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April, 2025

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Help Me Pick a Dedicated Park Ski

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BIIIGZ
Posts: 244 - Karma: 2,358
I'm 5'8 145/150lbs Type 3 looking for a dedicated park ski to learn a lot of stuff on, but can still cruise around a little. I mostly ski on the East coast at Gore and Whiteface w/ occasional days at Killi & Mt. Snow. Lots of variable snow & shitty hardpack so only looking at stuff in the low 90s/ high 80s for width. I've been running ARV 86 @170cm for a couple years and they are not a lively ski, last season switched to ARV 96 @177cm for the majority of the season because I wanted something I could go faster and bigger on. They definitely check those boxes and they're surprisingly nimble in tight trees and carves but they're too all mtn. focused and feel completely dead in the park for me especially on rails. All of my new learns last season were on my smaller skis for instance so maybe I jumped the gun getting bigger skis before I learned the basics (or is it better to just get used to longer skis while you're still learning most stuff?)

Mainly looking for these qualities:
-86-94 width
-Really low swing weight cause I struggle a lot w spins off jumps
-Playful, consistent flex cause I wanna get into more buttery tricks, but still lots of room for error on jumps
-Durability
-At or below 178cm
-Poppy

I've read several Roofbox Reviews and I'm looking at:

-TW Pro (I know the durability is pretty shit but I detune heavily and Twig's review really surprised me. Also supposedly they did something to address this for the '24 model?)
-Wet+ (Seem great for learning jibs cause they're so light but idk how forgiving they would be of my sketchy landings.)
-Mango 90 (Seems like a good mix of the above, flexibility comes from the rocker profile not just being super soft.)

What other skis should I be considering? And which of these would be best suited to me? Thanks yo.
a year ago
5 0
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TastyJudo
Posts: 16 - Karma: 170
Hey man!

I think the ride long skis thing is stupid and outdated. I have been skiing for bout 15 years and i always bought into the thinking of long skis = long dick. It's really close to the big truck = big dick type of ideology.



I am same height as you but 10-15lbs heavier. I ride the 170 rec 102 in park atm and i love it. Could have got 177 since the rocker but 170 make it so snappy and quick, hella fun in smaller parks. I never go past 179(had 183s once) and that end of the spectrum is big mountain where i need stability and nothing else really. For pure carving im looking for about 160cm skis. Park is somewhere in between big mountain and carving so 170 seems right on de money. What to consider is rocker profile of the skis.. rocker = give em a size up, full camber = size em down.

Go for your height ~170 if it is park only use. I could recommend the head oblivion 94 in 170, i tried it in both 170 and 177 and which ever will work fine for you but since you comment that you want a dedicated park ski, i would go 170.
a year ago
1 12
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BIIIGZ
Posts: 244 - Karma: 2,358
TastyJudoHey man!

I think the ride long skis thing is stupid and outdated. I have been skiing for bout 15 years and i always bought into the thinking of long skis = long dick. It's really close to the big truck = big dick type of ideology.



I am same height as you but 10-15lbs heavier. I ride the 170 rec 102 in park atm and i love it. Could have got 177 since the rocker but 170 make it so snappy and quick, hella fun in smaller parks. I never go past 179(had 183s once) and that end of the spectrum is big mountain where i need stability and nothing else really. For pure carving im looking for about 160cm skis. Park is somewhere in between big mountain and carving so 170 seems right on de money. What to consider is rocker profile of the skis.. rocker = give em a size up, full camber = size em down.

Go for your height ~170 if it is park only use. I could recommend the head oblivion 94 in 170, i tried it in both 170 and 177 and which ever will work fine for you but since you comment that you want a dedicated park ski, i would go 170.

Interesting take. I think i’m more attracted to longer skis because of the feeling of stability and confidence they give me at higher speeds, easier to butter, that sort of thing, not so much to compensate for my micro-penis.

