Here is the first of many segments of 2020 ski reviews.
Dynastar Menace 98
Dimensions: 132-98-120
Radius: 23m@181cm
Sizes: 169, 175, 181, 187
Size tested: 181
Design: Mostly New
The Menace 98 is in that playful, youth-oriented 98 range at a price point hundreds less than many other options. Dynastar went back to a proven design to offer the Menace, or as one rep calls it, “the Menache.” If you are looking for a ski that won’t break the bank for that tweenager who just keeps growing and won’t embarrass them with their posse or crew or whatever the kids call their compadres of late, look no further.
K2 Mindbender 90Ti
Dimensions: 127-90-114
Radius: 17.9m@177cm
Sizes: 163, 170, 177, 184
Size tested: 177
Design: All New
Yes, the word on the street is true, the new Mindbenders are the real deal. The 90Ti is just a solid ski, a working-class, lunchpail-carrying, blue collar ski. It clocks in on the first turn of the day and keeps its head down and doesn’t stop until your legs give out on the last turn. K2’s Y-beam Titanal construction starts the turn with a solid feel and allows you to make whatever shape you want. K2 just nailed this new collection.
K2 Mindbender 99Ti
Dimensions: 138-99-123
Radius: 18.5m@184cm
Sizes: 170, 177, 184, 191
Size tested: 177
Design: All New
See Long-Term Review HERE.
Kästle FX96 HP
Dimensions: 133-96-119
Radius: 18.1m@180cm
Sizes: 172, 180, 188
Size tested: 180
Design: All New
The FX96 is a ski on many people's radar. This replaces the outgoing FX95/FX95 HP, which was somewhat polarizing, ie people either loved or liked it (very few haters). The all-new metal-less Tri-Tech and all-new 3D shape will bring any fence-sitters into the the "love it" category. The new FX96 HP takes the best of the previous FXs: it has the precision of the FX94 and the playfulness and ease of the FX95 HP, and really you cannot ask for more that -- but wait, yes you can! How about a new, lower price?
Liberty Evolv 90
Dimensions: 132-90-114
Radius: 18.5m@179cm
Sizes: 165, 172, 179, 186
Size tested: 179
Design: All New
The Evolv was a pleasure to ski. Liberty integrated its VMT (Vertical Metal Technology) into a shape that is more akin to the traditional Origin than the newer V-Series skis, but dang it all goes together like peanut butter and jelly. The Evolv 90 is on par with mainstream contenders like the Brahma, Kendo, and even the upcoming Mindbender 90Ti. Liberty is showing that it really deserves to be at the adult table.
Line Vision 98
Dimensions: 131-98-119
Radius: 18m@179cm
Sizes: 172, 179, 186
Size tested: 179
Design: All New
Like some other skis for this coming season, get rid of your preconceived perceptions of Line and how a light ski should ski. Yes, the Vision 98 is definitely on the lighter side, but its unique construction has a dampened feeling that allows it to hold well on the firm yet remain playful enough to be flicked around. This is not a Supernatural but a ski that has a much more playful personality.
Rossignol Black Ops 98
Dimensions: Unpublished
Radius: Unpublished
Sizes: 162, 172, 182, 192
Size tested: 182
Design: All New
Many of our testers got on the Black Ops at Copper and raved about this originally shop-only and now production model. I have to say, the ski is damn fun. The Black Ops is a playful 98, a great alternative to the mainstream options. If you are looking for something different, give it a spin: like our testers, you might be pleasantly surprised.
Salomon QST 99
Dimensions: 134-99-116
Radius: 19.4m@181cm
Sizes: 167, 174, 181, 188
Size tested: 181
Design: All New
It is tough to change the image of a ski, once it is labeled finesse ... or power, or easy, or demanding, or whatever. Why do I say this? Well, when the QST 99 came out a few years ago, it was one of the lightest and easiest skis to ski, but at a cost. The ski's reaction in crud and at speed was its Achilles heel. For 2019, Salomon went back to the drawing board and reinvented the whole QST collection, on both the men’s and women’s side of the wall. Yes, the names stay the same; we are talking about the evolution of the series in both shape and construction, but the differences can be felt more in the latter. Along with changing the wood layup, Salomon replaced the light-feeling Koroyd in the tip with cork, and that's what really changes its character. The all-new QST 99 has a much stronger feel due to the dampening of the cork. The new QST feels more like the old Q-Lab, a ski that villages wrote ballads about.
Dynastar Menace 98
Dimensions: 132-98-120
Radius: 23m@181cm
Sizes: 169, 175, 181, 187
Size tested: 181
Design: Mostly New
The Menace 98 is in that playful, youth-oriented 98 range at a price point hundreds less than many other options. Dynastar went back to a proven design to offer the Menace, or as one rep calls it, “the Menache.” If you are looking for a ski that won’t break the bank for that tweenager who just keeps growing and won’t embarrass them with their posse or crew or whatever the kids call their compadres of late, look no further.
- Who is it for? Cheapskates ... oops, sorry, the budget-conscious ... who want a good, playful ski.
- Who is it not for? Chargers, you might need more.
- Insider tip: Yes, there is some familiarity with a previous model.
