Forgiving mid-90s touring ski

[yeahman]

@yeahman do you tour in the regular Ripstick or the tour version? Why'd you choose the one you're on over the other (tour/non-tour version) in the lineup? Thanks.

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Ripstick 106 actually. But I believe the 96 is designed identical to the 106, and if you want that narrower width and slightly less weight I think it would be a good choice. I've considered the 96 for a touring ski but haven't pulled the trigger because I'm happy with the 106 and it is pretty light. Also I'm not sure the Tour 104 would give me much advantage over the 106, although I've read good things about it. Bottom line is I already had the 106 in my quiver so I converted it from a resort ski to a touring rig and I like it.

And keep in mind that Ripsticks measure and ski short. (Does not apply to the black edition, never skied those.) The 180 Ripstick is like a 177.

[skiNphish]

Ripstick 106 actually. But I believe the 96 is designed identical to the 106, and if you want that narrower width and slightly less weight I think it would be a good choice. I've considered the 96 for a touring ski but haven't pulled the trigger because I'm happy with the 106 and it is pretty light. Also I'm not sure the Tour 104 would give me much advantage over the 106, although I've read good things about it. Bottom line is I already had the 106 in my quiver so I converted it from a resort ski to a touring rig and I like it.

And keep in mind that Ripsticks measure and ski short. (Does not apply to the black edition, never skied those.) The 180 Ripstick is like a 177.

Super helpful - thanks!

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[jhyatt]

Salomon MTN 95 might work.
I ski them and find they are ok at everything, excel at nothing.
I just sort of forget about them.
I haven't tried a ton of mid 90 touring skis, though.

[doebedoe]

If you're not in a rush, Praxis Yeti to your specs in the summer custom sale should be on your list. Forgiving shape and flex pattern. Tune flex to your liking. The ultralight with carbon setup isn't crazy light and still skis well (for a touring ski). It's a bit more soft-snow oriented in shape than many other 94mm skis, but lil oscillation in the side cut does seem to help hold on firm. Really fun hot pow/corn ski.

[Self Jupiter]

Thought I saw a mention in one of the Praxis threads that they don’t plan to do a summer custom sale thing year but I’m not certain

[oltrepiave]

good old mtn95 (maybe one of the longest running shapes?) doesn't really welcome backseat skiing but i wouldn't call it punishing.

bent100 were a great touring ski for me but as a euro guy i don't know how well they would fare on proper volcano missions.

[skiNphish]

Thanks to everyone who helped me out on this. I wound up scoring a great price on a pair of 171cm WNDR Vital 98s. Their "love it guarantee" helped make this an easy choice. Based on what I've read, this sounds like it could be the ski I'm after. Pairing it with ATK Raider 12 AP bindings. Will report back after my upcoming trip to Baker!

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[kevino]

My wife (ski racing background) loves her 179 Blaze 94 much more than her 176?BMT 94.

[Adrider83]

Anyone have thoughts on the Ripstick 96 for this use case??


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I skied the camox freebird for several years, until I retired them and bought Elan Ripstick Tour 104s. The non-tour version will def be a bump in stability over the camox. I find the 104 tour to be a improved in variable over the camox freebird...but it's not like a wild difference. They're both lighter touring skis with limits on the downhill...just par of the course. And for what it's worth, I actually found the camox freebird to be quite easy going if the speed is kept moderate. Can open it up in good, consistent snow...but not in anything variable or punchy...I can't, at least.

[funkendrenchman]

I think that would be an good option. Ripsticks are very light and the only conditions they don't handle well are shitfuck and deep chop, not a big concern when touring. However if Salomon decides to make an Echo 96 then that might be a better choice.

I'd suggest the Ripstick 96, Blaze 94 and MTN 96.

[EricB]

Armada Locator 96?


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[ASmileyFace]

Armada Locator 96?


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The locator series doesn’t get a lot of love around here but they seem to be great. Light, stiffer than a lot of do-it-all touring skis, longish radius. I think part of the issue is they weren’t marketed that well, and don’t make much sense in Armadas line up. If they were marketed under the Atomic lineup I think they would sell better.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

I have to disagree with this...it is an interesting ski but requires a specific technique of rolling your ankles to get the edges to engage. It's a good ski, but it has a very specific design philosophy. Also it doesn't float all that great, nothing like an ON3P of the same width. But again, that's its design philosophy.

I’d agree that they require a specific technique but that doesn’t change the fact that they ski everything well if you can ski that way. I would say they float really well for a 104 underfoot ski with a fairly narrow tip.


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[Choucas]

Blaze 94 can be found at a very good price these days. Does everything well.

[Westcoaster]

The locator series doesn’t get a lot of love around here but they seem to be great. Light, stiffer than a lot of do-it-all touring skis, longish radius. I think part of the issue is they weren’t marketed that well, and don’t make much sense in Armadas line up. If they were marketed under the Atomic lineup I think they would sell better.

Too stiff for their weight, imo.