I do think it’s probably best I get all my basic tricks down on shorter skis tho especially on jumps cause it forces you to land pretty much bolts. I do believe that once you’re at a certain level shorter sticks can hold you back from progressing somewhat, even if they’re taller than you.

As for your rec the Oblivions seem a little too directional and all mtn but I’ve heard pretty good things about them and that they’re based on the caddy, might consider. Could you speak at all to how they feel on jumps and rails, what their flex profile is like? thanks for the response homie
a year ago
7 0
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SuperiorKalmar
Posts: 2253 - Karma: 19,207
You should take a look at Icelantic nomad 95s
a year ago
2 2
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 7500 - Karma: 66,523
Fauna Alparka would be up your alley. I’ve skied it, it’s a fun ski. Thick edges, thick base and low swing weight.

https://www.newschoolers.com/news/amp/51384

Currently 15% off on their website. I’d try 178 if I were you. It’s a true length.

https://faunaskis.com/product/alparka/
a year ago
4 0
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Celery
Posts: 2109 - Karma: 26,427
Vishnu key 180cm, I know it's outside of your stated range but they shouldn't be too much to handle. I have a review on here of them if you're interested.
a year ago
2 0
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SchizoSkier
Posts: 2843 - Karma: 30,920
Prodigy 1 177 cm
a year ago
2 1
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BIIIGZ
Posts: 244 - Karma: 2,358
JalmarKalmarYou should take a look at Icelantic nomad 95s

my homie runs these and loves them, might be a lil too rockered for me but the weight is very attractive
BradFiAusNzCoCaFauna Alparka would be up your alley. I’ve skied it, it’s a fun ski. Thick edges, thick base and low swing weight.

https://www.newschoolers.com/news/amp/51384

Currently 15% off on their website. I’d try 178 if I were you. It’s a true length.

https://faunaskis.com/product/alparka/

damn this is an awesome rec, these seem suuper interesting i wish i could try all these skis before committing to them lol
a year ago
3 0
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BIIIGZ
Posts: 244 - Karma: 2,358
SchizoSkierProdigy 1 177 cm


if i was gonna get factions i think i would get the studio 1, i love switch skiing and always wanted to try a symmetrical, cambered ski like that, plus apparently they unlock your true helicopter potential
a year ago
0 0
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BIIIGZ
Posts: 244 - Karma: 2,358
CeleryVishnu key 180cm, I know it's outside of your stated range but they shouldn't be too much to handle. I have a review on here of them if you're interested.


fuck, the keys are so tempting. the only thing holding me back is how soft they are and they are pretty long for where i’m at rn. i actually came really close to pulling the trigger on these the other day but twigs review made me think ima need something more basic and bomber before i get into more swervy skis. if i could have it all i would buy these as a jibby swervy ski and something else that’s more stable.
a year ago
2 0
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Voyage86
Posts: 990 - Karma: 3,769
i can speak on the head oblivion 94s and i think my opinion is backed by almost every review you can find on them. if you want to stomp tricks and get super good in the air and on rails there is almost no better ski. on top of that they carve incredibly well and are so much fun out side the park. they really hold up. but they aren’t super soft. you can’t really get all the previously mentioned attributes on a ski much softer. if you give ‘em enough power into the flex they will butter but it’s hard to hold it. that being said the flex gives them super good forgiveness when landing. you can land however you want as long as the bases are facing down and you will ride out of it. the pop on these skis is insane. absolutely the popiest ski i have ever rode. anyway i love mine but go watch a review on yt
a year ago
0 1
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Celery
Posts: 2109 - Karma: 26,427
If you're not going for dubs they're stable enough. The clips of me folding the noses was on an uphill landing, plus the extra length will add swag and stability.
BIIIGZfuck, the keys are so tempting. the only thing holding me back is how soft they are and they are pretty long for where i’m at rn. i actually came really close to pulling the trigger on these the other day but twigs review made me think ima need something more basic and bomber before i get into more swervy skis. if i could have it all i would buy these as a jibby swervy ski and something else that’s more stable.
a year ago
2 0
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BIIIGZ
Posts: 244 - Karma: 2,358
CeleryIf you're not going for dubs they're stable enough. The clips of me folding the noses was on an uphill landing, plus the extra length will add swag and stability.


