Thread: Quick turning east coast 85-95mm ski?

I'm a 6 foot, 220 lb advanced intermediate. I might have proclaimed myself "advanced" until I witnessed the shit you guys ski (air) at JH, Alta/Bird/Taos and I got my reality check. I've been skiing for eight years and am nearing my fourth decade. I ski Whiteface/Gore in the east and do my best to get out west once or twice every year.

I'm looking for a quick and easy turning east coast "powder" ski that will serve me well on tight eastern runs and trees. I will be replacing a a pair of Explosivs (180), I picked up used a couple years ago. The skis will see use whenever we get at least 6 inches of fresh back east. I am looking for an easy turning, relaxed ski, that is at home in soft snow. Good edge hold on harder snow would be a bonus, but not a prerequisite, as I have other skis for those days. I like the Explosives when I take them out west and can let them run, but don't appreciate them in the tighter confines of the east.

Coming off a couple of herniated disks and back surgery, so my leg strength just ain't what it was 2 years ago. I still like to ski fast but need a less demanding ski than the Exploder. I've thought about the Watea 94, Phrophet 90, and Solly Gun. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

I really loved my head i.m88s in 186. Super stable and damp with incredible edge hold. It's a little on the stiff side but I didn't think it was difficult to ski at all. 6'4, 210 lbs.

Head Madtrix Mojo a.k.a. Mojo 90. Similar to Pocket Rocket a.k.a. Salomon Gun, but with a wood core and greater durability. Plenty turny on the hard pack and great through crud. Skis short with the twin, so get the 186cm.

Search for reviews and even some good prices in the Gear Swap.

You'll find about a MEEEEELION posts about this over here: http://www.epicski.com

K2 Public Enemy, mount them back on the line. Turns quick, floats like a much fatter ski.

I would suggest you find a demo day and try a couple different ski's out. The Volkl Mantra is a kick ass ski that is really versatile.

Try some of the Fischer's in the Watea line or the old Atua/Kehua. Nice all wood ski with a medium flex.

My husband has the K2 Public Enemy for his everyday ski. He almost lost a leg about 10 years ago, so he relies more on finesse than strength, and he likes this ski's quick response in the trees. We pretty much exclusively ski the trees. Several other patrollers at Jay also have this ski and rave about it.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...d.php?t=105462

try these

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...d.php?t=105685

try these out, i'm sure Z will get you a nice deal

Mantra. They are will enter a turn in a much much easier way than the Explosive - they more draw you in while the Explosive more has to be driven in. The have a lot of same damped and composed but still agile feel that the Explosive have (a result if a rather similar construction). They get more nervous if you loose it a bit at speed or in very messy conditions (a result of more sidecut and a more chattery tip) but when you carve them they handle speed nicely. I would say the Mantra tops out around 90% of the "top end" of the Explosive, but on the other hand the Mantra starts performing at half the speed and half the size of the hill relative the Explosive.

In short, the Manstras will probably give you a lot of the same feel you like with the Explosives, but in a 10 times more easily accessed package. At your size, even at kind of recreational skiing, you will be able to handle the 184 Mantra easily. Though longer than your Explosive, they will still be much, much easier. But if in doubt, there s alsoe the 177 (which does feel rather short for you though, I (150lbs) ski my wifes 170 sometimes and it is great fun in some situations, so you course you could have fun on the 177 in some siuations too).

Originally Posted by Dickeymotto

K2 Public Enemy, mount them back on the line. Turns quick, floats like a much fatter ski.

Hear, hear. PEs are durable & a good all mountain ski for the East. The topsheet gets a little chewed, but I've still got my 05 PEs for early & late season. A little stiff for "park" twintips make them all the more versatile in trees & bumps.

Thanks a lot for the suggestions.

I am going to try to hit a demo day on Wednesday. Hopefully they will have some of these skis available to demo. The problem in the east is the vendors usually bring a ton of carving skis and not much in the way of wider boards.

Stockli Stormrider SS = Side-Cut = 122 / 89 / 112 Turning Radius = 26.8m

Twin: Stockli Snake BC = 122 / 88 / 111 Turning Radius = 25.4m

I'm an EC skier and I went with the Volkl Mantra 177cm for the exact reasons you stated. I demo'd a pair last year and had a blast on them so I decided to get them for this year.

I have 2 other skis I use for fast groomer days but when tree skiing or on dump days, the Mantra's are where it's at.

Since you're heftier and a bit taller than I am, you should get the 184cm. Demo them and you should find them to be exactly what you're looking for.

Fourthed or whatever on the PEs. Cheap, too.

BC13,

PM Sent.

