New skis for spring skiing and icy conditions

[kayco53]

Looking for some skis for spring and icy conditions. Like my cham97's for all round conditions and powder but they leave a lot to e desired when its icy. Need a good groomer ski that likes some ice. Mornings like this weekend we started at at -15c and were right around freezing by lunch. Had a freeze thaw cycle all week. Happens around here quite a bit this time of year. Seeing spring ski blowouts should be happening soon it might be time to look for some skis. Any recommendations. Not in love with rossi experience skis.I weigh about 185lbs, 58 yrs old and use them as a patrol ski so they will take a beating use a ski in the 178 size range. If it makes any difference will be using them here in BC.
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[Josh Matta]

do you want something better on the firm, but can still handle spring corn/slush? or do you want something that it just good on firm?

 

[slowrider]

Volkl rtm 84 181cm

 

[surfsnowgirl]

I was pretty impressed with my Volkl 90Eights, they handled firm snow very decently and were quite fun in spring snow too.

 

[kayco53]

do you want something better on the firm, but can still handle spring corn/slush? or do you want something that it just good on firm?

Would like it better on the icy packed groomers but still decent off piste crud.Thanks

 

[Long Hair Hippy]

Not a ski that gets a lot of love here but I’d take a look at the Elan Amphibio XTI 84. There are an excellent working ski. Laced with titanium and super damp but you don’t have to work them too hard . They handle a variety of turn shapes with ease. I’m often on mine for 8-10 hours a day with zero issues.
They tackle refrozen, hard-pack, slush, crud and 6”-8” of fresh just fine. They are ok in the bumps but not super forgiving. I still prefer my non-metal skis for that.
I'm guessing there are a few deals to be had on this model too.

 

[trailtrimmer]

Ice and mixed? RTM84, iKonic 80, Head Rally or Titan, Dynastar Speed Zones, etc.

If it's soft and spring like all day, your Chams will likely be fine.

 

[crgildart]

Tough ask here with slush and ice being the two opposite extremes of the ski surface spectrum. Water skis work best on slush and ice skates work best on ice.

 

[Jilly]

Big shovel, smallish waist.

 

[JWMN]

Looking for some skis for spring and icy conditions. Like my cham97's for all round conditions and powder but they leave a lot to e desired when its icy. Need a good groomer ski that likes some ice. Mornings like this weekend we started at at -15c and were right around freezing by lunch. Had a freeze thaw cycle all week. Happens around here quite a bit this time of year. Seeing spring ski blowouts should be happening soon it might be time to look for some skis. Any recommendations. Not in love with rossi experience skis.I weigh about 185lbs, 58 yrs old and use them as a patrol ski so they will take a beating use a ski in the 178 size range. If it makes any difference will be using them here in BC.
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I skied my Rossi Pursuit 700's all last winter in firm, icy conditions, in a few inches of new snow, and in the spring is a couple inches of mush. The behaved the same in all conditions - very very well. I was most surprised as they are billed as a carving ski. Much more versatile than that. I think you will be impressed. Give them a try if you can. I skied the 177.

 

[Wendy]

Somebody here HAS to recommend the Laser AX.....

 

[Wendy]

There’s a pair of Stockli Laser AX in 175 for a good price on this forum. Just sayin.

 

[cantunamunch]

Big shovel, smallish waist.

And cheap...Head V10 - If there ever was a ski built for icy patrol work...

 

[surfsnowgirl]

Firm and slush are 2 different types of ski for me. I like a narrow ski for ice and a fat ski for slush. Around March I switch to a 90ish underfoot ski that can handle firm conditions in the am and soft snow in the afternoon. In April I ski bring out the 98-100 underfoot skis.

A good balance/happy medium might be something around 90 underfoot. My atomic vantage 90ctis are my mixed condition ski.

 

[cantunamunch]

Firm and slush are 2 different types of ski for me. I like a narrow ski for ice and a fat ski for slush. Around March I switch to a 90ish underfoot ski that can handle firm conditions in the am and soft snow in the afternoon. In April I ski bring out the 98-100 underfoot skis.

A good balance/happy medium might be something around 90 underfoot. My atomic vantage 90ctis are my mixed condition ski.

Not for me - narrow skis do just fine in daily slush if they are firm enough to not get deflected. Firm enough to not get deflected by slush and damp enough to not get rattled by frozen ruts and frozen coral - Redster X9 is my pick before anything amongst the Vantage series.

(Confession: R-X9, 86 TI and BC 100 are the only things from Atomic I really like(d))

For OP: try a Head Monster.

 

[crgildart]

Narrow skis with DEEP structure are good if you're skiing fast. Still sink in to the boot deep slush at the bottom though..

 

[surfsnowgirl]

I just like something 90ish and fatter that holds an edge for those firm/slushie days. My SO who's an aggressive skier doesn't care for his Volkl RTM 81s/84s in slush. He really likes his Volkl 90Eights. Personal preference definitely but more ski makes all the difference in slush. If you can bring 2 pairs then that's awesome too. The head monster aficionados love their monsters that's for sure.

 

[cantunamunch]

The new 90 TI and I don't get along in 3D terrain - it's either a surfy slashy ski with miniscule contact length or a carbon-feel (in the buzzy sense) light NASTAR ski, with very little warning of when the personality is about to change. I would be fine with the 93 Kore...but all those are way beyond anything OP asked for.

 

[surfsnowgirl]

I also liked my Volkl Kenjas so much is personal preference. It's mainly the width not as much the ski. So many choices out there.

 

[Bill Miles]

Sort of depends on how much ice and how much slush. I ski into mid or late May most years and early June a few years. Once it gets so it doesn't freeze at night, the slush gets deeper and deeper and more difficult to deal with. The fact that I am almost 71 probably doesn't help.