Free Demo Day at Sun Valley. Gotta love free!! I’m 5’8 165 pounds and would probably be considered an upper intermediate skier. So, these reviews are from someone who’s not as skilled as most reviewers in both skiing and describing skis. Therefore, I’m probably not doing these skis the justice they deserve. My current ski is a 165 Dynastar Sultan 80.
Weather/Snow: 25-40 degrees. Conditions were quite hard in the morning with some stashes of wind-blown powder. Later in the day there was still hard snow with some excellent cream cheese sections. Groomer skis were probably the best choice, but I wanted to test some wider choices.
Runs: I skied each ski from top to bottom (3400 feet) sticking mainly to blue runs with short sections of black diamond connectors. I was primarily on the groomers due to conditions but ventured off on the sides to see how each would handle. I also skied each another ½ run from top to mid-mountain as the snow was better up top.
Head Kore 93 180cm: This was the first ski I got on. I was pleasantly surprised at how it was doing on the very hard groomers but not very energetic there. I was careful with my turns in the harder areas at first as I was washing out a bit. Once I got a feel, I knew what to expect. When I found some blown in powder, they came to life and were fantastic. I loved how light weight these skis were on foot. I handed them back thinking, “I could own these.”
Volkl 98 177: Another great, wider ski. Loved how light-weight these were. They didn’t hold an edge as well as the Kore 93 but I expected that. In the softer stuff, they were awesome. A bit slow for me edge to edge and not a great pick for the day. On a soft day, I think I would be very happy on these.
Volkl Kendo 177: Wow! I was ripping on this ski in both the hard and soft snow. No issues with edge hold at all, but I could easily skid some speed off if I needed to. I know this was a much better ski choice for the day, but they were so much better than the first two for me. They felt perfect. Full of energy and very precise. Felt light as well.
Head Kore 93 180 again: I grabbed these again to make sure it wasn’t just the changing conditions that made me think the Kendos were so awesome. Again, they were great and were holding an edge better as the snow softened but not wowing me as the Kendos did. Perhaps a tad long for me. On a softer day these would rock.
Enforcer 93 177: Awesome ski. Nice and damp. Held turns with ease. I could ski all shapes and skid some speed if needed and I needed to cause I was flying. I felt very confident on these. They like to go fast. They didn’t feel quite as good as the Kendos carving the groomers but were better off the groomers. Only gripe is that they felt a bit heavy on the feet but that is why they are so damp I suppose. Would probably get used to it. I could definitely own these.
Kastle FX 95 HP 173: My legs were toast at this point, and I had been trying to ignore that there was a Kastle or Stockli booth (why try something you can’t afford…..right) I wanted to jump on the Kendo one more time but it was out. I thought, “hey, you might as well.” This was the only 170 something left in the Kastle booth. Holy Moly, it was like I just drank a Redbull! I was flying on this ski and in total control. It felt perfect. I forgot how tired my legs were. Yes, the snow had mostly softened at this point so not the fairest comparison. Even so, this one was a winner. Only gripe is a bit of tip chatter. Didn’t affect performance, but the sound was a bit distracting. I got on the Kendo once more for a final run. Still awesome, but not quite Kastle awesome? Wish I could have tried the 181 version but that’s okay. I think that just a little big for me.
Wrapup: Wish I could have tried an SR 95, but they were gone the whole day (again, too expensive for me.) All these skis were great. Not a dud in the bunch. I would happily own any of them. I’m starting to see why people have ski quivers. The Enforcer and Kendo make the most sense for me in Sun Valley. I will probably end up buying a Kendo. They are popular here. I can easily find a gently used pair for a great price. Kastle was awesome, but twice the price better? Probably not. I shouldn't have skied that one
.
Weather/Snow: 25-40 degrees. Conditions were quite hard in the morning with some stashes of wind-blown powder. Later in the day there was still hard snow with some excellent cream cheese sections. Groomer skis were probably the best choice, but I wanted to test some wider choices.
Runs: I skied each ski from top to bottom (3400 feet) sticking mainly to blue runs with short sections of black diamond connectors. I was primarily on the groomers due to conditions but ventured off on the sides to see how each would handle. I also skied each another ½ run from top to mid-mountain as the snow was better up top.
Head Kore 93 180cm: This was the first ski I got on. I was pleasantly surprised at how it was doing on the very hard groomers but not very energetic there. I was careful with my turns in the harder areas at first as I was washing out a bit. Once I got a feel, I knew what to expect. When I found some blown in powder, they came to life and were fantastic. I loved how light weight these skis were on foot. I handed them back thinking, “I could own these.”
Volkl 98 177: Another great, wider ski. Loved how light-weight these were. They didn’t hold an edge as well as the Kore 93 but I expected that. In the softer stuff, they were awesome. A bit slow for me edge to edge and not a great pick for the day. On a soft day, I think I would be very happy on these.
Volkl Kendo 177: Wow! I was ripping on this ski in both the hard and soft snow. No issues with edge hold at all, but I could easily skid some speed off if I needed to. I know this was a much better ski choice for the day, but they were so much better than the first two for me. They felt perfect. Full of energy and very precise. Felt light as well.
Head Kore 93 180 again: I grabbed these again to make sure it wasn’t just the changing conditions that made me think the Kendos were so awesome. Again, they were great and were holding an edge better as the snow softened but not wowing me as the Kendos did. Perhaps a tad long for me. On a softer day these would rock.
Enforcer 93 177: Awesome ski. Nice and damp. Held turns with ease. I could ski all shapes and skid some speed if needed and I needed to cause I was flying. I felt very confident on these. They like to go fast. They didn’t feel quite as good as the Kendos carving the groomers but were better off the groomers. Only gripe is that they felt a bit heavy on the feet but that is why they are so damp I suppose. Would probably get used to it. I could definitely own these.
Kastle FX 95 HP 173: My legs were toast at this point, and I had been trying to ignore that there was a Kastle or Stockli booth (why try something you can’t afford…..right) I wanted to jump on the Kendo one more time but it was out. I thought, “hey, you might as well.” This was the only 170 something left in the Kastle booth. Holy Moly, it was like I just drank a Redbull! I was flying on this ski and in total control. It felt perfect. I forgot how tired my legs were. Yes, the snow had mostly softened at this point so not the fairest comparison. Even so, this one was a winner. Only gripe is a bit of tip chatter. Didn’t affect performance, but the sound was a bit distracting. I got on the Kendo once more for a final run. Still awesome, but not quite Kastle awesome? Wish I could have tried the 181 version but that’s okay. I think that just a little big for me.
Wrapup: Wish I could have tried an SR 95, but they were gone the whole day (again, too expensive for me.) All these skis were great. Not a dud in the bunch. I would happily own any of them. I’m starting to see why people have ski quivers. The Enforcer and Kendo make the most sense for me in Sun Valley. I will probably end up buying a Kendo. They are popular here. I can easily find a gently used pair for a great price. Kastle was awesome, but twice the price better? Probably not. I shouldn't have skied that one
.
.
