Help me choose powder skis please! (have it narrowed down)

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druseph33

Member
Hello, my name is Drue!

Last season I really started getting back into skiing, and this season (especially with all of the end of winter discounts) have decided to start building a quiver, as right now I just have a trusty pair of all mountains.

I would like to start with a pair of dedicated powder skis, and have it narrowed down to a few choices:

-Black Crow Nocta

-Folsom Powfish

-Volkl Confession

-DPS Alchemist Lotus 124

-Rossignol Super 7 HD

**Have the ability to try and return a pair if I don't like them, but have to ship them back**

I am 5'8" 150lbs

Typically ski big mountain terrain (especially like bowls, trees, and chutes): would consider myself between advanced and expert type III skier; Mostly Ski in Tahoe but sometimes travel to the Rockies or PNW

Currently skiing a pair of 2018 Black Crow Daemons I got last season (which I love)

Skied on a pair of 2010 Volkl Bridges before that (which I loved for the most part)

Would really just like to hear anyone's opinions on these skis or suggestions on others

Thanks in advanced guys!

**This thread was edited on Mar 14th 2019 at 12:52:15am

**This thread was edited on Mar 14th 2019 at 12:53:38am

**This thread was edited on Mar 14th 2019 at 12:55:01am

**This thread was edited on Mar 14th 2019 at 12:55:21am

**This thread was edited on Mar 14th 2019 at 1:29:21am
 
I'll preface this by saying I really want to buy a pair of Noctas, I like the brand, the quality, the aesthetic, and how they ski though I've never ridden the Nocta. My wife has two pairs, the Ova Birdie and the Daemon Birdie.

The Nocta doesn't really fit with the rest of your list being much more directional, and the Nocta being more "freeride" would you care to clarify your thinking in compiling the list?
 
Will def have a look into the Bibby's. Care to tell me why you like them? Is there any other ski/skis you can think of that it rides similarly too?
 
14012036:mystery3 said:
I'll preface this by saying I really want to buy a pair of Noctas, I like the brand, the quality, the aesthetic, and how they ski though I've never ridden the Nocta. My wife has two pairs, the Ova Birdie and the Daemon Birdie.

The Nocta doesn't really fit with the rest of your list being much more directional, and the Nocta being more "freeride" would you care to clarify your thinking in compiling the list?
Click to expand...

I compiled the list through a combination of reviews, youtube videos, and talking to fellow skiers at my local mountains.

Reasoning:

Nocta- Aware they are quite different from the rest of the list, but really enjoy my current pair of deamons and their reverse camber; also liked what I heard about them in that they pivot and turn on a dime (especially since I frequent trees and chutes so much) and take little effort to float. And the few people I've talked to who have them loved them.

Confession- Liked the sound of how "chargey" they sounded while remaining relatively lightweight; also liked that they apparently are fantastic on chop and shitty snow, as you can't always guarantee fresh tracks ;)

Lotus 124- The Powder boards: I hear about these all the time. Have seen and talked to a few people on the mountain who have them and love them: float like boats and charge down open terrain. With these however I hear completely mixed reviews on their maneuverability in tight spaces: some people are saying/told me they get the job done but don't preform as well as one would like between the trees, while others tell me they are surprisingly nimble and easy to turn.

Folsom Powfish- Haven't ever actually seen anyone with these, but have heard a few people on forums rave about them: and both them and the reviews I've read say that they are almost unsinkable and also surprisingly maneuverable and responsive. And to be 100% on these ones, I kind of just wanted to try a swallowtail ski to see what all the fuss is about.

HD Soul 7- The Quintessential powder ski (at least in my area): I seem to see at least a couple dozen of these throughout the day on a deep powder day. Everyone I've talked to seems to love them and how floaty/light they are, they're available everywhere, and from what I have been told, there is a reason they are one of the most popular powder skis. Beyond that, I actually don't know too much about them.
 
14012166:druseph33 said:
Will def have a look into the Bibby's. Care to tell me why you like them? Is there any other ski/skis you can think of that it rides similarly too?
Click to expand...

They are literally the best skis I've ever been on. Rocker/camber/rocker allows you to do anything on them -- they charge big lines, but can pivot and slarve when you need them to. They simply are confidence inspiring. Whether it's crust, hardpack or blower, they are always the right call. I took my 190 Bibbys to AK last month and stepped out of the heli to thigh deep pow on the first day, then wind scoured moonscape the next and crusty variable after that. My Bibbys were great in all of that and really provide you with a great platform. If you haven't yet, check out what everyone else says about them
https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/moment-blister-pro
 
These skis are all super different. The confession sounds super burly and blister said it felt dead and didn’t float well. The soul 7 is a rental ski for dads that ski 5 days a year when they take their family to vail, it’s designed to make powder easy for intermediate skiers. Lotus 124 seems super powder focused which makes me question it’s versatility. Nocta seems like it would be floaty but still handle the chopped up stuff well.

As said above, the Moment Bibby/wildcat is one of the most versatile pow skis ever made. It’s great as an everyday ski even on hardpack, floats very well in untracked pow, and it will blast through the chopped up stuff in the resort like nobody’s business. By far the most versatile ski I’ve ever ridden.
 
14012200:Rum_Ham said:
These skis are all super different. The confession sounds super burly and blister said it felt dead and didn’t float well. The soul 7 is a rental ski for dads that ski 5 days a year when they take their family to vail, it’s designed to make powder easy for intermediate skiers. Lotus 124 seems super powder focused which makes me question it’s versatility. Nocta seems like it would be floaty but still handle the chopped up stuff well.
Click to expand...

