Choosing the right skis for me

J

joel.wolter

Member
Hey, I am moving to Whistler for the winter. I will be doing a lot of backcountry skiing. I own a pair of Salomon 2012s, so I don't need a ski for park/groomers. I was looking at the Hellbents, Opus, JJs, and am open for other explained suggestions. I am going to be doing a lot of filming and planing on follow shots through the powder and possibly smaller cliffs. I want a ski that I can hit cliffs when I am not filming as well though, that is good for spinning and landing switch.

I am 5'11", 175 lbs

Thanks
 
Well first I'd def say the opus over the hellbents. That's my opinion. Some people love the hellbents but I jus can't get a feel for em. Don't get me wrong theyll rip but I jus never felt fully comfortable on them. The opus sounds perfect for what you need. I have it and love it. Seriously magical. Now I haven't rode the jj but I hear it is also an amazing ski. From what I've heard and read from peeps on here and in professional reviews it seems the jj will rip pow. It's also capable of everything else but the opus tends to be better outside of the pow. I for one can tell ya the opus can literally be ridden as a one ski quiver. It's absolutely excels at generally jibbin and playing all over the mountain. So to me it seems like if you want a strictly pow ski, the jj is gonna be a little bit better than the opus. If you want a ski that's good everywhere else, the opus is slightly better than the jj. Both are real close in both aspects and both are the highest reviewed pow skis currently. I doubt you'd go wrong either way but to me, it sounds like you want something that's gonna be a jibtackular pow ski. So I'd say opus. Hope that helps and whatever way you go I'm sure your gonna have fun.
 
If you're not set on those skis, or a big brand, I would put in a high recommendation that you take a look at epic planks skis (http://www.epicplanks.com). I skied the crop dusters all season last year and they shred everywhere and everything. I haven't skied the opus yself, but from what I've seen looking at them/ read about them they are very similar. The opus' whole concept of a "flatter" rocer and minimal tip is what epic planks started doing and refined over the last 2-3 seasons. If you are gonna be in whistler, I know a couple people there who ride these skis (and hard too) who could show you the skis.

Just so's you know I'm sponsored by these guys, so I may be biased, but I'm also obsessed with gear and these skis have lived up to my every expectation. Also this means that if you're interested, I can get a 10% discount code for their online shop.

 
The Hellbent will more than likely have a bit too drastic of a rocker profile to really be considered practical. That combined with the softer flex pattern makes a pretty bad plowing effect. This leads to tailgunning and inhibited performance. I think the JJ would be the way to go. It is very lively and definitely is solid even on bigger cliffs. They are great for landing switch especially in the deeper stuff. I am also stoked on their size selection.
 
hey man i am about your exact height and weight and i ski on the atomic bentchetler in a 183.. i love it so much, i ski it everyday and havent had a bad day yet, they are sort of stiff but i don tthink you could go wrong with them. also it wouldbe a bad idea to check the RMU Professor Rmuskis.com
 
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