What corn ski do I want? (also open to offers)

[jorion]

I've been extremely happy with my 185cm Blizzard Zero G 95s as Eastern Sierra spring skis. I haven't tried any of the other skis in this category though.

Anyhow, they are very light (much lighter than most of the skis being mentioned) but have fantastic edge grip. If I were dropping into a couloir that had an icy 50 degree entrance that quickly transitioned into 40-ish degree corn, I'd want this ski above all others. When conditions suck in the BC, I sometimes skin up Diamond Peak and ski down the groomers before work. While I'm not recommending them as a resort ski, the Zero G 95s are bar none best groomer skis I've had this millennium. They also rip in corn, but most skis do. I wouldn't say they are surfy, slarvers though. But you can go fast with confidence.

Downsides? The stubby tip sometimes annoys me when I'm skinning over undulating terrain with its tendency to stab into things. One at least one occasion, I've gone ass-over-tea kettle with a heavy pack and cursed them. They manage in deep powder but you have to be vigilant of tip dive. (My Praxis Backcountries went out of commission a couple months ago, so I've been on the ZeroGs through all the deep storms in Tahoe recently.)

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I also got 0g95s for this purpose last spring, though in 178, and really enjoyed them into July. The only thing I'd add is that the mix of extremely light and very stiff is a little strange feeling.

[tone capone]

My knee twitches whenever I read 'carbon'.

Haha!

[Lord Thomas]

Lindhal mentioned the ski that comes to mind, Salomon Mtn Explore. Surprised they don't get more play here as a spring ski. For a touring ski very damp and capable, good edge grip, decent float and won't shit the bed when snow gets a little ugly. Very well ballanced skis, my limited experience on them mirrors the Blister review.

Skied the new head Kore 105 this weekend at Mission on firm, spring like conditions. Astonishingly damp, velvety feel on the snow. All went well till I pulled off the groomer into softening, refrozen snow. Not so good there with significant deflection and hookyness. Some of it could be mitigated with detuning but only so much.

As far as carbon skis go I think guys need to try some of the newer featherweight wonders, not all of them feel like my old G3 Zenoxides. Volkl and others have come a long way in making light skis not feel like you are skiing on gravel.

For a cheaper alternative how about a Blizzard Kabookie?

[waxoff]

Never been on them myself, and they're not the lightest tourers around, but for the stated missions the Armada Declivity comes to mind.

Edit. This years' model looks (to me) more true to its description than the previous tst-ish shaped version.

[GeezerSteve]

The Falketinds aren't available with a waxless base, unfortunately. They are interesting (to me) because they appear to be a modern, shaped, alpine cambered, early rise tipped ski- but extremely narrow.
* * *
I didn't mention before- I have Vectors in both waxless and flat bases. And I agree, the waxless ones are better in corn for suction. They also leave you with some form of propulsion when tree pollen makes skin glue totally fail!

Voile Objective BC would be sweet for late season corn tours

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Skied the new head Kore 105 this weekend at Mission on firm, spring like conditions. Astonishingly damp, velvety feel on the snow. All went well till I pulled off the groomer into softening, refrozen snow. Not so good there with significant deflection and hookyness. Some of it could be mitigated with detuning but only so much.

I tried the 189 Kore 105 that same day. I think the 93 might be a better spring touring ski. They are light and damp but on steeper soft crud they got bucked and deflected. I think it might have more to do with the center mount but to some extent the tune, I felt like I was going over the bars a few times with that soft, short tip out there. On anything smooth the were great and easy turning, maybe like the Soul 7 HD but smoother and lighter?

I bet the 105 would be a great mid winter touring ski.

[AKbruin]

I'll let you do my 3rd knee surgery in the parking lot of the peppermill if you think you've got something. It was your 194s that got me to buy those 186s.

I see little advantage to long spring touring skis. If you were to go for the Zero G 95s, for example, I'd strongly recommend getting the 178cm. I nearly got them for myself. I'm 6', 180lbs+, and ski reasonably aggressively and have never felt limited by the 185cm length of my skis. Whereas, doing kickturns with my 190cm Backcountries on steep frozen slopes is a pain in the ass. Nor do I want that kind of length when I'm scared and hacking through some jump turns in a steep couloir. Also the weight.

[Warning: It's also possible that I'm going rando. In five years, I may be wearing a Lycra skinsuit, headband, 90's style wrap-around sunglasses and riding on skate skis. ]

[Climber Joe]

Another vote for the bonafide. They aren't super light, but two sheets of metal beats anything else for corn. They turn refrozen corn cob into skiable snow

[kidwoo]

[Warning: It's also possible that I'm going rando. In five years, I may be wearing a Lycra skinsuit, headband, 90's style wrap-around sunglasses and riding on skate skis. ]

Oh I see the warning signs. Yessireee.


You know what it's like skiing shit conditions for 500ft of walled in garbage snow and then you're just over it and cover the last 2k without turning. It's mood lifting. Something rockered I'd do in the 180s. Maybe just below if more flat camber. It's kind of nice to have you know.....real skis.

But yeah it's just a matter of time before you're on 67mm waist 163cm skis with paperclips for bindings, skinny britches and a headband.

Quick test.
I remove skins by:

a) taking off my skis and then removing skins while enjoying the scenery
6) doing that reach, stretch and peeling them off while still on my feet and looking at everyone I'm skiing with to make sure they noticed
iiv) Getting humerus bone extensions so I can reach down while running with my skis on and checking my times against john morrison

[N1CK.]

