Best type of ski for coral reef/frozen chicken head conditions?

**BrainDamage** · 10-24-2014, 01:41 PM

Yeah, I know, "stay on the groomers"

:

But seriously, if one wanted to get out and ski off the groomers in such conditions, what's the best tool for the job? Or does everything basically suck?

I would "think" a narrow-waist, heavy, medium-stiff, medium-length short-radius carver would be best (but I don't currently own such a ski), but is it even possible to have fun in such conditions (with teeth fillings still intact)? GS race boards don't seem to be the answer; it's too hard to keep enough edge engaged to bend them into the turn.

In the Cascades, coral reef/frozen chicken head conditions happens fairly often, and you'll see virtually no one skiing off the groomers (and when you do see anyone try it, they're always struggling). If you had to do a freeride comp in those conditions, what would you use then? That happened to my son at Alpy last April.

Interested to know if any of you mags have actually found a way to make these conditions fun?

Cheers,

Pete

**Banh Mi** · 10-24-2014, 01:54 PM

Idk what the best type of ski is, but if it were me id choose a blizzard cochise or a volkl katana. Full rocker ,metal laminated skis seem to make even the worst conditions fun to shred.

**El Chupacabra** · 10-24-2014, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by BrainDamage

BEST TYPE OF SKI FOR CORAL REEF/FROZEN CHICKEN HEAD CONDITIONS?

Interested to know if any of you mags have actually found a way to make these conditions fun?

**I've seen black diamonds!** · 10-24-2014, 03:11 PM

I thought the first answer was perfect. But the second is perfecter.

**Knut** · 10-25-2014, 04:50 AM

You could probably go for some of the oldschool big mountain models and have a decent performance. I'd recommend a 1st generation Stöckli Stormrider Dominique Perret 201. A Blizzard Titan Pro 194 or Head Monster 103 could be valuable alternatives.

But the problem doesn't end there. You'll e.g. need braces to keep your teeth in position. Thus El Chupacabra is spot on, I'd say

**neufox47** · 10-25-2014, 06:13 AM

I've found short (183) cheater GS skis (21M) to be the best. You just have to be careful that you stay forward and make old school turns, dont carve.

SB · 10-25-2014, 07:19 AM

When its chikin heads/coral reafr madness i like to work on the access machine in a warm garage with generous amounts of hootch.

Shootin is also acceptable during said conditions of dubious nature.

**stuckathuntermtn** · 10-25-2014, 11:14 AM

I'm with El Chup.
Maybe explosivs? 190 Square tails. Head iM88s. Something old and heavy and stiff, with lots of metal.

**54-46** · 10-25-2014, 11:29 AM

Had some fun in coral reef on Volkl Superspeeds (damp GS cheaters w/metal; glassy feel) and Stockli XXXLs (stiffish; damp; similar to SS model).

For newer skis, you might try the Blizzard Mag 8.5 or something like that.

**GeezerSteve** · 10-25-2014, 11:56 AM

Coral reef fun is at best Type 2, i.e., fun to talk about after surviving it, although usually Type 3, i.e., no fun at all. AK King Salmon is my go to coral reef ski.

**SiSt** · 10-25-2014, 01:02 PM

I would take a legend pro or xxl over the other skis mentioned here.

I just got an idea for a future ski that might top them, though.

**El Chupacabra** · 10-25-2014, 03:23 PM

Any of you notice that the shot ski pic is of a Lhasa Pow?

**D(C)** · 10-25-2014, 04:01 PM

You want something that is stable and holds a good edge but has some early rise/rocker to avoid grabbing in frozen uneven snow. A damp feel prevents transmitting too much high-frequency vibration.

**Tri-Ungulate** · 10-25-2014, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Any of you notice that the shot ski pic is of a Lhasa Pow?

Yep. I've been in that bar and drank from that shotski. With Ingrid Backstrom no less. Conditions that day were, in fact, coral reef/chicken heads so yes, perfectly apropos.

But yeah, something heavy metal, perhaps old skool - Explosiv comes to mind, though Head Monster, Stokli Meteorite, or Dyna LPR/XXL also fit the bill, as does the Katana. Type 2 fun indeed.

**SupreChicken** · 10-25-2014, 07:28 PM

Sander Hadley says caylors

**stuckathuntermtn** · 10-25-2014, 07:32 PM

Rocker is the last thing you need on frozen shit. Just rub a gummy on your shovels and tails.
What bar is that? Sounds awesome.

**Doremite** · 10-25-2014, 08:48 PM

Fun is a mindset. Stay light on your feet and enjoy!!! Really if you can be stoked in such conditions even once you find the "best" tool for the job just rest easy knowing you have a great perspective on life.

**Knut** · 10-25-2014, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by Doremite

Fun is a mindset.

Only to a certain extend. When you tomahawk on those conditions and the snow leaves more dents on you than you in the snow, then the mindset is pretty secondary, honestly.

**Lindahl** · 10-25-2014, 09:17 PM

Haha... done that before! Head m102 is my goto for those conditions.

**Caucasian Asian** · 10-25-2014, 09:18 PM

Elan 777. 192.

Or the Cochise. Those are supposed to be good in shitfuck conditions.

**54-46** · 10-25-2014, 10:39 PM

Shitfuck? Whoa, Sal Maglie's favorite word from Jim Bouton's "Ball Four"

**adrenalated** · 10-26-2014, 07:12 AM

Buy my Head i.m103s out of gear swap for your son's shitfuck conditions comp ski.

**Onward** · 10-26-2014, 10:13 AM

I agree with the metal laminate, camber and sidecut recommendations. My blizzard titan nines do pretty well in these conditions. 86mm underfoot, 20m radius.