Gotamas - s7 or super s7

I demo'd the new gotamas against the sidestashes (the first year model) last year. I went with the sidestashes because they held an edge a lot better on the groomed--the goats felt squirrelly to me. And as you know the chutes can get pretty firm too. The sidestashes are cambered in the center, the goats are full rocker. My personal preference for a travelling ski is something with some rocker and some camber and that 105ish width. YMMV.

New Gotamas= awful. IMO, it's a pointless ski to have. With it's width and stiffness, it should be a great one ski quiver, but the full rocker ruins it. Hence the "pointless" moniker. I can't see any reason to ski the Goats over the Katana, or even the Chopstick. Might as well get some serious float with your squirrlyness. The old cambered ones (like yours) are far better skis. If you are thinking of the S7s, then you should check out Blister Gear Reviews articles on them. I don't know how you ski, but the Line Influence is a good choice, as well as the Prophet series. I also don't know the SLC area, but my 'mountain' skis are Atomic Bentchetlers. My feeling is that I'm not going to the mountains to ski groomers. I assume you have another pair of skis, aside from the Gotamas? If so, take those, and get a nice set of fatties. They should cover most of your skiing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatlandr 

New Gotamas= awful. IMO, it's a pointless ski to have. With it's width and stiffness, it should be a great one ski quiver, but the full rocker ruins it. Hence the "pointless" moniker.

From what I have read and heard it seems like Volkl started with the Mantra and Gotama, two excellent and universally loved skis, and continued to gradually change them so they would be "new and better" every year until they became lousey skis.  Adding rocker, stiffness and width does not make every ski better.

^^^^ This. IMO Volkl lost its way with rec skis about the time K2 bought it (surprise), and still isn't showing much sign of getting back to the cottage in the woods. So in my darker moments I wonder if the kitchen appliance holding company that also owns K2 wants Volkl to have a uber-Teutonic burly feel just for product differentiation. Even in Volkl's powder skis. Since they know/care zip about skiing. It's all about $$$....

Quote:

Originally Posted by beyond 

^^^^ This. IMO Volkl lost its way with rec skis about the time K2 bought it (surprise), and still isn't showing much sign of getting back to the cottage in the woods. So in my darker moments I wonder if the kitchen appliance holding company that also owns K2 wants Volkl to have a uber-Teutonic burly feel just for product differentiation. Even in Volkl's powder skis. Since they know/care zip about skiing. It's all about $$$....

The only Volkl I would buy is the Katana. However, that being said, I would much rather go with a similar ski from a different company, one that isn't associated with K2. Something like the 4Frnt EHP or Renegade seems like a much better choice.

K2 "jumped the shark" two years ago when they put rocker in every single one of their skis, just because it was the new thing.  Unfortunately they seem to be using the same marketing strategy with Volkl skis, regardless of adverse changes in performance.  I have a friend who loved his original Mantras and skied them hard all over the mountain for several years.  When he went to buy a new pair recently he demoed the new wider rockered version, did not like them at all and ended up buying a pair of last year's model without rocker off the net.  The old gold Gotama's were sweet, but they kept making them stiffer until they were no longer any good in powder, and then continued to the point where now they don't work very well anywhere.

As a Gold Goat owner myself (have not skied the new version), I can recommend the Sidestash as a great all purpose West ski.  At 108 underfoot with tip rocker, it will give you pretty good float in powder.  Yet with camber underfoot and a stiff tail, it carves fairly well for a big ski and has good edge grip on firm snow and in the steeps.  To sum up the Sidestash, it does just about everything well, but does not excell in any one area, nor have any real weakness.  Also, it runs large compared to other skis, my 188 is really a 190 whereas my 190 goats are actually ~187. I recommend setting the base and side bevel set to your preferrence, as mine were pretty hookey our of the wrapper.

Another to ski to look into is the Blizzard Cochise.  It is supposed to do everything well, with probably a preference to soft snow, whereas the Sidestash is inclined more towards firm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skugrud 

SierraJim - Thanks for the reply, but I a a little confused about the first line.  I think you are giving a big recommendation for the new Goats?  Is that right?

 

And interestingly enough, I did have a chance to ski the new Goat on some groomed snow (no deep snow) and although it was different it was not "totally weird" and I could live with it as a trade off for the deep snow potential of that ski.

 

 

I'll give some props for the new Gotama (I have last years)-I ski Moonlight Basin/Big Sky and they are a great every day ski IMO. The only conditions I have found them to be lacking are refrozen crud, and very hard snow (which is rare out here). They actually make a nice clean carve on the groomers when tipped over. They are a stable cruising ski, even though they get some tip flap (keep them on edge). I feel like I am the perfect size/weight for these-I can bend them easily without overpowering. The platform underfoot feels very secure-you can really stand on it when getting angles.

Awesome in the pow/steeps/trees-I can hop into the Headwaters and just KNOW that that the all important first turn will be no problem (they are quick), and absolutely no dip dive. If these are as bad as people say-there must really be some great skis out there!!! They do ski different to what I was on (Mantra) and will not respond to tip pressure-it is all underfoot.I like how playful they are-really fun

I am looking forward to trying some new skis-but will ski my Goats for another season (Big Sky season passes are not cheap!)

My one ski quiver these days. I am 5'6" 160 lb, 50 years young and ski the 178. Level 8-9. Good luck finding your ride, I found mine.

The Rossi Squad 7 also looks promising...

I don't agree with the first post, at least not all the way. New Gotamas are fun but those pre rockered Gotamas are some of the most sought after skis out there. Don't get rid of them. I would normally recommend the Got's but since I'm tellin you to keep the old ones I'd get some of the S7's or Super 7's. Both great tree skis but if you're looking to turn it up a bit go Supers, if you really want to turn it up dont' get either of those.

Oh and like Sigurd said, those squad 7's do look promising. Had an opportunity to buy some this year cheap before they come out and I'm kicking myself for not doing it.