2017 Praxis Skis Info and Resource Thread

[Shu Shu]

183 MVP. Asym ski for EC seems like a mistake but who knows

I dont..

But I will!

It's not. I already know.

JayPowHound, I am 5,10, 170 I went 182, 4 flex, heavy carbon veneer, it is an absolute beast in chop. If your not interested in carbon, I'd go enduro for the core.

[skibrd]

Haven’t been able to sell my Super Freerides (buyer decided they were too much for Vermont and was chill about it) so I mounted them back up at -1 and took them out today. Winter was back on in jackson with slightly lighter then creamy snow top to bottom. It was the first day I actually enjoyed skiing them, and had a blast. Granted I think anything would of been good today, but the felt easy and confident anywhere I took them. The bowl was blown flat and they charged, allowing me to carve huge GS turns top to bottom, leaving huge trenches. In North Woods, I just kept getting more and more confidence in tighter and tighter trees. My buddy even said I looked like every lap I got faster and was going off bigger drops with ease, and I hate drops. In the Hobacks where the snow wasn’t as consistent, I could make any type or size turn I wanted and they handled it great. I did feel a little more feedback then I like for the 2-300 feet where the crust wasn’t buried deep enough, but I don’t think any ski would make that go away. The fat Freerides just made everything easy today, flying through and on top of the pow, making the chicken heads seem to be not there. I was looking for a Shiro replacement it’s taken a while but the Super Freerides did what I wanted today.

Please take all of this with a grain of salt because any ski would of been good today, and after a season of hate, the Super Freerides finally did what I was hoping.

[eskido]

Damn that's great to hear! Keep us updated


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[skibrd]

I was really happy today and as a 100% certified ski whore, I didn’t even really think about grabbing a different pair of skis all day, which is very weird for me. The one thing I do still need to get used to is the tail. It’s different that what I’m used to. I’m not completely sure how to explain what I feel, but the tail is weirdly supportive yet not supportive. If I get too far back on the ski, the tail sort of disappears until it almost catches and allows me to get back on the tips. As long as I’m on the middle of the ski or the tips, it is excellent. I’m not sure if that makes any sense? I don’t really feel the same feeling with my Kastle MX 98s, 202 Fischer Rangers or my Shiros, but it is a good reminder to stay forward on the ski. I’m going to grab them tomorrow and see if I can adjust to how the tails feel. It is a similar feeling to when I’d land too far in the back seat on my old 196 Protests, that disappearing tail feeling pin tail skis have, yet the Super Freerides don’t have a pin tail, but the tail wouldn’t disappear, just catch me and sort of scare me and remind me to get forward (run on sentence but hopefully my point gets across).

I also switched from the Lange WC ZB (2 months in them) with one screw to the infinitely more comfortable Lange RS140 (3 years between 3 different shells). I think the softer flex and more comfortable boots helped ease up the harshness of the ski. Might also just be the difference between comfortable boots and boots that the shell bangs into bones on my feet repeatedly all day long. I’m debating giving my Lange 130 XT Freetours a shot tomorrow with the Super Freerides because we have a long day of hiking planned, but I might be overthinking it, probably am.

I am considering ordering a pair of non-super Freerides for next winter. I don’t have something between 98mm and 116mm, under 200 cm long, and I would like to fill that hole in my quiver. Any advice on how the regular Freerides ski? I’d order the 194cm Freerides, suggested core, but probably a custom veneer top sheet of some sort again. Or anyone holding a pair they want to move on from?


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[Duffman]

Still debating core on the Q.. have the rest sorted.

Will be a 182, veneer (not bamboo) 3+ flex to be used as an in-bounds EC powder ski, ie a mix of open trails and steep tight trees.. searching for fresh turns but realistically skiing plenty of chop.

I'm 5'7, currently about 185.

Not sure heavy or enduro, thinking heavy for the chop busting ability and my growing gut and ass..

No carbon.

Thoughts?

