Praxis Protest..just how cool is it?

**Best Mexican Skier from Da South** · 01-29-2019, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Leavenworth Skier

I can ski a 100mm underfoot in pow and still push on my shins. In fact, I had a great pow day on an 87mm underfoot a couple years ago.

Yeah, I was just trying to help out a dude who couldn’t ski the Protests in pow.

“If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.”

**skibrd** · 01-29-2019, 06:06 PM

Just finished up skiing the 196 Protest 4 flex with Carbon in Japan in all sorts of snow. The Protest that stiff with the Carbon really demands a mid-foot to heel skiing style in heavier snow. In light snow, do what you want cause with the Protest is that stiff, and the snow is 2% density, nothing will get the top above the snow.

I really think Praxis has the flex spot on and by the end of the trip, I was sort of wishing I had gotten 3 flex with Carbon instead of adding Carbon and stiffening it up. We had 3 of 12 days where the extra stiffness was perfect, but those aren’t days I’d normally grab the Protest if I had my full quiver available, or a narrower pair of skis.

Maybe my tune will change back home when I have more tracks and cut up pow to ski, we will see.

Mounted -1 from the dimple

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**LightRanger** · 01-29-2019, 06:08 PM

I ski my OG 188 Hybrids at -1.5 and like them there. They're the full reverse camber version (continuous curves rocker, Keith used to call it).

I understand where the tip dive comments come from because if I try to drive my shins more/over-exaggerate, I can dive them--depending on speed. I switched from tele though, so I've always had a more centered stance merely from learning to p-turn with nothing holding my heels down.

**Muggydude** · 01-29-2019, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by skibrd

Just finished up skiing the 196 Protest 4 flex with Carbon in Japan in all sorts of snow. The Protest that stiff with the Carbon really demands a mid-foot to heel skiing style in heavier snow. In light snow, do what you want cause with the Protest is that stiff, and the snow is 2% density, nothing will get the top above the snow.

I really think Praxis has the flex spot on and by the end of the trip, I was sort of wishing I had gotten 3 flex with Carbon instead of adding Carbon and stiffening it up. We had 3 of 12 days where the extra stiffness was perfect, but those aren’t days I’d normally grab the Protest if I had my full quiver available, or a narrower pair of skis.

Maybe my tune will change back home when I have more tracks and cut up pow to ski, we will see.

Mounted -1 from the dimple

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I’ve been debating with myself whether 3 flex was the right choice on my 192s, Like hearing this. Would you say you think the stiffer flex is better in lighter density or heavier density snow?

Overall I imagine stuff Flex is better pushing and cutting through crud, softer will float better slow speeds, but slightly more deflection in chop?

**skibrd** · 01-29-2019, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Muggydude

I’ve been debating with myself whether 3 flex was the right choice on my 192s, Like hearing this. Would you say you think the stiffer flex is better in lighter density or heavier density snow?

Overall I imagine stuff Flex is better pushing and cutting through crud, softer will float better slow speeds, but slightly more deflection in chop?

I think your assessment is spot on with the flex difference. I really enjoyed the stiffer flex in cut up pow because the ski didn’t deflect as much as I feel a softer flex ski would of, but I also haven’t skied a 3 flex Protest.

I think the stiffer Protest is better in lighter density pow because it will slice through the snow and give you the float, and stability of a big pow ski. I had zero issues in denser pow with the mid foot/heel driving technique, or when the speeds got up higher, which was a challenge in Japan’s low angle trees.

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**whyturn** · 01-29-2019, 08:45 PM

I love the flex of my map veneer 3. Feels springy but stable inbounds I had carbon and it was good but I feel this flex is dialed for 192.

**Best Mexican Skier from Da South** · 01-29-2019, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by skibrd

In light snow, do what you want cause with the Protest is that stiff, and the snow is 2% density, nothing will get the top above the snow.

There is no need to be on top of 2% density snow. Snow that light does not affect the skier or their movements. Personally, i think that’s what 3D snow is all about. You can't see the skis. You’re flying!

Exception: It will plane in 2% if it’s 45 degrees, and a huge line in Alaska. They plane that shit out in ski porn all the time. Even then, the skier still has to do their part with leg strength, stamina, and technique. There is no unicorn ski.

