Thanks folks! First impressions -- Head Monster IM77, 177cm

[DougR]

Hi Everyone,

Well I've had a few days on my new skis, and I owe everyone who helped -- Jim, Michael, Rob, Brendan (and others?) -- a big THANK YOU!  I think that these are going to work out really well.

My previous [and now broken] skis were Dynastar Intuitiv 74, 175cm, and K2 Axis X in 174cm.  The Heads are flat-mounted with Look Pivot 12 Lifter bindings.  I'm a decent skiier, 6'3", 205#.

I skiied the new Heads for 3-days at Bolton Valley and Stowe, VT, in a combination of powder, tracked powder, soft bumps, steeps, trees, and soft groom.  It was a pretty epic weekend two weekends ago, actually.  The Monday morning, Stowe reported 15-20" new snow that was all that and more, with waist-deep shots available all-day if you looked in the right places.

The Monster 77's ski very differently from my Intuitiv 74's, and not in ways that I expected.  Overall, the Head feels very traditional in comparison to the Dynastar, which feels much more "carvy."  It also has more float, initiates turns much much easier, and is a far gentler and less punishing ride in almost all conditions -- including moguls.

FLOAT.  Pretty much a function of surface-area, I gather.  The IM77 can be skiied either up on top of the powder, or down in it, but with a bias towards riding on top.  Yes, I can get away with weighting only one ski and not get toppled over on my noggin.  The Intuitiv 74 could also be skiied either way, but with a bias towards sinking.  I could only ski the K2 down in the snow, not up on top at all.  All-in-all, the IM77 has a little more float than I'd like in deep powder, but the feel is decent, and it's still a fun ride.  I guess that I like that the ski catches me when my technique collapses, but it sucks a tiny bit of the euphoria out of deep powder.

GROOM.  No comment on hard-pack, I didn't see any in 3 days in Vermont (wow, never thought I'd type those words!)  The Head's are the most traditional feeling ski of the bunch, with very little carving feel when I tip 'em over and get my legs extended to the side.  They're easy and fast though, and absolutely oblivious to skiier-pack and small bumps:  they soak up everything.  The Dynastar was a terrific carver (for a guy who doesn't ski carving skis...)  The K2 felt more similar to the Dynastar, though not as competent, and with a definite speed-limit.

TURN CHARACTER.  For my setup, and my skiing, the Dynastars were hesitant to initiate turns, and responded best to modern technique -- tip 'em over and turn with the natural radius of the sidecut.  To tighten the line, use more steering action (not such a modern technique there, I guess.)  The Head is completely different.  Turn initiation is an absolute DREAM, incredibly easy:  transfer weight, tip the unweighted ski, and go.  They seem to have a really large natural turn radius though, which freaked me out for my first half-run in the woods.  It didn't take long to figure out that the ski really likes to be worked though.  Once I figured that out, I was able to make much tighter turns than I can with the Intuitivs, and it took 2 or 3 runs to stop OVER turning them :-)

FORGIVENESS.  I'm not sure what "forgiveness" means exactly, but the Heads smooth everything out.  Where the Intuitiv is a really jarring ride, the 77 is smooth and forgiving, and soaks up impacts brilliantly.

MOGULS.  I far prefer the Heads to the Intuitivs.  Both are heavy, kinda wide, and clumsy skis in moguls -- but still competent.  The Intuitivs are pretty predictable and easy to ski, but punishing on my body -- lots of impact with my 'flail and bang' mogul style    The Heads soak up the impacts very nicely; they soak up everything so well, in fact, that they are less likely to skid, and tend not to scrub off speed as naturally.  I also had trouble with crossing my tips, which was rectified by focusing more on the 'phantom move' to initiate my turns.  Once I put that together, these skis were easier to ski in bumps, gentler on my body, and I could transition as quick or quicker than with the Intuitivs.  Due to size and weight, they are still a bit tiring though.  The K2 was superior to both in bumps.


In conclusion, I'm very happy so far!  Plusses and minuses vs. the Intuitiv74:

  +  Quicker turner in tight spaces
  +  Easier turn initiation everywhere
  +  Gentler ride
  +  Easier in moguls (for me)
  +  More forgiving in powder
  +  Much more comfortable stance

  -  More float in powder
  -  Not as carvy on the groom


Questions?  Feedback?

Doug

[jim-ratliff]

Thanks Doug.  Good write-up.  (Did I hear correctly when you said three days in New England and no groomed skiing.  AWESOME LUCK!!)

[DougR]

No kidding about the luck Jim!  There was a little bit of soft-groom on days 1 and 2 at Bolton Valley, but not on day 3 at Stowe -- all pow-dah!  It was a memorable day for another reason; it marked the first time I've ever skiied all four of the "front four" in one day -- and from the top too (I never even new that 'National' had a top...it's a line through the trees.)

I think the ski gods were making up for my wife and I not being able to visit Targhee this year.  Ahh well, guess that'll happen sometimes when you're good-natured about skiing ice, twigs, and dirt the rest of the season 


Doug

[Barrettscv]

Great write up Doug,

I agree that the Monster 77 is a better ride than the Intuitive. The turn initiation on newer skis is a leap ahead of an every older model and is reason enough to trade up to new gear.

Great conditions and it sounds like you had a great time.

Cheers,

Michael

[DougR]

Thanks Michael.   The turn initiation was a revelation -- I had no idea that ski design had advanced like this.  Since early in the shaped ski history, the improvements have seemed constant but gradual.  This is a pretty huge leap though, and if this is a characteristic of a lot of new skis, I agree with you completely -- everybody's got to trade up!

I guess I should temper my enthusiasm until I can ski some 'New England Packed Powder' (boilerplate and blue ice) 


Doug