Will new skis actually make me a better skier

HitTheJim

HitTheJim

Member
Currently I am skiing an old set of 171 line anthems (the ones with the snowboarder graphic, i believe it's the 2010 model). I've owned these for a few years now, but only last year did I start to spend the majority of my time in the park. I'm a strong all mountain skier who is comfortable at speed, and I'm currently hitting medium sized rails and jumps. Generally I'm working on hitting things comfortably with either foot forward, switch ups, and 270s out. I haven't started spinning off anything other than small jumps. With all this being said, do you guys believe I would be able to progress faster if I were to transition from this 7 year old ski to something newer?

I'm familiar with the kinds of improvements that can be seen when switching to a better all mountain ski, but I don't understand how these things would translate with a park ski. As far as I can tell, a change in skis won't help me balance better on a rail or spin any faster. The only significant changes I can imagine are that the ski may have more responsive flex and better pop underfoot. Now, this is not to say that I don't believe a newer, more expensive park ski truly is better. The question is, HOW are they better, and will someone at my ability level be able to benefit from those improvements.

In the event that the answer is yes and this turns into a recommendation thread, let me provide a little more information. I would be using this ski exclusively for park, I'm more interested in jibbing than hitting jumps, I like to butter, I'm 6' 165lbs, I ski at Mt. Snow in VT, and I'd like to spend under 500 (without bindings) unless you have a damn good reason to convince me otherwise (I'm open to used options).

Thanks for any help yall can offer. Cheers!
 
For five hundered dollars I would look at the ON3P kartels, Filthy Rich, Vishnu wets, Icelantic Danollies, and maybe check out Revision tailisman.
 
Appreciate the responses, but what sort of difference could I honestly expect? Why would I benefit from spending 500 dollars on a pair of skis?
 
13732920:HitTheJim said:
Appreciate the responses, but what sort of difference could I honestly expect? Why would I benefit from spending 500 dollars on a pair of skis?
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If you are already a good skier who skis pretty great on your skis now, probably not. But if you are like me who is looking to improve in park, then I am pretty positive that it will.
 
I mean go use some all mountain park skis and compare them to some comp park skis. you will see a pretty noticeable difference in how they react in the park. Flex is another factor, and length is also important. Mt. Snow has so many features for all levels of skill that its definitely a possibility that you might start hitting bigger jumps more with a stiffer, longer ski helping you more than a soft noodle like your current skis.

No matter what, get a longer ski. atleast 178. ideally 182 if you are doing jumps.

With progression in skiing, you usually fall or break equipment, so either get a solid pair of sticks, or a crazy cheap pair that you should expect to replace.

Until this year (since I don't even know if they still make them), I would recommend K2 press's for a super cheap option since they will hold up decently for that price, are very fun to use, and have plenty of sizes to look at while being similar to the skis you have currently.

If you want a more legit ski, avoid line price point skis for plenty of good reasons, but the honeybadger may be worth looking into I thought it was a super sick ski when I got my hands on it a few weeks back.

4frnt vandal may be a solid option if you can find any good deals on it ( I saw it in person and I really really liked the ski).

J skis has a sale on Allplays which I would definitely recommend over whipits. I copped a pair and Im pretty excited to use them for strictly all mountain, but you can absolutely slay with them in the park, plus a VT company which is always hype.

HG transfers are 500 right now with the presale. I haven't heard a bad thing about their skis yet, and I owned a pair (and just got some transfers myself). You also get a park warranty which is rad and they are a Vermont company too.

Rossi Slats are a super fun ski, but not the thickest edges unfortunately. Rossi needs to change that because they make some very solid skis.

Atomic has good skis, but I'm not a personal fan so I cant say anything about them if im trying to be fair.

Armada has plenty of skis that could fit what you want, but they also cost a bit much unless you look into past years.I really like armada's but I would never buy a pair unless there were specific reasons to (I have my personal reasons).

