2017 Praxis Skis Info and Resource Thread

[galibier_numero_un]

This is surprising to me. Everything I read makes it sound like the BGs are the the shit/near protest in untracked. I love the Qs in untracked and everywhere really. Keep thinking I’m missing out and need BGs but posts like this help me just want to be happy and enjoy my Qs. Soon they’ll be supplemented with protests.

Well, it boils down to how much gear hoarding you're into.

I'm guessing the folks in the PNW(et) may see more an advantage in cut up snow with the BG (over the Q) due to their snowpack. I sense a small (but noticeable) difference here in Colorado snowpack which prompted me to sell my Goats.

Sure, there are some situations where I'll miss them, but how many pairs of skis do I want to load into the car for a given day? As it is, I'm packing my GPOs (mounted with Vipecs) in case I want to do a few sidecountry laps along with my Pivot mounted Q's. I may just move another pair of Vipecs onto the Q's and get back down to one pair of skis in the car for days like this. Installing inserts let's me mess with this until I decide what works ... only to change my mind later of course

... Also I'm surprised nobody has brought it up but Tabke kinda bifted it and seemed to be a little off step on the Q's this yr
They were wonky in compressed packed wet snow or undulating icy areas. Strained my knees a couple times bad

You realize what a silly comment that is, don't you?

... Thom

[CascadeLuke]

This is surprising to me. Everything I read makes it sound like the BGs are the the shit/near protest in untracked. I love the Qs in untracked and everywhere really. Keep thinking I’m missing out and need BGs but posts like this help me just want to be happy and enjoy my Qs. Soon they’ll be supplemented with protests.

All 3 rip untracked, you must own one of them if you get a lot of fresh snow.
They're very close and really my thoughts could change with more time on them. My experience is based on PNW.
BGs are more loose and confident on dense cut up which is imperative for me

[wwwllw]

All 3 rip untracked, you must own one of them if you get a lot of fresh snow.
They're very close and really my thoughts could change with more time on them. My experience is based on PNW.
BGs are more loose and confident on dense cut up which is imperative for me

It seems like a lot of the BG cult resides in the pnw. Also the ski was designed there and probably designed to be skied there. Dense cut up isn’t something I deal with often, but when I do I think of getting billy goats. In my continental snow pack I’m probably good with the Qs and protests for now.

[dschane]

Some members of the quiver have been moved out, and so I pulled the trigger to get the free shipping -- 9D8s, heavy with carbon, #4, 185 cm, bird's eye maple with Tsunami. Should complement my Rx's well; weight will be approximately 8.5 lb -- great for touring (now that my gram counting days are behind me, save summer season where I have some 2400 gram skis).

I've sampled a lot of skis over the last 5 years, and I'm finding that I really appreciate several aspects of more traditional ski design than I would have thought following my first foray into rockered skis many moons ago.

[Self Jupiter]

You’re comparison to the MVP has me intrigued in them. The Dev’s were just too substantial for me as an all day - all mountain ski. I do miss the monster truckness they have but that weight was a lot to lay over at high speeds, and I hate wasting runs going back to the car to switch out.

I have been eyeing up a pair of RX’s for a long time but the MVP’s seem like they would fit my style better.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

I’m about to take a spring trip to Squaw/Tahoe and I’m probably taking the MVP for that reason. I think the Dev is easy to ski, just heavy as fuck, a little more unforgiving and so noticeably heavy it’s tiring. I know we’ll be doing a lot of boot packing etc. with MVP I’ll lose a little on the top end speed capability. And I’ll probably change my mind!

Just wanted to put out there that I think the MVP is a hell of a powder ski for its width. The 193 Floats my 200 lb frame in up to about a 10’’-foot, which surprised me. Pintail, progressive mount and minimal side cut keep it feeling loose and not hooky, good rocker and taper lines but it doesn’t have plow affect. Pops in and out of turns well. Don’t rule it out!

[steveski]

Also I'm surprised nobody has brought it up but Tabke kinda bifted it

When he went down on the cat track at the end of his phenomenonal fwt run my mind immediately thought of the Q asymmetry. Hard to say that it didn't play a factor in that.

[Shu Shu]

MVP is a hell of a powder ski for its width. The 193 Floats my 200 lb frame in up to about a 10Â’Â’-foot, which surprised me. Pintail, progressive mount and minimal side cut keep it feeling loose and not hooky, good rocker and taper lines but it doesnÂ’t have plow affect. Pops in and out of turns well. DonÂ’t rule it out!

