Best Slackcountry and resort pow ski

S

SwagtasticWalrus

Active member
I'm 6'4 185lbs. I like slashing around, making wide turns, some trees but not many, skiing switch, and buttering around. Will be mounting Salomon Guardian bindings on them. Open to ideas. I'm at a loss here guys, I need opinions. Here are my current options:

Surface Lab 001

Surface New Life

Surface One Life

Line Opus

Armada Magic J

Armada AK JJ

Armada TST

ON3P Caylor

+10/10 k for help/opinions
 
haven't skied any of those, but I use Moment Night Trains for pretty much this exactly

the full rocker is playful for butters, its stiff enough that it can perform alright on groomers and offer some support when you charge in the soft stuff

don't take them on ice ever

 
But you have the Armada TST on there at a 101mm waist...

What's your minimum length? 190?

Lab 001 should be out - only comes in a 181.

Opus 192 probably most fit the bill as slashy and buttery.

A lot of people on here love the Surface New Lifes. Lots of reviews around.

AK JJ is still pretty playful despite it's size - just watch Jacob Wester rip pow on them.

I went for Magic J - haven't gotten out on them yet due to lack of snow so not much help there. Like the idea of a wider platform JJ.

I had Surface One Lifes - wasn't a huge fan of the flex. They're real stiff underfoot because of the funky rocker pattern. Also 112mm waist so similar to the ON3P Jeffrey in dimensions.

 
TST is 133 underfoot. Lab is just in because of the deep dish rocker. And one lifes I opted out on soon after posting. So one lifes and labs are out
 
the tst is not 133 underfoot. you're reading the dimensions wrong. they are 133 at the widest point of the ski which is a little back from the tip. That being said if you want a fun ski you can really play around on, the tst isn't a great choice. but if you want to charge, then it's a great option.
 
191 Caylor for sure. Those things float like a dream and even in the crud they are one of the most skis I've ever skied.
 
Right now I'm kinda between the Moment Ghost Chant, New Life, Caylor, and Magic J. I'm a little skeptical of the Magic J because I've never skied them or the JJ. I really like the idea of a center mounted pow ski though like the ghost chant and new life
 
I think you really need to evaluate what you want out of your skis. The New Life's are a symmetrical ski, whereas the Caylor's are not. While they are both rockered powder skis, they are definitely different beasts. Same goes for the rest of the skis mentioned in your original post.

Based on your posts in other threads, you made it seem like you "knew a ton about this stuff" because "skiing is your life." (www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/721183/) So why is it so hard now to pick out a pair of skis for yourself when you can so easily recommend skis for other people based on very limited information about their abilities/location/personal preferences?

Personally, I would go Caylor's, but that's my opinion based on my own preferences. I found the Caylor's able to dominate any terrain that I put in front of them with ease. They were playful, nimble, and exceptionally stable despite their 120mm waist.

I would never mount touring bindings on a symmetrical ski. Could you? Absolutely, but I personally wouldn't want to deal with that much tail when skinning/kick turns.

Less posting and more research or asking yourself what you want your skis to do for you will probably result in better decision making when it comes time to purchase skis.

/my $.02
 
He's lighter than me so the Opus's flex is right at his 150lbs. Skiing is all I do really. In all my spare time, im on here. You raise a good point, but let's not get into this. Not worth it. I do know a lot about this, not near what others.know, but I know skiing pretty well. i just wanted others opinions about the skis, as I have never ridden the new lifes or caylors or any moment or Armada skis.
 
I really, really like my Caylors. I am 5'8" and bought 181 so I could still ski Mad River terrain without much hassle. Even with a heavy setup (MFD+FKS on there), they are maneuverable enough.

I wrote a review on them on here with a little bit more information.
 
quit flaming the guy, but you're right on the caylors, I ski them in a 191 and i'm amazed how nimble they are in the trees but still rip giant turns with ease and are amazingly stable on drops and hucks.
 
Why is the k2 hellbent not on your list? amazing ski for pow but still can tear up groomers. And lots of rocker so they butter well
 
Ghost chant, but it's not just about a huge amount of rocker.

If you like buttering around and skiing switch these are the skis, especially for $300.
 
I'm going to buy something similar and the night trains or line pollards opus are at the top of my list.

What is the flex like on the magic js?
 
Easy there man. Yeah its a sweet ski and for a good price but that is alot of rocker for an inbounds pow ski, especially paired with the crazy soft flex those are going to be a nightmare in crud and wont do too well on hardpack either
 
that would be my 2 cents.

symmetrical and fun to play around on, nice rocker profile and pretty stiff so you can charge through that chop with no prob.

New life seems like the way to go to me
 
woops I fucked up, I was referring to the New Lifes for $300.

Ghost Chants from what I've read are on the softer side.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top