Questions about touring skis from a jibby crowd

hamsauce

hamsauce

Member
A bit of background- i tour in Southwest Montana (Bozeman homies hmu) and Central Idaho, and I am looking for some new skis. I have always enjoyed more playful twins with decent amounts of rocker and being mounted closer to center. Initially, I was looking at the Moment DWT 104 and the Line Vision 98, but have started to consider skis like the Blizzard Zero g 95, Faction Agent 1.0, Atomic Backland 95, and Black Diamond Helio 95. My questions for you all:

- How many of you from a park/jibby background have switched to stiff, directional, light, flat tailed touring ski as a daily touring and not gone back?

- how bad do you miss playful skis/tail rocker? seems like kick turns and ripping of skins with skis attached would just be easier with a flat tail and rear mount point.

- Ive never skied a super light ski- just how bad is it on the downhill?

- anyone ever wish they went wider with touring skis? I have a heavy setup with CAST for deep pow, but it seems like most of my touring is on crappy snow.

Line Vision 98 seems like a clear winner for me, but am also open to other ski recs. Or if you are trying to sell any ski i may like under 1800 grams and over 185cm, message away.
 
When I’m in the backcountry I’m not skiing super fast or skiing switch very often. So a light, directional ski is totally fine. But it is totally possible for a directional ski to also be playful. I got a pair of the carbon RMU apostle 96s for half off and I love them. They are just super easy and predictable to ski in any conditions. I think that’s a good way to look at touring skis, you want something that is easy and fun to make mellow turns on that isn’t going to do anything unpredictable or weird. At least that’s what I’m looking for, other people might be trying to get more sendy out there. I might want something a little wider if I was out west but honestly probably not that much.
 
you should def check out the 4frnt raven. or just any reverse camber ski that isn't a full banana and has really mellow full rocker shape. i switched froma traditional rocker camber rocker to reverse camber for touring and it is so much more playful, fun, and jibby. you can just pivot on a dime, or open em up and make long turns

theres a few sweet reverse camber models out there, but i'm biased towards the 4frnt raven, definitely check it out
 
I ski on head core 105s with beefy pin bindings (ATK free raider). They're light, if you want them too they'll launch you too the moon, and they handle varying conditions really well. They're fun when you wanna feel freeride-y but are also considering that busting your ACL a days walk from your rig isn't super great. I've never looked back with my set up. I mounted them a couple cm forward to feel better swinging/switch, and it's great.
 
Coming from a jibby twin background I don’t think you’ll care to complain as much as your average tour dad . yeah a 1300g zero g skiis worse than your 9lbs of Volkl mantra. Who knew

skied the visions on resort and they ripped. Super light as well. I think anything from Line is as light as an average touring ski. But I think you’re on the right track. I concur w above that the 4frnts might be worth checking out, also Armada JJ ULs.
 
I’ve toured my Meridians, really makes me want to try a pair of Meridian Tours. Like stated above, I also ski on the less aggressive side while touring. A full rocker out of 4frnt’s line up would be a good choice to keep that playful fear.

I am planning on getting a lightweight directional setup and I’m not too concerned about losing that freestyle feel. Keep us updated on how you make out!
 
Thanks for the input everyone! Bozeman FB had some BD Helio Carbon 105s for like $100, slapped my zeds on them. Ended up going the directional route. They probably wont make it through the season so il look into the raven or deathwish tour for my next ski if i dont like the uber light Directional carbon helio
 
I tour the east coast on whitewalkers with marker kingpins mounted for sammys line but my boots sit 1 cm forward of that line. A lot of discussion about weight goes around, but honestly I dont know how much of a difference I would notice if I were on a heavier set up.

The one thing that I want to change about my set up more than anything are my boots. Really wish I searched around more and found something that is burly like and AT boot but with a walk mode and pins. For reference I am on atomic hawx ultras.
 
Went through this same transition (more center mounted to directional, light, etc) years ago and you'll find that it's ideal for the purpose: walking far, skiing pow, etc.

Plenty of touring sticks out there with a little tail rocker too.

You'll be stoked on your Helios--great waist and shape.

And, what you ski in the backcounty ain't inbounds--light skis and bindings are fine. There's this guy called Hoji who you might want to look up for further proof.
 