**skibrd** · 01-29-2019, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Best Mexican Skier from Da South

l
Exception: It will plane in 2% if it’s 45 degrees, and a huge line in Alaska. They plane that shit out in ski porn all the time. Even then, the skier still has to do their part with leg strength, stamina, and technique. There is no unicorn ski.

This is 100000% right. The Protest is not a magical unicorn, but for me it does pow better then most other skis. It was my first selection for Japan, but would be 3rd or 4th for AK. It may not even be the first ski I grab at home on a pow days.

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**Best Mexican Skier from Da South** · 01-29-2019, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by skibrd

This is 100000% right. The Protest is not a magical unicorn, but for me it does pow better then most other skis. It was my first selection for Japan, but would be 3rd or 4th for AK. It may not even be the first ski I grab at home on a pow days.

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Skis really come down to the skier. I have a really good friend in Whistler. He owns 2 pair of skis (Powder and all mountain). He makes it look smooth and effortless in every condition. He'll do like 7 Spanky's runs and 4 Bushrat in Blackcomb on a single pow day. Protest be damned, but I'd be willing to wager he could out ski some people on Protests, Renegades, or whatever.

**skibrd** · 01-29-2019, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by Best Mexican Skier from Da South

Skis really come down to the skier. I have a really good friend in Whistler. He owns 2 pair of skis (Powder and all mountain). He makes it look smooth and effortless in every condition. He'll do like 7 Spanky's runs and 4 Bushrat in Blackcomb on a single pow day. Protest be damned, but I'd be willing to wager he could out ski some people on Protests, Renegades, or whatever.

Some of my best powder days are on my Kastle MX98s. It’s all about the skier and attitude. I would of had fun in Japan on a much narrower ski, maybe not the Kastle, but Bonafides would of been fun. I see now why most people bring 105-110 underfoot and think it’s perfect.

If I was to go to Japan again and I had to only bring one ski, I’d grab my Quixote’s or Super Freerides. If I brought two skis, the Protests would come again and my Scouts would make this trip this time. Japan doesn’t dictate a big fat ski.

We hit a once every 10 year storm at Asahidake, and the Protests weren’t big enough, but those storms are very rare. You are going to find knee to waste deep pow, and left overs, more then over head blower. Protests were a ton of fun, but serious over kill for 8 of our 12 days.

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**Best Mexican Skier from Da South** · 01-30-2019, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by skibrd

Some of my best powder days are on my Kastle MX98s. It’s all about the skier and attitude. I would of had fun in Japan on a much narrower ski, maybe not the Kastle, but Bonafides would of been fun. I see now why most people bring 105-110 underfoot and think it’s perfect.

If I was to go to Japan again and I had to only bring one ski, I’d grab my Quixote’s or Super Freerides. If I brought two skis, the Protests would come again and my Scouts would make this trip this time. Japan doesn’t dictate a big fat ski.

We hit a once every 10 year storm at Asahidake, and the Protests weren’t big enough, but those storms are very rare. You are going to find knee to waste deep pow, and left overs, more then over head blower. Protests were a ton of fun, but serious over kill for 8 of our 12 days.

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Never been to Japan yet... But if I were going at this moment, the double ski bag would carry 4FRNT Ravens (104 mm underfoot and reverse camber) and the Protests... each rocking CAST touring setups.

**bitjockey** · 01-30-2019, 12:46 PM

F**K These skis are amazing. 187cm, carbon 3 flex. Mounted them with some Shifts at -1.5 last week and took them out the other day in 5" of light Breckenridge powder. I was nervous it wouldn't be enough snow to really have fun, boy was I wrong. None of the expected chatter from a lighter carbon ski either. No idea how a ski this fat still lays an edge down at 3:30pm heading back to the car. Can't wait for my first real deep day.

**nickel** · 01-31-2019, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by galibier_numero_un

Clearly I'm missing something. Having learned how to ski powder on 60mm, 207 slalom skis in the late '60's / early 70's, I thought the idea of fatties is to float. This might be a plot by the snorkel manufacturers

... Thom

If all a fat ski does is allow float then ok i guess. I like ones that allow or encourage different styles and turn shapes. I also like when they can make crusts and variable pow more fun.

