Advice on playful/lightweight Skis

D

D10S

New member
Hi Guys,

I am searching for some new skis and any help would be greatly appreciated!

I am skiing in Europe, weigh about 65-70kg (about 150 pounds) and I am 180cm (5 feet 9) tall. I am currently riding a pair of Armada ARV 96 Ti, which I like a lot all over the mountain, because they are very stiff and heavy and I can charge super hard with them. Generally I guess I am a pretty good skier all over the mountain, except for the park.

To expand my quiver, I would now however like to get a different pair, especially because I felt it was very hard to butter with the ARV TIs and the swing weight was also kind of strenuous (I have them in 184, so a bit taller than myself). They are also only mid in powder, I guess because of the high weight.

So to get to the point, I am looking for a twin-tip, lightweight, rather playful and not that stiff Ski, that I can use all over the mountain. If I want to charge groomers, I still have the other pair, but I want something that does fine in powder, but also in the park and is still enjoyable on groomers. I am trying to get more into park skiing, but I guess it is still sth like 75:25 All-Mountain vs Park. Maybe with the right skis though, I would enjoy it more to get into jumps, rails and butters. I can do 3s but I always feel like having bricks tied to my legs when swinging around (maybe I should just get more fit).

Some skis I have been looking at at the Season Kins, the M-Free 99s, the Icelantic Nomad 95 and the VOLK Revolt 104. All my friends already have Atomic Bent Chetler 100s, so I would like to get something else.

Thanks to anyone who will take the time to read this and give me some advice.

Cheers!
 
Oh and I just love taking side hits and every possible jump there is on the mountain, so they should be great at that, but also light enough to swing around and butter :)
 
I feel like I'm often plugging vishnu on here but wide pluses in a 183 sound like they might be good for you. Super lightweight, great shape for pow, definitely not stiff but should hold up better at higher speeds than regular wets. The skis will be a bit taller than you are but they feel shorter than they are.
 
14587525:D10S said:
Why exactly 189? That would be far taller than myself.
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If you like your 184's, the 189 vishnus ski shorter due to their large rocker which is why some size up, but if you're 5'9 I would opt for the 183's which my friend has ridden and loved. However, the edges tend to crack pretty easily if you don't detune and take really really good care of them, my friend got about 13-14 total cracks on each ski in only a season.
 
Don't bother with the kins, super fun ski but too extreme of a shape for all mtn. Faction Prod 3 is fun if you're willing to go a little wider
 
14587525:D10S said:
Why exactly 189? That would be far taller than myself.
Click to expand...

it’s a running joke… but it’s true that all vishnu skis are almost full rocker, they ski super super short; and your skis should be a good bit taller than you if you are an advanced skier.

if you want a genuine rec, faction prodigy 3 in a 184 is one of the most fun twintip skis ever made.

super playful but still pretty stable.
 
Check out the Majesty Vandal. Pretty similar spec to the ARV but a lot lighter and softer. Should be readily available in Europe.
 
stiffness/softness doesn't have much to do with buttering, sure it can make it easier, but if you cant butter a "stiff" ski it's because you are not popping enough and not moving the energy into the tip press as you pop.

back on topic if you are looking for a park ski with less stiffness maybe Armada Dollos / B-Dogs? Faction prodigy 1 has just enough stiffness / softness for both worlds, k2 poacher is also a super fun ski (although also on the stiffer side like the armada arv86),

I didn't recommend vishnu or on3p simple because vishnu will have big import fees for a european and on3ps are pretty stiff skis.

**This post was edited on Feb 5th 2024 at 5:13:28am
 
Thanks for all the replies!

I see, I didn't know about that running joke with the Vishnu Wides sorry.

I think Vishnu and ON3P are not really an option due to the high import fees.

The Majesty Vandals look fantastic!

The Deviation Ballistics also look like a great option. I like that it is 99cm underfoot vs the 95cm of the Vandals. It says 75% Park and 25% All mountain on the website though. Should that worry me?

The Faction Prodigy 3.0 seems to be a bit to heavy, with 2100g per ski at 184. Thats very similar to my Arv ti.

I think it is between the Vandals and the Ballistics. Ballistics are quite a bit more expensive, but as I said I do like that they are a bit wider. Otherwise they seem very similar. Both come in 181/182 as well and have very similar weights. Anyone have any other insights or advice between those two skis? Thanks everyone!
 
14587644:Non_State_Actor said:
Check out the Majesty Vandal. Pretty similar spec to the ARV but a lot lighter and softer. Should be readily available in Europe.
Click to expand...

I am just not sure about the width. 92 underfoot is not a lot and I can't imagine them to be decent in powder. Or am I mistaken? Everything else about it looks great!
 
14587692:D10S said:
I am just not sure about the width. 92 underfoot is not a lot and I can't imagine them to be decent in powder. Or am I mistaken? Everything else about it looks great!
Click to expand...

My bad, it's 95 underfoot. Said 92 on some page but must be a mistake.

