2024 Stöckli Laser WRT Pro

[SkiTalk Test Team]

Philpug
Size tested: 172cm
Location tested: Loveland,CO
Conditions tested in: Groomer Zoomers

To quote George Takei: “Oh My …!” In a perfect world, I would just leave the review at that, but for some reasons the Stockli zealots wouldn’t be satisfied. Yes, the 66mm WRT Pro IS all that and the bag of chips that the faithful hoped it would be.

In typical Stockli fashion, the WRT Pro’s power is very accessible and although it has a higher-than-most-skis top end, especially when mated with the WRT12/16 FF binding, the Pro does not demand your attention for every nano second. This is truly a hero ski that any skier with a competent skill level can experience, and to an extent, grow with.

• Insider tip: Shop owners, order this ski.
• One thing I would change: Lower the price.

Ron
Size tested: 172cm
Location tested: Loveland, CO
Conditions tested in: Firm groomers

The first All-Mountain Slalom ski. My favorite ski of SIA is a conundrum. Ski it like a slalom ski or change up the radius to whatever you desire, the WRT does it all with poise, composure and at a very high level. I was blown away by how good this ski is. Stockli designed this ski with a dual radii and it actually works. Linking up slalom turns and then breaking off into medium and long radius turns was a literal snap. It can also handle brush turns with stability and balance. The ski exudes energy and pop but still maintains the Stockli feel making it a truly superb ride. I am a sucker for 66mm underfoot so this ski will most likely be in my stable next year if I can sell off enough gear for the $1,500 price tag.

• Insider tip: The 172 felt perfect.
• One thing I would change: A one day 50% off sale day?

Winks
Size tested: 172cm
Location tested: Mammoth Mountain, CA
Conditions tested in: Early morning sun baked groomers

As Uncle Ben once said "With great power comes great responsibility." Can I just write that?
This ski is the Hypercar you want in the garage, the twin turbo V12; it is absolutely stunning. Stable, stiff, quiet, fast, smooth, strong, I feel like I am running out of great words here. This is one of those skis that will live in your quiver while many others come and go over the years. Stöckli nailed it with this one. Enough said!

• Insider tip: Don't look at the price tag; just hand them your plastic.
• One thing I would change: Graphics. At this price point I want something more distinct.

 

[Frenchman]

How tall / heavy are you? I am looking at the 180 from Stöckli's recommendations (I'm 5'11"). Though I often shy away from the longest ski in a model, because you know... plenty of people taller than me that the ski may have been designed for.

 

[Philpug]

How tall / heavy are you? I am looking at the 180 from Stöckli's recommendations (I'm 5'11"). Though I often shy away from the longest ski in a model, because you know... plenty of people taller than me that the ski may have been designed for.

We have a bunch of different sized skiers testing the skis. I am also 5'11" and I also tend to ski own size down from the longest length and I really like the WTR Pro in a 172, but it depends in the turn share you want from the ski and how it might fit into your quiver.

 

[DocGKR]

At 6' 210 lbs, I have no stability problems on the 172. In my direct experience, the 16 binding is far better, as I have had some release issues with the 12.

Note that the 170 & 175 Head e.Race Pro offer a very similar skiing experience; I have no issues using the 172 WRT and 175 e.Race interchangeably.

Obviously a FIS race ski is far more stable and has better grip on truly hard snow than any recreational sport carver, even ones as nice as the WRT Pro or e.Race.

 

[Frenchman]

I am also 5'11" and I also tend to ski own size down from the longest length and I really like the WTR Pro in a 172, but it depends in the turn share you want from the ski and how it might fit into your quiver.

I like to turn, and not necessarily all long turns. I love to turn often. So maybe the 172 cm is better (that's also what I get as a recommendation now when redoing it; not sure what I may have said the second time).

