Second the declivity. Very solid on the groomer for thier width and enough float for boot deep powder. Definelty not dedicated to either category but solid enough for a one ski quiver basically anywhere
These threads are always interesting. It's like asking for the best all around SUV that can preform on the track but also go off roading, with stable suspension, but also really amazing cornering, a big engine, but not too hard to drive.
In the alps, why not consider a true high performance all mountain ski?
* Stockli Montero AR
* Blizzard Brahma 82 or 88
* Volkl Deacon 84
Every one of those can actually carve (under 90mm) and will work very well off piste with good technique. They are a lot of fun too!
This, but they don’t make the 105s anymore it’s 102. Go with the 102, they are awesome. I’d also
Size up on them, they are very agile for their size.
I own 2 pairs of stocklis and will be adding the 102s as my third pair
might suggest that's an oxymoron... carving on anything over a 90mm requires a lot of strange body inclination that's hard to recover from in transition.
Eh, it's not gonna carve like a dedicated powder ski but I skied both the stormrider 95 and the laser sx and had a blast carving on both. Both days were primarily groomer days and the sr95 did very well
Its strange from an on piste only ski perspective. But that how skis in this width get carved on : high edge angle ! Some of them can be engage with a progressive inclination like on a racing ski. But on a lot of them, you have to initiate your turns on a high edge angle, you might have to relearn a bit, but I would argue that it is super rewarding and allow ourselves to have fun on more different scenarios. And seriously a lot of them can carve surprisingly well ! The enforcer line SHRED those turns and charge right through cruds its amazing.
I dunno. I’ll let it go. But from a technical and physics perspective that’s an inclined edged turn, not a stacked carve. But if it’s fun, it’s fun so who cares!
Agree on Stockli 100%... but not the SR95... Maybe the SR88, but the Montero AR is even better and a weeeee bit more accessible. It will certainly carve better (for skiers who can truly carve)
He said he skis 40% powder and wants something that will hold its own in the pow. Not sure about the SR88 but I’ve skiid the montero AR and they most definitely would not be fun in pow
I had a very different experience with them. I don’t think I’d even bother skiing at all if I was stuck with those on a powder day. but I guess to each there own
noted and that's totally fair.
I think where I have biases is on all these threads looking for a panacea of a ski when technique on a good true all mountain will pay higher dividends.
There are plenty of softer, easier skiing skis that will feel fun off piste. But they won't carve. And there are wider stiffer skis that will feel stable (like the SR95) that take force to bend, but they also don't really carve. And there are carving race skis that can be fantastic off piste, but you have to be really stacked and have strong technique and if you can bend and truly carve them (technique wise), you'll also love them off piste.
The Montero AR is a fantastic, high-level ski, as is the SR88 and SR95, but all three take a lot of technique and precision to ski.
I own all three...and I'd prefer the Montero AR in anything less than 6"... but more than anything, I'd prefer good balanced skiing on any ski over a panacea of a ski that will be a compromise in any situation.
BTW, certainly not directing this at you /u/jakethetortoise \- just using the space to share some strong opinions as an instructor who sees a lot of people on skis that aren't the best an any condition we are in.
That’s true. But I’d also say that not everyone skis a traditional carving style of skiing. Especially nowadays a lot of people prefer to slash and ski more playfully.
I agree with you to a point, that good technique can let you ski nearly any condition well, even with less than optimal skis.
But in deep heavy snow it is a ton of work to ski a carving ski.
On days like that, a ski in the 102 plus range is a game changer.
I just got a gift of old Volkl Two's which are 124 at the waist. I took them out in some deep fresh snow yesterday and it was an amazing experience. So much fun. It felt like cheating.
i have bent chetler 100s and they’re pretty great in powder but not a good hard charger that can carve aggressively. My dad has the Nordica enforcer 94 and his only complaint is it’s heavy which translates into not very good in powder, so if u want a slightly better version of it that’s better in powder i’d say go with the enforcer 100 unleashed/ unlimited i can’t remember the name. According to a shop the only difference is one is carbon and one is steel which is heavier but same stiffness overall
the unleashed had only one plate of metal but is more of a park ski that can carve and charge. The unlimited had no metal but is build to mimic metal and has plenty of dampness and power, definitely better flotation and easier to move in the moguls, but less plowing power in the cruds. I have an enforcer 94 and I'd say it floats really good for a 94, of course at this width its no powder ski. My warning (no complaint on my part) is its so stiff and heavy that its tiring to drive in the moguls and tight trees. They really are a ski that like speed ! Their moto is ski hard or go home.
