Recommended Skis & Bindings List

**SpinalTap** · 12-12-2007, 10:51 AM

I can't comment on the new Head Monster 88's, but they changed the sidewall on the Monster 82's (07/08 model)...they are now much softer...whereas last year's (06/07) were stiff and hard charging, this year's model is much more forgiving (great for intermediates) but much less all-mountain fun.

Also, they are heavy for how soft they are.

**philipw** · 01-14-2008, 05:41 PM

sorry, didn't read all 16 pages, but was wondering where line prophet 100s would fit in this list. specifically as compared to the bro 183 or the head mojo 103s

**marshalolson** · 01-15-2008, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by philipw

sorry, didn't read all 16 pages, but was wondering where line prophet 100s would fit in this list. specifically as compared to the bro 183 or the head mojo 103s

line's are mid stiff twintips. the bros are a little stiffer and a little longer running length due to their non-twin nature. the 183 103 skis like a 190+ length ski due to its tail and tip shapes and is ALOT stiffer/more ski. the 183 bro measures 185 actual and skis like its dimensions suggest.

**philipw** · 01-15-2008, 12:46 PM

thanks for the reply

so do you know if the prophet 100s ski a little shorter or have an actual shorter length due to their twin tip? also, assuming then the bro 179 measures closer to a 181 actual and skis about that length?

appreciate all your research

**marshalolson** · 01-15-2008, 12:50 PM

the 179 bro measures 179. and skis that long.

a 180 line prophet measures true to that but would ski more similarly to a 174 bro when you compare the bros kicked up tail vs. the line's full height and length twin.

hope that helps...

**philipw** · 01-15-2008, 04:10 PM

thanks, it does

but don't prophets come in a 186 and a 179? either way, if I understand correctly, sounds like the prophet measures true, but skis a little shorter compared to the bro

so maybe a 186 prophet would ski similar to a 179 bro?

**PowStompper** · 01-31-2008, 06:33 PM

I'm just going to slip this in here. Does anyone know how to purchase soloman big springs without being a ski coach, or shop? Haven't had time to look hard but no shops have them and they are what I want for the sierra cement.

**mtnjam** · 02-01-2008, 10:18 AM

marshal,
schindlepistes 179 Fat Bros are up for sale, but I'm having a tough time pulling the trigger on them. I'm already on a pair of 179 soft bros/g3's and 177 Mantras/Bombers, but I'm not sure how the stiff 179 Fat Bros flex when compared with my Mantras

BTW, great informative setup on your new website

**marshalolson** · 02-01-2008, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by PowStompper

I'm just going to slip this in here. Does anyone know how to purchase soloman big springs without being a ski coach, or shop? Haven't had time to look hard but no shops have them and they are what I want for the sierra cement.

basically either buy them used, or get the consumer sth16... have to get the 916 and 920 on proform otherwise.

**marshalolson** · 02-01-2008, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by mtnjam

marshal,
schindlepistes 179 Fat Bros are up for sale, but I'm having a tough time pulling the trigger on them. I'm already on a pair of 179 soft bros/g3's and 177 Mantras/Bombers, but I'm not sure how the stiff 179 Fat Bros flex when compared with my Mantras

BTW, great informative setup on your new website

thanks. are they softs or stiffs? the stiffs are just a little stiffer than the mantra in my experiance. maybe ask him i guess?

**SkiOrDie** · 02-02-2008, 04:58 PM

I just found these guys. (Ya, I know I'm slow.) What do you think of their stuff?

B-)

**philipw** · 02-05-2008, 06:27 PM

I'm assuming the soft bros listed are the 179s? where would the 183 soft bros fit on your 0 - 9 scale? I ask because I have read they are still pretty stiff. also, do the 179 stiff and 183 stiff flex the same? have heard the ak made skis are stiffer than the reno made ones

**altasnowbirdripper** · 02-06-2008, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by philipw

I'm assuming the soft bros listed are the 179s? where would the 183 soft bros fit on your 0 - 9 scale? I ask because I have read they are still pretty stiff. also, do the 179 stiff and 183 stiff flex the same? have heard the ak made skis are stiffer than the reno made ones

This is defitely true with the 183 stiff. Don't know about the 179 stiff. The183 stiff feels to me to be about the stiffest ski they make accept maybe the 188 Supa Stiff (I have no experience with it). 183 stiff is a killer ski! Very versatile!

**BODOMINO** · 02-06-2008, 03:48 PM

has anyone skiied the 183 soft bro yet? How does it flex? I have a pair on the way, but its going to be a little bit before I get them set up and skiied on. Also, what is the consensus of binding mount location.......2cm forward?

