I provided an enthusiastic review of the Dynastar Contact 11 in December after a full day demo at Beaver Creek Colorado, see above.
I worried that the one day with perfect packed-powder conditions does not really test a ski the same way that man-made snow and boilerplate ice does. Is the ski as good as I reported? A day in Vermont would provide the answer.
178cm Dynastar Contact 11
Where: Skied at Stratton on 1/28/06.
Conditions at Stratton: 6" of new natural snow fell during the prior week; the very cold weather also allowed 24 hours a day snowmaking. The mountain was machine tilled into a firm corduroy and some boilerplate ice and some moguls were found on a few runs. Blue sky, 5F at dawn, 25F at 3PM.
My specs: 5? 11", 225lbs. male, 40th season skiing, former USSA & High School 7-day-a-week competitor in New Hampshire, GS & DH specialist.
Skis used in the last 2 years: Fischer RX8 & WC RC, Volkl AC4 & Mantra, Head Monster 77 & 88, Dynastar Intuitive 74 & Inspired by Nobis, several others?
Boots: 2003 Salomon Course (red, 130 flex).
Comments:I skied my 175cm Fischer WC RC (112-66-97mm) in the morning and my Contact 11's in the afternoon. The Contact 11 was capable of the same high-edge-angle carving heroics and provided the same edge-grip as the laminate construction with race plate WC RC. However, the real world versatility of the Contact 11 is apparent even on firm snow. The ski is simply superior in every way to the much more specialized cheater GS ski.
The ski was comparable to my Fischer WC RC on the firm groomed corduroy, with massive edge-grip. Very easy turn initiation. A ski with very large sweet spot. Turn shape is very versatile, however SL turns require extra effort. I could bend the front of the ski and produce rapid slalom turns or stay slightly back at higher speeds with no punishment. I could rub my elbows on the snow at the apex of the turns and produce large edge angles on the hard groomed surface. The Contact 11 is a true race-carver with 122-72-102mm dimensions.
A few niggles. The ski normally produces GS turns and rewards speed. This was sometimes a handicap on the narrow Vermont trails. The ski was a little tricky in traffic. But when I avoided the crowds it was "yeah baby"!
Vermont skiing confirmed a few points from my Colorado review and revised others.
Confirmed: Cheater GS ski performance in a more versatile and user friendly package.
Revised: More GS than SL ski, tight turns are work in a 178cm size. Stability is no problem. Grip is superb, even in Vermont.
Cheers,
Michael