I was honestly on the fence about the confessions, so it is good to hear that. As for the Soul 7: no wonder I see so many of them around then haha. Roger on the DPS, that's kind of what I was thinking too. Nocta was honestly my favorite out of the lot and I have heard lots of good about them so this is reassuring
 
These Moment Wildcat's sound very interesting/impressive though: you guys are honestly making me rethink my list just to try these. Might try them first then the Nocta's next (or visa versa) if I don't like em. Do they float easily or do you need to work them hard to do so? How do they feel on landings when jibbing/popping off of features? Are they light enough to pass as a back-country setup if I wanted to get into that? Any other things I should know about them?

Also, Is manufacturer purchase my best best with these? They seem to be sold out/unavailable at most of my normal sites/shops.
 
Super solid on landings, available in a tour layup if you really want to commit to skinning for your turns but non-tours are around 2050g a ski. Late in the season they’re definitely gonna be tougher to find but they might be in stock on the moment website
 
14012436:druseph33 said:
These Moment Wildcat's sound very interesting/impressive though: you guys are honestly making me rethink my list just to try these. Might try them first then the Nocta's next (or visa versa) if I don't like em. Do they float easily or do you need to work them hard to do so? How do they feel on landings when jibbing/popping off of features? Are they light enough to pass as a back-country setup if I wanted to get into that? Any other things I should know about them?

Also, Is manufacturer purchase my best best with these? They seem to be sold out/unavailable at most of my normal sites/shops.
Click to expand...

Order them from the Moment Website. Their customer service is the best in the business -- super responsive and accommodating. Moment is a relatively small company out of Reno and they have a fiercely loyal following for a reason. Great product and great service. You won't be disappointed
 
If you're considering the wildcat also worth throwing the billy goat and kartel 116 into the mix. Plus ON3P are having a sale now...
 
Okay guys, my brain just clicked and I realized (after looking up their website and rereading some of your posts) that Moment is in Reno: which is only 30 minutes to 90 minutes from my local spots depending on where I go. Furthermore, after calling them, it appears they do direct from factory demos!

So, I am going to keep an eye on the weather (there seems to be a possible system approaching next weekend) and head to Reno to grab a demo pair before the next snow storm. If I really don't like them I can return them, order some Noctas, and try those; but, from what you all are saying, I should have a blast with these Wildcats.

Now. the real demo is honestly going to be trying the 174 and 184: I feel like normally my sweet spot for a powder ski would be right in between there, so I'll have to see what size feels better (leaning toward the 184 honestly though).
 
14012643:druseph33 said:
Okay guys, my brain just clicked and I realized (after looking up their website and rereading some of your posts) that Moment is in Reno: which is only 30 minutes to 90 minutes from my local spots depending on where I go. Furthermore, after calling them, it appears they do direct from factory demos!

So, I am going to keep an eye on the weather (there seems to be a possible system approaching next weekend) and head to Reno to grab a demo pair before the next snow storm. If I really don't like them I can return them, order some Noctas, and try those; but, from what you all are saying, I should have a blast with these Wildcats.

Now. the real demo is honestly going to be trying the 174 and 184: I feel like normally my sweet spot for a powder ski would be right in between there, so I'll have to see what size feels better (leaning toward the 184 honestly though).
Click to expand...

What’s your height weight and ability?
 
14012647:Rum_Ham said:
What’s your height weight and ability?
Click to expand...

5'8" 145- 150lbs; Age 26 (unsure if matters); between Advanced and Expert; Type III

**This post was edited on Mar 15th 2019 at 4:10:24pm

**This post was edited on Mar 15th 2019 at 4:10:59pm
 
14012643:druseph33 said:
Moment is in Reno: which is only 30 minutes to 90 minutes from my local spots depending on where I go. Furthermore, after calling them, it appears they do direct from factory demos!
Click to expand...

We've got free beer too.
 
14012200:Rum_Ham said:
he soul 7 is a rental ski for dads that ski 5 days a year when they take their family to vail, it’s designed to make powder easy for intermediate skiers.
Click to expand...

HAHAHA So after you said this, I made a point to look out for HD 7s on the mountain this weekend. And holy shit, I kid you not, every single person that owned them was was a 50-60 something looking dad with several broodlings in tow (and typically a rental sticker on the skis to boot)

Unsure If that was just because I was looking for it, but still found it comical after the comment.
 
Update for anyone who cares.



To Preface: I ended up just taking everyone's advice and buying a pair of 184 Wildcats since I couldn't get the time to go do all of the extra driving a demo in Reno would require. (sorry guys! I'll have to come by for a tour and free beer soon!)

That being said, I have several days on the Wildcats now: one Sierra spring conditions day (heavenly) , one storm day (heavenly), and one 12"+ powder day (kirkwood).

THESE SKIS FUCKING RULE!!

Holy shit guys, I was skeptical of the reviews AND of upgrading so much in ski length (171 to 184), but they shred!

Fresh Powder? How do I sink these ?

Chop/Crud? Feels almost like a groomer ?

Slush/soup? Charges on through

Air/landings? Smoothest I've had all season

Groomers? Straightlines and huge carves

They even hold their own on ice!

These skis beg me to charge on through everything the mountain throws at me. They make me WANT to be a better skier to see how hard I can push them.

I might just turn these into my dailies and resign the Daemons to being rock/early season skis. Can't wait to take them out on a waste deep day

Thank you everyone for recommending them and thank you Moment for making an amazing ski!!

**This post was edited on Mar 28th 2019 at 8:00:03pm
 
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