- Joined
- Mar 5, 2017
- Posts
- 1,202
Dimensions: 126-76-106
Radius: 15m@179cm
Sizes: 165, 172, 179
Construction: All New
Doug Briggs (179): Liberty showed me that my conception of them as a freeride company was all wrong. The V76 is an outstanding ski. Easy to ski, ready to go, it handles the piste like a thoroughbred. I would consider this ski for my quiver if I had a vacancy.
- Who is it for? Skiers looking for performance and forgiveness in a ski.
- Who is it not for? Conformists.
- Insider tip: Remember, you heard it hear first: the Liberty V-Series is damn good.
Drahtguy Kevin (179): "Smooth and eager to please" describes this ski to a T. Getting in and out of turns is quick and energetic. A secure feel underfoot made me want to go faster and faster on the groomed and off. Whatever I threw at this ski was devoured with ease and comfort. One of the surprises of the testing season for me.
- Who is it for? People looking for a more on-piste-oriented ski who like to dip their toes off piste as well.
- Who is it not for? Skiers unwilling to try an “off brand.”
- Insider tip: You’ll be hearing more about Liberty in the future.
Philpug (179): Hmmm. Where did Liberty come from and when did they get on Pugski's radar? Well, it started last season when a mutual friend of Liberty and I suggested I look at them. While we didn’t have time to get them on the snow then, their finish did look far better than they did in years past. Fast forward to this year, the VMT (Vertical Metal Technology) collection caught our attention because of their shape; then our partners at SkiEssentials.com announced that they were going to carry them, further solidifying their position in our testing rotation.
The VMT’s shape just looked like fun, and any time a manufacturer brings a new flat ski in the low 80s, it draws our attention. The vertical metal additions to the bamboo core increase torsional rigidity and spring to the ski. These are not race skis, but they don’t claim to be, either.
- Who is it for? For those who miss the Blizzard Latigo or Scott Black Majic, here is a sweet replacement.
- Who is it not for? Those not open to nonmainstream brands. Your loss.
- Insider tip: Call Ski Essentials, and order NOW.
Tricia (172): Liberty Skis had not been on my radar, but this time I gave them a shot. The V76 is not a ski I would normally associate with a company like Liberty, which has big-mountain roots, but this ski is so much fun, I took four laps on it and spent some time in moguls in Hallelujah Bowl exclaiming, "Hallelujah!" What a fun fun fun ski. Edge hold is good, tip initiation is right where it should be, the tail is forgiving in the moguls. This ski breathed life back into my legs after two solid days of testing.
- Who is it for? A skier looking for a versatile frontside-biased ski.
- Who is it not for? I guess I wouldn't bring it on a heli trip.
- Insider tip: Not enough Fs in fun for this one.
UGASkiDawg (179): I had never been on a Liberty ski before and was very pleasantly surprised by this ski from brand everyone pegs as pure free ski company. The V76 rewards goods technique but doesn’t demand it. It stands up to power on piste but is versatile enough for forays off the groomed.
- Who is it for? People looking for a fun and forgiving but rewarding frontside ski with some versatility.
- Who is it not for? People who want their skis to do only one thing well.
- Insider tip: Check out their other skis; I sure will!
Liberty V82
Dimensions: 129-82-110
Radius: 16.5m@179cm
Sizes: 165, 172, 179, 186
Size tested: 179
Design: All New
Doug Briggs (179): I always thought Liberty was just a park and freeride ski company, but this ski changed my mind, big time. The 82 is stable and right at home making turns of all sizes. A real eye-opener.Dimensions: 129-82-110
Radius: 16.5m@179cm
Sizes: 165, 172, 179, 186
Size tested: 179
Design: All New
- Who is it for? Someone looking for a nice all-around performer.
- Who is it not for? The biggest of chargers.
- Insider tip: Yes, the accolades are true.
Drahtguy Kevin (179): From tip to tail, this ski is a winner. This ski is smooth and easy just like its skinnier little brother. Multiple turn shapes are simple and secure. High-speed cruising is a delight, and the silky feel makes you want to extend your day.
- Who is it for? Want to fill the midsection of your quiver? Here you go.
- Who is it not for? People scared of change. Liberty is upping its game.
- Insider tip: Check out the base structure on these babies.
- Who is it for? The intermediate to advanced skier looking for a bit wider narrow ski for the bottom end of the quiver.
- Who is it not for? A stronger, heavier skier may overpower this ski, but I doubt it.
- Intermediate tip: If you like the V76 but need a bit more float for those light powder on groomer days, this may be the ski for you.
