Kicker is a relatively new ski manufacturer from Washington … D.C., that is -- you know, the center of the ski design universe. Yes, we really didn’t expect skis to come from the District of Columbia either, but don’t click away yet. Think about Mid-Atlantic skiing: 500- to 1,000-ft vertical hills of snow usually groomed with a Zamboni, and the trails that aren't groomed with an ice shaver are usually covered in bumps.
Many independent ski manufacturers have come to market over the years, and the common theme is that their skis tended to be well over 100mm underfoot. This is an area where Kicker differs dramatically. Kicker offers the 75mm Filibuster, the 86mm P.O.T.U.S., the 92mm Furlough Friday, and a 90mm park ski, the Flight Deck. All sizes posted are the reference sizes. Kicker builds its skis proportionately, so the book-end lengths will have the same on-snow feel as the middle ones, a philosophy not used by enough manufacturers. Kudos to @kickerfrank and @KickerPaul. Kicker has created skis for the conditions that the average skier actually skis rather than the conditions they dream of skiing. What a concept.
The P.O.T.U.S. is Kicker's asymmetric 86mm All-Mountain ski. I took the skis over to Truckee Ski Works, and Soren gave them a new tune with 1°/2° edge angles. He was pretty impressed with the quality of the ski, pointing out that the bases were nice and flat, which is almost a luxury with some small manufacturers. I believe a lot went into the design process since they have used carbon fiber stringers, poplar/maple core, and Countervail damping system in the construction. I mounted the skis with some Tyrolia Attack 13 demo bindings, which not only ski well and adjust easily, but most important allow us to move the binding fore and aft in order to play with the center point. After a fresh coat of wax, the skis were ready to go.
How do they ski? Conditions at Northstar that afternoon were perfect; the snow was cold and chalky, and a variety of terrain was open, from groomer zoomers to nice-sized bumps on the backside. I found the P.O.T.U.S. to be happiest in the bumps and crud on the sides of the backside trails and along the tree line. It pivoted easily through the bumps and had no problem transitioning from the troughs to the tops of moguls. Its construction kept the ski quiet when I hit crud and older snow hidden underneath. I really think the P.O.T.U.S. will be at home in the trees and bumps of the Northeast, just what it was bred for. On the groomers, it was more comfortable in medium to longer S-shaped turns.
I think Kicker is onto something with its ski design, and the P.O.T.U.S. is a fine start, a much better initial offering than most new manufacturers put forth. I am excited to see what is coming in the future. Look for @Tricia's review on the Filibuster as soon as she gets out on it.
MANUFACTURER'S SITE: Kicker Snowsports
PRODUCT PAGE: Kicker P.O.T.U.S.
Many independent ski manufacturers have come to market over the years, and the common theme is that their skis tended to be well over 100mm underfoot. This is an area where Kicker differs dramatically. Kicker offers the 75mm Filibuster, the 86mm P.O.T.U.S., the 92mm Furlough Friday, and a 90mm park ski, the Flight Deck. All sizes posted are the reference sizes. Kicker builds its skis proportionately, so the book-end lengths will have the same on-snow feel as the middle ones, a philosophy not used by enough manufacturers. Kudos to @kickerfrank and @KickerPaul. Kicker has created skis for the conditions that the average skier actually skis rather than the conditions they dream of skiing. What a concept.
The P.O.T.U.S. is Kicker's asymmetric 86mm All-Mountain ski. I took the skis over to Truckee Ski Works, and Soren gave them a new tune with 1°/2° edge angles. He was pretty impressed with the quality of the ski, pointing out that the bases were nice and flat, which is almost a luxury with some small manufacturers. I believe a lot went into the design process since they have used carbon fiber stringers, poplar/maple core, and Countervail damping system in the construction. I mounted the skis with some Tyrolia Attack 13 demo bindings, which not only ski well and adjust easily, but most important allow us to move the binding fore and aft in order to play with the center point. After a fresh coat of wax, the skis were ready to go.
How do they ski? Conditions at Northstar that afternoon were perfect; the snow was cold and chalky, and a variety of terrain was open, from groomer zoomers to nice-sized bumps on the backside. I found the P.O.T.U.S. to be happiest in the bumps and crud on the sides of the backside trails and along the tree line. It pivoted easily through the bumps and had no problem transitioning from the troughs to the tops of moguls. Its construction kept the ski quiet when I hit crud and older snow hidden underneath. I really think the P.O.T.U.S. will be at home in the trees and bumps of the Northeast, just what it was bred for. On the groomers, it was more comfortable in medium to longer S-shaped turns.
I think Kicker is onto something with its ski design, and the P.O.T.U.S. is a fine start, a much better initial offering than most new manufacturers put forth. I am excited to see what is coming in the future. Look for @Tricia's review on the Filibuster as soon as she gets out on it.
- Who is it for? Kicker hit the nail on the head for an East Coast ski that is fun in trees and bumps.
- Who is it not for? Short-turn carvers: the P.O.T.U.S. will slarve a short turn but not carve it; I am guessing this is who the Filibuster is for.
- Insider tip: Mount +1cm and make sure you have a good tune.
MANUFACTURER'S SITE: Kicker Snowsports
PRODUCT PAGE: Kicker P.O.T.U.S.
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