For example, East Coast skiers may have visions of skiing wide open powder fields, but the reality is that 9/10 theyll have to navigate tight trees before finding their 100 yard straight shot of glory. I am hoping to try a few things while I am out in big sky so I can finally and purchase something with confidence. I think unfortunately I have a pretty big list of skies that I am trying to narrow down and so am looking for a recommendation. For length, the 174 cm QST 99 feels about right, or the 172 Ranger 98. First of all, love your reviews! Ski lengths on our chart above will fall somewhere between your nose and eyebrows. It uses a wood core made from silver fir and beech, sandwiched between two full sheets of titanal metal, and finished with carbon and fiberglass. While most skis out there have a speed limit, these have a speed minimum. Between those, the Mantra has more of a metallic feel while the Bonafide is more woody. With a bit of extra length, the skis will have a more accurate flex and better weight distribution. I really like them also. True all-mountain skiers who want something equally at home in the bumps and trees as it is on the groomers. The K2 is likely going to feel more like a wider Brahma, while the Ranger has more playfulness and will serve you better on fresher snow days. I have loved these skis for their ability to bust through crud, carve up wind-buffed pow, and of course lay it down at high speed on groomers to get the legs warm. I'd go 177. I like to ski the whole mountain - I enjoy carving the groomers, but spend most of my time exploring off piste. Atomic's HRZN Tech is a nod to its soft snow performance. Because it's lighter, it's going to be easier to maneuver compared to some of the heavier skis in this article. This ski just keeps on chugging along. I'm about the same size as you, maybe a bit heavier, and I found those two models and sizes to be just about right. Hi Oliver! Looking for Some Guidance? There are days where I love the ski for its ability to handle well in pretty much an condition, and especially when I take it out west, but there are also days when I find it hard to get what I want from it. SE. The Enforcer 100 would be another good one to consider. Its a quick-turning ski, though, so a fantastic choice for woods and bumps, even with the stiffnessthe lightness more than makes up for it in the maneuverability department. The skis on your list are very high-performance, and will certainly fit your personal skiing needs, they'll just be on the heavy side for kid skiing. They're 2013 K2 AMP Velocity, 172cm, 72mm underfoot, nearly full camber. During the storm cycle around Christmas 2021, I skied a lot of fairly deep powder on the front sides and the QSTs didn't perform as well as I would like. Which ski do you recommend based on my description? What would your recommend? We have the same boot length and I have gotten on them a couple of times and havent enjoyed them quite as much. I have been skiing all my life and I am still fairly aggressive, albeit slowing down a little each year. For skate skiing, poles should be a bit longer. Hey SE! Looking for your thoughts on those as well. Surely, something of this price level should perform properly, but it doesnt really do it on its ownit does require a skilled and attentive pilot to get the most out of it. Have fun! SE, Hi Nick! Tom, Hi Tom! I would probably put a shift binding on these - I know the enforcers are heavy but I am currently also touring on a heavy setup - to be able to use them for small tours that are mainly focussed on the downhill. I'd get on the Origin 106 too if you can, you might be surprised by that ski. If youre truly an expert skier, you probably know it. The Enforcer is a stiff, directional, freeride ski. I'm 6'3" 235lb I am all mountain skiing mostly east coast , but 2 trips a year out west. They are a bit wider and have longer rocker profiles, so maneuverability is a bit more pronounced in this ski than the other two. What ski would you recommend? I'm the rip van winkle of skiing. Any longer, and youd likely just be along for the ride. I'm really torn between the Bent Chetler 100 (180cm) and the Sick Day 104 (179 or 186cm) for a 50/50 one ski quiver mounted with Shifts to be used mostly in the French Alps. For next year, I'll be skiing almost entirely in the west (going to try to hit all of the Mountain Collective in North America), though I don't have