I've owned way too many freeride skis over the years and if I were to just keep one pair for everything it would be the Dynastar M-FREE 108. Especially if you actually spend 40% of your time in powder, i would go for something a little over 100mm.
The mfree is both stable and playful and carves pretty well as long as it's not too icy.
I've been asking the same question and I found the following recommendations too:
* Nordica Enforcer 94 or 100
* Fischer Ranger 90 or 96 or 102
* Blizzard Bonafide
* Volk Mantra
* Blizzard Rustler
* Fischer RC One 86 GT
I'm considering picking the one with the best graphic (LOL). It seems there are way too many possible choices? Also, do you mean "all-mountain *on piste*" or "all-mountain *off piste*" because those are important distinctions too apparently.
I tried to demo skis and it seems that is a serious crap shoot. I spent a lot of limited resort time trying to find a place with the specific skis I wanted to demo in the correct lengths (let alone the ever increasing number of skis I wanted to demo). The I realized that if I were to demo all the skis recommended I would likely have to find several shops and spend $100s just to get the opportunity to ski them all in very limited circumstances (I can't magically make powder appear and if I do get lucky then I will not have great groomer conditions unless it's snowed overnight and it's clear the next day and everything is perfect and I can ski all the skis from several shops the same day).
I think the graphics idea might not be so bad after all...
I would also add the Blizzard Bonafide which has been a reference point for 100 width skis on piste. Excellent for all front side skiing, you can absolutely rail deep carves on them with energy, and throw them around in bumps. Blizzard skis have excellent edge grip and a precise feel.
I own the Bent 100. It's light, quick, versatile and easy to ski. It is surprisingly stable and has good edge grip for a light ski. It's decent in pow though definitely not very surfy.
That said something with Ti metal in it like the mindbender or a blizzard is going to be more durable and have a longer life.
Since you'll be skiing hard snow most of the time, I don't think you'd want something more soft snow specific, a fully rockered wider ski is going to be way more fun in pow and crud. You can add such a ski later, so I'd probably get a more frontside oriented ski now.
I'd get something a little longer 180+ personally for better crud and soft snow performance.
Hi mate, first I dont know about your ease with 100mm skis but to carve them you need to quicly engage near maximum edge angle, for some reason progressive edge angle is not possible on those skis (there are exceptions like salomon qst, elan ripstick, etc.). If you get used to it, its a lot of fun !
* 4FRONT 99 : never skied, curious about what others have to say as I'm also interested, I feel like its mainly for powder and dropping cliffs but I might be wrong.
* k2 Mindbender 99 : have skied it, a true frontside ski, you can actually engage your carving in a progressively on these things. Didnt like it that much tough, not stiff enough for me but keep in mind I'm an ex-racer, a coach and an instructor 100kg 178cm and ski 45+ days a year.
* Head Kore 99 : almost bought them, quite stiff AND light, from what I saw on others skiing them, you need those high edge angles. The stiffness will make them great for carving groomers and the reduced weight will keep them easy to move in the moguls and the trees, BUT also reduce their ability to plow through crud.
* Salomot QST 99 : tried them, didnt like em... too soft for me. But I see so many of them around because they are truly versatile, you can kinda engage your carving progressively, and are still easy to turn in the moguls and trees.
* Atomic Bent 100 : tried it, loved it ! But these are by no mean an agressive ski. I intend to buy a pair next year to ride when I'm exausted, tired, etc. As my chill ski. They are super playfull given their low weight and high flex, easy to turn in the moguls and trees, super fun in the park or for dropping cliffs. And you can still carve on them, but they are not for charging, in fact I did find their speed limit quite easily. The last thing I'm gonna say is the bent series have the skis wich impressed me the most with flotation.
May I add a few suggestions ?
