The SEA 116 is, perhaps ironically given the width, the most freestyle feeling of the new SEA (Ski Everything Anytime) lineup from Scott. It has a little more tail rocker than the other skis and the flex feels a smidge less directional, and the resulting ski is a lot of fun. It definitely still has something of the family DNA too but in a slightly more jibby feel, which we really liked.
Groomers & Resort Skiing:
The 116 is essentially too wide to be much more than a ‘get back to the lift’ kind of groomer ski. You’d only take it out in the resort on a proper powder day. For that, it more than does the job. It can hold an edge well enough, it will carve after a fashion and it’s fairly damp so it doesn’t get bounced around in cruddy snow that typically is what you deal with on groomers on pow days. Any ski over 110 is really overkill for resort daily driving and these are no exception, but maybe somewhere like Alta you could make it work.
“The perfect powder ski for someone who wants to charge around the mountain but also likes playing on fun features, and not always at high speed.” - Ethan Harrison
Park & Jibbing:
The SEA 116 has more tail rocker than the other SEA skis and so it feels much better landing switch in powder and mixed snow than the other skis. It’s a little softer in the tail too, so it feels a bit more natural popping, pressing and generally using the flex of the ski. It’s the most ‘jibby’ ski in the SEA line, which we really liked. It’s too wide to be a park ski but it’s a fun ski for messing around.
“For me, it was hard work in a 190 but I really liked the shape of the SEA for backcountry jib skiing. It has enough power to it to be skied directionally and fast, but I could land switch and spin naturally too” - Twig
Conclusion:
The SEA 116 is just as accessible as other skis in the SEA line, perhaps even more so. The whole family just feels easy to ski from the first moment you get on them. But at the same time, they can all be pushed hard, and these are no exception. The widest option, these are a big day board, so don’t expect to rock these as a daily driver but they would be a great first powder ski. They will take you as far as you want to go, handle powder with the best of them but it’s that ease of use that makes them stand out. Best of Test and well deserving of it.
Check out our Best Of Test | Powder video for more on the Scott SEA 116:
Groomers & Resort Skiing:
The 116 is essentially too wide to be much more than a ‘get back to the lift’ kind of groomer ski. You’d only take it out in the resort on a proper powder day. For that, it more than does the job. It can hold an edge well enough, it will carve after a fashion and it’s fairly damp so it doesn’t get bounced around in cruddy snow that typically is what you deal with on groomers on pow days. Any ski over 110 is really overkill for resort daily driving and these are no exception, but maybe somewhere like Alta you could make it work.
Skier: Milo Harper. P: Hanne Lundin Wallengren
Powder & Mixed Conditions:
At 116 underfoot with a ton of tip rocker, plenty of taper, and even some horizontal rocker there, the SEA 116 is a dream in powder. Its softer tips and tails allow it to go sideways even better than its smaller stablemate the SEA 108, which is already a very accomplished powder ski. We only had a 190 length which some of our testers found a bit tricky in tight spots but the bigger skiers loved it. But the ski also has a solid backbone and the trademark SEA dampness, meaning they can also charge pretty hard.
At 116 underfoot with a ton of tip rocker, plenty of taper, and even some horizontal rocker there, the SEA 116 is a dream in powder. Its softer tips and tails allow it to go sideways even better than its smaller stablemate the SEA 108, which is already a very accomplished powder ski. We only had a 190 length which some of our testers found a bit tricky in tight spots but the bigger skiers loved it. But the ski also has a solid backbone and the trademark SEA dampness, meaning they can also charge pretty hard.
Skier: Ethan Harrison. P: Carter Edwards
“The perfect powder ski for someone who wants to charge around the mountain but also likes playing on fun features, and not always at high speed.” - Ethan Harrison
Park & Jibbing:
The SEA 116 has more tail rocker than the other SEA skis and so it feels much better landing switch in powder and mixed snow than the other skis. It’s a little softer in the tail too, so it feels a bit more natural popping, pressing and generally using the flex of the ski. It’s the most ‘jibby’ ski in the SEA line, which we really liked. It’s too wide to be a park ski but it’s a fun ski for messing around.
“For me, it was hard work in a 190 but I really liked the shape of the SEA for backcountry jib skiing. It has enough power to it to be skied directionally and fast, but I could land switch and spin naturally too” - Twig
Skier: Milo Harper. P: Hanne Lundin Wallengren
Conclusion:
The SEA 116 is just as accessible as other skis in the SEA line, perhaps even more so. The whole family just feels easy to ski from the first moment you get on them. But at the same time, they can all be pushed hard, and these are no exception. The widest option, these are a big day board, so don’t expect to rock these as a daily driver but they would be a great first powder ski. They will take you as far as you want to go, handle powder with the best of them but it’s that ease of use that makes them stand out. Best of Test and well deserving of it.
Check out our Best Of Test | Powder video for more on the Scott SEA 116:
