2017 Praxis Skis Info and Resource Thread

[SchralphMacchio]

My homeboy with MVPs has been struggling with BD tailclips for years, sliding off the side of the tail. I keep telling him G3 tailclips are like $12, which is probably much less than he makes at work during break sitting on the John. Maybe I’ll order him a set right now as a “pre volcano season gift” ...

The notch on the Yeti/BC/GPO is great - but I am guessing it takes a few more minutes of work to form during the layup process and many pure resort skiers might think “it looks funny” to have the notch throughout the entire lineup ... and then you have the G3 clip system ...

[galibier_numero_un]

less shovel more taper=betterer for a smooth tail release
i found it unnecessary to have a wide tail for my ski style

Thanks. I've really come to appreciate a predictible tail release on tight spaces (doh!).

... Thom

[SchralphMacchio]

My homeboy with MVPs has been struggling with BD tailclips for years, sliding off the side of the tail. I keep telling him G3 tailclips are like $12, which is probably much less than he makes at work during break sitting on the John. Maybe I’ll order him a set right now as a “pre volcano season gift” ...

Nickel you get skins for your Protests yet? It looks like G3 Alpinist LT comes with a new twin-tip connector, but the other models come with standard tailclip. I'm partial to BD skins as well but they don't do a twin tip tail connector ... G3 twin tip connectors are actually on sale for $14 on bc.com right now, I guess they are normally $18. Anyways, I ordered the gift for my homie.

[Shu Shu]

Alpy have you tried the Q? Talk about a predictable tail release. Seems like a lot of similarities between the two skis which makes sense given the Q was supposed to be a blend of the RX and GPO if i remember correctly.

[meter-man]

Nickel you get skins for your Protests yet? It looks like G3 Alpinist LT comes with a new twin-tip connector, but the other models come with standard tailclip. I'm partial to BD skins as well but they don't do a twin tip tail connector ... G3 twin tip connectors are actually on sale for $14 on bc.com right now, I guess they are normally $18. Anyways, I ordered the gift for my homie.

Thx for the tip. Was just about to epoxy some strips on the tails of my protests to hold skin clip in place. This will work mo bettah

[Reformed]

^^^ I spent a bunch of days touring on Protests with regular BD STS tails this season and had very few issues. I find the G3 twin connectors to be a PITA to pull with skis still attached to my feet, which is my preferred skin rip technique. The added security isn't worth the added fiddle for me. YMMV

Edit to add - it's also really easy to file a small notch into your tails to grab onto the BD tail clip. It doesn't have to be huge or super visible - just enough to help prevent the clip from rotating/sliding off the tail. If the Protests that I was touring on weren't borrowed from a friend I would have done this.

[SchralphMacchio]

^ fair point regarding ripping while clicked in vs. getting out ... the G3 twin connectors would be a lot harder to rip while clicked in.

[galibier_numero_un]

^ fair point regarding ripping while clicked in vs. getting out ... the G3 twin connectors would be a lot harder to rip while clicked in.

I'm no ballerina when ripping skins with skis attached, but the G3 twin tip tail clips aren't the reason for this.

This is with a curved tail ski (or at least, rounded corners) like a GPO or an Atomic Automatic. Instead of levering off like with a BD tail clip, you slide it around the tail.

They definitely hang up on a square tail ski however.

no only reason i don’t like em is the dedicated left/right ski.
i know Drew likes his but he has more skis than me.
Plus it seems they don’t transition from off piste to groomers flawlessly every time. sorry alto, couldn’t help myself.
That Was A Sick Run you handled it like a champ!

The Qs do so many great things, but there are times when decades of old habits kick in, and I still get the occasional wake-up call.

There's an up side to this old dog learning a new trick, when skiing on dust over crust.

Since the balance point for firmer snow is more centered with Q's than skis I'm used to, it matches the soft snow balance point, so when I break through to the hard stuff, I don't get as thrown off.

Of course, this isn't directly attributable to an asym. design, but it's the first ski I've owned that's center stance biased.

I go back and forth with respect to advantages and disadvantages.

