Eastern Skis: your powder weapon of choice...

O

ono

New member
what's everyone ride, or would like to have in their quiver?
i'd post this in the "equipment" forum, but this area gets more hits, and is applicable to eastern skiing...

i have 158 cm dynastar legend 8000's and 8800's (just got the 88's today). i'm pretty short (5'6" w/ no napoleon's complex, thankfully). gonna grab some 168cm 8800's eventually cause i want something for higher speeds/more power/trips out west (shorter sticks are great for the tight spaces, especially now the move toward wider skis providing more stability in a shorter package). gonna start taking both into the Backcountry with some alpine trekkers and skins...

i'd like to see what other people are riding on these days... especially your woods/powder/backcountry setups. i've seen fellas up at stowe/jay/bush with full-on 100+ underfoot boards. i rode a nordica beast demo (94 underfoot) at MRG this year- sick ski with built in notches for skins, and pretty stiff with great float in the pow, but stiff in crud- they stopped making em, though (why is beyond me- great ski).

how big are people running out there width/length wise? whats your fancy?

oh yeah-
anyone have any suggestions for a full-on, balls-to-the-wall powder ski for a short fellow like myself? i'd like the dynastar legend pros, but the shortest they make- 186- is pretty big (i raced on 178's in high school, but another 2.5 inches over those is getting waaay too big for me i'm guessing)

so what have you?
 
i have the same quiver setup as you do. 8000s for everyday and the woods, former version of the 8800s for big pow, big mountain, and any snow condition that needs more beef and less agility. i can't help but feel that the pro rider would be overkill for the east, but after dusting two legend 8000s, i think i might really appreciate a full side wall.
 
5'6", 150#, here. My favorite ski for years has been the blue Salomon PocketRocket, 175cm, with a Fritschi A-T binding. It's great in powder and all types of crud in- or out-of-bounds. Re-branded last season by Salomon as the Ten-Eighty Gun with crappy graphics, didn't stop me from replacing my worn out favorites. A lightweight cap ski, they have shown a tendency to delaminate after heavy use with tele and A-T set-ups by several male friends. I know 2 gals with tele setups have not pulled the Pocket Rockets apart. My 4-year-old pair is falling apart on one edge, after much abuse (including GOS on Sunday), but my Ten-Eighty Guns have shown no signs of a problem (yet) after one season of backcountry A-T use.
 
My son Adam has the Dynastar 8800's @ 178cm. He's 6'0" but only about 150lb. He wanted a wide powder ski but he's demanding about stability because he likes to do "Alaska turns" off the top of Mammoth in fresh snow, which is of variable consistency due to wind effect and Sierra water content. He demoed a lot of them in 2004 before settling on the Dynastar. I would think 168cm is the right length for you.

He said Rossi Scratch BC would have been second choice. We both had the Scratch BC for 2 days of an Extremely Canadian clinic at Whistler and it was good in a wide range of conditions including quite a bit of fresh powder.

For eastern trees I presume quick turning ability is a priority. The Salomon Pocket Rocket was considered so versatile that many people out here skied it as an everyday ski. Its successor ski is the 1080 Gun. Adam thought the Pocket Rocket was too soft for him but that I would like it. While writing this I see another endorsement!
 
yeah-
158's are borderline- just enough ski to get the job done in most eastern terrain. i haven't hit up the 8800's at that length, yet, but my buddy who's 6'1", and 165lbs has 168cm 8800's and loved 'em his first day out (after skiing on my old dynastar speed sx's i rode in high school- hehe- totally different ski- he was shocked at what a difference the width made in the deep stuff)

has anyone found the 8000's to be a little under-beefy at times in the chowder? i mean, no complaints- maybe it's my length.

dynastar has been making some great skis as of late- somebody i heard made a point- you can trust a ski made in the chamonix valley, but the minute they move the factory to china is the minute i stop buying dynastar...

gotta get out there and try those pocket rockets (or whatever they're called now) seem to be a great ski from what i hear. skied salomon x-screams way back- years ago in WP when mid-fat was 75 or 78 mm max andi liked the salomons.
 
