I ❤️ witQuote:
Originally Posted by mortimer
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I ❤️ witQuote:
Originally Posted by mortimer
Has anyone skied both the Deathwish and Blank?
I have 187cm Billy Goats (and have loved the 184s in the past) as my deep day pow skis, but they’re not so exciting on a day with <6 inches of snow or say the day after a storm where I’ll be skiing some steep bumps but then also hiking for an untracked lap at some point during the day.
Then for firm days, I have 186 Enforcer 104s that I also love—find them plenty stable for 95% of my skiing while also being pretty maneuverable and easy to slide the tails around in moguls. However, if I came across a good powder stash, I’d wish I was on a different ski.
What I’m looking for is something that can come close to the Enforcer 104s on firm snow, in terms of decent edgehold, easily able to release the tails, and not too jarring if I hit firm snow, but can also do a solid job if I find powder, or more specifically, at handling either wind or sun-affected powder that’s common in the day(s) after a storm in Tahoe.
Tried 188 Rustler 11s in this role for this year and found the tails too grabby for me on firm snow, plus found the ski to feel a bit too sluggish in weird steep moguls.
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day after a storm is one of the BG strengths. you sure about thatQuote:
Originally Posted by Skeeze
Depends what mountain we’re talking about—generally where I ski, day after the storm means firm chop/moguls and maybe a little powder. I’m as big of a BG fan as anyone but they’re not as good as other options on firm snow.Quote:
Originally Posted by margotron
So I bought some Duke PTs with the 100mm brake that I thought would fit on my 112mm Blanks. They don’t really. They are 100mm brakes. Maybe could go to 104mm?
Plus I hate re-mounting.
Started looking for a ~100mm Duke PT 16 ski….
I just measured the new 176cm QST 98 against the 178cm Blank.
Exact same length. WTF.
176 98 = 178 Blank
So f’d. Especially when it’s the same company.
Also the new 98 has same amount of savage tip/tail rocker as the 112 Blank. Basically it’s a narrower Blank.
I think I would like it.
Maybe they really changed the QST 98 (99?) since I owned it 3 years ago, but I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. It was the opposite of damp. I liked the 106 and still own the 118.
It’s completely changed. Very Blank-like.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beder
Got a bit of a refresh at Whistler. 6-8” of new snow over a few days, not deep/blower but decent.
Spent most of the weekend on either the Enforcer 104 Free or the Salomon Blank.
I think the Blank did everything better. I find the E104 super easy to ski. The Blank is easier.
How about Blanks vs Enforcer 110s? Anyone with experience on both? I have E104s and like them. The 110s seem like an easy choice for deeper days, but the Blanks sound fun and something new (to me).
Owned a 191 Enforcer 110, 186 and 191 Enforcer 104, and 186 Blank. Enforcer 110 is easier to ski than the 104. A tad softer and way more surfy. They are a bit more damp, too. Still really capable on groomers. Best in fresh and deep. Not my favorite in crud.Quote:
Originally Posted by PJG
Blank is a much more fun and playful ski. Definitely quicker. The Blank has a lower speed limit. Not having metal, makes a big difference. I love them in low angle or tight quarter. I could see them being a good, playful powder ski complement to the Enforcer 104.
This is perfect. Thank you. In the market.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandit Man
Is everyone still stoked on the Blank after finishing out the season? Any reason to move on and if so, what would you replace it with? This thread was pretty quiet after early February.
It’s a playful resort powder ski that can ski the entire mountain. Not demanding but can be pushed fairly hard. Not a floppy noodle. Great in trees and tight spaces. If I didn’t have a 192 MFree108, I might have skied mine more.
Great ski…what Bandit said.
178cm skied too short so I sold. Really liked the ski. With its extreme rocker profile, should be 182 and 190 sizing (not 178 and 186).
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Sorry I’m back for more opinions. Anyone have thoughts on the Blank compared to the K2 Reckoner 112? I like the idea of a little less weight for days with a lot of side stepping and inbounds booting.
This thread doesn't need another rave review, so I'll just say Salomon is killing it lately. There was a thread once about a two ski quiver from one brand. The QST 98 and Blank would be a candidate.
This from a guy with a quiver of directional skis from Volkl, Nordica and Blizzard.
To follow up on my post, I went with the Blanks. Really enjoyed them on my first day of the year with about 12-15” of fresh. Looking forward to rest of the season.
I’d say all 4 companies you listed are killing it. Any of them have a 2 ski quiver most people would be really happy with.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beder
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We're in a golden age....most companies are putting out great skis. Just like mountain bikes.
