Skis For Ron

[jbotti]

Ron, I noticed your post on Epic where you are looking for a 100-105mm waisted ski with only tip rocker. I have been focused on this area as well. So I have a few skis for you. First off, maybe it's too thin but the K2 Hardside is a really good ski. The rocker is not that significant (really early rise) and the ski carves really nicely on harder snow. It's an excellent crud buster. The real key to the ski IMO is the flat tail. It is just so nice and confidence inspiring to have one. I don't take that much air to begin with and I am never (and I mean never) landing switch so having a twin tip tail does nothing for me, and that is the only reason to have a twin tail. The Sidestash I have not skied. If it is a wider version of? the Hardside, it should be a pretty good ski.

2 other skis to look at:
Moment Belafonte
182 | 135-106-124? | 25.7 | 1630 | 67/40 | Tip Rocker: 15mm/20cm
Positive Camber:7mm

I like the dims on these. Minimal Tip Rocker, positve camber. Supposed to be a very nice ski. I will demo these in MT in december as they have them at my shop.

ON3P Vicik


MSRP: $699
Size: 176cm, 186cm
Dimensions: 134-104-124
Product Features: 15cm x 1.5cm tip rocker, Bamboo core & carbon stringers, Durasurf UHMW sidewalls & 4001 bases, Extra thick bases & edges

Description: In honor of our late friend Wil, the Vicik is the newest addition to our line. Its 134mm tip with 15cm of rocker provide ample float in powder, while the 104mm waist and regular camber underfoot allow it to rip on hardpack. A truly versatile ski, the Vicik provides an excellent everyday or touring option for skiers who find the Wrenegade too wide or too stiff.

Also looks like a very nice ski.

[jim-ratliff]

Halfway tongue in cheek (but only halfway), but I find the twintip really useful for backing up bumps or in soft and chopped up snow.? For example, when I realize that the direction through the trees isn't the one I want to take and need to backup and choose a different direction.?

For good skiers, your assertion is probably correct -- but for me .........? ?

Interestingly, the worst fall I took last year was at Deer Valley on a groomed slope when I turned around (succesfully) and was skiing backwards to watch/admire Lynn's technique.? ?? Caught an edge (whatever that old skiing term means) and somehow hit the handle of my pole hard on the way down.? The soreness and the bruise on my ribs lasted for 2 months or better.?

[Ron]

Thanks John, both of those are nice looking skis.  i am also looking at the shogun and last years mx98 too. 

twins are helpful in tight spots where you do need to backup but as long as it's slightly turned it will do OK, I don't ski switch either but do enjoy the ability to spin. For powder tools, I like a little tail rocker though, easy to drift the ski which is my style in the pow for sure. This is another example of evolution for me. I am feeling confident enough to look for a more surgical ski for broken, steeps and chalky lines. I have a ways to go but it's a ski I didn't want a ski like this even a season ago.  I bought the Bent Chetlers from Phil's shop and they are really cool ski's. there's a lot of pop and energy in them and the rocker rise/run is near perfect IMHO. If anything I could do with less tail but overall its not overly pronounced.  It got it in the 183 which measures a 182, but the surface area makes this doable for my 168#.

[jbotti]

Ron, I was looking at my hardsides today and they have maybe 15cm of tip rocker (around 6 inches). I find this to be the right amount for a ski that will do things other than Pow well. I find that when it gets closer to 30cm the skis take on a very different feel. Yes more floaty , more slarvy, slidey but not great in crud and chop and very poor at carving any type of harder snow. Just my $0.02 as you look to add a ski to your quiver.

I like the look of that ON3P Vicik alot. Only 15cm of tip rocker. Worth checking out.

[Ron]

I completely agree with you on that! that's about perfect with about 10mm rise,

But the winner is......

the "old" version MX 98 in 174! ?Long story short, there was a guy in MN twin cites area selling a pair used about 10 days mounted with Griffs, Greg was kind enough to contact and meet with this guy. ?They are in great shape, about 95% and he got them for me....$450.00 ?Deal of the season. ?Of course I need to buy Greg a few beers this season... and of course send check for 450.....

