Chasing My Dream Daily Driver - The Heritage Lab FL105

[arild]

I got out on the 185cm fl105 for the last two days at mammoth. The previous weeks had been full on spring thaw/freeze cycles, but it dropped about 4-6" on Saturday and another 3-5" on Sunday. I was seriously debating which skis to bring, because it can be so variable when new snow falls on top of refreeze. I debated bringing out the fr120st, but was worried about the icey moguls that might be lurking underneath. I knew the fl113 would be awesome, but I hadn't gotten around to repairing a coreshot on those yet... so i ended up giving the fl105 the nod to see how it handled the super mixed conditions. They ruled.

On Saturday the snow was binding top to mid boot deep in the morning, but it was heavy and consolidated into wind slab and windboard. The icey moguls were definitely still present underneath, but they were pleasantly muted out by just enough fresh snow. We skied fresh tracks and soft chop for the first half of the day, and consolidated crud and moguls in the afternoon. On Sunday there was another 3-5" refresh on top of the heavily tracked out crud from Saturday. The icey moguls still lurked on certain faces, but they were mostly filled in. In a single pitch you could be surfing windbuff, scraping down an icey mogul, and then plowing into boot top deep chop. So basically super variable.

In deeper stashes of grabby snow fl105's definitely weren't greasy smooth and pivoty like a true pow ski. The fr120st definitely would have won for the first hour or two each day, but the fl105 was the right call after the snow got tracked out. Compared to other directional chargers, the float on the fl105 and it's ability to pivot and slash in all but the mankiest snow are actually very good. Compared to xxl's, og cochise, or fx104, these float better. And they are much closer to Cochise in pivot/smearing than the others, but the fl105 can produce energy and rebound while carving much better than a cochise too. Overall this is just a super balanced ski for a directional charger.

Compared to easier, less charging skis in its width range, the mfree 108 and mindbender 108ti both float better. Those two skis amazed me with how they floated almost like true pow skis, but neither of them crush anywhere near the level of the fl105. When plowing into piles that were boot top deep on the fl105, i was always rewarded with a tip that popped right up and out of the snow, which really inspired confidence. Even their big brothers, the fl113, can submarine in these conditions, and once i stuff a tip I tend to ski like a neutered dog for the rest of the day, afraid it will happen again. After three days in moderately deep conditions, the fl105 have earned my trust. They can get bogged down in really manky snow and lock into a turn, but the tips won't unexpectedly dive on you. Even on 5-10' drops into punchy snow the tips would always pop back up.

The defining trait for me was how these handled consolidated crud and moguls. I found myself just pointing it into moguls and thick chop and trusting that their blend of stability and maneuverability would just work it all out. Sometimes I would zipperline a few bumps before airing over another and then i could just point it and skip along the tops in a straight line out the bottom. This worked for almost two days until the bumps got quite big and firm at the end of the second day. At that point i could still slow it down a little and ski them normally. It felt like cheating just letting the ski decide on each bump if it was time to smash through or dance around. I have stated multiple times that these don't crush on the level of the fl113, but with the increased maneuverability of the fl105 i may actually ski faster in some conditions just knowing that i can always make that turn or shut it down if shit gets weird. Once again, these have earned my trust in variable chop and crud.

I love directional chargers, but i am a mediocre skier. So finding the burliest ski that can pivot, bump, and float without killing me has been my obsession for the last 16 years since i first skied an xxl. I honestly think the fl105 is competitive with the best in class for most categories from edgehold to float , from rebound energy to dampness, from maneuverability to straightline stability. But I honestly don't know if any ski has blended them all so evenly for me before

Chew, your words mean a lot. Now, I only draw and stuff, but I'm just super happy you enjoy the skis we've fretted so much over. [emoji846]

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[Island Bay]

They sound more and more like my dream ski.

Edit: Just skimmed through the whole thread, looking for comparisons with LP105s, and found a few. Have any of you done a good A/B between the two, for science?

[2FUNKY]

The 192 and 185 are totally different animals. 192’s are charge machines and the 185’s are more play yet can still charge. Talking to Mo this was by design and it shows. They really compliment each other well. A guy could own both. 185’s show up today at my house as another mag bought a pair and stays at my place on the reg.
I moved my mount on the 192 from -12 up to -11. I prefer that mount. I’ll go into more detail when I can. This ski absolutely kills it!
Thanks MO and Arild!!


