- Joined
- Mar 5, 2017
- Posts
- 1,202
Philpug: Of the premium 88mm skis, the AM88 is the most traditional in shape with its rounded tip and almost full camber flex. Turn radius in our reference 179 is also one of the only skis in the category that is over 20 m ... and it feels every bit of that. The AM88 has some seriously long legs and can run. The only limitation I have found with any Augment I have skied is the skier -- that's not because you will out-ski them, they just have one of the highest entry requirements as far as input.
Is the AM88 for everyone? Will it hold your hand as you get your ski legs under you? No. The AM88 is a thoroughbred, and extremely rewarding when you are on your A-game and paying attention.
Without having a chance to check the tune, Phil mounted these up and we hit Solitude with some other Pugskiers. Much to my delight, the tune was the type of perfection you'd expect from Augment. The ski is strong enough to slice through crud, nimble enough to inspire a few jaunts in the moguls, and proper enough to respond when asked to make tracks on the groomers -- all of this with one of the smoothest feelings you can imagine. There are many skis in this category that ski pretty darn well, but few with this pedigree.
As with other Augment offerings, the AM88 is offered in a variety of flexes from 10 (soft but not really) to 1 (2x4? Ironman?). I skied the 10 and honestly couldn't see going below an 8 or 7 unless you're just a beast skier. This ski needs to be piloted by someone who has enough skill to appreciate what it offers and can fully understand what the premium price brings to the table.
Is the AM88 for everyone? Will it hold your hand as you get your ski legs under you? No. The AM88 is a thoroughbred, and extremely rewarding when you are on your A-game and paying attention.
Insider tip: Like other Augments, err on the side of a higher flex number; ie, a 10 flex, which they refer to as “flimsy,” is about as stiff as say a Brahma or Kendo, hardly flimsy.
Tricia: I first got on the AM 88 at Solitude, and even though its flex is rated at a 7 (soft), there was nothing wimpy about it. The 88mm width is the sweet spot of the women's all-mountain category, and while this is not a women's-specific ski, the flex is meant for a small or medium-sized person and thus is right for a lot of female skiers.Without having a chance to check the tune, Phil mounted these up and we hit Solitude with some other Pugskiers. Much to my delight, the tune was the type of perfection you'd expect from Augment. The ski is strong enough to slice through crud, nimble enough to inspire a few jaunts in the moguls, and proper enough to respond when asked to make tracks on the groomers -- all of this with one of the smoothest feelings you can imagine. There are many skis in this category that ski pretty darn well, but few with this pedigree.
Insider tip: Check out the different flex options to suit your needs perfectly.
Andy Mink: From my audio notes: "Fantastic. So, so smooth and you can go faster than you probably should." The AM88 makes long, luxurious (should that word even be in a ski review?), flowing turns on hard and soft groomers. It is supple and engaging in bumps with a bit of rise in the tip. It is easy to slide the tail when you need or want a shorter-than-advertised turn radius. Without any fresh snow (or any that even resembled what might have once been fresh), the 88 just ate up everything thrown its way with a quiet, silky confidence.As with other Augment offerings, the AM88 is offered in a variety of flexes from 10 (soft but not really) to 1 (2x4? Ironman?). I skied the 10 and honestly couldn't see going below an 8 or 7 unless you're just a beast skier. This ski needs to be piloted by someone who has enough skill to appreciate what it offers and can fully understand what the premium price brings to the table.
Insider tip: For the pure carving junky, try the AM77. Every. Bit. As. Good. But narrower.
Wade Holiday: FEEL. This word is such a key to differences in skis, and this ski has an exceptional feel! Just plain wow. No bells and whistles and marketing angles, just a very high quality blend of materials, craftsmanship, and solid understanding of how a ski works to create this thing of beauty. It had the best feel of any ski I’ve been on in a while. It will do anything asked of it: too much fun in the hard bumps, most calm of all at speeds beyond what I usually ski, and absolutely no surprises. The shape is pretty traditional, and with the 21m radius, minimal rise, and a standard tail, you have to bend it into shapes and ski it more traditionally.Insider tip: The length felt true; compared to my reference skis, I liked the binding one click forward
Admin tip: this was the most demanded ski of our test fleet, everyone wanted to be on it. These are skiers that can ski anything. That should tell you something.
- Awards
- Who is it for?
- Connoisseurs of fine products, traditionalists, people who like skis that always listen and don’t have their own agenda. This is an 88mm ski for racers, ex and current.
- Who is it not for?
- Those who want to be seen on a premium ski. Your money is better spent elsewhere. Those looking for newest marketing trends or trying to save a buck.
- Skier ability
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- Expert
- Ski category
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- Frontside
- All Mountain
- Ski attributes
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- Groomers
- Trees
- Segment
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- Men
- Women
Specifications
- Available sizes
- 163, 171, 179, 187
- Dimensions
- 126.5-88-112
- Radius
- 21m@179cm
- Rocker profile
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- Full camber
- Construction design
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- New graphics
- Binding options
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- Flat
- System