Ski Question

**jasonmic** · 03-21-2007, 09:48 AM

I am 5'11 155lbs. I currently ski some apache recons. They are great, but i am looking for a ski that would be used mostly for back country. I want something over 100 underfoot. The only ski that I have skied the 176 Volkl gotamas and really liked them. What i dont want is a ski that is great in the powder but is horrible on a groomer. I ideally am trying to find a fat ski that is still a little bit stiff so it will still be okay on the groomers. I guess that i am trying to find is a fat ski(over 100 underfoot) the is a decent all around ski.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

**Phill** · 03-21-2007, 10:00 AM

http://forums.epicski.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7

**Sinecure** · 03-21-2007, 10:16 AM

Bros. I'm in the same boat. Mine are being made shortly and should be on the way by tax day (fingers crossed).

**The Dad** · 03-21-2007, 10:22 AM

At least he got the right forum.

Look, there are going to be tradeoffs between width and "all around" performance. My 188 Bros are pretty damned good on groomers, all told, but don't hold a candle to my 185 Fischer Big Stix 84s, let alone my 177 Volkl Vectris V20s or my 200 Kastle Carvemachine National Team GSes.

You've got a midfat-ish ski that works well on groomers but has enough in the waist to bust crud. Why are you worried about trying to find a ski that does the same plus, rather than trying to find a complement to it?

**jasonmic** · 03-21-2007, 10:31 AM

agreed...

the problem s most of the people that i ski with stick mostly to the groomers. I was trying to find a ski if there is such a thing that i can ski backcountry in the morning by myself and the ski the groomers and maybe a bump run or 2 after lunch with them.

I quess the best idea would be to ski a powder ski in the morning, and then just ski the recons in the afternoon.

What would you say is a ski that i very similiar the the gotama's?

**The Dad** · 03-21-2007, 10:34 AM

You may need to refine your terms. It sounds like you mean off-piste, not backcountry.

Where do you ski -- both geography and lift-served vs. earn-your-turns?

**smmokan** · 03-21-2007, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by jasonmic

They are great, but i am looking for a ski that would be used mostly for back country.

What i dont want is a ski that is great in the powder but is horrible on a groomer.

I'm pretty sure they don't groom anywhere in the backcountry.

**Phill** · 03-21-2007, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by jasonmic

i can ski backcountry in the morning by myself

Ummm is this really the smartest decision.

**jasonmic** · 03-21-2007, 10:51 AM

I am sking in colorado. I personally like to ski off-piste or backcountry it just depend on the amount of time that i have and the condition at the time obviously. I have a lot of family come and visit me that are not very strong skiers. I was initially trying to find a ski that i could hike for some fresh snow and would preform well in soft conditions but would also be capable of sking blue runs without feeling like a pig.

**The Dad** · 03-21-2007, 11:33 AM

Don't worry about the blues. (And don't ski actual backcountry alone.)

Welcome to quiver land.

**dre66** · 03-21-2007, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by alpinedad

Don't worry about the blues. (And don't ski actual backcountry alone.)
Welcome to quiver land.

Seconded. If you pick up a fat dedicated powder ski that is at least reasonably stiff then just do what most sensible people to do and just straightline the shit out of blue runs.

You won't find a perfect all around ski (i.e. performs as well as a pair of 'toons in powder but rips up the crud like a 75mm underfoot carver) but there are many one ski quivers available out there (the Volkl Mantra comes to mind). One ski quivers you can def take off-piste but don't expect to rip huge lines at ridiculous speeds on the same ski you ski blue cruisers on. Big Mtn skis will get u to and from the lifts but do yourself a favor and buy a carving ski if you are going to spend the day with the family on mostly blue runs.