2018-19 Praxis Skis Info and Resource Thread

[detrusor]

192 GPO heavy hitter


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[GoSlowGoFar]

Alright, meter-man convinced me to go with a Protest. FRS on the right is up for grabs without binders. Can get recent photos up soon, some surface scratches otherwise in great shape. Thinking $300 plus shipping or pickup in Tahoe/Reno?

[galibier_numero_un]

Well, with help from @grinch, and everyone here, my geekng out kept to a minimum. Keith wrote back to me and agreed about my short list of a +10 GPO and an Ullr. He did muse for a moment about a +10 Ullr ).

He verified what we discussed here, that an Ullr is very GPO Fat-like. The Ullr was however, designed for inbounds skiing - keeping the tail rocker a bit lower for riding the groomers back to the lift. If I were to go with an Ullr, he recommended a bit more tail rocker for a dedicated touring ski.

He's built a few +10 GPOs and really liked the look of them. If anyone else said this, I'd say "yeah, but did you ski them?". Coming from Keith, I take this as the equivalent of a master luthier selecting wood and "tap tuning" it while shaving the bracing.

This makes the decision for this GPO fanboi easy. I'll sit on it for a couple of days, but it's all but a done deal.

The only thing that had me a bit hesitant about a +10 GPO (until getting Keith's approval), was that I didn't want to get into ski designer mode. I ain't that smart, and had memories of the misfire on the Wootest 1.0 ... that sizing wider/narrower doesn't necessarily translate into the same characteristics.

Another thing he mentioned is that Tabke hasn't competed on softer than flex #3. I trust Keith's memory over Drew's on ski building parameters.

... Thom

Yeah, I suppose I'm worse ;-)

CCR ... dang. Do I take the red pill?

The Ullr seems to be the closest to a fat GPO and the slight bump to 23m radius is real close to what I've found my sweet spot to be (24). Slight variances in camber contact and effective edge.

I might as well re-post the composite chart I compiled again ... for convenience (redundancy?) sake ... I corrected the +10 lenghs. I had erroneously added 2cm instead of 1cm.



... Thom

[grinch]

Stoked for you Thom. It sounds great. Comforting to hear Keith give it his stamp of approval. His descriptions always make sense.

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[bry]

193 MVP 108, HH, 5fl, no carbs, no veneer

See you on the other side.



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[YaBoyBlue]

193 MVP 108, HH, 5fl, no carbs, no veneer

See you on the other side.



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There’s a lot of rage in that build, congrats. Hope you make it.

[davjr96]

What would the collective recommend for a ~105 waist ski to be used a few days after a storm in Tahoe. Think, dump on Thursday but I can't ski until Sat. So everything is tracked out, some aspects are sun affected but some have soft snow still. Bumps most places. Unfortunately I'm a weekend warrior so find myself skiing this a lot. I'm an ex racer so not really jibby/poppy. More going through things then off them...

Currently have:
on3p Woodsman 96: I love this ski. Use it low tide, spring, or dry periods. Almost might just want to get a 102 or 108 for this use but that would be a lot of overlap.
Praxis Concept Custom HH, #3: Also love this ski anytime it's soft. I intentionally sized up a bit for this build so it struggles a bit in bumps in conditions described above.
Praxis MVP 108 Stock: Use this for touring with tech bindings, I think it's not quite chargey enough for what I want inbounds. Maybe my solution is putting some alpine bindings on these but I am not convinced yet.

[Quandary]

Personally I like my 185 9D8s with HH #4 in those conditions.

[hoarhey]

What would the collective recommend for a ~105 waist ski to be used a few days after a storm in Tahoe. Think, dump on Thursday but I can't ski until Sat. So everything is tracked out, some aspects are sun affected but some have soft snow still. Bumps most places. Unfortunately I'm a weekend warrior so find myself skiing this a lot. I'm an ex racer so not really jibby/poppy. More going through things then off them...

Currently have:
on3p Woodsman 96: I love this ski. Use it low tide, spring, or dry periods. Almost might just want to get a 102 or 108 for this use but that would be a lot of overlap.
Praxis Concept Custom HH, #3: Also love this ski anytime it's soft. I intentionally sized up a bit for this build so it struggles a bit in bumps in conditions described above.
Praxis MVP 108 Stock: Use this for touring with tech bindings, I think it's not quite chargey enough for what I want inbounds. Maybe my solution is putting some alpine bindings on these but I am not convinced yet.

FRD (Freeride) might be a good one here - 106 mm underfoot
more directional ski
stock is HH with carbon in flex 4 which I have in my Slugger (102 mm) underfoot.

I'd consider going HH with no carbon (More Difficult Build) for what you want.

