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Preview: Introducing Lusti Skis

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We do like our new shiny objects, specifically skis. We are always looking for that next great ski to fall in lust with, the golden child, the new hot commodity. Well, another year, another ski ... a brand that we heard whispers of, rumors, and hell, even Exotic Ski hasn't tested them yet. We are talking a brand that Czechs all of the boxes. We are talking Lusti from yes, Czechia (Czech Republic). Can Lusti be this year's Renoun, Augment or Blossom? It just might be, if we can go by intitial impressions like rich finishes, smooth balanced flexes, shapes and dimensions that look very inviting, as well as a product mix that has something for everyone, including a far from exotic price structure. We think this relatively young Eastern European brand might just be that brand that does Czech all those boxes and get our readers Lusti-ng for.

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Lusti, a Czech manufacturer, after starting to build snowboards, started producing skis beginning in the year 2000. Working through Premier skis, SkiTalk.com will be adding a select offering to help create awareness for this eastern European brand that has never really had a presence in the US market.

Lusti skis is a full line manufacturer that produces everything from kids‘ skis to FIS level race skis, along with numerous specialty skis through various collections. Lusti’s full range includes offerings in the following categories:

Race
Lusti will offer FIS legal Slalom and Giant Slalom skis along with 21 and 24 meter Masters skis. In Lusti’s race offering are also Race Carvers in SL and GS for those looking for hard snow chargers. All skis are available flat or with Vist plates. There will also be offerings of Junior race skis, including Super G Skis.

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Carving.
Performance, Progress and Sport
In these three collections we see a range of widths. The 71 mm , 74 mm and 77 mm widths share shapes and offer different constructions depending on how much performance you are looking for.

Ladies
Like the men’s Carving offerings, Lusti offers a multitude of widths including 68 mm, 72 mm and 76 mm, with the latter two being offered in different flexes.

All Mountain
Lusti’s All Mountain collection, designated Cross Wide Rocker, is a unisex series with sizes starting in the mid 150 cm sizing. There are width offerings of 81 mm, 84 mm, 87 mm, and plus widths of 91 mm and 95 mm. We would like to see at least one more size offerings of these starting in the low to mid 160cm range.

Freestyle
Without seeing these skis in person, these appear to be directional twin tips that won’t be just limited to the park, but will be all mountain jibbers. Besides offering men’s and women’s skis, Lusti provides a multitude of widths, even within each model.

Freeride. All Mountain, Big Mountain and Powder.
This is where we start getting over 100mm underfoot with progressive shapes. These skis range from 100mm up to 122, with the 100 mm Vertigo and Muse having scaled sizing.

Fun Carving
This is a collection of specialty carving skis. The Radikal Fun Carve (RFC) is a scaled specialty carving ski that ranges from a 140 to 155 designed just to lay trenches. Lusti does also offer two Snow Skates, a Regular and Wide.

While any of the skis will be available for special order through Premier skis, in our reviews, SkiTalk will be focusing on key models, samplings from Lusti’s Performance Carving collection: the PC 71 and PC 77, the MP 77 from the Progress Collection, a ski that shares the mold with the PC 77, and two skis from the Cross Wide Rocker series, the CWR 87 and CRW+95. We also will have a Ladies Performance ski in the fleet, the LP 72.
About author
Philpug
I started skiing in the mid-70s in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania; from then on, I found myself entrenched in the industry. I have worked in various ski shops from suburban to ski town to resort, giving me a well-rounded perspective on what skiers want from their gear. That experience was parlayed into my time as a Gear Review Editor and also consulting with manufacturers as a product tester. Along with being a Masterfit-trained bootfitter I am a fully certified self proclaimed Gear Guru. Not only do I keep up with the cutting edge of ski gear technology, but I am an avid gear collector and have an extensive array of bindings as well as many vintage skis.

Replies

The Lusti brand gets a lot of respect in Europe for its price-value ratio with a full lineup of skis that consistently impress reviewers for their quality and performance (We have not been on them yet..as Phil said). Retailers are rumored to see compelling pricing packages from Lusti, but the last few seasons have seen overseas shipping costs dampen that enthusiasm, making the brand well-represented inside the Czech Republic, but finding difficulty gaining traction with distributors and retailers farther away from the factory's homeland. Can't wait to see if people like these skis!
 
Very colorful! Prices are very reasonable and you never have to worry about them getting stolen. Not much of a resale market on this side of the pond.
 
The Lusti brand gets a lot of respect in Europe for its price-value ratio with a full lineup of skis that consistently impress reviewers for their quality and performance (We have not been on them yet..as Phil said). Retailers are rumored to see compelling pricing packages from Lusti, but the last few seasons have seen overseas shipping costs dampen that enthusiasm, making the brand well-represented inside the Czech Republic, but finding difficulty gaining traction with distributors and retailers farther away from the factory's homeland. Can't wait to see if people like these skis!
They're good, really good.
 
