Some gear advice please

[Blatentdisregard]

Its time for me to buy a new pair of skis! For the last 2 years I have been skiing on K2 Public enemies exclusivly, but they aren't cutting it for me anymore.

This year I am looking for a new setup, something to handle more BC and off piste stuff, but something that I can still cruise around the groomers when I am with newbies.

Right now I am looking at the 07 rossi Scratch BC WRS in 178 (or the new 08 brigade), The Line Prophet 100's, and K2 Seths. I do some park, mostly on days when the snow isnt great, and i will be keeping my PE's so its not a huge concern.

Any advice on these skis?

[panzieman]

I really really like the BC/Brigade. Of those I think they're the best choice, but you won't be unhappy on Seths. I've never skied the prophets but I have delammed a pair of lines in 5 days so I'm not too keen to buy another pair (although the Sir Francis Bacon's are tempting)

[BaconMan]

Congratulations on using the right forum... a bit more info on where you plan to ski (mostly) would be helpful. Seths are a great ski and so are the Prophets, but you really need to indicate more info than what you've indicated.

[Rooster]

Just buy the Prophets. You won't be disappointed.

[Eds]

Mmmmm I think the BC's are the best choice. They are the skis with the smallest waist and thus will probably fare better on the groomers. Seths, in my experience, are only good for pow, and I have heard nothing but good stuff about the Line's, but they seem a little too fat for the hardpack.

[Blatentdisregard]

Ok sorry, I ski mostly the Pacific NW. Crystal, Mt Baker and Mission Ridge are my usual areas. I do ski a lot of off piste and love to hit up the South and North back areas of Crystal Mountain.

I mention being decent on the groomers because I often ski with friends who don't ski/board a lot and we tend to stay on cruisers those days and i want a ski that can still make some turns.

I am also open to suggestions on a different ski entirely.

[hway2]

Nothing too original here to contribute, but I am putting dukes on my 0506 goats and think that will be a good set up for crystal, spending most of my time in the north and southback. Its a very versatile ski and surprisingly light.

[Blatentdisregard]

Ok so I have done a little more research, searching and I don't think the new Seths are going to be what im looking for, but the 4frnt VCT looks great...

Has anyone ridden the VCT's or Prophets 100's and have an opinion on them?

[Deep Days]

Ahem:

179 soft BRO models. These skis are at least as fun (if not more fun) than my GS skis on groomers, and they ski really well everywhere. Due to the soft flex (about like a Seth, in my approximation), I was a little disappointed with the deflection in crud (which is why I ended up with a pair of stiffs, which I will be mounting shortly, thanks to Mr. Splat [you da mang!]). However, these skis really do feel like they're glued to the snow when maching wide-open turns on anything firm, and their light weight makes them very nimble in tight spots for their dimensions (125 99 116 or something very similar. 30 m turn radius). Turned-up tails also allow skiing switch. I've never really skied them in the park (and never at all on rails), so I can't say much there. Float in powder was great, and I was able to smear turns much more easily (and with more enjoyment) in soft snow than with most other conventional skis.

I can't say much about the durability, as I haven't spent long enough on them to trash them (between 2 different pairs of softish BROs due to miscommunication, I skied a TOTAL of about 20 days on BROs but only 12 days at the most on one pair). By most all accounts, the bases on the BROs are bombproof. Nick>Jesus has a pair of 1st generation BROs that have appeared virtually indestructible after at least 100 days.

Additionally, I don't know what the wait time is like to get a pair (it was backed up to a few months a while ago), so I'd suggest PMing splat if you're interested.

I DO know that they are fun as shit and would probably fit your interests extremely well, particularly considering the light weight for touring and nimbleness in PNW trees.

Edit: very detailed review of soft and softer BROs here. (http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1134140&highlight=cream+cheese#post1134140) (Stick to the top 5 or 6 posts. The thread gets cunted up into some political bullshit that really wouldn't help you.)

With respect to the VCT comment: I have flexed and picked up a pair of 175s, which were definitely not super-heavy, and I remember liking the medium flex. Unfortunately, I don't remember what the flex pattern is like. The skis belong to nikster140, and she apparently loves them to death. PM her for guidance.

Hope that helps.

[skikola]

if you like the way the pe's ski, go for some seths.
you won't be disappointed.
but on the other hand, if you can get your hands on some goats,
or even mantras, which are a tad fatter this year, those would be sick
options as well.

[Blatentdisregard]

I will check out those Bros, they look really nice.

My worry with the 2008 Seths is that the new mini rocker. I saw a review that said this years model was not nearly as versatile as years past.

I like the Goats, but they are also bother wider and more expensive than the prohets or Seths.