The Official Great Pacific Octopus Thread

[sierraskier]

I have a 187 glass pair in Gear Swap if anyone needs to be temped. Medium + flex.

I know and I am tempted.

[shafty85]

There are the spatula/billygoat/deathwish type outliers where companies put something forward that really steps over the edges of the box

What makes the BG's so out of the box? I know people rave about them, but they don't appear to be 'revolutionary' to me. But I haven't skied them and EASILY could be missing something.

[undertow2]

What makes the BG's so out of the box? I know people rave about them, but they don't appear to be 'revolutionary' to me. But I haven't skied them and EASILY could be missing something.

I have 191 Billy's and just got my 192 GPOs back from the shop... I do not know if it is revolutionary, but to answer your question ON3P touts their RES (reverse elliptical sidecut) technology, which is explained in detail on their website...

[Shu Shu]

After now skiing the GPOs about 5 days, and the last one in 12-15" of blower pow, whats remarkable about it is how crazy loose and slarvy it skis pow compared to how locked in it can feel in a carve on 2d snow. I was really shocked after skiing untracked pow how wild that design is, and if the BG tip is even more tweaked for pow than I can see why people love the shit out of it.

FWIW though as dialed as the GPOs are in silly range of conditions, I don't find them to be nearly as out of the box as the Concept. That ski makes the weirdest kind of sense to me when I have them on. The GPOs have just really nailed a beautifully versatile combo of shape and rocker with a flex and layup to suit your style. It's an easy ski without the blandness, and glaring weak spots of other 5 points i've skied (JJ, Super 7).

[easternskr]

So first impressions.

Me, 5'10" and 155. On the 182 carbon in medium+.

I've only been out a few days so far this year and only 2 days on the GPOs. So I really haven't had a lot of time on them yet. I skied them the past weekend at Stowe, where we had very hard frozen icy surfaces one day, then 6 - 8 inches of fresh in the morning the next day. Needless to say, that powder got cut up very quickly.

One of the reasons I bought these was because I wanted something that was close to the DPS Wailer 112 RP in powder (love these in the tight Vermont trees), but would not get bounced around once the freshies got all cut up.

So day one on the hard stuff, as Dane said, these things will edge into most anything. True, they won't carve like a true metal laminated narrow waisted ski, and they won't absorb the vibrations of the frozen stuff under your feet the way metal skis do either, and at 116 underfoot it's not what I would choose to ski hardpack with as getting that wide a ski over on edge can be a bit tiresome and sore on the knees. But these will hold on the hard stuff if you need them to. One thing I did find though on that first day was the hookiness that some others have mentioned, but some agressive use with a gummi stone on the tips and tails, then even on the whole ski length solved that problem.

Day two freshies and leftovers. First, I found msyelf hesistant at first with the skis as that forward mounting point (-1 on mine), seemed just so far forward with so little ski in front that I was pulling back a bit on these without thinking about it. But once I got comfortable on them and trusted them they felt better and better. Compared to the Wailers, they need a little more speed to float and turn (the Wailers are practically on autopilot at slow speeds in the trees). But the GPOs really shined in the open crud and chop. It seemed the faster I went the happier they were, and I never experienced any sensation of getting bounced around at all as they just plowed through everything.

I'll report back once I have more time on them in the conditions I bought them for, but so far I am really impressed and very happy with them.

[Dry]

May be a bit out of the box look at the GPO...but here ya go.

http://coldthistle.blogspot.com/2013...d-systems.html

[steveski]

May be a bit out of the box look at the GPO...but here ya go.

http://coldthistle.blogspot.com/2013...d-systems.html

Thanks for the review. Definitely good info. I haven't considered the speed ultralights much until now...

[Dry]

FWIW,,,I had forgot to set my Speed SLs to any reasonable number. Checked them this morning. I have been skiing a 4 setting on the heel. Never lock the toe skiing lifts (which I generally do in the BC every time out). I do make an effort to pull the lever to clear the pins and them put it back down however every tiem i step in. But a 4 and no pre-releases the way I was skiing this last weekend? Impressive to me. I generally run a 7 on Dynafits.

[whyturn]

So I got the carbon 187 out today
Conditions were early season with wet snow and some soft patches

Compared to fiberglass 192 it's a different animal altogether
Much quicker and more lively
Slightly less damp but stable

I am sold on the upgrade and can't wait to try real pow

Advantages are slarvy quickness and the poppy lively feeling
Downside is some dampness and raw power loss

[Shu Shu]

I am sold on the upgrade and can't wait to try real pow

You won't be disappointed. I was getting a little tip dive (mounted on the dimple) but this was 15" of super cold light blower on low angle resort terrain, so I'm not concerned. Although it did seal the deal on my need to add some Protests or Pow boards to the quiver for some low angle tree noodling, but I digress.

