The Official Great Pacific Octopus Thread

[kidwoo]

Actually with all the gear whoredom that goes on with this place it's pretty rad you just ski them without knowing what the fuck they're called.

I do respect that.

[Duffman]

Skied my minty new 187 lightweight MAP core mounted w Barons on the dimple at Alta Saturday. Flex was described as to the medium side of medium stiff by Keith. Hand flexing the shovel feels pretty similar to my Gen 1 protest but stiffer through the tail.

Decent mixed conditions day so a good first day trial. Since I could shave w the edges I de tuned the tips w a file but not all the way back to the contact point just to the end of the tapered zone. First thought wow this is a pretty light setup considering the size and bindings. Very easy to ski in soft bumps and not firm crud. Held an edge fine on groomers but skied really short due to the heavily tapered tip and had good bit of tip flap. Still was more than manageable and could let them run just fine. Way way better than the Protest.

Had really nice but not terribly deep untracked at the baldy shoulder and castle rope drops and they skied fantastic. Can do big sweepy turns but also could smear into a quick direction change, nice and loose but stable. Skied chalky but slightly firm snow in spiny chutes well with good handling in tight spaces. Super easy to ski while still being stable enough. So far very happy

Few potential issues, I didn't get any tip dive mounted on the line but didn't get into any deep untracked, only under a ft so it remains to be seen how the forwardish mount does there. Also in the few denser cruddier areas the lightweight ski definitely planes up rather than smashes through like a chargier ski would. It wasn't unstable but did get knocked around a little, we will see how deeper more set up chop does. Since I never skied the standard layup core I have no basis for comparison but it's possible that the heavier core ski may be a better resort charger though. Still the shape is awesome and dialed in and the low weight makes the ski super easy to pivot and throw around and should make for a great travel ski for 85% resort 15% touring use

[Shorty_J]

... a completely rockered ski.

Um... what? Can you buy this full rockered version?

[Jim S]

Mounted 187 carbon GPOs on the line last week. Awesome.

My 192 GPOs are mounted about -1 or -1.5 back (I forgot exactly but it's in an old post of mine).

[2FUNKY]

Um... what? Can you buy this full rockered version?

aayyuuuuuup!

[Shorty_J]

aayyuuuuuup!

Just special instructions to Praxis at the time of ordering?

Sent from my SGH-I717D using TGR Forums

[adrenalated]

Just special instructions to Praxis at the time of ordering?

Sent from my SGH-I717D using TGR Forums

They did a limited early presale and this was an option. Presumably it will be an option when the regular presale comes around later this month.

[AyasFreeski]

Took the bait on a 192 continuous rocker GPO, with new 'ultralight' carbon layup.

Glad I did. The first two days were blower fresh, some 30cm on top of abundant amounts of quasi fresh. If you wish to put 'straight-lining' and 'forest' in the same sentence, this is your ski. Super slarvy, fast as fuck, and precise. A really, really, daddy-can-we-keep-him, must-have ski for connoisseurs who already have the regular camber GPO, Protest, and MVP in their quiver!

Biggest surprise: the carving ability and playfulness on piste, hard snow.

Biggest disappointment: lack of power in heavy, wet snow.

UL carbon layup: it's light as advertised. Nice sounding, with the pitch a bit different from the previous carbon options. Anyways, this ski is significantly lighter than my 'normal' GPO carbon.

Right…upright and balanced skiing is required. This is really fun in easier snow conditions, but I was longing for my standard camber GPOs when the snow turned heavy after a few days of warm weather. Sometimes you just need to push down on your boot tongues and trench out some turns. Like I said, there was too little power transmitted to the ski in heavy, but not crusty, soft snow. Skiing a spine line in this snow, the ski was apt to just stop, when I needed it to continue sliding down (skis perpendicular to the fall line). I think the regular camber on the GPO does slarves and slides with more power (but not in blower pow) thanks to a shape and camber that pushes sown on the snow and lifts the foot. When the tip and tail of the full rocker aren't enough engaged, there tends to be a lot of pressure from the snow around the ankles and shins… repeating, in heavy, wet, manky snow.

In dry-crust and crust-over-soft-dry, the skis are easier to maneuver than the standard camber. In fact, I was glad to have them in lower sections of the mountain, especially in those mid-morning hours when everything gets weird and I just want to get back to the chairlifts and go back up the top.

Which isn't to say that getting back to the lifts ain't fun. Because it sure as hell is! This ski is waaay more fun on piste than the regular GPO, which was already pretty good. I think the sidecut mixed with the really low curve of the rocker allows the skier to slice this ski into the snow like an ice-skate. You can shake your ass with some tight slalom turns, and also confidently arc the ski down in big radius rippers (always keeping the upright stance). It took a few, but I even came to trust the ski at high speeds in big turns on the groomers.

About skiing upright… if you're not used to these kinds of bananas, the biggest problem is working some strength into unused muscles in your feet and ankles. There is a tendency for skis with reverse camber to squirrel around, even in powder, which will feel awkward at first, and cause some soreness as your feet get with the program.

