Sidecountry touring pow skis. Which to get?

BrawnTrends

Active member
Alright guys, I have a pair of Marker Barons coming in the mail, but no skis to mount them on yet.

I wanted to use my 2015 Faction Candide 3.0 but they already have been drilled twice for regular bindings (Look PX and Tyrolia Attack) and I feel like adding another 8 holes in them would start to push it and play with their integrity (obviously I could be wrong and this would be the cheapest option as I would just have to add QK/BF inserts).

I'm looking for a pair of powder skis to get some inbound powder, no crazy hours long backcountry touring. Weight isn't necessarily an issue here.

Any idea of what I should get in the 105-120ish range? Keep in mind that I live in Europe and would prefer to buy them used if I could. So forget brands like ON3P, JSkis, etc. (very hard to come by here on the used market...)

So far I have my eyes on some Bent Chetler, Armada JJ, Amplid Hellbent, Line Mordecai, Line Magnum Opus. All used.

Or should I just say fuck it and drill the Factions again?

**This thread was edited on Nov 23rd 2017 at 5:57:38pm
 
You already have the factions, drill them. Worst case they break and you're getting another pair of skis. Best case they don't and you don't have to buy more skis.
 
13858202:-eREKTion- said:
Mordecais are sick man, that's what I'd go with in your situation.

This. I tour on jjs and love them but based on your list the mordecais will be similar to your 3.0s in riding terms and will slay powder but also still be stable on groomers. If you can get them tho, Icelantic Nomad 105s or 115s would be a cool option too. A little stiffer than the mordecais but still stupidly playful and chargy.
 
13858242:Saho3914 said:
You already have the factions, drill them. Worst case they break and you're getting another pair of skis. Best case they don't and you don't have to buy more skis.

That's a pretty valid point...
 
13858246:Zypher said:
This. If you can get them tho, Icelantic Nomad 105s or 115s would be a cool option too. A little stiffer than the mordecais but still stupidly playful and chargy.

As a matter of fact, I can. I didn't put them in the list because I'd have to buy them new (at a good price though), but they're definitely an option.
 
i am a firm believer that the rossignol blackops is the best ski for this. so damp and shmeery in pow but really responsive on groomers and in icy hardpack, they can get a little squirly if you are straight-lining in refrozen crud
 
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