looking for Mid-fat...(ski, not chicks...)

[Jeffro]

Hey All,

I've been out of the skiing game for a couple of years and I'm looking for a new pair of "do everything" skies (impossible I know, but with a limited budget, you buy and hope for the best). In the past, I've had a quiver, but now that all my old skies are pretty out-dated and I'm no longer getting pro-deals, it has to be a quiver of one.

I'm 185 lbs, 6'0", former racer (for those that it means something to, USSA GS points 120's, slalom 130's...FIS 180's for both back in mid 90's) former ski patrol. Several >100 day seasons under my belt. Stopped racing just as "shape" skies were coming onto the market, feel like I got a pretty good handle on two ski, wide stance carving technique. Boots will be Nordica Grand Prix. My last skies were K2 Merlin IV...getting older sucks, I used to be cool.

Like skiing everything, but leaning more and more towards off-piste...love powder and trees, big arcs on groomers in the morning and maybe some bumps or terrain park in the afternoon if there isn't enough snow to hit the BC. Not afraid of air, still comfortable with 10-20 foot clifffs. Looking to learn more new-school air (the venerable backscratcher, daffy and helicopter seem a little too dated), not really into sliding rails (at least not on good skies) but willing to take my lumps to learn. Will be skiing in the southwest, closest area has 2500 ft vertical, intermitent snow, great BC if the snow is there. Typically corn/crud most of the season. (like my personal add? want to ski with me some time? I also like walks on the beach with big breasted women...apply if you are one )

Looking at Legend 8000, 8800, Metron m:11, M:ex, K2 Recon, right now, but pretty much all I know is the marketing hype.

Will consider a fatter ski, but as my days this season will be limited by work and I can't control conditions I may have to endure more groomer runs than I'd like...thus the mid-fat


Thanks in advance...flame on

Jeffro

[verbier61]

ask mtlion for a pair of his xplosives (cheapest option) or
- karhu jacks from evogear at 199.00
- Rossi B3. Not cheap as above, but my best pick for a one-ski quiver

[Mcwop]

Atomic M:ex may be a good choice - but not on rails. You'll just hurt your balls on those things anyways.

[hyasakyte]

Volkl G4's (if you can score a new pair somewhere. Ebay?) or the Volkl 724-AX4 (replaced G4).

Killer all-around ski, but prolly too stiff for the park.

Just my $.02

[verbier61]

ask mtlion for a pair of his xplosives (cheapest option) or
- karhu jacks from evogear at 199.00
- Rossi B3. Not cheap as above, but my best pick for a one-ski quiver

GOSH I didn't read you wanna go to the park! mmmmmm I should say
rossi scratch..... don't like them so much
PocRock..... prolly too noodly for you
Pistols..... never seriously tried

c'mon forgive the park and go on the mountain. And, if you can wait for the BRO, wait for the BRO

[milkman]

Volkl G4 (724/AX4) . Best "do it all" ski I've ever been on. From powder to hardpack, it rips. Stiff race construction will make you feel right at home.

[Canuk]

Not one comment about using the search function? Not a single 'jong'ing'? What's going on here? Are we getting soft?

nothing to add....going back to work now.

[Jeffro]

Will definitely look at the Vokel...

The terrain park for me is more of last-ditch place to go when everything else on the mountain sucks...however I do have the crazy idea to add a backflip to my arsenal of tricks, and the park may be the best place to get that...

That being said, I would much rather have a stiffer ski, can't stand noodles. Have heard the the Jak is pretty soft....

I may have a line on deals at REI (they have the Legend 8000, K2 Recon, and Atomic M:ex...not sure about Vokel) so anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks for not replying with "use the search function" (I have...good info, but not much in terms of specifics)

Jeffro
(aka el Hefe)

[PacRimRider1]

buy an oct powder mag. sbcSkier also has a damn good gear guide (vol. 4 iss. 1) if you can find it. My recomendations:

stockli stormrider xl
elan 777
dynastar Lp's (not '05)/super nobis
head m75's/85's
DB R's (if youve got the cheddar, I hear theyre fantastic)

all race like construction/preformance that I got a feeling youre looking for.

[Billow]

selling

[homerjay]

Stay the hell out of the park and buy Billow's Stockli's

[Duker]

I like the Inspired/legend 8800. Very solid all moutain board, Light enough to take to the BC. However I ended up with the G4. Best all moutain board out there, IMO. Heavier and stiffer than the legends but a tad more solid. Both good skis if ya get a deal I wouldnt think you'd go wrong with either.


Other Suggestions:
Atomic R:ex
Rossi B3
Volkl karma

[fubar]

You want a solid all-mountain performer in a mid-fat I would have to say go with the K2 Recon.

The Recon is basically the K2 Axis XP of the last two years, which was an amazing all around ski... 115-78-105... decent float, quick turns, good at speed, good in the bumps, and could bust crud.

If you could only have one ski in your quiver this would be it.

As always... in my humble opinion of course.

[Alek]

On ebay right now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT

[Ski Beaver]

Alek, nice find, that is looking like a great deal for someone.

Let's see if there are any snipers.

[Plakespear]

Snow Rangers for cheap

These are used, but I have a pair and love them. Starting bid of $.99. Nice pair of spare/rock skis.

[Jeffro]

This bro you speak of...intrigues me. Tell me more...as I'm too lazy/stupid to do a search.

Jeffro

PS: probably will do a search, but hey more info....really, I'm curious why everyone's so hot on a ski that from what I can tell hasn't come out yet.

[verbier61]

This bro you speak of...intrigues me. Tell me more...as I'm too lazy/stupid to do a search.

Jeffro

PS: probably will do a search, but hey more info....really, I'm curious why everyone's so hot on a ski that from what I can tell hasn't come out yet.

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17750

[supercow]

Volkl G4 is the BEST do everything ski ever! Well, let me say everything except flippy spinny parky type stuff. I want the head of the person at Volkl who decided to phase out that ski!!

[Clack]

go for the vokel skies

[420skier]

So hears the deal very much like you in ski backround not as old and did freestyle not racing but lots of BC action growing up..
I have skiied all the k2s for this year and salomon and nordica and Atomic my favortes and the best ones are The K2 recon and Nordicas SUV series also like the salomon extra hots little soffer and than the k2 the k2 felt more stable on hard groomers than my salomons but dont forget to go smaller than the old days I love my 175 and would neve go bigger unless i skied on helli trips all day long... have a good one and trust me i know i skied them but in the end its all personal prefrance. good luck and any questions let me know. Peace Adam

[FNG]

So much information. So little punctuation.

[Arty50]

I want the head of the person at Volkl who decided to phase out that ski!!

Can I help you play soccer with it?

One more vote for the G40/G41/G4/AX4. I can't say enough about these. Probably the best all around ski ever made.

PacRimRider1 made some great suggestions above. Check out the Head iM85 if you can't find G4s. Supposed to ride similar to the G4, not quite as demanding though.