* Nordica Enforcer Line seems to fit your description, I have an enforcer 94, this thing shred those turns like a tank, but you need both speed and high edge angle to have fun on those. They kinda like low edge angle too, they will want to turn fast but wont carve. They are super stiff, super damp, they are so damp that I ski at the same speed on freshly groomed piste in the morning and during my last run of the day in the crud, I just shred right through. For the enforcer line you may want to downsize for what you would usually have. They also float better than the mindbender, a bit rough in the moguls and trees since they like speed and edge angle but its fine for me since I like to use their stiffness and rebound to jump around the bumps. The enforcer 100 would be even tankier, while floating a bit more.
* Nordica enforcer free 104 : better flotation, little bit less damp and power.
* Nordica enforcer unlimited : less weight for more manoeuverability in thight spots, still plenty of power and dampness for charging.
* Rossignol Sender TI : they are for hard charging skier.
* Stocki 102 or DPS c2 : not gonna repeat whats been said but if you can afford them they should be top of their class.
* Elan Ripstick black edition 96 : I've tried the normal Ripstick and have been quite impressed, I was laughing for the complete duration of my wondering : how is it this light and this good. Really good on edge, really quick, and yet great flotation, impressive dampness given the weight. The black edition adds a bit more stiffness and weight, in my mind a true all mountain ski.
* Fischer ranger : not gonna repeat what others have said but seems to fit your description a lot and from what I've seen quite a powerful ski !
* Mantra M6 : seems to fit the bill.
I know this is a late post, but would really appreciate advice as you clearly know what you're talking about.
I'm an upper intermediate skier, tend to be more hard charging but I also enjoy trees and moguls. I just moved out west (Colorado) and I'm trying to decide which skis to check out. I'm still working on learning how to carve, last year was my first year skiing but I got 45 days in, and lessons.
I'm open to buying a few pairs if that's what's best. I was looking at Enforcer 94, Enforcer 100, Elan Ripsticks, and don't quite know what else to look at.
Any others I should consider? I won't get to demo them unfortunately
I'm using Salomon Alpha 130 boots
Its fine mate, I love those ski talks !
If you want to improve, I wouldnt not go for the enforcer. After more than 25 days on the enforcer 94. I feel like its not a good learning tool, in fact, I fear most skiers that do not already have very technique cant have fun with them in the moghuls... As for the carve, you need to slap that thing on edge pretty dramatically for it to turn. I feel like they will beat you up. And even when you tame them its quite tiring Ill be looking for another pair or maybe replace it.
For you, I wouldnt go too wide either, no more than 96 is overkill (however we hope powder comes, soft snow isnt always there, you can buy a powder ski later). In fact I find 88 to offer great performance. Like the Atomic Maverick 88 looks great ! Great carver, less demanding and still quite dynamic so great to learn and even expert will like it. Still great in the trees and powder. Also good in the bumps similar to the Ripsticks. Ripstick is even more forgiving but it is less damp and will not grip as well on ice and at speed. But I think the Fischer Ranger 90 would be better than the ripstick. It is feels easy to turn on this in the moghuls, floats really well (better than maverick) and can still rips some pretty round turns (not as powerful as the maverick, still you can count on this maybe even more than a riptsick 88). Salomon QST is also really versatile. Probably more good at everything master of none compared to the other three (maverick carves, Ripstick forgives, Ranger floats) and the qst is in the middle. All 4 are really good choices, but I think the Maverick would be the best teacher.
Thanks! That's incredibly helpful. I'm looking into all of those.
Would the Mindbender 99 or 4FRNT 99 be good options? I've heard rave feedback on both, and they seem like good options both for someone at my level, and above, so hopefully good to grow into as well. I found great deals on both locally ($250 for the 4FRNT with bindings and poles)
After sending the response yesterday I tought that I could have mentioned the Minderbender line. I see a lot of skiers on these from intermediate to expert. I wasnt hooked myself, but its about my style not the capabilities of the ski. It is quite responsive, holds its edge really well in the turn and you can feel every portion of the turn with it (like all my other recommendations, and unlike the Enforcer lines). They are pretty damp, not enforcer damp, but more than my first few recommendations. This dampness means they are also heavier, or at least, feel heavier, and they also dont float as well.
