Help needed on 95-100mm 'mid fat' selection

[Mikey]

Am in the market for a new set of all mountain planks for next season and could do with some advice.

For the past couple of seasons i've been skiing DB's as i've been helping Cyrille out with the European side of things. Although we've found a new manufacturer now, we're taking our time with things so as to be sure we get it spot on from the off. As a result i'm not sure that i'll have any new planks for next season, hence am back in the market.

The part of my quiver that i'm looking to replace is my 95-100mm section. These skis would effectively replace my Surreals. Don't get me wrong, i love the surreals dearly but they're 195cm in the original medium flex (i.e. super friggin stiff). They're awesome in big bowls but in tight stuff, when i'm tired, they kick my ass.

As a replacement i've been thinking of the following:

AK s-lab: HAve skied the 205cm version twice and absolutely loved them. The 195 is meant to be near identical just shorter. Only skied in chopped up powder but they were very smooth. Pros: Relatively soft, can load the fronts up nicely in powder. Cons: Durability? Availability? Versatility?
Don't suppose anybody has used these as an everyday ski - if so any opinions?

Legend Pro 186cm: Never skied these but they seem to have a great following. From what i've read they seem to be awesome in everything bar deep powder - the tips tend to dive. Pros: laminate construction, all round versatility, crud snow performance Cons: Price - anybody know what these will retail at next season? Powder performance?

To give a little further background. I'm 80kgs and would class myself as advanced. Ski like 40 days a year and have done seasons in Les Arcs, Lenas etc. I'm good for an English guy, but i've not grown up in a ski town! That said i'm about to make the move out to Jackson for next season as i've been offered a job out there - so will hopefully be getting a lot of snow time in. Finally, the last thing i should mention is that this ski would fit in alongside my Tablas which are still in fine working order!

Thanks in advance!

[Meathelmet]

Head Monster im.103s in 183cm?

Stiff,stable and fun.

Totally eats up tracked pow,slush,crud,cookies,car´s,children and stuff.
Rails like a freight train.

Very good edgehold on steeper hard snow/ice due to limited sidecut but
throwing the ski around in very confined spaces is a bit work out, not as easy as, lets say, Explosivs.

The downside´s?
The pigs weight quite much and Head have STILL not resolved the sidewall cracking, after 4 years!!!
I really wonder what the fuck is up with the Head engineers/manufacturers.
The sidewall material is really brittle, like porcelain. It is bound to crack, unavoidable.But when it has released it "inital pressures", the cracking usually stops.
My sidewalls are cracked and glued in 3 places (former owner was a bit hard on the skis... , but are holding up just perfect.No additional cracks have appeared.

What more can i say?
They are like Explosivs on stereoids.
My favourite ski, par none.

Oh, im about 10kg lighter than you, so you definately should have no problems with them.

[Mikey]

That's a good call - hadn't considered those. Will take a look at ebay and scope prices.

[Tri-Ungulate]

LP's sound super bitchin' but on the heavy side, if you're going to be heading out of bounds a lot. Same goes for the i.M. 103's, which also seem to require a firm hand. Black Diamond Verdict might be worth checking out as well, especilly if you'll be heading to Teton Pass etc. a lot. And of course, everyone on this board who's skiied 'em will swear by the BroModels.

Getting any of 'em cheap might be a challenge. Had you considered the Atomic Big/Sugar Daddy? Recent posts here (or on Gear Swap) about getting them cheap on ebay from some Denver outfit, can't remember how long they were but they were a screamin' deal.

Are you still going to be part of Cyrille (and/or Stephan's) dealer network?

[Lineskier-101]

The new scratch BC's? They're 98 waiste?

[schuss]

*cough* bro's *cough*

If you want non-demanding, get the softs. Soft, superlight, still super stable but no real swing weight to speak of. They rock in trees for a 188.

[Kya]

Go with the Big Stix 106. Put on a pair of Freerides. Best set up ever.

[fez]

Go with the Big Stix 106. Put on a pair of Freerides. Best set up ever.

i have big stix 106 w/ freerides and think they are one of the vaguest most unpredictable set ups ive ever been on. the tips are way too soft and tend to deflect and wander in anything but untracked. I think part of the problem is the freeride flex issue, but some is definitely the soft tip and too much side cut in the ski.

in untracked they rock though.

Im looking for my next pair of skis, the G-41's need to be retired and I really want my first full alpine rig in 12 years. Im looking for a ski in the 95 - 105 mm waist range without much side cut, farily stiff flex, at least a 193.

so far im looking at
Stockli whatever the Dominique Peret ski will be this year
Dynastar Pro model
Head im 103 - may even be too heavy for me
Big Daddies - maybe too much side cut
Blizzard Titan Pro - also could be too much side cut

[Darkside]

I would try a great pair of sticks called SEARCH FUNCTION!



Seriously, I feel like 10 people have asked this in the last week.