All this MVP talk is killing me. I vowed to stay out of the custom fray this year ... Couple years ago it was down to the PJ and the MVP for a no/low snow ski. The PJ seemed like the more sensible choice. No regrets here but the MVP has always been lurking in my brain.

In regards to the Qs performance in cut up, it may never quite equal a BG (can't compare) but im willing to bet that switching to the heavy core will bring it closer. Mine are fkn rocket ships in this. The untracked experience doesnt quite approach Protest but it is fantastic . Groomers are wicked fun bouncing edge to edge and feathering monster slarves, and corn is sublime. After a full season i can definitely say its my favorite Praxis in a quiver of ridiculously good Praxis skis (Protest, GPO, Concept, PJ)

...now about those MVPs

[CascadeLuke]

When he went down on the cat track at the end of his phenomenonal fwt run my mind immediately thought of the Q asymmetry. Hard to say that it didn't play a factor in that.

You and me both. Having my own frame of reference, its very likely. That unfortunate crash on what could've been a famed run on his resume- ends in disappointment. The Q's asym is much more exaggerated than BG btw.

[skuff]

Just wanted to put out there that I think the MVP is a hell of a powder ski for its width. The 193 Floats my 200 lb frame in up to about a 10’’-foot, which surprised me. Pintail, progressive mount and minimal side cut keep it feeling loose and not hooky, good rocker and taper lines but it doesn’t have plow affect. Pops in and out of turns well. Don’t rule it out!

^^^ This ^^^

All this MVP talk is killing me. I vowed to stay out of the custom fray this year ... Couple years ago it was down to the PJ and the MVP for a no/low snow ski. The PJ seemed like the more sensible choice. No regrets here but the MVP has always been lurking in my brain. in a quiver of ridiculously good Praxis skis (Protest, GPO, Concept, PJ)

Do it!

[undertow2]

You and me both. Having my own frame of reference, its very likely. That unfortunate crash on what could've been a famed run on his resume- ends in disappointment. The Q's asym is much more exaggerated than BG btw.

I am gonna disagree on this one... I own both the 194 Q and 193 SG and the Q's tip profile is "more abrupt" while the SGs Asym profile is longer... However, the opposite holds true for the tails...

I saw Tabkes run and to me it just seems his ski caught when transitioning to the cat track...


Sent from my SM-G955U using TGR Forums mobile app

[auvgeek]

Maybe we ought to let alto chime in about his experience with the Q rather than arm chair QB'ing? Just sayin'.

[undertow2]

Come on now that would not be very TGRish...

Sent from my SM-G955U using TGR Forums mobile app

[N1CK.]

I loved my MVP for the two years I had them but they were waaaay too short at 183.

I'm always tempted to get something new. I currently have a 184 Freeride, 187 GPO and 188 og Protest from Praxis, plus a few skis from other mfgs.
Above all else, I want more TIME to ski!

[CascadeLuke]

I am gonna disagree on this one... I own both the 194 Q and 193 SG and the Q's tip profile is "more abrupt" while the SGs Asym profile is longer... However, the opposite holds true for the tails...

I saw Tabkes run and to me it just seems his ski caught when transitioning to the cat track...


Sent from my SM-G955U using TGR Forums mobile app

I dunno man, the Q seems to have more asym shape on both the tips and tails to me. Your photo also seems to support that. Agree Tabke was caught transitioning to the cat track. The rest of the riders all transitioned to cat track successfully

I respect and root for Tabke and even more so that he now seems to be training in WA. I don't expect him to come on tgr and be critical of his product and sponsor/brand. Do you?

[Duffman]

Yeah, I agree. It's been mentioned that there's a Praxis Facebook page with additional photos of completed veneers. Definitely just a sample though.

And damn, there are a lot of new graphics, and even some hippie stuff to spruce up the bases.

Someone said this earlier, but the less involved the graphics, the more the wood veneer comes through. That said, I personally think things tops like Screaming Bear, Bucks Beach, Max, etc. come out looking very sweet on veneers.

I have stained glass trees on my veneer, and despite the lack of white space to really see much of the wood grain , it looks awesome.

