185 Worth Magic Double Carbons: HOLY. SHIT.

[DoWork]

Man. What a ski!






Meet next year's new Worth Magics and my new favorite ski for just about everything. Here, have some stats to feast your eyes on. Caution: may cause arousal, and should be enjoyed responsibly.


This is the basic layout, except there is less camber in them than pictured. I'd say there's about ~3mm of camber in my pair, and they're also a 26m instead of a 25 as pictured.



As you probably already know, Worths are designed in Vermont by snow obsessed ski junkies who want eastern biased skis for a change- built by Keith at Praxis and the workmanship is exactly what you'd expect from them. Flat bottoms, perfect edges, flawless laminations, durable sidewalls and tough as nails on the hill. This is Worth's first foray into the double carbon layup AND twin tails, and it had me concerned at first because I didn't want a feather even though I like to tour. Even the Praxis carbon BCs I have tried felt borderline too scratchy and vibraty for my liking, but soid enough for me to say yes. I like a solid feeling lively charge friendly ski, and I personally didn't like the DPS 99 pures I tried at all. I was a bit nervous to have this much carbon in a ski, but believed. After all, it's not everyday you get to help design the perfect ski!

So out with it!

Skier: 30yo, 5'8", 170lbs, expert
Skis: 185cm Worth Magics, Response core, Double carbon layup.
Bindings: FKS 18s, mounted -2cm from dimple (PERFECT!)
Boots: Lange FR130s, 300mm BSL
Days on the skis: ~12 (hardpack, bumps, knee deep pow, chop, crust, bulletproof crust, refrozen doll heads, death cookies, dust-on-crust faces, thick boot-top pow, chalky bumps, powdery bumps, breakable styrofoam crust, slush, and airs 15ft & under so far)
Pros: Great flex, awesome sidecut and tips, initiation is so easy and transitions from big turns to little tiny ones and vice versa are telepathic. Straightlines like a steamroller and the tips positively assault chop.


Basic impressions of the ski: Where to even start? I've never really been on a ski that does this many very different things this well. Myself and a few other Worth testers have jokingly call them the Honey Badgers, because they do not give a shit what the snow is like, they just own. To compare it to the other Worths I've tried- mainly the Daily Bread and the Humpback- it's got a much larger sweet spot and is far more flickable without losing that rock solid confidence and traditional turning feel. Whether you're super forward and driving the tips into little banger SL wigglers or rotating back in the bumps and riding your tails, it just feels so compliant and smooth and is right there with you the whole time. Hucking is a damn joy, since even if something happens you're still landing in the money zone unless you screw up big. SG turns on hardpack feel just oh-so-confident, which I was not expecting coming from a more square-tailed Daily Breads as a daily ski. Speed just awakens them but you're never "locked in" and can make pretty much any turn shape on your next transition which is nice for bigger lines and unpredictable environments. HUGE for skiing trees of sketchy steep shit/cliffs and such. They charge like my old 183 AK BROs when you open them up, but they're so much more compliant and playful in the tight spaces and so much easier to maintain speed using round turns rather than just chucking them sideways it isn't even funny. As for the feel? They are a bit of a conundrum. They're stiffer than my Daily Breads but nowhere near unmanageable as a result of it, and the layup has a lot more snap to it. The energy in them is apparent when you get up some speed, and they really just come alive and chomp at the bit for whatever you're willing to do... But they are just so smooth and damp and forgiving, light and playful it is a bit of a mystery to me... Or maybe it's magic!



Things I have to say: The tip shape is the bee's knees. That shark nose ellipse-like shape feeds in so smoothly and pointy from the sidecut, it just sashays through chop with nay a deflection, even in heavy, wet snow. I think it's this seamless matching up of the big four elements: 1-overall tip shape from widest point to tip 2-sidecut 3-rocker rise/splay and 4-camber profile integration/layup rebound that really makes this a perfect ski for not just freshies, but also when the hill is getting chopped up. They are just so uniform in so many different conditions that I have a hard time explaining it sometimes. They plane predictably and smoothly in pow, and they punch through chop like a champ. They swivel quick for the bumps and they straighline like few others. It's really the perfect steep resort pow ski because it simply makes everything feel hero.