bro i’m burnt lmao i read your review like 4 times through and didn’t even realize it was yours, awesome review
a year ago
0 0
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WittyCong
Posts: 211 - Karma: 752
Fatypus d-root. Been riding fatypus for the last 8 years up in northern NY and they are a killer ski. 92 underfoot and killer in the park. I ski them all over the mountain with the exception of a little bit of fresh snow, then I'll take out something a bit wider. But I stand by fatypus. I think they're one of the most underrated skis on the market
a year ago
2 0
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BIIIGZ
Posts: 244 - Karma: 2,358
Just wanted to come back here to put the word out that I pulled the trigger on a pair of @FaunaSkis Alparkas. This is for the lurkers of NS or inactive members who may or may not know anything about them, I didn’t.

Came back to this post to share a little bit of my experience buying from them cause I think this brand deserves a lot more attention on this site. PM’d the owner Alex and he responded quickly, answering all my questions and explained how the installment plan is set up through DM/PM and essentially done on a case-by-case basis.

It’s tailored to whatever your financial limitations are. Once you commit to an installment plan, the ski is reserved for you and removed from the stock on the website. Payment is done via an encrypted payment link accepting a wide variety of pmt methods and an invoice is emailed to you, very legit. I’m sure most of you already know about the other programs (i.e. they will take back a damaged or broken ski for 25% off a new one) that they do so I won’t go into that, but if you don’t then check out the threads on their NS page to learn more. Awesome guy, awesome brand.


Who else is doing it like this?

**This post was edited on Dec 11th 2023 at 8:34:07am
a year ago
3 0
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BIIIGZ
Posts: 244 - Karma: 2,358
WittyCongFatypus d-root. Been riding fatypus for the last 8 years up in northern NY and they are a killer ski. 92 underfoot and killer in the park. I ski them all over the mountain with the exception of a little bit of fresh snow, then I'll take out something a bit wider. But I stand by fatypus. I think they're one of the most underrated skis on the market


my homie just started riding for them this year he loves them. totally agree they’re underrated.
a year ago
1 0
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FaunaSkis
Posts: 628 - Karma: 6,833
BIIIGZJust wanted to come back here to put the word out that I pulled the trigger on a pair of @FaunaSkis Alparkas. This is for the lurkers of NS or inactive members who may or may not know anything about them, I didn’t.

Came back to this post to share a little bit of my experience buying from them cause I think this brand deserves a lot more attention on this site. PM’d the owner Alex and he responded quickly, answering all my questions and explained how the installment plan is set up through DM/PM and essentially done on a case-by-case basis.

It’s tailored to whatever your financial limitations are. Once you commit to an installment plan, the ski is reserved for you and removed from the stock on the website. Payment is done via an encrypted payment link accepting a wide variety of pmt methods and an invoice is emailed to you, very legit. I’m sure most of you already know about the other programs (i.e. they will take back a damaged or broken ski for 25% off a new one) that they do so I won’t go into that, but if you don’t then check out the threads on their NS page to learn more. Awesome guy, awesome brand.


Who else is doing it like this?

Just stoked to get you hooked up with a pair Evan.



As said, when it comes to an instalment plan I’m happy to work with you to find payments that work for you. As it’s all done direct it can be flexible and if you get into it and need a bit longer to pay, no problem or if you can pay the total sooner, you get your skis sooner.

I’ve been a broke kid trying to get a set up together and so just doing what I can to help.

if anybody wants to know more about payment plans on some skis, the brand or the skis just drop me a DM.
a year ago
3 0
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