Message #16229

[Liam]

Svend,

That's good info on the Fischer line (most of which I was largely ignorant of).  It also points to a trend that runs counter to some other claims made here.

I've heard a persistent lamentation that major ski companies aren't making enough true high-end, expert frontside skis anymore--and the lack of skis with waist widths under 78mm is often pointed to as the proof of this.

However, on the flip-side, my impression is that technology and production has reached a point where the major players are able to make really great skis with waist widths btw 75-85mm that absolutely rip on the frontside.  And I mean rip in the lay them over, carve a series of deep trenches at speed kind of rip.  The added bonus is, these skis do well in a host of other conditions as well-from over skied groomer crud, actually crud, corn, and light tree and bump use--all of which is part of a typical 'front-side' day of skiing (especially here in new england!).  Look at the celebrated Movement Jams and new Head Peak 84s (neither of which I've skied...but I heard a pretty good carver liked these).   Look at the new progressor series, or the kastle 78's, etc-it goes on and on.

I think the moving away from the 70mm waisted and lower high performance front side skis has happened because there are equally competent skis being made with more useful waist widths--this year's progressor line is a clear indication that positive trend.  I don't think it is because people have lost the ability to ski and don't appreciate those sort of narrower skis anymore, I think it's because there are better options, even for the true expert.

Besides the 66-70mm skis like the progressor, Icon TT, elan speedwave, or the much beloved Supershape were never the gold standard for front side expert rippers anyway (nor are they now).  For those who want that level of performance and are willing to sacrifice performance in other conditions there are still race skis and race-oriented skis like: the Head i sl, RD World Cup, Fischer still makes it's wonderful RC4 series, Elan has its GS, GSR, SLR series, Dynastar has the Course series, and on and on.  There are plenty of skis for the hard carving, hard snow purists.

And there are a host of new skis for the expert carving enthusiasts who want that kind of performance but also want more terrain versatility.

Honestly, I think it's the halcyon age of ski design (not to mention boot design!).