04/05 Gotama Beta

I know we've heard most of this already, but I got to talk to a Volkl rep today while drooling over gear in a local shop.

They've made 4 major changes to the ski:
1) Double thick base
2) Double thick edges
3) Thin strips of titanal along the topsheet edge
4) Laminated instead of solid wood core

This year's ski had bases that were way too thin. My skis have gotten eaten up, even by Kirkwood standards. So number 1 is good.

I don't know why they went with a double thick edge, since I haven't heard about cracking problems. Maybe he mispoke and meant to talk about the sidewall.

The titanal actually doesn't do much to stiffen the ski. It was added to prevent the topsheet from ripping/chunking off. Now when you clip the topsheet on something, said something hits titanal.

Number 4 actually had me the most intrigued. I really, really like the way the Gotama skis this year. It has this sweet flex that allows you an insane amount of control in pow. Essentially you can decamber the ski just enough that you get a spatulaesqe feel; but at the same time it's stiff enough underfoot that it's pretty much skiable in all sorts of stuff. That said, I think it could stand to be a touch stiffer. Just a touch. I didn't mention this to him until after I heard the following. I asked him how it skis compared to this year's, and he mentioned that it's right around 10% stiffer and has an even better progressive flex.

Frankly, I can't wait to get a warranty pair. They've pretty much addressed every gripe I had whether it was major or minor. Considering that the Spatula is gone next year, this could be the pow ski to beat.

i've currently entered conservation mode with mine. i don't wanna have to send these ones back in.

but yes, the stiffness could be kicked up a notch.

I thought the titnal did make a bit of a difference in the stiffness, it wasn't night and day, but noticeable IMHO.
Double-thick edges, likened to Iggies, just more girth to em = more durability.
The combo of the titnal stripss and the laminated core, should help a few folks who delamed. or ripped the topsheets out.

Mucho improvement on an already solid ski.

I think I just found what fat ski I want for my quiver. :)

solid ski ? i hope you meant as in good not as in not easy to blow the wooden sidewall ?