Head makes some bomber park skis, but they are all on the stiffer side of things. I have never been disappointed by head skis however, so if you find a good deal on a pair, dont hesitate to pick them up. They fucking rip everywhere.

Salomon has skis that are on the wider side of things from my knowledge, but people use them in the park. Never used anything but Salomon comp park skis though, so no comment on their other stuff.

Nordica has the Soul Riders. Everyone knows the soul riders are dope and I highly doubt you would be sad if you had a pair. kinda hard to find past years sticks though and I dont recommend getting this years because of edge durability reasons for the price.

KF has a sale on last years skis and they put some serious tech into those things. definitely worth looking into them since they are on such a good deal right now.

There are plenty of other companies, but I just tried to think of a few off the top of my head that could give you a good replacement for jib skis on the mid-waist area under 500. If you decide you don't care about price, just get whatever the fuck you want.

Also for bindings, I recommend attack 13s. I can explain if you want, but you might not even need bindings in the first place.
 
Appreciate the response man. The money was burning a hole in my pocket and I made a move yesterday on a pair of 176 armada b dogs from last year. Got them from evo for 315 which seemed like a good number. They seem like a solid fit for me.

Looking now into a pair of bindings. The anthems have tyrolia peak 15s on them which I thought about switching over, but I think I'm gonna keep them as beater skis and get something new for the b dogs. What about the attacks are you a fan of?
 
13734435:HitTheJim said:
Appreciate the response man. The money was burning a hole in my pocket and I made a move yesterday on a pair of 176 armada b dogs from last year. Got them from evo for 315 which seemed like a good number. They seem like a solid fit for me.

Looking now into a pair of bindings. The anthems have tyrolia peak 15s on them which I thought about switching over, but I think I'm gonna keep them as beater skis and get something new for the b dogs. What about the attacks are you a fan of?
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I own 4 pairs of Tyrolias and 2 pairs of FKS's and while I think unless you get the tyrolia x18 (the new model), they perform very very comparably to FKS for way less.

I doubt you would need 16-18 din bindings though, so unless you find some fks for under 200, get attacks. Honestly, I could recommend attacks over fks since they have much easier replacement parts to handle, and they are so easy to use.

p.s. if you get 16-18 din bindings, just get fks 180s since the tyrolia 18 din bindings are more expensive (but I think I might like them a bit more), although if you are unsure if you should get those bindings in the first place, just dont get them
 
Honestly for jibbing and buttering (only), you'd be hard pressed to find something as soft and fun as the anthem/TCs. Only real downside for me was the slow bases.

Had you not copped the b-dog, I would have recommended a 178 blend, which is a (slightly more stiff) anthem with a decent base.
 
13734452:parkplayground said:
I own 4 pairs of Tyrolias and 2 pairs of FKS's and while I think unless you get the tyrolia x18 (the new model), they perform very very comparably to FKS for way less.

I doubt you would need 16-18 din bindings though, so unless you find some fks for under 200, get attacks. Honestly, I could recommend attacks over fks since they have much easier replacement parts to handle, and they are so easy to use.

p.s. if you get 16-18 din bindings, just get fks 180s since the tyrolia 18 din bindings are more expensive (but I think I might like them a bit more), although if you are unsure if you should get those bindings in the first place, just dont get them
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Yea im definitely looking for a 12 or 13 din binding so it sounds like the attacks would be the move. Thanks for the insight brotha, much appreciated.
 
You can definitely find a pair of FKS/Pivots for under $200. I know there is a pair of 14's on NS now for $150 with 95 mm brakes that should work for those skis.

I like the solid feeling that you get with the look/rossi bindings. They keep your boot close to the ski too, which you can notice in the park. The all metal heals are nice too. On the 12/14 din versions you have a composite toe, but if you did end up breaking those you could probably find a replacement pretty easily.

It doesn't sound like you get too wild to the point where you would break the attacks now, but it could be something to consider in the future.
 
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