... Thom

[Banh Mi]

Alpy have you tried the Q? Talk about a predictable tail release. Seems like a lot of similarities between the two skis which makes sense given the Q was supposed to be a blend of the RX and GPO if i remember correctly.

Rx is so much more predictable on firm, or when transitioning between firm and soft, than any asym skis I have tried. Rx are the most predictable skis ever. I think that’s why I like them so much.


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[galibier_numero_un]

Rx is so much more predictable on firm, or when transitioning between firm and soft, than any asym skis I have tried. Rx are the most predictable skis ever. I think that’s why I like them so much.

my center stance long radius ski is super versatile

I can feel myself wavering ;-)

[galibier_numero_un]

just like real coke, the original is still the best.
signed,
pepsi

Why do I think that if someone ever wanted to hack into any of your accounts, the first password they'd try would be "PraxisRx"

... Thom

[tuco]

Rx are the second most predictable skis ever.

Yep

[Banh Mi]

Yep

Lolz, you are making me want to try those..


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[Banh Mi]

Has anyone tried a heavy core GPO?


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[SupreChicken]

Rx>BG

Do you have adequate personal data collected to make that statement? Does baevergeusegreene?

[galibier_numero_un]

Has anyone tried a heavy core GPO?

Don't do this to me.

Now that I figured out that my two ski Winter touring quiver is a GPO and a Down CD 104 (this is the "skinny GPO" I've been after), I turned my attention to my Q's for inbounds use.

The Qs are fine when I'm on top of my game, but as soon as my mind wanders in the least, they will still surprise me. I took my GPOs out this week and was reminded of how quick and predictable they are in tight spaces.

A few skis have been talking to me, with one of them being an Rx (yes, alpy) along with a damper layup in a GPO (either Enduro/Veneer or Heavy/Veneer as well as possibly bumping up to 187).

I really hate this time of year and all of the obsessing it results in The third ski (based on instant kismet with the CD 104s) is a Countdown 114.

It wouldn't be the end of the world if I didn't buy any skis between now and December

... Thom

[Banh Mi]

I have been trying to find on3p steeple 108s/112s for next years touring ski, but the more I think about it, the more I realize regular Q's might be the ticket. I really liked my skinny q's, but the 187 was too short for charging firm. Shoulda went 193 in skinny, at my size for a resort daily driver. For mainly soft snow in the backcountry, I think a standard width 188 Q would fit me better. I don't think I'll need the extra length of the 194 in the BC, like I wanted at the resort when charging over stuff.

GPO is also making an imprint on me. Reading the blister gear review had pushed me away, but then talking to some of you guys has got me back on board. I don't mind a consistent and tight turn radius, but I am afraid of the tip taper point being a little catchy, since I have had some problems with taper before. Although I usually only have problems with tail taper, and only when the "point" is very dramatic. The tip taper on GPO looks very gradual..However, if the GPO is more playful than the Q, I don't know if I really need it. I thought my heavy core skinny q's were one of the more playful skis I have ever owned, so I figure regular width enduro 188 Q's will be similarly playful. I don't think I need a more playful ski than that. Honestly, I am a little confused about what kind of terrain and snow conditions the GPO will excel in over the Q or Rx.

Also pondering a 189 enduro Rx, for all out predictability. My heavy #5 Rx isn't the quickest turning ski in trees, but the trees in Tahoe aren't too tight (for the most part), and I bet the enduro #4 is even quicker in trees when in soft snow. The Rx is probably the best ski I have ever skied for resort, but it definitely likes to go more straight than my skinny Q's did. I feel like a 188 Regular Q would be a little more fun than 189 Rx, and be better for tight situations. Rx is great ski, but more of a charger, and IDK if that's what I need in the BC..

If I was flush, I would grab a heavy core #4 MVP for resort. I don't need any more resort skis though. I have a feeling I'd really like that design though, as a skinnier, quicker Bibby Pro. As good as Moments are on hardpack, I think Praxis skis are significantly better. I am always blown away by the piste performance on all the praxis I've skied.. I have some Kartel 108s/116s that I need to figure out next season, but if I can't make them work on firm snow, I'll get a heavy MVP with next years sale. The smart, mature me would have went MVP this year, over the kartels, but I am such an On3p whore...

