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After searching the internet for a ski I thought would serve well for the deepest of deep days, I came across the Opus. Its subtle, beautiful graphics caught my eye immediately. I had to have them. I knew even though I was on the EC, I had to have them. I had read reviews of people stating that they were stiffer than previous EP Pro Model skis, and I have to assume they were right. I purchased them in a 185, mounted them with old axial 18s, and was good to go.
The Good:
Old Powder:You know that snow you get out west that isnt powder but isnt hard? These skis kill it on that. You can use them anywhere on that snow. I had some of my best turns on these skis in that snow.
Powder: Fresh powder has never been more fun. They are fast to swing around, they float over everything, and make powder better than sex. If you cant ski powder on these, you are doing something wrong. The few powder days at Stowe were a blast. When anything from 6 inches to the mega 30 inch storm appeared, I had them on my feet.
Trees: Like I said, they have a very fast swing weight making trees a blast. Even when the snow is somewhat old, as long as its soft, these kill it.
Couloirs/Chutes: Because of their easy swing weight and soft tail, turning these skis on a dime was easy. I took them into the Alta Chutes at Jackson Hole a few times and enjoyed every turn. I demoed a 192 Cochise a few days later, tried to do the same thing, and returned them immediately. They were way too much work after the fun and ease the Opus provided.
Cruising: These skis are surprisingly good to ski back to the lift on the occasional groomer. They require a lot of effort to get them on edge, and small effective edge length made them very fast to turn if need be.
Tails:Very soft, making it easy to whip around the ski if a sudden stop or slarve was needed. First time experiencing such an easy release that my friend almost hit me when I threw them sideways.
Durability (Bases): The bases actually held up quite well surprisingly. I hit my fair share of roots, stumps, rocks, and other things found beneath the snow. However, very rarely did they leave a gash that would require excess work.
Toss-Up:
Speed Limit and Conditions: They have a VERY low speed limit in certain conditions. If the snow is chopped up/wet/heavy/anything not perfectly groomed or light powder, they struggle. However, on fresh groomers, they can go quite fast. They do like to be charged on if the groomers are soft and untracked.
Bad:
Topsheet: Loved the graphics, hated seeing it chip. Nothing more to it. It came from skis clacking together, a few wipeouts, and other various dings.
Ice: What did you expect? It is not fun. Can it hold its own? Sorta for a ski that width.
Tip:Too soft for my liking, which is ultimately why I got rid of them. I like charging more than skiing trees, and these skis were not up to it in the variable conditions I have experienced.
Overall:
If you want a ski that makes powder fun, this is it. It can handle any type of powder anywhere. I imagine the new 193 would make wet sierra cement fun.
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