Attacks as bindings? Or spend more for pivots? I have pivots on my ARVs, but I was wondering whether others would be lighter or better.
 
14587591:thatsG said:
Don't bother with the kins, super fun ski but too extreme of a shape for all mtn. Faction Prod 3 is fun if you're willing to go a little wider
Click to expand...

Why does everyone suggest the Prodigy 3, and not the 2? I am definitely willing to go a little wider, but 106 seems a little wide.

And on either one of those, should I go for the 184/183 or the 178/177 length? My current ones are 184 and thats fine, but they just seem so bulky and heavy, which is why I wanted to go shorter, but on the other hand I don't want to regret getting them too short, because I do like to charge, however I would still have the ARV TIs for days I want to charge groomers more. Hope all of this makes sense.
 
topic:D10S said:
Hi Guys,

I am searching for some new skis and any help would be greatly appreciated!

I am skiing in Europe, weigh about 65-70kg (about 150 pounds) and I am 180cm (5 feet 9) tall. I am currently riding a pair of Armada ARV 96 Ti, which I like a lot all over the mountain, because they are very stiff and heavy and I can charge super hard with them. Generally I guess I am a pretty good skier all over the mountain, except for the park.

To expand my quiver, I would now however like to get a different pair, especially because I felt it was very hard to butter with the ARV TIs and the swing weight was also kind of strenuous (I have them in 184, so a bit taller than myself). They are also only mid in powder, I guess because of the high weight.

So to get to the point, I am looking for a twin-tip, lightweight, rather playful and not that stiff Ski, that I can use all over the mountain. If I want to charge groomers, I still have the other pair, but I want something that does fine in powder, but also in the park and is still enjoyable on groomers. I am trying to get more into park skiing, but I guess it is still sth like 75:25 All-Mountain vs Park. Maybe with the right skis though, I would enjoy it more to get into jumps, rails and butters. I can do 3s but I always feel like having bricks tied to my legs when swinging around (maybe I should just get more fit).

Some skis I have been looking at at the Season Kins, the M-Free 99s, the Icelantic Nomad 95 and the VOLK Revolt 104. All my friends already have Atomic Bent Chetler 100s, so I would like to get something else.

Thanks to anyone who will take the time to read this and give me some advice.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

I would look into the Surface Uppers.
 
14587618:egirl.ski said:
it’s a running joke… but it’s true that all vishnu skis are almost full rocker, they ski super super short; and your skis should be a good bit taller than you if you are an advanced skier.

if you want a genuine rec, faction prodigy 3 in a 184 is one of the most fun twintip skis ever made.

super playful but still pretty stable.
Click to expand...

They kinda suck at turning.
 
14587847:BallClapper said:
They kinda suck at turning.
Click to expand...

prodigies?

or wides?

if you can’t turn a prodigy: you suck at skiing. They’re super easy to ski because they have a pivot point super close to the boot.

wides are also stupidly easy to turn.
 
14587862:egirl.ski said:
prodigies?

or wides?

if you can’t turn a prodigy: you suck at skiing. They’re super easy to ski because they have a pivot point super close to the boot.

wides are also stupidly easy to turn.
Click to expand...

What I mean is they are hard to carve. easy to pivot and slide but going anywhere fast is difficult.
 
14587872:BallClapper said:
What I mean is they are hard to carve. easy to pivot and slide but going anywhere fast is difficult.
Click to expand...

they’re a surfier ski for sure. but, in my experience they grip pretty well, and are more comfortable on edge and at speed than most twins in the width range.

more comfortable on edge than:

-arv 106

-chronic 101

-wide (lol)

-bent 110

-mind bender 102

less comfortable on edge than:

-revolt 104

-bent 100

-arv 100

just my opinion, but the prodigy 3 is one of, if not the best ski on the market for maximum playfulness and maximum stability.

I also have been 72 mph on a prod 3…
 
14587878:egirl.ski said:
they’re a surfier ski for sure. but, in my experience they grip pretty well, and are more comfortable on edge and at speed than most twins in the width range.

more comfortable on edge than:

-arv 106

-chronic 101

-wide (lol)

-bent 110

-mind bender 102

less comfortable on edge than:

-revolt 104

-bent 100

-arv 100

just my opinion, but the prodigy 3 is one of, if not the best ski on the market for maximum playfulness and maximum stability.

I also have been 72 mph on a prod 3…
Click to expand...

Bent 110 rips, can carve the shit out of that ski. not a ton of grip but more than the prod. Also super comfy switching directions and buttering around. To be completely fair I'm 6'3" and was riding 178 3's at recommended.
 
14587883:BallClapper said:
Bent 110 rips, can carve the shit out of that ski. not a ton of grip but more than the prod. Also super comfy switching directions and buttering around. To be completely fair I'm 6'3" and was riding 178 3's at recommended.
Click to expand...

yeah bent 110 has some funky groomer tech to it, might have better grip but i think the prodigy skis better on piste.

to each their own ig.

