Frontside Ski for Second of a Two Ski Quiver

[tch]

12 hours and 16 posts and no suggestion of the Laser AX? the hive is slipping.

I missed that..,..stlll 15 minutes? I still stand by the hive slipping comment.

Wait...I thought the hive had moved on to the White Out.

 

[AmyPJ]

@AmyPJ great, thanks! I’ve also heard good things about the S/Force Bold. What do you like about it in the softer snow?

My husband skis them. We are in Utah, and he skis them in EVERYTHING. The wide shovel gives them a bit more float, and despite being a “stiff” ski, they aren’t ass kickers that demand your full attention. He rails the groomers on them. He’s been an instructor for 30 years. He is a very good skier and quite particular about his skis.

 

[Denny Love]

Great @AmyPJ!! I’ll have to put these near the top of the list. Sounds like they are excellent skis for what I’m looking for. Thanks!

 

[AlpedHuez]

12 hours and 16 posts and no suggestion of the Laser AX? the hive is slipping.

You missed my post at 2:30 AM PST then ....

 

[Dougb]

Wait...I thought the hive had moved on to the White Out.

Or for that matter, let’s throw in the Crosswind and the Numero Uno N°1 RC.

 

[DocGKR]

These days I ski Tahoe primarily, with jaunts to Utah and Colorado. For recreational skiing if I bring two skis, it is usually something in the 78 mm range and another that is 100+. If I only get one ski it is usually an 88-90mm.

For race training and pure groomer skiing, everything is under 70mm....

 

[Denny Love]

@DocGKR that makes total sense!

Reading some reviews now. Sounds like the folks at SkiEssentials love the idea of the Dobermann Spitfire 80 as a flat ski with the binding mounted directly to the ski. Anybody like this idea? Or better to stay with the system binding?

 

[ski otter 2]

@GB_Ski wow, thank you! Seems like a dang good deal. I’ll look into the Liberty V76s.

@trailtrimmer thanks, I’m definitely zeroing in on that 76-82 range of skis.

@Tom K. thank you for the response. The 80mm was the original target, which is why the Dobermann caught my eye. That may be a more dedicated carver than, say, the V76 it seems like?

@Philpug The AX seems to get a lot of love around here for good reason I’m sure! That price tag, they must know they have a good ski!!

@DocGKR the 181 is probably a bit long for me. I’ll check out the next size down on the Hero and see what the turn radius is.

Does anyone worry about going below 80 for the softer western conditions? Although I was out in Arrowhead / Beaver Creek last week, and we got some good snow, but it blew off the steep stuff fairly quickly in most places. The snow definitely didn’t feel soft there ha!!

The Hero Elite Plus Ti 174/14 is a great ski. (But narrower versions not so much, to me.) An easy introduction to the best of frontside and race ski feel also.

I got a pair this year with Look system binding, and they are one of my favorites, for both groomers and a bit of versatility. Their extra width (78) surprised me, but it makes them a bit more all mountain. Crazy easy and relaxing to ski them well. They have the Rossignol technical race ski perfection/smoothness - effortless, something special. On groomers, & in some powder, they are wow. They can do mild bumps pretty easily.

They come from the factory tuned at 1/1, which is only okay for a bit or more of powder. (Did that three times.)

I've tuned them now to 1/2, which make them lay over well but also be a bit versatile. I am happy with this on both some powder and "old snow" days here in Colorado.

I may at some point soon put them at 1/3, easy to do w/o having to flatten the bases, as they will become more able to lay over almost as well as a Rossi FIS race ski, which I also enjoy.

(Note: I am comparing them to both all mountain skis and SL/GS race skis, which I often ski too. To me, this ski is just as good as two comparables:
1. the Fischer RC One Multiplex GT 86 175: The Rossi is a little better on groomers, a little worse off piste, maybe. Both five star skis, to me, along with the next ski.
2. The Blossom Whiteout 177, 131/77/111, r. 15 (compared to the Rossi Elite Plus Ti 174, 130/78/110. r. 14). The Blossom is the more versatile ski, the Rossi more race-like and arguably better on groomers.)

 

[markojp]

@GB_Ski wow, thank you! Seems like a dang good deal. I’ll look into the Liberty V76s.

@trailtrimmer thanks, I’m definitely zeroing in on that 76-82 range of skis.

@Tom K. thank you for the response. The 80mm was the original target, which is why the Dobermann caught my eye. That may be a more dedicated carver than, say, the V76 it seems like?

@Philpug The AX seems to get a lot of love around here for good reason I’m sure! That price tag, they must know they have a good ski!!

@DocGKR

Does anyone worry about going below 80 for the softer western conditions?

