Review:
I initially tested the Automatic at trade shows last season and quite frankly the conditions weren't conducive to a complete evaluation. Fast forward to the Mayan Apocalypse 2012 and the early season blizzard. There are skis that make you ski fast, the Automatic is a ski that makes you WANT to ski fast, a rare trait in a ski this this big to have the ability to be so nimbly powerful that it is as comfortable in tight trees as it is making big high speed GS turns on wind buff. I was started by getting first tracks in the morning in some heavy powder that was coming down to the tune of 2-3" an hour. Then as the area got tracked out, the speeds were brought up a couple of notches and the the Automatic was a blast. I is is a brave new world when a 117mm wide ski is as nimble as what the Automatic is. In the tight trees of Northstar, I had no problem getting the Automatics to do anything I asked of them, all I had to do was point them and they went, if I wanted them to roll onto edge they came around effortlessly. I am a fan of camber in a ski and this is what helps the Automatic both spring and hold well. The early rise in the tip and tail along with the minimal taper in the tail (-2mm less than waist) really allowed the ski play through all the turns.
This was after 2 1/2 hours of skiing
Product:
Length Tested:186
Dimensions/Turn Radius: 140/117/119 19m
Camber: Traditional, Early Rise Tip & Tail w/camber
Binding: Demo
Mount point: Suggested
Environment & Conditions:
Location of Test: Northstar
Number of Runs: More than 12
Snow Conditions: Bottomless Powder
Demo or Own: Demo
Tester Info:
Username: Philpug
Age: 49
Height/Weight: 5'10" 185lb
Ski Days/Season: 60+
Years Skiing: 35
Aggressiveness: Moderate (Finesse)
Current Quiver: 13 Blizzard Bonafide, 13 Blizzard Gunsmoke, plus various vintage skis
Home Area: Squaw & Northstar
Preferred Terrain: bumps, off-piste, trees
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