Waist size on the East Coast

[ArgyleNJ]

Trying my best to be brief here. I'm a lifelong snowboarder who has decided to go back to skis after 20 years (I'm 35, my back is killing me!). I mainly ride in VT, so I'm looking for an all-mountain ski, but I very much determine my ski trips by being a hound about the weather and trying to score the powder days. I've read tons of reviews and watched all the videos of waist size and ski length, but after all that I'm left wondering, does it really matter?

I'm a pretty aggressive snowboarder and I'm confident after a couple days back on skis I'll find myself in that category. I know I want rocker on both ends so I can screw around in the park and butter all over the mountain, but I also know I'm gonna be chasing the powder days whenever possible.

Am I really gonna hinder myself by getting something like a 105-ish waist? I can't help but wonder if it's a detail that advanced skiers like to talk about because they are good enough to notice things like that, but for the general population of the "intermediate" world is there really a huge difference between a 95 and a 108? Will I hate 95s when there's a lot of powder? Will I be cursing at 108s when I'm in moguls?

The internet tends to be very sarcastic, so I'll just reassure everyone that I'm genuinely asking. I wanna make the right choice and have a solid pair of skis that I don't have to think about for a good half of the next decade.

 

[Non_State_Actor]

You'll be fine on 95-105mm skis on the east coast. They will generally be more difficult to carve hard but coming from a snowboard you probably won't be carving super hard on ice and hard pack anyway.

What kind of board do you ride?

I came back to skiing in my 30's from boarding to teach my kids how to ski and have been skiing exclusively for the last several seasons.

What skis are you looking at so far?

 

[Tannerhalscousin]

If you go to a ski shop the people will make a massive deal about waist width. I would recommend anything within 5-8mm of 100 but you do you. A 95 ski compared to 105 definitely is a difference but it’s more so preference thing if anything. All in all it’s not a big deal. My east coast daily’s were 106 and worked fine even in the iciest days.

 

[ericforman]

It’s just important to be ball park right on many different things. like a volkl manta102 and k2 reckoner102, despite being the same width are way more different than like a reckoner 102 and bentchetler 120 in my opinion. But like ide be happy on anything 90-108ish for the east coast, provided it ticked a whole bunch of my other personal boxes.

 

[ArgyleNJ]

You'll be fine on 95-105mm skis on the east coast. They will generally be more difficult to carve hard but coming from a snowboard you probably won't be carving super hard on ice and hard pack anyway.

What kind of board do you ride?

I came back to skiing in my 30's from boarding to teach my kids how to ski and have been skiing exclusively for the last several seasons.

What skis are you looking at so far?

Ok, it's honesty time. The first ski that caught my eye was the mindbeder 108. The graphics to me are the perfect amount of silly-ness that I want in my life. But after all the digging I realized I'm not crazy about going with china-made (though it's not gonna completely sway my decision making). Also, the mindbender 99s are the most boring things I've ever seen. (I'm 51% concerned with finding the right ski, and 49% concerned with what they look like).

I thought to myself, why shouldn't I buy american if there are are so many US ski companies? But there are very few ski shops in north jersey and they hardly carry any US brands aside from Icelantic, so it's tough to make a $700+ decision on something you can't see for yourself in real life.

I stumbled upon ON3P and was really into that vibe, but everything I'm reading is that they are very stiff. On the flip side of that, I was liking the idea of Candide 2.0s, but everyone online says they're super soft. So I'm basically battling myself here wondering what the right balance of waist size + stiffness is the way to go. I know I'm on the wrong side of my prime athletic self, but I like to think that I'm still gonna be pushing it pretty good for the next 10 years. This seems like a classic case of over-thinking, though. I've been riding the same Solomon snowboard since 2004 and it might be the single greatest purchase of my adult life.

 

[animator]

Ok, it's honesty time. The first ski that caught my eye was the mindbeder 108. The graphics to me are the perfect amount of silly-ness that I want in my life. But after all the digging I realized I'm not crazy about going with china-made (though it's not gonna completely sway my decision making). Also, the mindbender 99s are the most boring things I've ever seen. (I'm 51% concerned with finding the right ski, and 49% concerned with what they look like).