Once they got up to speed, they are soo drifty/slarvy fun, and that tip is just so wild to watch. I almost crashed into lots of stuff, tripping out on watching it do its thing. The carbon upgrade really shines here, they just feel so light and fun.

[Bird Blaster]

12" blower day today. Surf machines!! So slarvy and easy to ski. Still in love with them.

[Dry]

12" blower day today. Surf machines!! So slarvy and easy to ski. Still in love with them.

where tf are you? 'cause I am very jealous and want to be there too!

[wwwllw]

1st day on 192 carbons. Mounted -1. I agree with Bird Blaster, so slarvy and easy to ski yet not wimpy at all. I have been skiing 190 bibbys for the last few years and so far these seem just as versatile but much more loose and fun in fresh snow. No hooking on packed runs. I owned 11/12 191 billygoats and these seem to do everything those did but just rage a bit less. They still want to eat up vertical in a hurry.

[Dromond]

12" blower day today. Surf machines!! So slarvy and easy to ski. Still in love with them.

You are mounted at -2, right? I'm still in mount-point neurosis for my 187s.

[whyturn]

^^^ I went -1 on my 187 after -2 on my 192 if that helps. Seems great there

[Dry]

You are mounted at -2, right? I'm still in mount-point neurosis for my 187s.

I did the same. Wasted energy now I think. I mounted a 182 on the dimple. It is GOLD. I have a 192 I am still waiting for more snow to ski at -2.5 (which i sweated bullets over convinced the dimple was waaay too far forward) . I suspect the 192 will be fine but wished now I'd just gone the dimple from my experience on th 182. I might yet change my mind once I ski the 192 but the 182 ski seems to be pretty amazing and feels like it has a huge sweet spot for even a skier as picky as I am about mount points. I don't mind eating my own words on this one. Or skiing on different mount points if the 2nd pair of skis feel and ski as good as expected. One thing I won't be doing again, is second guessing Keith's newest suggested mount points. Lesson learned.

[racesla]

I have six day's on my 187s now. !0" of soft pow to race course hard groomers. I'm convinced the dimple is the spot. For me at least. Started at just past -1 and the more I moved them forward the better they got. Have schizos on them.

[Bird Blaster]

You are mounted at -2, right? I'm still in mount-point neurosis for my 187s.

Yes. -2. Considering -2.5 for other pair

[Wetdog]

You've got to remember that most skis will respond favorably to forward mounts on groomers and packed snow, but when you are mounting a big ski to ski deep snow, a compromise of mounting a little back is worth it. My Praxis Concepts have a fairly centered mount which works terrifically for all mountain use, but I find in deep snow they want to nose dive a bit until I get up to speed. I mounted my Praxis Ullrs, which are basically a bigger GPO at -2, which is where I ended up on while demoing Squad 7's and several other similar skis. Keith said the dimple on the Ullr is -1 relative to the GPO already as the Ullr is intended more as a powder ski and he suggested -2 from that for me with my intended use being mostly big powder days at the resort and cat trips. Having mounted them with Schizo's I fully expect to love them in the deep at -2 then be skiing them on the dimple at the end of the day skiing groomers to get off the mountain. I looked seriously at the GPO before going with the Ullr's and I think for me the -2 sounds right, but I am a more of an old school, classic, weight forward, drive the tips kind of skier. It depends on your style. A more forward mount works with a more weight centered new school style. It depends a lot on how you ski and what you ski in terms of terrain and snow conditions.

[racesla]

You've got to remember that most skis will respond favorably to forward mounts on groomers and packed snow, but when you are mounting a big ski to ski deep snow, a compromise of mounting a little back is worth it. My Praxis Concepts have a fairly centered mount which works terrifically for all mountain use, but I find in deep snow they want to nose dive a bit until I get up to speed. I mounted my Praxis Ullrs, which are basically a bigger GPO at -2, which is where I ended up on while demoing Squad 7's and several other similar skis. Keith said the dimple on the Ullr is -1 relative to the GPO already as the Ullr is intended more as a powder ski and he suggested -2 from that for me with my intended use being mostly big powder days at the resort and cat trips. Having mounted them with Schizo's I fully expect to love them in the deep at -2 then be skiing them on the dimple at the end of the day skiing groomers to get off the mountain. I looked seriously at the GPO before going with the Ullr's and I think for me the -2 sounds right, but I am a more of an old school, classic, weight forward, drive the tips kind of skier. It depends on your style. A more forward mount works with a more weight centered new school style. It depends a lot on how you ski and what you ski in terms of terrain and snow conditions.

Hey Wetdog do you have any time on your Ullr's yet? Love to hear a new report on that ski. Not much posted info on it.