Sent from my SM-G930V using TGR Forums mobile app

[PNW_Skier206]

I have stained glass trees on my veneer, and despite the lack of white space to really see much of the wood grain , it looks awesome.

Sent from my SM-G930V using TGR Forums mobile app

Mind posting a pic? I’ve been thinking of going trees on veneer.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[Duffman]

Mind posting a pic? I’ve been thinking of going trees on veneer.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

They are currently packed in a bag to head out to the Bird but I'll get you a pick tomorrow. IMHO they look awesome. Think I did the birds eye Maple, which is pretty durable also.

Sent from my SM-G930V using TGR Forums mobile app

[Duffman]

Some members of the quiver have been moved out, and so I pulled the trigger to get the free shipping -- 9D8s, heavy with carbon, #4, 185 cm, bird's eye maple with Tsunami. Should complement my Rx's well; weight will be approximately 8.5 lb -- great for touring (now that my gram counting days are behind me, save summer season where I have some 2400 gram skis).

I've sampled a lot of skis over the last 5 years, and I'm finding that I really appreciate several aspects of more traditional ski design than I would have thought following my first foray into rockered skis many moons ago.

I agree re: trad design in a 95 to 100 mid fat. I love the Protest / GPO /Q shapes but my crap snow 98 is a Nordica Hell and Back which is super traditional w a flat wide tail and early rise / no taper. I would love something similar for when these are toast, but with a little looser tail for trees and bumps, thinking the 9D8 may fit this role. Any opinions on this ski for groomers bumps and shallow tree pow?

[galibier_numero_un]

Maybe we ought to let alto chime in about his experience with the Q rather than arm chair QB'ing? Just sayin'.

Why would we do that? We're all a bunch of internet experts after all

... Thom

[santaclaus183]

I am gonna disagree on this one... I own both the 194 Q and 193 SG and the Q's tip profile is "more abrupt" while the SGs Asym profile is longer... However, the opposite holds true for the tails...

I saw Tabkes run and to me it just seems his ski caught when transitioning to the cat track...


Sent from my SM-G955U using TGR Forums mobile app

If you listen real close when he is in the finish area waiting for a score you can hear him say "I hit a rock" and then if you watch the crash in super slo-mo you see three or so suspicious little bumps in the snow... How's that for armchair QBing😀

[Duffman]

I'm trying not to be down on Qs. Giving them a pass for me being in between sizes (or maybe 188 would be the ticket).
I did not have protest, while Q. But was A / B ing -- Billy Goats and Q's for a couple months and BGs won. Then bought ProTest to complement BG better. I'm really happy on them. Its a quiver ski and one that's very at home in PNW. Shredded 8-10" mixed to hot pow today toggling between the Pros and BG... so fun

I'd say the Q skis its legth, no shorter

Also I'm surprised nobody has brought it up but Tabke kinda bifted it and seemed to be a little off step on the Q's this yr
They were wonky in compressed packed wet snow or undulating icy areas. Strained my knees a couple times bad

Edit: my experince~ Protest > Q > BG in un-tracked // BG > Q in cut-up

Having skiied OG Protest, Q and GPO the Protest is simply an incredible soft snow shape, doesn't even have to be that deep. I went to the Q because my storm chasing and extended trips out west have been severely curtailed with life ( new babies ) so I wanted something more at home in the crap snow I'm seeing more of. The GPO was a lighter build for more mixed resort and side country use but didn't eat crud like the Protest did . The Q is supposed to be my resort crusher paired w a 98ish daily driver or in a pinch for one ski travel .

Oh and I'm a gear whore and drown my sorrows at skiing less with buying crap [emoji12]

[aragon]

They are currently packed in a bag to head out to the Bird but I'll get you a pick tomorrow. IMHO they look awesome. Think I did the birds eye Maple, which is pretty durable also.

Sent from my SM-G930V using TGR Forums mobile app

Here is a picture of my 194 Q's, Karelian Birch with Stained Glass Trees...



And mounted...

[PNW_Skier206]

Those look real nice. Love the stained trees.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[dschane]

The stained glass tops are hot.

[dschane]

I would love something similar for when these are toast, but with a little looser tail for trees and bumps, thinking the 9D8 may fit this role. Any opinions on this ski for groomers bumps and shallow tree pow?

My uninformed opinion and my wallet say it will be perfect in those conditions.