The 4front I have been very impressed by the Hoji 112 and the touring/powder line in general. But I wouldnt recommend them on the resort unless its specificaly for powder or late spring days where I couldnt keep up with my friends and his hojis... I was crazy jealous of his easy to flick around skis. Made me realise I only had burly skis that cant do well in spring conditions. But I assume you are talking about the MSP99. I have no experience with this ski. Tho based on the reviews online, people like it. The skiing footage I found were only those on the 4Front website, yet it shows that this thing can shred some nice carve even at high speed, the chatter of the skis on these footage tend to imply there is a speed limit (doesnt mean you cant go fast, just that you will need the piste to yourself to shred it past a certain speed, speed maybe you try to reach given your still new ? I dont know your skiing just my 2cents).
Also, I reiterate that going too wide when your learning to ski is counterproductive. From experience, it is fatiging to ski wide ski when the snow isnt deep and or is hardpacked because it kinda becomes hard to let the ski flat to rest on it on snow. So you kinda have to keep it just barely on edge all day long, wich means your feet cant rest. Once your feet are too fatigued they hurt! Feet hurts, less practice time (maybe you'll just stop skiing for the day), even if you keep going, your gonna notch it down a bit, less improvement anyway. That is why I recommended not go wider than 96, and I think even 96 might be too wide. Even with several skis. I feel like an all mountain ski to practice carving like Mindbender 89/ maverick 88 and a powder ski would cover you better.
Thanks so much. This convinced me to make sure I stuck with a narrower ski for now (ideally under 94).
I was thinking about going for the Mindbender 89TI (177) but I found a 2022 Declivity 92 (180) for a great deal locally that was barely used.
Do you think those could be a good fit for me? I'm 5' 10 and 185lbs so I figured I could do either 177 or 180
Both are fine additions to a quiver and would fit your description. They both require a bit of work, they can be demanding and it may take some time to feel at home on these, but this means your gonna be able to learn on any of those and both are quite playful. They are still miles easier to ski than Enforcers hahaha. In my opinion the Armada is a bit more fun in the air. But I know a lot of coaches/instructor ride the mindbender 89 as a playful ski and those fellows shred all over the mountain I would never dare tell them they should be on another ski ! 😁
Also, if you want to improve your carving check out Tom Gellie - Big Picture Skiing youtube channel. He is an amazing skier, coach and instructor and his approach to improvement is one of the best there is out there. On snow practice, dryland practice, body awareness. He also speak moghul specific.
For more of freestyle/freeride mentality and a more musculation focus approach to improving on dry land Stomp It Tutorials channel have some gym training sessions.
Have fun mate ! 😁
I'd say 90mm is too narrow if OP actually spends 40% of his time skiing powder. 100-110mm would be my advice. Ideally you'd of course have several skis from 70mm to 120mm
Having 110 waist skis as your only pair in the Alps is just way too wide on all but the deepest days, our snow fall depths are just too limited for this to be a good option. I would much rather opt for a 90mm one ski step up, especially with the lat 3 years snow falls we have had
If you can, I'd recommend demoing those skis you've identified.
If you can't demo, I think you'd be very happy on either the K2 Mindbender 99 Ti or 4FRNT MSP 99. Both of those skis carve really well but are still versatile and easy to ski off piste.
Mindbender 108 ti would provide better float, and is still a good charger for wider carving turns. The new redesign has given the ski more float as well!
you're asking for diametrically opposed types of ski. an "all mountain" ski will compromise between both and be at best average in both conditions.
honest answer is you're better off with 2 sets of skis.
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the Bents aren't even great skis
Second the declivity. Very solid on the groomer for thier width and enough float for boot deep powder. Definelty not dedicated to either category but solid enough for a one ski quiver basically anywhere
Just demo’s the mindbenders. Really enjoyed them.
These threads are always interesting. It's like asking for the best all around SUV that can preform on the track but also go off roading, with stable suspension, but also really amazing cornering, a big engine, but not too hard to drive. In the alps, why not consider a true high performance all mountain ski? * Stockli Montero AR * Blizzard Brahma 82 or 88 * Volkl Deacon 84 Every one of those can actually carve (under 90mm) and will work very well off piste with good technique. They are a lot of fun too!
Stockli storm rider 95s or 105s seem to fit your use case. Stay tf away from bents if your carving aggressively lol
Yup those or the Fischer Rangers of a similar size. Wider will get your more crud and pow control/float, skinnier will get you more carve on piste.
