Skis my dad should try

My dad is looking for some new skis.

He skis pretty much everything but he's slowing down. Favorite terrain is definitely moderately steep trees where he can still feel playful. Technique is very much a remnant of his time as a ski bum in Telluride in the 70s--feet together, lots of sliding the tails loose and making lots of small turns.

His ski progression has basically been: Olin Mark VI (the green ones) -> 2018ish 187 Bonafide. There was a pair of PRE skis in the middle somewhere, but he gravitated back to the Olins.
Demoed a few things a while back and landed on the bones (I can't remember what else he tried back then other than that he HATED the Soul 7s!). He's also has some ridiculous DH and GS (or maybe Super-G) skis he'll use for snow-kiting in MN where he lives.

He is trying to adapt his technique to modern skis, but you know how it is...he's old and its worked for him so far.

I've put him on various other skis, but nothing really in the same width category:
- Rustler 11 (not the current version): Couldn't figure out how to get along with in a couple runs in heavier powder, hated how the tips wanted to get knocked around.
- M-Free 118: Much happier
- Fischer RC-One GT 82: Not a fan. Just don't think he knew what to do with a ski that was stiff, short, and turny.

My read is that he doesn't really get along with a shorter radius nor does he like softness in the tips/tails. But he's also getting older and losing strength, so an easier to drive ski could benefit him a lot if he can learn how to work it. I think he likes the weight and stability of the Bonafide, but they are a lot of ski to push around, especially since he's not going that fast. He hurt his knee trying to bring them around in some trees last year and it still bothers him...

What should he try out as a new daily driver?

Bonus question: what's a ~100mm touring ski he might get along with?

I have a couple of friends in their 70's that get along quite well with the Head Kore, which is a light ski. I also have a pair of Volkl Blaze 106 at 179 that have only been skied a few days that I'll be parting with.

Enforcers are prob worth a try. My 7[emoji646]yr old neighbor loves them

It all depends on if he’s willing to change style

I’ve been riding young punk skis recently. Mounted progressive. Not full forward. Once you adjust to it you just stand there and let the ski do the work. Nice change of pace after years of driving the shins and shovel.

No matter what. Softer is better when you don’t want to charge hard anymore.

Rustler 11 as a daily driver for an old guy? What? M-Free 118, the fuck?
RC whatever 82, this is fucking nuts.
New Rustler 9, easy answer.

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Originally Posted by buttahflake

Rustler 11 as a daily driver for an old guy? What? M-Free 118, the fuck?
RC whatever 82, this is fucking nuts.
New Rustler 9, easy answer.

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No, those are skis of mine he's tried in conditions where appropriate...he skis the bonafide in daily driver conditions so he hasn't tried any of mine in that width (he tried my R10s for a run or two a few years ago--definitely preferred the bones). None of them are skis in consideration, just a list of skis he's tried and how he felt about them.

Maybe the redesigned R9 works? That's at least an easy one to find a demo of. If the new model solves the tip flap issue, it might work for him despite the light weight.

Praxis Rx…

sounds like he could go for an Anomaly. Supposed to be everything that was good about the Brahma/Bonafide serries but a bit more accessible if you aren't charging. Maybe in a bit shorter length?

Line Pandora maybe? I think they just retired the Sick Day and made the Pandora a unisex ski (same ski I think?) Easy to ski and can ski quick, and still have enough tradional heritage that they feel good for someone transitioning from the old to new style, and I knowsome pros used to like the Sick Days once upon a time.

Put him on a kastle. Their designs are super behind the times (they’ve added a tiny tiny bit of early rise and pinned the tail to a minimal degree) and their mount points are really far back.

Mindbenders are super easy in this class. 89s or 99s depending on conditions. Noticeable step down in effort compared to bonafides but still solid skis.

Rustler 11's are neither soft, nor turny, nor prone to deflecting easily. They are not damp, however, and are best skied actively.

Enforcer 104's are damp and easy skid around. So are Line Blade Optics. I hear J Skis tend to be fairly soft yet damp. I would try something like that.

Take your dad to a demo event ?

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Originally Posted by TAFKALVS

Take your dad to a demo event ?

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Good answer.

