The Official Great Pacific Octopus Thread

FINALLY! I got out on my 182s a few days ago. Carbon, standard flex. Mounted on the dimple. Skiing them in boney conditions on mostly soft but some reasonably hard groomers as well today. And some soft bottomless snow I am still not sure what it really was. Holiday potatoes may be with rocks thrown in the bottom of the bowl. Lots of options for ringing out the first day on a GPO. Just no fluff and none ofthem really good for any ski I own. Using a TLT6, soft green tongue and no strap. Speed Superlight for a binding. No sure I have gone faster any where out of free fall. No chit. This ski is a HUGE confidence builder. It simply rocked everything I skied, any shape turn, any condition. Keith is bang on the mount point IMO (another surprise for a old trad skier). OH my gawd will they set an edge and hold it at mach what ever! And this is a ski @ 116 under foot?

This thing simply and unquestionably rips some serious chit. I want more snow to take out my 192 GPOs, but the 182 just turned Crystal into a really, really small hill for me. Cut in half actually. Flying and sooooooo very fun. Keith if you are reading this, know I owe dinner and a beer. This is one fiiiiiiiinnnnnnnneeeee freaaakkkkiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnn ski! THANK YOU! Thank you! Thank you! More when I have a minute and a full size key board. Are on the fence about a pair of these? Dude you need to seriously get off the dime! One of the most fun skis I have ever been on.

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Originally Posted by Banquo

Anyone else surprised by how little camber the GPO's have?

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No, IMO the design does not need or want more. I'd have been bummed if they had any more.

BTW - I am declaring the GPO the official ski of my ACL reconstruction rehab process. Turns on edge, smears, scrubs speed - all with ease and confidence. Took it out on the bunny hill day one back on skis just for yucks. Then again, and yet again. Worked my way up to blue groomers on it - woohoo! In all seriousness, that confidence and flexibility is just what the doctor ordered... Plus, laughing at yourself is easy when you are rocking GPOs down "Daisy". Green is the new black. :D

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Originally Posted by spindrift

No, IMO the design does not need or want more. I'd have been bummed if they had any more.

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Not a comment on design - I was surprised when looking at the camber on my UH's and it looks massive next to the GPO's but both are said to be 3mm.

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Originally Posted by Banquo

Anyone else surprised by how little camber the GPO's have?

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at first it was less than I had thought it would be...but then I skied them. They are flawless

Looking at the specs. I'm not really seeing that Praxis is doing something different than other people have already done. Chargier 5 point designs aren't new. And a lot of the reviews I'm seeing here describe ski's that already exist. These just have Praxis patented sidewall gaps.

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Originally Posted by PhiberAwptik

Looking at the specs. I'm not really seeing that Praxis is doing something different than other people have already done. Chargier 5 point designs aren't new. And a lot of the reviews I'm seeing here describe ski's that already exist. These just have Praxis patented sidewall gaps.

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Can't you say that about most ski designs nowadays though? There are the spatula/billygoat/deathwish type outliers where companies put something forward that really steps over the edges of the box, but other than that most new skis are relatively small tweaks on existing designs. Little more camber here, little less rocker there, twin tip vs. square tail, etc. Some people find that the slightest change can make a huge difference in how something skis. Plus the ability to customize flex and layup is fairly unique, especially at the price point that Praxis tends to offer.

I haven't skied them, so maybe you are right and they aren't anything to write home about, but still if you snag them at the spring sale price they are one of the cheaper American made charging skis on the market. And that's a pretty good deal for a ski so many people seem to indeed write home about.

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Originally Posted by PhiberAwptik

Looking at the specs. I'm not really seeing that Praxis is doing something different than other people have already done. Chargier 5 point designs aren't new. And a lot of the reviews I'm seeing here describe ski's that already exist. These just have Praxis patented sidewall gaps.