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[arild]

The 192 and 185 are totally different animals. 192’s are charge machines and the 185’s are more play yet can still charge. Talking to Mo this was by design and it shows. They really compliment each other well. A guy could own both. 185’s show up today at my house as another mag bought a pair and stays at my place on the reg.
I moved my mount on the 192 from -12 up to -11. I prefer that mount. I’ll go into more detail when I can. This ski absolutely kills it!
Thanks MO and Arild!!


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Hell yes, 2F! -11 kills it for me in my boots, just "playful" enough to maneuver tight spots, but charge happy beasts anyway.

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[chewski]

They sound more and more like my dream ski.

Edit: Just skimmed through the whole thread, looking for comparisons with LP105s, and found a few. Have any of you done a good A/B between the two, for science?

I had 192 lp105's when they came out many years ago. I barely remember them, but i quickly sold them because i found them no better for me than 187 xxl's at almost anything except maybe carving. The 187 xxl still is in my quiver and makes an occasional appearance, so consider this an A vs B vs C over many years... the xxl was the most damp/plush ski i had ever ridden for a long time. The lp105 came close, but the HL freeride build skis are at least as damp if not moreso. The lp105 and fl105 have similar radii, so they will carve similar sized arcs, but aside from the dampness/plushness of the HL freeride build, they also generate more rebound and pop than any similarly damp ski. I find them easier to load up and exit a turn with some oomph into the next turn. I think the fl105 float better than xxl's. I did NOT feel that way about lp105's. The lp105 was also a more traditional, old school charger. I did not find it any more nimble than the xxl, but i do find the fl105 easier to ski. Honestly i was tail gunning it several times when trying to just mob through the bumps over the weekend, but they never punished me. The fl105 would prop you up and gove you a second to recover and get on your shins for the next turn. I think the fl105 is a keeper and i sold lp105's pretty quickly. Keep in mind i am comparing 185 fl105, 187 xxl, and 192 lp105

[2FUNKY]

They sound more and more like my dream ski.

Edit: Just skimmed through the whole thread, looking for comparisons with LP105s, and found a few. Have any of you done a good A/B between the two, for science?

I skied the 192 FL105 and the LP 105 back to back one day. Put them through the ringer. 192 FL105 wins out everywhere. They are the LP105 killer.


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[sf]

Now, I only draw and stuff

But you also have a reverse camber 105, yes?
Is that identical to the r105 on preorder?

How does it compare to the cambered version?

And; for you or the rest. How does the 105 compare to the Mantra 102?

[Island Bay]

I skied the 192 FL105 and the LP 105 back to back one day. Put them through the ringer. 192 FL105 wins out everywhere. They are the LP105 killer.


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High praise indeed!

[arild]

But you also have a reverse camber 105, yes?
Is that identical to the r105 on preorder?

How does it compare to the cambered version?

And; for you or the rest. How does the 105 compare to the Mantra 102?

That's correct, my friend. On both counts. I haven't skied Mantras since 2009, so wouldn't be able to help you.

I think I've posted before on the FL vs R, but quick TLDR;

Go super fast through chop,crud and some pow:
R105

Go super fast on more firm, hard and crappy:
FL105

Quicker to enter turns in deep snow:
FL105

Quicker to exit turns in deep snow:
R105

More stable going mach idiot in anything:
FL113

More fun going slow on most anything resembling soft:
FR110

More suitable for techy stuff on harder snow:
R105.

So, pretty much, it's more of a discussion whether you're a fan of some camber or some reverse camber. I'm pretty much a reverse/flat camber believer by now, so if pressed to choose one pair of skis for anything, I'd have a really hard time, but choose the Rs, but since I don't have to choose, I ski both happily for different roles. I'm going to do something stupid,at 38, in April; enter a freeride comp. Difficult decisions, but given the stuff in my quiver, I'm bringing the FL105s, the R105s, and the FL113s.


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[arild]

High praise indeed!