Harder to demo (which is probably right answer) but he might like the Praxis 9D8. I actually haven't skied them, but I do have the 9D that I use for my screwing around with the wife and kids ski. I think its very similar to the 9D8. Not too demanding to ski but I haven't found it to be lacking anywhere. Maybe a little tight radius for what he likes.

Nomad 105. My dad is about 80 and still likes to cruise around on the mountain. He's 6'2" ~ 200 pounds and jived pretty nicely with the 186 which I mounted +1.

There is a reason we joke about Enforcers being Dad skis. Pick a width and send it.

I think the nordica unlimited in a [emoji637][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]][emoji639] touring ski is really easy It’s stable, light enough and is just fun and easy I found a good deal may still be some deals out there on close outs

For the daily driver it’s tough call
He likes stable and metal but that comes with a cost

If he liked the Mfree [emoji637][emoji637][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]] why not get [emoji637][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]? Similar building just lighter and still floats great Or maybe the [emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]?

If he still has it maybe try the [emoji637][emoji637][emoji638]


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Originally Posted by singlesline

than that he HATED the Soul 7s!).

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Your dad couldn't handle them, apparently. The Rossignol Soul 7 is the pinnacle of ski design and performance. They rip harder than your dad's wet farts after lunch hour at his nursing home. We'll be needing to discontinue his Cialis prescription now. He won't be needing it anymore as all the horny old broads looking for their next 85 year old bull will be flocking to the real man geezer there that still has the cajones to ski the ultimate lady magnets. I'm thoroughly disappointed in him. Next time you go to visit him, tell the homies there that still know what's up to post some pics of all the dusty cooter they're getting after being seen shredding the best skis ever made.

That kind of got lost in emoji hell but I assume you said M-Free 99 and 108? That's not a bad idea to try. Probably the 99 just to keep pressure off the knees (and if everything is deep and soft, my 118s are on the rack for him to borrow).

Enforcers are probably worth a try. I tried pre-update 94s last year and didn't like them compared to the Bones, but maybe he would like the new ones.

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Originally Posted by TAFKALVS

Take your dad to a demo event ?

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Yeah, lots of demos is the obvious answer, but he lives far away and we have a baby at home so any skiing in the near term will be when he visits.

And demoing here (whitefish) kinda sucks...the shops with more interesting selections are down in town so you can't really try a bunch of stuff in one day. Resort-owned rental shop on the mountain has kind of a limited selection...although I haven't looked recently so maybe they have some more stuff. I'm sure they have a Rustler 9 and maybe some Anomalies.

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Originally Posted by singlesline

That kind of got lost in emoji hell but I assume you said M-Free 99 and 108? That's not a bad idea to try. Probably the 99 just to keep pressure off the knees (and if everything is deep and soft, my 118s are on the rack for him to borrow). Enforcers are probably worth a try. I tried pre-update 94s last year and didn't like them compared to the Bones, but maybe he would like the new ones. Yeah, lots of demos is the obvious answer, but he lives far away and we have a baby at home so any skiing in the near term will be when he visits. And demoing here (whitefish) kinda sucks...the shops with more interesting selections are down in town so you can't really try a bunch of stuff in one day. Resort-owned rental shop on the mountain has kind of a limited selection...although I haven't looked recently so maybe they have some more stuff. I'm sure they have a Rustler 9 and maybe some Anomalies.

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Owning both the Rustler 11 and many Line Prophet/Influence/Supernatural and JSkis I think this is the way. I would say he would love the Masterblasters from J, Optic 96, Rossignol Blackops 98 too maybe. 4Frnt MSP maybe? All of these skis are easy, damp and adapt to turning style easily.

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Originally Posted by QuackerBacker

Owning both the Rustler 11 and many Line Prophet/Influence/Supernatural and JSkis I think this is the way. I would say he would love the Masterblasters from J, Optic 96, Rossignol Blackops 98 too maybe. 4Frnt MSP maybe? All of these skis are easy, damp and adapt to turning style easily.

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Yeah, I was thinking the MSP 99 could be interesting.

Lot of reviewers seem to suggest it keeps a lot of the stability of the Enforcers or Bonafides but are lighter and quicker and a bit easier to ski.

Rustler 9 or Anomaly 94. Rustler better in trees, Anomaly will feel familiar if he likes the Bonafide. Try them back to back if possible.

Stockli Stormrider, he'll love them. Look for the last gen