[Dry]

It depends on your style. A more forward mount works with a more weight centered new school style. It depends a lot on how you ski and what you ski in terms of terrain and snow conditions.

I was you once. Not so convinced of that now. I have GPOs mounted at the dimple and a 2nd pair mounted -2.5 cm. The GPO has a huge sweet spot. Both mount locations ski exceptionally well with little or no change in balance, technique or body position. Little or none for me anyway. I wouldn't go any further back. And a an old trad guy I wouldn't go forward of -0-. The 182 is a med/stiff flex. My 192 are med+ flex and mounted -2.5. I skied the 192 on some hard stuff and some soft today. Wasn't all bad though, way more fun in some ankle deep with death cookies or a soft breakable crust under it than the bullet proof. GPO in both versions I have are exceptionally versitale skis.

GPO is one of the 2 or 3 BEST skis I have ever been on. Mount location on both is fine. And from the fun today the med + flex -2.5 will be real money in some soft snow. Only thing I wished for in the hard conditions we have right now a GPO in glass instead of carbon and a full on stiff flex. But I don't normally ski groomers the majority of the day, so likely that idea will pass quickly when we get soem snow. No question a Praxis ski built specifically for NW groomers is in my future however.

I could easily second guess my 192 mount @ -2.5 but I think the ski is going to be perfect as is in deeper soft snow wih the added ramp angle of a tech binding on there now. It slavers, butters and side slips down a spline at speed totally balanced where it is mounted now. Most ski's aren't capable that on my feet if the mount point is off by 2cm.

For the 192 I wanted a specific soft snow ski that was something just short of a dbl rocker/reverse design's palyfulness. I wanted big and floaty with little effort required to charge into any snow condition with confidence. The wind pack crap I skied today was a perfect preview of things to come I suspect. I am pretty excited about this particular 192 GPO! I decided yesterday the 182 will be going to Chamonix with me this year. A huge surprise as I hadn't even considered that when I bought the ski last Spring. It is a vote for just how solid thr GPO is under me.


182 GPO, Speed Superlight and TLT6, all Cham bound, Spring 2014

GPO in carbon with standard build/flex mounted @ the dimple is a full on, super fun, charger with a surfy /slarvy personality when it isn't riding a rail at mach 1. No speed limit that I could find on perfect groomers. A soft snow ski that can easily make do on hard snow with 116mm under foot. Way better all around ski than I ever thought possible for the width.

192 GPO in carbon with a med+ flex mounted @ -2.5 is a true soft snow scapel. Big turns, little turns, surf, slarve, butter or JAM it. Nice ski. The med+ flex prefers soft snow no question. Better pow/mank ski (as in some really manky snow) than I expected and it will still carve a turn.

Both GPOs are full on Super Hero skis for mee. Been dry here for snow and I am already doing things on these skis I had not thought possible (for me) prior. They inspire confidence.

[Wetdog]

Hey Wetdog do you have any time on your Ullr's yet? Love to hear a new report on that ski. Not much posted info on it.

Not yet. There's not been much snow up at Whistler yet and I'm on the road with other skis for the Holidays hoping to Ski Revelstoke, Kicking Horse, Fernie and Whitewater on the Holiday Loop. If Whistler or Baker get any snow in the New Year I'll get them out and report back.

[Wetdog]

I was you once. Not so convinced of that now. I have GPOs mounted at the dimple and a 2nd pair mounted -2.5 cm. The GPO has a huge sweet spot. Both mount locations ski exceptionally well with little or no change in balance, technique or body position. Little or none for me anyway. I wouldn't go any further back. And a an old trad guy I wouldn't go forward of -0-. The 182 is a med/stiff flex. My 192 are med+ flex and mounted -2.5. I skied the 192 on some hard stuff and some soft today. Wasn't all bad though, way more fun in some ankle deep with death cookies or a soft breakable crust under it than the bullet proof. GPO in both versions I have are exceptionally versitale skis.

GPO is one of the 2 or 3 BEST skis I have ever been on. Mount location on both is fine. And from the fun today the med + flex -2.5 will be real money in some soft snow. Only thing I wished for in the hard conditions we have right now a GPO in glass instead of carbon and a full on stiff flex. But I don't normally ski groomers the majority of the day, so likely that idea will pass quickly when we get soem snow. No question a Praxis ski built specifically for NW groomers is in my future however.

I could easily second guess my 192 mount @ -2.5 but I think the ski is going to be perfect as is in deeper soft snow wih the added ramp angle of a tech binding on there now. It slavers, butters and side slips down a spline at speed totally balanced where it is mounted now. Most ski's aren't capable that on my feet if the mount point is off by 2cm.