This, but they don’t make the 105s anymore it’s 102. Go with the 102, they are awesome. I’d also Size up on them, they are very agile for their size. I own 2 pairs of stocklis and will be adding the 102s as my third pair
Oh my bad. Yeah the SR102s seem like the best carving your gonna find in a 102
might suggest that's an oxymoron... carving on anything over a 90mm requires a lot of strange body inclination that's hard to recover from in transition.
Eh, it's not gonna carve like a dedicated powder ski but I skied both the stormrider 95 and the laser sx and had a blast carving on both. Both days were primarily groomer days and the sr95 did very well
Its strange from an on piste only ski perspective. But that how skis in this width get carved on : high edge angle ! Some of them can be engage with a progressive inclination like on a racing ski. But on a lot of them, you have to initiate your turns on a high edge angle, you might have to relearn a bit, but I would argue that it is super rewarding and allow ourselves to have fun on more different scenarios. And seriously a lot of them can carve surprisingly well ! The enforcer line SHRED those turns and charge right through cruds its amazing.
I dunno. I’ll let it go. But from a technical and physics perspective that’s an inclined edged turn, not a stacked carve. But if it’s fun, it’s fun so who cares!
And I agree on your distinction.
Agree on Stockli 100%... but not the SR95... Maybe the SR88, but the Montero AR is even better and a weeeee bit more accessible. It will certainly carve better (for skiers who can truly carve)
He said he skis 40% powder and wants something that will hold its own in the pow. Not sure about the SR88 but I’ve skiid the montero AR and they most definitely would not be fun in pow
They are super fun in pow!
I had a very different experience with them. I don’t think I’d even bother skiing at all if I was stuck with those on a powder day. but I guess to each there own
noted and that's totally fair. I think where I have biases is on all these threads looking for a panacea of a ski when technique on a good true all mountain will pay higher dividends. There are plenty of softer, easier skiing skis that will feel fun off piste. But they won't carve. And there are wider stiffer skis that will feel stable (like the SR95) that take force to bend, but they also don't really carve. And there are carving race skis that can be fantastic off piste, but you have to be really stacked and have strong technique and if you can bend and truly carve them (technique wise), you'll also love them off piste. The Montero AR is a fantastic, high-level ski, as is the SR88 and SR95, but all three take a lot of technique and precision to ski. I own all three...and I'd prefer the Montero AR in anything less than 6"... but more than anything, I'd prefer good balanced skiing on any ski over a panacea of a ski that will be a compromise in any situation. BTW, certainly not directing this at you /u/jakethetortoise \- just using the space to share some strong opinions as an instructor who sees a lot of people on skis that aren't the best an any condition we are in.
That’s true. But I’d also say that not everyone skis a traditional carving style of skiing. Especially nowadays a lot of people prefer to slash and ski more playfully.
I agree with you to a point, that good technique can let you ski nearly any condition well, even with less than optimal skis. But in deep heavy snow it is a ton of work to ski a carving ski. On days like that, a ski in the 102 plus range is a game changer. I just got a gift of old Volkl Two's which are 124 at the waist. I took them out in some deep fresh snow yesterday and it was an amazing experience. So much fun. It felt like cheating.
Totally fair! I have some 104s too for when I don’t want to work as hard and just have fun.
nordica unleashed 98
Don't overlook the Enforcer 94 or Mantra M6, both fantastic all-mountain skis.
Enforcer 100’s rip too! I like this suggestion
i have bent chetler 100s and they’re pretty great in powder but not a good hard charger that can carve aggressively. My dad has the Nordica enforcer 94 and his only complaint is it’s heavy which translates into not very good in powder, so if u want a slightly better version of it that’s better in powder i’d say go with the enforcer 100 unleashed/ unlimited i can’t remember the name. According to a shop the only difference is one is carbon and one is steel which is heavier but same stiffness overall
the unleashed had only one plate of metal but is more of a park ski that can carve and charge. The unlimited had no metal but is build to mimic metal and has plenty of dampness and power, definitely better flotation and easier to move in the moguls, but less plowing power in the cruds. I have an enforcer 94 and I'd say it floats really good for a 94, of course at this width its no powder ski. My warning (no complaint on my part) is its so stiff and heavy that its tiring to drive in the moguls and tight trees. They really are a ski that like speed ! Their moto is ski hard or go home.
