Whats up with Lithic Skis?

[tang]

That 1700 gr Townes 180cm must be the backcountry core version right?

[riff]

@Norseman- binding mount zone is maple/ash/maple, the rest is paulownia.
@tang- the core is an extra light version of the backcountry core.

We had mixed conditions out behind Stevens today, with 3” over some solar crusts, and in a few choice spots over preserved pow. I got a few laps on the Townes, and so far I’m pretty stoked. I prefer longer radius, and these are nearly 30m, with really subtle taper too. I mostly tour now, and was skiing them with Alien RS’s, so take it with a grain of salt as I’m not shredding at resort speeds, but they felt more stable than I expected from an extra light build. I’ll get more time on them if we keep getting new snow, and put up some thoughts here later on.


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[KRAW]

was lucky enough to score a day on a Townes (187 i think?) 117. Dont think it was a backcountry version as it was very damp and also crisp on hardpack for a wide rockered ski. Very variable conditions with big icy moguls sticking out of a field of wind fluff on a few runs. Townes pivoted easily on top and surfed the troughs no big deal. Would like to ski'em more! Like a Shiro but with increased taper even better in the chop.

[phatty]

Does Mission Ridge ever turn over their demo fleet? Wouldn't mind trying a pair but tough to make the commitment to a new pair.

[riff]

It’s worth checking with the Lithic guys via email about demo fleet options, they usually sell them at the Leavenworth ski swap or etc, I’ve connected a few friends with a ski that works for them. I believe they sell the demos every year.




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[phatty]

Cool, will check with them.

[ey_allen]

Bumping this thread as I just received these beauties in the mail and I'm stoked to get them mounted. Going to be the new daily drivers this year.

What is everyone using to mount these? I'm thinking my standard 3.6 x 9mm but can't find much online.

[Lord Thomas]

Oooooh, them are sexy. The collective needs some detailed beta on those.

[ey_allen]

Oooooh, them are sexy. The collective needs some detailed beta on those.

Let me know what you want to know. I likely wont take them out until we get some decent coverage, but once I do I'll share my thoughts on how they ski.

[riff]

I haven’t seen much of the new art in person yet, those look great! The 3.6 will be the ticket; maple, ash and poplar core with no metal in the layup.


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[riff]

I was chatting with Paul yesterday; he says the finger jointed core is now the catalog standard touring core. Benefits: stout, dense wood laminates underfoot for binding retention and lighter weight woods in the tip and tail for lower swing weight and lower overall weight. I’m pretty psyched on the prototypes they built last year, and I’m glad they decided to take on the extra complexity in the layup. Full disclosure, I mainly ski Lithics and live 8 miles from the shop. If you’ve got questions but don’t feel like writing emails, I can get answers.

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[Lord Thomas]

I'd like to know the weights and mount points for the various models. Would be good to have that basic info readily available here on the forum. I'm probably going to delve deeply into the demo fleet this year as well. I'd also like to hear more results on the Townes Tours from last year

[riff]

I’m frothing to take the Townes out, but I’m waiting for better coverage. They’re still in a protected quiver spot, not an early season tool….I got a handful of days on them last year, and my takeaway feelings were stability, float and more backbone than the weight would make me guess. I didn’t expect them to be as versatile as they were, I ended up getting ski crampons and dedicated skins for them and intend to do a lot of my touring on ‘em this year. I spent a long time deciding between them and Fletchers, and went with Townes based mostly on longer radius and smaller underfoot dimension, as they would be 98% touring skis. I think the radius/rocker combo works great for variable conditions and suits my preferences quite a bit, but I’m partial to a longer radius, especially for touring. Prior to the Townes I spent 3 years on a pair of 187 UL GPO’s with carbon and a veneer top for deep days, and they were one of my favorite pow skis ever. They have a shorter radius and quasi-RES, so they had a very nimble feel if you pressured the tips and pivoted. It kind of felt like the surf/smear happened in front of the boot, if that makes sense. The Townes definitely feel like the surf/smear is more centered, which makes sense visually comparing the skis. So maybe a bit less nimble in very specific moments in steep tree skiing if you are accustomed to GPO type turn initiation, but equal float in the deep, and more stable feeling going fast. Terrific feeling landing airs. Also no carbon feel on firm textured snow, and substantially lighter than the GPO’s. (Also shorter) This is based on only a few days out. I didn’t feel like the difference in nimbleness was a major drawback, more like a design difference to feel out. Doing comparisons is so subjective, but that’s the feelings I’ve had.

