Yes, reviewing gear is tough, with so many skis to test and such little time to do it. Traditional review platforms like magazines and even some online sites set up stringent categories for submitting skis, so not everything gets its time in the sun. Combined with the fact that manufacturers want to promote certain models, sometimes great skis just fall through the cracks. Some brands even state in their dealer catalogs which models are to be featured, which means 90% of stores will have the same skis on the wall. I have seen shop buyers sit down at shows and ask reps which skis they are sending the magazines because they think those are the only ones people will ask for. To me, that's shortchanging your customer. During some last-minute research for this list, I contacted a rep to clarify some dimensions, and he asked, “Why are you doing that ski? None of my shops even ordered it.” What a shame -- they are missing out on a great ski at a steal of a price.
Hard-Snow Frontside
K2 Charger
$749
Dimensions: 127-76-107
Radius: 17m@175cm
"The Charger goes back to K2’s heritage of making great frontside skis -- think of them as the modern-day 610 COMP." --PhilpugHead Super Joy
$699
Dimensions*: 128-75-108Radius: 12.5m@163cm
"The Super Joy is a really amazing frontside ski that will definitely make her -- dare I say it? -- joyful when she's carving it up." --Tricia
All-Mountain Frontside
Atomic Vantage X W80 CTi
$799 (includes binding)
Dimensions*: 125-80-110
Radius: 15.2m@173cm
"Easy turn initiation and smooth transitions make this a great choice for women searching for some of the same fun they’ve had on the wider Vantage skis." --Tricia
Atomic Vantage X 80 CTi
$799 (includes binding)
Dimensions*: 122-80-102
Radius: 15.5m@159cm
"When demoing, try two sizes based on the turn shape desired." --Philpug
The narrow half of a two-ski quiver is the segment that almost every manufacturer is going after; they are realizing that hard-snow performance needs a fine balance of ease and versatility. What separates the Vantage X 80 CTi from the rest of this highly contested class are two things: price and binding. A street price of $799 as a system makes the 80 CTi a stellar deal, and it's only another $50 to upgrade to the 83mm version. Second, many brands compromise on the binding, but Atomic ups the ante by integrating the very good Warden 13, the only binding in this range of a ski and price point that is 13 DIN and MNC (multi-norm certified, i.e., it will accommodate DIN, WTR, and AT soles. Doing some quick math, usually the Warden is a $279 binding; taking that from the $799 package price leaves $520. The Vantage 80 CTi is in no way a $520 ski; it is easily a $599 to $649 ski. Did Atomic mess up in pricing? Not sure, but if so, their mistake is your gain. The Vantage X 80 CTi is the steal of the 2017 Steals & Deals. *scaled sizing
Volkl Yumi
$549
Dimensions: 125-83-103
Radius: 17.1m@161cm
"Watch out Aura and Kenja, your little sister has been stealing that attention that you've been accustomed to." --Tricia$549
Dimensions: 125-83-103
Radius: 17.1m@161cm
All-Mountain Backside
Armada Victa 87Ti
$599
Dimensions*: 126-86-118 $599
Radius: 16.5m@163cm
"I was blown away by this ski. It turns quickly, holds an edge on hardpack, and rips through the moguls without a second thought. This Armada for grown-ups made me feel like a kid again." --Tricia
Armada Invicta 89Ti
$599
Radius: 17.5m@179cm
"If you want a Kästle FX85 HP but balk at the price, buy this instead." --SBrown
Blizzard Black Pearl
$599
Dimensions: 123-88-108
Radius: 17m@166cm
"The overwhelming consensus is that they're lighter, a bit quicker, and more responsive than the previous versions without sacrificing what's made them such popular skis" --SkiEssentials
$599
Dimensions: 123-88-108
Radius: 17m@166cm
"The overwhelming consensus is that they're lighter, a bit quicker, and more responsive than the previous versions without sacrificing what's made them such popular skis" --SkiEssentials
Soul Rider 87
$499
Dimensions: 124-87-114 $499
Radius: 16.7m@177cm
"Our employees who like to split their time between park skiing and all-mountain shredding are psyched about the new Soul Rider 87." --SkiEssentials
The 98th Percentile
Blizzard Samba
$649
Dimensions: 131-98-116
Radius: 19m@166cm
"The 2017 Samba comes with a fresh new look and updated construction, and now a ski I’ve loved for 4 years is even better. This new build makes the Samba perfect for women who want a nimble ski that can still charge the mountain." --Tricia
Nordica Soul Rider
$599
Dimensions: 134-97-124
Radius: 16.5m@177cm
"The Soul Rider returns for 2017 with a new look but the same playfulness that has created a loyal following." --Philpug
Salomon QST 99
$599
Dimensions*: 138-99-120
Radius: 19.4m@181cm
"I found myself hucking off small jumps in places I would normally hesitate due to the tracked-out crud below." --UGASkiDawg
Dimensions*: 138-99-120
Radius: 19.4m@181cm
"I found myself hucking off small jumps in places I would normally hesitate due to the tracked-out crud below." --UGASkiDawg
The QST’s predecessor, the Quest 98, was a winner in years past, but this new QST collection shows that Salomon is back to making skis for skiers, not just for people who ski. The QST keeps the playfulness of the Quests, but when pushed, exhibits some of the design philosophy of the Q-Lab. How Salomon is selling the QST 99 for $599 is beyond me when almost every other ski in the class is $50 to $100 more. Whatever they lose on each ski in profit, I am sure they are hoping to make up in volume. *scaled sizingVölkl 90Eight W
$649
Dimensions: 133-98-116
Radius: 15.9m@163cm
"What a surprise! This ski lives for the manky, chopped-up snow but then is able to hit the groomers with finesse." --SkiNurse
$649
Dimensions: 133-98-116
Radius: 15.9m@163cm
"What a surprise! This ski lives for the manky, chopped-up snow but then is able to hit the groomers with finesse." --SkiNurse
Völkl 90Eight
$649
Radius: 20.1m@177cm
"WOW! Völkl is not the first ski I think of for my skiing, but maybe it should be." --Ron
One Oh Somethings
Völkl 100Eight W
$699
Dimensions: 141-108-124
Radius: 16.7m@165cm
"Who is this ski for? Me! Me-me-me-me-me …. (Yeah, there is already a pair sitting in my ski room.)" --SBrown
Völkl 100Eight
$699
Dimensions: 141-108-124
Radius: 22m@181cm
"Skis narrower on the groomed and wider in powder. How'd they do that?" --Drahtguy Kevin
The 100Eights are the new reference ski in the One Oh Something category, the skis all others are measured against, and on both the power and finesse sides. This is quite an accomplishment in any segment, particularly this one. The 100Eights have zero camber, but you'd never know it on firm snow; they really pop. Even with very little sidecut, they are still quick. They are skis that bely everything -- including a high price tag. We call that a winner.