I fondled the Zero G 95s yesterday ... surprising light for as stiff as they hand flexed.

We need a wave of reviews saying 'these suck, worst skis ever' so shops lower their leftover prices.

[Mofro261]

Since you are talking a ski for use with CAST plates and alpine binders, all of these "spring corn touring skis" being suggested in this thread will feel and ski like crap. Unless you really mean you want something lighter and dedicated for touring and then I'd say go pin tech.

If you liked the OG surfboard LP but want something easier on zee knees, go try to find yourself a 2010-2012 era Legend Pro 105 in the 184cm. Lil shorter, lighter(ish), has tip rocker but not too much, and yes softened and a little pussified as compared to the earlier iterations of the full cambered LPs, but still an excellent hard/ corn snow slayer with enough heft to decapitate the chicken heads.

[LightRanger]

184 Cham 97s. Either the older HM version, or the 2.0.

Turnier than LPs though.

[meter-man]

PSA 184 Salomon MTN Explore 88s on sale at BC.com for $389.

https://www.backcountry.com/salomon-...4-005056946dac

[hoarhey]

Support Keith and get some 9D8's in a 179

LBSki got a pair of UL's a year back when they were on sale, and he's digging them

[kidwoo]

Huh? What?

*rubs eyes*


I got some on3p 98 wrens a month ago. A little heavy but they fit the bill. I'm all good. But hey keep the suggestions flowing for anyone else wanting something similar. Tis the season.

[meter-man]

I got some on3p 98 wrens a month ago. A little heavy but they fit the bill. I'm all good. But hey keep the suggestions flowing for anyone else wanting something similar. Tis the season.

Yeah, I basically treat these tech talk threads as resources for anyone looking for a corn ski, etc. So, rather than start yet another "what ski for me" thread, folks can just poach the info/PSAs/etc on the threadzzz

[TahoeJ]

Huh? What?

*rubs eyes*


I got some on3p 98 wrens a month ago. A little heavy but they fit the bill. I'm all good. But hey keep the suggestions flowing for anyone else wanting something similar. Tis the season.

Glad you're liking them. They take a little getting used to at first.

[mattig]

Good to know the wrens found a loving home. After demoing several damp, heavy, austere, western European skis of similar waist, I've decided to check out the far edge of that spectrum with the mx98. Hoping it will be an even more lifeless and austere version of a Bonafide.

[Boissal]

ja mon. my CD102Ls rip so hard in corn and that 41m radius gives you plenty of effective edge for steep places. just skied em again after spending most of the winter on my pow setup and remembered how hard those things rip.

Bit late to this parade but I'm going to recommend the LownDown 102 (updated version of mbillie1 's CD102). I have a few days on mine now in variable spring conditions and after the initial "wtf have i done I hate those they're so much harder to ski than my Lotus120s" I think I love them. I have the 179 version, they're moderately stiff, light (1500 g ish per ski), no swing weight, and the long radius means that there's no issue with top speed. Took them down the NW couloir of the Pfeiff on their 2nd day, I figured they'd either work or I'd take a 1300' slide for life. They worked.

[JayPowHound]

I have an AK 183 bro for this purpose. I will mourn them when they reach the end of their life, and may try to replace with the same.

Checks all of your boxes as far as I can tell...

[kidwoo]

Glad you're liking them. They take a little getting used to at first.

Honestly man, those are some of the easiest, first turn skis I've ever owned. Got along with them immediately. (2d snow here, still haven't/won't ski them in pow)
Only thing I had to adjust to was the rockered tips in the footwells of my sled.


Thanks again for the rec!

[TahoeJ]

Honestly man, those are some of the easiest, first turn skis I've ever owned. Got along with them immediately. (2d snow here, still haven't/won't ski them in pow)
Only thing I had to adjust to was the rockered tips in the footwells of my sled.


Thanks again for the rec!

Right, they're easy to ski, I was just used to Wren 112's so had different expectations and therefore a bit of an adjustment period.

[kidwoo]

Bumping this up.

TahoeJ warned me the tips on the wrenegades might be too rockered. The tips are too rockered. In anything un-soft it feels like I'm on a ski that's all underfoot and tail.


So instead of suggesting skis (which would be the same suggestions already in this thread), just send me shit you have for sale. Because I'm buying something.


Cham 97
nordica hell and back

That kind of stuff. Just no 1000g chattery shit.

[bodywhomper]

So instead of suggesting skis (which would be the same suggestions already in this thread), just send me shit you have for sale. Because I'm buying something.


Cham 97
nordica hell and back

That kind of stuff. Just no 1000g chattery shit.

Suggestions :P

Kastle fx95HP (or non HP)
Nordica Enforcer
4frnt mpv95
mantra m5
Wren95

[TahoeJ]

TahoeJ warned me the tips might be too rockered. The tips are too rockered. In anything un-soft it feels like I'm on a ski that's all underfoot and tail.

They do ski soft snow really well, but of course so do a lot of wider skis that are better at it. On the other hand, I replaced my Wren 98's with Navis Freebirds and found they didn't have enough tail rocker for shit fuck conditions since I had trouble releasing them in tight spots. Next up are the Ravens, which have rocker but the taper is very subtle. Will get out on them for the first time this weekend. It's difficult to find that perfect "skinny touring ski" - particularly for Tahoe / the Sierra since the chances of encountering a huge variety of conditions on the same tour is likely.