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As many have noted, the very general dimensions of the GPO - when looked at in 2D and without factoring rocker profile, flex, dampness, etc. in - do not especially distinguish it. But the consistent feedback from pretty much everyone I know of who has skied it seems to be that Keith has the overall recipe of all those factors pretty dialed, in a way others do not. The ski feels to me to be an unusually nice blend of edge hold and looseness. That the GPO was on the first place podium at 3 of 6 FWT venues last year might say something - it isn't like Keith has a Kastle-like marketing budget to "buy" talent. It seems pretty clear Drew and Lars were on those skis because they wanted to be. (no surprise in Drew's case since he designed it with Keith ;))

I've been skiing Praxis skis for a long time - since the first "real" run of Powder Boards. Keith was one of the earlier builders to "get" rocker. - and has been doing rockered designs for a long time. At the start, his skis were bomber but heavy and perhaps arguably a shade rough around the edges so to speak. Now they are bomber and light and consistently nicely built (enough so that a local shop manager who has seen and often drilled my assorted Praxis skis over the years commented, unprovoked, on this exact progression a few days ago). One of my "kids" used to go through skis at a prodigious rate - just skiing them hard. Among the destroyed were EP Pros, Hell Bents, Bent Chetlers, Rocker 2s... Neither the Rocker 2s nor the Bent Chetlers lasted a month or two before they were permanently warped with a notably distorted flex. Now entering season 3 with his original stiff Protests (used as a OSQ). You are certainly welcome to your opinion, but for my .02, I'll take Keith's construction above just about anything else out there regardless of price. At his prices - best deal in the industry IMO.

Can't say I have skied everything out there. I do some demos here and there - so usually play with a few designs other than my little fleet a year. With respect to mainstream designs of "similar" dimensions, I'm hoping to manage a head to head GPO, Automatic, Super 7 day later this year (when we have more snow and I have a more functional knee). But having looked at all of them pretty carefully, I doubt I'll be in any way surprised -- or be at all unhappy with my GPOs. That said, if anyone beats me to it, I'd love to hear the comparisons.

6'3", 185, bsl 335.

I'm also looking to see some comparison write-ups, but the season is early and I know most of you guys have at least five or six pairs of new skis.

To put a reply in to Phiber, it sounds like there might be old-man-sand in yer britches (or if you're like me, bullshit holiday parties that circumcise the mountains and cause head-colds, short temper, and a vague existential angst).

((When I get back to that idea, I think I'll post a review of all the latest ski flicks I've downloaded and watched this week. Does ski porno make holiday season more bearable, or does it just rub cayenne into your oldmansand saddle sores?))

Ever tried to get a patent for a ski or a snowshoe? Don't waste your money or time. There ain't nothing new under the sun. But as the others said, proof is the pudding; and Praxis skis, not to mention the Praxis couture are soooo haute right now. Must be the slick marketing campaigns on _freeskier.com and all the money they're pumping into TGR tent cities.

Now back to the 'puss… Dane1, you've got two pairs mounted in two different locations!! Speak up! The dogs are howlin'...

excuse the side trip, but above remarks made me think of this guy, who definitely wouldn't 'get' the GPO, and certainly doesn't see how it differs from the next cephalopod…

American tourist in Greece kills and eats rare six-legged octopus

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Originally Posted by AyasFreeski

excuse the side trip, but above remarks made me think of this guy, who definitely wouldn't 'get' the GPO, and certainly doesn't see how it differs from the next cephalopod…

American tourist in Greece kills and eats rare six-legged octopus

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Not quite. I just think you guys are putting a horn on thoroughbred and calling it a unicorn. I would certainly "get" the GPO as I have been on a similar ski since last season.

^^^ ON3P does not offer custom flex and choice on carbons
The GPO is quite interesting and I've skied just about everything except BG

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Originally Posted by whyturn

^^^ ON3P does not offer custom flex and choice on carbons
The GPO is quite interesting and I've skied just about everything except BG

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Sure they do. It's call the "Billy Goat Tour," and if you call them, they can accommodate stiffer or softer flexes.

Spindrift: if your bsl is around 310 and you're interested in trying some 191 BGs, we can swap at Stevens sometime over my Christmas break (12/21-1/06). Not sure if your knee is up for it, but it's a standing offer for whenever I'm back in the Seattle-area.

