Which ski for Colorado?

Hi, I need some help.  I've been looking for a good ski to take to Colorado, and have been considering the Volkl Mantra and the new AC30.  The only ski I have now is a 69 mm waisted volkl that I use at home (New York).  I was originally thinking Mantra for off piste stuff, and bring my skinny skis for the groomers, but I'm not sure how the Mantras would handle the double blacks and trees.  I've been reading posts that talk alot about an 80+mm waisted ski for Colorado, and I am now thoroughly confused.  About me: very athletic, 5'8" level 8 skier. I enjoy everything in bounds.  Planning to go to either Snowmass or Telluride this year.  Please give me your thoughts.  Thanks.

Anyone else?  Mantra or AC30 for Colorado skiing?

 You might like the Nordica Enforcers I've been trying to sell.

A buddy of mine wasn't that impressed with the AC30 he demoed last year in Snowmass...if you are just coming out for a week, it is very hard to predict ahead of time what ski you would want.  After missing most of my first year here, I am trying to figure out what my quiver should be for this year.  Have liked the 172 cm '09 Contact 10 for sping and early season and will probably mount up the 191 cm P4s I have for powder days, but am not sure if I want to mount up the Watea 84s I have as my middle ski, or go with the Elan 888s I skied a few runs with at the end of last season.  I liked the 177 cm 888s, but wished they had a size b/t 177 & 186 for everyday use at 6' 3" 190 lbs.

Thanks, MEfree.  Maybe I'll look at something a little wider than the AC30, and rent powder skis if I need them.  I appreciate your help.

Mantra covers all your bases in one ski. I've used them many times in the west and it is an excellent all around ski east and west. I love it in Big Pow, love it on the groomers and great in bumps. It has a cult like following.

Thanks, Yo Momma.  Would it be your ski of choice down nasty technical lines out west as well?

Unless you want to haul two pair out west, look for something with a waist around 80mm or so.  I take a pair of Dynastar Legend 8000s out to Colorado and find they work well on the groomed runs and also on the days with fresh snow.  Others will advise going wider, but I am very happy with the versatility of the 8000s.  Note I am 5'8", 150lbs and a level 8/9 skier and ski Fischer RX8s most days in Vermont. 

Jim, What length do you ski the 8000's?

I ski mostly the Colorado front range (50+ days/year) with occasional trips to Telluride and Steamboat. I had the Dynastar 8000 and 8800 skis for the last 4 or 5 years. I'm 5'11" 165lbs. I really liked the 8000 in a 172 for bumps, tree, and groomers (if you don't go too fast). The 8800s were my soft snow and powder ski and were surprisingly good in soft bumps at places like Mary Jane. I got Icelantic Nomads for deep powder (in trees and bumps) last year. I really like them but they are not a great groomer ski. I sold both dynastars and bought Fisher Watea 84s as my new all around skis hoping to combine the 8000 and 8800 into one ski. I also race beer leagues so I don't need a hardpack groomer ski, I just use one of my shorter rec GS or SL skis for hardpack days. My experience over the last 20 years or so is that most Colorado powder days are usually 9" or less so chances are you won't need a really wide ski.

The Mantra and its competitors in that mid-fat class are a good bet.  They are a compromise, of course, but they will be fine on what passes for hard pack in Colorado (hint, we would call it wonderful snow in the East) and much more than fine if you get a lucky storm.

I have just a couple of hours on the Mantra and the Enforcer (on cut-up powder in and out of the trees during a storm at Kirkwood last year).  I liked the Mantra a little better, but maybe that was just me.  Of course, I tend to like everything. (except uber-stiff planks, which these aren't).

If you didn't already have an East coast ski, I'd suggest you think about going a little narrower and using it everywhere.  But you do, so don't.

Or, based on my experience yesterday, get a Gotama instead.  I'm a convert, and I've only skied it on groomers.

Be advised that renting powder skis is problematical.  There are too many people with the same plan, and the tend to be sold out when you want them most. You need to have a plan (and preferably a phone number) and reserve as soon as you realize a storm is coming.  They are easy to rent when you don't need them, of course.

I definately wouldn't bother with the AC30. First I'm not that enamored with it, having been on it many times, and second, if you're going to try to be in Snowmass or Telluride, hopefully you'll need something wider and softer.

The 8000's already been mentioned, and you've talked about the Mantra - both very nice (I love Dynastars), but I would take a Mythic Rider over an 8000, as it will have greater capability all over the hill, and in the event you get pow, it's got a 90mm waist, vs 80mm.

