EpicSki › The Barking Bear Forums › On the Snow (Skiing Forums) › Ski Gear Discussion › Shopping for skis - Volkl Tigersharks vs Blizzard GF SS IQ vs Dynastar 4 x4 vs opinions advice please
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Shopping for skis - Volkl Tigersharks vs Blizzard GF SS IQ vs Dynastar 4 x4 vs opinions advice...

post #1 of 15
1/12/10 at 5:18pm
Thread Starter 

I am in the market for new skis, first new set in long time… about 16 years.  I’m 36, 5’11”, 178 lbs and very athletic.  I had some Kastle’s (model escapes me) when I was 20 and ski’d those a few seasons.  Then went back to school and stopped skiing.  This turned into an 11 year break and I started back up in 2005 – now on shaped skis for the first time.   My ability is advanced or maybe advance intermediate…expert is a slight stretch but working towards it.  I probably stay on piste and groomers primarily but like to veer off as well.  I’m Ok on bumps and don’t really care to master them at this point. I really like a lot of speed and big turns.  I originally was looking at all mountain skis like the Volkl AC30’s but the more I read the more I’m thinking I want more of a race/all mountain – a ski with a more narrow waist.  I always ski out west, usually Summit County area and try to get 8 to 10 days in a year.  I live in the Midwest.  The skis I’m considering now are-


2009 Volkl Tigershark 10/12 ft 175 cm

2009 Blizzard G-force Supersonic IQ 174 cm (if I can find them)

2009 Dynastar Contact 4 X4 172 cm


The Dynastar has a little bigger waist which might be just what I need but I’m really not sure about stiffness, stability and quite honestly – the most fun!.  I’d love to get some input.  I just booked a trip for mid Feb and would love to be on some great new ski’s!!!


Thanks!

 

 

Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #2 of 15
1/12/10 at 5:59pm
I own two of the three on your list.(not the Volkl). Are you saying you ONLY ski in Summit County? Or the Midwest too? For groomer I LOVE the Blizzard Supersonic. I only like the 4x4.
For Summit and Groomers I'd add the Blizzard 8.1 MAX to the list. I think that would be about perfect (172cm) PLUS you can run ANY binding you want on the MAX slider
Reply
post #3 of 15
1/12/10 at 6:56pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info.  What do you love about the SS and only like about the 4 x 4?

I do not ski in the midwest - does not compare.  Last several years I have been in Summit CO as a good friend of mine has a place in Keystone.  So I'll primarily be skiing in that area.

I did look at the 8.1 max but started leaning towards a more narrow waist.  Can you elborate on the MAX slider?  Aren't the bindings integrated or molded onto the ski - as opposed to bolted?
Reply
post #4 of 15
1/12/10 at 7:43pm
I live in the Midwest and own both the Blizzard Supersonic in 174cm and the Dynastar 4x4 in 172cm, I love them both. The supersonic is my everyday hard snow ski, very stable, great grip, light and lively. Not the best choice in soft or loose snow as they carve too deeply. The 4x4 is more of my all conditions type (resort) ski, it does well on the hard pack but really shines in varied terrain, crud and deeper (by Midwestern standards) snow. They're much damper and more solid feeling that the Supersonics, especially in the chop, yet still very quick in the 172cm length. I intended on only keeping one as I thought there would be more over lap, I'm keeping both! The Supersonic has a higher "WOW factor but the 4x4 is more versatile.
Reply
post #5 of 15
1/12/10 at 8:59pm
I demo'ed the three skis on your list last year and ended up buying the 4X4's.  I found them more versatile than the Tigersharks and Supersonics.  To me, they were far more stable than the 'sonics, which may be important to you if you like big turns at speed.

FWIW, I liked the Volkl AC30 a lot for what you are describing as well.  I might have bought that ski if I hadn't decided to go with a 2-ski quiver approach. 
Reply
post #6 of 15
1/13/10 at 2:59am
The SS are much more lively and just plain work better for me on harder snow. As you have added that you ONLY ski up in summit, the 8.1MAX will be a much better choice. I also ski those and like them better than the 4x4 in this more versatile role you are searching for. They too have a lighter more lively feel (A Blizzard characteristic), less damp and more fun. I'd want the 81mm waist out there anyway.

