Thread: 90-100mm waist tour ski sub 8lb~ PNW

Hey, been around for quite awhile and trying to do lots of research. I have decided that this year is the year I am going to get a touring ski, the last few years I have been moving more towards it. I have read the http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ng-Ski-Options fat and light thread and the >110 ski thread too but am looking for something a bit different and thought it needed its own thread




So I am looking for a little help on choosing a ski:
Me 150lb with gear,
5'10
Consider my self aggressive skier, currently ski line 185 SFB (2011 color wheel) and others before, , 4frt VCT and old k2 PE


So I have been doing some touring on the SFB and decided that I need to lose some weight, I got some tech bindings to mount on the new ski's. I am looking at something that is in the 90-100mm waist range and prefer sub 8lb. But also being cheap I am looking at close out deals that may be close in weight. I can go new or used...

I am also looking for a ski that has a flat tail, Length 175-185, light and fun for tours in the PNW, not looking to ski switch or take any huge airs, skiing 90% back country % 10 resort

So some of the ski's I have been looking at to add to my quiver
Before I say any more would prefer DPS Wailer 99 but it is just not in the budget so please don't recommend it

G3 tonic
G3 zenoxide
G3 Spitfire
G3 Saint

K2 Coomback
K2 Wayback

BD Drift - 11/12 (blue) I have heard that this ski is a little soft and not suited to my style

Movement sluff
movement jackel
(other movements look good but haven't found a good deal on them)

Are there others out there? should I cross some off the list? I have been leaning towards the G3 tonic or zenoxide or k2 coombacks should I be?

Just looking for some feed back thanks

If it were me I would be looking at the Praxis Yeti. Sub 8lbs and 94 underfoot. They seem like an awesome touring ski (speaking without skiing them mind you), plus Praxis skis are very affordable and you can customize the stiffness and more importantly the graphics!

After years of making some pretty mediocre skis, I think G3 has a pretty strong lineup if you're looking for a cheap ski. I think the Zen Oxide skis as well or better than the Tonic despite being lighter. I definitely prefer the Zen Oxide to the Coomback for less than ideal snow. The new rockered Spitfire looks like a solid ski too. I have only skied the old version, which was a good all around spring touring ski, less noodly (but heavier) than the Mount Baker Superlight that preceded the Wayback.

That said, the Praxis Backcountry is more enjoyable than all of the above. The materials, build quality and hard snow performance are superior. The Yeti is a new, narrower Praxis ski with similar specs. I would expect a pair of Praxis to easily outlive G3's or K2's.

The Drift is a stupid ski.

I have no experience on Movement skis, but they seem very well made.

I use an older (orange, foam core) pair of BD Verdicts (96mm, 180cm) to fill the category your are looking for. While I haven't skied the newer offerings you are looking at I am amazed how fun this ski is every time I break them out - usually just spring tours or during winter high pressure. If you are looking to test out this category and stay well under budget find an old pair of these beauties.

Trab Stelvio XL, Volkl Nanuq, and Dynafit Manaslu all fit your specs and have their fans.

Dynastar Cham HM 97? about 7lbs a pair.

voile vectors?

I looked at the praxis some online, they look nice but again out of my current price range. Same with the nanuq. I found some manaslu's in my range but I am really trying to stay away from pre drilled/insert skis. I run a homemade dynaduke plate most of the time, although I could make a reverse one to go from dyna to duke to always be as light as possible.

so far I have found in the sub 350 range the zen-105 and the tonic-100 (zen is the heavier one in 185 right? i have been hearing conflicting answers) and the jackel and coomback in the 450 range. These are all new prices

So I am trying to stay under the 450 range but prefer lower as I also need to get my boots custom fit this year as I just grit my teeth through last year hoping they might just pack out....

having never skiied the drift I keep hearing its a "stupid ski" do you care to elaborate, on paper it looks nice and light with good dims but users all seem to be down on it. unless entry level

Originally Posted by hellojello74

having never skiied the drift I keep hearing its a "stupid ski" do you care to elaborate, on paper it looks nice and light with good dims but users all seem to be down on it. unless entry level

It's a fat carving ski with tip rocker, and, therefore, good at nothing. A small turning radius works on some fatter skis that have a lot of tip and tail taper, such as Wailer 99's and 112's, Voile Vectors or Armada JJ's. But Drifts are just fat carving skis with tip rocker, so unless your last pair of skis were Metrons or the like, Drifts are bu hao.