My quiver is as follows:

• '22 Laser CX (69 mm) in 170 cm (14.1 m)
• Green/Yellow Laser AX (78 mm) in 175 cm (15.9 m) *To be replaced by a Monterro AS (76 mm) in 178 cm I think, 16 m
• '22 Head Oblivion 94 in 184 cm (~23 m)
• '18 Rossignol Black Ops 98 in 182 cm (same kind of wide radius)
• Ancient Stormrider 107 in 183 cm (19.7 m) for rock skis *To be replaced too, but maybe not by a Stöckli
• Stuff in the 118 mm and 124mm for huuuuuuuuge days or that 16" of Cascade Concrete (Black Ops 118)

WDYT? Also, do you agree w/ the 178 recommendation for the AS? I skied one in Aspen and it was fun all over the mountain, but I can't remember if it was the 172 or the 178.

Note that the 170 & 175 Head e.Race Pro offer a very similar skiing experience; I have no issues using the 172 WRT and 175 e.Race interchangeably.

Interesting comment about the e.Race, which is vastly cheaper and a beautiful blue. I did ski it but only for a run, and didn't especially like it, but it was a very short run. I thought it had that 2x4 feel Head skis can have except at the top end. I want something with a bigger sweet spot. And I don't need or want a FIS ski, I know that much! This would be a fun ski to have fast fun.

 

[Frenchman]

In my direct experience, the 16 binding is far better, as I have had some release issues with the 12.

Hmmm. At what setting? At your weight, I ski my bindings at 8.5 to 9.5 (depending on whether I subscribe to the over 50 prescription or not), and don't prerelease regardless of the speed I go at. I've got a variety of bindings (old Head demos 12s, Freeflex 14s, demo Attacks 14s, Warden MNC 13s, Shift 13s, a Pivot 18 whose DIN range is very underutilized by me...).

 

[anders_nor]

How tall / heavy are you? I am looking at the 180 from Stöckli's recommendations (I'm 5'11"). Though I often shy away from the longest ski in a model, because you know... plenty of people taller than me that the ski may have been designed for.

GF is 172-174?cm, she skies my WRT pro 180 fine with 0 issues, even loading them fine. for your height you can probably choose from the radius you want!

she likes them so much, Im quite often "stuck" with my X9RS / 72 master.

 

[Dougb]

We have a bunch of different sized skiers testing the skis.

I know I guy who is 5'8'ish and 150 lbs who would love to test them next time he skis with you in Tahoe

 

[DocGKR]

I typically sport ski at 10.

For racing, SL is also 10-11, GS 12-14, SG 14-16, DH 16-18, all depending on course set, snow surface, and fitness level. I've had more injuries when skis released when not desired, than injures when skis did not release when necessary.

Likewise, I've had far too many 12 bindings set at 10-11, suddenly release while just skiing--no crash, no twist, no nothing. Conversely, the 16-20 bindings set at 10, tend to not do that, staying on in the exact same situation the 12 released on. I've even taken the opportunity to use the exact same type of skis on a course--one pair with 12 bindings, one with 18's and saw consistent undesired-release with the 12's and not the 18's.

 

[DocGKR]

Just read an interesting item on DIN by Drew Kelly (former Junior racer and now Blister reviewer):

"I do weigh 160lbs. And my answer depends on what type skiing I’m planning to do that day…I stress a little about appropriate DIN setting, as I’ve had some scary pre-releases. Early season I go 12 on toes, 13 in the heels, but once I get into more extreme terrain I’ll go 13 on toes and 14-15 in the heels."

 

[no edge]

GF is 172-174?cm, she skies my WRT pro 180 fine with 0 issues, even loading them fine. for your height you can probably choose from the radius you want!

she likes them so much, Im quite often "stuck" with my X9RS / 72 master.

Sounds like she can ski.

 

[Frenchman]

i do weigh 160lbs. And my answer depends on what type skiing I’m planning to do that day…I stress a little about appropriate DIN setting, as I’ve had some scary pre-releases. Early season I go 12 on toes, 13 in the heels, but once I get into more extreme terrain I’ll go 13 on toes and 14-15 in the heels."

