Help me choose a ski for tight trees...

**afox** · 01-06-2009, 03:21 PM

Please help me choose the right skis. In the past few years ive used:
170 Solomon scream limited: 114-80-108
169 05-06 K2 public enemy: 118/85/109
176 05-06 dynastar big trouble: 124/92/114

I am 5'7" 155 #'s. I ski in Colorado mostly. I ski everything from open bowls, moguls, tight trees, and techy steeps but very little park. I really need a ski that perfoms well in relatively dense trees with lots of tight turns in mostly soft or powder conditions. Tree skiing is my love and specialty, i like to get way back there where others dont venture and ski stuff that others dont consider skiiable. The screams seemed pretty good, pretty turny with good sidecut but maybe not enough float for variable snow conditions. The public enemy's were better than the screams but maybe a little too straight, the big troubles were the worst, harder to turn and less maneuverable than either. Guess i dont care about going fast and carving big turns in powder, I care more for quick turning, high maneuverability, and decent float. Im shopping for new skis, what else should I try?

**jibco** · 01-06-2009, 04:13 PM

The PE's were too straight? Not sure how to handle that, they are extra super turny to me.

Best tight tree ski I've ever been on is the Praxis pow. Effortless tree skiing in almost any soft snow. I'm sure there are other suggestions out there, but I think they are a hoot. Downside is surviving the hard snow back to the lift.

**Magnus_CA** · 01-06-2009, 04:22 PM

If you can try a reverse side-cut reverse camber ski then you might find your answer. Otherwise there are plenty of traditional-ish skis with rockers that will give a nimble ride. Since you are in CO you may want to look to demo Icelantic.

**Shu Shu** · 01-06-2009, 04:23 PM

The JJs are amazing in super tight Vermont hardwood bushwacking adventures. I just think about changing directions and they go. I ski the 185, and I am the same weight as you give or a take a few pounds and a couple inches taller, don't fear the length, you will love them especially when it's wide open.

As well Core Shot did a sweet review of the Icelantic Shamans, which also apparently kill it in tight trees.

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102149

**Shu Shu** · 01-06-2009, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Magnus_CA

If you can try a reverse side-cut reverse camber ski then you might find your answer. Otherwise there are plenty of traditional-ish skis with rockers that will give a nimble ride. Since you are in CO you may want to look to demo Icelantic.

I think we just said the exact same thing

**1000-oaks** · 01-06-2009, 05:36 PM

I know I sound like a broken record posting this, but at 5'9" / 160lbs 179cm Pontoons and 175cm Sumo's absolutely rule in tight trees... Go Sumo (mounted at -3) if you want more versatility, Pontoon if your pow is usually light and you're rarely on groomers.

**Benny Profane** · 01-06-2009, 05:58 PM

If you live in CO., you don't know tight trees. But, if you're really into tight, try the Phantom Crystal Ships. I've still haven't tried them, but the small Icelantics are also probably very good.

**TheArchitect** · 01-06-2009, 06:33 PM

if you liked the sallys try out a czar. it may be a bit fatter then the other skis you used but it skis well just about anywhere. if you looking for something in similar widths to the skis you listed try out some sally lords. they are nice as well, however a bit stiffer then the limiteds.

agreed that west coasters or rockies skiers dont know shit about tight trees

**FOX3R** · 01-06-2009, 07:09 PM

Pick up a pair of Spatulas. I love them in the trees at Baker and they handle most conditions (other than ice and super hard pack) really well. They are really turning and can be picked up pretty damn CHEAP. Also they are pretty bomber so hitting little tree nubs and such doesn't matter to much. R/R skis are not difficult to ski either (well from my experience I never had any trouble other than diggin an edge while being lazy on cat tracks and my ski taking off in weird directions).

**1000-oaks** · 01-06-2009, 07:10 PM

Plenty of west coasters learned to ski in the east, lol. It's worth moving.

**skew** · 01-06-2009, 07:14 PM

Hellbents work well. Praxis Pow too. It may be hard to find a Spatula (ebay?), but I do see them around.

