Hi guys, before you say demo let me say that I am unable because I do 95% of my skiing at night on weekdays when all the demo guys have gone home.

So I've read all the reviews about these skis and have narrowed my decision down to them. I ski in the east, about a level 8, 6,2", 195lbs.

I pretty much like to do everything, long arch carves, ski bumps, trees, powder whenever a little bit shows but. Mostly though skiing at speed in crud and ice.

Which one do you guys recommend and in what size? 

Thanks guys

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee in Ottawa 

Hi guys, before you say demo let me say that I am unable because I do 95% of my skiing at night on weekdays when all the demo guys have gone home.

 

So I've read all the reviews about these skis and have narrowed my decision down to them. I ski in the east, about a level 8, 6,2", 195lbs.

 

I pretty much like to do everything, long arch carves, ski bumps, trees, powder whenever a little bit shows but. Mostly though skiing at speed in crud and ice.

 

Which one do you guys recommend and in what size? 

 

Thanks guys

The Contact 4x4 in a 172cm size.

Michael 

I own both skis which you have mentioned and both are great choices. However if crud, ice and speed are in the mix definately go with the 4x4's. The Magnums are a better soft snow ski but lack the grip and stability of the 4x4. I spent yesterday on my new 4x4's and had a blast, rock solid on ice and blasts through crud. Very easy to ski and capable of any radius turn, super stable, great grip and very quick & agile for a wider ski. I'm 5' 10" 225lbs and couldn't over power the 172cm, they rock!

From all the hype, I am really curious to demo the Contact 4x4s if I can make it to one of the T&L demo days at the local hills.  With my Contact 9s getting swiped (see 'lock your skis' thread), the 4x4 sounds like it might be an even more versatile ski.

I'm not even sure if it's possible to Demo them locally though - I don't remember seeing any Dynastar skis at the last T&L demo day (at Calabogie)...mostly Head skis, though maybe you just have to ask, they had a trailer full of them.  I don't remember seeing a Contact 4x4 at T&L either though...so I'm not sure.

btw, Lee, where were you planning on buying said 4x4s?  Anywhere locally or online?

This is one ski you could safely buy without demoing. There was no warm up time needed, its like I'd skied these the whole season already! The sweet spot is huge, just get on and go!

For those of you who have skied the 4X4 in a 172 I have the following questions. I currently own the Contact Ltd. in a 172. I like the ski allot especialy in bumps (fairly large as well). However at 200 LB. I find they get knocked around quite a bit in crud and piles of snow. They are also a little less stable than I would like at speed. So the question is...How much more difficult are the 4X4s to handle in bumps and just how deep can you go in fresh snow and crud before I would want to be on my Blizzard Cronus despite the lesser grip on the slick patches between bumps and piles?

I own the 4x4 in 172cm and previously owned the Contact 11 (same as limited) in 178cm, the 4x4 is a much better ski in my opinion. I haven't skied it in powder (I live in the Midwest) but have skied it in some small bumps, the 4x4's handled them very well. The ski in 172cm is quick edge to edge and is very stable, a very smooth ride over all. The ski is damp yet lively at this length, I'm very pleased.

Lee:

I know the conditions well as I live in Ottawa myself.  I tried a few skis in your range at Calabogie (T&L) a few weeks ago.  At 200 lbs, 5'11" sking on mostly machine groomed (ice in the pm), I am having difficulty deciding on a replacement for my 2003 Volkl Allstar.

I tried Dynastar Contact 4X4 in a 170 and I found it too flexible and I felt that it didn't even come close to holding an edge like my present skis.

I also tried three skis from the Volkl AC family with the following results:

AC20 - 170 - Similar to the 4X4 but a bit more edge hold.  Fun but can't see myself having much fun with them on steeps at Tremblant.

AC30 - 177 (I think) - Loved them, the responded beautifully to everything I asked of them.

AC50 - 170 - Beautiful in a Cadillac sort of way ... problem was I didn't want to turn ... Too dangerous for me I suspect !

Also tried:

Nordica - Hot Rod - Top Fuel - 170 -  These things were truly amazing but stiffer than the Volkl thus maybe to much ski for me as I'm approaching 50.  They did however make me want explore more skis out of the Nordica line-up.