+1 to spindrift's comment about subtleties in a ski's design that are impossible to see on paper.

But also, as a general rule, I think we should avoid talking about how good the pro is when we're talking about a pro-model ski. Just cuz a pro model is designed for/with/by an awesome skier doesn't say anything about the ski. How many comps Tabke was won on the GPO has little to do with how good of a ski the GPO is for the avg skier. Besides, IIRC, Tabke once won a comp on rental gear...

PS. I have no bone in this ON3P vs. Praxis fight. Both make excellent skis.

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Originally Posted by auvgeek

Sure they do. It's call the "Billy Goat Tour," and if you call them, they can accommodate stiffer or softer flexes.

Spindrift: if your bsl is around 310 and you're interested in trying some 191 BGs, we can swap at Stevens sometime over my Christmas break (12/21-1/06). Not sure if your knee is up for it, but it's a standing offer for whenever I'm back in the Seattle-area.

+1 to spindrift's comment about subtleties in a ski's design that are impossible to see on paper.

But also, as a general rule, I think we should avoid talking about how good the pro is when we're talking about a pro-model ski. Just cuz a pro model is designed for/with/by an awesome skier doesn't say anything about the ski. How many comps Tabke was won on the GPO has little to do with how good of a ski the GPO is for the avg skier. Besides, IIRC, Tabke once won a comp on rental gear...

PS. I have no bone in this ON3P vs. Praxis fight. Both make excellent skis.

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BTW not a "Vs. fight". You could insert a few other brands. Just found it peculiarly TGR that a thread goes 22 pages on a ski before most people even ski them.

Thanks auvgeek. I did ski a proto BG a few years back. Quite liked it. That one was apparently a bit softer than what standard production was. Though I think they may have changed the shape a bit since then... Might be interesting to play with one again. Current BSL is 319... so it'd depend on the binding. Just as data, the GPOs I have skied so far are glass 187s.

^^Unfortunately, they're FKS...you *may* be able to fit into them if you don't mind maxing out the FWD pressure (and then some). If you're coming off ACL surgery, it might be a bad idea...

Also: the 12.13 is totally different from the previous generations. They changed the radius, tip shape, etc. Anyway, let me know sometime next week if you want to give 'em a shot. :)

I don't know that anybody has been claiming the GPO is a revolutionary design, it's just dialed differently than alot of similar skis, in a way that I, and most people in this thread seem to dig.

I was on the automatics last season and loved them in the trees, but I found them to get really squirrely when going fast in wide open spaces. Also, the tail has alot of rocker and taper and I found that when I'd get knocked into the back seat I'd be wheelie-ing until I could get my shit back together.

I bought the GPOs in the spring sale because they have very similar dimensions but with a longer turn radius and a nicer looking tail.

I've got 5 days on them at the resort so far and I am in love with them, they are infinitely better in wide open spaces, and what really surprised me is that they don't give up any maneuverability in the trees. They definitely are not as lively as the automatics at lower speeds, but I wouldn't say they are any harder to whip around.

With my early season legs I've been in the back seat a couple times and feel like the tails are there for me and spring me back into the driver's seat.

I don't usually gush about skis like this but these are the first pair I've ever owned that I have been truly satisfied with, and haven't been thinking of how they could be a bit better.

I have heard that the billygoats are very similar skis and can't speak to that as I only owned the first-gens, and really disliked them, but I've heard they're totally different now.

One last thing, I'm super happy with the -2 mount on my 187s, not trying to say that it's any better than on the dimple (haven't tried them there), but I don't see how they could be skiing any better. I always feel like I'm in the sweet spot, which is probably due to the round, even flex and the long, gradual rocker and low camber.

2nd day on my short GPO. On snow that one should have virtually no expectations with a GPO or any other 115mm ski. Soul7 and a RPC are my easy and well known comparisons. Thanks for the "word"...the difference on how I word desribe the GPO is, dialed.