There is a thread here on the Blizzard MAX slider if you do a search. But basically you can use the available integrated Markers or with the slider plate in it's place any other binding out there, which for me is a VERY big deal as I am not a big fan of the current Marker bindings. See the web site as well.
Reply
post #7 of 15
1/13/10 at 12:45pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, I'm leaning towards either the Blizzard 8.1 IQ Max or the Dynastar 4 x4.  About size for each, do you think 172 or 178 for the Dynastar and/or 172 or 179 for the Blizzard.  Again I am 5'11", 178 lbs.  Dynastars site says I should ski a 182 for the 4 x 4???
Reply
post #8 of 15
1/13/10 at 12:52pm
I'm 6", 185lbs and ski the 4x4 in the 172 length.  It does not feel too short and is very stable.   I would recommend the 172 length.
Reply
post #9 of 15
1/13/10 at 1:09pm
I'm 220lbs and the 172 doesn't feel too short!
Reply
post #10 of 15
1/13/10 at 1:41pm
One more data point. I'm 6' and 200+ in all my gear. I ski the 8.1MAX in a 179cm and the 4x4 in a 178cm. YMMV 
Reply
post #11 of 15
1/13/10 at 2:13pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the sizing tips...I think 172 is the the way to go.

One more question - I'm seeing 172's with PX 12 ti fluid and PX 14 ti fluid bindings.  Looks like the PX14 is more of an advanced binding but I am not sure.  I really know nothing about them.  Can anyone comment on which one is better for me or if it makes a difference either way?
Reply
post #12 of 15
1/13/10 at 2:18pm
I own the Tigershark 10ft w/switch, and really like it for hardpack icy cond, I ski mine w/switch on..  I bought mine a fews years back and only ski it a couple of days a year, (generally)..  I tried the 4x4 after it came out and WOW, would have bought it had it been available at the time..  At your size Definitely 172, it's a whole lot of ski and it absolutely rips, very fun.. 
Reply
post #13 of 15
1/13/10 at 5:37pm
My understanding is that they are basically the same binding other than the DIN rating.   Dynastar originally released the ski with the PX 12 and switched to the PX 14.   I went with the PX 12 since I got a good deal on them and I have no complaints. 

Quote:
Originally Posted by j-mo View Post

Thanks for the sizing tips...I think 172 is the the way to go.

One more question - I'm seeing 172's with PX 12 ti fluid and PX 14 ti fluid bindings.  Looks like the PX14 is more of an advanced binding but I am not sure.  I really know nothing about them.  Can anyone comment on which one is better for me or if it makes a difference either way?
 
Reply
post #14 of 15
1/14/10 at 10:06am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the input everyone.  I just bought some 2009 Dynastar 4 x 4's with PX 14 Ti fluid bindings for $519 - AWESOME deal!

I just could not justify spending $900 on 2010 Blizzard 8.1's when I only get 2 trips a year in.

I cannot wait to rip these up Presidents Day weekend!

Reply
post #15 of 15
1/18/10 at 5:19pm
 good luck with the dyna's 
fwiw.... i have about 16 days on my 172 4X4's . they are a great ski, however you have to be on them constantly. focus is the key word when you  ski these bad boys. there isn't a huge sweet spot and the bumps will collide with the stiff tip, no back seat skiing on these.
i ski mostly vt. (our bumps are typically frozen)  and ski a week out west.  i think for an 8-10 day skier these are too much ski and certainly ski longer than they are. i'm not questioning your ability, just trying to let you know what the 4x4's are. you wont outgrow them.
the 12's are fine.... they wont release early.
have fun..........
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Ski Gear Discussion

Gear mentioned in this thread:

EpicSki › The Barking Bear Forums › On the Snow (Skiing Forums) › Ski Gear Discussion › Shopping for skis - Volkl Tigersharks vs Blizzard GF SS IQ vs Dynastar 4 x4 vs opinions advice please