Mid-quiver skis

Times have been lean and my quiver is bare. The student loan cheque arrives soon and I am trying to work out what skis to use it for. I want a killer quiver.

So far all I have is this lot:
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...4/bindings.jpg

* a pair of new Freerides
* a pair of lightly used DR9 (din to 14, metal heel, plastic toe)
* a pair of new Look ZR (din 7-15 and I can widen the brakes, no probs)

Got these for about $330 US (plus a few shipping fees) so, with the current exchange rate am feeling smug so far. :cool:

I am 180lb, 5'10 and when I get used to alpine again I should be skiing pretty strongly (at least I used to ;) - raced internationally as a kid). I will be skiing La Grave = no pistes, plenty of steeps, powder, tight trees and a lot of crappy (and hard) snow at times.

I am trying to get a mid-quiver ski for the shitty days. I was leaning towards some kind of fatter mid-fat but would really like any suggestions/recommendations. Only thing: these skis must have no foam in them. Good durability is important - they will see some rocks and get used a load. Good edge grip is important too. I want a ski I can push and go fast on but don't have to fight when I ski more gently.

I may also get a tour ski but if this ski can double then that's cool. I have the binders to do either. Not sure if I want to put the Freerides on because of the amount of play in them - input would be welcome. If I got a tour ski I would get something cheaper and more used as I would put a load fewer days in on it.

Anyway, any suggestions would be very cool. Money is an object but I would prefer something unused or quite new (>15 days). So far I was considering:

* 180 G4 (maybe too much work?)
* 185 FaGS (if I can get em cheap enough)
* 180 Snowranger (maybe too skinny?)
* 180 Lawnchair (prolly to soft)

Any other ideas? Skis like these with a tad more shape? Any other input? Thanks in advance. Mullet.

I have some 178 G4s - last model of the G4 before it turned into the AX4, not very many days on them at all (I don't think I've used them since... December? and I was injured last spring shortly after I bought them... I'm guessing under 20 days use total.)

I like them, but since I'm not using them they should go... I haven't done much research into what G4s are going for these days, but in the meantime if you're interested make me an offer and I can get some pictures tonight.

185 Blizzard Titan. Stiff, shapely, crud buster, durable, railable
I love mine.

Thanks for the offer AG but I will probably have to pass. I live in the UK and have vowed not to buy any more stuff form the US - the shipping is just to much. I also know where I can get a hookup for Volkl stuff in France. But let me know if you're planning a UK trip :) .

Rightcoast: I hadn't thought of that. Looks good, could be a winner if I can find somewhere where the price is right.

If you think the Volkl is going to be too much work (which it is for me) 2 to add to your list are the Head Monster 85 and the old Dynastar Big's.

Head Monster is a bit fatter, cap construction, requires one to drive the tips harder. Probably my favorite ski in the 80-85mm range today.

Old Big, sandwich construction, really solid ski, and perfect flex for me (5ft 9, 160lbs) for all mountain. Can be found for $250new. I can drive it, but also relax a bit and not get bucked like the G4. I like the old big more than anything currently out and a LOT more than the inspired or nobis after extensive free demo's around the new year. Its a little shapelier than the snowranger, but similar underfoot at 80mm.

Didn't try the Blizzard though as tough to find.

Thanks Comish, sounds good. Not sure about the G4s. I had the 188 (which I only skied 1 time... :rolleyes: ) which was a handful but not too much work.

Has anyone skied the Stormrider XL? Likewise the Axis XP? Looks as if they could be two for the shortlist too.

Another ski to consider is the Volkl 724 Pro. I got a good deal on these last fall and have skied them all year. I have been very impressed, they are great in pretty much every condition. Rail on groomers, good grip on ice, really good in powder too. Plus they absolutely tear the shit out of crud, a real blast to ski.

I have these, some beater line darksides, and if i can find a pair of fatties my quiver will be complete.

I'm on an XP. It's a pretty good all around ski. It's a bit sketch in thaw / freeze type snow, but other than that it's a good board.

What do you plan to mount the Freerides on?

Quote:

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Originally posted by bad_roo
What do you plan to mount the Freerides on?

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Probably some 180 AK Launchers. I think I will be able to get some pretty cheap and already have skins that should fit.

