2024 Line Blade

[SkiTalk Test Team]

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Updated from last season ...
Philpug: Line is no stranger to throwing a design against the wall to see if it sticks, Hell, it's the company's founding philosophy, back to when Jason Levinthal disrupted the industry with the Snow Blade. The all-new Line Blade is the latest in a long line of skis from that trend. At first glance -- and first ride -- it feels like the love child of the Icelantic Shaman and Elan SCX, two designs that broke the mold in their own generations. The Blade floats like the Shaman and carves like the SCX.

Long-term update (from last year): The all-new Blade is an acquired taste, one that needs to grow on you, one that you cannot get in the one to three runs we usually get at an industry demo. Fortunately I was able to ski the Blade for a good couple of hours in conditions that I expected the ski to be able to shine in. In voicing my way to clarity with @Andy Mink I ended up dubbing the Blade as the Crudbuster 2000. This ski loves crud, it dices, slices, cuts, chops, and annihilates crud.​

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I had a chance to take these away from where we have been normally skiing them, Mt Rose to Squaw Valley. Because of conditions at Rose, these were pretty much limited to the groomers, but at Squaw we were able to spend a lot more time off piste and in more mixed and variable conditions. Coming from the KT lift down to through the Saddle to the Headwall chair, the Blade did super in the bumps, cut-up snow, and natural terrain of the Saddle. True to its name, the Blade diced and sliced through the bumps and was extremely playful as the terrain changed from turn to turn. I had the same experience when skiing off of the traverse from the Headwall chair, where there were still some fresh tracks to be made in the 3 to 4 in. of windblown snow. You might think the broad tip and extreme shape would make the Blade nervous in these conditions, but it absolutely does not. The only caveat is that the skier should be a two-footed skier with a wide stance.​

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Long term update (10/29/21): The Line Blade should have been called the Crudbuster because nothing phases this ski. I took it out today at Palisades Tahoe (the ski area formally known as Squaw Valley) and the conditions were far from stellar, in fact they were bordering on marginal but it was opening day, an openiong way early than scheduled, so we accepted the hand we were dealt. The snow was, heavy, chopped, rocky, wet and punchy, descriptive words that never make for a good day. But ... the Line Blade laughed in the face of all if them. You are familiar with my Steadfast rule? Well, the Blade passed withflying colors because there was no other ski I would have wanted to be on today than the Line Crudbuster (the ski I formally called the Blade).​

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Insider tip: Err on the shorter of two lengths.​

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Andy Mink: You read that correctly: the tip on this ski is 154 mm wide. With those measurements, this could be the Barbie of the ski world. What does this mean to you, the realistic skier? The Blade is an absolute blast on groomers. Line claims this will "leave only ... a sh*t eating grin on your face." Well, does giggling out loud suffice? If you like carving, I mean really like carving, this tool deserves your attention. On the firm groomers at Mammoth, it worked wonderfully. Short and slow? Check. Short and fast? Yep. Long and fast? No problem. It just lays tracks. The tip shape and width might make it a handful in the bumps, but it should float and carve some powder pretty well.

Long-term update (from last year): I had a chance to ski these again in some nice conditions at Mt Rose, and did I mention in my initial review they make me giggle? They are a wide carving ski that plows through piles like a hot knife through butter. They are very stable at speed, and even high-speed long turns generate little to no tip chatter. I was expecting at some point the wide tips would start to lay down, but it never happened. Arc-to-arc tracks at lower speeds can generate enough pressure to make your legs tired after a few runs. I don't know that I'd want them as a daily driver in Tahoe but they would sure be fun as a second or third ski in a quiver. I look forward to trying them in 6 to 10 in. of fresh. I think that's where they should shine. Turn, turn, turn!​

Insider tip: Get used to people wondering if you're nuts for laughing or grinning for no apparent reason.​

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Anders_Nor: Zoooooooomg, this ski on corn and spring snow!!! FUN. I'm totally exhausted after skiing the Line Blade today! That was the best ski workout I've had in a short period of time in a while. With no liftlines as we arrived after the morning rush, I was laying down tight-radius turns in the slush-bump-fest of conditions we had today, jumping piles, carving through piles .... The most fun was probably in the 30 to 35mph range but I had no issues just straightlining at 45 mph through stuff when I tried (again surprised). I expected it to be a bit hooky, but I could surf it sideways into a slow 180, even going through piles of stuff sideways. I am just kinda amazed.

 

[Dougb]

I still want to try this ski!

 

[Philpug]

I still want to try this ski!

It is a giggle ski.

 

[motogreg]

So, so psyched to get on mine this year! Hot tip, L9 has a few 2022's left for $270....

 

[AltaSkier]

@Philpug you mention that somebody should size down on this ski. I found a good deal on a pair of 181s, which is in the size I would normally ski, but you comment gives me pause. I'm 6', 185lbs and tend to keep up just fine when I ski. Do you think I should hold out for some in a 176?

 

[Philpug]

@Philpug you mention that somebody should size down on this ski. I found a good deal on a pair of 181s, which is in the size I would normally ski, but you comment gives me pause. I'm 6', 185lbs and tend to keep up just fine when I ski. Do you think I should hold out for some in a 176?

