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High performance groomer recommendations

post #1 of 7
1/4/09 at 12:02pm
Thread Starter 
Hey all, this is a post for my husband as he is dithering and looking for some opinions.

His stats: 5'10", 190lbs, 30, ex-ski instructor, has a penchant for very fast, very powerful skis....his philosophy seems to be that if they don't make him work they're no fun

He's looking for a new groomer ski, he's been on the old (2002) Volkl G3 (177cm) for several years, prior to that he had the old Atomic Beta Race 9.28 (192cm) - which even he admits were too long and a bit much to be running around on a mountain without a race to go to. His powder ski is the Head 103 Team (183cm) - silly man...

This is what's been on the docket recently: Head iChip, Volkl Racetiger GS or RC, Atomic SX12, SX11 or GS11, Fischer Progressor...the only one of these that we can find to rent up in Whistler are the Volkls (GS and RC) but that's not leaving him much of a basis of comparison, so he'd like to hear from those who ski any of these what they think (or if folks have any other suggestions), their pros and cons, etc.

I know, I know, these are all race or pseudo-race skis and he's not racing, but what can I say, he likes to work a lot harder than most of us....

cheers!
mog (for pip)
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post #2 of 7
1/4/09 at 12:33pm
The Head chip skis are made to be very smooth at the expense of some of the rebound of the skis. If he's on rough ice, get the chip. If that's not his skiing, and probably isn't in the West, the non-chip versions might be more to his liking.

The Head SuperShape or SuperShape Magnum skis would be great for him, 170 cm--don't let him go longer without a demo. The Fischer RX8 is another great choice. Are more demos available in Van?

He needs to decide what width underfoot he likes. I'd suggest a ski in the mid 60 mm range...66 like the SuperShape. He needs to decide what turn radius he likes. The 12m sidecut radius of the SuperShape is stable at speed due to modern technology...all top brands can do this...and very maneuverable. His choice.
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post #3 of 7
1/4/09 at 1:52pm
My list would have to include the Head Supershape SPEED, Head i Speed, Fischer WC RC, Atomic SX11/12. Length between 170 and 190 depending on where what and how he want's to ski, but probably best at 177.
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post #4 of 7
1/4/09 at 2:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoftSnowGuy View Post
The Head SuperShape or SuperShape Magnum skis would be great for him, 170 cm--don't let him go longer without a demo. The Fischer RX8 is another great choice. Are more demos available in Van?
Sounds to me like he wants something straighter than those. Head iSpeed would be a good start. Stockli Stormrider XL could be nice too, actually, might be great for what he wants.
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post #5 of 7
1/5/09 at 1:36pm
My vote is for the Fischer Progressor 9's. The shop next to the Pan Pacific Mountainside had the Progressor 9's last year. I stayed there last year and rented them.
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post #6 of 7
1/5/09 at 1:46pm
I'm still mezmerized by a guy I watched skiing last Sunday AM on a pair of Stockli's on rock hard snow. Perfect carves like he was glued to the snow. I know alot of it had to do with the skier, but he sure was demonstrating with a skilled pilot how well those skis can execute turns. I've never been on a Stockli ski.
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post #7 of 7
1/5/09 at 1:57pm
I am almost exactly your size and have demoed a bunch of skis the last few years for hardpack groomers. I ended up w/ 2 pair, Head 1400's in 170cm and Head chip supershapes in 177cm. I like the Supershapes a little better but if you just want raw speed w/out going to a race ski the 1400 is hard to beat. The 1400 was not a very popular ski so you may be able to find one still for sale. I have also skied the new monster chip 78 and liked it. The chip tech. does work IMO. One other ski I would mention that I thought was an awsome groomer ski was the Elan Ripstick, but I had to be full speed all the time. Good Luck.
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