 Poster: A snowHead
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So with the Mantras off life support this AM and lift passes (foolishly) purchased last night, the brunette and I thought to head up with some hire stock.
Hmmm.
Note to self: Don't buy a pass till you see what the weather is doing. Claggy, in cloud, rained before snow. Really not nice. Had we not already shelled out, we'd have bailed.
Anyway, the skis. In great nick, well maintained by the excellent Ivan at Tako Sports in Champoluc and almost brand new.
First impressions: underwhelmed. Not very lively, very, very easy to ski, but not really giving much back. Well damped without feeling like zombies. Felt like quality.
Second impressions: much the same.
Quick enough in bumps. Began to get a little funkier when adding a little more speed than conditions really indicated. But also began to feel somewhat over energised.
Conclusion: I suspect if you are an early to late intermediate, these would be a great ski. Beyond that, a little limiting. But remarkably pleasant when you can't see jack-sheet and are quite happy to not worry about what your skis are doing.
Unfortunately, not suggesting good things when we have a wee test of the Bonafides next outing...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I have the Latigos and like them for many of the reasons you say  They are not a performance piste ski but they are good in a lot of conditions, I put them on and don't think about them at all and they cope with whatever I want them to do. I have the Latigos in 170cm and would have got the 177cm if I'd wanted more of a performance ski. I demoed the Bonafides in 180cm, they have a very different feel to the Latigos, much stiffer and I would imagine a great ski if you were feeling it but they would be too hard work for me to ski all day, every day, I guess that means you will probably like them more then the Latigos!
Also nice to see a review in here.
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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?
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@lynseyf, "I put them on and don't think about them at all"
Ha ha brilliant, that was exactly what I thought. The OH had some similar Völkl thing and just said, "Mum should get these".
Quality ski, and I am sure definitely good for many. Also, having never skied double rocker, definitely go longer (which makes the rocker for a piste ski a waste of time).
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I just did a week on carbon tipped Cochise's in spring conditions. Great versatile ski, crap at piste turn rebound but good at everything else. BT I was almost fit and forget as they were so dependable.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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The Latigo's are Blizzards piste version of the Brahma. It was Fall-Line's Ski of the Year 2014/15, and I bought a pair in 184cms after testing the Brahma in 180 cms, but wanted a more piste orientated cruiser for what I actually/mainly ski rather than what I wanted/dreamed of skiing.
For a start the Latigo is a lively ski edge to edge thanks the two Titanium layers put in there for tortional rigidity, so there's plenty of beef in the construction. There's a snap out of the turn that belies the rear rocker, this is a ski that can rip the hardpack and power down the couderoy. There's no noticible "slap" on the front at any speed, just a strong glide into the turn that holds exceptionally well underfoot. Lovely feedback, solid, smooth, almost graceful, overall a sublime blend of traditional camber, front/tail rocker, ABS sidewall, double titanals, and "flip-core" internals. This ski needs to be skied long due to the rockered ends. It is what it is............. a piste predator, devouring the steep.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Mon 14-03-16 17:31; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I am going to suggest, in retrospect, that the conditions were far from ideal to give any real idea of the ski.
For 2/3s of the vertical it was a piste pole following white out. So lots of short swing skarving (skidding if we aren't feeling generous) just to get a feel for the terrain.
Not helped that the surface was a few cms of fresh on a rained-on old surface. So about as hard as it gets without being clear ice.
I'm sure it had rained as I had a quick sneak off the piste, just to test that theory, and sure enough Saturday's chalky old powder was dust on hard crust.
So not really the conditions to find @skimastaaah's "snap" out of anything really and deserving of a second opinion.
Still standing by the "very easy to ski" opinion however 
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| under a new name wrote: |
Still standing by the "very easy to ski" opinion however |
Very lovely to ski!
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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.
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@stef88, I was skiing the 178s I think (I'm 170cms, 62 kgs) and thought they were too short. I may have been on 170ish. I wasn't paying so much attention.
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@stef88, Go for the 177's.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I would go for something even more piste oriented myself.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Cool will look for 177s. I guess you suggest them as they ski shorter than their length?!
@under a new name, any suggestions to alternatives? Far from clicking purchase at the moment The general reviews of the blizzard freeride range is very good. The Latigos seem to be pretty piste orientated already. I want something that can handle a bit of fresh powder if its around but priority is to perform well on groomers, hard pack pistes (Which you normally find in the Alps) and moguls. These skis seem to tick the box from everything I read.
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Something in the Head Supershape range?
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You know it makes sense.
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One more question . Does anyone know if the 2015/2016 skis got upgraded from the year before? Reason I ask is I can find some 14/15 online but not really 15/16 in my size.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@stef88, Try Ebay. There's some ski dealers in France and Italy with offers on for the skis. I got mine from Germany, then I found some (more expensive) in the UK.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@skimastaaah, cheers for the help. I actually live in Holland so slightly easier with respect to postage. I have found a german website selling the 2014/2015 version for 299 euro exc bindings (which is a bit cheaper than on ebay). Can only find one place with the 2015/16 in my size and its a bit more expensive. Will keep looking
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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?
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I'm 5ft 5in (165cm) female, 61kgs. I have the 170s, which are the narrowest skis I've owned for about 6 years. I bought them last year in the summer sales because I was doing an all terrain 4 weeks course (with a lot of on piste technique). I had tried the Brahmas and would have gone for them if I hadn't wanted something a bit more piste orientated. I don't think the Brahmas feel like "the Latigos but wider"-I think the Brahmas feel stiffer and damper and hugely stable.
Having said all that, the Latigos suited me fine for my 4 weeks. I think they are much the better option for bumps (Have some other all mountain skis, plus a pair of fatties for proper off piste days) and do a decent but by no means breath-taking job when carving.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@stef88, ooh...now there's a question. My personal choice would probably still be the Brahmas, though for bumps the Latigos I think would win - far easier. I am small and light compared with you though! Brahmas are more likely to bulldoze crud.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Ok, Ive managed to negotiate to 400 euros for this package of skis and bindings (from a different website). Essentially thats 250 euro for the skis and 150 for the bindings. Thoughts - good deal? Or should I just wait until the season is completely finished and hope for a even steeper reduction. I dont think Brahmas including bindings would ever go this low before being snapped up, clearly in more demand.
http://www.ekosport.co.uk/blizzard-latigo-15-marker-griffon-13-bk-wh-tl-14-p-xhhbz2nv.html
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Changed to Look PX12 with a 90mm brake now based on their recommendations its a better binding and obviously will suit the narrow ski better. Will make the decision to order today. Think at 400 euros all in/ 300 pounds its a pretty good deal but will kick myself if I see some getting reduced further at the end of the year
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FAQ
. Im 182 cm/6foot and just under 12 stone/75 kg, advanced skier but by no means expert. I ski on 178 
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