Comparison Review Help...Need next used ski

[1chris5]

I ski at Blue Mountain in Palmerton, PA (16x this season) and I am probably level 8 or 9 but I am not sure that matters. I am always in search of the pure carve be it on the easiest to most difficult. I particularly like to try and carve short radius turns at high speed but need a ski that is all-purpose (good at short and medium and decent gs type turns). Conditions are typically groomed, icy, cruddy and all of the above with a helping of the worst moguls you've ever seen. I currently ski on a pair of 2008 k2 apache recon's 174cm(118-78-103 I think) that I bought on ebay for almost nothing (i'm not kidding). I bought them 31/2 years ago. The tops don't look good but the bases and edges are great. I love them but they are getting old and I run them hard (there's a joke in their somewhere). They really do everything I need.
There was a demo day today and I had time to try the Nordica Navigator 185. I only had 1 run on a bump black diamond that turns into intermediate. I was not impressed. They seemed ok at speed and edged ok but I don't think I need any rocker or a waist that wide. Is that heresy to think? I don't have a lot of money to spend on skis. I am thinking if I could find an unbelievable deal in the summer, I might be able to pick up a 2015 Head iSupershape (Magnum, Rally, Titan). I'm thinking either 170 or 177 (not sure what their exact lengths are. I want a ski that the binding is at least on the indemnity? list at the ski shops. Any thoughts on the iSupershape or any other skis. I am probably going to pick a ski that is used and I have never skied on. I'm thinking a ski that is fairly stiff is what I want. I am 5'10/190. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Philpug]

Paging @Living Proof to the white courtesy phone. Ahhh Blue Mountain. I think you are on rhe right track with wanting one of the Supershapes, great option of a ski. Keep n eye here in the swap section, criagslist and even eBay, they show up a lot. Wicks Ski shop in Exton runs a real good consignment sale in the fall, that is another option for you, just shoot down Rt 100. Your 174 Recons are really more like a 177, you could go either way on these new skis and since you are looking used, you are limited since there is no "Used Ski Factory". You and I are about the same size and if I was skiing Blue...I am not...but that is another story...I would err to the 170 as my first choice in a Supershape.

 

[Josh Matta]

There would be no reason to get a ski like a navigator 85 at blue, unless you wanted a ski for spring conditions...

I would look at carver, race carvers, Master GS skis. If you want tighter turns a Masters SL ski, or even a FIS Sl ski could be the ticket. I would avoid FIS GS skis simply because they are not any fun to actually free ski on, on crowded open to public piste.

In all honest when conditions get blue like at stowe I have been reaching for my 174cm BLizzard X power and been happy, and more recently have been reaching for my 182 Nordica WRC Master GS skis. The masters ski are better on pure Ice and hardpack, where the X power are lighter feeling, and can manage chunked up granular better.

these are slightly narrow and turnier verison of my X powers but still have the same constuction. If I was at blue I would probably prefer the tighter sidecut and narrowor waist.

https://www.amazon.com/2016-Blizzar..._2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=DWWYC5PYWPN8FNWZ25ZN

 

[Tom K.]

I'd vote Supershape Rally in 170. I've got the new Titans in 177 (I'm 6'2" and 195).

Due to our amazing winter in the PNW, it's taken me until now to get up to Day 5 on them, and they are keepers. They excel on groomers (of course) but I'm also loving them in bumps and modest new snow (say 2 inches). Maybe it's the teeny bit of early rise tip doing more than I thought it would, but whatever the reason, I am loving them.

Of course, nothing with this much sidecut will ever be a mogul specialist ski, especially if you are a fan of the zipper line approach (I'm not) but they do work well, regardless.

 

[cantunamunch]

Just as a heads up older Supershapes can get pranged easily. Especially if they get taken into bumps by people less expert or heavier than you.

It's not that they lose torsional grip (although that can happen) but they lose camber from the mid shovel mark forward. So, even if they have torsional grip, tip engagement is delayed enough that they don't pull you into a turn anymore. Definitely not like they used to before the 40-50 day mark.


Other thoughts: have a close look at Dynastar's Contact series.

 

[Paul Quirin]

Solid advice from Josh on the Power X7's. Demoed these last year and insisted two of my expert buddies get on them and try. They were blown away and both bought them and are their go to ski. They flew under the radar, but are super fun and very forgiving, yet will carve trenches all day long. I would have bought them too if I did not already have a similar ski. Super deal on Josh's link.