Ron (179): Liberty has been around for quite some time but, I have to admit, never on my radar. The Colorado-based brand just seemed too newschool freeskier to me. I was wrong. New for 2019, Liberty's new Vertical Metal Technology (VMT) stacks metal vertically in the ski, which is, if I am correct, a first. I first got on the V82 and was less than enamored, but after Phil discussed the tune with the national sales rep, they quickly prepped another pair for us to try. I mention this because Liberty cared about its skis where, sadly, others don't. That tells you something about the brand and the people behind it. Upon the re-test, I found the V82 to be a blast. The VMT has a feel that is very damp and connected to the snow. It engages very well and holds the turn consistently, without you having to steer or correct its path. At the same time, you can break the turn and go right into short- and medium-radius turns. This is a versatile ski that has a fun, energetic ride to it. I was quite surprised by this ski; it is another I could own.
- Who is it for? Skiers looking for a versatile frontside carver that can dabble off piste, and who like a more damp feel with some pop and energy; early adopters.
- Who is it not for? Those looking for a wide carver with race chops.
- Insider tip: Don't overlook this brand! See www.skiessentials.com.
Dimensions: 133-92-120
Radius: 17.5m@179cm
Sizes: 165, 172, 179, 186
Design: All New
Drahtguy Kevin (186): Everything the thinner Liberties bring to the on-piste game, these take off piste. Super secure and solid with outstanding edge grip and a tail that happily obeys orders, the V92 makes soft crud and bumps unnoticeable. Groomer performance is exceptional for a ski of this width.
- Who is it for? Off-piste lovers who still like to rip the corduroy.
- Who is it not for? Skiers seeking groomer performance only. These skis are too good not to take all over the mountain.
- Insider tip: The entire V-Series family is worthy of a demo. Don’t be surprised if a purchase follows.
Philpug (179): As we have said with the other V-Series, Liberty was the surprise of the show for us. The Vertical Metal Technology (VMT) created a pop that I had never really felt in its skis before. Liberty also moved from a 100% bamboo core to a mixture of bamboo and poplar (and carbon), which allows the ski to stay quieter on the snow. All of this together creates a design that works.
- Who is it for? These ski like a wide carver that handles crud well.
- Who is it not for? Old thinkers. Forget what you thought Liberty was -- I know I had to.
- Insider tip: Liberty is no longer sitting on the sidelines. It is moving to the adult table with some very well-designed and -built skis.
Dimensions: 126-90-112
Radius: 16.5m@172cm
Sizes: 165, 172, 179, 186
Size tested: 179
Design: New Construction
Ron: After my experience with the VMT, I decided to jump on something different. Although this ski wasn't on the list of targeted demos, I wanted to get a better feeling of what Liberty was offering. The Origin 90 didn't disappoint. This ski is just pure all-mountain fun. I wouldn't suggest this as an East Coast all-mountain ride, but for out west, it is a hoot! The Origin 90 in 179 skied a bit short for me with some rather pronounced rocker, so if you tend to like longer skis, go to the 186. The ski looks like a freeride model with softish tapered tips and tails, but underfoot it is pretty beefy. You aren't buying this for crisp, precise tip engagement, but it does hook up well enough on the groomed and once it does, you can stand over the center and arc it. I did get it up to speed and experienced tip flap, but nothing that affected its performance. What makes this ski so much fun is its energy and pop. This ski also is quite damp. I didn't get it off piste but I can totally envision ripping through soft bumps and trees. Yep, I could own this ski for days when I just wanted to bomb around the mountain in soft snow with a big grin on my face.
- Who is it for? Just about any level of skier who likes a fun, poppy, energetic ski.
- Who is it not for? Those looking for precision, exactness, and boring skis.
- Insider tip: Demo if you can for proper length.
Dimensions: 133-98-121
Radius: 19.5m@179cm
Sizes: 165, 172, 179, 186
Size tested: 179
Design: All New
dean_spirito: When you think of a brand like Liberty, it can be easy to overlook the fact that it has been refining its craft for more than 15 years. In that time, it has become one of the ski industry’s largest independent ski manufacturers, and for good reason. The Helix 98 is undoubtedly the best $500 ski I’ve ever been on. It is fast, playful, and a ton of fun all over the mountain. The thing that impresses me most is its flex pattern. Bamboo makes for a fantastic core; it is easy to bend but always comes back. This is what makes the ski feel so stable at speed, despite being relatively soft with generous rise in the tip and tail. The Helix 98 is extremely versatile and would make for a great one-ski quiver.
- Who is it for? Any intermediate to expert skier looking for a playful one-ski quiver.
- Who is it not for? Heavier skiers and those who demand a stiff ski.
- Insider tip: At $500, the Helix 98 might be one of the best deals on the market.
Women
Liberty Genesis 106Dimensions: 138-106-128
Radius: 15m@164cm
Sizes: 157. 164, 171
Size tested: 171
Design: NGT
Tricia: This is a ski that I shouldn’t have taken out in the conditions we were skiing, but I really really wanted to try it. Conditions were low snow, groomers, some skied-out crud. I liked the flex and overall performance of this ski, but she needs me to take her out on a powder day.
- Who is it for? A woman looking for a versatile powder ski.
- Who is it not for? Groomer Greta.
- Insider tip: Prepare yourself for fun.