Compliment Ski to Volkl Katana

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasudeva 

Hi all

I currently own and love my Volkl Katana's, they are great for pow/crud/cut up snow and railing fast powerful gs turns on the groomers. But the same stiffness and weight that gives it all those attributes above also makes the Katana a bit of a tank. It is not so much fun in the moguls or making quick energetic "fun" turns. I had a chance to borrow a friends Line Prophet 100's the other day and was amazed by how light the skis were and how quick and forgiving they were. They made beautiful medium radius turns and when you locked them in on edge they practically skied for you. (if youve ever skied them you know what mean!) and handled the moguls much better then the Katanas. I did not get the chance to ride them in deep or cut up snow but from what my friend told me, and it made sense to me, was that they were a bit squirly and did not have the stability that the Katana provided. I cant say that that I liked the Prophets more then the Katana, rather they were two very different feeling skis that where made for different purposes. This got me thinking (and very dangerous thinking) that perhaps I need two skis, something for the deep days off piste where latter on the snow will be heavy and cut up and I can make big arcing turns, and something that is light quick fun energetic and can nail the moguls. So really what I am asking is for some advice on some skis like the line prophets, but mainly front side skis that can handle 6 inches of fresh snow or less, and that are more snappy/energetic with a higher rebound on high speed turns (mostly short to medium radius turns). While also being able to be good mogul skis. I thinking these skis would be around the 80-90 waist range? So basically I love my Katanas but I what a ski that is the opposite in termss of skiing style and purpose. Thanks!

How about the Prophet 98s?  Basically the same ski that you loved, updated with a little bit of tip rocker.  Or if you want the slightly wider, burlier version with some tip rocker, go with the Influence 105.  I ride P100s as my daily, non-big-powder day ski around here (Alpental, Crystal, Stevens, etc...) and I think that it is a great choice for that purpose.  That plus my powder skis makes for a great quiver around here.  Personally, I'd replace my P100s with the Influence 105 if I blew a rail tomorrow.  I've demo'd it twice and I love it.  Very similar feel to the P100, but even better. 

You could drop down in waist size to the P90s.  But why?  You liked the 100s and for the skiing around here, during a non-lean snow year, the 100ish width works well on just about any day, for just about anything that Alpental and the like will throw at you. 

Just a little advice from a 1st time poster, long time lurker.  But I have direct, region-specific experience relevant to the question so I thought that I might pitch in. 

I'm also in the PNW and am looking for a complement ski or maybe replacement for my beloved Elan 1010. The Elan rules our saturated crud with unflappable stability but weighs in, with burly binders at 17 to 17 1/2 lbs. Too much for me to throw around in the bumps. My old Jet Fuels with their system binding weigh close to the same.

I have some Enforcers with demo bindings that weigh 2 or 3 lbs.lbs less and are great on groomers or the spring slush that we've been getting but don't have the bomber stability in our normal crud that I'd like. Sure easier to throw around in bumps. So maybe something 95 to 105 wide, burly but lighter to replace skis like the Katana or the Elan? The Influence might be the right call or Inferno 104 maybe? Mantra?

I demoed the 2013 Atomic Alibi (98mm) and thought it was light and quick.  Also Fischer Watea 94 or 98  (for 2013 Big Stix 98).  They are quick, hold a decent edge on hardpack, totally rock the moguls like nothing else and can rip through cut up crud.   

Head Rev 85 or 90 might also be what you're looking for.  I demoed the Rev 105 (might be what I end up buying next), but if you're looking for something that doesn't overlap your Katanas, the narrower versions would work.  

I demo'ed the Prophet 85 early last month and thought they were very close to the feel of my Volkl Kendo's. Not quite as intitutive as my kendo's but I think with my tune they could have been.

You can find the kendo's on line for about $470.00 now

Awesome ski.