Blizzard Bonafide if you don't mind 9lbs in the 180. Read some reviews. And if you read through the ON3P 12/12 thread they mentioned that they have made some changes to the Tychoon. Might be worth looking into

Just picked up a pair of Moment Tahoes. 8.2 lbs for 180cm. 96mm waist, flat tail, ER.
2012/2013 for $580 w/free shipping. That price and free shipping was if you ordered before Labor day, then supposed to go up to $630.00, but maybe if you ask nicely?

Maybe a little burlier than you want for touring, but I am psyched to make these my everyday IB charger!

Originally Posted by bendtheski

Just picked up a pair of Moment Tahoes. 8.2 lbs for 180cm. 96mm waist, flat tail, ER.
2012/2013 for $580 w/free shipping. That price and free shipping was if you ordered before Labor day, then supposed to go up to $630.00, but maybe if you ask nicely?

Last year's model (same as 12/13) for $500 here:
http://www.untracked.com/p4419c11b13...ml#chsku299891

Hi, you can try Elan Himalaya. weight shoul be less then 8lb: http://www.elanskis.com/sl/product/himalaya.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0iOxVHysbk

Originally Posted by PappaG

Last year's model (same as 12/13) for $500 here:
http://www.untracked.com/p4419c11b13...ml#chsku299891

Dammit! Why couldn't I find that last week???!!!

What ski's are some of you other guys in the PNW using in this area of your qiver? Paging Auvgueek, Big Steve, pnwbrit, zedashbo, andyski, sam, apentalchronic, flowing alpy ect.

BTW It would be great to meet all you guys sometime this year and get some turns in.

I have a line on some used Prior Husume and some Moment sluffs but I think what I am looking for is more on the lighter side (plus for the price I can get a comparable weighted ski brand new for similar price) thoughts?

Are you looking for a winter touring or spring/summer touring ski? Because your specs suggest Spring/Summer. Most everyone you listed would be on 110+ touring skis for winter/pow conditions.

I'm running 188cm DPS W105's as my go to light weight set up, though for true June/July touring I think I'd prefer the W99 or the W95 in a 178cm. Mostly because I'm so short that I invariably bang the tails on stuff when hiking downhill trails with them on a pack, but also because the edge hold IS better on a 95mm vs 105mm ski. My back up set up ain't so light, 186cm racer room Dynastar LP's w/ dynaduke plates and ft12's, but oh god do they destroy on hard snow.

Oh and FWIW, ACH and Flowing Alpy don't tour much once the snow stops falling.

Ya I guess I am not totally sure, currently I have been touring on my 115 - 10lb ski's and barrons and I was thinking it was way too heavy (maybe I should just get in better shape). So the original thought was if it was deep days I could tour on my SFB(also resort days) which I have now made a swap plate like auv geek did to run my dynafits. And the rest of the time I would get something lighter to tour on. I am wanting to get into touring a lot more as I have only gone probably about 10 times in the last two seasons and I usually go with some one who is more on the ultralight type setups but is more about getting the exercise than about the skiing, where I am more about he skiing and less about the up. But I am trying to make more/new friends to have more people to go with. In the past we usually don't start doing much touring till March but I am wanting to get into doing a lot more in winter too. I think if money wasnt an issue I would want a W112 or w105 pure but its just not going to happen.

Just trying to do my research and have my money spent in the best possible way.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Mofro261

Are you looking for a winter touring or spring/summer touring ski? Because your specs suggest Spring/Summer. Most everyone you listed would be on 110+ touring skis for winter/pow conditions.

I'm running 188cm DPS W105's as my go to light weight set up, though for true June/July touring I think I'd prefer the W99 or the W95 in a 178cm. Mostly because I'm so short that I invariably bang the tails on stuff when hiking downhill trails with them on a pack, but also because the edge hold IS better on a 95mm vs 105mm ski. My back up set up ain't so light, 186cm racer room Dynastar LP's w/ dynaduke plates and ft12's, but oh god do they destroy on hard snow.