You really have to take a look at the Nordica Enforcers. They have a turn radius of 19m and slice through everything like a pair of battleships. I skied them 50 days at Stowe last year and they were the perfect ski for the east coast. They are nice and stiff but float so nice in the EC powder happily ready to rip turns when you get back on the groomers. They are the most fun skis I have ever owned and when I'm stuck skiing groomers out here in Utah on lousy days they are a real treat.

Originally Posted by BC13

I'm a 6 foot, 220 lb advanced intermediate. I might have proclaimed myself "advanced" until I witnessed the shit you guys ski (air) at JH, Alta/Bird/Taos and I got my reality check. I've been skiing for eight years and am nearing my fourth decade. I ski Whiteface/Gore in the east and do my best to get out west once or twice every year.

I'm looking for a quick and easy turning east coast "powder" ski that will serve me well on tight eastern runs and trees. I will be replacing a a pair of Explosivs (180), I picked up used a couple years ago. The skis will see use whenever we get at least 6 inches of fresh back east. I am looking for an easy turning, relaxed ski, that is at home in soft snow. Good edge hold on harder snow would be a bonus, but not a prerequisite, as I have other skis for those days. I like the Explosives when I take them out west and can let them run, but don't appreciate them in the tighter confines of the east.

Coming off a couple of herniated disks and back surgery, so my leg strength just ain't what it was 2 years ago. I still like to ski fast but need a less demanding ski than the Exploder. I've thought about the Watea 94, Phrophet 90, and Solly Gun. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

180 Tanker.

Originally Posted by Brewski2

You'll find about a MEEEEELION posts about this over here: http://www.epicski.com

Not anymore.

Now there are a BILLLLLLLION posts like this here.

Not that long ago an intermediate jong would have been flamed into oblivion around these parts.

This place is more epic than Epic Ski, brah.

Originally Posted by Core Shot

Not anymore.

Now there are a BILLLLLLLION posts like this here.

Not that long ago an intermediate jong would have been flamed into oblivion around these parts.

This place is more epic than Epic Ski, brah.

Since my inquiry regarded an underfoot width greater than 80mm (all the width necessary at Epic for the uninitiated) I was directed to this kindler, gentler locale.

That would be ADVANCED intermediate jong.

I think Mantra is the way to go. I am a hair over 6'1" and weigh 205. Grew up racing in upstate NY so I am all too familiar with the conditions at those places... I am a big volkl fan and for me it came down to Gotama or Mantra. I also bought a pair of Prophet 90's that have never left the plastic. I have heard great things, and based on reviews I have read here you might want to check them out. But for me the Mantra was the ski. I demoed it twice and it never disappointed. In the east, and especially places like Gore and Whiteface you are going to hit hard conditions even on a "powder" day. The mantra doesn't hook up like a race ski when you hit hard stuff, but it doesn't suck either, and that is more than I can say about a lot of powder skis. They really have a solid race like feel that holds up when you push them. So I think for a ski that is wide enough to take out west, but capable enough to get some actual use out of them in the east you can't go wrong with Mantra. The gotama on the other hand is sick in powder and has lots of pop in the tail but gets sketchy on ice.

Other then the Mantra maybe look at the Head 88 or Mojo 90 as recommended above or check out the Prophet 90. If you need a pair PM me. haha.

Originally Posted by BC13

I'm a 6 foot, 220 lb advanced intermediate. I might have proclaimed myself "advanced" until I witnessed the shit you guys ski (air) at JH, Alta/Bird/Taos and I got my reality check. I've been skiing for eight years and am nearing my fourth decade. I ski Whiteface/Gore in the east and do my best to get out west once or twice every year.

I'm looking for a quick and easy turning east coast "powder" ski that will serve me well on tight eastern runs and trees. I will be replacing a a pair of Explosivs (180), I picked up used a couple years ago. The skis will see use whenever we get at least 6 inches of fresh back east. I am looking for an easy turning, relaxed ski, that is at home in soft snow. Good edge hold on harder snow would be a bonus, but not a prerequisite, as I have other skis for those days. I like the Explosives when I take them out west and can let them run, but don't appreciate them in the tighter confines of the east.

Coming off a couple of herniated disks and back surgery, so my leg strength just ain't what it was 2 years ago. I still like to ski fast but need a less demanding ski than the Exploder. I've thought about the Watea 94, Phrophet 90, and Solly Gun. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

sounds as if a twin is not something you really need so i would go mythic rider or pro rider. seen big guys ride these well. im 88 or mantra are also great in the east.

Originally Posted by BC13

[/I]


Since my inquiry regarded an underfoot width greater than 80mm (all the width necessary at Epic for the uninitiated) I was directed to this kindler, gentler locale.

That would be ADVANCED intermediate jong.

well played JONG!

I really like the Atomic Sugar/Tele/Heli Daddy
light, quick, floats well, and still holds an edge on EC hardpack

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105935

Blizzard Titan Nine 181. there are a pair here for Sale for 250. Great east coast ski.