There's also a lot of good reports on the Watea (forget the #), as an overall ski. The Enforcer might be a good choice too. Most of the Nordica's I've been on have been a very good ride.

Enjoy, think wide and off-piste or else you're going to miss a big part of the reason for going.

Oh, and by the way, ballsy spam there Flo - hey mods - deletion time of that post?

Evening,

If you're an Eastern skier & need a Western ski, GO with the Mantra's.  I'm 5'8" 170lbs.  Lived in NH for a few years now I'm in Chicago so my Eastern boards were the 7-24 Volkl.  Now I ski 20+ out west, mostly Big Sky (have friends who live there).  The Mantra is hands down one of the most versatile skis I've ever skied.  It's not the "great" powder ski of the Gotama, but for someone who will be skiing a little of everything I can't recommend a better ski.  Oh and with the Mantra, you can leave your eastern boards back east!

By the way, I ski the 170 instead of the 177 because I like a nimble ski for the bumbs and trees.  The 177 would be better for straight lines in powder.  But then again, I like the versatility of the 170.

Mantra - it is the official ski of Colorado.  Unless you are coming in like Nov or early Dec.

EDIT: yes, i know, they're aren't really official offical but you get the point.  They're as ubiquitous as flies and for good reason.

The Mantra gets the hype because it IS " ONE" of the best all mountain, mid-fat skis there is.  It is absolutely versatile and all condition.  I have skied it alpine and tele in various situations (actually never in CO) and like it a lot.

From what I read from this post its about getting it in CO with 1 pair of skis which is silly.  You need a quiver like anywhere....but

I did live in CO for 10 years.  1 ski...now a days...191 Scott P4

PS.  Nice Call on the Icelantic Nomads.  Sick for deeeep pow

There are a ton of really good skis in the 85-95mm width that would work just fine as a daily driver.

The Mantra is an excellent ski, but unless you are a big guy or a real hard charger, if you are only going to be using one ski for Colorado I would suggest the Watea 94.  It is the same dimensions as the Mantra, but a little softer and more even flexing, so it will handle the bumps and powder better, as well as hold its own for hard snow carving.

+1

SJ

I am also an NY based skier and the 8K is my everyday ski here. I have had it in Utah for the past 3 years and it was great, except that I wanted more in Pow and crud. I am sizing up, waist wise, and I am considering the Mantra and the Prophet 90 & 100. However, the Mantra and the P are 2 (or 3) different skis.

The Mantra is a hard charger while the Prophets are more playful and softer. I can't decide what personality I want. For me the sceond ski will be for soft/powder days in VT and trips out west. Just my uneducated 2 cents.

The Prophets are different largely due to the somewhat softer tail and a bit softer torsion. Given that you have a 78mm ski already, I don't think the P90 makes sense. The P100 certainly does though and given that you want it to shine in softer snow, it is a way better choice than the Mantra. I get 3/4 new skis each year and the P100 is one of my choices for this year.

SJ

Thank you SJ. Your valued opinion just solidified my choice.

One more question SJ. What bindings did you put on the P 100's. I see that you carry the Look PX 12 lifter wide. Thoughts. Thanks again.

If I were setting it up for myself alone, it would probably be the PX12, PX14 XXL or possibly the Fischer X 17 that we have. The reason that I like the XXL binding is that it uses the PX racing heel which has a shorter heel platform than the std. I'm also pretty fond of that Fischer binding.

However, two of my esteemed colleagues at work are agitating for me to put a demo binding on MY SKIS so they can share with me. It may end up being a LOOK PX Demo binding.

Oh well..............enthusiasm is a good thing............


SJ

Great information, thanks.  I think the concensus is the Mantra is a good choice.  If I were to take two skis, would I go for an 80 mm ski for the second?  I don't hear much love for the AC30, but maybe the Dynastar?

Thanks again,

 

Ed

Mantra, great choice (you can tell I'm a fan)!  For a second ski the AC30 is a good choice but it may be to much an intermediate ski for you.  Other great choices are K2 Apache Recons or Crossfire.  I guess I would ask what are you planning to do with your second ski?  If it's for NY & eastern skiing, then a good ski around 74 to 80 mm underfoot would be great.

Sorry for the confusion, Bob.  I'm asking for a good second ski to use only in Colorado to go with the Mantra.

Just out of curiosity, if you think the AC30 is an intermediate biased ski...........what would you call advanced or aggressive?.......a Recon?

SJ

I didn't articulate my question very well last night (tired).  What I'm unsure of is after I pick up the mantra (hopefully today), why would I want an 85mm waisted ski?  Am I thinking correctly, that my second ski should be an 80mm or so ski that rips the groomers?