That shape and profile. That flex. That sidecut. That layup. Fkn perfect for every day, and that's coming from someone who NEVER thought a 109 underfoot ski could be better in the bumps than my Tahoes @ 96mm, or could hold an edge on a big turn and straightline like my 99 underfoot BROs and feel confident and fun in pow like my Billy Goats... And be smooth like that with so much carbon in the layup. Insane. I can finaly just settle on one ski for any day. Dare I use that term that we all hate???!?!? I will avoid it for now, but that's totally how I feel about these. Really trying to resist the urge to sell my other skis right now, and that's saying something because I'm a huge whore when it comes to skis.

Also worth mentioning that the skis were mounted by and tuned prior to my skiing them by the ace race tuners at the Totem Pole in Ludlow, VT. Hopefully my man Buttahflake will chime in and let me know what tune he used, because it was like lightning cleats! Whatever he did, do that exactly!! It was a perfect tune!!! Great peeps at The Pole!

So yeah, feel free to ask me anything about them. I have a hard time just blabbing on without feeling like I'm being repetitive, but I will do my best to answer accurately any question you might have. I know there are other mags out on them right now too, so I would expect them to chime in with their feelings as well. I just wanted to get something in black and white now that I've had a fair amount of time on them, as they are hands down the best damn ski I have ever been on. Not just for one thing, or the best day ever- but for everyday, all the time, in all conditions from your best day to your worst. Freakin' amazing.

[akokskis]

Thanks for the great review, DW!!! Glad you're enjoyin' em.

For anyone that's interested, here's another review from Speedfreak.

Can't wait to get a pair for myself, hopefully for next season.

[arild]

Those Magics look awesome, even on a theoretical, skiporn-like level. I´m just repeating myself, said it in that other thread, too. Good on you, Worthlads!

[MarcusBrody]

I love DoWork reviews.

My only disappointment is that your BSL is too small for me to ever steal them for a run or two.

[DoWork]

Thanks for the great review, DW!!! Glad you're enjoyin' em.

For anyone that's interested, here's another review from Speedfreak.

Can't wait to get a pair for myself, hopefully for next season.

Just read that, hadn't seen the review but I have been talking back and forth with Mike for a while now about them. I'm still a bit surprised he didn't find them too short being a bigger guy that skis hard, but glad to hear he's still comfortable on them, even going fast. Both of us have been in a habit of just shaking our heads in disbelief at how much fun these are in literally everything. It doesn't make sense how well they do it all haha- I'm saying it's just magic from this point on. It's the only thing that makes sense.

To say I'm enjoying them would be a vast understatement BTW.

[MarcusBrody]

Just read that, hadn't seen the review but I have been talking back and forth with Mike for a while now about them. I'm still a bit surprised he didn't find them too short being a bigger guy that skis hard, but glad to hear he's still comfortable on them, even going fast. Both of us have been in a habit of just shaking our heads in disbelief at how much fun these are in literally everything. It doesn't make sense how well they do it all haha- I'm saying it's just magic from this point on. It's the only thing that makes sense.

To say I'm enjoying them would be a vast understatement BTW.

I talked to Mike about them too and was also a bit surprised. I remember he got on someone's Daily Breads once and found them a little short/soft when he tried to drive them. He was really enthusiastic about the flex when he was talking to me though.

[weasel1]

I talked to Mike about them too and was also a bit surprised. I remember he got on someone's Daily Breads once and found them a little short/soft when he tried to drive them. He was really enthusiastic about the flex when he was talking to me though.

Thanks, DW for the thorough review! The feedback has been incredibly consistent on this ski, which is certainly heartening to me as a shaper. We had a lot of back-and-forth on the design of this with skiers, including NJFreeskier, DoWork and others, and the collaboration really shines through on the result. Lots of credit to Keith's outstanding build on these, too.

