Pontoon VS DPS/ARG/Praxis

[Jim S]

Jim S - if you look up the 200 120s/202 138s proposal thread Stephan goes through a lengthy discussion of all that.

Thanks!

[Jim S]

Praxis vs Pontoon

I've had two-three days on the 195cm Praxis and a lot more days on the 189cm Pontoon.

Me 6'2" and 190lbs, ski very fast and hard, hucks up to 30 feet but usually smaller, never switch, never park.

In a nutshell:

Pontoon
-Easier learning curve if any at all. A retard could jump on these and kill the pow. I am proof of this.
-Fast to float and all you need is soft; it does not need to be deep
-Softer than the Praxis so less jarring to the body but flappier in crud or junk; more forgiving when going mach 6
-Better on flats, groomers back to the chair, and traverses
-Prone to wheelies which I LOVE!!!! Really fun.
-A bit odd in hop turns on steep chutes... perhaps because you have the huge tip and pintail?
-Hucking is brainless (micro hucks are what I do)
-A tad more playful with my style (or lack thereof) of skiing

Praxis
-Definitely skis different than regular skis or the Pontoon and a bit more of a learning curve but not much
-Dang similar in the pow to the Pontoons: they surf effortlessly
-A bit easier on steep (>50 degrees) hop turns in chutes
-Better in crud and chopped pow with less tip flap.
-Stiffer so a bit more force transmitted to your body in crud but not crazy stiff. 99% of the people here won't care.
-Weird on the flats or groomers but tolerable.
-Hucking is brainless like Pontoons. Very easy to land and stomp.
-Can scrub speed unbelievable fast and change direction in the pow as if you can defy the laws of physics.

Which to buy? I don't know. But you can't go wrong either way. If you are a pig like me you'll have both and enjoy both. Praxis may have a slight advantage for lift-served once things get chopped up.

Which am I taking to AK in 3 weeks? I don't know.

[truth]

Praxis
-Definitely skis different than regular skis or the Pontoon and a bit more of a learning curve but not much
-Dang similar in the pow to the Pontoons: they surf effortlessly
-A bit easier on steep (>50 degrees) hop turns in chutes
-Better in crud and chopped pow with less tip flap...I think. I need more time on them to compare.
-Stiffer so a bit more force transmitted to your body in crud but not crazy stiff. 99% of the people here won't care.
-Weird on the flats or groomers but tolerable.
-Hucking is brainless like Pontoons. Very easy to land and stomp.
-Can scrub speed unbelievable fast and change direction in the pow like you defy laws of physics.

I'd also add that the Praxis sideslip better than any ski I've been on. This might sound like an odd positive, but there are times in tight technical lines that being able to slide at speed and in complete control to the exact spot where you want or need to make a turn is invaluable. I know that it's changed the way I ski and think about certain lines. They now look like fun and are approached with a full tilt charge where previously they would have been questionable and skied tentatively.

[comish]

I'd also add that the Praxis sideslip better than any ski I've been on. This might sound like an odd positive, but there are times in tight technical lines that being able to slide at speed and in complete control to the exact spot where you want or need to make a turn is invaluable. I know that it's changed the way I ski and think about certain lines. They now look like fun and are approached with a full tilt charge where previously they would have been questionable and skied tentatively.

This to me was one of the major benefits I saw in my whole 3 or 4 runs on the Praxis. I could envision turning, side sliping, etc in weird techy places I definitely would have been nervous about before. Places that fall into the "awkward" realm for me. You should be able to do it, but your brain says, " what if you catch the tail on the jump turn into the crux" kinda situation. With the Praxis I felt I could turn / sideslip, if it was steep & pow filled when ever. Kinda cool. Prolly won't make me go back to them, but definitely a benefit.

Now back to the comparisons since I haven't skied the other "funshapes"

[todug27]

Now back to the comparisons since I haven't skied the other "funshapes"

ya i'd love to see some more on the arg's. i know there are a few reviews out there, but nowhere near as many opinions on those as the praxis/toons.

[truth]

ya i'd love to see some more on the arg's. i know there are a few reviews out there, but nowhere near as many opinions on those as the praxis/toons.

FWIW with T.Hall buying into Retallack they had a fleet of them on hand as rentals. Many of the guides were on them and seemed pleased.

[fluffballs]

Funny to read this thread now after a near full season on 195 praxis. I had 3 previous seasons on spats which I loved, but went to the praxis for a longer, stiffer spat with a wide point slightly more forward. My Experience:

I love these things, seriously, I've got nearly 30 days on them this season and they kill it. The major improvements over the spats for me were:

They absolutely stomp everything, my skiing has improved, but not that much, I am stomping stuff I wouldn't have even jumped off on the spats.

They handle speed really really well, straightline no problem. I'm sure this helps with the stomping, I'm totally confident skiing out of anything.

More float, more fun.

I did jump back on my spats (gave them to my brother with the same sole length). Oddly enough they felt much lighter on my feet, most likely due to the swing weight, though my praxis are mounted with dukes.

[Huckin eh?]

I can vouch for the durability of the Toons. I have the 06/07 model and I have over 50 days on them . I also have them mounted with Fritchis so they see lots of slackcountry action. Hands down the most fun ski I have ever ridden. They are also the best trailbreaking tool out there!
Unfortunately I cant compare to the reverse sidecut shapes cos I havent tried them.
One day I hope to get around to it

[Jim S]

I can vouch for the durability of the Toons. I have the 06/07 model and I have over 50 days on them .... Hands down the most fun ski I have ever ridden.

Agreed.

I have taken my Pontoons over a rock bed with no snow several times, beat them to death as if they were
Dick Cheney strapped to my left foot and George Bush strapped to my right foot, and they are bomber.

And as I said, incredibly playful and fun.

.

[Zeppelinskier]

The Toons are bomb, i must agree. i can take these skis anywhere on the mountain and ski them just fine. everyone knows they kill soft snow and pow. they are ok in the crud and ok on the groomers. as far a durability goes they are holding up, i have had 5 days so not a good benchmark. the praxis i would say are better for the crud AND pow, but this is because they are a bit stiffer throughout the ski( where the toons are stiff under foot only). to me i could rip on either ski, truthfully i wish i went with the powder boards for the better "all around" ability. still i love the clown feet.

[whyturn]

Skiied pontoon and ARG.
Toons are faster and more stable. Less work in most conditions of a normal pow day. however, the ARG is quicker in trees, and more playful. Also very stable, but I can not hit mach looney on ARG without some fear. Toons are pretty much no speed limit in most pow and tracked pow. I have both because at smaller resports like June or solitude teh ARGs are more nimble. But at Alta or Pow mow, toons all day and i really never get tired in so much pow.

praxis are a differnt animal. Not as light in wastach or Wyoming. I believe Praxis ws more designed for mammoth, tahoe and PAC NW. Howver, they do surf well, minor tip dive