 

[1chris5]

One more ski question: Any thoughts on the Kastle MX78 (prob. 178cm and 2012 or 13 vintage) to add to this list. It has no rocker, comes from an apparent impeccable pedigree of ski craftsmanship and is the same waist as my recons? Also, thanks so much for your informed replies. I have to admit I am too wiped to read your replies closely tonight. I'll study this in the next day or two. I just spent three straight days of skiing with my family at Blue but it's a 90min. commute each way (just finished night snow tubing). As an aside, after reading many Pugski threads by Philpug and @Living Proof, you are the reason I joined this community because of your close association with Blue. And I look forward to trying Philpug's quickie waxing technique this Sunday as I have to tune and wax 4 pairs of skis and 2 snowboards. Cheers

 

[1chris5]

There would be no reason to get a ski like a navigator 85 at blue, unless you wanted a ski for spring conditions...

I would look at carver, race carvers, Master GS skis. If you want tighter turns a Masters SL ski, or even a FIS Sl ski could be the ticket. I would avoid FIS GS skis simply because they are not any fun to actually free ski on, on crowded open to public piste.

In all honest when conditions get blue like at stowe I have been reaching for my 174cm BLizzard X power and been happy, and more recently have been reaching for my 182 Nordica WRC Master GS skis. The masters ski are better on pure Ice and hardpack, where the X power are lighter feeling, and can manage chunked up granular better.

these are slightly narrow and turnier verison of my X powers but still have the same constuction. If I was at blue I would probably prefer the tighter sidecut and narrowor waist.

https://www.amazon.com/2016-Blizzar..._2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=DWWYC5PYWPN8FNWZ25ZN

Wow, thanks for the link. These skis do look like what I am looking for. I'm putting them in my cart so I don't forget about them.

 

[1chris5]

Paging @Living Proof to the white courtesy phone. Ahhh Blue Mountain. I think you are on rhe right track with wanting one of the Supershapes, great option of a ski. Keep n eye here in the swap section, criagslist and even eBay, they show up a lot. Wicks Ski shop in Exton runs a real good consignment sale in the fall, that is another option for you, just shoot down Rt 100. Your 174 Recons are really more like a 177, you could go either way on these new skis and since you are looking used, you are limited since there is no "Used Ski Factory". You and I are about the same size and if I was skiing Blue...I am not...but that is another story...I would err to the 170 as my first choice in a Supershape.

Wick's is a fine idea. I forgot about the consignment sale. I bought my daughter a pair of Nordica boots at the sale a couple years ago. I appreciate your 170 recommendation for the supershapes as I read a litter shorter was ideal. I'm creating a chart on Google Keep of these recommendations to keep me organized. Thanks

 

[ARL67]

If you are after MX78 there is a brand-new set of last years in Gear Swap at Epic, though maybe a bit over budget.
http://www.epicski.com/t/149598/fs-2016-kastle-mx78-176-new

 

[1chris5]

There would be no reason to get a ski like a navigator 85 at blue, unless you wanted a ski for spring conditions...

I would look at carver, race carvers, Master GS skis. If you want tighter turns a Masters SL ski, or even a FIS Sl ski could be the ticket. I would avoid FIS GS skis simply because they are not any fun to actually free ski on, on crowded open to public piste.

In all honest when conditions get blue like at stowe I have been reaching for my 174cm BLizzard X power and been happy, and more recently have been reaching for my 182 Nordica WRC Master GS skis. The masters ski are better on pure Ice and hardpack, where the X power are lighter feeling, and can manage chunked up granular better.

these are slightly narrow and turnier verison of my X powers but still have the same constuction. If I was at blue I would probably prefer the tighter sidecut and narrowor waist.

https://www.amazon.com/2016-Blizzar..._2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=DWWYC5PYWPN8FNWZ25ZN

Hi Josh - when you note the Nordica WRC Master GS ski do you mean Nordica Doberman Spitfire Pro or is there a specific ski by that name? Do you think I could rip shorter turns with GS or is it possible to rip more GS like turns with an SL (and does the Spitfire Pro or whatever also come in GS?). I am intrigued by the Masters race ski, I would not race on them though and would need a little turn flexibility.

 

[1chris5]

If you are after MX78 there is a brand-new set of last years in Gear Swap at Epic, though maybe a bit over budget.
http://www.epicski.com/t/149598/fs-2016-kastle-mx78-176-new

Those are so nice but I have to buy myself and wife skis for next year and that's a little above our max budget for both. I'm putting this on my dream list though. One never knows.

