I’d be very interested in any advice anyone can give me about the laser SC. I’ve been mulling it over for a while, and I think it is probably what I’m after. However, I am torn between the 163 and the 170 lengths. I demoed the stormrider 88 in 177 and 170, and the laser AX in 175 earlier this year. The laser AX felt a bit long in tight situations, and I couldn’t demo the 167. The stormrider felt good in both lengths, so I eventually went for the 177, and I’ve been delighted with it. I’m now looking for something a little more hard piste specific to replace a 168cm Salomon Enduro XT 800 from about 2012, which is still basically alright, but which has always felt a little cumbersome. Having been extremely impressed by Stockli, I had been thinking that the laser AX in 167 would be that ski, but on reflection, I think it might be too similar to the Stormrider. Hence my interest in the laser SC. I have read every single review and discussion I can find, including several here and on Epic (before it died). Dawgcatching’s review of the ski, especially his description of it as ‘frontside carver capable of all-mountain conditions’, makes it sound almost perfect. I could wait and find a demo next season, but there are some reasonable offers to be had right now (especially on the 170).
I’m 5’10, but I’m light – 145lbs – advanced but no expert, mid 40s, fit, ski about 40 days a season. For deeper snow I also have the Enforcer 100 in 177cm, which I’m very happy with. I’ve recently spent some time on a Fischer Ranger 90 172cm (too short), and a Volkl 90eight 170cm (didn’t really feel too short, but it did bounce me around a bit). All totally different skis to the laser SC, obviously, but I thought I’d mention some other recent experiences in the interests of full disclosure. Other than the AX, I can’t remember skiing anything narrower than 80mm in recent years other than a pair of atomics that I can’t really remember anything about. I ski entirely in the Alps, and my local mountains go from 1200m to 3000m, so I need some versatility, especially towards spring. I don’t spend much time going very fast, but I like knowing I can if I want to. However, it absolutely has to be manageable at lower speeds for when I’m with my daughter. Bumps aren’t exactly a priority, but, again, it’s nice not to specifically avoid them...
So, 163 or 170 in the laser SC? Am I just going to be between sizes? Am I wrong to think the AX will be too similar to the Stormrider? Any help anyone could offer would be most welcome!