the luxury of timing my ski days around fresh snow, so I'll be skiing the mountains as they are. have fun! Awesome, thanks for the feedback. Think about it alongside the Origin 96 and the Ranger 102 FR, although its construction gives it arguably a more playful feel than either of those skis. I am definitely leaning towards the Enforcer 100 now Still a last question: is there a big difference between the Enforcer 100 and the Enforcer 104? We were somewhat expecting the Kore 99 to be on the stiff side, but probably not at the very end. You are not scared of speed, but also want something easy to handle. The Enforcer will be a bit better on-piste and the Ranger will be a bit better in soft/fresh snow. If you like skiing very fast in wide-open spaces, regardless of snow conditions, then these are the skis for you. They're great in trees and bumps, but the Camox might be more well-rounded and with a higher-performance ceiling. I heard the Marker Griffon 13 makes trouble sometimes (even out of the box). If youre looking for more flotation, the RP shaping versions of these skis are better choices, but for a more business-like personality, these Pagoda Piste 100 C2s have a whole lot to offer. In that category, check out the 2020 Volkl Kendo and the Rossignol experience 88. It has a similar shape and profile to the Enforcer 100, but is lighter and more energetic. It also is a great ski for someone who values maneuverability and quickness over speed, as you mentioned. One of them is the Nordica Enforcer 88, which is stiffer and more responsive than the 93, and is a fantastic all-mountain performer. SE. We're about the same size, and I loved the stability of the ski, even without two sheets of metal. Take a look at the chart below, and if you have any trouble figuring out your size range, scroll past the cart to where we provide more information regarding these categories. Some certainly will, but if off-trail skiing becomes your preference, chances are youve graduated to the next level. Of course if you don't have ski poles to try this out on, you can always use the chart below. Im looking for an A/T ski to pair with Shift bindings, approximately 100mm under foot. Hi Nicole! I ski a variety of terrain, and Im looking for something I can take into bumps or trees, but that can also hold their own if I happen to luck into a powder day while on a trip out west. SE, Hi Scott! Skiers looking for a great soft snow ski with more dramatic than average tip taper and rocker. Double titanal laminates, as well as an underfoot metal plate take the performance of this ski to the next level. Hi I am looking for new skis this year. Obviously I'm still torn so your advice is super appreciated. I think the 184 is a bit of a reach. Thanks! It's relatively lightweight, but feels a little heftier than some of the really lightweight contenders in this list. Both of these are a bit more user-friendly than Enforcer but still a total blast. I'm really torn between the Bent Chetler 100 (180cm) and the Sick Day 104 (179 or 186cm) for a 50/50 one ski quiver mounted with Shifts to be used mostly in the French Alps. Advanced: This might be one of the hardest groups to identify. sorrycan't edit posts here. Tried some Kore 99's the next day, much better ski for me in the chop but not as agile in tight spots as I might like. Please keep in mind that ski boots DO NOT come in half-sizes. SE, Thanks a lot for the insight! It has a relatively soft flex pattern that will allow a skier to butter, smear, and play in all sorts of different terrain and snow conditions. Think of it as a shoe size, like a "size 11" for example. Have fun! I'd lean to the QST. I used to be expert and haven't skied a lot the last few years. At 100 mm underfoot, these skis have a decent footprint as well, so if you ever decide to get out of the snow park and ski some real snow, the Blend can get down with that as well. Question, why the Ranger 99ti and not the Ranger 102FR? I sometime borrow my sons Salomon X-Drive 8.0 Ti. I never took a ski lesson in my life, so am probably not the best technical skier. Keeping in tradition with the twin tip and more freeride-orientation, the Holyshred also employs a relatively long turn radius, coming in at 19 meters in the 182 cm length. The construction of the Mantra marks the introduction of Volkl's new Titanal Frame construction. What would you recommend as a quiver of 1 for my first real purchase? QST 