Had the big “Powder ski demo day” from my own quiver to decide which ski to take with me out West for my month long trip. 183cm CT 2.0 are the perfect daily driver there but found the 190cm Wildcats a lot of work when some tree runs led to firm moguls in spots.
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Started with the 184cm CT 3.0(Attack 17/-1.5cm from CT line-about -6.7cm from Center) skis and they are MUCH improved with latest grind/tune to finally get them flat. Gripped the firm snow to start the day and felt very stable and planted while still being fun at lower speeds. Took just a few turns to get used to them Vs the CT 2.0 I was out on Monday.
Switched to the 190cm CT 3.0(Attack 13 mounted -1.25cm from CT or about -6.5cm from Center) next with the longer radius and increased stability very noticeable. Needed a bit more speed to “come alive” Vs the 184cm and felt more serious and a bit less playful. VERY stable and planted ski. Actually has a heavier swing weight than the BO 118 with its longer length, further back mount and thicker side walls near the tip/tail.
Moved to the 186cm Blackops 118(Attack 13 mounted -2.5cm from rec/-5cm from Center) next and you instantly feel the softer tips/tails with rubber damping sucking up vibrations more. They feel more like a 21 CT 2.0 in that regard but feel just like a slightly wider, heavier 184cm CT 3.0 that you’ve “moved the mount up a bit” when it comes to carving and stability. Instantly felt at home on them and felt easier at lower speeds Vs the longer CT 3.0.
The turning radius is definitely in the 21m range like Soothski.com measured and think even the 184cm CT 3.0 is more comfortable going straight. Of course they don’t have the weight(2200gr Vs 2480gr) or damping like the BO 118(or CT 2.0 or CT 1.0) have.
For myself this is perfect as they are all plenty stable at speed but the shorter CT 3.0 or BO 118 don’t require much speed to still be very fun on groomers. Like the CT 3.0 they carve amazing with lots of grip as I have a sharp 1/3 tune on them too after a base grind to flatten them.
My -2.5cm from rec mount felt similar to the CT line on an CT ski and could easily see choosing -3cm to get a bit more stability and float out of them. Initiated turns very easily there and don’t think I’d want to be anymore forward than -2cm from rec on them unless you’re skiing switch very often.
Went to the 190cm 21 Wildcat(Attack 16 mounted -6cm factory rec line) next and instantly felt the lighter weight and decreased damping Vs the BO 118. Also notice the insane stability going straight with its 27m
turn radius and much higher “minimum”
speed to be fun on groomers. Because Moments are catchy unless you only sharpen to the contact points, the decreased edge grip was apparent on firm or marbled groomers Vs the previous skis. These skis were a blast when hauling on groomers but not as fun as the others in bumps or at lower speeds. Flex pattern is the stiffest of the bunch with only the extreme tips/tails softer. Perfect ski for flying through tracked conditions but less forgiving.
So I’m taking the BO 118 with me as it’s the super fun 184cm CT 3.0 that’s wider and heavier but doesn’t feel like it’s much wider or much heavier. Really feels like a 21 CT 3.75 like I had wished.
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