One-Ski Quiver (or two)

[hhc]

Going skiing in Whistler in April and looking to buy skis (went skiing twice already this year - Niseko and Val Thorens - and figured I would have saved money having just bought a pair from the start). Looking for something all-mountain but say 50-70% on-piste (if anything, willing to sacrifice powder performance for carving performance). Used to ski in Niseko mainly but recently moved to London so more Alps. I am an intermediate-advanced level skier and ski quite aggressively. I am 5'11 and 150 lbs

Appreciate any suggestions - so far I have been looking at the following:
- Volkl M5 Mantra/Kendo
- Blizzard Rustler 9/10
- Nordica Enforcer 93/100
- Head Kore 93/99

Prefer to buy in London before heading over to Whistler so no real opportunity to try anything unfortunately

Thanks,
HC

 

[AngryAnalyst]

I am skiing the alps for the first time this year so no view on snow conditions there. I had thought most Europeans liked narrower skis?

I have never thought about the M5 Mantra and I'm curious about it, but from your list my favorites by far are the Enforcers.

I like the extra mass they have over the Kores. I think the Rustlers are designed to be softer flexing versions of the Brahma/Bonafide line and that is not something I have ever really wanted.

 

[Decreed_It]

6'0" 185 lbs, advanced (7+) skier, Nordica Enforcer 100's in 185 have become, surprisingly to me, my 1 ski quiver. Fine for me out west in anything I can get into (and plenty I shouldn't!), including knee to thigh fresh powder at Alta over Xmas holiday, and just as fine on Southeastern US man made ice. I have some Volkl RTM 81s in 171 I bought a few years back thinking that was a great ski the east kind of ski, and it is/was - but once I got on the Enforcers and they did just as fine (for me) on the same stuff, I haven't even been back on the Volkls.

Sorry don't have any experience with those other skis except for Mantras, I think, last season rental at Crested Butte. Went through them pretty quick before I swapped for the next forgettable ski. I regretted not paying the baggage fees for the Enforcers. Was OK but not as good. That's all I remember at this point, 'not the Enforcer, booo'

 

[AltaFan]

Some skis to consider in this list: https://www.pugski.com/threads/need-some-all-mountain-skis.13625/#post-313840

 

[AngryAnalyst]

If you want recommendations of new skis to look at, I have two sets:

Flat-ish tails
1. Stockli Laser AX - this is a really nice ski for all mountain use if you prioritize carving
2. Kastle MX 89/99 - ditto, I think the reviews on this site (correctly) note that it has a bit more top end but is a bit less friendly than the Laser.
3. Brahma/Bonafide - more "all terrain" flavor than above
4. I am excited about but have no experience with the Liberty VMT series (not sure what category it fits in to be honest).

Rockered tails
1. J skis Masterblaster - super fun ski in almost any condition, I wish it was stiffer
2. Have my eye on a few things (some of which are next year's releases) but haven't found something I like more than 1 yet in the <100 mm width range

Also, the waist width you want for Whistler - if you are serious about being off piste for 50% of the time I would be inclined to go wider with more rocker than most of the above. Can't speak to Europe.