After my revelation on the Wildcat 108 last season I decided to go big with the 116. My review of the Wildcat 116 is pretty much identical to the 108 but with added float, quickness and even more stability. I think the main difference comes down to mass of the ski. They do feel fairly damp and very grounded on cut-up, skied out snow but have more float and ease when pivoting in the trees. I mounted these with Pivot 15's (raw) on the line. My initial thoughts were they were too far forward when I picked them up from Steamboat Ski And Bike but once on the snow, they felt balanced and just right. For 2021/22, The Wildcat 116 was beefed back up to the OG prowess adding some stability and dampness. This, with the stout section in front and behind the binding, along with moderate flexing tips and tails, the Wildcats ski beautifully. The dimensions of the 184 are 141-116-131 with significant rocker lines, again identical (or near) to the 108. I'm 5' 11+ and about 170. I ski the 184 and not the 190 because the ski is so stable, and I ski trees almost exclusively on a powder day, there is no need to go longer.
My testing at this point is just 2 days but they were seriously deep powder days with some of the most challenging weather conditions. With high winds, driving snow and low cloud coverage we were skiing trees with wind load, pre-existing bumped out snow and only able to see 1- 2 turns ahead at best. the Wildcats simply make this snow easy to ski, you can stay very centered over the ski and drive the tip as needed. The tips never once submarined, yes, they would go under the snow but when hitting the back side of a bump or undulation, the flex pattern is such that you don't get bucked, it's a very consistent flex and release of energy. They provided total confidence to charge. In tight spots, the skis at the factory suggested point of -6 from center, pivoted effortlessly. Edge hold when encountering wind scoured pockets and on sections of skied out groomers was superb.
Today I skied Hurricane, a long black bump run that was completely smooth with over a foot of wind deposited powder. It wasnt blower today but more towards medium density. (soft, but had noticeable resistance) dropping in on the top, I was treated to a virtually untracked run. The Wildcats floated over this snow perfectly and I made medium radius turns the whole run as if it was a groomed run with a few inches on top. I also took them into Steamboats Premier Bump run, Whiteout. Its a long bump run with VW sized bumps. The bumps were filled in with well over a foot of fairly light powder, the Wildcats showed how they can charge here. I was skiing off the tops and down into the powder filled troughs, the tips and shovels worked very well for such a burly ski, I would call it confidence inspiring since you really didnt know what was ahead of you, my friend Called it "puff, puff, slam" skiing. again the skis perform exceptionally well. For a 116 wide ski, its superbly stable and strong and yet so easy and flickable. l had no issues handling them. Because of the mount point, I was literally picking them up and redirecting the ski in the air.
I finished up skiing yesterday on Vertigo and Teds,. They are lower Mountain steeper runs that often get overlooked. The powder was tracked out with large piles well over the boot of loose and firm snow as well as a lot of natural terrain undulations. The Wildcats were remarkably composed in this snow, they were stable and assuring in this snow which was challenging. they allowed very smooth turn transitions and again, you could trust the ski not to fold on surprise undulations and hard pre-existing bumps.
So once again, I have to give the Wildcats my all-time favorite powder ski. The next phase in testing will be at what point do I grab the 108 vs the 116.
My testing at this point is just 2 days but they were seriously deep powder days with some of the most challenging weather conditions. With high winds, driving snow and low cloud coverage we were skiing trees with wind load, pre-existing bumped out snow and only able to see 1- 2 turns ahead at best. the Wildcats simply make this snow easy to ski, you can stay very centered over the ski and drive the tip as needed. The tips never once submarined, yes, they would go under the snow but when hitting the back side of a bump or undulation, the flex pattern is such that you don't get bucked, it's a very consistent flex and release of energy. They provided total confidence to charge. In tight spots, the skis at the factory suggested point of -6 from center, pivoted effortlessly. Edge hold when encountering wind scoured pockets and on sections of skied out groomers was superb.
Today I skied Hurricane, a long black bump run that was completely smooth with over a foot of wind deposited powder. It wasnt blower today but more towards medium density. (soft, but had noticeable resistance) dropping in on the top, I was treated to a virtually untracked run. The Wildcats floated over this snow perfectly and I made medium radius turns the whole run as if it was a groomed run with a few inches on top. I also took them into Steamboats Premier Bump run, Whiteout. Its a long bump run with VW sized bumps. The bumps were filled in with well over a foot of fairly light powder, the Wildcats showed how they can charge here. I was skiing off the tops and down into the powder filled troughs, the tips and shovels worked very well for such a burly ski, I would call it confidence inspiring since you really didnt know what was ahead of you, my friend Called it "puff, puff, slam" skiing. again the skis perform exceptionally well. For a 116 wide ski, its superbly stable and strong and yet so easy and flickable. l had no issues handling them. Because of the mount point, I was literally picking them up and redirecting the ski in the air.
I finished up skiing yesterday on Vertigo and Teds,. They are lower Mountain steeper runs that often get overlooked. The powder was tracked out with large piles well over the boot of loose and firm snow as well as a lot of natural terrain undulations. The Wildcats were remarkably composed in this snow, they were stable and assuring in this snow which was challenging. they allowed very smooth turn transitions and again, you could trust the ski not to fold on surprise undulations and hard pre-existing bumps.
So once again, I have to give the Wildcats my all-time favorite powder ski. The next phase in testing will be at what point do I grab the 108 vs the 116.
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