Powder
DPS Yvette 112RP2 Foundation
$799
Dimensions: 142-112-128
Radius: 15m@178cm
"Yvette gets me ... well, let's just say, Yvette and I get along real well." --Tricia
DPS Wailer 112RP2 Foundation
$799
Dimensions: 142-112-128
Radius: 15m@178cm
"Wailer 112s are still the reference to what all other powder skis are compared against." --Philpug
DPS is not a company that rests on its laurels, and the new Wailer/Yvette design is the proof. The original Wailer redefined the "all-mountain powder ski," and now the RP2 has moved it ahead of the curve. The combination of the RP2 and the Foundation construction brings DPS's innovative powder ski to a price point even the average consumer can afford -- which is what "Steals & Deals" is all about.
Premium
Kästle FX85
$849
Dimensions: 119-85-108
Radius: 17m@173cm
"After testing the new Kästle FX85 last SIA, I told Mr. Davenport, 'It’s like cheating!' — so quick and easy to ski, super fun in bumps yet handled both groomed and light crud with ease." --SBrown
At $849, this Kästle may not sound like a steal, but it's a hell of a deal! The non-metal FX85 for some reason isn't as prevalent as the FX85 HP (the same can be said for the FX95), but it is an all-mountain weapon that is plenty of ski for the vast majority of skiers. Where it gives up some cruise-missile stability at high speed, it gains maneuverability, nimbleness, and ease in the bumps.
DPS Foundation Collection
$799
It is easier for a manufacturer to come down market than it is to move up. DPS succeeded in this transition by bringing its proven and successful collection of shapes to an obtainable price point. The Foundation collection ranges from the hard-snow-specific Cassiar 82 and Uschi 82 to the surfboard-sized Lotus 124, with the Wailers and sisters Nina, Zelda, and Yvette falling in between. In addition to being beautifully crafted skis, the Foundation series has arguably the best graphics theme throughout a collection.
________________________________________
*Scaled sizing: Some manufacturers go the extra distance in their designs by “scaling” their sizing, which makes the different sizes of skis proportionate. We will discuss this more on a future talk show.
Example:
Boots
Lange RX/RS/XT/SX/XT Freetour
$399 and up
Disclaimer: Yes, we know, boots should NOT be bought on the basis of price.
"On-snow feel is very natural. Lange’s modern upright stance is perfect, and not a bit of the energy that you bring to the ski is lost." --Philpug
Lange has a collection that, up to this year, covered (almost) every alpine need, from soft entry-level boots for narrow feet to 130-flex boots for cinder blocks, from junior models to World Cup plug molds with lace-up liners. Truly, Lange offers everything in this proven shell design. For 2017, Lange completes its boot model domination by adding a serious contender to the AT world with the XT Freetour. In true Lange fashion, the Freetour is available in a multitude of flexes and widths. And there is more: Lange will offer WTR as an option on most of its boots, backwards compatible to many of its previous boots as well. The true measure of a boot deal is not price but fit, and there is a very good chance that Lange has a boot that fits you.
Bindings
Atomic/Salomon Warden 11
$179
Salomon/Atomic is going for the jugular of the top-selling binding in the segment with the new transverse-spring Warden 11. What separates the Warden from the class is the beefy toe shared with its big brother, the Warden 13 (less the multi-norm compatibility) combined with a heel with a huge adjustment range that is very easy to click into.$179
Marker M11.0 TC EPS
$149
Marker returns with the M11.0 at the very competitive $149 price point. This over-engineered TC heel is basically the same one Marker has used on its race bindings for years; it was used on heels up to 14 DIN, so you know it is substantially built. If you need a very good binding for a 90mm ski or less, this is a great way to save some money.
Tyrolia Attack 12
$179
For the ladies. This is basically the same as the 13DIN Attack 13, but in a white/mint color motif. Not that bindings can tell if there is a guy or girl clicked in, but this is a killer deal for the ladies.
Pricing disclaimer: Please note, prices shown are MAP (minimum advertised price); some shops might offer these products at MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price). Brands vary as to how they advertise these prices, so we have not included the specific .00, .95, .99 endings.
Last edited by a moderator: