Recommendations for a quiver. Ski primarily in Colorado

Swindle

New member
Hey I'm looking for some recommendations for a quiver. I'm 6'2" and around 230-240 advanced ski somewhat aggressively but usually just looking to have a good time. Currently I have volkl kendos 177 but I'm looking to upgrade to something new. Also, I was wondering if 177 on the short side for me?

**This thread was edited on Jun 8th 2018 at 10:23:59pm

**This thread was edited on Jun 9th 2018 at 3:27:14am
 
I'm usually at Breck, A basin or Vail and stick to the bowls/ upper mountain or blues/ blacks if I'm trying to cruise with friends
 
13927336:Swindle said:
I'm usually at Breck, A basin or Vail and stick to the bowls/ upper mountain or blues/ blacks if I'm trying to cruise with friends

You sound exactly like a Bailey kid I talked to last fall.

Skis I could recommend: (home mtn wp but travel alot for competiing)

-4frnt vandal (slightly more freestyle

-faction prodigy 3.0

-icelantic nomad 105

-4frnt col (personal daily driver)

-armada tracer 108

-atomic backland 109/7

-moment death wish

-head Kore 105

-dynastar pro rider(might kick your ass)

And many more. I'd recommend reading blister reviews of skis that you're interested in. Note: skis like the backland, Kore, and tracer are pretty lightweight. The issue with skis like these is they get bucked around pretty easily in choppy snow.

Hope I helped and didn't spit out utter nonsense!
 
13927348:wpski said:
-4frnt col (personal daily driver)

Sorry to threadjack, but where do you have those mounted?

OP, what do you or don't you like about the Kendo? Do you like to jump off stuff? Spin? Go really fast through chop and crud?
 
I enjoy going fast when I'm on piste and enjoy jumping off of stuff that's naturally there. I don't ever venture into the terrain park and I'm not really doing spins etc. So I guess I like going fast but also enjoy doing stuff that would be considered playful. Right now I feel like the Kendos struggle in powder and handling jumps
 
13927357:mystery3 said:
Sorry to threadjack, but where do you have those mounted?

OP, what do you or don't you like about the Kendo? Do you like to jump off stuff? Spin? Go really fast through chop and crud?

I mounted at the recommended, I talked about it in another thread but the col reminds me of the praxis gpo. I've had no issues with the recommended it's still a pretty playful ski that can charge well.
 
13927374:wpski said:
I mounted at the recommended, I talked about it in another thread but the col reminds me of the praxis gpo. I've had no issues with the recommended it's still a pretty playful ski that can charge well.

thanks for the info and I'm sorry if my description is poor I'm not good as using all the lingo to identify how I ski
 
topic:Swindle said:
I'm 6'2" and around 230-240 advanced ski somewhat aggressively / Also, I was wondering if 177 on the short side for me?

**This thread was edited on Jun 8th 2018 at 10:23:59pm

**This thread was edited on Jun 9th 2018 at 3:27:14am

I'd put you on at least a 186 if not a 190+. 177 is way too small for you.
 
13927412:hot.pocket said:
I'd put you on at least a 186 if not a 190+. 177 is way too small for you.

Thank you for the information I felt like that was the case. What benefits will I see from moving up in size?
 
13927348:wpski said:
You sound exactly like a Bailey kid I talked to last fall.

Skis I could recommend: (home mtn wp but travel alot for competiing)

-4frnt vandal (slightly more freestyle

-faction prodigy 3.0

-icelantic nomad 105

-4frnt col (personal daily driver)

-armada tracer 108

-atomic backland 109/7

-moment death wish

-head Kore 105

-dynastar pro rider(might kick your ass)

And many more. I'd recommend reading blister reviews of skis that you're interested in. Note: skis like the backland, Kore, and tracer are pretty lightweight. The issue with skis like these is they get bucked around pretty easily in choppy snow.

Hope I helped and didn't spit out utter nonsense!

