So, sitting at my computer, waiting for it to snow more (we have over a foot on the hill, keep it coming!) I was thinking about some skis I am excited to get time on this year. Mostly new stuff that I have either tried a bit in the spring, or skis I have simply heard good things about that perhaps I didn't ski last year, due to not getting to ski much. What is your list?
In no particular order:
Salomon Shogun: perhaps a Salomon that I will get along with finally. I hear good things, a bit more smooth and stout. Most Sollie's tend to be a little soft and "foam-corey" for my taste (Fury being the exception). This supposedly has a bit more traditional feel. Maybe a little narrow underfoot for true backside/deep snow days. Looks to have a big early rise tip and no camber up there (probably the so-called marketing rocker) which likely means it will ski pretty traditionally, like the other early rise/little or no camber skis on this list.
Rossi S7: never skied this ski, have heard very good things from most people. I am excited to see how the hybrid design compares to a wide, soft ski with a big tip and a bit of regular camber (Answer, HT, 1010, Big Dump) and also how it compares to the really big rockered stuff. Specifically, how each responds to certain types of releases, inputs, and skill suitability.
Blizzard Answer IQ: even though I was skiing at about 20% of normal, I had a blast on this ski last year. Super easy to release on manky snow, still good edgehold and powerful, it was a very good ski. I want more time on them this year. Similar to the Shogun and Huge Trouble/Sixth Sense Huge: little to no camber and a big early rise tip (according to the rep, go ahead and "call it a rocker if you need a sales pitch. Or just put them on the damn thing and have them go ski")
Elan 1010: had 2 of the best days of my life on this ski, even though, by then, I was still at no more than 50% of full speed. This ski made me feel like a hero in all sorts of dodgy snow conditions, and with no speed limit attached. I was hooked. Probably my main go-to ski this year when new snow is around, which means hopefully, most days. Short running length, due to huge early rise tip and tall tail, so size up if you are on the line. 185cm was the money length for me, and the length I purchased.
Dynastar Legend Sultan 85: This looks to be a big winner. Thin profile, very laterally stiff without longitudionally having a 2x4 feel. It is actually quite soft when flexing it throughout the length of the ski, but as stiff as any ski at the shop in the tip, when flexed side to side. Early rise tip and tail, running length is around 3cm shorter than one would expect for a given size. Based on my short time on it last spring, I expect it to be more versatile and a bit more soft-snow oriented than many of the "wide-carver" crowd. Could be my main go-to ski, especially if we are not having a big snow year, but getting a bit of snow here and there, and I want a bomber GS feel in my ski that can rip everywhere.
Volkl Gotama: again, looks to be along the lines of the Shogun/1010/Answer. Pretty traditional construction, early rise/tiny rocker tip, some sidecut. Most people are saying good things, so looking forward to giving it a try. As we don't sell Volkl, I didn't get the sales pitch from the rep on this one.
Elan 82Xti: this ski, coming back new for 2010, looks to be a real powerhouse, but more accessable for us lighter weight skiers. The 2 layers of metal, and the profile, has really been thinned out: the new ski is lighter than the old 82ti, with only 1 sheet of metal. In my little bit of time with it in the spring, it felt like it was out-powering my old favorite mid-fat, the Blizzard 8.7, and had even more juice than the new 8.1 too. Still a little stiffer, and more of a GS board at 176 than the shorter, more nimble 8.1 (172cm), but should compare very well with the 8.7, and I wouldn't be surprised if it offers more performance than the 8.7 as well, albeit with a bit "stronger" ride.
Elan Speedwave 14: new ski for 2010, but being that it was also softened up (thinner sheets of metal), I expect this ski to really come alive under my light weight. Planning on purchasing a pair: hopefully if I do, we will have a huge snow year and they won't get used much. If I do end up skiing them, I am hoping for a stable, powerful ripping carver ride. The old SW14 was a touch too stiff for me, and the SW12 a bit too soft. Hopefully this one is just right.
Blizzard Magnum 8.1 Max IQ: I had a blast on this ski last spring. Snappy, nimble, wicked edgehold, felt close to a cheater GS with not much of a speed limit, yet was versatile. Definitely easier going than the 82Xti, didn't quite have the GS power and ultimate stability of that ski, but also was more manageable. Could have been the shorter length though, not the actual ski. This could easily be my "narrow" ski of the quiver, super fun for most days without a lot of new snow, but if I am going with 3 skis, I may go narrower than this on one end, and wider for my middle ski.
Elan Boomerang: don't know much about this ski, except that it is HUGE! Rep said it is a good ski to have in the quiver, if the snow is deep and you need a big, stable board. Again, should be fun.