Amazing to me just how well the GPO could be used to great effect even in trying conditions for the initial design intention. My RPC and Soul-7 won't as well. And both are really nice skis. Just not as well dialed imo.

A lot of the GPO stoke may be due to pre season pricing. Easier to get excited about new gear when you're getting a deal. I was all about ON3P and bought 3 new pairs during pre sales including 191 billy goats. Now, full retail prices are just too much for me, so I am the happy owner of 192 GPOs.IME both praxis and ON3P are at the top in terms build quality and customer service.

A question about layup and flex... Was fondling the mid-stiff GPO in fiberglass as well as the medium BC in carbon. By all means not apples to apples but it felt like medium carbon > med-stiff fiberglass in terms of stiffness?

I have skied the 192 fiberglass and I would say it's pretty stiff. Not LP stiff or renegade maybe a step down. But very stable at Mach and inspires you to dial it up a notch. I got carbon this year so can do a comparison. Hoping they will be like my squads which is a good blend of stiffness and pop. Also in the 310 BSL club and anyone around is welcome to try these vs renegade and I have protest as well. I think that the reason these are good is due to drive and speed on groomers but two layer rocker in nose is smooth and float is great. Really can be one to fly to UT with since don't like to fly with 2 pairs

So many great skis and not enough snow down south ;(

I'll chime in here a little bit since I own both 12/13 ON3P BillyGoats (standard layup) and 13/14 Praxis GPO (carbon layup).

First, I love both companies and own multiple pairs of skis from both. Construction quality and durability of both are exceptional (I currently own 5 pairs of Praxis, and bought and sold one additional pair, of vintages ranging from 08/09 to present, and there is not a single sidewall gap to be found).

The BillyGoat, particularly RES is a more revolutionary design. The GPO definitely has a similar design in the tip, but not quite as well developed as the BG. It works 90% as well in soft snow, I would say.

I bought the BillyGoat for resort skiing because I like the damper feel of ON3P's layups for choppy resort snow. I bought the GPO for touring because a carbon, medium/stiff 187 GPO is 0.5lb lighter than a 186 BG Tour AND because I could buy a carbon GPO for $490 during the presale, whereas the BG Tour is $899. The weight difference is noticeable, the price difference was huge.

I have a 187 glass pair in Gear Swap if anyone needs to be temped. Medium + flex.

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Originally Posted by adrenalated

I'll chime in here a little bit since I own both 12/13 ON3P BillyGoats (standard layup) and 13/14 Praxis GPO (carbon layup).

First, I love both companies and own multiple pairs of skis from both. Construction quality and durability of both are exceptional (I currently own 5 pairs of Praxis, and bought and sold one additional pair, of vintages ranging from 08/09 to present, and there is not a single sidewall gap to be found).

The BillyGoat, particularly RES is a more revolutionary design. The GPO definitely has a similar design in the tip, but not quite as well developed as the BG. It works 90% as well in soft snow, I would say.

I bought the BillyGoat for resort skiing because I like the damper feel of ON3P's layups for choppy resort snow. I bought the GPO for touring because a carbon, medium/stiff 187 GPO is 0.5lb lighter than a 186 BG Tour AND because I could buy a carbon GPO for $490 during the presale, whereas the BG Tour is $899. The weight difference is noticeable, the price difference was huge.

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I kind of hate you right now. I keep kicking myself (hard) for not picking up a pair of carbon GPOs for touring with my 30% off coupon during the presale. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Are you on the 186 or 191 BG?

Weird I know, but I think I want a 90 under foot GPO, in glass, for carving the groomers under the lift :)

Hard to believe I just typed that. May be I need some kind of professional help.

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Originally Posted by auvgeek

I kind of hate you right now. I keep kicking myself (hard) for not picking up a pair of carbon GPOs for touring with my 30% off coupon during the presale. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Are you on the 186 or 191 BG?

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186. I could ski the 191, but the 186 is a bit more versatile for me since I live in the CO Front Range and ski a lot of trees and shorter pitches.