I feel like some people enjoy trying different shapes and others are really just looking for a ski that feels like what they know. nothing wrong with either.

**Best Mexican Skier from Da South** · 01-31-2019, 10:48 PM

Mammoth is getting nuked this weekend. Protests. I cannot wait.

**nickel** · 02-03-2019, 10:58 AM

Toured a bunch on my protests over the last week. 3 day hut trip with windfuck and melt freeze crusts with the odd well preserved pocket. They really make minced meat of crusts. Yesterday was 40-50cm of blower. So much love for my protests!

**sruffian** · 02-04-2019, 02:29 PM

Got about 6 days on protests. Really don't see myself buying a different ski for inbounds pow. More fun than I've had. They can be sooo quick and playful that I'm always a little surprised at how well they straightline or carve through chop.

I think I will start measuring the quality of a ski season by the number of days on the protest

**LightRanger** · 02-04-2019, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by sruffian

I think I will start measuring the quality of a ski season by the number of days on the protest

No joke that's how I do it.

**grinch** · 02-04-2019, 03:50 PM

X2 ez to remember

**TripleT** · 02-04-2019, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by sruffian

I think I will start measuring the quality of a ski season by the number of days on the protest

Originally Posted by LightRanger

No joke that's how I do it.

Originally Posted by grinch

X2 ez to remember

Bahaha, QFT. 4th’ed

**2FUNKY** · 02-04-2019, 04:32 PM

36 days on protests last year, one this year.
le sigh....

**skibrd** · 02-04-2019, 07:57 PM

13 this year, hopefully many more

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**jmars** · 02-07-2019, 08:40 AM

Day 2 on mine, got to SLC on Monday night for a last minute trip this week. Skied solitude yesterday and while it was great and the protest is floaty my hips are KILLING me right now. Im not sure if it’s bc I’m mounted on the line and maybe there is to much tail but I am getting worked compared to my concepts.
192 flex 4.

Worked enough that im at the bird currently thinking of taking my concepts and not the protest but fuck that kinda sucks.

I question if should’ve just gone stock build

**CascadeLuke** · 02-07-2019, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by jmars

Day 2 on mine, got to SLC on Monday night for a last minute trip this week. Skied solitude yesterday and while it was great and the protest is floaty my hips are KILLING me right now. Im not sure if it’s bc I’m mounted on the line and maybe there is to much tail but I am getting worked compared to my concepts.
192 flex 4.

Worked enough that im at the bird currently thinking of taking my concepts and not the protest but fuck that kinda sucks.

I question if should’ve just gone stock build

I ski 192 flex 4s but I’m 200 with gear. Also at -2. This, after last year with 192 flex 3s at -1.5. If it’s deep take em and steer with two feet. Analyze if going back makes sense for you.

**2FUNKY** · 02-07-2019, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by CascadeLuke

I ski 192 flex 4s but I’m 200 with gear. Also at -2. This, after last year with 192 flex 3s at -1.5. If it’s deep take em and steer with two feet. Analyze if going back makes sense for you.

Same ish, little heavier. 192 4 flex at -2. Total relaxed stance with ease of foot steer.

**Drazzamatazz** · 02-07-2019, 09:58 AM

5 days on the Protest in Japan did not disappoint. Took me a day or so to get used to them (didn't help I also kept pre-releasing from my Shifts...decided DIN was too low for such a platform and had no issues after adjusting), and while they certainly worked my legs when getting back to the lifts on piste, there were plenty of WOW moments once things clicked.

That said, if and when I return next year I think I'll bring a companion ski. We were graced with mostly bluebird days, which was great, but also meant we had to work for the powder turns. By day 4 I was definitely feeling it. While I could always be in better shape, it probably would have been nice to have something a little less demanding on my tired legs. Learned pretty quickly Protests wanted to be up at speed, and by the end of the trip that was starting to feel a little sketchy. Damn though, when popping out of the trees and seeing a straight path back to the lift...felt real nice charging through everyone else's tracks.

Its hard to know for sure, and things would obviously be different if it was all tits deep powder runs right off the lift everyday, but I think I would have liked something smaller and more importantly lighter for 1 of the 5 days we were there.