Some certainly will, but if off-trail skiing becomes your preference, chances are youve graduated to the next level. SE, I'm currently skiing 2009 K2 Apache Xplorer in the 177 length. Like the Ranger 99, the Kore gets narrower underfoot as the sizes decrease below 177 (and slightly wider in the 184 and 191), so take that into account in your decision-making process. Aggressive skiers who like to carve turns through a variety of snow conditions and terrain. The other thing that stands out with the Stance 102 is the fact that it has fairly dramatic tip and tail rocker. The 191 like you're saying is designed for that 1% of skiers in the 6'4" to 6'5"+ range. Hi David! Adam, Update, I went with the 98ti and purchased them SE. Your reviews are super helpful and informative, btw. I only started skiing last year, but have progressed quickly. Playful skiers who want something equally at home during trick time as it is in the backcountry. Good level. The Kore and the Rustler are definitely lighter, with the Rustler having great poise and maneuverability thanks to the shape and build. Imperfections in the snow surface won't affect the performance of the Rustler 10 as much as a ski with stiffer tips and tails. No longer is the Bent Chetler brand synonymous only with playful powder skis, the whole Bent lineup is welcome anywhere on the mountain there's room for a freestyle mindset. I own a pair of Pinnacle 105, so I'm pretty biased. In my opinion, the QST 99 would help you expand your ability and try new terrain, although the Ranger 98 Ti would give you slightly better groomer performance. I sometime borrow my sons Salomon X-Drive 8.0 Ti. The all-new Atomic Maverick 100 Ti is a strong and powerful ski that takes over where the Vantage series of skis left off. Enjoy fast ripping on groomers and something a little playful and manageable in trees and bumps. I found a great deal on a pair, just used once for 20% off. Terrain mostly 70% off piste and 30% on. Skiers looking for a great soft snow ski with more dramatic than average tip taper and rocker. Adam, Hi, It's quick and responsive and really performs well across a variety of terrain. Nope! Cross-country pole sizing is easy as well. It's a blast in powder, trees, and other off-piste scenarios and its lightweight feel and relatively soft flex pattern offers an important choice in this category. If you're a playful skier that likes to use the entire mountain as your terrain park, a ski like this is right up your alley. You do not put limits on what youre going to ski on a given day. (I have to mount my BC 100 but afraid may be to soft? 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. I currently ride a set of Volkl Deacon 76, and I love the speed and turning ability of themon groomed runs and ice. We're about the same size, and I loved the stability of the ski, even without two sheets of metal. SE. The primary purpose for these skis will be to perform in powder. Hi Stu! It uses a fair amount of rocker and early taper, which like a lot of skis in this article is more pronounced in the tip than the tail. SE. These skis have a great combination of construction, with a build made from maple, aspen, and a Titanal Y-Beam metal laminate, these skis excel on the groomers, and specifically in a carved turn. The Dynastar M-Pro 99 has a unique build and shape to it that sets it apart from other skis on this list, and its interesting both hand-flexing it and looking at the profile of the ski as it sits on the wall. Skiers both young and old. I ski about 50% west (Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming) and 50% east (Vermont and New York mountains). So there might be some powder, some crud, or the moguls might get skied out to become fairly icy; there's only so much soft stuff one gets to see inbounds during a holiday week. Much lighter, more rocker, less metal, etc. Hope that helps! Its focus is arguably more on firm snow performance than soft snow, although with its 99 mm waist width it will let a skier take their carving turns from firm snow to mixed snow conditions, softer snow, crud, and just about anything else. See what they thought of the ski in the carving, freestyle, and freeride categories, and chat with a Curated Ski Expert with questions or to get personalized gear recommendations. Think of it as a shoe size, like a "size 11" for example. But felt they were a bit too heavy and burly for me. Weight: Theres no easy way to say it, but skiers who are carrying around a bit of extra weight should consider staying to the higher side of the scale. 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. One of the pinnacles of precision in this comparison, the Kastle MX 98 is likely the most confidence-inspiring ski on the wall. It's entirely possible and very common for boots with the same Mondo Point to have different Boot Sole Lengths. 28.5). Any help on the SD 104 or advice on a ski? Im in the market for a one ski quiver. You may be planning a comparison like this already, but here is my question Im a New England skier, NH & VT mostly. 5'10" 185lb I'd also put a vote in for the Salomon QST 106 and the Blizzard Rustler 10. In your description of your skiing, I got the impression you spend a fair amount of time on groomers and like to ski somewhat fast sometimes (Birds of Prey is what comes to mind). In Stock Now: New 2023 Atomic. sorrycan't edit posts here. Hope that helps, Currently on 181cm Blizzard Bonifides 2015 edition. None of your choices are "wrong," but that QST just does everything well. Hope that helps! Salomon added basalt and doubled the amount of carbon and flax in the QST 99 for 2019. I love the trees and the crud and attacking a line and avoid skiing on ice days. I have a good level on groomers but I often get bored and want to go more into trees, powder, and learn new tricks in the park. Hi SE, I just imagine the M5 would feel like a lot of ski when skiing slowly, and it's also not the most maneuverable ski in trees. 