I thought to myself, why shouldn't I buy american if there are are so many US ski companies? But there are very few ski shops in north jersey and they hardly carry any US brands aside from Icelantic, so it's tough to make a $700+ decision on something you can't see for yourself in real life.

I stumbled upon ON3P and was really into that vibe, but everything I'm reading is that they are very stiff. On the flip side of that, I was liking the idea of Candide 2.0s, but everyone online says they're super soft. So I'm basically battling myself here wondering what the right balance of waist size + stiffness is the way to go. I know I'm on the wrong side of my prime athletic self, but I like to think that I'm still gonna be pushing it pretty good for the next 10 years. This seems like a classic case of over-thinking, though. I've been riding the same Solomon snowboard since 2004 and it might be the single greatest purchase of my adult life.

Yeah to first echo what everyone else said, anything ~5 smaller or larger than 100mm is my choice personally for skiing New England. I grew up in Europe and grew really accustomed to wide skis, so I don’t own anything under 98 (and the one 98 I do have sees 1, maybe 2 days a year). To your point about buying Chinese (or not) made skis, it’s really up to you. K2 makes good quality stuff, it’s cheaper for them to outsource to China so it’s business as usual, save money where you can. The quality is there and [tag=109505]@bradwalters[/tag] does a fucking insane job on graphics. To your point about ON3P, they’re not 2x4s. Compared to other skis in their categories, as far as twin tips go, they’re burlier than most. All that means is they have more backbone and are more capable on the rest of the hill. I’ve owned a couple and it’s really tough to find a speed limit on them. Check out the Jeffrey 102 for IMO just about the best 1 ski quiver for a freestyle skier in New England. The Candide 2.0 USED to be super soft, but it’s undergone 3 revamps in the last 3 years. This years is a little more stable than the first gen, while not nearly as heavy or damp as the 2nd gen (last year). It’s a good ski as well if you want a 1 ski quiver. I’d personally shell out an extra 70 bucks for the ON3P but that’s just me. It’s tough to not get overwhelmed by today’s market because it’s so fucking saturated but if you know what to look for, there are standouts.

TLDR. China made K2s = good but not twin

Candide 2.0 = good

ON3P = 70 bucks more than Candide, better ski IMO

Also check out Moment Wildcat 101

 

[ArgyleNJ]

[tag=241854]@animator[/tag] really appreciate the feedback, thanks dude. I'm totally fine with the extra 70 bucks if you think the ON3P is a better 1-quiver ski, so long as you think it's not too stiff to fuck around with buttering. Any reason you rec the Jeffrey rather than the Woodsman? (I just can't quite tell what the difference is).

Also (since you seem to know your shit), when I went to the local ski shop they urged having metal under foot. Is that really something that I should take to the bank? Seems like there are a lot of highly touted skis that don't have metal.

 

[Celery]

Jeffery is more freestyle based while the woodsman is more directional. You can definitely butter the jefferys but you won't be bending them, more just leaning on the rocker. Another great option is the Reckoner 102. I ski it park and all mountain in Maine. It's stable enough but it feels soon good to butter, like there's no limit to it while still giving some pop and feedback out of the rotation. It also had chunky edges. Wicked fun skis.

[tag=241854]@animator[/tag] really appreciate the feedback, thanks dude. I'm totally fine with the extra 70 bucks if you think the ON3P is a better 1-quiver ski, so long as you think it's not too stiff to fuck around with buttering. Any reason you rec the Jeffrey rather than the Woodsman? (I just can't quite tell what the difference is).

Also (since you seem to know your shit), when I went to the local ski shop they urged having metal under foot. Is that really something that I should take to the bank? Seems like there are a lot of highly touted skis that don't have metal.

 

[RyanWhitdog]

Trying my best to be brief here. I'm a lifelong snowboarder who has decided to go back to skis after 20 years (I'm 35, my back is killing me!). I mainly ride in VT, so I'm looking for an all-mountain ski, but I very much determine my ski trips by being a hound about the weather and trying to score the powder days. I've read tons of reviews and watched all the videos of waist size and ski length, but after all that I'm left wondering, does it really matter?