So after looking over a few things and reading some comments I'm interested in the deathwish or the 4frnt col. Am i going to get my ass kicked going from 90 waist to 106-110 etc
 
13927523:Swindle said:
So after looking over a few things and reading some comments I'm interested in the deathwish or the 4frnt col. Am i going to get my ass kicked going from 90 waist to 106-110 etc

Cant speak for the deathwish but I dont think the waist would kick your ass, cols are very nimble
 
Update: so I'm thinking deathwish 106, 4frnt col or on3p Kartel. What do people think would be the best bet out of the three
 
13927623:Swindle said:
Update: so I'm thinking deathwish 106, 4frnt col or on3p Kartel. What do people think would be the best bet out of the three

If you're considering the Deathwish 106 for anything other than a tour ski, I would switch that consideration to the stock Deathwish 112. It's got a little more width, but it'll handle resort chop significantly better than its tour counterpart due to the added weight. Lightweight is awesome for touring, but if you have a chairlift taking you up more than 50% of the time, the full weight stock version will perform significantly better.
 
13927624:hot.pocket said:
If you're considering the Deathwish 106 for anything other than a tour ski, I would switch that consideration to the stock Deathwish 112. It's got a little more width, but it'll handle resort chop significantly better than its tour counterpart due to the added weight. Lightweight is awesome for touring, but if you have a chairlift taking you up more than 50% of the time, the full weight stock version will perform significantly better.

Ok thanks for the insight because I will more than likely be using the chairlift.
 
13927623:Swindle said:
Update: so I'm thinking deathwish 106, 4frnt col or on3p Kartel. What do people think would be the best bet out of the three

Out of those, I'd echo Hot Pocket's recommendation to go with the regular Deathwish 112 over the tour version. And coming from the Kendo, you might find that the Kartel 108 takes some getting used to due to its more forward mount point (around -4.25 cm from center). The Kartel is an awesome ski if you ski with a centered stance (i.e., you don't focus a ton on driving the front / shovels of your skis), but if you're skiing (and liking) the Kendo, I'd recommend going with something with a mount point closer to what you're used to. The Deathwish (-5 cm) and Col (-8 cm) should feel a bit more intuitive, while still being more playful than the Kendo. I'd personally recommend the Deathwish, but I haven't skied the Col and can't weigh in on that ski.

I'd also toss these skis into the mix:

- Nordica Enforcer 110 - similar damp feel to Kendo, but more playful and IMO more versatile than the Kendo for a place like CO.

- J Skis Metal - also has metal (like the Kendo) but much more playful rocker profile, mount point, shape, and flex pattern. Though you might overpower the 186 at your height / weight
 
13927765:patagonialuke said:
Out of those, I'd echo Hot Pocket's recommendation to go with the regular Deathwish 112 over the tour version. And coming from the Kendo, you might find that the Kartel 108 takes some getting used to due to its more forward mount point (around -4.25 cm from center). The Kartel is an awesome ski if you ski with a centered stance (i.e., you don't focus a ton on driving the front / shovels of your skis), but if you're skiing (and liking) the Kendo, I'd recommend going with something with a mount point closer to what you're used to. The Deathwish (-5 cm) and Col (-8 cm) should feel a bit more intuitive, while still being more playful than the Kendo. I'd personally recommend the Deathwish, but I haven't skied the Col and can't weigh in on that ski.

I'd also toss these skis into the mix:

- Nordica Enforcer 110 - similar damp feel to Kendo, but more playful and IMO more versatile than the Kendo for a place like CO.

- J Skis Metal - also has metal (like the Kendo) but much more playful rocker profile, mount point, shape, and flex pattern. Though you might overpower the 186 at your height / weight

Seems like everyone thinks the deathwish is a good fit so far but if i go with that would I want the 184 or the 190? and I will definitely take a look at the Enforcer. Thank you for the input though i really appreciate it. I was also looking into The Metal it seems to fit the bill as well. I think the biggest thing I want to improve on from the Kendo is performance in variable conditions but if I'm just cruising the groomers it does a good job. I also stumbled upon the RMU Apostle would this be a good fit?
 