I guess what I'm trying to say is I tested these all on the same day.  It was loads of fun and I learned a few things.  I'm not even close to deciding on anything yet, however ya have to get out and try the stuff out.  Just for the record, two store clerks at different Ottawa stores strongly suggested the AC 20's.  After testing, I'm sure glad I didn't pull the plug early ... I would have been disappointed.

Not telling you what to do ... just take your time and get it right. 

Skis in this town are way too expensive to be making choices based on the experiences of others. 

RMP

Lee:

I meant to say my Volkls were 2006 not 2003.

Dawgcatching has some great deals on the 4X4's right now. 

I'm of a similar size and I got the Contact 4x4 in 178cm.

They absolutely RIP. At that length though, I feel they have lost a little in 'bump' performance, but that isnt' what I wanted them for.

They are great at 178 for ripping groomers, they do not hesitate. They handle ice very well and have great edge grip. They are awesome in mixed up crud - fly through everything and they even work in a bit of powder.

If you like the bumps and tight trees a bit more I would probably lean towards the 172. If that isn't as important to you then 178.

I demo'd the 4x4's in a 172 earlier this season (I'm 6'2" 210 lbs expert of 35 yrs skiing) and loved them--didn't feel short though I was coming from a 187 Atomic r 11.  However I bought the 178's (from Buckwild) mostly because they were a good deal and because I like to let them fly in big gs turns and thought the 178 would give me a little more platform to let them run--I wasn't dissapointed.  The only dissapointment hapened on the second day skiing them when I hit a rock in the woods and crushed the edge and the base (Had to buy a second pair from Dawgcatcher).  As Bird Blaster said 172's for the tight tree lines and bumps, 178 for ripping cruisers.  It's a great ski.

Since you are close to 200lbs I would not recommend the ss magnum in a 170.  It's very soft ski. It'll be fine until you're in steep terrain with soft snow.  Maybe a 177 would be ok, but at some point you'll be disappointed with a 170 magnum even though it's a great ski.

Haven't tried the Dynastar but from what people say here and your area I'd go for that over the Magnum.

Oth, I'll be getting my brand new ss magnums back from Head soon and I might sell them.

Agreed, the Magnum is much softer than the 4x4. At your weight you would for sure need the Magnum in 177cm, the 4x4 could easily be skied in a 172. I own both and I'm 5'10" and 225lbs.

Wow, we actually have at least three people agreeing!

Take heed of the advice on length for the ss magnums.  The thing is, in Michigan a 170 magnum probably will be just fine.  When you take it to those special places it's different though.

It's odd, some skis you can go way short and they're fine and others not.  Very stiff skis I think are similar.  The volkl 6 star, already too stiff, was much better in a 168 than the 163.  It probably would've been even better in the mid 170's. I didn't like that ski, too much of a board. Imo, the AC40 is too stiff also.

The new Kastle 78 is better for me in the 176 than 168. That skis short though because of the turned up tail.

Wow thanks for all the feedback guys, i didn't expect all this for a newb. You've definately helped me make my mind up. Unfortunately Dawg is all out of the 4x4 and my local shop, T&L still wants $1000.00 and probably won't put em on sale till summer. So i'm on the hunt now for a pair of 172's. 

Anybody know of a place that sells em cheaper? Especially you local guys.

Thanks

Go Here:

http://www.sierraskis.com/2009-Dynastar-Contact-4x4-Skis-w-PX-14-42680.asp

Only 2 left in 172cm right now.

Dynastar Contact 4X4 w/ PX 14 Skis

Free U.S. Shipping on this item

funny, i was just going to suggest the same!

Ya I was checking out Jim's site, great price forsure but I found out I can get the 2010 4x4 for about the same price. I'm still trying to find a place that sells them for the same price as Scott (DAWG)

Lee:

Trust me, you're not gonna find a price like Dawg's here in Ottawa.

Problem is in this city, high-end gear doesn't really come down in price to that of what you see on internet deals (ie: Dawg, Sierra, Al's Ski Barn, etc). 

The thing to keep in mind is by the time you factor in Taxes, Exchange, Duty, Shipping, Local set-up etc, the local prices seem to even themselves out (Well maybe not ...but pretty darn close).

Warranty issues also come into play as well if you have problems after the fact.

No disrespect intended towards anyone ... I have been thru the process myself wanted to pass on my opinion.