There were design thoughts in that direction. [emoji16]

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[chewski]

And; for you or the rest. How does the 105 compare to the Mantra 102?

The mantra 102 (i have the og m102 in 184cm preupdate to current version) is better on truly firm. The HL freeride build skis have very competent edgehold, but volk has always punched way above its weight in this specific category. The m102 likes to be on edge, and the 3d radius makes it super addicting to alter turn radius mid turn and really just carve up the mountain, even off piste. The fl105 has a much higher speed limit and is much more capable going bases flat. I find the fl105 easy to ski across the fall line on edge, but it still likes going down the fall line way more than the m102. Both pivot well, and i'm honestly surprised the fl105 can come close to the m102 in that regard considering their drastically different rocker profiles (m102 is closer to r105 than fl105). I find both very manageable in bumps and techy tight terrain. Exceptional really for both. And lastly the HL freeride build is the dampest/plushest ride ever, whereas some people really find the metal laminate volks to be like tuning forks (the m102 is nowhere near as bad as my 96mm full cambered mantras back in the day though). I say the m102 wins if it's truly a firm snow ski and you just don't want to be on narrower skis, but the fl105 wins in dampness, blow shit up freedom units, and mixed soft/variable

[Island Bay]

Good luck, Arild. Where's the comp? You missed the Bec :-)

[arild]

Good luck, Arild. Where's the comp? You missed the Bec :-)

Lucky Goguen! [emoji16]

Narvik. It's in simple terms the first time i go back there in 14 years, since uni. See old friends, ski like i shouldn't, drink like a moron. Bit emotional, really. I think NZ might be on my radar in the fall of 25, though. You up for a couch surfer?

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[Island Bay]

Sounds fun. And Narvik looks beautiful.

I'm on the North Island, far from the good skiing, but I'll take you surfing :-)

[sf]

So, pretty much, it's more of a discussion whether you're a fan of some camber or some reverse camber.

Thanks. Makes sense, and pretty much as expected.

I’ve not fallen completely in love with my FL110s. I think it’s a combination of mount point and maybe to a certain degree camber profile.
Been considering the r110s, by slightly worried about the mount point, although the camber profile looks nice.
Which brings me to the r105s. Very tempting, but uncertain how well it matches with our south norwegian resort terrain. You know, often a bit thight, a bit skied out, slightly crusty etc. I don’t need it to be perfect for everything, just possible to enjoy when not being able to go fast.

You’ve probably posted them before, but do you have camber profile pics of the r105? Especially back half.

The mantra 102….

Yes! My thoughts on the 102s as well. But I’d like something just a tiny bit looser, just a bit more floaty than the 102s. If it’s damper that’s a bonus.

Really looking forward to more feedback from people having skied the r105 next year. Maybe both the r105 and r110

[arild]

Sounds fun. And Narvik looks beautiful.

I'm on the North Island, far from the good skiing, but I'll take you surfing :-)

I trust we'll meet up skiing either way. Never surfed, so that'll be a new experience!

Forgot one thing for mr SF:

Bases flat:
FL105.

Probably obvious, though. [emoji846]

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[chewski]

Yes! My thoughts on the 102s as well. But I’d like something just a tiny bit looser, just a bit more floaty than the 102s. If it’s damper that’s a bonus.

Really looking forward to more feedback from people having skied the r105 next year. Maybe both the r105 and r110

The fl105 is not looser than the m102, but it is floatier. The r105 probably is incrementally looser and floatier. I have the fl113 that the r105 borrows its rocker profile from, but that ski is much stiffer and with waaay bigger radius sidecut. I do not find the fl113 very floaty because of its stiffness, but the r105 is softer. The fl113 is probably similarly loose to an m102, so i imagine the r105 to be maybe a touch looser (just guessing). The r110 is not a ski i have been on but i did have the fr110 for a minute. It's way softer and more forward mounted than a m102, fl105 or r105, which can be cool, but unless you want that specifically i would rule that out. The r105 sounds like your best bet

[gaijin]

Yes! My thoughts on the 102s as well. But I’d like something just a tiny bit looser, just a bit more floaty than the 102s. If it’s damper that’s a bonus.