I now ski for faction, but before I did, I payed full price for 4 pairs of prod 3s.

On a groomer, the prodigies want to be skied with strong downhill ski pressure from the front of the boot. the wash out if you bias too much uphill.
 
14587889:egirl.ski said:
yeah bent 110 has some funky groomer tech to it, might have better grip but i think the prodigy skis better on piste.

to each their own ig.

I now ski for faction, but before I did, I payed full price for 4 pairs of prod 3s.

On a groomer, the prodigies want to be skied with strong downhill ski pressure from the front of the boot. the wash out if you bias too much uphill.
Click to expand...

Ah! it was you with the 189 wet comment!

I'm a proud atomic slut so I do have bias. Buy my own shit.

**This post was edited on Feb 5th 2024 at 6:35:28pm
 
14587694:D10S said:
My bad, it's 95 underfoot. Said 92 on some page but must be a mistake.

Attacks as bindings? Or spend more for pivots? I have pivots on my ARVs, but I was wondering whether others would be lighter or better.
Click to expand...

If weight is a big concern take a look at Salomon/Atomic Strive 14. They don't have the long proven track record of pivots, or attacks for that matter, but the share the fundamental design of the venerable STH and are under 900g each.

Any techs or anyone else seen failures on the Strive this year?
 
14588038:Non_State_Actor said:
If weight is a big concern take a look at Salomon/Atomic Strive 14. They don't have the long proven track record of pivots, or attacks for that matter, but the share the fundamental design of the venerable STH and are under 900g each.

Any techs or anyone else seen failures on the Strive this year?
Click to expand...

I like the strive, it’s a good binding at a good weight and a great price…

but it’s fully made of plastic, I will always pick the metal pivot 15 over any other binding. for consistency and durability, those things are tanks.
 
14587700:D10S said:
Why does everyone suggest the Prodigy 3, and not the 2? I am definitely willing to go a little wider, but 106 seems a little wide.

And on either one of those, should I go for the 184/183 or the 178/177 length? My current ones are 184 and thats fine, but they just seem so bulky and heavy, which is why I wanted to go shorter, but on the other hand I don't want to regret getting them too short, because I do like to charge, however I would still have the ARV TIs for days I want to charge groomers more. Hope all of this makes sense.
Click to expand...

The prod 2 just skis a little different, the prodigy 3 is much surfier and slashable because of the rocker profile.

if you don’t ski much soft snow, I would go for the 2.0, still all of the prodigy vibes in a little lighter package.

for something that is comfortable in soft snow, and on groomers, I like a ski around 106 underfoot. But there are people who like narrower.

Get the 184ish length, you will not regret.

I also have never found the prodigy to be too heavy, but that’s personal preference i guess. They aren’t light, but the lighter you make a ski, the more pingy they feel.

There’s other great options listed here, but i love my prodigies :)
 
topic:D10S said:
Hi Guys,

I am searching for some new skis and any help would be greatly appreciated!

I am skiing in Europe, weigh about 65-70kg (about 150 pounds) and I am 180cm (5 feet 9) tall. I am currently riding a pair of Armada ARV 96 Ti, which I like a lot all over the mountain, because they are very stiff and heavy and I can charge super hard with them. Generally I guess I am a pretty good skier all over the mountain, except for the park.

To expand my quiver, I would now however like to get a different pair, especially because I felt it was very hard to butter with the ARV TIs and the swing weight was also kind of strenuous (I have them in 184, so a bit taller than myself). They are also only mid in powder, I guess because of the high weight.

So to get to the point, I am looking for a twin-tip, lightweight, rather playful and not that stiff Ski, that I can use all over the mountain. If I want to charge groomers, I still have the other pair, but I want something that does fine in powder, but also in the park and is still enjoyable on groomers. I am trying to get more into park skiing, but I guess it is still sth like 75:25 All-Mountain vs Park. Maybe with the right skis though, I would enjoy it more to get into jumps, rails and butters. I can do 3s but I always feel like having bricks tied to my legs when swinging around (maybe I should just get more fit).

Some skis I have been looking at at the Season Kins, the M-Free 99s, the Icelantic Nomad 95 and the VOLK Revolt 104. All my friends already have Atomic Bent Chetler 100s, so I would like to get something else.

Thanks to anyone who will take the time to read this and give me some advice.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

189 wet. Center mounted with pivot 18s. Then get the stiffest fucking boot you can find and throw a booster strap on it. Dont forget to post on newschoolers daily and flex the shit out of your skis on every single run.
 
14587687:D10S said:
Probaby a bit too heavy I think, but it is a decent option, thanks!
Click to expand...

last years sfb is very light, skis powder sooo good, not even comparable with arv 96s. Its soft, but the only problem i could see is with hitting rails and durability. Mine are holding up great even when skiing through a bit of rocks, but i havent hit a lot of rails on them. Great ski for what you're asking, but is shit in crud and very chopped up pow.
 
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