Eastern Skis: your powder weapon of choice...
- Thread starter ono
- Start date
I have embraced the shorter, wider, more sidecut philosophy for my everyday skis (174cm K2 Apache Recons). But for powder I'm quite sure I don't want much sidecut (tips hooking in Sierra Cement, breakable crust, etc.), and I'm comfortable with the 180cm. length of my Chubbs and the stainless steel weight (like a couple of boat anchors carrying from car to lifts). I've had them since November 1996 in everything from sunbaked Baldy in May to epic Chugach fluff. I would want clear cut demo evidence that something else is better for me in powder before I give them up. I did have Atomic Heli Daddy (wider but same sidecut as the Chubbs) one day at Wiegele, and my impression was: as good (for the settled powder that day) but not obviously better.
Well, I took the Movement Goliath's out today at PCMR. The verdict? They're keepers!
After three runs on G3 Reverends as things just started to soften, the lure of my new Goliaths sitting in the truck was getting too strong to ignore and I headed back to the base so that I could swap out skis.
They still intimidated me, however. With a colossal 32m turning radius I wasn't sure if I could really ski them, or if they'd ski me. Even skating was tricky as I kept clicking the tails together.
We headed back to Bonanza and the first run was a tentative green cruiser. I could actually turn them in big, honking GS arcs, but they still felt heavy and clumsy. With each successive run I upped the ante a bit, hitting stuff that was slightly steeper each time with increasing speed. After 4 or 5 runs I was beginning to feel the love.
It was only after we went over to Silverlode and I opened things up full throttle, though, that I fell head over heels...figuratively, not literally. These things are the nuts! The snow softened increasingly with each run to the point where, by the end of the day, it was deep, wet heavy slush. At least, that's what my eyes saw, not what these skis felt. The skis asked, "Slush? What slush?" I just carved big, high-speed arcs with abandon, completely ignoring what slush was piled where. They plowed through it like a Hummer. My speed comfort zone was way, way higher than normal.
Now, I won't be skiing these in tight quarters. I understand that they're skis with a special purpose. On big wide-open powder fields, or cruising heavy spring snow, the Goliaths will now be the first skis I grab. I'm in love.
After three runs on G3 Reverends as things just started to soften, the lure of my new Goliaths sitting in the truck was getting too strong to ignore and I headed back to the base so that I could swap out skis.
They still intimidated me, however. With a colossal 32m turning radius I wasn't sure if I could really ski them, or if they'd ski me. Even skating was tricky as I kept clicking the tails together.
We headed back to Bonanza and the first run was a tentative green cruiser. I could actually turn them in big, honking GS arcs, but they still felt heavy and clumsy. With each successive run I upped the ante a bit, hitting stuff that was slightly steeper each time with increasing speed. After 4 or 5 runs I was beginning to feel the love.
It was only after we went over to Silverlode and I opened things up full throttle, though, that I fell head over heels...figuratively, not literally. These things are the nuts! The snow softened increasingly with each run to the point where, by the end of the day, it was deep, wet heavy slush. At least, that's what my eyes saw, not what these skis felt. The skis asked, "Slush? What slush?" I just carved big, high-speed arcs with abandon, completely ignoring what slush was piled where. They plowed through it like a Hummer. My speed comfort zone was way, way higher than normal.
Now, I won't be skiing these in tight quarters. I understand that they're skis with a special purpose. On big wide-open powder fields, or cruising heavy spring snow, the Goliaths will now be the first skis I grab. I'm in love.
salida
New member
Oh don't be so closed minded. My verdicts have a 26 m radius, and while they are fun at that radius it certainly isn't hard to make the move quickly through tight trees... I'm sure Marc could maneuver his Golaiths on the east coast. Even AcidChrist bought a pair for some east coast use it sounds... Personally, I prefer using these big skis in moderately spaced woods as opposed to my shorter smaller touring skis. I'm addicted to the stability and speed that I can carry with the bigger skiers. It makes everything so much simpler. Feels like I'm cheating almost. Had them in superstar woods at K-ton this passed weekend in boot deep pow and they worked perfectly...
riverc0il
New member
I don't think it is closed minded at all. I have still yet to ski anything in the 90+ range that was nimble and easy to do tight turns with, nothing that was great for powder tree skiing for my style. Matter of fact, after trying a few in the +90 range, I am amazed at just how well I can work my 79mm 8000s in boot to knee deep, though I know I can do better in a fatter ski. I am actively seeking such a ski though. Too bad this time of the year finding demos is almost impossible. Especially in the Jay area that is limited to only three options. You super duper phat ski zealots (pun intended, heh!) can use your phatties in the tight trees, and that is cool if it works for you. But passing that type of ski off on everyone else and suggesting that it is doable for everyone is not kosher. Different skiers prefer different skis, it is just that simple. What works for one may not work for another.
Look at Nhski and I regarding the Mantra that I recently tried, for example. Both of us are similar dimensions and build and ski the same stuff. For Nhski it was a love fest, for me, I couldn't get off the ski fast enough even though I gave it a full four hours to try to warm up to it in the trees and pow.
Look at Nhski and I regarding the Mantra that I recently tried, for example. Both of us are similar dimensions and build and ski the same stuff. For Nhski it was a love fest, for me, I couldn't get off the ski fast enough even though I gave it a full four hours to try to warm up to it in the trees and pow.
I was surprised on Sunday to learn that yes, I can maneuver those Goliaths through moderately-spaced trees. They're surprisingly nimble.
As for turnability, Riv, I beg to differ with you -- the ability to carry skis through the trees is a function of sidecut, length and of course the pilot, not width underfoot.
As for turnability, Riv, I beg to differ with you -- the ability to carry skis through the trees is a function of sidecut, length and of course the pilot, not width underfoot.
salida
New member
Patrick: I didn't mean to hate on your sparring at the Admin.
Admin: Thanks for the affirmation of what I said.
Steve: I didn't mean to infer that a fat ski can be for everyone all the time. I just feel like a large ski in the proper dimensions (sidecut, etc) can be highly versatile, even in tight spaces. Thats all.
porter
Admin: Thanks for the affirmation of what I said.
Steve: I didn't mean to infer that a fat ski can be for everyone all the time. I just feel like a large ski in the proper dimensions (sidecut, etc) can be highly versatile, even in tight spaces. Thats all.
porter
riverc0il
New member
What are you differing with? Where did I suggest that width was a function of turnability through trees? I merely stated that I have yet to find anything in the 90+ range that has worked for me (if I believed that fat skis could not be skied well in the trees, would I waist time and money demoing and trying to find one that works?). Also, my statement suggesting that fats are not for everyone in the trees did not specify width. In reference to your response, sidecut could very well be why wide skis haven't worked for me in the trees yet as most fat skis are not made with much sidecut.Admin":2ynfl10n said:
I would add weight and stiffness as well for factors, which is why a Volkl Mantra in a 177 didn't do it for me despite appropriate weight and more than ample sidecut. Pilot and ski interaction of course can not be over looked, much my point, that different skiers prefer different skis. Thus, I have yet to find the ideal fat ski for myself in the trees, but the hunt goes on.
Was trying to arrange for a demo of the newly stiffened 1080 gun or the even stiffer sandstorm, but no dice in these here parts. Not a lot of demo centers around here and Jay's demo center has sold all their skis for the most part. Perhaps a stop at First Trax to see if they have the Rapid Transits or Verdicts available for rental. Though I suspect the Verdict is not what I am looking for, wouldn't hurt to sample a Black Diamond ski. Not that it will be relevant due to the swapping of the Cores for next season, but hey, if there ever was a weekend to do it, this is it!
Patrick
Well-known member
That's okay, I was just bugging Admin for his new ski stoke. He's the one that mentioned this earlier...salida":3t0bpcn6 said:
I personally don't have an opinion on the subject, as I don't have any powder skis of my own. I just deal with the weapons I have in my arsenal.
Race skis or Rossi B1. Not what anyone would call powder skis, but they serve me well.