So, the snow hasn't even started and I find myself gazing at the ski wall and wondering if I need to pick up another pair of sticks, because...well...reasons.
Northern VT home turf:
Liberty V76 (179) holds my CarvyMcCarv Carv slot.
DPS Cassiar 87 (184) (Alchemist) is the daily driver at this point - bumps, hard snow trees, groomers, no new snow past 7 days.
J The Metal (186) Go to ski for all things Feb-Mar unless we just get no snow for a week. Trees, crud, launching myself off things I'm too old for.
DPS Wailer 112 (184) Touring and powda fun. Really ought to be on a 189, but the pro deal was for a 184, so I manage. Tree skiing god sticks.
I used to have a DPS Cassiar Foundation 95 in 185 but I unloaded them last year. I kind of regret it, but it just didn't feel all that different from the Cassiar 87 and the F95 didn't seem to do anything I didn't already have covered.
The old man has a set of Rossi Experience 94Ti sticks I can borrow at will, but they're 180s and I'm not excited about them. I can give it a shot, I suppose.
The problem set is that I love my Metals, but they're heavy-ish and seem to beat my knee up a little more than I like. I think it's the width when I'm on harder snow, but I can't confirm. My right knee seems to get annoyed when exposed to lost of twisty/torsional loads. I've never felt any pain on the Wailers, but I also rarely ski them on anything hard or at high speed.
When I look at what I've got, I think what I lack is something for those days when I'm skiing solo and want to put on the headphones, crank Volbeat, and set phasers to destroy. I don't necessarily need to plow through everything in my way, but I am looking for something ready to make GS-ish turns through variable conditions and inspire my confidence. I will trade "pop" and "liveliness" in this ski as I got that pretty covered everywhere else.
Finally, I am a cheap bastard. Not that I won't spend a higher dollar amount, but that I am allergic to paying full retail. I will chase used gear, go to swaps and hunt Craigslist for a deal. Clearance and I are best friends. Also, I have an affinity for smaller manufacturers. For example, the obvious answer to my problem is a Mantra. But I just don't like being just like everyone else.
Candidates thus far:
Kastle FX96 HP in 188. There are some deals on last year's ski out there. Question - worth it to try to wait for a deal on this year's sticks with metal?
Renoun Endurance 98 in 191. Vermonter Day might make this happen, but the discount will have to be more than just a little.
DPS Cassiar Foundation 94 in 193. I know a guy offloading a set of these who barely used them. But, didn't I just get rid of this ski for being too much like my other stuff?
DPS Powderworks Wailer 100 C2 in 184. Again, I know a like new set for sale but, same objections as the F94, and it's maybe short?
Stockli Stormrider 95 in 193. Might be perfect, but good luck finding a deal. Just suck it up? The idea of paying retail makes my skin burn.
J Masterblaster in 187. Too much like The Metals I already have?
What am I missing out on? I'm a patient man, I'll stalk the right ski for a deal for however long it takes, but it helps to know what I'm looking for.
Northern VT home turf:
Liberty V76 (179) holds my CarvyMcCarv Carv slot.
DPS Cassiar 87 (184) (Alchemist) is the daily driver at this point - bumps, hard snow trees, groomers, no new snow past 7 days.
J The Metal (186) Go to ski for all things Feb-Mar unless we just get no snow for a week. Trees, crud, launching myself off things I'm too old for.
DPS Wailer 112 (184) Touring and powda fun. Really ought to be on a 189, but the pro deal was for a 184, so I manage. Tree skiing god sticks.
I used to have a DPS Cassiar Foundation 95 in 185 but I unloaded them last year. I kind of regret it, but it just didn't feel all that different from the Cassiar 87 and the F95 didn't seem to do anything I didn't already have covered.
The old man has a set of Rossi Experience 94Ti sticks I can borrow at will, but they're 180s and I'm not excited about them. I can give it a shot, I suppose.
The problem set is that I love my Metals, but they're heavy-ish and seem to beat my knee up a little more than I like. I think it's the width when I'm on harder snow, but I can't confirm. My right knee seems to get annoyed when exposed to lost of twisty/torsional loads. I've never felt any pain on the Wailers, but I also rarely ski them on anything hard or at high speed.
When I look at what I've got, I think what I lack is something for those days when I'm skiing solo and want to put on the headphones, crank Volbeat, and set phasers to destroy. I don't necessarily need to plow through everything in my way, but I am looking for something ready to make GS-ish turns through variable conditions and inspire my confidence. I will trade "pop" and "liveliness" in this ski as I got that pretty covered everywhere else.
Finally, I am a cheap bastard. Not that I won't spend a higher dollar amount, but that I am allergic to paying full retail. I will chase used gear, go to swaps and hunt Craigslist for a deal. Clearance and I are best friends. Also, I have an affinity for smaller manufacturers. For example, the obvious answer to my problem is a Mantra. But I just don't like being just like everyone else.
Candidates thus far:
Kastle FX96 HP in 188. There are some deals on last year's ski out there. Question - worth it to try to wait for a deal on this year's sticks with metal?
Renoun Endurance 98 in 191. Vermonter Day might make this happen, but the discount will have to be more than just a little.
DPS Cassiar Foundation 94 in 193. I know a guy offloading a set of these who barely used them. But, didn't I just get rid of this ski for being too much like my other stuff?
DPS Powderworks Wailer 100 C2 in 184. Again, I know a like new set for sale but, same objections as the F94, and it's maybe short?
Stockli Stormrider 95 in 193. Might be perfect, but good luck finding a deal. Just suck it up? The idea of paying retail makes my skin burn.
J Masterblaster in 187. Too much like The Metals I already have?
What am I missing out on? I'm a patient man, I'll stalk the right ski for a deal for however long it takes, but it helps to know what I'm looking for.