Hello Pugski forum,
Just stumbled across your forum (from Europe) while doing some online research for a new pair of skis. You all seem a very knowledgeable and friendly bunch, so it seems like to right place to come for some advice. A recommendation would be much appreciated.
Little bit of my skiing background, criteria and possible candidates:
Current skis are a pair of 2005 vintage Völkl P60 Race Carvers @ 183cm (108/65/94). They have been my one ski quiver for everything from 40 mph+ on empty groomers to occasional bumps to lift accessed off-piste in 2 feet of fresh and even a day heli-skiing. They have been awesome but are now kind of done, so now looking for a new 1 ski quiver but something a little easier in the off-piste. In terms of ability and size, I have done some amateur racing (off and on) from age 15 to 24 and during that time did 5 seasons as an instructor (level 2). Now into middle age and for the past 16 years have been limited to 7 to 10 days most seasons and missed one season altogether. 5’10” tall and currently 210 lbs (working to get to 200!).
My criteria are: #1 is that it needs to be able hold a nice powerful GS turn on a firm groomer. #2, be able to charge about in the off-piste and be much easier all day long off-piste than a race carver. #3 price (but much lower ranked than the other 2 criteria and really only to break a tie). Most, if not all of my near term skiing will be in the Arlberg region in Austria, so normally pretty good snowfall and will be in the 7 to 10 days per year range. If the last 5 years are anything to go by, probably 50% of days have been good off-piste conditions (will ski off-piste all day when conditions are good, with a variety of turn shapes) and for the other 50% of days, stick to the groomers when it is no good off-piste. When on the piste, like to arc big, fast GS turns. Do occasional bumps (if they are soft!).
I have a (not so) short list of 10 skis that I think I may be happy with, assembled below (in order of narrowest to widest). If I need to break a tie, have put the prices below that I can buy at if bought without demo & before Christmas (mix of local shops and online) or I can demo virtually all of them in Austria in January and pay from $130 to $300 more per pair than the below prices (which is maybe not such a stupid idea after all).
1.Völkl RTM 84 with IPT WR XL 12.0 in 182cm
2.Kästle FX85HP (mounted with Marker Griffon ID) in 181cm
3.Völkl RTM 86 with IPT WR XL 12.0 in 182cm
4.Head Monster 88 Ti (with Marker Griffon ID or STH2 13) in 184cm
5.Blizzard Brahma (mounted with Marker Griffon ID or STH2 13) in 180 or 187cm
6.Kästle MX89 (mounted with Marker Griffon ID) in 180 or 188cm
7.Kästle FX95HP (mounted with Marker Griffon ID) in 181 or 189cm
8.Blizzard Bonafide (mounted with Marker Griffon ID or STH2 13) in 180 or 187cm
9.Nordica Enforcer 100 (mounted with STH2 13 or Marker Griffon ID) in 185cm
10.Atomic Vantage 100 CTI (mounted with STH2 13 or Marker Griffon ID) in 180 or 188cm
Price wise, the Völkls are around $800, the Monster, Brahma & Bonafide around $625 (incl bindings), the Enforcer and Vantage around $700 and the Kastle's around $950.
I can also upgrade the bindings on the Head, Blizzard, Nordica and Atomic skis to STH2 16’s for $50 or to Market Jester ID’s for $80. Another option is to demo Stockli Stormrider 88 and Stormrider 95’s, but then I am paying way north of $1000 if I buy them.
Any advice or recommendations for a ski for me (of course recommendations on other ones not on my short list welcome), the length of ski and bindings much appreciated.
Thanks a bunch!
Just stumbled across your forum (from Europe) while doing some online research for a new pair of skis. You all seem a very knowledgeable and friendly bunch, so it seems like to right place to come for some advice. A recommendation would be much appreciated.
Little bit of my skiing background, criteria and possible candidates:
Current skis are a pair of 2005 vintage Völkl P60 Race Carvers @ 183cm (108/65/94). They have been my one ski quiver for everything from 40 mph+ on empty groomers to occasional bumps to lift accessed off-piste in 2 feet of fresh and even a day heli-skiing. They have been awesome but are now kind of done, so now looking for a new 1 ski quiver but something a little easier in the off-piste. In terms of ability and size, I have done some amateur racing (off and on) from age 15 to 24 and during that time did 5 seasons as an instructor (level 2). Now into middle age and for the past 16 years have been limited to 7 to 10 days most seasons and missed one season altogether. 5’10” tall and currently 210 lbs (working to get to 200!).
My criteria are: #1 is that it needs to be able hold a nice powerful GS turn on a firm groomer. #2, be able to charge about in the off-piste and be much easier all day long off-piste than a race carver. #3 price (but much lower ranked than the other 2 criteria and really only to break a tie). Most, if not all of my near term skiing will be in the Arlberg region in Austria, so normally pretty good snowfall and will be in the 7 to 10 days per year range. If the last 5 years are anything to go by, probably 50% of days have been good off-piste conditions (will ski off-piste all day when conditions are good, with a variety of turn shapes) and for the other 50% of days, stick to the groomers when it is no good off-piste. When on the piste, like to arc big, fast GS turns. Do occasional bumps (if they are soft!).
I have a (not so) short list of 10 skis that I think I may be happy with, assembled below (in order of narrowest to widest). If I need to break a tie, have put the prices below that I can buy at if bought without demo & before Christmas (mix of local shops and online) or I can demo virtually all of them in Austria in January and pay from $130 to $300 more per pair than the below prices (which is maybe not such a stupid idea after all).
1.Völkl RTM 84 with IPT WR XL 12.0 in 182cm
2.Kästle FX85HP (mounted with Marker Griffon ID) in 181cm
3.Völkl RTM 86 with IPT WR XL 12.0 in 182cm
4.Head Monster 88 Ti (with Marker Griffon ID or STH2 13) in 184cm
5.Blizzard Brahma (mounted with Marker Griffon ID or STH2 13) in 180 or 187cm
6.Kästle MX89 (mounted with Marker Griffon ID) in 180 or 188cm
7.Kästle FX95HP (mounted with Marker Griffon ID) in 181 or 189cm
8.Blizzard Bonafide (mounted with Marker Griffon ID or STH2 13) in 180 or 187cm
9.Nordica Enforcer 100 (mounted with STH2 13 or Marker Griffon ID) in 185cm
10.Atomic Vantage 100 CTI (mounted with STH2 13 or Marker Griffon ID) in 180 or 188cm
Price wise, the Völkls are around $800, the Monster, Brahma & Bonafide around $625 (incl bindings), the Enforcer and Vantage around $700 and the Kastle's around $950.
I can also upgrade the bindings on the Head, Blizzard, Nordica and Atomic skis to STH2 16’s for $50 or to Market Jester ID’s for $80. Another option is to demo Stockli Stormrider 88 and Stormrider 95’s, but then I am paying way north of $1000 if I buy them.
Any advice or recommendations for a ski for me (of course recommendations on other ones not on my short list welcome), the length of ski and bindings much appreciated.
Thanks a bunch!