Shortlist of tree-run skis

[Brock Landers]

Look for something with a minimal sidecut. The more sidecut, the more I feel like you get hooked into a turn and the tougher to get out of the turn. Even the reverse sidecut- its easier to whip around on a swivel in the trees but not sure if youll like them overall so make sure to demo first. I disagree with Leroy comparing ski widths to how easy they are to turn (wide skis easier)- I think its way more based on flex and where the flex in the ski is. Youre not going to get going real fast in the trees (comparatively speaking to a bowl or groomer) so factor that in when thinking about stiffness.

Im not sure what the trees are like in Sweden- how tight, steep, how tracked out theyll get after a few bottomless runs. The Salomon Gun is the newer Pocket Rocket. Try and find a new or newer one- they can get "flexed out" pretty fast and lost their pop (whatever pop they had). Good, easy ski but dont push it too hard. Id take the Gotama over the Mantra, and with your low weight I dont think you need to go overboard on length or width- but if you can handle it, additional float wont hurt. Good luck.

[beaterdit]

Without reading the whole thread, I'd recommend the Nordica supercharger blower 185 or 193. The ski is a little soft for the speed I like to carry but due to this and the generous sidecut, it's VERY nimble in the trees. Obviously the shorter lenth would be more so. Also, at 110mm under foot, it's got pretty decent float. Overall a versatile ski.

[Sockerfarsan]

Without reading the whole thread, I'd recommend the Nordica supercharger blower 185 or 193. The ski is a little soft for the speed I like to carry but due to this and the generous sidecut, it's VERY nimble in the trees. Obviously the shorter lenth would be more so. Also, at 110mm under foot, it's got pretty decent float. Overall a versatile ski.

I'll second this! Very forgiving and fun skis at medium speed, the twin (and sidecut) makes them hook a bit though.

You can get the 185 silly cheap in europe, brand new 06/07 for less than €200.

[Trasselkalle]

Thanks for the constructive comments. Starting next week, I'm off to ski for the next two weeks or so and now have a fair grip of alternatives to check out (and know why people have liked them previously). We'll see what fits me best then.

[Wetdog]

Just demoed the 183 Prior Overlord at Whitewater, Nelson. The only powder left was in the trees. They were amazingly maneuverable in even tight trees at 114 in the waist. It is not the dimensions of the ski, it is the design. My longest, widest ski, 195 Praxis is also my best tree ski.

[BushwackerinPA]

My best fresh powder tree skis is by far my 192cm Thugs (140-121-131) its just so easy to pivot and very predictable....

now if its skied out and bumped out I go to my 179cm Public Enemies