Hey friends,
I’m in the market for new skis, but stuck on a decision. Hoping for some advice…
Background:
I’m 35, 6ft, 180lbs+ Lower level advanced skier. I like to go as fast/aggressive as my skills allow and I often push boundaries into new terrain. (I try to ski it all). I’ll ski 60+ days this year (if I stay healthy). - I primarily ski the bigger east coast mountains (mostly Vermont), with 1-2 trips out west every year. I prefer stable skis that I can point straight through “oh shit” moments, but enjoy maneuverability in the trees and bumps
*** This year I’m going to be out west for a couple months, visiting friends/family, chasing storms, (Icon mountains - Sierras, Cascades, Canadian Rockies) so I’m looking to add a western daily driver to the quiver. ***
Current “quiver”:
2020 Nordic’s Enforcer 88 179cm – eastern daily driver, also works well out west with no fresh snow. Favorite ski I’ve owned. I can charge, ski any terrain, but also sit in the backseat at the end of the day when my legs are cooked. Fun all day long.
2021 Elan Ripstick 106 188cm - my 50/50 ski with marker dukes. Fun, light, dynamic ski. BUT I have a speed limit on them. For a wider ski, they carve really well and don’t mind ice, but they just don’t hold up at speed (edge or tips). - but they work great for eastern powder days and uphill
Other skis I’ve really liked:
2015 Volkl Kendo 177cm – Beloved eastern charger, just like a precision knife. They unfortunately didn’t let me backseat drive at all (had to be on point all day), BUT when I drove them, they were exactly how I want my skis to feel. (The 177 felt too short out west)
2019 Fischer Ranger 108ti 188cm - felt a lot like the Ripstick, but the Rangers held up better at speed. Very stable, yet light swing weight due to the carbon tips. (They just didn’t hold up long term - durability issues)
New skis I’m looking at:
K2 Mindbender 108ti 186cm
Volkl Mantra 102 184cm
Black Crows Corvus 183cm
ON3P Wrenegade 102ti 184cm
Last note: I know the safe bet is a wider enforcer, but I’m trying to find something slightly different. I enjoy spending time on different skis and learning their personalities.
Also, I haven’t had good experience with Fischer durability combined with my aggressive style (I’m hard on gear) – so staying away from the 102FR
Thanks for your help!
TLDR:
I’m looking for a (western) daily driver, strong stable charger that doesn’t completely punish me all day (and will pair well with the Enforcer 88, Ripstick 106) for variable conditions (sierras, cascades, Canadian Rockies)
I’m in the market for new skis, but stuck on a decision. Hoping for some advice…
Background:
I’m 35, 6ft, 180lbs+ Lower level advanced skier. I like to go as fast/aggressive as my skills allow and I often push boundaries into new terrain. (I try to ski it all). I’ll ski 60+ days this year (if I stay healthy). - I primarily ski the bigger east coast mountains (mostly Vermont), with 1-2 trips out west every year. I prefer stable skis that I can point straight through “oh shit” moments, but enjoy maneuverability in the trees and bumps
*** This year I’m going to be out west for a couple months, visiting friends/family, chasing storms, (Icon mountains - Sierras, Cascades, Canadian Rockies) so I’m looking to add a western daily driver to the quiver. ***
Current “quiver”:
2020 Nordic’s Enforcer 88 179cm – eastern daily driver, also works well out west with no fresh snow. Favorite ski I’ve owned. I can charge, ski any terrain, but also sit in the backseat at the end of the day when my legs are cooked. Fun all day long.
2021 Elan Ripstick 106 188cm - my 50/50 ski with marker dukes. Fun, light, dynamic ski. BUT I have a speed limit on them. For a wider ski, they carve really well and don’t mind ice, but they just don’t hold up at speed (edge or tips). - but they work great for eastern powder days and uphill
Other skis I’ve really liked:
2015 Volkl Kendo 177cm – Beloved eastern charger, just like a precision knife. They unfortunately didn’t let me backseat drive at all (had to be on point all day), BUT when I drove them, they were exactly how I want my skis to feel. (The 177 felt too short out west)
2019 Fischer Ranger 108ti 188cm - felt a lot like the Ripstick, but the Rangers held up better at speed. Very stable, yet light swing weight due to the carbon tips. (They just didn’t hold up long term - durability issues)
New skis I’m looking at:
K2 Mindbender 108ti 186cm
Volkl Mantra 102 184cm
Black Crows Corvus 183cm
ON3P Wrenegade 102ti 184cm
Last note: I know the safe bet is a wider enforcer, but I’m trying to find something slightly different. I enjoy spending time on different skis and learning their personalities.
Also, I haven’t had good experience with Fischer durability combined with my aggressive style (I’m hard on gear) – so staying away from the 102FR
Thanks for your help!
TLDR:
I’m looking for a (western) daily driver, strong stable charger that doesn’t completely punish me all day (and will pair well with the Enforcer 88, Ripstick 106) for variable conditions (sierras, cascades, Canadian Rockies)