For Michigan? Yes. If you want a big GS feel. go for the 181.

 

[AltaSkier]

For Michigan? Yes. If you want a big GS feel. go for the 181.

Thanks Phil! I've got GS cheater skis already. I'm looking for something a little more playful while I ski with my young kids. Unless there are other suggestions, I'll keep looking for something shorter.

I appreciate your insight!

 

[chris_the_wrench]

I'm 6', 185lbs and tend to keep up just fine when I ski. Do you think I should hold out for some in a 176?

Im 6’3” 190’ish and Ive been skiing the 181 a few days this winter, it definitely skis long! They are SO MUCH FUN, makes runs that are normally boring a blast! Makes 30-35 mph feel like 50. I bought these on summer sale as a experiment, but Id probably pay full retail for them after skiing them.

 

[altabrig]

Question for the carve meisters. How does it carve compared to a ~15m radius high end pure carve ski at carving? Shovel engaging into the turn and energy out of the turn?

They are pretty wide. What are the drawbacks to these avant-garde planks as carve specialists?

Ice grip???? 95mm.

The line video on Mt Hood makes them look like a hoot. But that's more the archers than the arrow.

Wouldn't mind demoing those at all + the pescado and sakana if the snow is soft. Talked to a guy at Lost Trail who was switch take off and landing the sakana he could make it do whatever.

 

[Snowfan]

Just snagged a pair.

 

[AltaSkier]

I pulled the trigger on a pair in 176 this morning. Looking forward to getting them on the hill!

 

[altabrig]

Anybody spent time on these in hard/icy conditions? Grip?

 

[chris_the_wrench]

Anybody spent time on these in hard/icy conditions? Grip?

I believe @anders_nor commented on their hard snow skiing qualities awhile back???

 

[altabrig]

I did not see ice hard conditions noted above, I missed that thread. Better than a pagoda 94 piste c2 for grip?

I never thought my blizzard titan atlas 94 had great bite and were a jack of all and master of none width. In fact they suck compared to 70mm fischers on real chatter snow.

Still intrigued but the blade.

 

[anders_nor]

Anybody spent time on these in hard/icy conditions? Grip?

stock tune is horrible for it, but you can get them to grip with a grind & tune, its not a FIS SL

I used my blades for when FIS SL were not as fun, meaning softer, slush, pow etc, its a very good slush ski! and superfun on pow.

 

[altabrig]

stock tune is horrible for it, but you can get them to grip with a grind & tune, its not a FIS SL

I used my blades for when FIS SL were not as fun, meaning softer, slush, pow etc, its a very good slush ski! and superfun on pow.

Base high or concave? I am not surprised. They look fun. Slush has never been as much fun on my carvers as the fat skis. Those shovels are wild. All the line videos seem to showcase late season slurpee snow and wild turns and angles.

Would you go as high as 3 outside edge or standard 2?


I would probably be better served with an updated carve ski for real hard snow.

 

[anders_nor]

Base high or concave? I am not surprised. They look fun. Slush has never been as much fun on my carvers as the fat skis. Those shovels are wild. All the line videos seem to showcase late season slurpee snow and wild turns and angles.

Would you go as high as 3 outside edge or standard 2?


I would probably be better served with an updated carve ski for real hard snow.

Whatever you like, 2 or 3 is what I'd go, its more personal style than the ski I feel. my GFowuld do 3, I would do 2.
The shit were not that badly high or concave, edges just were not touched up so just very dull, of course supersharp 87/0.5 tune on uneven base is not ideal either

There is a skier on our local mountain using them on hard days, and he seem to enjoy them (after tuning) on thoose days as well

the line blade is such a fun ski though, it let me do slalom turns and realy PUSH again that slush or pow and do short turns on shitty conditions without beeing hooky for me

 

[altabrig]

You giving it your tune probably helped. Looks like a rearward mount. They look loose in all the videos, but the shape of the ski makes them look hooky. Did you detune the tails at all?

 

[evr66]

I use them tuned 1/88, nott “hooky” at all. Indeed so kuch fun. Grip on ice(steep) is fine for its width. Done some crazy stuff on it, however if it gets tricky, there are better options.

very versatile ski, equipped it with shifts and using it really in a lot of different conditions.

 

[PaganSkier]

stock tune is horrible for it, but you can get them to grip with a grind & tune, its not a FIS SL

I used my blades for when FIS SL were not as fun, meaning softer, slush, pow etc, its a very good slush ski! and superfun on pow.

I've used Blades for 3 seasons - I thought the factory tune was good on hard snow. Rather than slip out unexpectedly, they would start to grind but hold the turn. Then I think I got the tips too sharp, and that big tip would twist a little and release hard. Maybe keep em sharp underfoot, and maybe less so tip and tail?

For me I find these skis pretty versatile - I've had lots of good days in the alpine off-piste, and some small to medium bumps. I like the flex a bunch. Pretty soft. Not a pow ski - big tip with minimal rocker plows rather than rise up.

Dragging knuckles on groomers is super easy......