LP XXL and Katana

[D(C)]

After searching extensively, I have yet to find a direct comparison of these two skis. As a primarily Eastern skier with a racing background, my all-mountain skis consist of 188 Stockli Scot Schmidt Pros and 185 Salomon Pocket Rockets for rock skis. I'm contemplating the move to BC and am looking for something to use of deeper days. Pure float is not as important as general versatility. I want something that will provide stability when negotiating cut-up afternoon stuff yet still be somewhat nimble. As a racer, I'm pretty used to throwing around stiffer skis but don't want anything that gets too locked-up.

The two models that seem most relevant are the Volkl Katana and the Dynastar LP XXL. How do these two skis compare? Are there any other 110ish skis worth considering? Also, if I like my 188 SS Pros, what length should I consider in either ski?

If I missed useful threads when searching, I apologize. Please direct me to that info if you know if it.

[Toadman]

I demo'd both these skis this season out here in WA. It was lucky for me a pow day when I demo'd them. About 9" of fresh with some stashes and wind loaded areas with about 18". The Katana has better pure float. It's not as adept on the groomers. Not as good in the crud. The XXL is more versatile. Not quite the float as the Katana but it's much more suited to the chop, crud and cut up pow at the end of the day. I have a pair of unmounted XXL 187's waiting for next season, if that's any indication of which way I went after trying these two skis. For me it was no contest. 3 turns into the pow I knew the 187 XXL was the ticket. All the rest of the countless turns thereafter were just affirmation of that feeling. Both my reviews on the Katana and 187 XXL should be up on TGR somewhere.

[milkman]

Also take a look at the 191 Movement Goliath. Do a search and check out the rave reviews....

[snowful]

Do NOT read this thread: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114841

Do NOT go to this website: http://praxisskis.com/ski/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

I need somebody to tell me to be responsible and to NOT buy a pair of these skis.

[D(C)]

Thanks for all the info. The Movement Goliath does sound like a nice ski. It is said to flex like a Mantra. I tried a 184 Mantra and found that it was not a great crud ski. Does the Goliath do better?

I'm intrigued by Praxis, especially given the price. I'd probably consider the Big Mountain 110 or 120. Does anyone know these?

[Phill]

After searching extensively, I have yet to find a direct comparison of praxis and Sumos. Could someone help me

[PNW Skier]

Thanks for all the info. The Movement Goliath does sound like a nice ski. It is said to flex like a Mantra. I tried a 184 Mantra and found that it was not a great crud ski. Does the Goliath do better?

I'm intrigued by Praxis, especially given the price. I'd probably consider the Big Mountain 110 or 120. Does anyone know these?


The 191 goliath skis NOTHING like a mantra you can't even compare those two skis. I don't even think that they flex similarly. I personally don't care for the mantra at all but as I've said before I love my movements. The XXL's are essentially a stiffer, less turny, goliath. The XXL's are also heavier because they've got metal in them.

[jerr]

I think bandit man got a pair of 187 xxl's. He already had a pair of Katanas in the fleet. Upon skiing the xxl's he got sold the Katanas. I think this is how the story goes. PM to find out more.

[comish]

I think bandit man got a pair of 187 xxl's. He already had a pair of Katanas in the fleet. Upon skiing the xxl's he got sold the Katanas. I think this is how the story goes. PM to find out more.

I also think that his Katana's were the 190 variety and potentially a little grande for the PNW mini golf/tree situation, but that could also have been me reading between the lines... It seemed like he never felt the love for the Katana, even pre XXL. Size wise the Katana seems to straddle the 187 XXL. At least the 183 Katana is definitely shorter than the XXL.

This is a bit of drift on this thread, but I find that with the largish differences between sizes on today's skis (instead of the old 5cm differences of yesteryear) finding the ski with the size that matches my preferences can be more important than the differences between skis...

[Phill]

I also think that his Katana's were the 190 variety and potentially a little grande for the PNW mini golf/tree situation

No.

he thought they were good pow skis and not as great everyday skis. He had better pow skis and with the xxl a better everyday ski

[jerr]

No.

he thought they were good pow skis and not as great everyday skis. He had better pow skis and with the xxl a better everyday ski

So a xxl - perhaps and particularly in a 187 - is a good everyday ski? Is this the case?

I hope you say yes because I just bought some and was wondering just how useful they were going to be.

Edit: maybe I should just pm Bandit man. Or maybe I'll just wait a few weeks until the season begins and find out for myself

[PNW Skier]

Provided you either don't like to turn much, just point it through whatever is in your way, and like to haul ass 110% of the time. Or you're really heavy. The skis will make a great everyday ski.

[PNW Skier]

Provided you don't like to turn much, just point it through whatever is in your way, and like to haul ass 110% of the time. Or you're really heavy. The skis will make a great everyday ski.