Best Grom Ski

[Duffman]

The ‘23-24 Black Crows Junius is a solid wood core option. My daughter got a pair this year and she gets along really well with them.

End of season sale bump.... Any more.info on this Black Crows Junius? Price and width are right and kid likes the monster energy looking graphics. Hard to find much info on this newer wood core version though. It sounds softish,is that the case? How have your kids gotten along with this ski? My dude will be 11 this summer but is on the shorter side. Prob looking for a mid 140 ski next year 85-90 ish width.

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[gaijin]

Just a word of experience— try to get 2-3 pairs for your kids to try. I thought I could predict what would be good for my three kids but learned after a solid decade that I don’t know shit about what they like.

I took to handing out business cards to other parents— “Call me when you want to unload your kids’ gear.” It worked like a charm and I built a closet full of 2-3 pair per every 10cm in length. And my kids would swap at lunch and suddenly become better skiers.

And the cost was cheap. Honestly. When you tell a parent they have a buyer for their kid’s ski gear the negotiation on price is in your favor. They call, you ask how much, then you counter offer with you picking up and removing shipping.

I was buying skis for 50 bucks.

Which reminds me— I need more above 160 now.

Sold three pair of never-even skied, though. So not a complete win.


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[funkendrenchman]

End of season sale bump.... Any more.info on this Black Crows Junius? Price and width are right and kid likes the monster energy looking graphics. Hard to find much info on this newer wood core version though. It sounds softish,is that the case? How have your kids gotten along with this ski? My dude will be 11 this summer but is on the shorter side. Prob looking for a mid 140 ski next year 85-90 ish width.

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I’ve compared against some other grom skis and it’s softer than the QST Blank, Backland, and Mantra. Not quite as soft as the Enforcer. Around the same as the Carson. My daughter had no complaints and she skied great with it. It’s a good mid-fat all mountain for a kid. Durability has been solid. Already got a pair for next year.

[Duffman]

I’ve compared against some other grom skis and it’s softer than the QST Blank, Backland, and Mantra. Not quite as soft as the Enforcer. Around the same as the Carson. My daughter had no complaints and she skied great with it. It’s a good mid-fat all mountain for a kid. Durability has been solid. Already got a pair for next year.

Interesting. My son is fairly light for a 10 year old, but he's been skiing a K2 Shreditor 85 2017 vintage which he loves and despite being a twin is quite a bit stiffer than the Mantra Jr. But he also tried a Bent Chet mini 143 which was taller than him (he's like 56 inches now) which is softer and liked that too.

So I don't know if he really needs the stiffer ski ,but it definitely didn't hold him back at all

[Dantheman]

Evo currently has Volkl Revolt 96 in small sizes for $270.

I'll have a pair of Faction Dictator Youth 155 for sale soon if anyone is interested.

[Duffman]

Bump... Any one have any experience with the Armada Declivity Jr?

Also is there any real difference between the Atomic Bent Chetler Mini at 90 underfoot (153) and the Bent Jr at 85 underfoot (150) construction and flex wise? Their site is very unclear on this .

[tharmor]

The construction of the JR’s must be cheaper to produce since the price point is lower. Does this result in a noticeable difference for such lightweight skiers? Can’t say for sure.

I’m looking to move on from two pairs of the Faction Candid JR skis that are one hundred millimeters under foot, flat camber under foot, and tip and tail rocker. The skis have served me well but my kids have outgrown them. I have them listed on FBMarketplace so I’ll link that for convenience. Obviously the FB price is not the Maggot price. Just shoot me an offer and we can figure something out.

Skis:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...ibextid=6ojiHh

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...ibextid=6ojiHh


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[SnowMachine]

Bump... Any one have any experience with the Armada Declivity Jr?

Also is there any real difference between the Atomic Bent Chetler Mini at 90 underfoot (153) and the Bent Jr at 85 underfoot (150) construction and flex wise? Their site is very unclear on this .

Declivity Jr. looks like a great kids big mountain ski. Wood core, flat tail, 88 WW.

Not sure the deal with the Bents. Why make both skis? I assume the mini is more geared toward all- mountain (longer rocker line and wider), vs the junior being a catch-all fun beginner ski.

Both of my kids skied Bents when they were little along with a lot of kids I've worked/skied with. If they're strong skiers, I think it's worthwhile to move them to a ski with a wood core by the time they're 10-11 years old.

My oldest (11) went to the Rustler Team and now the QST Blank. Both are really great all/big mountain kids skis. We were able to grab them locally for $150. Score !!

[ripvanwinter]

Bumping…..

I’m in a bit of a quandary with a larger but less aggressive 10 yr old who Im trying to inspire confidence in to get off the groomers more this season. Technically he’s a sound skier and can ski steep blues and some tighter lines if pushed too.

Thinking a stiffer faction or chet is too much for him.

Anyone have any experience with the Armada ARV 84 Jr? I think a little more underfoot and a wood core may help him feel more stable.