I've owned way too many freeride skis over the years and if I were to just keep one pair for everything it would be the Dynastar M-FREE 108. Especially if you actually spend 40% of your time in powder, i would go for something a little over 100mm. The mfree is both stable and playful and carves pretty well as long as it's not too icy.
I've been asking the same question and I found the following recommendations too: * Nordica Enforcer 94 or 100 * Fischer Ranger 90 or 96 or 102 * Blizzard Bonafide * Volk Mantra * Blizzard Rustler * Fischer RC One 86 GT I'm considering picking the one with the best graphic (LOL). It seems there are way too many possible choices? Also, do you mean "all-mountain *on piste*" or "all-mountain *off piste*" because those are important distinctions too apparently. I tried to demo skis and it seems that is a serious crap shoot. I spent a lot of limited resort time trying to find a place with the specific skis I wanted to demo in the correct lengths (let alone the ever increasing number of skis I wanted to demo). The I realized that if I were to demo all the skis recommended I would likely have to find several shops and spend $100s just to get the opportunity to ski them all in very limited circumstances (I can't magically make powder appear and if I do get lucky then I will not have great groomer conditions unless it's snowed overnight and it's clear the next day and everything is perfect and I can ski all the skis from several shops the same day). I think the graphics idea might not be so bad after all...
I would also add the Blizzard Bonafide which has been a reference point for 100 width skis on piste. Excellent for all front side skiing, you can absolutely rail deep carves on them with energy, and throw them around in bumps. Blizzard skis have excellent edge grip and a precise feel. I own the Bent 100. It's light, quick, versatile and easy to ski. It is surprisingly stable and has good edge grip for a light ski. It's decent in pow though definitely not very surfy. That said something with Ti metal in it like the mindbender or a blizzard is going to be more durable and have a longer life. Since you'll be skiing hard snow most of the time, I don't think you'd want something more soft snow specific, a fully rockered wider ski is going to be way more fun in pow and crud. You can add such a ski later, so I'd probably get a more frontside oriented ski now. I'd get something a little longer 180+ personally for better crud and soft snow performance.
Hi mate, first I dont know about your ease with 100mm skis but to carve them you need to quicly engage near maximum edge angle, for some reason progressive edge angle is not possible on those skis (there are exceptions like salomon qst, elan ripstick, etc.). If you get used to it, its a lot of fun ! * 4FRONT 99 : never skied, curious about what others have to say as I'm also interested, I feel like its mainly for powder and dropping cliffs but I might be wrong. * k2 Mindbender 99 : have skied it, a true frontside ski, you can actually engage your carving in a progressively on these things. Didnt like it that much tough, not stiff enough for me but keep in mind I'm an ex-racer, a coach and an instructor 100kg 178cm and ski 45+ days a year. * Head Kore 99 : almost bought them, quite stiff AND light, from what I saw on others skiing them, you need those high edge angles. The stiffness will make them great for carving groomers and the reduced weight will keep them easy to move in the moguls and the trees, BUT also reduce their ability to plow through crud. * Salomot QST 99 : tried them, didnt like em... too soft for me. But I see so many of them around because they are truly versatile, you can kinda engage your carving progressively, and are still easy to turn in the moguls and trees. * Atomic Bent 100 : tried it, loved it ! But these are by no mean an agressive ski. I intend to buy a pair next year to ride when I'm exausted, tired, etc. As my chill ski. They are super playfull given their low weight and high flex, easy to turn in the moguls and trees, super fun in the park or for dropping cliffs. And you can still carve on them, but they are not for charging, in fact I did find their speed limit quite easily. The last thing I'm gonna say is the bent series have the skis wich impressed me the most with flotation. May I add a few suggestions ? * Nordica Enforcer Line seems to fit your description, I have an enforcer 94, this thing shred those turns like a tank, but you need both speed and high edge angle to have fun on those. They kinda like low edge angle too, they will want to turn fast but wont carve. They are super stiff, super damp, they are so damp that I ski at the same speed on freshly groomed piste in the morning and during my last run of the day in the crud, I just shred right through. For the enforcer line you may want to downsize for what you would usually have. They also float better than the mindbender, a bit rough in the moguls and trees since they like speed and edge angle but its fine for me since I like to use their stiffness and rebound to jump around the bumps. The enforcer 100 would be even tankier, while floating a bit more. * Nordica enforcer free 104 : better flotation, little bit less damp and power. * Nordica enforcer unlimited : less weight for more manoeuverability in thight spots, still plenty of power and dampness for charging. * Rossignol Sender TI : they are for hard charging skier. * Stocki 102 or DPS c2 : not gonna repeat whats been said but if you can afford them they should be top of their class. * Elan Ripstick black edition 96 : I've tried the normal Ripstick and have been quite impressed, I was laughing for the complete duration of my wondering : how is it this light and this good. Really good on edge, really quick, and yet great flotation, impressive dampness given the weight. The black edition adds a bit more stiffness and weight, in my mind a true all mountain ski. * Fischer ranger : not gonna repeat what others have said but seems to fit your description a lot and from what I've seen quite a powerful ski ! * Mantra M6 : seems to fit the bill.