**truth** · 01-06-2009, 07:19 PM

Praxis Pow is the ultimate tree ride, but it's a bit of a one trick pony. The BD Megawatt is just as good and can rip the whole mountain. The BD does not slide the way the Praxis does but it's incredibly quick. The more you pressure the ski the more the radius tightens. So much so that you actually need to be careful not to drive it too hard or it'll come around so fast you'll high side. I've been on them for two pow days now and am completely sold.

**Cburns** · 01-06-2009, 07:38 PM

check out the Scott Missions. Bought a pair from TD this year b/c the price was just too good. I'm thinking these might have been my best purchase in a long time. Only have 6 days on them right now, but they absolutely killed the trees of siberia at Schweitzer in all conditions. Great float with 90 underfoot and something like 130 up front.
I haven't heard a lot of chatter about these sticks on TGR, but it is only a matter of time once more people start riding them.

**Jesse** · 01-06-2009, 08:30 PM

One of the best tree ski's I have tried is Line Prophet 100's. They have a lot of sidecut which you seem to want and they handle of variety of conditions well. For really deep powder they could be a little wider, but really good all around ski. Lots of reviews on them here.

**JeffreyJim** · 01-06-2009, 08:53 PM

Anybody that says Praxis Pow is a one trick pony is selling them short IMO.

If you are implying they are a soft snow only ski, then yes, i would agree with you. If you are implying that they are only good at tree skiing in soft snow I totally disagree. They rule just about any kind of BC snow conditions besides boilerplate. They are a bit harder to stomp biggish airs on but once you learn to stay centered and wide (emphasis on the wide part...) they are charger skis....

I do think they are limited in bounds...there are better options.

Back to the topic...I think a Salomon Czar or EHP 179 would be a great option for you since it seems like you ski between the ropes most of the time...

Just watch Tabke ski them...

**nick > jesus** · 01-06-2009, 09:10 PM

praxis kill it on bigger lines in deep snow, so much float, and enough tip that you can really drive the front of the ski, even when its way deep

**jibco** · 01-07-2009, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by truth

So much so that you actually need to be careful not to drive it too hard or it'll come around so fast you'll high side.

I'd just like to point out that this property is the shittiest part of skiing traditional shapes in pow, IMO. If you hate this feeling too, beg, borrow, or demo a reverse/reverse ski. One trick or not, it's REALLY fun.

**Fritz** · 01-07-2009, 07:44 PM

Reverse/reverse = the right tool for this job. My Lotus 138s kill trees.

**gaijin** · 01-08-2009, 03:02 AM

My mavens were purchased for trees. They rule too.

**BushwackerinPA** · 01-08-2009, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by afox

Please help me choose the right skis. In the past few years ive used:
170 Solomon scream limited: 114-80-108
169 05-06 K2 public enemy: 118/85/109
176 05-06 dynastar big trouble: 124/92/114

I am 5'7" 155 #'s. I ski in Colorado mostly. I ski everything from open bowls, moguls, tight trees, and techy steeps but very little park. I really need a ski that perfoms well in relatively dense trees with lots of tight turns in mostly soft or powder conditions. Tree skiing is my love and specialty, i like to get way back there where others dont venture and ski stuff that others dont consider skiiable. The screams seemed pretty good, pretty turny with good sidecut but maybe not enough float for variable snow conditions. The public enemy's were better than the screams but maybe a little too straight, the big troubles were the worst, harder to turn and less maneuverable than either. Guess i dont care about going fast and carving big turns in powder, I care more for quick turning, high maneuverability, and decent float. Im shopping for new skis, what else should I try?

for skied out trees I use the PE as well, but to straight? I actually like this ski because its turny, light and nimble.....

if there is powder though

Praxis Powder are the way to go, they will be the fastest things you can possiable ski in the tree. Pontoons would also be great.

other skis that are kinda of in between are

Hellbents
Thugs(what I use IMO one of the best convential cambered ski out there for powder)
Sumos
Mavens