He was on the foam core rustler twin jr’s the last two seasons and he way over drives.

He’s 5’ tall and about 100lbs

[CascadeLuke]

Bumping…..

I’m in a bit of a quandary with a larger but less aggressive 10 yr old who Im trying to inspire confidence in to get off the groomers more this season. Technically he’s a sound skier and can ski steep blues and some tighter lines if pushed too.

Thinking a stiffer faction or chet is too much for him.

Anyone have any experience with the Armada ARV 84 Jr? I think a little more underfoot and a wood core may help him feel more stable.

He was on the foam core rustler twin jr’s the last two seasons and he way over drives.

He’s 5’ tall and about 100lbs

We’re loving Moment Carson’s and Shiro Jr pow boards @10 yrs old. Got him ON3P Charlie Murphy’s for Xmas. He liked the set we had before.

[jbrine]

We just picked up a pair of Charlie Murphys after growing out of the Carson’s in 146. Also have a pair of Atomic Bents to try and compare against.


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[ripvanwinter]

Anybody have a pair of something 80-85ish waist and 145 ish long they want to unload?

[alias_rice]

Bumping…..

I’m in a bit of a quandary with a larger but less aggressive 10 yr old who Im trying to inspire confidence in to get off the groomers more this season. Technically he’s a sound skier and can ski steep blues and some tighter lines if pushed too.

Thinking a stiffer faction or chet is too much for him.

Anyone have any experience with the Armada ARV 84 Jr? I think a little more underfoot and a wood core may help him feel more stable.

He was on the foam core rustler twin jr’s the last two seasons and he way over drives.

He’s 5’ tall and about 100lbs

I’ve yet to find a kid that didn’t get along with a pair of Carson’s. It’s just a great junior ski that works in all conditions. The 146 may seem a touch short for his size, but based on what you say about his aggressiveness, he’ll feel better on the shorter skis.

[VTskibum]

Good options above, another one to consider is the Rossi Blackops Pro Jr. Wood core and fairly stout for a kids ski. My very lightweight but technically proficient 11y/o daughter loved this for all mountain use last season. 76 underfoot so not quite as wide, but didn’t hold her back skiing few pretty deep days.


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[muted reborn]

Anyone have advice for a 10 year old girl at 68 pounds, 56"? tall, strong intermediate with solid round turns who has started skiing steeps and loves it but doesn't rip steeps?

I just upgraded her skinny rental skis to her first pow skis, 128 Volkl Jr Mantras, and her skiing should improve on steeps now, so I'm thinking her old cheap 2 buckle rental boots won't drive them well. I don't want to go too stiff either, and I don't want them to be so tight they are uncomfortable. I'll use a bootfitter for final say but what are some boot basics before shopping?

[Dantheman]

My kid went through several pairs of Dalbello Menace 4s. Good 4-buckle grom boot that can usually be found fairly cheap.

[VTskibum]

My son had those Menace 4s as well and worked great. My daughter told me to get bent when I suggested trying them as the styling is definitely pretty unique. She’s also a little ski racer so that contributed to her reaction.


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[muted reborn]

So look for a 4 buckle boot that's not on sale, fits her well, and don't overthink it? What flex would she need?

[ripvanwinter]

I will add a thumbs up on the menace. We rocked those for two years with success. Comfy and stout enough

[alias_rice]

So look for a 4 buckle boot that's not on sale, fits her well, and don't overthink it? What flex would she need?

Yes, though why not an on sale boot? I always liked to get last years boots for 50% of the price. I don't really think flex matters a ton at that age and size, but a 60 flex is probably perfect.

[muted reborn]

Yes, though why not an on sale boot? I always liked to get last years boots for 50% of the price. I don't really think flex matters a ton at that age and size, but a 60 flex is probably perfect.

Ha, I meant to type '...that's on sale'. WTF.

[banzai]

Evo currently has Volkl Revolt 96 in small sizes for $270.

I'll have a pair of Faction Dictator Youth 155 for sale soon if anyone is interested.

Whats the verdict on the Dictators? Got some on a sale for my older daughter (11yro) and was a bit surprised by how much camber they got. Flattish tail, camber and handflex test suggest they should be a solid AM ski, but interested to hear your take on them.

[Travist185]

I have been searching for some used Moment Carsons, but not having much luck. My next two choices are Volkl Mantra Jr. and K2 Bindbender Jr. Anyone have suggestions or preference towards either? I am looking for two kids, 9yo 56" tall, and 6yo, 48" tall. Thanks!

[Dantheman]

Whats the verdict on the Dictators? Got some on a sale for my older daughter (11yro) and was a bit surprised by how much camber they got. Flattish tail, camber and handflex test suggest they should be a solid AM ski, but interested to hear your take on them.

The kid loved them. YMMV, but he had no issues with the camber coming from Mantra Jr's.

Still have them if anyone is interested.

[criscam]

Anybody have a pair of something 80-85ish waist and 145 ish long they want to unload?

140 Bent Chet jr? (85 mm waist)


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