14566738:hamsauce said:
Thanks for the input everyone! Bozeman FB had some BD Helio Carbon 105s for like $100, slapped my zeds on them. Ended up going the directional route. They probably wont make it through the season so il look into the raven or deathwish tour for my next ski if i dont like the uber light Directional carbon helio
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My buddy has Helio 105s and loves them for an all-round touring set up. Just want to add that the Deathwish tour is my favorite touring ski I've had the pleasure of owning. Strikes a perfect balance between weight and stability and the -5 mount is perfect for just a bit of jibbing around. I'm a believer in the triple camber hype, it's great for icy aspects or getting back to your car on those sketchy approach descents.
 
14568488:vermontana said:
My buddy has Helio 105s and loves them for an all-round touring set up. Just want to add that the Deathwish tour is my favorite touring ski I've had the pleasure of owning. Strikes a perfect balance between weight and stability and the -5 mount is perfect for just a bit of jibbing around. I'm a believer in the triple camber hype, it's great for icy aspects or getting back to your car on those sketchy approach descents.
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the DWT is most likely going to be the next ski I own. Im also really interested in the DWT 104- a little more directional, and just a touch heavier than the normal deathwish.
 
14568510:hamsauce said:
the DWT is most likely going to be the next ski I own. Im also really interested in the DWT 104- a little more directional, and just a touch heavier than the normal deathwish.
Click to expand...

The DWT104 looks really intriguing too, almost grabbed a pair this fall to replace my big day touring ski but ended up buying on3p woodsman100 tours instead w the black friday sale, bit skinner/lighter and wanted to try out a different shape.
 
topic:hamsauce said:
A bit of background- i tour in Southwest Montana (Bozeman homies hmu) and Central Idaho, and I am looking for some new skis. I have always enjoyed more playful twins with decent amounts of rocker and being mounted closer to center. Initially, I was looking at the Moment DWT 104 and the Line Vision 98, but have started to consider skis like the Blizzard Zero g 95, Faction Agent 1.0, Atomic Backland 95, and Black Diamond Helio 95. My questions for you all:

- How many of you from a park/jibby background have switched to stiff, directional, light, flat tailed touring ski as a daily touring and not gone back?

- how bad do you miss playful skis/tail rocker? seems like kick turns and ripping of skins with skis attached would just be easier with a flat tail and rear mount point.

- Ive never skied a super light ski- just how bad is it on the downhill?

- anyone ever wish they went wider with touring skis? I have a heavy setup with CAST for deep pow, but it seems like most of my touring is on crappy snow.

Line Vision 98 seems like a clear winner for me, but am also open to other ski recs. Or if you are trying to sell any ski i may like under 1800 grams and over 185cm, message away.
Click to expand...

Aha! Something I can answer!

My background: i started in moguls, then transitionned to aerials, then fell in love with park. In 2012, I moved out west and found deep powder. Then I fell in love with powder skiing. I love powder so much, I bought an superlight weight setup to do more skiing in a day. Found out about skimo and how much energy it gives ya for long days, I bought an ultralight weight setup!

Ok answers: I always look back to park. I own like 7 skis and 4 of them have twin tips and are park capable.

Downhill skiing on a 1300g ski is going to be harder to keep high speeds. Speed wobbles are a problem, so buy the superlight ski longer than you think. Remember that its sacrificing DH abilities for a better uphill experience. I can handle 99 underfoot carbon skis as well as fat skis. Just depends how solid your technique is.

One quiver powder ski just doesnt exist. You cant huck 60’ cliff on narrow carbon skis like you cant do a 13 mile hike through a mountain range on a 4lbs ski setup without walk mode. You have to compromise. Or else buy both extremes. I also have a pair of CT4.0 to send it with.

So heres my superlight setup for comparison.

DPS Wailer 99 tour1:1360g/ski

Dynafit Superlight 2: 170g for both.

Scarpa Mastrales 1300g a pair
 
14566738:hamsauce said:
Thanks for the input everyone! Bozeman FB had some BD Helio Carbon 105s for like $100, slapped my zeds on them. Ended up going the directional route. They probably wont make it through the season so il look into the raven or deathwish tour for my next ski if i dont like the uber light Directional carbon helio
Click to expand...

I love my helio 105's. I also have a pair of 95's which are decent but imo not quite as fun. I do have the 105's mounted slightly foreword of recommended which makes them feel a bit more playful in powder and easier to nosebutter.
 
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