Our conditions certainly aren't always softer in the PNW. I've skied a fair amount this season on the new eRally and find it very versatile on hard and softer snow. The new tip shape is easier to ski off piste than the HRC or iTitan... odd about the Deacon though, I thought they were nice off piste. Soft groomer carver, the S Bold Force is really fun! It would be a really fun late season ski out west.

 

[Tom K.]

DANGER, when you ask about the flat vs. system comparison, you are now venturing into an area that is nigh on religious!

Almost as much as Stockli love....

To the point, if money matters, that Liberty V76 sounds like it might be a winner. @Ron might weigh in. He knows the brand pretty well.

 

[DocGKR]

I run both my 181cm Hero Elite Plus Ti and 177cm Rallys at 1/3 (all are system bindings)--probably the most versatile on-piste skis for recreational resort skiing that I own; great on groomers, good in bumps, and can joyfully handle several inches of fresh snow.

 

[Denny Love]

@ski otter 2 great info! Thanks very much! The Hero Elite Plus will have to go towards the top of the list as well! You and @DocGKR both seem to really like them.

@markojp I agree! I thought the Deacon 84 would have been one of the more versatile options here!!

@Tom K. ha! I thought I might be venturing into dangerous territory with that one...

 

[noggin]

I will chime in for the Salomon Bold extremely verstile for hard and soft snow. My daily driver here in the east.

 

[Prosper]

Does anyone worry about going below 80 for the softer western conditions? Although I was out in Arrowhead / Beaver Creek last week, and we got some good snow, but it blew off the steep stuff fairly quickly in most places. The snow definitely didn’t feel soft there ha!!

I ski the Liberty V76 as my daily driver in CO in up to 6” of fresh. It’s awesome on soft groomers and soft snow. You shouldn’t be worried about a narrower ski on soft snow. It’ll trench just fine. When it gets deeper ski your Enforcers.

 

[trailtrimmer]

I ski the Liberty V76 as my daily driver in CO in up to 6” of fresh. It’s awesome on soft groomers and soft snow. You shouldn’t be worried about a narrower ski on soft snow. It’ll trench just fine. When it gets deeper ski your Enforcers.

A pair in 172 would be about right for his needs. The only thing working against the V76 is if you have to pay MSRP. You are looking at $900-1000 by the time you slap bindings on them and have them setup. You can easily find a good to go eRally or iRally for that much. The V76 is a little less approachable for intermediates compared to the Head frontside skis which are a little more compliant and forgiving while still able to rail.

If the correct size was still only $200 from sierra, it would be a no brainer.

 

[Denny Love]

Thank you for the recommendation @noggin, I’ll check these out!

@Prosper & @trailtrimmer I’ll keep an eye out for a V76 in 172. Sounds like this is a great ski! Maybe there’s another deal out there like the Sierra somewhere

 

[Prosper]

Thank you for the recommendation @noggin, I’ll check these out!

@Prosper & @trailtrimmer I’ll keep an eye out for a V76 in 172. Sounds like this is a great ski! Maybe there’s another deal out there like the Sierra somewhere

I love my V76. However, It might not be the right ski for you. I don’t demo skis so only know what I own. Others have made what sounds like really well thought out suggestions. My point is that you can certainly do absolutely fine with a sub-80mm ski as your narrow sticks in a 2SQ. Just pick one that is a bit more all mountain oriented than a pure firm snow specialist.

 

[trailtrimmer]

Thank you for the recommendation @noggin, I’ll check these out!

@Prosper & @trailtrimmer I’ll keep an eye out for a V76 in 172. Sounds like this is a great ski! Maybe there’s another deal out there like the Sierra somewhere

Please note that I mentioned that 172 would be the right size for you, but not sure it's the right ski. If you properly categorize yourself as an intermediate as per your first post, the V76 will be harder to extract potential from and it may hinder your progress. The Rally is a better entry point for you, and can carve just as hard as you progress.

You are really over thinking this too much, what you need is right here: https://www.skitalk.com/threads/2019-head-irally-supershape-170cm.22467/

 

[GB_Ski]

I have both V76 and i-Magnum. Never skied the Rally. I find V76 to be a good intermediate skis that don't require me to turn all the time to have fun. i-Magnum needs to be turned to come alive. I prefer i-Magnum to V76 when doing ski camp where technical skiing is required. I love V76 when cruising with my friends all over the mountain.

 

[Denny Love]

Thank you @Prosper!

Haha @trailtrimmer!!! I’m surely overthinking it! Can’t be the only one around here, though, can I? Thanks for the link. I’ve been watching that listing for sure.

Thank you for the comparison @GB_Ski!