A few things I would say. First, on the flex, these have an additional carbon layer as compared to our previous builds. This is a new thing we are introducing, and will likely extend throughout the line. We spec'd the flex on these stiffer than the Humpback, and more in line with the stiffer build Daily Breads we have done (some were softer, per individual spec, so not sure which build Daily Bread Speedfreak had tried before).

Second, on the layup...there is still fiberglass in these. Rather than a single carbon layer in the bottom of the composite wrap around the wood core, there are two carbon layers, one top and one bottom. The goal here was more pop, more energy and more torsional rigidity while avoiding any "tinny" feeling and keeping the skis damp. I think this layup nails it, and I am pleased others have found the same. We hope to have this ski in our demo fleet next season, along with the new MegaGeorge, a bigger George for the greater apes. The first two pair of those are hitting the hill this weekend under the boots of Thin Cover and I've Seen Black Diamonds. Carry on folks, and thanks for your support!

[DoWork]

Second, on the layup...there is still fiberglass in these. Rather than a single carbon layer in the bottom of the composite wrap around the wood core, there are two carbon layers, one top and one bottom. The goal here was more pop, more energy and more torsional rigidity while avoiding any "tinny" feeling and keeping the skis damp. I think this layup nails it, and I am pleased others have found the same.

Ah, that makes sense completely. Mission: Accomplished too, it really comes together perfectly. BRAVO!

[DoWork]

We spec'd the flex on these stiffer than the Humpback, and more in line with the stiffer build Daily Breads we have done

Reading this again made me really want to comment on this particular part. The flex is certainly stiffer underfoot than my response core/carbon hybrid daily breads, but it does not transfer into hookiness or plankiness one bit fwiw. It's a progressive flex, with a slightly softer section in the tips and tails. The result is a stable ride at speed with awesome grip, but easy initiation and washout when desired. I feel like they are not quite as edgeable on hardpack as the DBs, but their turn initiation is smoother.


In short, yes it's stiffer but it's also more playful. They are very fast and like to charge but they don't feel planky or uncomfortably stiff, even for low speed turns. Very fun.

So basically, to Keith and Worth...





I can't wait until there's more people on them, so I don't sound like such a kook when I talk about them.

[strawjack]

what or where is -2 from dimple?

with the chaos of the Mantra mounts previously it was confirmed that BF-on-CRS (as big streve stated), is the way to mount. these days with rocker it would seem harder than ever to calculate CRS accurately.

[akokskis]

Our skis have a small dimple in the sidewall that indicates the sidecut center. We are recommending folks to mount their Magics -2cm from the dimple.

[strawjack]

Our skis have a small dimple in the sidewall.

Well isn't that cute...dimple. Was the DW's idea?

[Tye 1on]

what's the turn radius on the 185's?

[Speedfreak]

-2cm is $$$$. Only thing to add is that the bases are pretty bulletproof.

[akokskis]

what's the turn radius on the 185's?

26m. Meant to be more turny than some of the other shapes out there that come in around ~110mm (these are 135-109-120)

[mobygrape]

Dammit. Those were not in the budget but...

[DoWork]

Well isn't that cute...dimple. Was the DW's idea?

To be fair, if these were ON3P pillowfights, that would make mounting them far more confusing haha

"Wait, the blonde's dimples or the brunette's?... And which dimples???"

[DoWork]

Dammit. Those were not in the budget but...

Yeah same here... Trust me though, just do it and figure out which skis you want to sell afterwards, as they will certainly make something- if not several skis in your quiver- obsolete, that I can promise you

[sandflea]

Any chance that you'll make a slightly longer version..like 190ish?

Thanks, DW for the thorough review! The feedback has been incredibly consistent on this ski, which is certainly heartening to me as a shaper. We had a lot of back-and-forth on the design of this with skiers, including NJFreeskier, DoWork and others, and the collaboration really shines through on the result. Lots of credit to Keith's outstanding build on these, too.