For the use in leftovers, sidecountry, tracked days, trees I dont really care about rocker given the performance of the Kastles. ?They will be killer spring skis as well taking me from firm stuff in the Am to slush in the afternoon.

Running length on the Kastles is long, my 176 mx78's have a longer running length of my 179 (really measure 177.5 tip to tail) pilgrims. so I think the 174's although normally would be too short, I think will be fine and be a lot of fun in the trees. The bent chetlers of course have even a shorter running length.

[jim-ratliff]

CONGRATULATIONS Ron (and Greg).  $450 for a Kastle with bindings sounds to me like a damn awesome deal.

So Ron, what's the current contents of your quiver. And, if you would, what type of snow/terrain conditions make each the tool of the day?

JB:  I plan to ask you the same question after you buy the Ullr's Chariots, by the way.

[Ron]

Its a rippin good Deal, Phil agreed this was too good to say no to.

Current quiver is 4 pairs and one for sale

mx78 in 176

mx88 in 178

MX98 in 174 (why couldnt they have made the new one just like the old one but add the early rise in a 182?)

Atomic Bent Chetler in 183

Will be selling 189 Keepers....

I probably have overlap but I love the Kastles.  78's are so good they make groomers furn for me...  88's are amazing versitle and fun, 98's are intended for sidecounty skiing, leftover days and tracked out, stashes of pow.  Bennys are for pow of course and anydays there its still very soft, day after type skiing like at the boat where you can find good stuff for a couple of days afer a good storm

I really want to put some dukes or the new F12 on either the 98's or the Chets for short hikes to the goods. I really should put them on the chets as I will most likely need them in Widhorse in January.  Phils not so sure they should go on either and he's almost always right

[jbotti]

Jim, I can answer already and include the Chraiots because I think I iwll own a pair. I iwll also limit this to ski that I wll ski quite a bit (my quiver I very large but I keep extra skis around for friends and for my brother so he doesn't have to bring skis when he comes out).

Head 2011 SS's with Kers: everyday hard snow ski
Head IM 78 177: Everyday knock around ski, when there isn't fresh snow but I will be skiing both on and off Piste
Dynastar Sultan 85 178: I bought these cheap at last seasons end. Big overlap with the IM 78's. We'll see how I like them
K2 Hardside 181: Fresh snow ski
Chariot 188: Fresh snow ski (could easily replace the Hardsides)

Race Skis, for practice and in gates:

Head ISL RD 165: slalom turns
Head iSpeed 180: GS turns
Dynastra GS RD 192: GS and SG turns

Rock Skis:
Fischer Watea 84

[jbotti]

BTW, great deal Ron. I could see the MX 98 becoming my go to soft snow ski. I would ski a longer size but even with modest tip rocker they sound great. Would love to try the 108 as well. TR on all is on the wider side than I like but everyone raves. Will ride them all this season. Chariot may end the exploration though!!

[Ron]

john, these are last years non-rockered skis. Same construction as the 78 and 88. much more energetic, lively, bit more stiff, "holiday" whos and instuctor over at Tahoe skis the 174, he also 6' 168.  Ideally, I would like to have this in the 178 or even 180 but the running lenghts are quite a bit longer and they go from a 174 to a 184.  First off, you cant' buy a 184 even if yu wanted one, second, I think the 184 woundnt be as quck in the trees as the 174

[jbotti]

I'm sure you will love them. At that price there is a lot to love!! A lot depends on where you will ski them. In PNW and Sierra Cement you would most likley prefer the longer length. In fluffy rockies snow, the shorter length is great and as you say easier to manuever in tight spots.

[SnowHot]

I'd love to try the 98's in that size..

[Ron]

I thought you did?

[SnowHot]

They didn't have them in that size, but I ordered the new version which should be arriving any day now

[Ron]

oohh, moving up to a 178.....?