5'8" 140 lb here, and haven't forgotten my eastern roots. For those going AT or tele, consider the G3 Baron or Ticket or the Black Diamond Havoc as an everyday ski, and the G3 Reverend, new G3 El Hombre (avail. Aug. 1) or Black Diamond Verdict for a dedicated powder ski. I liked all, although I didn't get the chance to ski the El Hombre on the snow that would make it shine.
 
ono":3do606xg said:
has anyone found the 8000's to be a little under-beefy at times in the chowder? i mean, no complaints- maybe it's my length.
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it takes a lot of snow to kick around my 8000s, the 8800 is obviously a better choice if you are skiing variable wet slop and need stability.

ono":3do606xg said:
dynastar has been making some great skis as of late- somebody i heard made a point- you can trust a ski made in the chamonix valley, but the minute they move the factory to china is the minute i stop buying dynastar...
Click to expand...
see my recent thread in the gear section about breaking a second pair of 8000s in as many years for my thoughts on trusting skis made in the chamonix valley. perhaps there is a good reason they need to offer a two year warranty on that ski! thank goodness i mounted this pair with looks...
 
rivercoil-
what's your weight and height? i'm guessing you're a bigger fella-
seems the 8000's are a good fit for most- though the same guy who mentioned the chamonix-valley factory also thought that 8000's weren't "beefy/tough" enough, but the 8800's were more so (sidewalls...)

seems like you ride hard enough, if you can crack a ski like that. how'd ya do it exactly? in a trough? landing? hmmm...
 
I don't pretend to be a big time eastern powder skier living in central NY and being more an advanced skier than true expert (I'm at the advanced phase where I realize I'm not an expert :D ). I am about 5' 10" and 195 (on a good day), and I own two skis:

'04-'05 Fischer RX8 in 165 (would probably do 170 if I had to do it again)
'04-'05 K2 Public Enemy in 179 (still largest length they offer)

The most snow I've had the PEs in is about 12-18 inches of powder/wind blown powder at Plattekill last year during the one lonely powder day they had all season (any of you readers ever been out there for one?). I've been really happy with how they've performed on that occasion along with the other times I've had them out in 6+ inches of fresh. They're a great overall ski, and still very much capable on groomers.

Plus, you can ski them backwards and take them into park whenever you want (so you can find out that you no longer heal like a teenager).

If I had to replace them, I'd consider getting one of the PEs out now with a 85 waist, or trying a Volkl Karma. The Volkl Mantra also has perplexed me as a possible east coast fat ski, but I've never had a chance to try them out.

So, anyone else not on Dynastar 8000s or 8800s?

-Craig
 
ono":am8idxzf said:
what's everyone ride, or would like to have in their quiver?

anyone have any suggestions for a full-on, balls-to-the-wall powder ski for a short fellow like myself? i'd like the dynastar legend pros, but the shortest they make- 186-
Click to expand...

According to the Dynastar website, they also make the Pro in a 176 cm. Last month I demoed 5 pairs of skis at Alta under conditions that would be much like most average eastern days--but absent any VT ice. I posted comments on each. Of these, the Volkl Mantra could serve as a great all around ski including powder action. I'm a fairly big guy, but I believe that these are available in appropriate lengths.

Cheers,
Jeff
 
My everyday ski is a CMH-edition Volkl Explosiv, the predecessor to the Mantra. I owned 'em back east, too, and find them to be a crud-buster that can handle just about anything -- even groomers. Word to the wise who skin, though -- they're darned heavy for skinning.
 
Admin":axyzzhxi said:
5'8" 140 lb here, and haven't forgotten my eastern roots. For those going AT or tele, consider the G3 Baron or Ticket or the Black Diamond Havoc as an everyday ski, and the G3 Reverend, new G3 El Hombre (avail. Aug. 1) or Black Diamond Verdict for a dedicated powder ski. I liked all, although I didn't get the chance to ski the El Hombre on the snow that would make it shine.
Click to expand...
sure wish BD and G3 would setup a demo day out east with AT binders for the east coast crowd. they won't be seeing any of my hard earned money until i can try out a pair. their loss. the BC crowd on the east coast isn't as big as out west and they probably hit the tele guys up for demos i am sure. i think they are missing out on a potential market by not doing at least one demo day on the east coast with AT mounted skis.
 
ono":irxcrp1t said:
rivercoil-
what's your weight and height? i'm guessing you're a bigger fella-
seems the 8000's are a good fit for most- though the same guy who mentioned the chamonix-valley factory also thought that 8000's weren't "beefy/tough" enough, but the 8800's were more so (sidewalls...)

seems like you ride hard enough, if you can crack a ski like that. how'd ya do it exactly? in a trough? landing? hmmm...
Click to expand...
6'1" at 210#s. the 8800s have the same sidewall sandwich construction but are a bit beefier, especially since they are 10mm wider under foot. they are really sweet skis, but not turny enough for the woods. i haven't gone deep enough to want anything wider than 89mm in new england.

i don't ride super hard, i used to as a former racer. since getting into the dynastar line, i have modified my technique for more finesse. i put a lot of pressure on the tips of the skis and i think the weight may contribute to the blow out issue. hopefully the warranty goes through no problem and i can compare to their latest run as i have only skied first gen 8000s.
 