A few things I would say. First, on the flex, these have an additional carbon layer as compared to our previous builds. This is a new thing we are introducing, and will likely extend throughout the line. We spec'd the flex on these stiffer than the Humpback, and more in line with the stiffer build Daily Breads we have done (some were softer, per individual spec, so not sure which build Daily Bread Speedfreak had tried before).

Second, on the layup...there is still fiberglass in these. Rather than a single carbon layer in the bottom of the composite wrap around the wood core, there are two carbon layers, one top and one bottom. The goal here was more pop, more energy and more torsional rigidity while avoiding any "tinny" feeling and keeping the skis damp. I think this layup nails it, and I am pleased others have found the same. We hope to have this ski in our demo fleet next season, along with the new MegaGeorge, a bigger George for the greater apes. The first two pair of those are hitting the hill this weekend under the boots of Thin Cover and I've Seen Black Diamonds. Carry on folks, and thanks for your support!

[biff chalupa]

^this. mega-magics.

[weasel1]

Sure. Need 4 people to commit. You can decide the size, but has to be the same for all 4.

[Speedfreak]

One thing I noticed skiing Red and Black line on Saturday - for bigger guys (200+) you have to be dead centered on the ski landing drops. Too far back and you wheelie (I'm actually thrilled that these things wheelie on command - silly fun), too far forward - especially in heavier snow - and you're over the bars. It's not a bad thing, as I think a stiffer tail would totally screw up the way these things slay tight trees. It just forces you to be totally on your game and not lazy for just a few seconds a day.

So - if youre going to go bigger, I'd go 195ish and stiffer from 10-15cm in front of the boot thru the tail. Not Garbones stiff - just a bit more beef for the big boys.

[DoWork]

Skied them all weekend at Plattekill, Saturday was an all-day wedgefest whilst teaching little ones to ski, and they performed beautifully. Low speed maneuverability of these is great.

Sunday, my sexier half and I met up with NmbrdDays and ML242 for some ripper laps in the sun. The snow was manky and I mean MANKY. If you didn't have the right wax, you were periodically almost going over the handle bars kind of super grabby wet spring mank, chop, bumps and the like- this is probably the heaviest snow I've had them out in so far and I couldn't have been happier with them.

They are incredibly predictable and fun when slithering and slashing through the heavy snow, and having that tip shape is almost like having a cheat code for mank. Very smooth, and that enormous sweet spot just shines everywhere. Popping off of rollers and bumps, landing back in the smashed potatoes, slash a quick few turns, compressing thorugh the piles of snow and airing again... Just really allows you to ski them the way you want to when it's easy to get bogged down or deflected and knocked around in that kind of snow.



So yeah, chalk it up to being an awesome spring ski too! Great thin cover bump and tree ski for sure.

[weasel1]

One thing I noticed skiing Red and Black line on Saturday - for bigger guys (200+) you have to be dead centered on the ski landing drops. Too far back and you wheelie (I'm actually thrilled that these things wheelie on command - silly fun), too far forward - especially in heavier snow - and you're over the bars. It's not a bad thing, as I think a stiffer tail would totally screw up the way these things slay tight trees. It just forces you to be totally on your game and not lazy for just a few seconds a day.

So - if youre going to go bigger, I'd go 195ish and stiffer from 10-15cm in front of the boot thru the tail. Not Garbones stiff - just a bit more beef for the big boys.

Speed, you read my mind (scary for you...)

Of course, the MegaGeorge is pretty much that already, so Speed, you need to try TC's pair of Megas. They are, I think, right up your alley (wait, is that a weird thing to say? Seems weirder typed.)

[thin cover]

These reviews are killer thanks guys.

DW may be getting sponsored soon

Speedfreak/Biff- any time you want to borrow the mega's let me know. I have other skis and would be stoked to see you try them out. They are mounted with adrenalines.