Sick Day 104 or 114 for one-ski quiver?

ElGato

ElGato

Member
I've been using the Blend as a one-ski solution for 6 seasons now. They're just a little too soft to charge as hard as I want to. I want to get a new set of sticks this season but can't decide between the 104 or 114. I live in SLC so I ski "real mountains with real snow". I'm a large human, 6'1 200lbs, and I ski pretty hard. I've never skied anything over 100mm, is 114 too much for a one ski quiver? I like to charge big mountain but I also like to get down on the groomers. Will I be a pig on ice on 114s?
 
its really all personal preference, i did a season with gunsmokes as an all around ski and they're 114, but i would have been happier on peacemakers. i would go 104.
 
The simple answer is that the 104 is probably the way to go. However, with the new Sick Day I think it's a pretty close call. 114 seems wide for a daily driver but it's not THAT big when you think about it compared to other powder skis. Couple it's manageable waist width with it's directional shape, relative lightness, and medium plus flex and, on paper at least, it sounds like a pretty well rounded ski. At 6'1 200 the 104 isn't going to be effortless in powder, you're big and Utah snow is soft. On the other hand the 114 isn't likely to be an elbow dragging rocket ship on hard pack days. So are you the type of skier who never misses a pow day? If that's the case maybe the 114 is for you. If you're just trying to get as many enjoyable days as possible then maybe the 104 is the best bet. In any case I'd wait to see some reviews on the 114 because there's been some wide skis that have surprised me in the past.
 
the 114's are more versatile than I expected. They carve fairly well for a 114mm ski, though obviously the 104 is gonna be better in firm conditions. However, if the snow is at all soft, the 114 is a lot of fun. It should be noted that the 114 uses a lighter core, which might make it a bit less composed in firm, bumped up conditions. Like previous posters said, if you never miss a Utah powder day I'd go with the 114's, but if you're often out on less than ideal conditions the 104 will probably be more fun.
 
what the guys said. if it's more important to have the best tool on the best days, id go in the teens. personally id rather have a good tool for all days which is why my dailies are always in the 95-105 range for waist size. im of the opinion that it's more important to have a ski that is awesome on crud and hardpack and good in pow, not great in pow and a PITA on hardpack and crud
 
Right on, thank you for the feedback gentlemen. I'll be going for the 104s. I figure if I've been skiing the Blends (100mm under foot and soft) then the 104 Sick Day will be a big improvement.
 
13834471:ElGato said:
Right on, thank you for the feedback gentlemen. I'll be going for the 104s. I figure if I've been skiing the Blends (100mm under foot and soft) then the 104 Sick Day will be a big improvement.
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I mean to completely contradict what everyone else has said, i'd go for the 114's. Ive been skiing Ak jj's everyday for the past two seasons with a 120mm waist and have had a blast, only getting some new rossi super 7 hds at 114 underfoot or something because deals and because i wanted a stiffer ski. I only really regretted it when it was a skating rink, and deep days are so much more fun
 
104 is the better option. The line blend is easily top 3 softest skis I have ever flexed, not to mention they only come in a 186. The sick day 114 in your appropriate size, a 190, would be a very big difference. The blends are NOT a charging ski. My worry would be moving to the 114 might be challenging for you to control on firm and variable conditions as they are a more soft snow oriented ski. Though the 104s won't do a great job floating you, they will be much more nimble and stable. In my opinion, neither of these skis are the right option for someone of your size. I'm 6 2 185 and I never ski anything under a 190. Reason mainly being for stability and cliff landings. For your ability though and for being used to a fairly forgiving ski the 188-187 size is right on the money for you. Check out directional skis 100-110 mm under waist. The Head kore 105 seems like it could be a great ski for there. The real question is are you spinning and skiing backwards frequently? If so this changes many things
 
114 no doubt. Literally the perfect size for a one ski quiver. You can rail groomers on 120mm skis no problem, its not like you are hitting gates on these things. The wider platform is really nice when ripping around the mountain, just feels way more stable IMO. SLC area gets a lot of pow too... 114 for sure id even consider a 120ish for a DD.
 
If you wanna charge I wouldn't really look at the sick day. Moment Bibby pro was my one ski quiver for most of last year, charges as hard as you want in any kind of snow and still rails on hard pack. Still very playful considering how stiff it is, also pretty manageable in moguls for its size.
 
13836727:Poindexter. said:
Have you condisered the super natural? I skiied the blend as a one ski quiver as well and got to demo the supernatural 102, it quickly shot its way to the top of my short list
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There is no Supernatural 102, the old Sick Day was a 102 and the Supernatural came in a 100 a 108 and a 115. The Supernatural 108 and 115 were dropped for 2018. The Supernatural 100 is a good ski, I actually have a pair, but they're not especially versatile. The don't have any powder performance and they're super directional which reduces your style catalog to shifty's and straight airs. They're great in crud and anytime the snow's a bit hard but the Sick Day 104 will be miles more versatile.
 
13836743:-eREKTion- said:
There is no Supernatural 102, the old Sick Day was a 102 and the Supernatural came in a 100 a 108 and a 115. The Supernatural 108 and 115 were dropped for 2018. The Supernatural 100 is a good ski, I actually have a pair, but they're not especially versatile. The don't have any powder performance and they're super directional which reduces your style catalog to shifty's and straight airs. They're great in crud and anytime the snow's a bit hard but the Sick Day 104 will be miles more versatile.
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And backies fronties 3s 7s 10s or literally any trick that you don't land switch on.

People freak out about not having a total twin or no twin and if you don't land switch it doesn't matter all to much.

OP I don't in know all too much about the sick day series....but it seems like there will be better skis out there for you.
 
13836788:Profahoben_212 said:
And backies fronties 3s 7s 10s or literally any trick that you don't land switch on.

People freak out about not having a total twin or no twin and if you don't land switch it doesn't matter all to much.

OP I don't in know all too much about the sick day series....but it seems like there will be better skis out there for you.
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I'm not saying that you need a total twin, my only true twin skis are my park skis. But the Supernatural has a TOTALLY flat tail which makes it a lot less versatile than the Sick Days which were the topic of this thread. Especially since OP says he's coming off a pair of Blends, I think that the directional Sick Day is a much better choice than the also directional Supernatural. I have absolutely nothing against directional skis for the record.
 
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