Thread: Stockli race GS ski review

Meant to do this back when I could still ski, but...
Review of Stockli GS Laser, 186cm
Mounted with Salomon Hangl GS plate, S914s
Me: 185, 5'10"

The best GS ski I've ever been on. I think I'm a Stockli convert. I skied them exclusively where they were (more or less) meant to be skied--a few GS courses and skiercross courses. The bottom part of the skiercross courses see speeds in the 50 mph range, and these things just trucked along. Deep ruts in a course that never got slipped after fresh snow and 100+ skiers and boarders? No problem. 40 foot tables and big hips? Landings are nice as long as you're on top of 'em.
Now, these skis are not at all forgiving, but I don't think anyone would expect them to be. They like a centered stance, but to get the tips to really bite you have to be pretty active getting forward, and you get a hell of a lot out of the tails as long as you work 'em. Stiff? Yes, but definitely manageable at even medium speeds. Even so, I'm not sure anyone who isn't planning to race would want this particular ski. I had fun free skiing them on hard snow, but never spent a full day on 'em that wasn't primarily about racing/training.
As for the bases, even with just LF wax and somewhat half-assed base prep they were at least as fast as anyone I skied against--including the guys running Cera F on their skis. Whenever I was behind someone I had to stand a bit to keep from getting too close until I wanted to pass.
So, there ya go, for anyone interested in GS skis (I know most people aren't, but what the hell).

No, they don't come in a twin-tip.

Dex, you mount them with the plate from the get-go, or start with just binders?

Not a lot of x-perience with Stockli's, but always have wondered.
Always skied either a Salomon or Volkl GS board, just out of personal preference and results.

Compares to???

Mounted with the Hangls right away--knew I wanted a plate on these things.
I was coming off of a 'Gordystock' Rossi 9X 196, which are not at all short-turning skis, yet the Stocks felt just as damp but easier to fully engage once on an edge.
My experience with Salomon and Volkl skis is so outdated (2S? 3S? Can't even remember the names) as to make comparison impossible. I skied Atomic's skiercross specific ski last year, and prefer the Stocklis (but for a very turny course you might do better on the Atomics--the Stocklis are FIS legal).

Just talking about today about going to a shorter GS ski with more sidecut, like the Atomic SX11? (greenone, 03-04?). Little bro is on their full race GS ski and is a bit much for what we normally get into. It's really too little sidecut for a rec-race gs.

Sounds like the Stockli is similar to Sallie 2s, or Volkl p-60 rs, nowadays.
Have two pairs of Sallie GS boards, both with hangl's, wouldn't be without after skiing them.

Heal up.