Ninthward First Blood Alpine Ski

I'm on my second pair of 180s, I sold the first ones (the ugly brown graphics) to a backcountry skier from Edwards. I have the 07 model now, I'm pretty sure the construction is the same as the 08. Turn radius 24m, seems about right in powder. 123/91/116 for a mid-fat isn't excessive, and they are stiff, well built.

I ski Vail and Summit County where deep snow and crud are the main fare. The First Bloods are almost magic, but these are not for lightwieights, I'm 6'2", 200 lbs and a 8.5 level skier, and I like a ski that goes 50 mph quietly, yet can handle powder and crud well.....backcountry conditions if you will.

I have Tyrolia Railflex bindings on these, also on my first pair, and I ski these back 15mm to 30mm. Yeah, I mounted the present Bloods at 0 on the forward setting. They ski hardpack nicely at the center position, but at my size that doesn't work in the deep and steep, I was going right over the handlebars. Even set back they can handle firm conditions, but at 30mm back of center you can spinout on frozen hardpack.

They remind me of my old Volkl Snow Rangers, which I still ski on ocassion, but without all the input they required at times. A very solid platform at 180cm for a big skier. For all conditions but the deepest days. Ninthward stopped making the 190 in 06, it was a different ski, totally.