ski compare and contrast

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Which one? That is the question I have to ask whenever someone inquires about a Mantra, the new M5 in particular. "I owned" "My buddy owned" "I read about" ... the Mantra. I always have to answer, "Which one?" The reply is usually, “What do you mean, 'Which one?'" There have been several...

This week on Chairlift Chat we take a closer look at 15 different men's freeride skis and discuss the similarities and differences between them.

Ah, 76, 78, 79. This seems to be the sweet spot for a ski that can carve up the groomers, rip a zipper line, or help someone work on technique. For me, it is the sweet spot for a ski that puts a smile on my face. I was fortunate enough to be able to ski all three of them early in their lives...

In all its wisdom, Blizzard played it safe when redesigning the Brahma. It had a good thing going and decided to tweak things rather than start over. So, the new Brahma got a slightly more rounded shovel, a slightly more aggressive sidecut, and a slightly more balanced flex compared to the model...

The Liberty V-Series V76 takes on the Head Supershape iRally. Am I really going there? Am I really going to put the all-new, relatively unknown, mostly unproven Liberty up against the reference ski in the segment? Hell yeah. Because this very good Liberty has everything to gain and nothing to...

One thing we can say here at Pugski.com is that we do love them there hard-snow skinny-type skis. This comparison comes from the people who give us toast, fries, and kisses -- yes, we are talking about the French. Dynastar quietly introduced the Speed Zone 12 a few seasons back, and it is a ski...

Two skis from two brands under the same umbrella: one would think they might have some similarities, and they do. But as much as they are similar, they are also quite different. The Dynastar Legend W84, with its five-point sidecut and two layers of Titanal, is a frontside carving ski with...

After we requested ideas for Cage Matches, many asked us to compare this against the new Rossignol Experience 94 Ti or that against the new Völkl Mantra M5. So we decided that instead of doing a bunch of one-to-one comparisons, the Rossi and Völkl should take on the world. But first, go back and...

This week on Chairlift Chat we compare 15 different skis in the 100 mm waist width category!

Here is a Cage Match that could have happened last year, but no one requested it. It is hard to argue with what Head is doing right now. It is hitting on all cylinders, and the Kores are no exception. Head has been able to produce a light yet powerful ski with the Kore, and it’s a winner ... but...

Stöckli vs Kästle, Kästle vs Stöckli, these are the comparisons that keep people coming to Pugski. I feel like a ring announcer in Vegas: "In this corner, measuring in at 74mm underfoot, the Kästle MmmmmmmX Sev-en-ty Fourrrrrrr, and in the far cornahhhh, measuring in at 77mm underfoot, the...

These two premium skis are sure to be compared over a snifter of one's favorite Cognac. This was actually a tougher comparison last year before the Endurance evolved to its newer shape. Last year I referred to the Endurance 98 as the ski that the FX95 wanted to be, a bit stronger with a touch...

This week on Chairlift Chat we compare 15 different men's all-mountain skis in the 90 mm waist width range and discuss what type of skier they would be best for. Don't forget we have a whole heap of more information on these skis in our 2019 Ski Test results as well as our full length ski...

This comparison is one that will likely be brought up in ski shops around the world: the brand-new Secret from Völkl and Blizzard's longtime favorite, the Black Pearl 88. The skis are 4 mm apart in waist width with a 2m difference in turn radius, yet they will appeal to similar women. The Völkl...

We are going to be seeing a lot from Liberty in the coming season with its new V-Series VMT skis; the focus here will be the new 92mm version. DPS has an all-new ski that shares some DNA with the Liberty, since they both come out of the same facility. In today's age of shared manufacturing, it...

I recently returned to the sport after a brief seven year hiatus from skiing and am now in the market for new ski. About me: 40yo, 5’-11”, and a portly 230lb athletic intermediate level skier piloting vintage (2005) Head iXRC 800 in 170 length (65mm under foot). I ski mostly groomers...

This is the Cage Match that I think will be most requested for this coming season because it involves two skis that have been completely reinvented for 2018-19. The only thing that carries over from their previous incarnations is their names. This is going to be the toughest of the matches for...

The 98mm category is a packed one, offering many options and models with a lot of overlap. When any new collection comes out in a crowded segment, the manufacturer tries to let us know how it wants the skis presented. Some other review sites regurgitate that information, but at Pugski, we give...

The vast majority of my skis are Stockli Lazer series - some with Marker WC piston race plate. I love the way that they ski. My everyday work ski to teach on is a Lazer AX. Looking for an in-bounds powder ski. Looking for something a bit more playful than Stockli Lazer's vibe. I've never had...