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. Any other ski worth looking into? Fitting cross country skis is different then fitting alpine skis. They're 2013 K2 AMP Velocity, 172cm, 72mm underfoot, nearly full camber. Very smooth, strong, and stable, so if that's what you're into, I'm not going to steer you away, especially since I'm a huge fan of the ski as well. But I still want something so that I can be aggressive / ski off-piste crud and powder when I want. I'm having fun throwing in Super G hills like Birds of Prey when in tourist conditions, but definitely no ambitions at racing, and I don't see myself out of bounds or heliskiing within the lifespan of the next skis. This ski just keeps on chugging along. Please help. Instead of fitting the ski by height, the skis that we carry are fit by weight. A bit beefier wood used for 2020, but it's not really that noticeable. Its ability to transition through different snow conditions is perhaps its most impressive attribute. For bindings, you shouldn't have any trouble with the Griffon. Thanks, HI Howard! Looking at Mantra M5 in 184 or Kore 93 in 180cm. They're both super-versatile and a ton of fun. I'm an ex-racer who skis aggressively. Amazingly, and finally, the stiffest ski on the wall is also one of the lightest. If youve looked all over and still cant find your BSL, its also acceptable to measure along the bottom of the boot from the very tip of the toe, to back of the heel- just make sure you measure in Millimeters! Those skis all blend power and playfulness. In that category, check out the 2020 Volkl Kendo and the Rossignol experience 88. Cheers . 34% Off $725.00. That said, from everything you've said, the Salomon QST 99 feels like a really good choice. I like to charge hard and am starting to play around off piste in Vail and on chowder days with skis. Carbon is a pretty stiff material, and the way that Fischer uses it in this ski is pretty interesting. More weight means the skis will feel softer, and shorter. I'm looking for a lighter more fun ski that won't tire me out a fast but yet still hold an edge for a guy my size. On the slightly lighter and more maneuverable side, I'd check out the Fischer Ranger 94 FR or the Blizzard Rustler 9--both great all-mountain skis that can hold on ice as well. The bad news, is that it can be a bit more difficult to do- but thats why were here. $799.95. I'd recommend meeting somewhere in the middle with something like the Blizzard Rustler 9, Head Kore 93, or Salomon QST 92. But perhaps Ive got enough weight to get the 184 Mantra to react just as well? Thanks, HI Phil! It's really a super fun all mountain ski and it sounds like it would really match your skiing style. I'm aggressive on-piste and more moderate off-piste, especially in narrower chutes and trees. It's not the most powerful or more precise ski on firm snow, but it's no slouch either. I've been looking mainly at the Bent Chetler 100s but would love further input. 175-183? Versus the outgoing 105, this new 102 is a bit less tapered, but with quite a bit more tip rise. not sure on what length to go with either. What ski to get The Enforcer will be a bit better on-piste and the Ranger will be a bit better in soft/fresh snow. I am looking to buy a new pair of skis, more playful and freestyle-oriented than my current Rossignol EST. The mantras are heavy as *** but I am really only hiking to a bit of sidecountry, not any real touring. I want to find a pair of skis thats comfortable for an intermediate but that will continue to grow with me as I advance to more technical terrain. Hi Pete! They are a bit wider and have longer rocker profiles, so maneuverability is a bit more pronounced in this ski than the other two. The surprising part of the ski, though, is the amount of energy and snap that it generates underfoot and through the tail. Thanks a lot I appreciate your insight. Fantastic in the woods and bumps, these skis have some substance to them for sure. I'd go 184. You want something stiff, but not overpowering that you can ski on all day, any day. A bit more demand out of the Rustler, as it has a partial metal laminate, while the Ranger only has metal underfoot for binding retention. Considering your weight, I'm thinking either QST 99 or Ranger 98 Ti would be best. All use some metal, but are also way more playful than the Mantra in soft snow. Wanted to get your input on ski choice. Also, narrower skis will be a little quicker edge to edge, which really helps in moguls. The M-Pro is stiff in the tail, so make sure you take that into account as to whether you want that or not. Check out the Blizzard Rustler 10 and 9 (104 vs 94 underfoot) as well as the K2 Pinnacle 95 and 105. The Sky will give you the same fits regarding edge hold and the Black Crows are nice, but lack the metal build of the Nordica. I'm a advanced skier from western Canada. The Fischer Ranger 98 Ti is another ski that bridges the gap between weight savings and stability. The Titanal Frame style of build in the 102 helps to not only achieve a high level of precision