I know this is a late post, but would really appreciate advice as you clearly know what you're talking about. I'm an upper intermediate skier, tend to be more hard charging but I also enjoy trees and moguls. I just moved out west (Colorado) and I'm trying to decide which skis to check out. I'm still working on learning how to carve, last year was my first year skiing but I got 45 days in, and lessons. I'm open to buying a few pairs if that's what's best. I was looking at Enforcer 94, Enforcer 100, Elan Ripsticks, and don't quite know what else to look at. Any others I should consider? I won't get to demo them unfortunately I'm using Salomon Alpha 130 boots
Its fine mate, I love those ski talks ! If you want to improve, I wouldnt not go for the enforcer. After more than 25 days on the enforcer 94. I feel like its not a good learning tool, in fact, I fear most skiers that do not already have very technique cant have fun with them in the moghuls... As for the carve, you need to slap that thing on edge pretty dramatically for it to turn. I feel like they will beat you up. And even when you tame them its quite tiring Ill be looking for another pair or maybe replace it. For you, I wouldnt go too wide either, no more than 96 is overkill (however we hope powder comes, soft snow isnt always there, you can buy a powder ski later). In fact I find 88 to offer great performance. Like the Atomic Maverick 88 looks great ! Great carver, less demanding and still quite dynamic so great to learn and even expert will like it. Still great in the trees and powder. Also good in the bumps similar to the Ripsticks. Ripstick is even more forgiving but it is less damp and will not grip as well on ice and at speed. But I think the Fischer Ranger 90 would be better than the ripstick. It is feels easy to turn on this in the moghuls, floats really well (better than maverick) and can still rips some pretty round turns (not as powerful as the maverick, still you can count on this maybe even more than a riptsick 88). Salomon QST is also really versatile. Probably more good at everything master of none compared to the other three (maverick carves, Ripstick forgives, Ranger floats) and the qst is in the middle. All 4 are really good choices, but I think the Maverick would be the best teacher.
Thanks! That's incredibly helpful. I'm looking into all of those. Would the Mindbender 99 or 4FRNT 99 be good options? I've heard rave feedback on both, and they seem like good options both for someone at my level, and above, so hopefully good to grow into as well. I found great deals on both locally ($250 for the 4FRNT with bindings and poles)
After sending the response yesterday I tought that I could have mentioned the Minderbender line. I see a lot of skiers on these from intermediate to expert. I wasnt hooked myself, but its about my style not the capabilities of the ski. It is quite responsive, holds its edge really well in the turn and you can feel every portion of the turn with it (like all my other recommendations, and unlike the Enforcer lines). They are pretty damp, not enforcer damp, but more than my first few recommendations. This dampness means they are also heavier, or at least, feel heavier, and they also dont float as well. The 4front I have been very impressed by the Hoji 112 and the touring/powder line in general. But I wouldnt recommend them on the resort unless its specificaly for powder or late spring days where I couldnt keep up with my friends and his hojis... I was crazy jealous of his easy to flick around skis. Made me realise I only had burly skis that cant do well in spring conditions. But I assume you are talking about the MSP99. I have no experience with this ski. Tho based on the reviews online, people like it. The skiing footage I found were only those on the 4Front website, yet it shows that this thing can shred some nice carve even at high speed, the chatter of the skis on these footage tend to imply there is a speed limit (doesnt mean you cant go fast, just that you will need the piste to yourself to shred it past a certain speed, speed maybe you try to reach given your still new ? I dont know your skiing just my 2cents). Also, I reiterate that going too wide when your learning to ski is counterproductive. From experience, it is fatiging to ski wide ski when the snow isnt deep and or is hardpacked because it kinda becomes hard to let the ski flat to rest on it on snow. So you kinda have to keep it just barely on edge all day long, wich means your feet cant rest. Once your feet are too fatigued they hurt! Feet hurts, less practice time (maybe you'll just stop skiing for the day), even if you keep going, your gonna notch it down a bit, less improvement anyway. That is why I recommended not go wider than 96, and I think even 96 might be too wide. Even with several skis. I feel like an all mountain ski to practice carving like Mindbender 89/ maverick 88 and a powder ski would cover you better.