I'm a pretty aggressive snowboarder and I'm confident after a couple days back on skis I'll find myself in that category. I know I want rocker on both ends so I can screw around in the park and butter all over the mountain, but I also know I'm gonna be chasing the powder days whenever possible.

Am I really gonna hinder myself by getting something like a 105-ish waist? I can't help but wonder if it's a detail that advanced skiers like to talk about because they are good enough to notice things like that, but for the general population of the "intermediate" world is there really a huge difference between a 95 and a 108? Will I hate 95s when there's a lot of powder? Will I be cursing at 108s when I'm in moguls?

The internet tends to be very sarcastic, so I'll just reassure everyone that I'm genuinely asking. I wanna make the right choice and have a solid pair of skis that I don't have to think about for a good half of the next decade.

IME when you’re out East it’s most fun to daily something under 95 under foot so you can whip it around those tiny mountains, but don’t go short on the ski. I’m about 6’1 200 and wouldn’t go under 181 in length for reference

 

[DesertStix]

I agree the reckoner sounds like it might be right up his alley. I love mine.

Jeffery is more freestyle based while the woodsman is more directional. You can definitely butter the jefferys but you won't be bending them, more just leaning on the rocker. Another great option is the Reckoner 102. I ski it park and all mountain in Maine. It's stable enough but it feels soon good to butter, like there's no limit to it while still giving some pop and feedback out of the rotation. It also had chunky edges. Wicked fun skis.

 

[SlitherySnake]

get hellbents for maximum core

 

[animator]

[tag=241854]@animator[/tag] really appreciate the feedback, thanks dude. I'm totally fine with the extra 70 bucks if you think the ON3P is a better 1-quiver ski, so long as you think it's not too stiff to fuck around with buttering. Any reason you rec the Jeffrey rather than the Woodsman? (I just can't quite tell what the difference is).

Also (since you seem to know your shit), when I went to the local ski shop they urged having metal under foot. Is that really something that I should take to the bank? Seems like there are a lot of highly touted skis that don't have metal.

Woodsman is much more directional. Mount point is further back, there’s less tail rocker, designed to go forward 85% of the time whereas the Jeff is more 55% forward 45% switch. Metal is great underfoot if your focus is either carving super hard or blasting through shit. It’s terrible if you like to be in the air because A it’s heavier and B it makes skis feel dead/damp so they have much less pop. ON3P uses full bamboo so it’s a really good compromise of being stable at high speed but still extremely energetic. It’s not the easiest ski to butter by any means but it’s not the hardest either.

metal is something that you like or you don’t. Highly touted skis don’t mean a lot because there’s so many categories of skis. You want a hard charging bruiser that’ll bend you over and rail you if you’re not on top of it 100% of the time? Nordica Enforcer Free 115, ON3P Wren Pro. Metal layups, extremely powerful. Those are highly touted skis in that respective category. Same goes for park skis, all mountain sticks, pow sticks, etc

 

[hegleezy]

Your going to have a bad time with anything in the hundreds if your looking for an "all mountain" ski. Look for something in the mid to high 90's in waist width.

 

[ICary]

I ski a 102 everyday in the the Mid Atlantic. Love me some girth on ice.

 

[Hometownerz]

Ok, it's honesty time. The first ski that caught my eye was the mindbeder 108. The graphics to me are the perfect amount of silly-ness that I want in my life. But after all the digging I realized I'm not crazy about going with china-made (though it's not gonna completely sway my decision making). Also, the mindbender 99s are the most boring things I've ever seen. (I'm 51% concerned with finding the right ski, and 49% concerned with what they look like).

I thought to myself, why shouldn't I buy american if there are are so many US ski companies? But there are very few ski shops in north jersey and they hardly carry any US brands aside from Icelantic, so it's tough to make a $700+ decision on something you can't see for yourself in real life.

I stumbled upon ON3P and was really into that vibe, but everything I'm reading is that they are very stiff. On the flip side of that, I was liking the idea of Candide 2.0s, but everyone online says they're super soft. So I'm basically battling myself here wondering what the right balance of waist size + stiffness is the way to go. I know I'm on the wrong side of my prime athletic self, but I like to think that I'm still gonna be pushing it pretty good for the next 10 years. This seems like a classic case of over-thinking, though. I've been riding the same Solomon snowboard since 2004 and it might be the single greatest purchase of my adult life.

