Initial thoughts on this year new Gear

[jbotti]

At the end of every ski season I get a glimpse of what is new for the following year and at times I get to ski some of the eraly releases for the following year. I have found that Dawgcathing posts some great reviews (on Epic) of this product as he demo's it. Then the real fun begins when Peter finally posts his reviews. After much critique and some tweaks to the format, it appears that Peter's product this year is still far and away the best in the industry and still the only truly objective ski reviews.

Every year I am intrigued by several skis that get reviewed. This year there are several that I want to demo.

First on the list are the new RX8's with sandwich construction. The RX8 was a great ski with cap construction. it must be unbelievable with SW.
Second, although I generally haven't skied midfats, the new Stockli Rotor looks like an awsome ski. Again SW construction, and a 14m turn radius on a mid fat. Looks like it was made in the Metron mold, but with SW construction, and potentially quite a bit lighter.
Third, the Dynastar Contact 9. This looks a lot like the Head SS. I don't think it is a SW ski, but it looks like a very versatile hyper carver and from the review it looks more forgiving than the Super Shapes. This is the only knck on the SS's (which I own) as they require you to be on your game.
Lastly, even though Peter hasn't reviewed them yet, The Elan Speedwave series looks like some rockin skis. Scott (dawgcatching) told me about these last spring after he demoed them. They appear to be a more versatile and tighter turning than the SW XRC's from Head. It will be interesting to see Peter's review (today?).

Of course, since I own 6 pairs of Head skis, I would like to try the IM 82's. I own the IM 88's which rock. I know I really don't have use for the 82's, but I am also sure it's a great ski.

If anyone gets to demo (or has demo'd) these skis, please post and let us know what your thougts are. The IM 82's are the one ski that has been demo'd by many and all the reviews have been exceptional. Thanks, JB.

[Ron]

the Elan's are up today and they Speedwave's did recieve a glowing review. I skied with a guy last year who demoed them and absolutely loved them.  It's not for the meek but it has a lot of what makes the SS such a sweet ski. I hope to get on the Rotr as well.  The new RX8  looks hot, but how do you make that ski any better?  I think the SW will just make it a bit more "poppy" and quick.  The other ski that looks great is the new Superspeed.

I'm sticking with my SS's and 82's for this season.

[jbotti]

Ron, I am in the same place with the Head SS's, Im 88's and the I.SL chips, I don't need new skis. Having said that it is always fun to gauk at the new stuff. The speedwaves indeed look like great skis. I am now most intrigued by the new Fischer RX Fires. I have loved every fischer ski that I have been on. These look like Fischers version of the Head SS's. A sandwich ski, with a slalom turn radius and wider tips and tails.

The good news is that we are now less than 2 months from the first resorts opening in Colorado!! JB.

[Ron]

The "fires came up on another post. I don't see them reviewed anywhere. I will check out the Fischer site. If anyone has a revew or knows about them, please post.

[fredm8]

Over the last 2 weeks I have demoed the following 07 skis, all on Turoa on Mt Ruapehu.
Atomic Metron 10
Atomic Metron B5
Head Monster 82
Volkl S5
Volkl AC3

Given that the conditions for the first couple of days were stunning soft spring skiing and second two days hard packed ice immediately turning into snow soup crud,
I still want a pair of Metron B5's as a one ski quiver.
We seem to be either spoiled rotten or a test case in NZ.

[Ron]

Please post your reviews of the skis. I wish I had some of that snow right now!  Make some turns for me please