After a pandemic-imposed two-year skiing hiatus, I skied five days at Steamboat last month. I demo-ed every day -- 4 different skis in the 5 days. Here is my irreverent report.
Me: 5'9", 136#, intermediate. I was looking for a ski that: (a) doesn't bail on me when I'm on steep, groomed, packed, and/or scraped-out trails; (b) is "playful" in soft snow and glades; and (c) is competent in crud and bumps. Not too much to ask for, right?
Day 1 {No new snow in about a week.}: Elan Ripstick (96/167). I had demo-ed these at Jackson Hole in 2020, and still like them a lot. They're like a pair of your favorite slippers. Lots of fun weaving in at out of trees. When I skied these two years ago, I reported some chatter on steeps, but this time I didn't notice any such backtalk. However, in some hardened choppy stuff, the skis bounced me around a bit. Spoiler alert: these skis came in 2nd for me.
Day 2 {IIRC, snow started in late afternoon.}: Nordica Enforcer 93 (93/169). This was the 2021 model; the demo place didn't offer the 2022 (94 waist) model in my size. These skis did it all: stayed glued on steeps, busted through crud, and were not intimidated by moguls. BUT they don't ski themselves! By the end of the day, I was exhausted. I think if I had 20 more pounds, and it was all muscle, and if I was a better skier....
Day 3 {3-4 inches of new snow}: Head Kore 93 (93/171). I really wanted to like these skis -- they look cool, they're lightweight, etc. They were fine in all respects, but there was just no spark (for me). Their light weight did not, for me, translate to playfulness in bumps.
Days 4 & 5 {mixed conditions: still a lot of soft snow in the glades; groomed slopes in varying degrees of firm/scraped}: Blizzard Rustler 9 (92/172). I had requested to try the Atomic Maverick or the Salomon QST, but the demo dudes had neither in my length, and instead suggested the Rustler. It turned out to be my favorite ski of the week. The medal and camber of the inner two-thirds of the skis didn't let me down on steep hard pack. The softer, ample-rise tip and non-catchy tail helped compensate for my limited skills in bumps and trees. I liked the Rustler so much on Day 4 that I kept them on Day 5.
So, now, 3.5 weeks later, with end-of-season sales starting, there are some very good deals out there for the Rustler 9. Here is where Hamlet enters: should I buy them now, not look at any more reviews, and just enjoy them next season? Or, should I wait and ponder other choices over the next several months, secure in the knowledge that the only change from the 2022 to the 2023 Rustler 9 is graphics (from red to green) -- and, of course, no discount? What about possible new competition in the "have your cake and eat it too" segment: e.g., the new Fisher Ranger 92, the Blizzard Hustle? What about the skis already on the market hat I didn't have a chance to try (e.g., the aforementioned Atomics and Salomons, the Elan Ripstick Black)? As Hamlet would say: this way lies madness...
Thoughts welcome.
Me: 5'9", 136#, intermediate. I was looking for a ski that: (a) doesn't bail on me when I'm on steep, groomed, packed, and/or scraped-out trails; (b) is "playful" in soft snow and glades; and (c) is competent in crud and bumps. Not too much to ask for, right?
Day 1 {No new snow in about a week.}: Elan Ripstick (96/167). I had demo-ed these at Jackson Hole in 2020, and still like them a lot. They're like a pair of your favorite slippers. Lots of fun weaving in at out of trees. When I skied these two years ago, I reported some chatter on steeps, but this time I didn't notice any such backtalk. However, in some hardened choppy stuff, the skis bounced me around a bit. Spoiler alert: these skis came in 2nd for me.
Day 2 {IIRC, snow started in late afternoon.}: Nordica Enforcer 93 (93/169). This was the 2021 model; the demo place didn't offer the 2022 (94 waist) model in my size. These skis did it all: stayed glued on steeps, busted through crud, and were not intimidated by moguls. BUT they don't ski themselves! By the end of the day, I was exhausted. I think if I had 20 more pounds, and it was all muscle, and if I was a better skier....
Day 3 {3-4 inches of new snow}: Head Kore 93 (93/171). I really wanted to like these skis -- they look cool, they're lightweight, etc. They were fine in all respects, but there was just no spark (for me). Their light weight did not, for me, translate to playfulness in bumps.
Days 4 & 5 {mixed conditions: still a lot of soft snow in the glades; groomed slopes in varying degrees of firm/scraped}: Blizzard Rustler 9 (92/172). I had requested to try the Atomic Maverick or the Salomon QST, but the demo dudes had neither in my length, and instead suggested the Rustler. It turned out to be my favorite ski of the week. The medal and camber of the inner two-thirds of the skis didn't let me down on steep hard pack. The softer, ample-rise tip and non-catchy tail helped compensate for my limited skills in bumps and trees. I liked the Rustler so much on Day 4 that I kept them on Day 5.
So, now, 3.5 weeks later, with end-of-season sales starting, there are some very good deals out there for the Rustler 9. Here is where Hamlet enters: should I buy them now, not look at any more reviews, and just enjoy them next season? Or, should I wait and ponder other choices over the next several months, secure in the knowledge that the only change from the 2022 to the 2023 Rustler 9 is graphics (from red to green) -- and, of course, no discount? What about possible new competition in the "have your cake and eat it too" segment: e.g., the new Fisher Ranger 92, the Blizzard Hustle? What about the skis already on the market hat I didn't have a chance to try (e.g., the aforementioned Atomics and Salomons, the Elan Ripstick Black)? As Hamlet would say: this way lies madness...
Thoughts welcome.