K2 Mindbender 90Ti
Dimensions: 127-90-114
Radius: 17.9m@177cm
Sizes: 163, 170, 177, 184
Size tested: 177
Design: All New
Yes, the word on the street is true, the new Mindbenders are the real deal. The 90Ti is just a solid ski, a working-class, lunchpail-carrying, blue collar ski. It clocks in on the first turn of the day and keeps its head down and doesn’t stop until your legs give out on the last turn. K2’s Y-beam Titanal construction starts the turn with a solid feel and allows you to make whatever shape you want. K2 just nailed this new collection.
- Who is it for? Your apple pie option in a buffet of European contenders.
- Who is it not for? Can’t really think of anyone.
- Insider tip: Seriously, K2 hasn’t had a collection this good in this segment in this century.
K2 Mindbender 99Ti
Dimensions: 138-99-123
Radius: 18.5m@184cm
Sizes: 170, 177, 184, 191
Size tested: 177
Design: All New
See Long-Term Review HERE.
Kästle FX96 HP
Dimensions: 133-96-119
Radius: 18.1m@180cm
Sizes: 172, 180, 188
Size tested: 180
Design: All New
The FX96 is a ski on many people's radar. This replaces the outgoing FX95/FX95 HP, which was somewhat polarizing, ie people either loved or liked it (very few haters). The all-new metal-less Tri-Tech and all-new 3D shape will bring any fence-sitters into the the "love it" category. The new FX96 HP takes the best of the previous FXs: it has the precision of the FX94 and the playfulness and ease of the FX95 HP, and really you cannot ask for more that -- but wait, yes you can! How about a new, lower price?
- Who is it for? A skier looking for versatility in the 90-something category with the Nth degree of refinement.
- Who is it not for? Kästles are not for everyone; some cannot justify the premium price. That's fine, there are viable options at lower price points.
- Insider tip: I find it odd that every other FX model is available in a 160-something length including the FX116 (165), but this is the only FX that is not, and it will very well be the volume leader. Plus, the mold is already there for the women’s version. Missed opportunity.
Liberty Evolv 90
Dimensions: 132-90-114
Radius: 18.5m@179cm
Sizes: 165, 172, 179, 186
Size tested: 179
Design: All New
The Evolv was a pleasure to ski. Liberty integrated its VMT (Vertical Metal Technology) into a shape that is more akin to the traditional Origin than the newer V-Series skis, but dang it all goes together like peanut butter and jelly. The Evolv 90 is on par with mainstream contenders like the Brahma, Kendo, and even the upcoming Mindbender 90Ti. Liberty is showing that it really deserves to be at the adult table.
- Who is it for? Again, like the other Liberties we have tested of late, the noncomformist.
- Who is it not for? Those with with old thinking; Liberty is on a roll and it's not waiting for you.
- Insider tip: Between this and the V92, I am glad I don’t have to decide.
Line Vision 98
Dimensions: 131-98-119
Radius: 18m@179cm
Sizes: 172, 179, 186
Size tested: 179
Design: All New
Like some other skis for this coming season, get rid of your preconceived perceptions of Line and how a light ski should ski. Yes, the Vision 98 is definitely on the lighter side, but its unique construction has a dampened feeling that allows it to hold well on the firm yet remain playful enough to be flicked around. This is not a Supernatural but a ski that has a much more playful personality.
- Who is it for? Weight weenies who are tired of sacrificing performance.
- Who is it not for? Bigger 11/10th skiers; no worries, there is still the Supernatural 100.
- Insider tip: Crank your bindings up a bit, because if you lose this all-white ski on a powder day, it might take a while to find it.
Rossignol Black Ops 98
Dimensions: Unpublished
Radius: Unpublished
Sizes: 162, 172, 182, 192
Size tested: 182
Design: All New
Many of our testers got on the Black Ops at Copper and raved about this originally shop-only and now production model. I have to say, the ski is damn fun. The Black Ops is a playful 98, a great alternative to the mainstream options. If you are looking for something different, give it a spin: like our testers, you might be pleasantly surprised.
- Who is it for? Skiers who think this sport should be fun.
- Who is it not for? 11/10th skiers; bigger skiers need to size up.
- Insider tip: With 10cm increments, some will fall in between sizes.
Salomon QST 99
Dimensions: 134-99-116
Radius: 19.4m@181cm
Sizes: 167, 174, 181, 188
Size tested: 181
Design: All New
It is tough to change the image of a ski, once it is labeled finesse ... or power, or easy, or demanding, or whatever. Why do I say this? Well, when the QST 99 came out a few years ago, it was one of the lightest and easiest skis to ski, but at a cost. The ski's reaction in crud and at speed was its Achilles heel. For 2019, Salomon went back to the drawing board and reinvented the whole QST collection, on both the men’s and women’s side of the wall. Yes, the names stay the same; we are talking about the evolution of the series in both shape and construction, but the differences can be felt more in the latter. Along with changing the wood layup, Salomon replaced the light-feeling Koroyd in the tip with cork, and that's what really changes its character. The all-new QST 99 has a much stronger feel due to the dampening of the cork. The new QST feels more like the old Q-Lab, a ski that villages wrote ballads about.
- Who is it for? Those who want a light and damp ski, a rare combination.
- Who is it not for? Those who want a loose tip? Sorry, I'm stretching.
- Insider tip: It has unique sizing options in a class where some can fall in between sizes.