Help!! Fischer Atua or Dynastar Big Trouble

**sco999** · 03-05-2007, 09:10 PM

I have been extensively researching both these skis all season, and I still can't decide between the two!!!

I am 5'11" 180lbs, aggresive skier, ski everything from park, groomers, big open bowls, trees, steep narrow icy mogul runs like "Devils Crotch", zipper bump lines, you name it. Pow Pow is my fav (big surprise), and is what I try to ski the most. I am currently skiing the Fischer Addict Pro as my park ski, and I love it, now I need a ski for everything else. My concern is the Atua will be to soft for high speeds down steep bowls filled with crud. And my concern with the Big trouble is that it won't float as well as the Atua (narrower ski and stiffer tip then tail), and won't be quite as responsive on groomers. I will be skiing alot of groomers when skiing with my wife and daughter. My last all mtn ski was the Line Pollard Pro 186, and it was a great ski, just looking for something with a little more float.

Help me please,
I have been reading all the threads I can find on the web (here, barking bear, newschoolers, tele sites) I have also talked to a couple of different shop techs with mixed results. Unforunately I will not be able to demo these skis.

P.S. yes I will be landing switch in powder!!!

I can get the 06/07 Big Trouble for 300.00 and the 06/07 Atua for 400.00

**mitch buchannon** · 03-05-2007, 09:21 PM

siiiiiiiiick pow pow braaaaaah.

**hose-man** · 03-05-2007, 09:26 PM

I just had my first day on my new T-stix 86 (same as atua) and they killed it!!!! This is my third attempt this season at finding a mid-fat that I like.

Me = Tele, 200#, 5'10", skis fast, boondocks on days when there is pow to be found, plays in the park when there's no pow.

For reference; This year's candidates for mid-fat were:
'06-'07 Gotama 183 new- too short for me & couldn't find a 191. I think I was just crushing this ski, because it was lifeless and could never be called nimble. Thought they might benefit from moving the mount back 2-3cm from where I had it. Elected to sell rather than put a 2nd set of holes in 'em. 2/3 twin tip
'06-'07 Voile Carbon Surf 183 Red 2nd owner- Again, lifeless. didn't give anything back at the end of a turn. Sold them because I didn't feel like they were much fun. Only a hint of twin tip.
'06-'07 T-stix 96 (atua) new- I am in love. Snappy ski that gives back some energy at the end of the turn. Skis skinnier than its 96mm. Nimble. Full twin. I think this is destined to be my every day ski.

**sco999** · 03-05-2007, 09:34 PM

yeah, I have been leaning more towards the atua because of it's snappiness. But I still can't decide.

Thanks for you input (score 1 point for the atua)

**wren** · 03-05-2007, 09:56 PM

My bro has Atuas and I've ridden them a couple times. Wicked ski. Definitely has lots of pop. He has them mounted at +3 which is solid all round but a little too far forward for mach speeds. It really likes to turn like a GS ski. Still, one of the best all-round skis I've tried. I would definitely pick it against a Big Trouble.

**sco999** · 03-06-2007, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by wren

My bro has Atuas and I've ridden them a couple times. Wicked ski. Definitely has lots of pop. He has them mounted at +3 which is solid all round but a little too far forward for mach speeds. It really likes to turn like a GS ski. Still, one of the best all-round skis I've tried. I would definitely pick it against a Big Trouble.

Alright then 2 points for the atua. You said he has them +3cm correct? What mark are they mounted +3cm ahead of? The sidewall mark or the Big Mountain/Freeride mark? Any help would be great on mounting. I will be riding them switch, but I don't want the tips to dive, or the ski to be unstable at mach speeds. So maybe back 1cm or 2cm from where your bro has them?

Thanks So Much.

**verbier61** · 03-06-2007, 06:49 AM

I guess Atua is T-stix 96... anyway, I have been using the kehua (T-stix 92, at -2) and it's a very honest do-it-all tool. my only suggestion is to wax it frequently, they really need it

**bio-smear** · 03-06-2007, 06:50 AM

I also have the Pollard Pro 186 and enjoyed it. I've been on the Big Troubles for a season and really like them, much more so than the Pollard. I think they are great on groomers and firm snow, but I mounted them -1, which does make them not so great in pow. I think -3 would really increase their tip float.
They are stiff and damp up front, which I like. Construction is bomber.

I haven't tried the Atua, although I am very curious and think it sounds like a sweet ski.

