Need some advice on fat skies

[Hicks]

I am looking for s.th. fat to enlarge my quiver for next season. Since no Explosives are available over here any more, I need your help to make the choice.
I'm not a big dude (5'10'', 175 lb.), solid skier, not overly agressive though. Like to ski steeps in any conditions, so a torsionally stiffer board with good edge and ice grip is preferred over soft flexing. Besides that maneuverability is at bit more important for me than hauling-ass capability. So far I considered one of those (tip, mid, tail, length):

Scott Santiago Mission (130, 90,116, 183)
Santiago Pure (132, 92, 118, 188)
K2 Apache Chief (126, 98, 116, 181 or 188)
Atomic Sugar Daddy (125, 99, 117, 183)
Head Mad Trix Mojo (well, I'm not sure about this one)
Stoeckli Stormrider DP

Have no clue about the Voelkl Sanouk yet.

Any comments/ideas/recommendations/experience that help?
Thanks!

[Idris]

Beg Mtnlion for some CMH explosives in a 180

[Hicks]

Thanks, Tom, I can try that one, although I 'm wodering what the shipping alone would cost me.
Since you ski a lot of steep stuff, any comments on the selection above, especially length and underfoot width? Right now I rather tend to not going too wide.
Hope you have a blast in PA.

[Viva]

There's a place in Shasta City that has the Stormrider DPs, from a season or two ago, for cheap. If you're interested, lemme know.

[Dr. Crash]

Please, don't tempt me, Viva. How cheap? A 186 cm?

drC

[verbier61]

shipping CMH to europe can be painfully expensive.... but you might pick them when travelling in US.
If you do not like soft flex, stay away from Shanouk (they're gotamas with a swallow tail). Looks like stormriders or sugar d might be your cup of coffee

[tywhy]

i vote for the k2s, 181 if you dare since you're not into huge speed and want something to turn a little quicker.

[Hicks]

Thanks for all your input so far folks.

I think I won't be in the Western US in the near future and therefore not be able to pick up any skies there, so I have to admit defeat to Crash for the Stormriders (lousy piggybacker, yo ). Great ski from what I've heard so far, not sure if it might be a bit too long for me at 186. I came from 187 before and wanted to go shorter. Nonetheless will ask mtlion for some explosives, too.

Currently I'm skiing on 1080s, Apache might be another choice.
Something in the 181 to 183 range would prolly fit best for me -now should I stay 90 underfoot or go wider for my purpose? Is sidecut an issue?
Please discuss!
Thanks

[verbier61]

you're on 1080? they're SOOOO SOFT! so maybe you'll like gotamas-shanouk. Anyway, my best 2004 experience with matos of the size you talk about was with B3. OK I know they're not sexy at all (grey layout, plenty for rent, etc) but they were AWESOME, my best pick for a one-ski quiver. I'd just suggest you a B3 demo (should be easy) before any buy. BTW, you might find a good sale of a 2003-4 version

[tywhy]

go FAT. you'll love em in the soft snow.

[AltaPowderDaze]

I ride the Stockli Scot Schmidt Pro DP's in a 194. My setup is for backcountry also since I have Freerides mounted on em. They are an extremly tortionally stiff ski and longitudinally stiff, but not as stiff as some atomics out there. Nothing but stable at high speeds and lands well. The only draw back about them is the of camber. This means if you need pop for takeoff you better get it from your legs and not your skis. It is an adjustment coming from any softer ski, but one that you can get used to. The only thing I'd tell you to do is get used to take offs with em before you hit a gap. Guess I'm learning the hard way.

[AltaPowderDaze]

I'm looking for a set of skis to play around on in the resorts. nothing shorter than 188 and no narrower than 92mm waist. I need a tortionally stiff ski that rides well in most conditions, but takes off and lands well. Any ideas? I'm looking at Gotama's, Explosiv's, and Pistol's. No experience with any of them. I have ridden and liked the nobis 188's, but need more width.

[mntlion]

talk to me if you want some 180 or 190 CMH volkls
$200 for most pairs
$300 for like new

[Hicks]

Originally posted by tywhy
go FAT. you'll love em in the soft snow.

I'm sure that's true, but what about a really steep pitch when encountering hard snow?

[PlayHarder]

I'm sure that's true, but what about a really steep pitch when encountering hard snow?

talk to me if you want some 180 or 190 CMH volkls

[Hicks]

Originally posted by PlayHarder

Already did, thanks.
So your vote is in favor of those sticks.

[PlayHarder]

I'd vote for the explosives without a doubt, it seems like the new fatties are going with more and more sidecut and less and less stiffness

[verbier61]

Originally posted by Hicks
Already did, thanks.
So your vote is in favor of those sticks.

If you've the money, IMO B3 are more enjoyable than CHM. Why don't you demo by the beginning of the season?

[Hayduke]

Definately Stoekli. I've got two pairs of these puppies, DP's & XL's and I probably won't ski on anything else ever again.

[Hicks]

Hmmmmm, let's summarize so far:

1 for Stoeckli DP, B3 each and 2 for Explosives, what an overwhelming vote. Again I'm not a big fella so the length on the DB and B3 might be a bit too much for me, the 180 on the explosives sound just right.

BTW talked to a ski shop owner who spends the whole winter in the Alps about the Missions and Apache Chiefs. He skied and sells both and his general comments: Both are stiff sticks and very recommendable, the Chiefs are a bit better in deep pow due to less sidecut and bigger underfoot, the Missions are more versatile and maneuverable but you need to be constantly on your game when skiing it fast in deep pow though.

[Clack]

???

[Yossarian]

Phat skies!

[basom]

there's a vien on that cloud up there, its bleeding on me man.

[Hicks]

Originally posted by Idris
Beg Mtnlion for some CMH explosives in a 180

Just sealed the deal with him, thanks.

[snorkeldeep]

good call.. mntlion is the man!