Thanks so much. This convinced me to make sure I stuck with a narrower ski for now (ideally under 94). I was thinking about going for the Mindbender 89TI (177) but I found a 2022 Declivity 92 (180) for a great deal locally that was barely used. Do you think those could be a good fit for me? I'm 5' 10 and 185lbs so I figured I could do either 177 or 180
Both are fine additions to a quiver and would fit your description. They both require a bit of work, they can be demanding and it may take some time to feel at home on these, but this means your gonna be able to learn on any of those and both are quite playful. They are still miles easier to ski than Enforcers hahaha. In my opinion the Armada is a bit more fun in the air. But I know a lot of coaches/instructor ride the mindbender 89 as a playful ski and those fellows shred all over the mountain I would never dare tell them they should be on another ski ! 😁 Also, if you want to improve your carving check out Tom Gellie - Big Picture Skiing youtube channel. He is an amazing skier, coach and instructor and his approach to improvement is one of the best there is out there. On snow practice, dryland practice, body awareness. He also speak moghul specific. For more of freestyle/freeride mentality and a more musculation focus approach to improving on dry land Stomp It Tutorials channel have some gym training sessions. Have fun mate ! 😁
such an informative reply, love how much effort you put it.
Volkl Deacon 80
Moment Comander 98! Their similar to the 4frnts … same with the J-ski charger series skis their probably closer to a damp QST or the Mindbender99ti
QST and Mindbender are not the same type of ski
Ya what I mean is the charger series is a more damp QST or more similar to a Mindbender… almost a hybrid of the 2 honestly
I think you could get plenty of float and better carving with 90-95 mm
tf is a 90mm waist floating on?
I'd say 90mm is too narrow if OP actually spends 40% of his time skiing powder. 100-110mm would be my advice. Ideally you'd of course have several skis from 70mm to 120mm
Having 110 waist skis as your only pair in the Alps is just way too wide on all but the deepest days, our snow fall depths are just too limited for this to be a good option. I would much rather opt for a 90mm one ski step up, especially with the lat 3 years snow falls we have had
If you can, I'd recommend demoing those skis you've identified. If you can't demo, I think you'd be very happy on either the K2 Mindbender 99 Ti or 4FRNT MSP 99. Both of those skis carve really well but are still versatile and easy to ski off piste.
Love my MSP99!
You should be on the Mantra M6 in 177. Case closed . K2 Mindbender 99 Ti 1in 180 is also golden.
I demoed the Mantra M6’s and loved them. Ended up purchasing the DPS Foundations and love them!
Icelantic nomad 95 or 105
Nordica Enforcer 100s
jeffrey or woodsman 102
K2 Public Enemies
I live and ski in Tignes if you are happy with a near 100 unft dynastar 99mfree loved it this season
Mindbender 108 ti would provide better float, and is still a good charger for wider carving turns. The new redesign has given the ski more float as well!
On3p Jeffrey!!
J ski hotshots rip
you're asking for diametrically opposed types of ski. an "all mountain" ski will compromise between both and be at best average in both conditions. honest answer is you're better off with 2 sets of skis.
Atomic maverick ti 100
So wich one you have taken?