**sco999** · 03-06-2007, 07:14 AM

Ok Atua ahead at 3points and 1point for the Big Trouble. Looking for anyone who has ridden both.

Thanks again for everones input!!!

**homerjay** · 03-06-2007, 10:12 AM

I've got a pair of atuas and have been skiing them for about 2 months. Mounted on the sidewall line.

great all around skis, haul ass on hardpack, float well. the big sidecut at the tail hangs up in shitty backcountry snow conditinos sometimes, that's really my only gripe. Durable, too, I've worked 'em over some rocks with nary a scratch.

**sco999** · 03-06-2007, 10:16 AM

This is a reponse I got from Barking Bear Forums!!!

"The BT is a damp & quite stable all mountain machine (think Legend Pro light)...while the atua is a softy that will crumble in funky snow, crud and bumps...the BT will be much better on the groomers too. But yes the atua will have better float since it's a tad wider and is softer up front."

Is this true will the atua crumble in funky snow, crud, and bumps? Is it really that soft? Is the BT that much stiffer?

Atua @4points, Big Trouble @1point.

**Tye 1on** · 03-06-2007, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by homerjay

I've got a pair of atuas and have been skiing them for about 2 months. Mounted on the sidewall line.

great all around skis, haul ass on hardpack, float well. the big sidecut at the tail hangs up in shitty backcountry snow conditinos sometimes, that's really my only gripe. Durable, too, I've worked 'em over some rocks with nary a scratch.

Those were MY atuas bitch, til ya slid that last minute PM in ahead of me!

Actually, it was my lesson learned=if you see something on gear swap ya want, jump the hell all over it! Glad they're workin out!

**Roo** · 03-06-2007, 10:40 AM

If you've been deliberating for this long, the answer is clearly to buy the skis with the raddest topsheets.

**sco999** · 03-06-2007, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Roo

If you've been deliberating for this long, the answer is clearly to buy the skis with the raddest topsheets.

LOL!!! Well then the BT match my jacket, but the atuas match my boots? Now I am really confused!!!

**bio-smear** · 03-06-2007, 10:49 AM

I think the first gen Atua was stiffer than this year's model. I don't think calling the BT a Legend Pro "light" is that accurate either, since it has a weird terraced core profile and is designed to be both stable and jibby, which defies the laws of space and time. They will float if you mount them back just a tad. I can still float pow on mine, i just have to get on the tails a little harder than with my VCTs. It's my go-to ski, but maybe that's because I don't have an Atua? You're looking for float, I say go with the wider of the two.

Either way, they're both too short with that huge fucking twin.

**connersw** · 03-06-2007, 11:05 AM

Been tossing this same decision in my mind for the last couple days. I'm about your size (ok, I'm 10 lbs fatter). Ski pretty much the same stuff you do except I try to stay away from the devil's crotch--actually pretty much all crotches except for my wife's.

I've been on the 186 BT all year, and on Sat I put two shots into one of the skis right along the edge. They are fixable, but I'm debating just replacing them now since it's a good time to get year end deals. The things I love about the BT is that they are absoultely bomber. Perhaps LP light is too much of an exageration, but it definitely skis stiff for a jib ski. I ski mainly in the PNW so it is great for crushing crud and chop. It also rails groomers like a GS ski when the off-piste is shit. I don't have issues w/ tip dive in powder, but I tend to be more in the powder than on top.

While the BT is more playful/lively than my old Bigs, I was thinking about the Atua or the Armada ARV for something even more snappy and quicker for the trees. I was talking to a friend yesterday that has skied both, and she says they are both definitely two different skis. She thinks the Atua is definitely softer and snappier.

Right now I think I am leaning towards segregating by picking up either some Atuas or ARVs along with with either an LP or an Explosiv. Not sure where that would rank in your keeping score card. However, if I were just to get one ski, I would just replace my BTs with another pair of BTs. Maybe that's easier to score.

Edit: This my help regarding flex http://www.endrehals.no/Flexcurves%202007.pdf (click on the layers tab to check your ski). You'll notice that the flex pattern is pretty similar for the two skis except the Atua is slightly softer. I liked this flex pattern staying constant for a longer distance across the mid-section of the ski vs a Goat or a P4 which is more peaked/rounded at the center.

bio-smear: Any chance you ended up on a chair at Meadows w/ another guy on BTs about a month or so ago. We ended up doing a couple laps and kept getting on the chair together? I think you mentioned something about school in Utah? Just curious if it was you--don't see too many other people around P-Town on BTs.