I have 180 Townes (117 underfoot)with the new finger jointed core, and 180 Ramblin Jacks (108 underfoot) with a one-off veneer top; the Townes are actually something like 70-80 grams lighter per ski. I’ll weigh when I get home for the detail oriented folks out there.
I can see about weights and mount points- some of the new models haven’t been built in the smallest sizes yet, so no actual specimens to throw on a scale. This is especially true of the new touring core.



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[eskido]

Will Lithic let you use different top sheets from previous years or even current year top sheets from other skis? Just curious if anyone knows…

[ey_allen]

I haven’t seen much of the new art in person yet, those look great! The 3.6 will be the ticket; maple, ash and poplar core with no metal in the layup.


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Thanks Riff. Figured as much but wanted to confirm. You usually mounting on the recommended line?

[riff]

Will Lithic let you use different top sheets from previous years or even current year top sheets from other skis? Just curious if anyone knows…

It kind of depends; if they have an appropriate one left then maybe- but Lithic doesn’t build inventory and then liquidate in spring, each pair is built to order to reduce footprint. They also started doing graphics inhouse last season so that option may get more possible over time as they maintain a library of art they can produce. Current year swaps are probably the most likely possibility.


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[riff]

Thanks Riff. Figured as much but wanted to confirm. You usually mounting on the recommended line?

Yes, with catalog models for sure. Demo bindings go on prototypes and mount points get thoroughly vetted. The Cohen is a well tuned shape, the mount point is money.


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[riff]

Also, I’ve owned cohen 110’s and currently have cohen 118’s, both were on the line.


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[Lord Thomas]

So.............what is the recommended mount point for a cohen? I'm getting bicurious between the cohen and the townes which has a mount point of..................? and weighs............? with the inbounds core at whatever length.

I think Lithic would do themselves a BIG favor by adding all this kind of very basic information to their website.

[riff]

I’m with you on this point, as a hopeless overthinker. The skis have a sidewall dimple, but I couldn’t tell you how it relates to chord center off the top of my head.


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[ey_allen]

I’ve got 1935g per ski for the Cohen 110s in 184 with standard flex and inbounds core.

Center line comes in at 83.5cm straight pull from the tail.

I’m with you on having the measurements available but I also tend to overthink things. Weights for BC specific skis seem like a good thing to have at a minimum.

[Lord Thomas]

Dang, 1,935, that's less than I was anticipating in that length. That little bit of info really helps me figure out what quiver slot they might fit into. Now to get more info on the Townes to see how it might compare to something like a Lhasa Fat.

[ey_allen]

Dang, 1,935, that's less than I was anticipating in that length. That little bit of info really helps me figure out what quiver slot they might fit into. Now to get more info on the Townes to see how it might compare to something like a Lhasa Fat.

FWIW I'm super stoked on the shape for inbounds, but I generally prefer something with a flatter tail for touring. I've got a pair of BROs that I use for deeper days in the BC but very much eyeing the Ramblin Jack 108s as a 'most days' BC rig.

[Lord Thomas]

Hey Riff,

Think you can talk to the guys in the shop and post here what models and lengths they might have in their demo fleet this year? Might help develop a little enthusiasm.

[eskido]

Yeah, just want to say thanks to Riff for all the great info! Super interested in a couple models, and totally agree that weights, camber height, and mount points would be very helpful to anyone considering. I did notice you can see the dimple in the profile pics which is pretty nice.