I am looking for an easy to use powder/freeride ski. I get enough days and also good days to justify one (live an hour from Arlberg). 10 yrs ago, I had some DPS Wailer 112 Hybrids, these were a no-brainer in powder, even in heavy stuff, don't know why I ever sold them.
Existing quiver: BC Serpo (Piste & Spring snow, hate these in pow for whatever reason), Kästle TX103 for touting, DPS W99 Alchemists (only skied two days so far, find them quite stiff). Use the TX103s in Power atm, but these are not floaty and burly enough when the pow battle is on.
Was thinking something seriously easy, Line Sakana, Pesacado, Atomic Bent 120, K2 Catamaran, Reckoner 112/120? Main application is milking untracked and tracked pow plus some spring offpiste duty, and getting the most out of low angle stuff and tight spots when things get tracked. Ease of use and float are paramount. I don't ski backwards, really. Some capabilities on-piste wouldn't hurt.
Stats are 187cm/86kg or so. I tend to like skis around 184cms for this purpose. would go longer if need be.
Thanks for dropping your thoughts.
Tempered by the unfortunate reality that while I need to replace a pair and the BSL is close enough for me to use them, they also won't go in my ski bag and I live in the UK, so have to be able to get them on a plane;
At which point they would never actually make it to resort because its too awkward to transport them and it would be a crime for them to sit in my cupboard
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
danbre2022 wrote:
Was thinking something seriously easy, Line Sakana, Pesacado, Atomic Bent 120, K2 Catamaran, Reckoner 112/120? Main application is milking untracked and tracked pow plus some spring offpiste duty, and getting the most out of low angle stuff and tight spots when things get tracked. Ease of use and float are paramount. I don't ski backwards, really. Some capabilities on-piste wouldn't hurt.
Stats are 187cm/86kg or so. I tend to like skis around 184cms for this purpose. would go longer if need be.
Thanks for dropping your thoughts.
I’m 175cm and ~70kg and also ski in Tirol, often enough in the Arlberg, generally like wide skis and have been able to ski quite a few over the years.
I picked up the 120 Bentchetlers in 184 with Shifts last winter. I like them a lot in untracked powder and they’re ideal for days with a mix of lifts snd skitouring for lines. But they do ski short (mine are mounted I think 1.5cm back) and they get bucked around in tracked snow and crud (they’re very light for the size).
For your description I’d get the Völkl 121 (I’m also thinking about picking up a pair in the sales haha). They’re a lot sturdier than the Bents, and I own and love the 104 version. That said the 184 Völkl is noticeably shorter than the 184 Bent, so I’d recommend rather the 191 (that’s what I would buy too - my other powder skis range from 185-194cm).
Only asking as I've got a pair of DPS Wailer 112 I bought second hand (from a ). They had Pivot bindings fitted but too big for me and QKs fitted for shifts which would adjust to fit me. Unfortunately whoever fitted those was so cakhanded, the shift bindings won't line up with the holes.
As a result they'd be really cheap!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Ski essentials just did their powder skis review... i mean they did n't have everything but some more ideas for you and they have a link to their written review and specs.
I'd love to try the sakanas, look so fun, i'd love to have a k2 crescendo 130 in my quiver, just for fun and the stares, David Meier just dropped soul run video on you tube and he's ripping on some mind blowing 30m radius head oblivions, they look far too fast to be fun, I'd like a candide 121, to look cool, but i expect i'd settle for some 116 mindbenders. So much choice. Good luck.
LOve to try the altums, and the powder skis on the 1000skis website coz i like the look of their range.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Tue 12-11-24 15:59; edited 1 time in total
After all it is free
After all it is free
@danbre2022, If you want to test any skis, there is an event at the St Anton opening weekend at the beginning of Dec: https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=168917
Otherwise, I know Jennwein have a test fleet you can try from – just call them. I'm sure some of the other shops will do this too.
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.
adithorp wrote:
@danbre2022, what's your boot sole length?
Only asking as I've got a pair of DPS Wailer 112 I bought second hand (from a ). They had Pivot bindings fitted but too big for me and QKs fitted for shifts which would adjust to fit me. Unfortunately whoever fitted those was so cakhanded, the shift bindings won't line up with the holes.
As a result they'd be really cheap!
306-313 depeding on the boot.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
danbre2022 wrote:
adithorp wrote:
@danbre2022, what's your boot sole length?
306-313 depeding on the boot.
Too small unfortunately. I'd be keeping them if they fitted a 306
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
If you want something really pow focussed and are happy to skid turn when on pistes then you could check out an old school reverse camber, reverse sidecut ski.
There are not a lot on the market but I am aware of the Armada ARG II UL.
I'm interested in a reverse/reverse ski like this myself so if anyone knows of any other models like this please let me know.
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.
Henwc wrote:
If you want something really pow focussed and are happy to skid turn when on pistes then you could check out an old school reverse camber, reverse sidecut ski.
There are not a lot on the market but I am aware of the Armada ARG II UL.
I'm interested in a reverse/reverse ski like this myself so if anyone knows of any other models like this please let me know.
Praxis powderboards! I’ve got the protest which is 95% as good in powder but surprisingly manageable on anything variable.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
kesone1 wrote:
Henwc wrote:
If you want something really pow focussed and are happy to skid turn when on pistes then you could check out an old school reverse camber, reverse sidecut ski.
There are not a lot on the market but I am aware of the Armada ARG II UL.
I'm interested in a reverse/reverse ski like this myself so if anyone knows of any other models like this please let me know.
Praxis powderboards! I’ve got the protest which is 95% as good in powder but surprisingly manageable on anything variable.
There is a pair of new protests on eBay in the UK for less than £400. Bargain!
@hsdee, Thanks great article, it kind of has me sold on a full reverse/reverse pair. The bit where he goes on about the comparisons with snowboarding were significant.
The Praxis Protests look good but I feel it would have to be the full deal.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
). They had Pivot bindings fitted but too big for me and QKs fitted for shifts which would adjust to fit me. Unfortunately whoever fitted those was so cakhanded, the shift bindings won't line up with the holes.