to the edges, but also lightens the load ever so slightly to deliver energy and agility to this already burly stick. Using Salomons construction techniques involving their Metal Twin Frame, these skis benefit from two sheets of titanal, with windows open in the forebody and the tail. Fritschi freeride - Der TOP-Favorit unserer Produkttester. Looking for 1 quiver ski as the 15 bonifides served that purpose well for me east or west fast or deep powder. Would you recommend the Nordica unleashed 98 over the enforcer 100? The flex pattern is also one of the softest in this category, which really boosts the ski's forgiveness in variable snow conditions and tricky terrain. I know r/skiing loves both of the Bent Chetler skis, but I really haven't ever found either are that exceptional. It doesn't have huge amounts of rocker or early taper, so its shape isn't totally focused for soft snow, but it still performs really well even in deep conditions. Also something that wants to and feels more natural in the air. The Kastle MX 99 is stiff, powerful, and holds an edge better than just about anything in the 100 mm category. I live in Japan so no shortage of soft snow (but not guaranteed every day either) and have some Majesty Superior for big days and smash around the rest of the time on some Line 2016 Bacons. Tom, Hi Tom! If you need to find your BSL, but would still like to submit your order, please enter "I will provide" in the Sole Length box and we will hold your order for mounting. The Stormrider 102 is a rarity in the ski world as it occupies the powderiest slot in the companys catalog. I guess id be more toward the beginner side of intermediate. To determine your size, simply flip a ski pole over, grab it under the basket, and place the handle on the ground. An SE tester favorite, there is not much this ski can't do. The Rustler is a good choice as well, as it has a partial metal plate that gives you more control on the groomers. Keep in mind that you will have to change your style and adapt a bit and be ready for a "softer" ski flex on most freeride skis compared to a narrow waisted ski with metal in its core. I'm having fun on them. On the other hand, the Unleashed is a little softer than the Enforcer with a more pronounced tail to offer a freeride application. That said, you might not get the same "playful" feeling from the E100 in the softer snow, so it's a bit of a tradeoff. Please keep in mind that ski boots DO NOT come in half-sizes. It's not an overly stiff ski, and I think would perform really well for what you're looking to do. The boat-hull inspired shape in the tip and tail boost the ski's float and overall performance in deeper snow conditions. For length, the 174 cm QST 99 feels about right, or the 172 Ranger 98. On many windy East coast ski days, I'll ski both conditions in the same day and same run (firm & wind blown trails, but soft bumpy trees). SE. But currently I'm looking for a one-ski quiver that will be maneuverable enough for some quick tight turns but will also let me float a bit in the soft stuff and hold a carving turn or two at mid-speed when required. We see a lot of teen skiers on these raging around the woods, but theyre also more than acceptable for mellower skiers who just want something easy and playful with good energy for all-mountain cruising. As a result, I'm researching fatter skis, around the 100 cm width, that I can grow into as my ability increases; and even help be a better skier. Because ski bindings are so precise, it's crucial to have them mounted to the BSL and not the Mondo Point. 188cm. While youll still need a final adjustment done before you can ski, providing us with your boot sole length is absolutely crucial if youd like us to send your skis pre-mounted with your bindings. -Andrew, Hi Andrew! Hi Dennis! Heck, you could probably even ski blindfolded and with your hands tied behind your back. You folks offer an impeccable and generous service. Im looking for something a little better for off piste, powder and tight tree runs. SE. Let me know if you have any thoughts or advice, and keep up the good work! I decided this year to upgrade from 10 year old K2 Apache Recon. So you can measure yourself, or you can just check out our handy-dandy chart below. It wasnt too long ago, after all, that a 102 mm underfoot ski would be considered an absolute boat, but now, the construction and shaping techniques are so good that 102s act like much narrower skisin a good way. The more free ride spot Chris recommends is -3cm from true center which varies in how far forward that is from factory depending on the length. Please let me know your thoughts. What skis do you think I should be considering? Supremely versatile and well-rounded, the Ranger 102 FR is great for everything from floating to carving with park stuff in between. Just for mogul performance, the 93 will be quicker and easier than the 100. SE. In wide-open bowls the day after a storm, were not sure theres a better ski out there. If you measure a Men's 8/Mondopoint 26, please select 26.5, for example. I skied the 185 last year and found it decent stability-wise, but not amazing. The FX 95 HP is certainly worth a second look--high-end feel for sure. Kyle, Hi Josh! Sorry for the name confusion, I noticed right after I hit the submit button. The QST is also more rockered than the M-Pro, especially in the tail, so it is a bit more playful, although not quite as powerful. I'd go with the Rustler 9. 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