 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi all. I'm looking for a bit of advice from anybody who has tried (or heard down the pub about) the Cham 2.0 97 and 107.
I currently have the Movement Response X (185cm length, 89mm underfoot) as my lightweight touring ski, and the Atomic Alibi (187cm length, 98mm underfoot) as my in-resort / sidecountry plaything, which are now three seasons old and showing their age a bit. I'm looking to add a more burly free-touring ski to the party, and having skied the Chams before (but not the 2.0) am keen to get involved.
In terms of my skiing, I'm 190cm high and 83kg, spend most of my time skiing all sorts, but mostly in spring-like conditions (think corn, crud, windblown hardpack and occasional powder stashes, but also want something that can handle ) when ski-mountaineering, which tends to be my main focus now. I now spend most of my time avoiding pistes where I can, and combining my previous Alpine mountaineering experience with my improving skiing to really access fun bits of mountain. As I advance, I'm now more and more seeking out steeper couloirs and vary my style between careful and cautious in ski-mountaineering terrain to charging high-speed when things open up. I don't go hucking things, but I like being in remote places and skiing interesting stuff. I'm very much still learning but have the confidence to 'do stuff'. As examples, I was perfectly happy in the Patou and Banane couloirs in La Grave last year, and that's the kind of skiing I really enjoy.
My concerns between the two options are: Cham 97 - only goes up to 184cm, and with the largish rocker will ski pretty short for me. That said, my Alibis are twin-tip so don't ski as long as a 187 might anyway. Gets very good reviews on mixed snow. Cham 107 - runs to 189cm so better in the length, but reviews on harder snow are not as good. I don't want something that is not going to hold a decent edge when on sketchy steep ground or variable snow conditions.
I'd welcome any comments or advice!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
Hi there - thanks for the suggestion (and the welcome!). I had actually ruled out the Mythic (despite as you say reading Joe Vallone's thoughts on it) as I already have a lightweight ski (the Movement Response X), and wanted something with a bit of burl to it, but still be tourable. From that review, they do say it happily charges through crud and other nasty stuff, but I just know what my lightweight skis are like when the conditions get hard and cruddy... That has probably biased my outlook a touch!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@greybadger, no worries , heard great things about the 2.0 Cham as well , the rocker profile has been reduced on the latest offering so maybe won't ski a short as the original ,
So many new skis in this catorgary this year , a on mountain demo day would be the best bet , good luck with the search .
I ski on the kastle fx 94 and it handles the crud as well as anything out there , there is a new version this year , the fx 95 which is meant to be even better , with a HP ( high power ? ) version for hard charging big boys
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| greybadger wrote: |
| ...... I already have a lightweight ski (the Movement Response X), and wanted something with a bit of burl to it, but still be tourable..... |
Whitedot R.108 or R98 in either the traditional or CarbonLite builds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Hi Jon - funnily enough I was just looking at your website! Will drop you an email tomorrow (bed calling now...) to see what prices are like as I have heard good things about the R.108/98. My only concern is that I haven't skied them, whereas I have the Chams. Known unknowns and all that. More grist for the mill...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I ski 97's as a pure lift accessed all mountain ski. It's a great ski. For me the 107 is a pure powder ski. But I've only skied the 87 and 97. Old version not the 2.0.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just had a look. Seems with the 2.0 they've designed out the need for a High Mountain (lighter) version and also added a 117.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
I demoed the Cham 97 at the demo day in Hemel a few months ago ..... not best place to test I know .... but I loved it.
I also loved the Rossi Soul 7 .... fatter and softer but great to ski. Preferred both of these to the Whitedot Rangers which felt a bit dead .... sorry Jon !
My dimensions and skiing are similar to yours ..... I currently have Blizzard Cochise (bit too heavy and stiff with hindsight) and K2 Coomback (lovely - prob a bit more similar to Cham) .... but thinking of getting to one all rounder as it's a pain to take multiple pairs.
I have shortlisted the Cham, Rossi and also Black Crows Atris as possibles. Off to Val at weekend and hoping to demo the Atris.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To close this one, as often there's no follow up for people who go searching, I got a cracking deal on the Cham 2.0 107s 189cm with Radical ST 2 bindings, so went for them. Took them out for a tour today in early-season Scottish conditions (windblown powder, bit of hard windslab, some icy heather-hopping at the bottom).
I am very pleased with my choice! They are pretty light for their capability, very manoeuvrable, float well (even with my 86ish kg and wearing a heavy overnight pack), and deal with changes in conditions easily. An absolute joy to ski - I can't wait to get more time on them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| greybadger wrote: |
To close this one, as often there's no follow up for people who go searching, I got a cracking deal on the Cham 2.0 107s 189cm with Radical ST 2 bindings, so went for them. Took them out for a tour today in early-season Scottish conditions (windblown powder, bit of hard windslab, some icy heather-hopping at the bottom).
I am very pleased with my choice! They are pretty light for their capability, very manoeuvrable, float well (even with my 86ish kg and wearing a heavy overnight pack), and deal with changes in conditions easily. An absolute joy to ski - I can't wait to get more time on them. |
Nice job greybadger on giving us the conclusion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