For the 192 I wanted a specific soft snow ski that was something just short of a dbl rocker/reverse design's palyfulness. I wanted big and floaty with little effort required to charge into any snow condition with confidence. The wind pack crap I skied today was a perfect preview of things to come I suspect. I am pretty excited about this particular 192 GPO! I decided yesterday the 182 will be going to Chamonix with me this year. A huge surprise as I hadn't even considered that when I bought the ski last Spring. It is a vote for just how solid thr GPO is under me.


182 GPO, Speed Superlight and TLT6, all Cham bound, Spring 2014

GPO in carbon with standard build/flex mounted @ the dimple is a full on, super fun, charger with a surfy /slarvy personality when it isn't riding a rail at mach 1. No speed limit that I could find on perfect groomers. A soft snow ski that can easily make do on hard snow with 116mm under foot. Way better all around ski than I ever thought possible for the width.

192 GPO in carbon with a med+ flex mounted @ -2.5 is a true soft snow scapel. Big turns, little turns, surf, slarve, butter or JAM it. Nice ski. The med+ flex prefers soft snow no question. Better pow/mank ski (as in some really manky snow) than I expected and it will still carve a turn.

Both GPOs are full on Super Hero skis for mee. Been dry here for snow and I am already doing things on these skis I had not thought possible (for me) prior. They inspire confidence.

Dane, my post was actually in response to your first review relating how well the 182 GPO's skied groomers mounted on the dimple. I was not surprised, but have found that Praxis skis tend to have a rather centered mount, Keith admits his bias as well, and for me, I always find that I feel too far forward in deep snow on them and have moved the mount back on several models. I had the same experience with Squad 7's last year. I ended up skiing them at -2 as a number of others have done as well. It is a preference thing I guess. I have totally bought into the centered stance thing for some of my skies, but I find when I charge, I tend to naturally drive the tips in a more classic style without realizing it. Old habits never die. I would be interested to hear more of how you like that mount point on the 182's once you have skied them extensively in deep powder. The 192's you have sound like a great soft snow set up. I'm eager to hear more about your experiences with them too as I have carbon Ullr's, basically a wider GPO, with a medium flex mounted at -2. I've had no opportunity to bring them out yet. Maybe in January. Here's hoping.

[AyasFreeski]

It's like a snow globe in a blender around here the last few days. The last 24h saw over 120cm of sweet white sugar come down from the heavens. Even protests are too little ski for these conditions. But…

I moved the mount forward from -2 to the dimple. This was about five days ago, and the night fall was about 30cm of cold blower pow. I hit my morning spots on the protests and around 11 got on the GPO… and slayed everything in sight. Orgasmic would be a reasonable adjective, but it is way to emotionally charged to describe the the clean, relentless, ruthless, and outright coldblooded precision of thought and action that I experienced that morning.

So the first impression was great, and as I did a little comparison skiing (trying to recall the sensations I expressed previously), the verdict confirmed my decision. As suspected, the dot mount loosened up the pressure on the tails, allowing way more slarve and also carve. And more importantly (for me) the forward weighting has eliminated the tip chatter that was breaking my balls on steep and hard snow.

To give a quick summary, I went from -2 to 0 and the ski went from just 'ehh', to 'wheeeeeeee'. Less restricted, less jaw jarring, less 'charger'; more capable, more smooth, more 'slayer'.

I wish you all a happy new year. The situation here is going to keep me away from the computer for a while. And I'm starting a rumor, you heard it here first: 210 powderboards for 2014-15, prototypes for the coming ice age.

[Sessiøn]

It's like a snow globe in a blender around here the last few days. The last 24h saw over 120cm of sweet white sugar come down from the heavens. Even protests are too little ski for these conditions. But…

I moved the mount forward from -2 to the dimple. This was about five days ago, and the night fall was about 30cm of cold blower pow. I hit my morning spots on the protests and around 11 got on the GPO… and slayed everything in sight. Orgasmic would be a reasonable adjective, but it is way to emotionally charged to describe the the clean, relentless, ruthless, and outright coldblooded precision of thought and action that I experienced that morning.

So the first impression was great, and as I did a little comparison skiing (trying to recall the sensations I expressed previously), the verdict confirmed my decision. As suspected, the dot mount loosened up the pressure on the tails, allowing way more slarve and also carve. And more importantly (for me) the forward weighting has eliminated the tip chatter that was breaking my balls on steep and hard snow.

To give a quick summary, I went from -2 to 0 and the ski went from just 'ehh', to 'wheeeeeeee'. Less restricted, less jaw jarring, less 'charger'; more capable, more smooth, more 'slayer'.

I wish you all a happy new year. The situation here is going to keep me away from the computer for a while. And I'm starting a rumor, you heard it here first: 210 powderboards for 2014-15, prototypes for the coming ice age.

Imagine how much easier it would be if people trusted the ski designer on the mount point of a modern design instead of living in the past with the "farther back is better for pow" mentality.