So, you, first-time buyer, which GPO are you going to buy for 2015? I would recommend the standard camber, with UL carbon, to almost everyone but Neckbeard. It is more predictable and more stable, and maybe just more traditional. There is a reason that ski rode to the win at the FWT last year…

But… there are some REALLY interesting characteristics and potentials inherent in the full rocker GPO that should not be overlooked by passionate and dedicated skiers. I'm glad I've got my Protests and regular camber GPOs, not to mention MVPs. But the GPO rocker is not 'just another ski' in the garage. It is lethal when the snow is begging to be slayed. And it is less traditional. After a week of boogying with it, I think my style is changing.

Spinning like a top down the piste after you've dropped 400 vertical meters of nearly-vertical powder is an obvious sign that the ski is good enough to change the way you ski… And a ski that pushes you (oh so gently) in a new direction is usually called a game-changer.

[decay]

How much does the UL in 192 weigh? Standard carbon would be 8.7 i believe, would like to have it even lighter so i have a touring gpo because i love that ski so much.

[sierraskier]

Substitute "Powder Board" for "GPO" ?

Took the bait on a 192 continuous rocker GPO, with new 'ultralight' carbon layup.

Glad I did. The first two days were blower fresh, some 30cm on top of abundant amounts of quasi fresh. If you wish to put 'straight-lining' and 'forest' in the same sentence, this is your ski. Super slarvy, fast as fuck, and precise. A really, really, daddy-can-we-keep-him, must-have ski for connoisseurs who already have the regular camber GPO, Protest, and MVP in their quiver!

Biggest surprise: the carving ability and playfulness on piste, hard snow.

Biggest disappointment: lack of power in heavy, wet snow.

UL carbon layup: it's light as advertised. Nice sounding, with the pitch a bit different from the previous carbon options. Anyways, this ski is significantly lighter than my 'normal' GPO carbon.

Right…upright and balanced skiing is required. This is really fun in easier snow conditions, but I was longing for my standard camber GPOs when the snow turned heavy after a few days of warm weather. Sometimes you just need to push down on your boot tongues and trench out some turns. Like I said, there was too little power transmitted to the ski in heavy, but not crusty, soft snow. Skiing a spine line in this snow, the ski was apt to just stop, when I needed it to continue sliding down (skis perpendicular to the fall line). I think the regular camber on the GPO does slarves and slides with more power (but not in blower pow) thanks to a shape and camber that pushes sown on the snow and lifts the foot. When the tip and tail of the full rocker aren't enough engaged, there tends to be a lot of pressure from the snow around the ankles and shins… repeating, in heavy, wet, manky snow.

In dry-crust and crust-over-soft-dry, the skis are easier to maneuver than the standard camber. In fact, I was glad to have them in lower sections of the mountain, especially in those mid-morning hours when everything gets weird and I just want to get back to the chairlifts and go back up the top.

Which isn't to say that getting back to the lifts ain't fun. Because it sure as hell is! This ski is waaay more fun on piste than the regular GPO, which was already pretty good. I think the sidecut mixed with the really low curve of the rocker allows the skier to slice this ski into the snow like an ice-skate. You can shake your ass with some tight slalom turns, and also confidently arc the ski down in big radius rippers (always keeping the upright stance). It took a few, but I even came to trust the ski at high speeds in big turns on the groomers.

About skiing upright… if you're not used to these kinds of bananas, the biggest problem is working some strength into unused muscles in your feet and ankles. There is a tendency for skis with reverse camber to squirrel around, even in powder, which will feel awkward at first, and cause some soreness as your feet get with the program.

So, you, first-time buyer, which GPO are you going to buy for 2015? I would recommend the standard camber, with UL carbon, to almost everyone but Neckbeard. It is more predictable and more stable, and maybe just more traditional. There is a reason that ski rode to the win at the FWT last year…

But… there are some REALLY interesting characteristics and potentials inherent in the full rocker GPO that should not be overlooked by passionate and dedicated skiers. I'm glad I've got my Protests and regular camber GPOs, not to mention MVPs. But the GPO rocker is not 'just another ski' in the garage. It is lethal when the snow is begging to be slayed. And it is less traditional. After a week of boogying with it, I think my style is changing.

Spinning like a top down the piste after you've dropped 400 vertical meters of nearly-vertical powder is an obvious sign that the ski is good enough to change the way you ski… And a ski that pushes you (oh so gently) in a new direction is usually called a game-changer.

[AyasFreeski]

^ If you mean substitute your PBs for CR GPOs, you could. But totally different skis. Reverse sidecut will not deliver the same versatility on hard snow. CR GPO would be like an all-mountain PB, which you could use (with style) on a wider variety of snows. And much easier to carry around...

[sqikunst]

GPO's have to be one of the best looking skis out there!

[hoarhey]

How much does the UL in 192 weigh? Standard carbon would be 8.7 i believe, would like to have it even lighter so i have a touring gpo because i love that ski so much.

My 182 GPO with std camber and standard carbon layup with a medium plus flex (softer, hence slightly lighter than std med-stiff layup) weighs in at 8.8 lbs.