Good luck with your hunt.

RMP

Unfortunately the weather we're having right now sucks for skiing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMP 

Lee:

 

Trust me, you're not gonna find a price like Dawg's here in Ottawa.

 

Problem is in this city, high-end gear doesn't really come down in price to that of what you see on internet deals (ie: Dawg, Sierra, Al's Ski Barn, etc). 

 

The thing to keep in mind is by the time you factor in Taxes, Exchange, Duty, Shipping, Local set-up etc, the local prices seem to even themselves out (Well maybe not ...but pretty darn close).

 

Warranty issues also come into play as well if you have problems after the fact.

 

FWIW, I bought a pair of Volkl Tigersharks from  Sierra and had them shipped to Ottawa. They were roughly 1/2 the sticker price of the same thing in a certain west-end shop. $45US for two-day UPS shipping, there's no duty on skis and bindings, and the taxes were correspondingly lower. I mounted the bindings myself because they are a built rail system. All said and done the same package here would have been $1150, but with exchange, shipping, and taxes I came in at under $750.

All that being said, I try to support the local brick and mortar shops whenever I can, and return they have also taken care of me quite well, but some online deals can't be beat.

Oh yeah, if you want to take advantage of free shipping offers, you can have items shipped to the UPS store in Ogdensburg, where they'll hold it for a few weeks for $6-7US. You, of course, have to drive there and back to bring it across the border yourself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by allan o'neil 

For those of you who have skied the 4X4 in a 172 I have the following questions. I currently own the Contact Ltd. in a 172. I like the ski allot especialy in bumps (fairly large as well). However at 200 LB. I find they get knocked around quite a bit in crud and piles of snow. They are also a little less stable than I would like at speed. So the question is...How much more difficult are the 4X4s to handle in bumps and just how deep can you go in fresh snow and crud before I would want to be on my Blizzard Cronus despite the lesser grip on the slick patches between bumps and piles?

I currently own the Contact 11 (aka Limited and Contact 10 for '09) and the 4x4. The Limited has an advantage in bumps and powder. The Limited is easier to ski in these conditions, but not really better than the 4x4. The 4x4 is much better on firm groomed runs with far greater edgegrip and high speed stability.

Michael

Looking to purchase a pair of the 4x4's. How is the tune right out of the wrapper?

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikonfme 

 

Looking to purchase a pair of the 4x4's. How is the tune right out of the wrapper?

 

I just picked up a pair of 178cm (stumbled on a deal out west last week), and the factory tune wasn't great.  I gave them a thorough workover this weekend, and plan to ski on them this week.  Will see how they do now.  It will be between the 4x4s and iM78s to decide which pair I keep and which pair I sell.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skier219 

 

 

I just picked up a pair of 178cm (stumbled on a deal out west last week), and the factory tune wasn't great.  I gave them a thorough workover this weekend, and plan to ski on them this week.  Will see how they do now.  It will be between the 4x4s and iM78s to decide which pair I keep and which pair I sell.

It will be interesting to hear your results Craig. Although the dimensions are similar, the 4x4 sounds like a much better on piste carver almost to the point where you are not comparing apples to apples. I think that you should keep both .

Don't want to open up another can of worms regarding bad factory tunes but spoke with somone this afternoon that knows and works on the Dynastars a lot and he said that factory tune is bad as the heads..........Amazing.

I was actually shocked how well the iM78 does as a hard snow carver -- I was all set to make it the skinny ski in my quiver until the 4x4 deal dropped in my lap.  But I've heard great things about the 4x4 and skied with people on them who raved about them.  The limited time I got on them last week (with the lousy tune) suggests they are great skis.  I even pushed them through 6" of powder and they weren't too bad, though I could feel the 16m sidecut acting a little hooky.  

Anyway, I plan to ski both skis back to back tomorrow and see how they compare.  I do like the Fluid bindings on the 4x4s -- good for travel, and also allowed me to easily adjust the binding position pretty easily.  Dynastar had me too far forward at the suggested position, so I moved about 2cm back for tomorrow's test.

As far as the tune -- the 4x4s had almost no base edge bevel at the tip.  I could even see where the factory edge grinding ended a few inches behind the tip.  It's like they weren't run through the machine all the way.  Both edges on both skis were like that.