Skiadvice - again

**KANUTTEN** · 01-17-2005, 06:07 AM

My old XXX's are about to be retired. They have freerides mounted and are my everyday ski. My new ski will complement a pair of DB Tabla Rasas (

) and a pair of G4's for combinationdays piste/offpiste (if I am able to fix the 20 cm edge dislocation I inflicted on them this saturday). The use will be allround off-piste, lots of trees and tight spots, + touring. They should be flexible enough to be manouvrable in tight spots, yet stable enough to take substantial speed and crud when needed. Lightweight is appreciated. In terms of "burlyness" a step up from the XXX's is a good idea.

What I think will be the best solution is to get a pair of old Ak Launchers. Light, stable, yet really flexible. I tried them this weekend, and like them a lot, especially the crudeatingability. But where can I get a hold of a pair (188 - I live in NOrway) The Bro's are bound to be recommended here. I have a hard time deciding if it is a good fit, and whether the stiffs or softies would be best. I guess DB surreals are also a thought, but my bankaccount doesn't really need a second pair of DB's.

I am 5.11, 170 pounds, pretty aggressive, but the G4's are a bit too much work for me when space is confined.

Ideas much appreciated, and please forgive the tedious question.

**Telepath** · 01-17-2005, 06:18 AM

Honestly, unless you WANT a pair of skis with Freerides on them (I guess you're putting regular binders on the TR's?) you wouldn't need any more skis once you get the tablas. In anything deeper than 5cm you'll be using those anyways; and on hard stuff (while still being kinda ok in softer/crud/etc) the G4 is hard to beat. Just my thoughts though.

If you need a Freeride mounted ski Surreals would be one of the better options for sure; but pricey and in my opinion not a stand-alone bestever performer like the Tabla. Old Lawnchairs are good (but narrow), as are Tankers. If hard-snow usefulness is not THAT important there's the Sugar Daddy, BRO's (as you said, and a cool ski to have in Norway I'd think

) and a bunch of others.

**KANUTTEN** · 01-17-2005, 08:08 AM

I do need a touring ski with freerides.

Also, if you know Hemsedal, it is hard to find an area with more dense treeskiing. I.e not so much speed, quicker responsetime and more turns. I don't know if the Tablas will work well there. If they do; great. But my feeling is that a softer ski would be better. One thing is for sure; the G4's absolutely suck in that kind of conditions.

Another thing is the good width for skinning. I think 90mm is about right. Wider skis and you start to struggle in traverses. So a light, medium stiff ski about 90 mm underfoot is what I am thinking. The Launchers are really light. And if you can find them, they are cheaper. The Tankers i think might be too heavy, and maybe too stiff also. B3's are no gos. Legend 8800 maybe, but they are heavier then Launcher. Seth pistols, maybe. Havent skied them. I don't think the list of suitable skis is too long, actually.

**Meathelmet** · 01-17-2005, 09:25 AM

Well, i guess this makes me now a pimp...

BD Havocs.

183cm. 120-88-114. Turn radius 23m(?). Light. Stiff.

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showt...ighlight=havoc

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showt...ighlight=havoc

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showt...ighlight=havoc

Of course, there are lot of skis that would/could suite you. This is just one of them, and a familiar one to me.

**Red Baron** · 01-17-2005, 12:17 PM

This is too funny; I have a pair of 190 AK Launchers sitting right here; that are about to be shipped back to their owner. I won an ebay auction for a pair of 160 AK Launchers, for my girlfriend to use as a pow ski, but when they showed up, they were 190 long!!!

So, I'm about to send them back to the company I got them from - I can hold off on that if you're interested. I'm in them a total of $80, so I'd take that, plus you tell me how and pay for shipping, and they are yours...they are well used, here are some pix...

And the requisite core shot/edge damage....

Same offer applies to anyone else on the board, $80 +shipping; I'm sending them back on Thursday if no one grabs 'em.