I have the 188 Q 4 flex veneer / enduro core, and after spending a mix of shallow pow (6-8 inches ) , crud, both soft and reef , full spring corn, slush, firm morning chop, and today on completely refrozen groomers and crud then dust on crust at Alta, think these would be a perfect EC powder ski. I have never skiied anything with this waist widith and this much rocker that can rip groomers , then eat crud and chop. Mine are mounted on the line so very easy to pivot in tighter spots, especially considering how stable they are. I like the 188 size but im 6'1 205. If I only skiied big mtns I would maybe go bigger but these are stable enough for me. For your size and doing mostly tight EC woods the shorter length would be fine. I would keep the 4 flex before doing the heavy core of you were looking for stability. These are damp.enough w the veneer. Jury still out on float in deep pow ,haven't had the chance yet.

I have used the OG 188 Protest as an EC pow ski before and love how easy it pivots in powder in the trees but the size got real unwieldy in the typical tree bumps and bumped up runs that happen quickly inbounds EC. The Q isn't that easy in the tight, but is so much better overall in typical EC variable .


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[Duffman]

183 MVP. Asym ski for EC seems like a mistake but who knows

The asym really isn't that noticable. Basically you get a longer inside edge which will help out on firm EC conditions. My Q is much better in firm than my GPO . Whether the assym is really necessary is debatable but it doesn't seem to hurt so far

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[mikey1299]

Looking for opinions. Long-time Praxis fan. Pass holder at Copper and ski everything but not always at TGR Mach looney speed. Current quiver includes 180 Backcountry OG version, 187 GPO and really OG Powder Boards. BCs are my daily driver. Love them but am spending more time chasing my 7 year old daughter down blue groomers and bumps. Looking to use my referral credit for something less wide that can carve more variable sized turns on the groomers with her but will still let loose when I get a chance. Was thinking 184 Piste Jibs but am open to other suggestions.


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[skibrd]

you need a 189 Rx

If it came in a 194, I’d own it already. 189 is too short. But I’m not 100000% sure so you should mail me a pair so I can confirm [emoji6]

[skibrd]

189 Rx does not ski short

I like my skis long, like Fischer Ranger 202 cm or Volkl Shiro 203 cm or Praxis Super Freeride 195 cm or Kastle MX 98 194 cm.

[Banh Mi]

I like my skis long, like Fischer Ranger 202 cm or Volkl Shiro 203 cm or Praxis Super Freeride 195 cm or Kastle MX 98 194 cm.

Heavy Core #5 189 Rx is stable like a 191 Wren, 191 Katana, or 193 Aever SG. All of those are less stable than 191 Monsters. Rx are the easiest to ski for me though, because of length.

The 189 Rx actually measures 187.5cm, but trust me when I say this, it’s freakin’ fast. Big ski in a smaller package, one ski quiver. Flowing Alpy is right, it doesn’t ski that short at all.

That being said. A 194 Rx would be pretty sweet.


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[dschane]

Looking for opinions. Long-time Praxis fan. Pass holder at Copper and ski everything but not always at TGR Mach looney speed. Current quiver includes 180 Backcountry OG version, 187 GPO and really OG Powder Boards. BCs are my daily driver. Love them but am spending more time chasing my 7 year old daughter down blue groomers and bumps. Looking to use my referral credit for something less wide that can carve more variable sized turns on the groomers with her but will still let loose when I get a chance. Was thinking 184 Piste Jibs but am open to other suggestions.

Broken record playing . . . but check out the 9D8 and 9D. For chasing kids and riding hardpack, the longer sidecut over PJs and other rockered skinny skis is worth it, in my pathetically humble opinion.

[grinch]

Doffeeent strokes I guess. 9D8 was the only Praxis ski I’ve had that didn’t work for me other than groomers. I went piste jib for my low tide/groomer/all mountain ski. I can only do a few groomers before I’m looking for something shitty to ski though(moguls, refrozen, steep styrofoam)

[grinch]

Surprised no one has bought that custom protest in the “discount skis” yet

[Shu Shu]

I can only do a few groomers before I’m looking for something shitty to ski though(moguls, refrozen, steep styrofoam)

X2 on the PJ. Its not a dedicated groomer ski but it is super fun their in all but the worst ice. Every where else including smaller pow days its a blast. Stock layup is now built with a heavy core and I would fully recommend it, helps with refrozen, crud etc. And ups the speed limit for a 3 flex. I added carbon but thats to taste. This my second season chasing rug rats on it.