92/99, Rustler 9, Enforcer 94/100, M5 Mantra. Thanks so much for the reviews! Two skis that stick out are the Blizzard Rustler 9 and the Fischer Ranger 94 FR. Yea I did. I think I will try the Enforcer, livelier and playful will be a nice change. At 100 mm underfoot, this is the widest Maverick, containing a poplar wood core and two sheets of titanal. Bent Chetler 100 I am 59 ~ 175 lb and consider myself an advanced skier. If the pole is too long, then your forearm will be angled slightly up. I like the updates, as I think it makes the ski more manageable at different speeds and terrain. It's entirely possible and very common for boots with the same Mondo Point to have different Boot Sole Lengths. Im 6'0, 200lbs. The Kastle MX 99 is stiff, powerful, and holds an edge better than just about anything in the 100 mm category. For skate skiing, poles should be a bit longer. The Rocket Frame titanal laminate supports this theory, with full-metal underfoot and wider metal through the back end of the ski, its all business back there, and quite stiff to flex. Happy skiing! Seeking 2 ski suggestions. I've demoed a few of these skis; M5 Mantra, Enforcer 100 and Head Kore 105(aware its out of this category) and wanted to get your thoughts on the 2020 Rustler 10 vs the 2019? Thanks! Youre likely still pretty cautious in regards to your speed, but are able to stop on demand and have a bit more confidence that youll make it to the bottom in one piece. Skill wise, youll be able to control your speed with snowplowing, wedging, or forming a pizza. In fact, the Ranger 98 Ti has a built in skin clip on the tail, a nod to its intended use as a potential AT ski. They use their classic multi-layer wood core, a full sheet of titanal along the base of the ski, but the metal along the top of the ski is focused only along the edges of the ski and does not meet underfoot. This gives it a great feel on firm snow as you get full length edge contact, however the M5 Mantra is impressively maneuverable in softer snow conditions as well. I'm really leaning towards the QST 99, Bent Chetler 100 or Enforcer 100 - I'm not sure how to decide between the group nor 100% certain on the length - I think i was on a 181 last week, but I think i'd also be comfortable on the 188. The Holyshred is somewhat lost at sea, adrift among a horde of great 98-100 mm all-mountain freestyle skis. SE. The metal also gives this ski a strong and confident feeling in a high-speed carved turn no matter what the snow conditions may be. (re: my question below) So to summarize, with the two models you mentioned in the 90mm-class and in the mid-180s, we'd be talking about an Enforcer 93 in 185 or a Rustler 9 in 188, right? Arguably a bit much for the terrain park, but we've seen some of Fischer's athletes ripping this thing in the park, which is a nod to its playful nature and versatility. Be prepared for burly and strong performance overall. Built with a light wood core and Stocklis Titec Pro metal topsheet, these things are true Stocklis--worthy of the praise and price for dedicated all-mountain skiers. Technical Specs . It uses a lot of rocker, and relatively pronounced early taper too. Chances are if youre the type of skier who typically skis with a ski-mentor or a friend whos job it is to get you down the mountain. I also tried the Bonafides when I was in Tahoe. And I have to say that I fell in love with those skies, I've never skied so fast on and off piste. I'm not a super charger who likes to go really fast all the time, but I enjoy pushing it hard a couple of turns. You don't want to have to fight a ski to maneuver it in softer snow conditions, but you don't want a super-rockered shape either. I think the Ripstick is a better complement to the Enforcer. I've been considering Nordica Enforcer 93 and the Fischer Ranger 99Ti. In addition, the fiberglass laminates keep things energetic and poppy throughout, while the PU is a stable and damp material. I'd also put a vote in for the Salomon QST 106 and the Blizzard Rustler 10. I'm leaning toward the M5 Mantra, but also like the QST99 and the 98TI. Both in that mid-90's range with some tip and tail rocker, so you get good flotation when it snows, but are still great carvers on trail. July 13, 2018 by Luke Koppa. Because you're not skiing exceptionally deep snow very often, you really don't need to go wider than those skis. 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