I’m out of a mountain town for a few winters, but plotting my return, and am down to the Kastle ZX108 as my widest ski. So I’m trying to figure out what fat ski would round out my quiver. There are just so many good skis right now. Blank, Sender Squad, BO118 (or what ever it’s called this year), Protos, Rustler 11, the 115 wide Nordica, Moment has 3 skis over 115 that are awesome, Kastle now has a semi-affordable fat ski. So many good skis.Quote:
Originally Posted by thejongiest
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So I tried to order a QST 106 and fat fingered a QST Blank instead.
Didn’t realize until they arrived in the mail.
I want a 189 QST 106 for my daily driver, and have a Atomic Backland 117 for deeper days.
I’m going to sell the Blanks and order 106’s.
UNLESS someone can talk me into keeping the BLANKS over buying a 106.
I hear the new QST is a skinnier Blank. Probably better to have the 106 if you have the 117.
What length Blanks? You should probably keep them. They are really good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
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Yeah the new 106 is similar, but I'd say it's snappier / more lively than the blank.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandit Man
This. Just got 194 Blanks and rode them for the first time yesterday in the Tetons. Fucking incredible. Keep them.Quote:
Originally Posted by skibrd
QST 106's arrived in the mail today.
I'll mount up the 106's, and most likely sell the Blanks.
What size Blanks? Did you end up mounting/riding them? I assume, no.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
I'm going back and forth between Blanks and QST 106 for my DD.
186.Quote:
Originally Posted by SnowMachine
You sending them back, or selling them? Would you ship? Price?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
PM sent.Quote:
Originally Posted by SnowMachine
Got to take the 194 out as my tele set up this weekend before I blew up a binding.
I don't remember ever vibing so well with a ski the first time out ever. Super stable because of the flex-to-weight ratio, even with the short EE and tight radius (which I friggin love). The rocker/taper makes it easy to transition turn to turn in tight spots, knee drop lead changes included. I think the pop they give out of a turn helps a lot with this. Definitely the best compromise between pow/chop/tree, chargability, nimbleness, and groomer performance I've been on, at least with snow that is at least somewhat soft (it is 112mm after all). Can't wait to blast these things around in a foot of fresh and it's aftermath.
If anyone out there's lookin' for a tele freeride ski. This one goes. It made me feel like a much more capable skier very quickly. Some supersain shit for sure.
Picked up a pair of 194s mounted on the line with STH3s as a resort ski, I'm 6'3 210, I have been on 188cm QST106s with shifts for 3 seasons and wanted to pick something up for the resort/fresher days. These things are so fun! Agree with beeshbeesh - instantly clicked with them. I was worried that 194 would be a lot to handle, but I find they feel easier to link turns in the steeps and moguls together than my 106s. Have had a great deal of fun blasting through/over skiied out chop on them the past few weeks, looking forward to the first deep day. Can't recommend highly enough.
I have some 186 QST BLANKS in plastic that I will be listing locally this week.
Just trying to get my $600 I put into them back out. Not a killer deal in TGR standards , but they should go quick locally.
Figured I'd put it out here before I list them locally.
Shipping from 81620, can get shipping quotes if you PM me an address.
Dee Hubbs, Can you PM me? I am not able to PM yet and I am interested.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
I cant PM you yet either.Quote:
Originally Posted by maverick1099
Send me an email though my Craigslist ad I just created:
https://rockies.craigslist.org/spo/7569945622.html
I just purchased a pair of these, 186. Took 2 test runs on a coworker’s pair mounted on the line. They felt fine. But curious if any of you have skied them mounted forward of the line and how you liked them? I vastly prefer my 106 mounted +1.5.
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Do you have the old or new 106? The 186 Blank skis so short that unless you want to ski/land switch, I don’t see why you’d want to move the binding forward, unless you want LESS float on deep days.Quote:
Originally Posted by altacoup
I have the old 106 (green ones). I’ll probably mount my blanks on the line with a CAST set up. Seems like it’ll make for a very versatile travel ski.
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I had a few seasons on the the 106's (2018 Orange model), they were mounted at +1.
With my new 106's (2023 White model) I mounted them on the recommended line, and I feel like that is the correct spot, and wouldn't want to go any further forward.
The Salomon guys who ski both 106's and Blanks have mounted both pairs at the same point and have been happy.
+1, the Blanks ski short. I have 194s and have them mounted -1 and find that to be excellent. Personal preference. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandit Man