There are plenty of other fun skis lurking out there, but these seem to be on my hit list of some of the top new intros for 2010. Planning on picking my quiver of 3 from this list!
In no particular order:
Salomon Shogun: perhaps a Salomon that I will get along with finally. I hear good things, a bit more smooth and stout. Most Sollie's tend to be a little soft and "foam-corey" for my taste (Fury being the exception). This supposedly has a bit more traditional feel. Maybe a little narrow underfoot for true backside/deep snow days. Looks to have a big early rise tip and no camber up there (probably the so-called marketing rocker) which likely means it will ski pretty traditionally, like the other early rise/little or no camber skis on this list.
Rossi S7: never skied this ski, have heard very good things from most people. I am excited to see how the hybrid design compares to a wide, soft ski with a big tip and a bit of regular camber (Answer, HT, 1010, Big Dump) and also how it compares to the really big rockered stuff. Specifically, how each responds to certain types of releases, inputs, and skill suitability.
Blizzard Answer IQ: even though I was skiing at about 20% of normal, I had a blast on this ski last year. Super easy to release on manky snow, still good edgehold and powerful, it was a very good ski. I want more time on them this year. Similar to the Shogun and Huge Trouble/Sixth Sense Huge: little to no camber and a big early rise tip (according to the rep, go ahead and "call it a rocker if you need a sales pitch. Or just put them on the damn thing and have them go ski")
Elan 1010: had 2 of the best days of my life on this ski, even though, by then, I was still at no more than 50% of full speed. This ski made me feel like a hero in all sorts of dodgy snow conditions, and with no speed limit attached. I was hooked. Probably my main go-to ski this year when new snow is around, which means hopefully, most days. Short running length, due to huge early rise tip and tall tail, so size up if you are on the line. 185cm was the money length for me, and the length I purchased.
Dynastar Legend Sultan 85: This looks to be a big winner. Thin profile, very laterally stiff without longitudionally having a 2x4 feel. It is actually quite soft when flexing it throughout the length of the ski, but as stiff as any ski at the shop in the tip, when flexed side to side. Early rise tip and tail, running length is around 3cm shorter than one would expect for a given size. Based on my short time on it last spring, I expect it to be more versatile and a bit more soft-snow oriented than many of the "wide-carver" crowd. Could be my main go-to ski, especially if we are not having a big snow year, but getting a bit of snow here and there, and I want a bomber GS feel in my ski that can rip everywhere.
Volkl Gotama: again, looks to be along the lines of the Shogun/1010/Answer. Pretty traditional construction, early rise/tiny rocker tip, some sidecut. Most people are saying good things, so looking forward to giving it a try. As we don't sell Volkl, I didn't get the sales pitch from the rep on this one.
Elan 82Xti: this ski, coming back new for 2010, looks to be a real powerhouse, but more accessable for us lighter weight skiers. The 2 layers of metal, and the profile, has really been thinned out: the new ski is lighter than the old 82ti, with only 1 sheet of metal. In my little bit of time with it in the spring, it felt like it was out-powering my old favorite mid-fat, the Blizzard 8.7, and had even more juice than the new 8.1 too. Still a little stiffer, and more of a GS board at 176 than the shorter, more nimble 8.1 (172cm), but should compare very well with the 8.7, and I wouldn't be surprised if it offers more performance than the 8.7 as well, albeit with a bit "stronger" ride.
Elan Speedwave 14: new ski for 2010, but being that it was also softened up (thinner sheets of metal), I expect this ski to really come alive under my light weight. Planning on purchasing a pair: hopefully if I do, we will have a huge snow year and they won't get used much. If I do end up skiing them, I am hoping for a stable, powerful ripping carver ride. The old SW14 was a touch too stiff for me, and the SW12 a bit too soft. Hopefully this one is just right.
Blizzard Magnum 8.1 Max IQ: I had a blast on this ski last spring. Snappy, nimble, wicked edgehold, felt close to a cheater GS with not much of a speed limit, yet was versatile. Definitely easier going than the 82Xti, didn't quite have the GS power and ultimate stability of that ski, but also was more manageable. Could have been the shorter length though, not the actual ski. This could easily be my "narrow" ski of the quiver, super fun for most days without a lot of new snow, but if I am going with 3 skis, I may go narrower than this on one end, and wider for my middle ski.
Elan Boomerang: don't know much about this ski, except that it is HUGE! Rep said it is a good ski to have in the quiver, if the snow is deep and you need a big, stable board. Again, should be fun.
There are plenty of other fun skis lurking out there, but these seem to be on my hit list of some of the top new intros for 2010. Planning on picking my quiver of 3 from this list!
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