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Overall
Overall these are the skis for you if you want a rockered symmetrical powder ski that won't wimp out in variable or challenging terrain. I agree that these skis are stiff but they aren't prohibitively stiff like some people say. They still like to play around on or off piste. That stiff flex means that these skis will take whatever you throw at it with grace so instead of trying to shuffle your skis around you can focus on your next slash turn. The design is solid and stable. I wouldn't pay full price for this ski if I didn't have to though. The dings and chips are disconcerting and for $875 I wouldn't expect any damage after one day of skiing.
Performance
Obviously this is a powder ski for powder days. In pow it rips. The girth and early rise make skiing powder effortless. I've gotten in trouble a couple times on these and tips dipped beneath the snow, but the early rise brings them back out of the snow. Even in marginal situations (say a few inches on top of crust) these skis can still rip thanks to the early rise. On-piste it is suitable for getting back to the lift. It can grip but don't expect to lay down huge carves on these. Since it's flat camber you'll be skiing on a lot less than the full 185 cm length of the ski. Also, because of it's size you'll be fighting it in the air the first few goes you have with it, but once you get a handle on the Chopsticks they're a blast in the air. Nothing feels better than stomping a landing in deep pow on a super fat ski.
Design
The design is pretty amusing as I'm always finding something new to look at. In one spot someone's holding their chopsticks with their feet. In another a plate of fish heads is laying discarded. As for the feel of the skis underfoot all I can say is that I feel solid on them. Unlike other rockered pow skis that chatter and can prove to be unnervingly soft I have never lost confidence in these ski's ability to take what lies before me.
Value
These skis retailed around $875 last season. It's a big big ski so I can understand the steep price tag. Given it's performance I can almost justify the price, but it's durability leaves a bit to be asked for.
Fit
At 5"7' and 155 lbs the 185 suits me just fine. Initially I was concerned about taming that much ski but quickly found that the 185 is just perfect for my riding. I have the skis center mounted for riding pow and landing switch and found the 185 length perfect for keeping plenty of length in the tip to float while holding a center mount.
Characteristics
There have been complains that this ski is too stiff and is difficult to put on edge, but as a robust 155 lb lad I found no problem getting these skis on edge. It's a big big ski so be ready to work if your legs are out of shape. Thanks to the ski's stiff flex they'll take on chop and crud without a problem and the tips and tails have enough give to be forgiving, and even butter. This ski may be stiff, but it's not the lifeless plank that some people claim it to be.
Durability
After the first day of riding I had some significant nicks along the cap and even some small strips of delamination. After 6-7 times out none of this damage has proven to be more than cosmetic but it's still a bummer that these skis can't take the same abuse they can dish out.
Overall
bomber. just how i like my skis to ski. they are a little heavy, but for the hard charging big dropping skier, they will feel right at home. if you don't like to slide turns under 30 mph in all conditions look this way.
Performance
i skied a day on hardpack on these so far. because i know they'll float like champs, i was more worried about there groomer/ shitty snow performance.
these skis handle like they are on rails. straight charger status. i was thinking about getting some armada ants for hauling through all snow conditions, but i don't see the point now. they are also very lively, and turn very well. there was a time when i would have wanted a softer ski, but all in all my skiing has matured a bit, and i really enjoy going fast while holding an edge. these skis let me do that.
they were also really fun to butter on and they wheelie when asked. i can see my nose butter game elevating.
i also skied switch on them and they were crazy stable on hard snow. they tracked well, and reverting back and forth was easy.
they weren't park skis, that's for sure but i took them over some small jumps and landings on them were very stable.
Design
the graphics are bar none, and the old school minimal side cut, mixed with the fact that they are symetrical, and reverse camber makes them unlike any other ski. mad stable at high speeds regular or switch, and they ski lot's shorter than they are at slower speeds. good for gaper slalom, trees, and when you feel like letting them run it will take a long time before they go to fast they are unstable.
Value
most shops will be selling them of around 650. for a big ski like this it's a steal. if you're a hard charger that doesn't want an overly forgiving soft noodle, but wants reverse camber and more flaot they are worth every penny.
if you ski at slower speeds they aren't worth a dime.
Fit
I'm 5 10, and 180 lbs. i went with the 185's and couldn't have picked a better size for my skiing style. if i was a park rat i would have went shorter, but i like skiing.
Characteristics
this ski is softer than the average volkl, but stiff for one of the new "superfat" rockered twins.
Durability
no idea, day one.
Overall
Overall I thought this was a perfect fit in the rocker category. Most rocker skis are super soft and squishy making it so I didn't want to ski them. I road this chopstick and fell in love with it.
Performance
The ski did what i wanted it to when i wanted it to. It didn't go into the inevitable wheelie, like most rockered skis.
Design
I like the design of it, It skies well turns nice and has a very symmetrical flex.
Value
I really don't know what the value of the ski is. I actually got to ride a proto type model then ordered a set straight from Volkl
Fit
I skied the 185 and loved it, If i was skiing more park stuff I would be in a 175
Characteristics
The Chopstik definitely has the typical Volkl flex, stiff, burly, and responsive.
Durability
Only skied for a week, but was on a pros prototype and it looked like it was standing up to his abuse.
Overall
For a ski that I was completely stoked about before I got a chance to ride it, I couldn't have been more disappointed. A great looking, great sounding (symmetrical) ski, that is as heavy, stiff,and unresponsive as they come, made me sad.
Performance
I was appalled by the performance of this ski. When I first saw the ski I was so stoked... a well made, perfectly symmetrical rockered ski with killer graphics, what more could one ask for? Well it ends up you could ask for a lot more. I am sure this ski might do a bit better in true powder, but skiing it in everything from ice to complete slush (similar feeling to powder), this ski was about as bad as skiing an old school straight ski. Making any kind of turn on these skis is a pain in the ass, it feels as if you are fighting your ski the whole time. On top of this, the fact that these skis were unreasonably heavy did not help anything. Out of all the skis that I skied at the Mission Ridge Demo Days, this was by far my least favorite.
Design
I absolutely love the graphics on this ski. They are very original and very unlike anything I have ever seen from Volkl in the past. The idea of the design is good too, a perfectly symmetrical rockered ski sounds like money, but in reality Volkl really dropped the ball.
Value
I would never buy this ski. Even if it was given to me, I would sell it. I know this sounds like a noob attempt at measuring value, and I normally give a better estimate, but this ski was just bad.
Characteristics
This ski's flex is about as Volkl as one could get, extremely stiff. Along with this stiffness, the ski is also shockingly unresponsive, heavy, and cumbersome. I can understand wanting a bit more stiffness to a rockered ski, but the chopstick takes the cake as being my least favorite ski of the bunch.
Durability
I cannot comment about the durability as I only got to ride the ski for one day.
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