Stöckli SR95 or SR88 for ski touring

[vilu]

Hello, I'm new in the forum but reading the reviews for a while with great interest.

Me: 57, 6'0" 176lb. I'm skiing in the Swiss and Austrian alps. My everyday on-piste ski is a Laser SL for many years. A few years ago I started with ski-touring and bought 2013 an SR95 in 183cm with a pin-binding.

I would rate my skiing technique quite skilled, but off-piste I'm missing a bit of experience by 10 to max.15 days touring/off-piste skiing per year. I prefer short to medium turns in moderate speed.

The SR95 is fine for soft snow, crud and powder. But as the touring boots lost a bit their fit on hard packed it's difficult to control the stiff ski while carving at speed. I will first look for a new boot (Technica Zero G / Scarpa Maestrale RS). I'm aware that they will never be as precise as my alpine boots (Technica Mach 130). Therefore I wonder if my next ski should be an SR88 in 177. I expect it to be more versatile in all aspects and it would also be easier for climbing. The only thing I'm a little bit scared is how SR88 works in crud snow or powder compared to the new SR95.

Thanks for your advices.

 

[Josh Matta]

not sure why would want a ski with metal to ski tour with? if you must go with a Metal stockli I would stick with the 183cm SR95. Short skis will make balance harder and not easier. If you get a liner for your touring boots, the ones you have should fine.

AS for the boots as someone who owns a maestrale and Mach 130, the maestrale has far better power transmission to the snow. I know that sounds strange but if my Maestrales were canted I would prefer them over my Mach 130s.

 

[vilu]

Hi Josh, thanks for your reply.

I know there are more specialized skies for ski touring. My decision for Stöckli might not be fully rational and it will force me to do some extra-miles on the bike ;-). I prefer descend-oriented stable skies and will use it for off-piste days or soft snow on-piste, not only for touring. My quiver shall be limited to 2 pairs.

Yes, SR95 183 will provide better balance compared to SR88 177. With SR88 I hope to make climbing easier espicially as my hips are not the most flexibles in swithbacks. But would I loose too much of descend quality? Or could it get compensated with an improved technique?

I doubt that my boots can get saved with a new liner. The lower buckles need to be closed too hard and I'm no longer happy with the flex. Therefore I'm looking for a modern and lighter ski-boot. I'm glad to hear that your Maestrale shows such a good transmission. Probably my current SR95 will work for one or two more seasons with new boots.