13927768:Swindle said:
Seems like everyone thinks the deathwish is a good fit so far but if i go with that would I want the 184 or the 190? and I will definitely take a look at the Enforcer. Thank you for the input though i really appreciate it. I was also looking into The Metal it seems to fit the bill as well. I think the biggest thing I want to improve on from the Kendo is performance in variable conditions but if I'm just cruising the groomers it does a good job. I also stumbled upon the RMU Apostle would this be a good fit?

I'd think 190, you're like 7" taller and 90lbs heavier than I am. I demoed the Black Crows Atris 184cm in April for a couple of hours and the length was just fine maybe a touch long but I'm not sure if I were to buy them if I'd drop to a 178. I know the skis are not apples to apples necessarily but it's a playful 108mm waisted ski.
 
13927768:Swindle said:
Seems like everyone thinks the deathwish is a good fit so far but if i go with that would I want the 184 or the 190?

I'd go with the 190. I'm 6'2" 155 lbs and ski the 190 without much issue. The 184 is going to be too small on you at your height / weight.
 
Can't recommend the Deathwish enough. I'm 6'2 240lbs, so basically your same size. I ski the Deathwish 190cm everyday. Go with the 190cm, mount on the line, you won't be disappointed. Best ski I've owned, I've been on them for three seasons now 100+ each, no issues at all, ski like new.
 
13927887:fasa said:
Can't recommend the Deathwish enough. I'm 6'2 240lbs, so basically your same size. I ski the Deathwish 190cm everyday. Go with the 190cm, mount on the line, you won't be disappointed. Best ski I've owned, I've been on them for three seasons now 100+ each, no issues at all, ski like new.

Thanks for the recommendation! Especially since you are basically the same size as me. How does it perform on groomers/ icy conditions
 
If possible you should test out a set of each option you're thinking of.

Echo hot.pocket on the longer length.

FWIW, my Kartels eat up variable snow like nothing, but I'm shorter and lighter and with a tour layup - stock 186cm would probably be your ticket.
 
13927908:Swindle said:
Thanks for the recommendation! Especially since you are basically the same size as me. How does it perform on groomers/ icy conditions

Does way better than I expected. The triple camber really lets it grip and hold, even when it's bulletproof. Triple camber effectively gives you 4 contact points per ski instead of 2 so double the edge hold. You can feel this especially when you're side-hilling on an icey skin track. I used to have a 100ish underfoot for the firm stuff. I don't anymore. Got rid of it after I'd had the Deathwishes for a bit. Just no use for them with these in the quiver.
 
13927992:fasa said:
Does way better than I expected. The triple camber really lets it grip and hold, even when it's bulletproof. Triple camber effectively gives you 4 contact points per ski instead of 2 so double the edge hold. You can feel this especially when you're side-hilling on an icey skin track. I used to have a 100ish underfoot for the firm stuff. I don't anymore. Got rid of it after I'd had the Deathwishes for a bit. Just no use for them with these in the quiver.

Thank you this is really helpful especially after the snow we had this year in Colorado
 
13928028:Swindle said:
https://denver.craigslist.org/spo/d/on3p-mens-wrenegade-snow-ski/6614583194.html

Is this a good set up/ price for my needs I'm more than likely going to end up buying the deathwish but was curious what people thought about this

I'd say it's expensive for it's age.

Just to clarify, you're not looking for a touring setup or are you looking for something capable of short tours or sidecountry?
 
13928038:mystery3 said:
I'd say it's expensive for it's age.

Just to clarify, you're not looking for a touring setup or are you looking for something capable of short tours or sidecountry?

No not touring just all mountain/ bowls upper mountain etc I might do one or two cat trips
 
Update: broke my col's yesterday. Won't blame the ski or manufacturer though as I put around 150 days of hard skiing on them. In this case I'd say they're pretty durable.
 
13927917:RudyGarmisch said:
If possible you should test out a set of each option you're thinking of.

Echo hot.pocket on the longer length.

FWIW, my Kartels eat up variable snow like nothing, but I'm shorter and lighter and with a tour layup - stock 186cm would probably be your ticket.

Anyone know a good demo shop in Colorado? I would love to try some stuff out
 
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