@Blossom Skis Hi Mike - Could you tell me the difference (if there is much) between the Lusti PC77 and the Blossom AM 77?
Or would the PC71 be more of a carver than the Blossom 77 therefore providing a different experience and making more sense in a quiver? I'm intrigued.
Thanks
 
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@Blossom Skis Hi Mike - Could you tell me the difference (if there is much) between the Lusti PC77 and the Blossom AM 77?
Or would the PC71 be more of a carver than the Blossom 77 therefore providing a different experience and making more sense in a quiver? I'm intrigued.
Thanks
Having spent much time on the AM77 and now the PC77, both set up with Vist Speedlock bindings I have to say that the differences do not justify the costs. The PC77 is actually a stronger ski than the AM77, imagine the AM with a beefier construction and you have the PC ... and $150 still in your pocket. While I would like to say there is something that makes the AM better for the price difference, I cannot find it.

Where the big differences come is when you start comparing the CWR's to the popular Swiss option, there is not a $3-500 value difference and quite frankly, I like the Lusti's shapes better.
 
@Blossom Skis Hi Mike - Could you tell me the difference (if there is much) between the Lusti PC77 and the Blossom AM 77?
Or would the PC71 be more of a carver than the Blossom 77 therefore providing a different experience and making more sense in a quiver? I'm intrigued.
Thanks
Hi Scotty,

I was talking with Phil about this very subject today! Here's my take: While the PC77 and the AM77 have nearly identical dimensions, there are subtle differences in performance. With its overall stiffer flex pattern, the Lusti will really reward the aggressive skier who is adept at using the ski from tip to tail, but this makes the ski slightly (very slightly) less versatile. With the Blossom AM77, you can get the same type of performance with an exceptional feel and slightly more forgiving platform that will perform better in all conditions. Lusti's have proved to be very popular with East Coast skiers who ski on harder snow and skiers who prefer skiing on groomed terrain. While I'm obviously biased, they are both very good.

The PC71 rocks! It's my favorite ski in the Lusti line. I ski it in a 165 and it feels like a slalom ski yet can handle high speed medium- to long-radius turns with ease. I love it!

Mike
 
Hi Scotty,

I was talking with Phil about this very subject today! Here's my take: While the PC77 and the AM77 have nearly identical dimensions, there are subtle differences in performance. With its overall stiffer flex pattern, the Lusti will really reward the aggressive skier who is adept at using the ski from tip to tail, but this makes the ski slightly (very slightly) less versatile. With the Blossom AM77, you can get the same type of performance with an exceptional feel and slightly more forgiving platform that will perform better in all conditions. Lusti's have proved to be very popular with East Coast skiers who ski on harder snow and skiers who prefer skiing on groomed terrain. While I'm obviously biased, they are both very good.

The PC71 rocks! It's my favorite ski in the Lusti line. I ski it in a 165 and it feels like a slalom ski yet can handle high speed medium- to long-radius turns with ease. I love it!

Mike

Hey Mike - Thanks for the response. I have been taking a long look at the PC71 to add to the quiver as, what you reference, your/my slalom ski. I think that 165 may be a tad short (5'11'/193) . I don't know your height and weight but I'm open to suggestions. For you to say how much you like that ski is high praise and welcome feedback. Obviously no hurry to purchase. I'm sure that you'll be updating the Ski Talk community about those sorts of things.
Thanks again for getting back to me. I hope that Lusti is a huge success for you. I don't know why it wouldn't be. Sounds like there's a lot to like.
Scott
 
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Hey Mike - Thanks for the response. I have been taking a long look at the PC71 to add to the quiver as, what you reference, your/my slalom ski. I think that 165 may be a tad short (5'11'/193) . I don't know your height and weight but I'm open to suggestions. For you to say how much you like that ski is high praise and welcome feedback. Obviously no hurry to purchase. I'm sure that you'll be updating the Ski Talk community about those sorts of things.
Thanks again for getting back to me. I hope that Lusti is a huge success for you. I don't know why it wouldn't be. Sounds like there's a lot to like.
Scott
Scotty, We are about the same size and I am looking forward to skiing the PC71 in a 170 or even 175, I bet it will be a ripper. The value of these skis is incredible.
 
Are there going to be demo days in the east next season and if so a list of dates and locations would be great.
 
Are there going to be demo days in the east next season and if so a list of dates and locations would be great.
As with most DTC models, consumer demos are pretty non existent, you have trust the reviews, ask questions and rely on a satisfaction guarantee warranty.
 
If you want some custom graphics, there is a fellow in CZ who is offering the Lusti skis under his brand:

https://www.luxuski.com/en/
 

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