 

[Living Proof]

Hi @1chris5 , thanks for the shout out, and, Welcome to Pug Ski. Blue is my home mountain, I ski mostly weekdays, although with our warm eastern Pa. winter, my days there have been very few this season. PM me if you will be there midweek. Another Blue skier is @Roby lukens and he is a very good higher speed carver, I hope he offers some thoughts. I agree with all written above that your existing K2's and mid 80 waist skis do not match up well with what you are trying to do.

Both Robby and I primarily use 165 Sl skis, they would meet your criteria for making short turns and they hold great on refrozen Blue snow. There is a lot of higher speed performance in a FIS Sl ski, most who ski them do so with turnshapes that are more GSish radius than very tight.
Sl skis can be skied in bumps, but, they are not very friendly due to the tail of the ski not wanting to release, and, you can over-bend them in tight mogluls. I stay out of Blue's bumps unless conditions are ripe, usually with it is warm with soft snow.

Many good Blue carvers choose a Masters GS ski like this one in the Pugski gear sale. The seller is a top notch provider of carving skis to this community, and, the price is right. Prior to next year, he will probably have Sl skis.

https://forum.pugski.com/threads/rossi-9s-cheater-gs-180-great-condition-275.4087/

The Kastle 78 and similar carving skis are also great for Blue. I ski a Hart 77 waist,1 out of 3 days, at Blue, and it provides all the performance I need. The Head Supershapes are also very good, but, I would stay in the narrower waists of those skis. Unfortunately, a high end 1 year old carving ski from Kastle or Head may strain your budget. There will be many fine skis suitable for Blue that are placed in "Phils Garage Sale". between now and the start of next season. I'll keep an eye out and update this thread with a link to other skis you may like. I purchased my carvers used. BTW, there will be many great skis for your wife offered before next year, just tell the community how she skis.

Minor rant, mid-60's temps this weekend, I much prefer the hard cold winter snow, not a fan of pushing Blue scrapped off crud warm snow.

 

[Jersey Skier]

I skied the MX78's at Blue for several years. They were great for ripping around the mountain, but I could never get used to the square flat tails in those man-made bumps.

I'm on a pair of Stockli Laser AX's that I bought used, that are much better in the bumps and still carve up the mountain.

I do have a pair of Latigos for sale in the gear swap that are great in bumps and carve pretty well, but not really a true carver by any means.

 

[Living Proof]

Check out the Epic thread for a non-FIS Sl ski which would be fine and more bump friendly. I have met ans skied with the seller, would buy from him with not issues.

http://www.epicski.com/t/149807/for-sale-elan-slx-waveflex-165-cm

I do agree with the above post about the Kastle square tail hanging on in bumps. I loved his Latigo in softer snow.demo at Blue.

 

[1chris5]

Paging @Living Proof to the white courtesy phone. Ahhh Blue Mountain. I think you are on rhe right track with wanting one of the Supershapes, great option of a ski. Keep n eye here in the swap section, criagslist and even eBay, they show up a lot. Wicks Ski shop in Exton runs a real good consignment sale in the fall, that is another option for you, just shoot down Rt 100. Your 174 Recons are really more like a 177, you could go either way on these new skis and since you are looking used, you are limited since there is no "Used Ski Factory". You and I are about the same size and if I was skiing Blue...I am not...but that is another story...I would err to the 170 as my first choice in a Supershape.

OH - and I completely took your reply for granted: You dropped Wick's Consignment Sale on me. Can a forum thread get more personalized. I live 5 minutes from Wick's. Awesome.

 

[Philpug]

You vant a deal.... Take a look at this...Hart Pulse for $299 in 170cm.

You will not get much better of a ski at any price plus one of the best graphics ever..I know..I did the design from the comfort of @Ron's condo in Steamboat. Yes, the ski is old stock but it still in mahvalicious.

 

[cantunamunch]

You vant a deal.... Take a look at this...Hart Pulse for $299 in 170cm.

You will not get much better of a ski at any price plus one of the best graphics ever..I know..I did the design from the comfort of @Ron's condo in Steamboat. Yes, the ski is old stock but it still in mahvalicious.

What's that Striker like?

 

[Philpug]

What's that Striker like?

Honestly, that ski I have no experience with. I have never seen one nor been on it. The dimensions are the same as the Blossom WhiteOut, a Pugski members favorite though.

 

[Philpug]

What's that Striker like?