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June, 2025

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New ski help…

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Rdiesel
Posts: 4 - Karma: 40
Hey my Name is Andy, I’m 44 6’2” 220, athletic, live in Oregon. Mainly ski pac NW area. I’d say I’m an advanced skier, that skis it all. I have two kids so, sometimes it’s groomers, park, double blacks, trees, side country and love powder and jumping (when my knees can handle it lol). Looking for a super fun ski that can really do it all.

currently ski 2017/18 Fat-ypus M5’s 188. Looking to get new sticks and think I’ve narrowed it down to these:
-DPS Koala 103
-Line blade optic 104
-Lib Tech ufo 105

found some great deals on these, all under $550.

anyway need help deciding on these, or any other recommended ski I’m missing but these seemed pretty rad when reading reviews.


thanks!
2 years ago
8 1
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Voyage86
Posts: 990 - Karma: 3,770
RdieselHey my Name is Andy, I’m 44 6’2” 220, athletic, live in Oregon. Mainly ski pac NW area. I’d say I’m an advanced skier, that skis it all. I have two kids so, sometimes it’s groomers, park, double blacks, trees, side country and love powder and jumping (when my knees can handle it lol). Looking for a super fun ski that can really do it all.

currently ski 2017/18 Fat-ypus M5’s 188. Looking to get new sticks and think I’ve narrowed it down to these:
-DPS Koala 103
-Line blade optic 104
-Lib Tech ufo 105

found some great deals on these, all under $550.

anyway need help deciding on these, or any other recommended ski I’m missing but these seemed pretty rad when reading reviews.


thanks!


blade optics are probably the most fun and tolerable in all conditions. That’s what i would go with but they are pretty hard charging, may want something more playful.
2 years ago
3 1
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jumpman101
Posts: 208 - Karma: 1,308
Line blade optic bur if you can afford a set of on3p jeffrey get the 100 or the 108 can't go wrong with them
2 years ago
1 1
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maaattt
Posts: 2775 - Karma: 33,813
Blade Optic 104 is an ultimate one dad ski
2 years ago
11 0
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5099 - Karma: 18,714
maaatttBlade Optic 104 is an ultimate one dad ski


I was going to ask how many offspring OP has but you beat me to the punch. Then I reread the post and OP is 44 so it makes a little more sense. Should be able to find similar skis for way less than $550 especially since you'll want the longest length made for any ski if cost is a big factor, it is for me.

**This post was edited on Nov 5th 2023 at 4:25:30pm

**This post was edited on Nov 5th 2023 at 4:26:09pm
2 years ago
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5099 - Karma: 18,714
https://www.corbetts.com/2023-line-blade-optic-104-skis/

There's the blade optic at roughly $360
2 years ago
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maaattt
Posts: 2775 - Karma: 33,813
maaatttBlade Optic 104 is an ultimate one dad ski


Meant ultimate pnw dad ski but was too late to edit
2 years ago
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Rdiesel
Posts: 4 - Karma: 40
I appreciate all your feedback. Thank you!

sounds like blade optics are a decent choice then. Would I be gaining much by going with a
praxis MVP 108
On3p jeffrey
or Devastator

I have to buy new boots also; time to move on from my full tilts. So that’s why I’m kinda liking the idea of the Line Blade optics for the price, but if there is substantial benefit I’d consider paying more…
2 years ago
6 1
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maaattt
Posts: 2775 - Karma: 33,813
RdieselI appreciate all your feedback. Thank you!

sounds like blade optics are a decent choice then. Would I be gaining much by going with a
praxis MVP 108
On3p jeffrey
or Devastator

I have to buy new boots also; time to move on from my full tilts. So that’s why I’m kinda liking the idea of the Line Blade optics for the price, but if there is substantial benefit I’d consider paying more…


Well to be honest every company these days has a good "all around/do everything" ski on offer. But if it's been a while since your last brand new ski, I would go with what ever you get the best deal on, especially if your getting new boots. Boots are a much more important part of the setup than what ever companies mid fat everyday ski you go with
2 years ago
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hamsauce
Posts: 302 - Karma: 2,622
agreed- date your skis, marry your boots. My uncle, who fits your description almost to a t, got some new boots from a bootfitter after 20 years of skiing on ill fitting boots and thats all he talked about for like a year.
maaatttWell to be honest every company these days has a good "all around/do everything" ski on offer. But if it's been a while since your last brand new ski, I would go with what ever you get the best deal on, especially if your getting new boots. Boots are a much more important part of the setup than what ever companies mid fat everyday ski you go with
2 years ago
1 0
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brownetown
Posts: 502 - Karma: 4,963
I was able to demo some optics this past season and man were they a blast. Great in the park and fun to air sidehits, ride switch, carve groomers, and obviously do anything freeride. Rode the famous Alta chutes at the remarkables on em and they felt sooo good in tech terrain, you’ll be glad to have something stable underfoot if you make an occasional whistler / revy / crystal / baker trip. I’ll likely be buying a pair once I break my kores, they’re so much fun. 104 is the perfect daily driver pnw waist width too. Can’t speak to their durability, and that’s likely the biggest perk you’d get if you invested in On3ps, but if you can get a pair for under 400 I’d totally say go for that
2 years ago
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tomfoolery
Posts: 394 - Karma: 1,898
RdieselI appreciate all your feedback. Thank you!

sounds like blade optics are a decent choice then. Would I be gaining much by going with a
praxis MVP 108
On3p jeffrey
or Devastator

I have to buy new boots also; time to move on from my full tilts. So that’s why I’m kinda liking the idea of the Line Blade optics for the price, but if there is substantial benefit I’d consider paying more…


the devastators are a rad ski that really does anything. however they are a bit aggressive. depending on how hard you ski those would be my numberone choice
2 years ago
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KilaTsunami
Posts: 3360 - Karma: 32,454
UFO’s totally stood out to me at demo day in Stratton last year, I absolutely loved those Lib Techs.


The Blade Optics are dog shit along with anything else made by Line as of late, they break prematurely and it happens often. Just look around on this site, you’ll be surrounded by proof.
2 years ago
0 1
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Rdiesel
Posts: 4 - Karma: 40
thanks for everybody’s response, helps a lot. much appreciated

I found a local guy selling new Line blade optics 104’s for $275. Is there quality control really that crappy? I would just like to get a couple seasons out of them most likely then upgrade to On3p’s or devs I think, maybe Rmu.

leaning towards the blades, but did find UFO’s for $510 so could do those.
2 years ago
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BeefSupreme
Posts: 19 - Karma: 103
If you haven’t already pulled the trigger on the lines you should give some more thought to those praxis MVPs(?) you mentioned earlier. They’re having a pretty big sale l.
2 years ago
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Rdiesel
Posts: 4 - Karma: 40
Got a little nervous on the lines so passed. Since I’m a bigger guy and ski fairly hard, worried they might not last or they would brake.

Thank you all. Really appreciate all the insight.


leaning towards the Lib Tech Ufo
maybe On3p but kinda spendy.
devs or praxis now.
2 years ago
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