[Self Jupiter]

^agreed on above- it’s my ski with the wife ski but also my most common choice on the EC. I find it super fun on non-ice groomers and rarely grab dedicated carvers as a result.

[Drazzamatazz]

I'm popping for a BC today it seems. It was between that or a Freeride and I think I want a little less traditional tail. Two questions I need help with.
This is going to be a 50/50 use ski for EC. Also hoping it can become a safe default ski for travel. Enduro core, carbon or no carbon?
Keith recommended it to keep the weight down, and I'm going veneers for sure. I'd like it to be a little playful, but I also obviously need some dampness out here on the EC.
Last question, who wants to throw some topsheet suggestions my way. Its a big overwhelming after figuring everything else out. I like Tsunami, but that is reserved for when I order a Japow ski.
What typically looks better with veneers, more colorful cartoon images I'm guess? Abominable, Arctic, or Sister Theresa are my quick picks. Classy and assy with veneers might be fun.

Edit: Keith just got back to me. He clarified he was mostly recommending carbon to save 2-3 ounces in the build. He said it would give them a tiny bit extra pop, but I'm not certain I want that for 50/50 EC. Having never skied a Praxis, how lively is the standard enduro core?

[Muggydude]

I wasn't a fan of carbon without the veneer, with it it might be a good bet but not that necessary IMO.

Read through this year and last year's thread, Praxis Facebook, and the Praxis topsheet thread on here for Veneer pictures. I personally like less colorful/cartoonish images, because the really graphic topsheets can hide the veneer and the colors can get muted.

First post of this thread has links

[N1CK.]

my $.02 ... I prefer minimal graphics on the veneers. I have/had a couple different pair and this was my fav, just simple and lots of grain.

[Drazzamatazz]

I'm leaning towards no carbon I think, save it for my next Praxis ski (ut oh!).

So much reading, so little time! Keith said if I got my order in today he'd still be honoring the free shipping....

[phatty]

Surprised no one has bought that custom protest in the “discount skis” yet

If it was a 192 I would have bought it a long time ago.

[Drazzamatazz]

Facebook was a big help, never even thought to look there since I haven't had an account in over 5 years. Negative space does seems important with veneers. I don't want to go too minimal or everyone around here is going to think I'm on these. https://www.lucidskis.com/
I think I've settled on Arctic Two or Sister Theresa. I was actually surprised how well the pattern comes through on the Arctic.

Seems like all the current veneers should be equally durable/enjoyable? I remember reading in the past their were some issues with some, but it seems like Keith has narrowed it down to hardwoods. Or is the best bet still to stick to maple or birch?

Thanks for your help everyone.

180 BC, flex 3, enduro (not going carbon this time I think), veneer.

[PNW_Skier206]

Surprised no one has bought that custom protest in the “discount skis” yet

Now that the 50% custom is active you can make the exact ones you want for basically that.


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[grinch]

Now that the 50% custom is active you can make the exact ones you want for basically that.


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It’d be a free veneer though. I think it’s a veneer? Nice looking graphic

[jmars]

Agreed, this is tempting but I think I settled on the 192.

[Cars Suck]

Limited input after 2.5 days on 9Ds, heavy core with carbon, #4 flex, birch veneer: I think they'd be perfect for the conditions you describe, at least chop, bumps, and hardpack. They're quick to move around, comfortable at speeds, and carve well.

My only hesitation is the refrozen crap. Our refrozen crap usually involves breakable crusts and can be fairly miserable to ski. I'd rather have something fatter to deal with those conditions (when they're unavoidable).

Thanks for the input dschane. How much do you weigh and what size you get? Do you think the 4 flex is stiff enough? And have you skied the Brahma?

And was thinking the same thing on the 9d8. That extra bit of stability to tone down the chatter and crust. I also like that the 9d8 comes in 179. 177-79 is my money length for an in bounds ski.

My hesitation with the bigger ski is loosing that bite on steep, hard to icy sections like the top of Siberia which I love to lap on old snow days.