Just some thoughts, FWIW—

I ordered the R110 to slot between my m102 and my Renegade. But I’m now selling my m102s because I have a hunch I’ll never ski them again. I just don’t ski firm snow anymore, and even if I do— I hate the OG m102 on firm as the carbon tip hurts my ears.

If I miss a firm snow ski next year, I’ll order an rc85 or 95.

I feel the m102 has been obsoleted. HL is destroying everyone. On paper, anyway. But the reviews have been clear that what’s on paper also delivers. I feel the r110 is going to be the ultimate soft snow DD. Perfect for japan’s non-storms.

Down to a two-ski quiver. Selling four pairs right now.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

I ordered 194 R110s to be a lift served Hoji. I hope they fill the bill


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[L8APX]

Just some thoughts, FWIW—

I ordered the R110 to slot between my m102 and my Renegade. But I’m now selling my m102s because I have a hunch I’ll never ski them again. I just don’t ski firm snow anymore, and even if I do— I hate the OG m102 on firm as the carbon tip hurts my ears.

If I miss a firm snow ski next year, I’ll order an rc85 or 95.

I feel the m102 has been obsoleted. HL is destroying everyone. On paper, anyway. But the reviews have been clear that what’s on paper also delivers. I feel the r110 is going to be the ultimate soft snow DD. Perfect for japan’s non-storms.

Down to a two-ski quiver. Selling four pairs right now.

I more or less did the same thing this season. I sold 5 pairs of skis and got the FR120ST
Ordered the R110 for next season
Replaced my L138 hybrids with FR132’s
And jumped on some outlet R99’s for firm.
They all ski better than anything I have skied or owned.
I keep talking myself into FL105’s but they will likely overlap with my R110’’s and R99’s on either side.
The hype is real, HL is killing it.

[mr_pretzel]

The R110s are the ski you all want as long as you are okay with the -7 mount. It’s the premier freeride ski in this class, I’ve skied pretty much everything else in this category.
Bottom line: Slarves like a OG Cochise, strong edge hold and carving ability, pivots and maneuvers through moguls like a smaller ski, damp, strong and powerful. Accelerates hard.

Sick that you are doing the comp Arild! I vote for the R105s!

[chewski]

The fl105 is not looser than the m102, but it is floatier. The r105 probably is incrementally looser and floatier. I have the fl113 that the r105 borrows its rocker profile from, but that ski is much stiffer and with waaay bigger radius sidecut. I do not find the fl113 very floaty because of its stiffness, but the r105 is softer. The fl113 is probably similarly loose to an m102, so i imagine the r105 to be maybe a touch looser (just guessing). The r110 is not a ski i have been on but i did have the fr110 for a minute. It's way softer and more forward mounted than a m102, fl105 or r105, which can be cool, but unless you want that specifically i would rule that out. The r105 sounds like your best bet

On second thought if you really want significantly more pivot and float than an m102 then the r110 probably IS your answer IF you are keeping the m102. They would probably complement each other nicely (IF you are ok with the more forward mount and softer flex). If you are trying to REPLACE the m102 with something a notch floatier and more pivoty then the r105 will feel more familiar with its stiffer flex and more rearward mount than the r110

[Jongle]

The R110s are the ski you all want as long as you are okay with the -7 mount. It’s the premier freeride ski in this class, I’ve skied pretty much everything else in this category.
Bottom line: Slarves like a OG Cochise, strong edge hold and carving ability, pivots and maneuvers through moguls like a smaller ski, damp, strong and powerful. Accelerates hard.

Any chance you can compare directly to Rossi Sender Squads?

[The Iron Horse]

I sold my M102 once I skied the FL105. So much smoother, damper, and way more versatile to boot. It just does so many things well. And none of that God-awful noise from the shovel!

I ordered the R110, and am curious to see how I can make both skis fit. To be honest, I would love to jump from the RC85 to the R110, but the 85 is just too long for me. I'm sure I will find time for both.

[east or bust]

Marshall how long do you expect the preorder for the 185 FL105 to last?

There would definitely be some overlap with my Praxis Freerides, but those are a 194 and heavier build which is a lot of work to DD at JHMR if skiing off piste in shit conditions. My thought is the 185 FL105 will notch in as the DD on true variable snow condition days.


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