You could try and get your hands on some Lib Techs. Sustainably made, a bit cheaper and softer than on3ps, Cool graphics and pretty good edge hold from what i hear. Would also help you stay true to your 1-plank roots.

 

[DesertStix]

I feel like we should talk about them more on here

You could try and get your hands on some Lib Techs. Sustainably made, a bit cheaper and softer than on3ps, Cool graphics and pretty good edge hold from what i hear. Would also help you stay true to your 1-plank roots.

 

[animator]

Your going to have a bad time with anything in the hundreds if your looking for an "all mountain" ski. Look for something in the mid to high 90's in waist width.

Not even close to true but nice try!

 

[hegleezy]

I’m talking about when it comes to the east coast. Although we get more powder than many make it out to be, conditions across a mountain will never be enough for a waist width above 100 unless it has recently snowed.

Not even close to true but nice try!

 

[animator]

I’m talking about when it comes to the east coast. Although we get more powder than many make it out to be, conditions across a mountain will never be enough for a waist width above 100 unless it has recently snowed.

Good attempt at a follow up, no such thing as, “not enough,” for 100mm wide skis. It’s all preference, just because the Evo gear guide says you need a ski that’s 85mm at the waist doesn’t mean that it’s fact buddy

 

[ArgyleNJ]

My search continues. I'm starting to lean towards the Jeffreys, but the Reckoner has got me interested now if I were gonna go with K2. My local shop also has a pair of Bent Chetler 100s from last year (or maybe 2020) on sale for $419. It's an intriguing idea to save some cash since this is my first pair of skis in ages, but I also really love the camo ON3Ps

 

[Non_State_Actor]

My search continues. I'm starting to lean towards the Jeffreys, but the Reckoner has got me interested now if I were gonna go with K2. My local shop also has a pair of Bent Chetler 100s from last year (or maybe 2020) on sale for $419. It's an intriguing idea to save some cash since this is my first pair of skis in ages, but I also really love the camo ON3Ps

The Bent Chetler 100 is not a bad call at all. It's kind of a meme ski for being boring and super common but it's mainly because it's a jack of all trades type ski that is competent in most areas.

The Reckoner can be had for a similar price...probably a little lower here:
https://www.corbetts.com/2021-k2-reckoner-102-skis/

Price is CAD so a little under $400 USD right now.

Also bindings deals:
https://www.corbetts.com/2021-head-attack2-13-gw-ski-bindings/

Unfortunately I can't find the cheapest attacks with the proper brake (95mm) size anywhere.

 

[Skier_man05]

I'm an east coast skier too, and where I ski we don't get that many powder days. And when we do it's not that much. so if you ski at a mountain like that then you would be fine with something around 95 100, but if you get more powder days and then 108 and 105 would probably be good. I think that the ON3P Jefferys would be a good ski though.

 

[BradFiAusNzCoCa]

Got me a pair from here for $100. Mint condition. Think I’m selling them to a buddy who needs skis though because I just can’t justify them in my quiver atm ?

I feel like we should talk about them more on here

 

[DesertStix]

I really wish I could find an affordable pair of UFO’s but they would just overlap in the quiver

Got me a pair from here for $100. Mint condition. Think I’m selling them to a buddy who needs skis though because I just can’t justify them in my quiver atm ?

 

[ArgyleNJ]

I went with Fischer Ranger 102s. Appreciate all the feedback from everybody. I combed through all the ski essential reviews on youtube and when they talked about the Rangers they just had a different sound in their voice. You could tell they really liked that ski. Now it's time to totally overthink what kind of bindings to buy.

 

[BradFiAusNzCoCa]

The blister guys love that ski too. Good choice

I went with Fischer Ranger 102s. Appreciate all the feedback from everybody. I combed through all the ski essential reviews on youtube and when they talked about the Rangers they just had a different sound in their voice. You could tell they really liked that ski. Now it's time to totally overthink what kind of bindings to buy.