**marshalolson** · 02-06-2008, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by SkiOrDie

I just found these guys. (Ya, I know I'm slow.) What do you think of their stuff?

B-)

those things ski rather horribly actually.

and 183 bros mount points are +/- 3mm, not cm. i'd rec on the line for them for sure.

i have not seen the soft 183s in person and cannot comment on the flex however.

**BODOMINO** · 02-06-2008, 04:21 PM

yea, thanks for making me feel sick in my stomach..........if they are anything like the 183 stiff (and the flexes are supposed to be close) they will be a dream.........they better for $600. Thinking about pairing them with Rossi Axial 2 Free 150

**connersw** · 02-19-2008, 12:28 AM

Didn't see this in here already, but Endre has an updated version of the flex chart. There are some new skis in there, but some from the 2007 chart have been dropped so it may be useful to have both links.

http://www.friflyt.no/files/SFI_2008.pdf

**paj** · 03-15-2008, 06:13 PM

quite a wealth of knowledge.
very helpful

**Arelius19** · 03-28-2008, 07:58 AM

Sorry if this has been discussed in the past 16 pages, but…

Does anyone know the relative flexes of the Icelantic Shaman and Nomad?
I've skied the Gotama's Mantra's and 1080 Guns in terms of fat skis and was wondering how these Icelantic compare.

also… When I try to open the ski flex pdf file it asks for a password. I was able to view it in one program but it had every flex curve ontop of one another making it unreadable…
Any solutions?

edit: got it to work when I opened it in acrobat…

**serottac** · 04-10-2008, 08:49 AM

Marshall,

I was wondering if you could recommend a binding to go with Coomba's? I searched and found little info that would help. Thanks

**leroy jenkins** · 04-12-2008, 11:13 PM

I would like to nominate comikazis for a place on the list.

**marshalolson** · 04-12-2008, 11:30 PM

i have not had a chance to update this past years and next years stuff, but will over this spring for sure... comikazi certainly belong without question

**Hicks** · 04-22-2008, 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by marshalolson

the 183 bro measures 185 actual and skis like its dimensions suggest.

Marshal did you measure that straight or following the tip and tail curve?

**altasnowbirdripper** · 04-23-2008, 07:44 AM

That Bro 183 stiff (the ones pressed in europe) is a super sick ski! I'd love a pair in my quiver

**supersquid** · 05-08-2008, 06:28 PM

New guy here offering a personal review of the ARG.
I'm about 5'7" and 150. I rode this year's 185 (w/ faster die-cut base and AR Fifty Sidewall) on a set of the classic Look P18 fluorescents about 25 pow days at Kirkwood.
This setup changed the way I ski forever.
Like the site/catalog says, ski is only available in 185 and rockered with five dim. (125-135-133-134-120). Dimensions/rocker creates an effective traditional sidecut underfoot. The sidecut is reinforced w/ ABS material like a sandwich ski. The sidecut definitely works and will even track. Don't know what the turning radius is - but pretty damn big. I didn't ride last year's w/out the AR Fifty, but the ski will definitely hold an edge in sketchier conditions (icy traverses, ice patches, variable chunks) better than I anticipated.
The ARG is definitely most comfortable in the powder - anything deep for that matter. I think anyone who enjoys a spat will absolutely dig this one. The ARG is lighter and stiffer than the spat - prolly more durable than the Spat too. Like the spat, you don't traditionally turn these. It's more of a pivot like a surfboard. It's really hard for me to explain this turn method but it's waaaay more fun than traditional skis in the deep.
Surprises: trees and skier chop. I found you can point these at trees at high speed and shut em' down super quick - just turn your feet. Then hitting skier chop is waaay better cause you never actually sink in to the tracks. Got me more resort pow than ever before. They were much more stable than anticipated. They are somewhere between the JJ and ANT in terms of stiffness. But that never seemed to matter since I only had these out in powder.
There are some downsides too. Avoid bumps or anything packed and unsmooth. My first few run ins w/ these killed me in about four runs. I was at Squaw coming to the KT chair and got caught where it was packed. I hated life there an every other time I met similar conditions on the ARG. Skating can be a bitch - as can side stepping. The shape isn't conducive to holding a static edge against the fall line. These are best for resort pow days.
I think that's all I can think of right now. Feel free to hit me up. I have a couple other friends w/ a bunch of days on them as well. I'll try to get em' on here for review as well.
Hope this helps.