard, smooth out chop and runouts that are hardpack shitfuck, and are still easy to noodle around in the pow. They have insane versatility. I tried the wrens but didn't jive with them, they excelled in new snow chop but they were legit scary sometimes when snow got hard, and I just plain don't rage hard enough to justify the lack of forgiveness.
Feb 19 2021 1:06AM
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
BiffbarfI know you mentioned 'lighter' but man, I got some nordica enforcer 110's recently and they're becoming one of my fav skis. They bite groomers so hard, smooth out chop and runouts that are hardpack shitfuck, and are still easy to noodle around in the pow. They have insane versatility. I tried the wrens but didn't jive with them, they excelled in new snow chop but they were legit scary sometimes when snow got hard, and I just plain don't rage hard enough to justify the lack of forgiveness.


I have them for "tight wood stuff with shitty snow" I dont think they are that wow on groomers though, or even crud, but decent for sure.
Feb 19 2021 5:14AM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 6960 - Karma: 60,850
I really really want to try that ski. Seems like everyone is saying good things. I also like ski essentials reviews.
BigPurpleSkiSuitYou might really like the Fischer FR102 or whatever that pink ski is called. Also, would recommend against shifts for durability reasons at this point in time.

Also NGL, this ski reviewer has been growing on me lately
https://www.skiessentials.com/2021-ski-test/skis/2021-fischer-ranger-102-fr/

**This post was edited on Feb 18th 2021 at 12:43:50pm

Revolt 104s could be fun.
The 95s carve really well but they’re not surfy. They want to carve. I think 104s would be more fun.
DolansLebensraumI feel like moving from twintips to directional skis is what you do so your kids dont think their father is a punk.

but fuck that op.

Id get either volkl revolt 95s or 104s.

Oystein bratten threw a great park run down in xg norway last yr on revolt 95s.

i feel like if a wide ski is still parkable then its a damn good ski.

k2 reckoner 102s are also interesting because alot of pros are throwing down with them.

Also, revolt 104s are sexy as fuck


Feb 19 2021 7:00AM
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
revolt 104 needs softer snow to carve well, more so than a 95

the fischer 102 FR again kills them both for just carving and going fast.


Doing slower nosebutters on revolt 104 or stuff i just silly easy/fun. way more effort on 102FR

cant have it all in a single ski.
Feb 19 2021 7:18AM
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gilbertressel
Posts: 639 - Karma: 8,506
I ride the bentchetler 100s and they might be what you're looking for. Pretty stiff in the tail so you can still drop cliffs and rely on em a fair bit, although pretty chattery and nervous in crud and extremely high speeds.

However, being pretty light they're very pivotable and can handle technical shit, but you might as well go for the backland if that's your scene.

Does help that the ski has a huge sweet spot so you can set it up for however you want it. Its basically a directional ski at recommended but you can make it more playful at -1 or -2 if you want.

Also i wouldn't worry that your Jeffreys are similar to the chets, I think each ski has pretty big differences in terms of construction. For example the 100s have barely any rocker in the tail and a pretty mediocre amount in the tip, but the camber makes the ski super fun on groomers and you can really lay trenches with them.

**This post was edited on Feb 19th 2021 at 9:25:16am
Feb 19 2021 9:21AM
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
BC100 is a very good ski, but in the 188cm I have, the tips are just to weak, vs tail. I wish they made shovels as stiff as tails on them.

helps beeing a lighter skier though.

that said I've put freinds on the shorter versions of them like 172 and 180, but they have been less agressive skiers than me, its a good ski, espescially with some sort of 5050 or tech binding.
Feb 19 2021 11:06AM
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