Right now the quiver I am leaning towards is:

* something vast (still hoping for some of the Dynastar Pro skis)
* 180 Lawnchair with Freerides
* 184 Stormrider XL

There will also be a whopper tele ski in there (most likely a Fat Al :) or Telepath M103s)

This all depends on what I can get cheap though. Would rather have had the sheckles in time for a bit more skiing (I get them in the middle of April, right when my MA dissertation is due...)

I might suggest some caution toward the blizzard titan 8.2's. Telenater is taking his second pair back due to durability issues (delam and blown edge).

G40/41/4/724ax4 is a solid ride, try the 178 vs. 188 though, the longer length might be too much for manuvering.

How about the new Volkl Karma?

Karma will not have metal in it... the T-Rock will be a tele version of the Karma with more rounded flex and less twin.

has anyone suggested teh possibility of a rossi double x? i know rossis aren't all that popular here cause they're hella NOT durable, but I have a pair and although they get core shots purty damn easily, they're great for crud.
peace
-john

Quote:

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Originally posted by Mulletizer
Has anyone skied the Stormrider XL? Likewise the Axis XP? Looks as if they could be two for the shortlist too.

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I'm on the stormriders and I'm loving them. I've spent the past three years struggling with some soft Fischer Alltrax 74 which only got softer with time, and I absolutley love the stiffness of the stocklis. The only issue would be if you could find them cheap enough. I got mine from a local shop for 590 USD, you might be able to do better in europe. Oh yeah, they're a bit of work in the moguls, but I've never skied a ski that hasn't been "a bit of work" in the moguls, so it's probably the fact that I just suck.

I'm about 5'11", 150# and I'm on the 174s, which is enough for me, and anyone who isn't an absolute beast.

Quote:

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Originally posted by seldon
has anyone suggested teh possibility of a rossi double x? i know rossis aren't all that popular here cause they're hella NOT durable, but I have a pair and although they get core shots purty damn easily, they're great for crud.
peace
-john

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I am trying to avoid foam-core skis. I had a pair of XX a few years ago. After 30 days the camber was flat and after 40 days there was no springiness left in the skis. They were a great crud ski though, which is why I think I am looking for something roughly the same shape.

Swisspow: good beta, thanks. I think I can get them cheaper than that but not dirt cheap. We'll see. :)

Hadn't checked out the karma - will give it a look. Might be avoiding next season's skis from a cost point-of-view...

Do you mind if I ask where you can get the Stormriders for cheaper?

Thanks.

Regarding the choices you have narrowed down to:

Stormrider XL- I demoed this ski and fuckin' loved the thing. Stiff, fast, durable, tested the 184 and it have just the right mix of dampness/ spring for edge hold/ pop. The only reason I didn't buy these was that the shop wouldn't budge on price.

Volkl 724 pro- Own a pair and skied on them all year. Have em in a 177. With less sidecut but softer than the XL's, they skied very similar. The only worry with these is the full cap vs. ABS sidewall. This has been an issue for me having some edge damage I can't fix myself but could If I had a traditional sidewall. Might take a little search to find this model without the motion system. Two thumbs up for an all day ski.

Volkl G40/G41/G4/AX4- Own a pair of these (G4) and to tell ya the truth, they've sat on the back-burner to the Pros almost all year (when it has seldomly dumped I've been grabbing my 190 Launchers, which I have a soft spot for even though I treat them like dirty whores). This would be my close-to-do-all ski out West but not out here.

I would definitely check out the Dynastar Legend 8000 or 8800, I like the look of the construction on those.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Lunch
Do you mind if I ask where you can get the Stormriders for cheaper?

Thanks.

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Either the Stockli factory shop in Switzerland or from a friendly shop owner in France. I won't pay near to retail but guess that if it is that popular a ski I won't get an amazing deal either. Come to think of it, I also know someone who is spancered by Stockli :) (not DP, although I did once meet him on a bus...) And they are already on sale at T-P.

Trainvain: sounds good. I think I am sold on the Stocklis if I can get them cheap enough.

180 (178) G4 shouldn't be too much work. I'm 1" taller and 5 lbs heavier and ski the 188 cm G4 everyday.

drC