I have never skied the enduro core, and am a backcountry/skinning newb. I am 6'2.5", 210lbs, but will definitely shed some weight touring. I like wider skis, even on ice or wind affected snow, so figure I'd start my backcountry ventures with GPO, Rx, or Q (maybe steeple 116). You guys think the enduro would be a good starting point? For a (much) lighter weight than I'm used to, but not too light that I get thrown out of whack? I am a little afraid of the UL layup, for the way I ski. And #4 flex will make for a more forgiving ride if I get myself into a tight situation, and same for the 189/188/187 lengths? How do you guys size the length of your backcountry skis?

At the beginning of the month, I was like "Ok, I'm not going to overthink this years praxis purchase"... and now I'm overthinking lol.

[galibier_numero_un]

I'm thinking you want a BG tour or one of the Steeples. I think you've mentioned that your partners are not likely to be on lighter gear and therefore being that much faster on the up.

Part of the reason I'm thinking Goats or Steeples is because of your history with a range of Billy Goats and ON3P, and part is because you'll be hanging in a Sierra snowpack and we all know about RES. I can't recall which of the earlier Steeples have RES, but they're all good in heavy snow.

One could make a similar argument in favor of Rxs, but I'm not so sure about Qs in a Maritime snowpack.

... Thom

[Reformed]

I'm thinking you want a BG tour or one of the Steeples.

This was my first thought as well. Second thought was lighter Rx. Don't you already have some 189 Goats? Why not just put some touring clamps on them? A couple hundred grams of ski weight isn't going to make or break your early touring days. Dial in skis and weight once you know what works/doesn't work for you. For now spend the saved money on boots, bindings, rescue equipment, education and trips. Best skis in the world don't do shit for you if you don't have the cash or time to make use of them.

[galibier_numero_un]

On a related note, I find myself eventually doing dual mounts with inserts, going back and forth in deciding whether I prefer a ski for inounds or touring

It can take a bit of planning in terms of hole overlap, taking into consideration differences in BSLs as well.

... Thom

[ego7man]

Has anyone tried a heavy core GPO?


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I have veneer, heavy core, carbon 187 GPOs. They are predictable and easy to ski everywhere. With sharp edges you can rail turns. Deep powder performance lacked for me but I'm probably 205lbs with all my gear on (mounted on the line). Really just a ski that you put on and go skiing and don't think about the skis. The tips can get deflected with the rocker and taper. Charging variable 3d snow is not the strongest suit of this ski but they get the job done. Vastly prefer these to 190 Bibbys. GPO feels similar to the 192 bentchetler but the bent has the upper hand in powder. I think that the MVP is superior to the GPO in almost every regard.

Given your preference for the RX, if I were you, I wouldn't hesitate to get the 193 MVP with a touring-inclined build.

[eskido]

I think that the MVP is superior to the GPO in almost every regard.

Damn strong statement! Fuck, now I want a pair even more than I did before, might've just pushed me over the edge. Need to do some of my own testing right? That's justification enough in my mind.

[ego7man]

I’ve switched over to the spring MVP’s after 100+days on the Rxs. The ski really is just the younger sister to the slightly bigger Rx. I like how it was more nimble for the turnier spring conditions but still able to push big mounds of snow off convex rollovers.

Not having skied the RX yet, I think you're totally right. The RX and MVP share a lot of shape DNA in their relatively straight and untapered sidecuts.

Eskido- I would highly recommend personal testing. I had a UL pair that met an untimely death by delam, just ordered a heavier veneer build in the pre-sale. Very stoked

[pman]

These skis look mighty tempting but don't know if I can swing the price. Is there still a 15% discount with a referral link? Might be enough to talk myself into it.

[skuff]

These skis look mighty tempting but don't know if I can swing the price. Is there still a 15% discount with a referral link? Might be enough to talk myself into it.

PM sent