Touring ski question...

[milkman]

I've been using the CMH Explosive as my touring/backcountry ski for a year now. I've got the 190 mounted with Freerides and use Salomon X-Wave boots. It's a great setup for the downhill, but it's pretty heavy. I mainly only do day tours, but was wondering if using a different ski (like the AK Launcher) would make a big weight difference. I don't want to give up bomber downhill performance, so I'm just looking for a lighter alpine fat that won't break the bank. I'll probably just stick with the Exploder and get a better workout, but wanted some opinions. Thanks.

[glademaster]

The Atomic 10.EX or R.EX is one of the lighter fat skis out there, and is fairly stiff flexing as well. If you don't mind using a soft ski, the PR's are also damn light. The Head Madtrix Mojo is also pretty light from what I've heard, but you could prolly find the PR's or R.EX's cheaper.

It also depends on how wide you wanna go, if you're looking at skis in the 85-95mm range, those 2 are prolly your best bets. If you want something wider, the Atomic Teledaddy/Sugardaddy models are pretty light, as is the Gotama. If you have dough to burn, go with the ultimate in lightweight, some DB Surreals or Tabla Rasa's.

-Ben

[Rascal King]

Originally posted by glademaster
The Atomic 10.EX or R.EX is one of the lighter fat skis out there, and is fairly stiff flexing as well. If you don't mind using a soft ski, the PR's are also damn light. The Head Madtrix Mojo is also pretty light from what I've heard, but you could prolly find the PR's or R.EX's cheaper.

It also depends on how wide you wanna go, if you're looking at skis in the 85-95mm range, those 2 are prolly your best bets. If you want something wider, the Atomic Teledaddy/Sugardaddy models are pretty light, as is the Gotama. If you have dough to burn, go with the ultimate in lightweight, some DB Surreals or Tabla Rasa's.

-Ben

Motherships are a pound lighter than the Pocket Rockets. Check out next year's Line Skogen 86mm waist, super light and nice and stiff throughout.

[glademaster]

I forgot about the Motherships Rascal, plus, he may not wanna buy Lines after what happened with Levinthal on the board, I know that I won't buy Line skis after that incident.

-Ben

[Rascal King]

Originally posted by glademaster
I forgot about the Motherships Rascal, plus, he may not wanna buy Lines after what happened with Levinthal on the board, I know that I won't buy Line skis after that incident.

-Ben

Don't be a fuking moron, what a owner of the company talks smack in his off time should'nt affect what skis you buy. Fuk it.

[crashnburn'd]

Originally posted by Rascal King
Don't be a fuking moron, what a owner of the company talks smack in his off time should'nt affect what skis you buy. Fuk it.

Smack talk is one thing, but when the smack talk concerns his companies policies, thats another thing.

[CantDog]

I'm running 190 Launchers with freerides and atomic boots. The skis are soft, I didnt think I'd have enough knowledge to know a soft ski when i saw it, but its softer than my old 1080s. Its only seen corn and some crap snow/bumps...no powder yet.

The jury is still out. I dont feel 100% confident on it, I'm still getting used to the length in tight stuff. Has done very nicely in corn, and did okay in bumps at mount washington. Seems like when I'm railing--or trying to, it wants to fold under me. We'll see as I get more days on it. I think the REX is a good middle ground to take. Light, fat enough, and stiff.


I never had a setup before this, so I cant comment on the weight. On a 7 mile skin in with about 25 pounds of gear I didnt think it was so bad, but I did sleep very well that night.

[snorkeldeep]

id suggest you spend a year or two on trekkers in race boots (or better yet.. bootpack!) and throw some extra rope in your pack. then your exploders w/ at rig will feel much lighter

[cj001f]

Originally posted by snorkeldeep
id suggest you spend a year or two on trekkers in race boots (or better yet.. bootpack!) and throw some extra rope in your pack. then your exploders w/ at rig will feel much lighter

nah. Just do a hut trip up right (i.e. 1 bottle/person/day). Beer doesn't count unless it's in a keg

[milkman]

Originally posted by snorkeldeep
id suggest you spend a year or two on trekkers in race boots (or better yet.. bootpack!) and throw some extra rope in your pack. then your exploders w/ at rig will feel much lighter

Been there, done that. The freerides are a nice upgrade from my last setup (trekkers, race binders, DH boots) but the Exploders are still pretty heavy. I think I'll just tour on what I've got for now, and may start keeping my eyes open for a super cheap set of used boards if I really start increasing my touring frequency. Thanks for the info guys.