another 'midget' reporting in here. similar dimensions (maybe 5-10 #'s lighter) as lftgly and skiing the same skis. been on the 165cm blue salomon pocket rockets for almost 2 years. logged about 80+ days on them. at first started as a 'specialty' ski. pow, trees, spring slop. the following season (05-6) realized they were versatile enough to ski eastern hardpak & bumps (though maybe not as well as my xsreams). in any case, by early last season became my fulltime ski. recently noticed them getting a bit noodly on hardpak so broke out a new pair of salomon ten-eighty guns that i had purchased end of last season. first day on them this past sunday at k. loved them. great edge hold on the 'hardpak'. in addition to the ugly graphic make over, i've been told they're a little stiffer in the tail than the old pocket rocket. nice springy rebound feel. gotta love new skis.

thinking now of turning the old pocket rocket's into an at setup, i guess once again similar to lftgly's rig. are those Fritschi A-T bindings the ones to get? any pros & cons. thanks.
 
My pow ski currently is the Bandit XXX at 178. It can handle anything the east coast can throw at it(whether i can is a different story). I think its 90 cm under foot. I would like to get a gigantic pow ski for big snows here and for trips out west, something like 105 under foot. Also have the Atomic TMEX for my AT setup. I have recently sold the rest of my skis, so i am looking to get a good mid fat to ski those early season groomer days, something like the K2 Recon. I would also like to get a pow ski for AT, thinking the Havoc would be good....ah so many toys i want.
 
I bought new 174cm K2 Recons last week. They will be my everyday ski, starting with Kicking Horse this Thursday. I demoed them for ~19K at Treble Cone last August in a wide variety of terrain and conditions but no fresh powder.

My 1996 vintage Volant Chubbs are still serving well as powder skis.
 
Stokli Stormrider XL, 174cm

I'm 5' 10", 168 lb

These skis are the greatest skis I've ever had. I rented a pair of Head Monster 88's at Alta last year (while mine got repaired from a thin cover day at Mt. Baldy), and the Heads just weren't anywhere near the Stormriders in terms of energy, stability and responsiveness. In fact, last summer I bought a backup pair on eBay so that I'm sure that when I wear out the current pair, I'll have another. I love them that much!

The only other boards that I've ever skied that I liked as much were Authier Vampires. (see Authier story). These were 1992 skis that had a birch veneer that made them look like they were from the 1950's.

I have yet to ski the Stoklis in the East because I just moved here from California. I am sure that they will be just as awesome, though.

And I think they must be durable, too! I spoke with a Waitsfield store owner (the guy from Ski Sharp on route 100) who is a Stokli rep. He told me he's never seen an edge pull out of a pair of Stoklis. From a pro tuner in Waitsfield, home of Mad River Glen, that is saying a lot!!
 
jkamien":ub28bukq said:
Stokli Stormrider XL, 174cm

I'm 5' 10", 168 lb

These skis are the greatest skis I've ever had. I rented a pair of Head Monster 88's at Alta last year and the Heads just weren't anywhere near the Stormriders in terms of energy, stability and responsiveness.

I have yet to ski the Stoklis in the East because I just moved here from California. I am sure that they will be just as awesome, though.
Click to expand...

Interesting observations. The Head guys in Stowe where I bought 3 years ago also are Stockli guys, and we had extensive conversation regarding the Stormrider, Stormrider Scott Schmidt, and the Head line. These guys and gals rode them and tested them all season. Basically on the I.M 88's he thought the tight turn radius and characteristics made for a great all round crud/tree/pow do it all board for the Head. I've found that to be so. And I must say....lack of energy isn't something I've experienced on the Heads.

But I don't have a Stockli reference point as I was all hot for the New Stockli Schmitty's but it was suggested that board's extreme stiffness was suited for wide open West not really East. And the Stormrider XL was basically 10 cm less underfoot than the Head....so you can see where I went, thought-wise, for an Eastern Pow board.

Your 174's have a TR of 18 meters, though I probably would be on the 20'4M radius 184's at my height and weight.

Anyways....interesting observations. I also have these:

http://www.blizzard-ski.com/goto/en/pro ... itan-eight

and would be interested to compare to the Stormrider XL also....note the sidecut and turning radius spec comparisons. Rode the Titan Eight's all last year at MRG and loved em. Anywhere, anything. Stable and real quick turning. Very decent in bumps and on groomers, surprisingly, too.
 
I'm a teleguy who is doing nicely on a pair of Atomic TM22s for almost all conditions I face in the Adks - which as you might guess is pretty hard stuff. Bought them from the tele shop at MRG/Waitsfield for a good price while cruising through at the end of the season 2 years ago. The Atomics are about 72 underfoot I think. I am looking for a pair of skis with the floatation to help me on those rare deep days, that will also be turny enough to get me through the glades at Gore.

Any recommendations?

Mark
 
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