Oh and FWIW, ACH and Flowing Alpy don't tour much once the snow stops falling.

I have a cheap wailer 105 hybrid in 188... Got from Mr. Toad and they aren't going to work with the quiver. They are in great condition but mounted three times. There is still space for a 4th mount (the previous owner mounted them twice for custom plates with a very wide mount pattern and current mount is for dynafit at 307). Shoot me a pm if you'd be interested. I have my gfs dynadukes laying around if you'd like me to line up the hole pattern and see if it would work...

Edit: Also have two pairs of used Wailer 112 RP Hybrids with one mount for large dukes at 315 that could potentially work as an all around touring ski.

Originally Posted by Mofro261

Are you looking for a winter touring or spring/summer touring ski?

Key question for PNW touring. IMO, no single ski does great for mid-winter/spring mush and also for post-consolidation late spring/summer tours. If you need to restrict your touring rigs to one pair of skis, something around 100mm with a bit o' tip rocker and a flat tail, e.g., Coomback, will work for all seasons. There are lots of PNW tourists out there on Coombacks for all their tours. But, if you can afford it, it's nice to have a 100-112 waisted mid-winter/spring mush ski and a 80-90mm waisted traditional cambered torsionally stiff ultralight ski for post-consolidation tours and ski mountaineering. Both mounted with tech bindings, of course.

Originally Posted by hellojello74

What ski's are some of you other guys in the PNW using in this area of your qiver? Paging Auvgueek, Big Steve, pnwbrit, zedashbo, andyski, sam, apentalchronic, flowing alpy ect.

I'll play.

--Post-consolidation touring/ski mountaineering tours: Trab Stelvio XL Light
--Mid-winter touring ski: K2 Coomback
--Unconsolidated bottomless spring mush/deep rain-soaked pow specialty touring ski: Icelantic Shaman (likely to be sold, might replace with a fatty, e.g., K2 Backdrop)

If you are cheap, get the g3 spitfire lt that is on Sierra trading post.

120/88/111

Pretty dang light too.

The coupon today brings it down to $234 shipped.

Movement Pariah?...185cm is 7lbs

I'll play.
Post consolidation touring/mountaineering--- DPS 105's but I'd like DPS 99's
Mid Winter Touring- DPS Wailer 112 RP
Unconsolidated bottomless pow/spring mush= Voile Drifter but I'd like DPS Lotus 120

I'll play:
Post consolidation touring/mountaineering—was 181 K2 Hardside, now 178 Ski Trab Stelvio XL Light
Mid Winter Touring—191 Fat, halfway thinking about mounting the Renegades with a tech binder if I get in good enough shape to lug an 11# ski around.
Unconsolidated bottomless pow/spring mush—187 WooTest. (Bought for this, got injured, never used them. Thinking about selling.)

It's kinda hard to recommend skis to someone who can only spend a few hundred dollars cuz you're really hoping to score a deal on a used pair, and I have no idea what's gonna be available at that price. If you can swing it, the Praxis seems like a decent, all-around choice. Johnny Domination needs to pick up a pair for himself, hint hint! I know that Praxis runs a few sales throughout the year, so maybe wait for one of those? I'd also consider the W99 hybrid or the old W95 if you can find a pair in GS. Maybe put up a WTB thread?

I've been thinking about putting the Hardsides up for sale, so you can PM me if you're interested. They're like 8.5#/pair. For reference, I'm slightly bigger than you are, and I think those skis are excellent for a do-it-all touring ski, just a little on the heavy side. Stiffer (and heavier) than the Coomback. Will be loads better than your SFB w/ Dukes though.

Always looking for partners. PM me if you want to make some turns.

Edit: zero-for-hire, that seems like a pretty good deal. Pair that with a 105-115ish ski and you'll be set.

FWIW, 2012 Praxis BCs are currently on sale - coupon TGR gets them below 500 bucks: http://www.praxisskis.com/shop/buy-s...&category_id=3

I doubt that the new models will get anywhere close in the foreseeable future at this point. The BCs are a shade wider than the specs you want, but between width, waist, handling, durability, and price, something probably will need to flex.

Seems like there are lots of nice options right now - depending on the trade offs you want to make.