Got some room in my quiver

**shmerham** · 10-18-2004, 01:39 PM

I think this is relatively un-jong-ish as it's been seen before, but I think my variation is unique enough to warrant a post:

I need some help here. I think I want something for here for the occasional eastern powder or crud day. Something in the 80mm-ish size. I live in the east and my quiver is pretty meager. In addition to a pair of racing skis and a pair of rock skis, I have a pair of Dynastar Ski Cross 66's that, unfortunately are good for most days here. I like them a lot in terms of stiffness, maneuverability, perceived weight, etc. I prefer to plow through stuff than dance over it, but I'm only 5'7", 140 lbs, so I need a ski that doesn't take a ton of effort to turn at slower speeds. It's gonna be used in tight trees mostly too, so it's gotta turn on a dime.

Any recommendations for me? I haven't spent much time on skis of that width. I liked the Dynastar Legend 8000. I skied it a couple runs on spring slop and it plowed through that great, but it bounced me around a bit going over firmer, choppy stuff. They were 5 cm shorter than I would've prefered. This is a brand new ski in high demand though and it will command top dollar. Anything else that would be similar? I've also skied the B2 in crusty powder, which just felt way too light for me, even though I thought it skied surprisingly well with the one exception of maching on groomers. The Head im75's on the other hand were just a bit too burly for me. I could ski them no problem, they just took a little more effort than I'd like.

I'm also planning on spending at least 15 days out west this year. Do I pull the trigger and get some fatties? If so, any recommendations there given my tastes in stiffness and weight? What about length for someone my size?

**PlayHarder** · 10-18-2004, 02:00 PM

Just for the hell of it, try a pair of mntlions 165 CMH's. They're cheap enough that you won't lose money if you don't like 'em, but you may surprised by the versatility. Give's you the fatties for the western trip, as a bonus.

**Duker** · 10-18-2004, 02:03 PM

Unfortunatley Two of the best skis THat you are looking for are now out of production. BUT, IF you can find a pair of Volkl G4/Ax4's or Atomic R:ex both stiff skis but they can do it all. If these seem a bit stiff for you take a look at the inspired or Legend 8800 and the K2 Axis xp/apache recon. I Think if you would pick up a pair Similar to any of these skis you would be just fine out west Not sure that you need Uber-fatties for one trip a year out here. Anyway I hope this helps.

DUker

**Theodore** · 10-18-2004, 02:48 PM

If you are goin after the R:EX's search around the internet, there are some good deals on them to be found. Try Altrec and some others.

Z · 10-18-2004, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Duker

Unfortunatley Two of the best skis THat you are looking for are now out of production. BUT, IF you can find a pair of Volkl G4/Ax4's or Atomic R:ex both stiff skis but they can do it all. If these seem a bit stiff for you take a look at the inspired or Legend 8800 and the K2 Axis xp/apache recon. I Think if you would pick up a pair Similar to any of these skis you would be just fine out west Not sure that you need Uber-fatties for one trip a year out here. Anyway I hope this helps.

DUker

good suggestions, R:ex and G4s would be nice....also the Karma could be a pretty nice do it all ski

**shmerham** · 10-18-2004, 06:24 PM

I had been thinking about the g4. A lot actually.

How much stiffer than the Legend 8000's are they? And the R:Ex's and Inspired (softer I know)?

**Tyrone Shoelaces** · 10-18-2004, 06:42 PM

you might want to look at the AK No Ka Oi as well....84 waist...and its one hell of a crud buster. They come in 193, 180 (I think), and I think one more even shorter length....might want to look at the 180-ish length for your height/weight as its a pretty darn stiff ski.

**Duker** · 10-18-2004, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by shmerham

I had been thinking about the g4. A lot actually.

How much stiffer than the Legend 8000's are they? And the R:Ex's and Inspired (softer I know)?

All three are stiffer than the 8000's The G4 and rex seemed to have a similar flex to me. they are definatley up near the top of heap when it comes to stiff skis. Both have uber stiff tails. The inspired has quite a softer flex you'll lose a little bit of crud bust ability but they floated better IMO. Unfortunatley I cant explain stiffness very but I tried. You wont go wrong with either of these skis. look for the good deals. I ALSo think the karma might be worth looking into. I have NO experience with it but Volks are some of my favorites and its not as stiff as the G4 from what Ive heard.
duker

**zion zig zag** · 10-18-2004, 07:37 PM

I can vouch for the inspired. It's a little soft in the tip with a snappy tail. Not as much sidecut as some skis so you can whip out any turn shape. Easy in the trees, rip on the groomed, they ended up being my everyday ski last season.