**sco999** · 03-06-2007, 11:19 AM

Ok so I think I am going with the big troubles. I think the atuas are a little softer than what I am looking for. Plus 100.00 cheaper.

**connersw** · 03-06-2007, 11:34 AM

Curious where your getting those prices from. Cheapest I can find another pair of BTs is $350 from evogear (I hadn't chunked mine when they were on SAC). Atuas are $430 on eBay.

**truberski** · 03-06-2007, 11:34 AM

I had and sold last year's Atua. The ski never clicked for me and I felt it was a good ski but "great" at nothing. I believe it had too much sidecut for my taste and was not the best in crud and high speeds.

**sco999** · 03-06-2007, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by connersw

Curious where your getting those prices from. Cheapest I can find another pair of BTs is $350 from evogear (I hadn't chunked mine when they were on SAC). Atuas are $430 on eBay.

Actually I ordered a pair of BT's From SAC and I just refused the package, and pulled the trigger on the atua's. After seeing the flex chart compared to other skis I have ridden like the 4frnt msp (to stiff) and Addict which I ride now (and love) I decided the atua is what I want. If you want the Atua's call 1-866-ski-depo. Tell them you want the atua for 400.00 shipped great shop out on the east coast. http://www.ski-depot.com/ Other wise go to http://store.christysports.com/catal...r_atua_96_0607
they are there for 400.00 with free shipping as well. But I would rather use ski-depot any day they will price match christys.

**shirk** · 03-06-2007, 12:00 PM

I bought a pair of Watea's from Ski-depot.com and 2nd them as good folks.

I think the Fischers hand flex to the soft side but on the snow feel much stiffer. When you get them up on edge they will rail thru the chunder just fine.

**bio-smear** · 03-06-2007, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by connersw

bio-smear: Any chance you ended up on a chair at Meadows w/ another guy on BTs about a month or so ago. We ended up doing a couple laps and kept getting on the chair together? I think you mentioned something about school in Utah? Just curious if it was you--don't see too many other people around P-Town on BTs.

Conners-
Wasn't me. I was an OSU Beav. Plus, I mainly ski Ski Bowl. Keep an eye out though...I usually wear red pants and have the first year BT's with the ghostface.

**AKbruin** · 03-06-2007, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by sco999

Actually I ordered a pair of BT's From SAC and I just refused the package, and pulled the trigger on the atua's. After seeing the flex chart compared to other skis I have ridden like the 4frnt msp (to stiff) and Addict which I ride now (and love) I decided the atua is what I want. If you want the Atua's call 1-866-ski-depo. Tell them you want the atua for 400.00 shipped great shop out on the east coast. http://www.ski-depot.com/ Other wise go to http://store.christysports.com/catal...r_atua_96_0607
they are there for 400.00 with free shipping as well. But I would rather use ski-depot any day they will price match christys.

Good choice. I demoed the BTs on an icy day. They seemed way heavier than the other skis I demoed (including the B-Squads) and didn't hold an edge for shit. I also thought they were crap in the park compared to the Prophet 100s (the skis I own) and 90s (another ski I demoed that day). I wasn't impressed by the BTs at all. Of course, I only skied on them for an hour or so and in less than ideal conditions, so my opinion probably isn't worth much.

**sco999** · 03-06-2007, 09:10 PM

My Atuas will be here friday!!!! Now I just need to figure out where the hell to mount my mojo 15's? Big Mountain Line looks to far back to me, I was thinking somewhere ahead of the sidewall mark, but not sure!!
I want to be able to drop into the park and take off and land switch as well as land switch in the Pow, but I do not want the tips to dive when skiing Pow. Any suggestions out there? I know Bakerboy could answer this!!! How far forward can I mount without loosing all mountain performance, and still keep the tips up?

**Toadman** · 03-07-2007, 01:13 PM

I think you'll be happy with the Atua's. They do have very good float and the softer tip really helps in that area. Mount 'em back -2 and you'll really get good float. As someone mentioned before, they do sometimes have the tails get caught up in the chunky mank. But just think turn and these skis will be turning. Great in trees and steeps. I'm not a fast skier but I do like steeps and the Atuas are at home in the steep chutes. I've never had issues in cut up pow or crud. They tend to ski over it rather than through it.