Thread: Head Monster 85

Since we lost all the info on skis/boots/bindings etc we need to rebuild the archives so we can tell the jongs to go search for something! So chip in your thoughts below

a lot softer than a pocket rocket which is the benchmark for all skis of the modern. era.

if your being serious, they are a good hardpack carver, 19m radius, layer of metal, medium stiff flex, very similar in feel to a skinnier mantra. The topsheet on the older (cap) generations gets tore up quickly. Easy to turn for their sturdiness. Expensive retail, stayed the same through the generations in regards to shape. Not a bad replacement for the former G4 or stiff carver owner looking for something more manageable. Wide shovel, fun in crud, not a gnar kill weapon.
Hunter

I'm in agreement with 300hp. I bought mine as a mid fat to fit in between my old Volkl P50 GS skis and Explosives. They are great in spring corn, any soft snow actually, as long as it is not too deep. They are good in more consolidated PNW snow that you tend to ride up in more. They carve up groomers pretty good as well. I skied my friends G4's and liked them, but Volkl had changed to the 724 that year, which I didn't like, so I went with Monsters. They are similar in performance to the G4 with a bit wider tip for better turn initiation, but which can make them a bit hooky in some more extreme conditions. Mine don't see too much use anymore as I have Pro Riders which essentially do everything the Monsters do and much more.

Originally Posted by Wetdog

I'm in agreement with 300hp. I bought mine as a mid fat to fit in between my old Volkl P50 GS skis and Explosives. They are great in spring corn, any soft snow actually, as long as it is not too deep. They are good in more consolidated PNW snow that you tend to ride up in more. They carve up groomers pretty good as well. I skied my friends G4's and liked them, but Volkl had changed to the 724 that year, which I didn't like, so I went with Monsters. They are similar in performance to the G4 with a bit wider tip for better turn initiation, but which can make them a bit hooky in some more extreme conditions. Mine don't see too much use anymore as I have Pro Riders which essentially do everything the Monsters do and much more.

Having said this, I got my old Monsters out for a boot pack into the Spearhead glacier at Whistler this spring on a bluebird day after a number of days of no new snow. It had stayed cold and the North slopes of the ridge around the glacier had kept the snow sheltered from the sun, but it had become quite consolidated boot or shin deep snow. The Monsters rocked in these conditions and where much more bearable in the super packed/icy condtions skiing back to the resort over wider skis in the quiver. I think I may have rediscovered a classic. There are times when the old mid fats have their place even if it is just for a nostalgia trip.