I take issue with your 8.7 lb weight of 192 GPO in standard carbon.

[decay]

I thought i read it here, thanks hoarhey.

Anybody know if the lighter cores will come 2014 for the GPO?

[hoarhey]

Keith said UL cores will come for GPO and other Praxis models (not sure which) during custom pre-order, starting last week of March.

[hoarhey]

I wish Keith would make a 177 protest in the 118-119 mm width of the 163 version.
I'd buy that ski with the ultralite core for touring.

[grinch]

X2 for perfection

[kidwoo]

I wish Keith would make a 177 protest in the 118-119 mm width of the 163 version.
I'd buy that ski with the ultralite core for touring.

gee there's an original idea

Get him to make a short wootest2. You and neck beard would need to cover like 5 pairs a piece. Money talks.

You can't tell me you had a hard time trying to turn my skis at your height. You still need to ski those in winter snow. It's nuts.

[surfNski43]

Pipeline at the bird. Skis killed it

[Bandit Man]

Skied the GPO for the first time today in 11" of dense/heavy PNW snow. These were Dromond's hand-me-downs (187-cm, Medium Flex, Mounted with STH14's @ -1 from dimple). Stupid easy to ski. Very surfy in the freshies and so easy to throw around. More playful than charger, but willing to be pushed. Started getting pushed around a bit when the ruts got deep, but overall really enjoyable. For a real charger, I would probably want the 192 and a stiffer flex profile. Curious to see how my feelings evolve as I get more time on these.

[BigLineSeeker]

Skied the GPO for the first time today in 11" of dense/heavy PNW snow. These were Dromond's hand-me-downs (187-cm, Medium Flex, Mounted with STH14's @ -1 from dimple). Stupid easy to ski. Very surfy in the freshies and so easy to throw around. More playful than charger, but willing to be pushed. Started getting pushed around a bit when the ruts got deep, but overall really enjoyable. For a real charger, I would probably want the 192 and a stiffer flex profile. Curious to see how my feelings evolve as I get more time on these.

So not as chargy as the '13 Squads? How's the float? Thinking a stiffer profile 192 with continuous rocker for next year's replacement to the Squad.

[Bandit Man]

So not as chargy as the '13 Squads?

Not in the medium flex and not in the 187-cm length. Stupid easy to ski. This ski should be called the "Automatic", but that name is already taken. I could point them in the fresh stuff with total confidence. When it got more tracked out, I had to be a bit more cautious, but they didn't fall apart on me. They don't feel beefy at all and strike a nice balance between playful and stable. Would not label them a charger. I switched to my Cochise when things got tracked and they felt like way more damp and stable than the GPO's.

How's the float?

Better than the Squads. The flat camber makes them more smeary and surfy without the resistance the camber in the Squads can produce. That smeariness might be what makes them take a hit in stability. If you get lazy, they act like they want to wander a bit. The snow was really dense, so that was likely a factor, too.

Thinking a stiffer profile 192 with continuous rocker for next year's replacement to the Squad.

Contiuous rocker on these would be interesting. I really couldn't load them up and get "pop" out of them like you can on the Squad 7, but that is part of the trade off. They are easy to toss around, though. I'm certainly not replacing my Squad's with these, but they make a great compliment for when I am with my kids or playing on mellower terrain. If we get the snow forecasted for tonight, I'll take them out again tomorrow and do a back to back comparison with the Squads.

[JJChit]

Thats an interesting comparison to the Automatics. I had the Automatics and skied them for 2 weeks before I got rid of them. The fact that they easily deflected in crud and got tossed around made me get rid of them.

My stiff 192's GPO's don't deflect one bit and actually ski very well in variable conditions. These are the carbon layups as well. I've skied the squad 7's as well, and find the GPO charge harder then those as well. Sounds like the 187 is a completely different ski

[Bandit Man]

Thats an interesting comparison to the Automatics. I had the Automatics and skied them for 2 weeks before I got rid of them. The fact that they easily deflected in crud and got tossed around made me get rid of them.

My stiff 192's GPO's don't deflect one bit and actually ski very well in variable conditions. These are the carbon layups as well. I've skied the squad 7's as well, and find the GPO charge harder then those as well. Sounds like the 187 is a completely different ski

I didn't mean to make a comparison to the Automatics, but rather alluded that the GPO skis "automatcially". I skied the 186 Auto for one day and quite honestly hated them for the reasons you mentioned.

If you ski the 192 stiff GPO, then you might as well be on a totally different ski than the 187 "Medium" GPO that I have. I mentioned that a longer length and stiffer layup would probably suit me better, but still like the more playful nature of the ones I have. A medium-stiff in the 192 is likely what I would order if I were to buy a pair new.

I really think that it is awesome that different layups are available for this ski, but as you can see, they end up providing some varying opinions on performance.

[XavierD]

Well these things are loose and nimble; could not find trees too tight.

192s not sure on flex, but my guess is a carbon layup? Chicken can confirm.

I agree that it is pretty awesome that you can get different flex profiles.