Pontoon in VT

[sequoiashan]

So.....What do you all think about Pontoons, Thrashers, Lotus and the like in the wood of VT. Yes I know we don't need skis that big, but neither does anybody, it is all about the fun factor and they look damn fun. I've seen the spats rip the trees and anything with soft snow. My thought is that here in VT when it does snow the snow is heavy and mank or it snows dust on crust. Big skis allow float through the mank and over the funk makes sense to me. My everyday ski is now a 100 waist and they handle it all really well, exept the blue but who turns when the snow turns blue? So what do you think?

[amatog]

I think it sounds like fun. Both will make 6" feel like more and as long as they can be smeared turns in the trees should be ok.
Give it a try and report back promptly!

[upallnight]

sounds like durability on the pontoons was called into question. not sure if this would be an issue in the EC woods...hitting some branches & such.

full reverse camber would be my bet. the issue with spats is their top speed -- which you won't get anywhere near in tight threes. the lotus 138, it would seem, would be longer and slightly more stable at speed (i.e., something you don't need).

pricey experiment for some of the newer sticks, but used Spats would be rea$onable -- you're not out too much $$ if you try them, and if you don't like them you can flip them for virtually what you've paid.

maybe the Lotus 120 or Pontoon in the shorter length could be good...just seems like those skis (in the full length) are made for smearing and huge turns.

just my guess.

[funkendrenchman]

I think you should by my Pontoons and have some fun!

[schuss]

I've been eyeing some Lotus 120's, to be honest, as in the shorter lengths they might make crazy glade skis.

[XtrPickels]

i say some spats if you can find them, there's been good success with them and who cares if you trash them. I'd be sketched taking a new $1,000 ski in the sweet base/fallen trees/rocks that newenglad has

[Brewski2]

So..... My thought is that here in VT when it does snow the snow is heavy and mank or it snows dust on crust.

Dude, where in Vt are you talkin aboot? Go to a ski area north of Kmart.

[sequoiashan]

Dude, where in Vt are you talkin aboot? Go to a ski area north of Kmart.

I know, I know, I bet I don't live far from you. I had the Jay pass for a few years, around 00/01. It was fun. I stick to the Notch now and the zones out that way skiing steep pow as long as weather permits. I'll be at Stowe and Smuggs again this year, they should market that deal, it makes a big moutain with lots of options and bc access that might make having a big ski alot of fun, my everyday ski has a 100 waist. Going bigger for skiing on the really deep days or super blown in zones that we see so often seems to make sense.

[crashnburn'd]

I would say go for it.... There have been a couple here (who don't post much anymore) that have said Spatulas are the best EC pow day ski they've been on.

I was thinking about picking something different up, but to me Pontoons seem a bit too big (wide) for the way I ski. I'm not going to buy DP's because they're too expensive. So, if I come across Spats or something else when I'm actually looking I might pick them up.

[Brewski2]

I'm migrating down to Stowe in a few weeks and will get my pass there also. Mabey meet up for some turns? I have heard that the Pontoon is not so great in tight places (Vt woods) but mabey the 179 would be sweet for smearin. I'd really like to demo some of those Phantom skis, just not sure if they'ed make a good tele setup.

[sequoiashan]

I'll be skiing around stowe alot this year and alrwady have a pair of PFDs mounted with R8 I'll let you check em out if you want to get an idea of what the phantoms might be like. I think they're pretty fun for turny noodling in the trees runs but too short to charge. There is alot of fun to be had in these parts, look me up when it snows and I'll show you around, the area is epecially set up well for the freeheel. I'm going to keep pondering and if I can score a good deal then I'll see what happens with the big skis.

[laseranimal]

might wanna try a Pow Plus, before I bent mine they were great skis to float and charge with, I'm hoping that with a spatula-esq bend they'll be even better for tight spaces

[iriponsnow]

saw the pontoons...... I would be afriad to hit anything w/ them.. very flimbsy. I think an ice-coast ski need be more durable than k2' toon (& I love k2s)

[soul_skier]

i ski at stowe/notch BC/ Jay 80 days a year, and pontoons, while cool and everything, will not beat spats

I rock bros with freerides for the bc, and spats for the deeeeeep days, and i couldn't be happier. Before you throw down 700 bucks for toons, try some spats, or just get some axioms or pow pluses.