**ulty_guy** · 10-19-2004, 02:08 AM

also agreed about inspired/little big fats...rock anything soft, but still pretty darn quick when they need to be.

edit- the other really good one would be a volkl v-pro which you can still find around. very little sidecut, great edge hold, but more forgiving than a g4/ax4 which is nice in the trees.

**BakerBoy** · 10-19-2004, 02:19 AM

Originally Posted by Duker

The G4 and rex seemed to have a similar flex to me. they are definatley up near the top of heap when it comes to stiff skis. Both have uber stiff tails.

The G4 and the R.EX might seem to have a similar flex, but they ski completely different. The G4 is solid, damp beast that likes to plow thru everything, whereas the R.EX is very lively, jumpy, and twitchy - not so good in crud. They suit two different skiing styles altogether.

**basom** · 10-19-2004, 06:35 AM

if the im 75's were too much for you i wouldn't be looking at the atomic or the volkl.

**supercow** · 10-19-2004, 08:48 AM

I would nix the idea of 165 explosives, coming from someone who actually has a pair and has skiied them on the EC. Unless you're short I would ski 173 at the shortest. The problem isn't that you won't float or you think you'll overpower them because even at 165 you'll still float and the ski has plenty of power. The problem that you will have with them is that they're so short they get really twitchy, and they feel really weird on your feet since they're SO short and SO fat. They are fun to ski in the trees but if you're skiing lift served pow and crud you're gonna have to ski some groom and bulletproof to get back to the lift and they're just not any fun at all since the explosive is designed to make big ass turns and the 165 size tries to make short turns. A better length would probably be 173. I broke down and just bought a pair of 180's which seem to work just fine even in tight trees.

As for the G4, I would HIGHLY recomend it as probably the best EC do it all ski for those who don't mind skiing mach looney on the groomers, trust me when you set an edge on an icy Northeast slope going 50-60 mph you'll absolutely love this ski, its really like a big stiff GS ski on steroids. Plus it'll handle all the crud and bumps that you can throw at it. As for powder the G4 can do that too but it its over 12" I'm reaching for my Explosives, however how many days do we REALLY get it that deep lift served on the East (Jays snow report notwithstanding)

The REX is a nice ski for someone who isn't heavy/strong enough to ski a G4 or just isn't willing to sack up and ski the G4 and get they're ass kicked until they learn how to ski it. Its much lighter then the G4 and is foam cored. Contrary to popular opinion you can STILL get the REX just in its Tele specific version, I think its called the TMEX? Should work just fine with alpine binders since you can mount AT binders on it. My take on the ski was its much more playful then the G4 it probably tours better then the G4, and would make a great ski for the EC. It'd probably be in my quiver if I had the $$ to afford it.

**Angry Whelk** · 10-19-2004, 09:06 AM

i go bukkake on this entire post. Even in my deep and poluted cavern, i am surround with less shite from bull. This post is drown.

shinjuku, MOTHERFUCKER!

**Referee** · 10-19-2004, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by supercow

The REX is a nice ski for someone who isn't heavy/strong enough to ski a G4 or just isn't willing to sack up and ski the G4 and get they're ass kicked until they learn how to ski it. Its much lighter then the G4 and is foam cored. Contrary to popular opinion you can STILL get the REX just in its Tele specific version, I think its called the TMEX? Should work just fine with alpine binders since you can mount AT binders on it. My take on the ski was its much more playful then the G4 it probably tours better then the G4, and would make a great ski for the EC. It'd probably be in my quiver if I had the $$ to afford it.

Excessive spraying on supercow, 10 yards, loss of down.

"blah blah blah, sack up, I'm a bad ass, blah blah."

puh-lease.

**supercow** · 10-19-2004, 05:09 PM

Supercow is challenging the ruling on the field

Thats such a bullshit call ref, sorry I thought I'd help a guy out seeing as how I live on the EC, I have IN my quiver the 180 Explosive, 165 Explosive and 178 G4, and have skiied the REX. Again I'm sorry I thought I'd actually try to help someone out I guess that isn't what we're all about here

We now return you to your regularly scheduled JONGing and usless crap

**Arty50** · 10-19-2004, 10:00 PM

I'm gonna have to play armchair referee on this one. I own a pair of 188 G4s and 177 R:EXs. They ski very differently. Supercow gave a good description. I definitely prefer my G4s to the R:EXs. Still the R:EX is a good ski.