And Cody Townsend skis pretty gnarly stuff on the Salomon Shift 13, that many people welcomed with a "Uh, when are you making a 16 because uh I need that." I don't know how people prerelease at higher DINs than the chart, likely because that hasn't happened to me. I credit my style of skiing (even when I haul @ss I think I do it pretty smoothly; but I may just be lucky), but at the end of the day... it doesn't seem like there is a universally agreed on rational way to set one's DIN.

 

[hotwinter74]

Hi, guys.
I got a 162 WRT pro at the end of last season and I'm using it a couple of weeks now.
I became curious about the edge angle you are using with WRT.
In my area, most skis are race or race inspired SL skis... such as e.SL, S9, racetiger SL etc.
WRT has side-88, base-1 bevel angle.
Is anyone who change the edge angle or who has a plan to change it?

ps. I don't have any problem with the current angle.
Just curiosity because it is a little bit different from what I used to use.

 

[François Pugh]

Hi, guys.
I got a 162 WRT pro at the end of last season and I'm using it a couple of weeks now.
I became curious about the edge angle you are using with WRT.
In my area, most skis are race or race inspired SL skis... such as e.SL, S9, racetiger SL etc.
WRT has side-88, base-1 bevel angle.
Is anyone who change the edge angle or who has a plan to change it?

ps. I don't have any problem with the current angle.
Just curiosity because it is a little bit different from what I used to use.

Haven't had the opportunity to ski the WRT, but I have changed side and base angles on Fischer WC SCs from 3:1 to 3,0.5 and from 2:0.5 to 2:1 and back again on my antque SGs. If I had 162 WRTs I would not hesitate to make them 0.5 base and 3 side.

 

[mikes781]

Just asked this same question in the Stockli thread this week. I’m going to try a 0.5/3.0 on them. If they happen to be too aggressive I’ll dial back the base bevel a little.

 

[JCF]

I've had the 162's a year now - regularly last year, but this year conditions have not been worthy. Only once so far.
They are at the factory settings. They are almost too comfortable in good conditions but I feel at 88/1 there is more grip to be had when things get hard [that's what s....no, I won't say it ]
I will change the side to 87 first and see what they are like, and then go to .05 base if needed.

 

[anders_nor]

WRT pro is stiff/narrow

no problem with 87/0.5 or whatever you want on them.

especially lighter skiers really seem to love 87, and In general I like 87 on this type of skis, with that said our conditons this year, never warranted 87 on this ski, but you could of course run it, but .. always awesome snow, no ice.

the stock tune on WRT pro is so dull & safe its made for fat out of shape rich people buying expensive skis, and its easy for them to sideslip on them.

I saw a whole bunch of dudes on the, not a single carve was seen.

 

[hotwinter74]

Haven't had the opportunity to ski the WRT, but I have changed side and base angles on Fischer WC SCs from 3:1 to 3,0.5 and from 2:0.5 to 2:1 and back again on my antque SGs. If I had 162 WRTs I would not hesitate to make them 0.5 base and 3 side.

0.5 base must be too much for me. Thank you, anyway.

 

[hotwinter74]

Just asked this same question in the Stockli thread this week. I’m going to try a 0.5/3.0 on them. If they happen to be too aggressive I’ll dial back the base bevel a little.

I believe that I've never used 0.5 skis before. Mostly it was 88/0.7(0.75) angle because I normally kept the factory setting. (I changed 87 to 88 once with the same base bevel.)
I didn't use FIS spec skis because they are too much for me.
Please let me know when you try 87/0.5 setting. Good luck!

 

[hotwinter74]

I've had the 162's a year now - regularly last year, but this year conditions have not been worthy. Only once so far.
They are at the factory settings. They are almost too comfortable in good conditions but I feel at 88/1 there is more grip to be had when things get hard [that's what s....no, I won't say it ]
I will change the side to 87 first and see what they are like, and then go to .05 base if needed.

I'm listening. More details.... Please~~~~~