[YaBoyBlue]

What would the collective recommend for a ~105 waist ski to be used a few days after a storm in Tahoe. Think, dump on Thursday but I can't ski until Sat. So everything is tracked out, some aspects are sun affected but some have soft snow still. Bumps most places. Unfortunately I'm a weekend warrior so find myself skiing this a lot. I'm an ex racer so not really jibby/poppy. More going through things then off them...

Currently have:
on3p Woodsman 96: I love this ski. Use it low tide, spring, or dry periods. Almost might just want to get a 102 or 108 for this use but that would be a lot of overlap.
Praxis Concept Custom HH, #3: Also love this ski anytime it's soft. I intentionally sized up a bit for this build so it struggles a bit in bumps in conditions described above.
Praxis MVP 108 Stock: Use this for touring with tech bindings, I think it's not quite chargey enough for what I want inbounds. Maybe my solution is putting some alpine bindings on these but I am not convinced yet.

For not being Jibby/poppy you have 3 skis with relatively progressive mounts that reward a more neutral style. I’d say remount the MVP and give it a solid go inbounds.

[waxoff]

What would the collective recommend for a ~105 waist ski to be used a few days after a storm in Tahoe. Think, dump on Thursday but I can't ski until Sat. So everything is tracked out, some aspects are sun affected but some have soft snow still. Bumps most places. Unfortunately I'm a weekend warrior so find myself skiing this a lot. I'm an ex racer so not really jibby/poppy. More going through things then off them...

Currently have:
on3p Woodsman 96: I love this ski. Use it low tide, spring, or dry periods. Almost might just want to get a 102 or 108 for this use but that would be a lot of overlap.
Praxis Concept Custom HH, #3: Also love this ski anytime it's soft. I intentionally sized up a bit for this build so it struggles a bit in bumps in conditions described above.
Praxis MVP 108 Stock: Use this for touring with tech bindings, I think it's not quite chargey enough for what I want inbounds. Maybe my solution is putting some alpine bindings on these but I am not convinced yet.

HH core BC!

[eskido]

FRD (Freeride) might be a good one here - 106 mm underfoot
more directional ski
stock is HH with carbon in flex 4 which I have in my Slugger (102 mm) underfoot.

I'd consider going HH with no carbon (More Difficult Build) for what you want.

This would be a good idea. Personally I’d really consider a skny RX, HH sans carbon? Just a thought

[glademaster]

Think I'm going to give some GPO's a whirl. I was tempted by an in-bounds specific pair of Quixotes, but since I already own two pairs of them, I figure I'll try out a different shape this time.

They'll end up with Pivots for resort powder days.

Going with a 182 GPO, 3+ flex, Heavy Hitter core, cherry veneer. Should work well for me at 5'7" 150-155 pounds.

[undertow2]

Think I'm going to give some GPO's a whirl. I was tempted by an in-bounds specific pair of Quixotes, but since I already own two pairs of them, I figure I'll try out a different shape this time.

They'll end up with Pivots for resort powder days.

Going with a 182 GPO, 3+ flex, Heavy Hitter core, cherry veneer. Should work well for me at 5'7" 150-155 pounds.

Glade, I am sure as you already know you just can’t go wrong with the GPO... I have both the Q in a 194 and 192 GPO and love them both but if I had to give one up it would be the Q... The GPO is a Swiss Army knife and a ski that is “you would have to pry them from my dead hands ski”... They just do so many things well... The only thing I wish was they were heavy hitter... This was not an option when I ordered mine and would just be that much better in F’d up snow...

And congrats...!


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[hoarhey]

Think I'm going to give some GPO's a whirl. I was tempted by an in-bounds specific pair of Quixotes, but since I already own two pairs of them, I figure I'll try out a different shape this time.

They'll end up with Pivots for resort powder days.

Going with a 182 GPO, 3+ flex, Heavy Hitter core, cherry veneer. Should work well for me at 5'7" 150-155 pounds.

Excellent choice!

If I bought another 182 GPO for inbounds use, it would be heavy hitter core, I think, or at least Enduro, but no carbon.

[CovertM]

Think I'm going to give some GPO's a whirl. I was tempted by an in-bounds specific pair of Quixotes, but since I already own two pairs of them, I figure I'll try out a different shape this time.

They'll end up with Pivots for resort powder days.

Going with a 182 GPO, 3+ flex, Heavy Hitter core, cherry veneer. Should work well for me at 5'7" 150-155 pounds.

Not sure what your normal ski size range is but...I will say that I bought a standard edition 182 GPO this year and wish so bad that I went with the 187. I'm 5'8" (barely) and 190# semi-beater skier. I commented to Keith that they seemed to ski short and maybe they were just that easy to ski. He agreed and recommended that I try a 187 (probably ordering one now). Something to think about.

[galibier_numero_un]

Not sure what your normal ski size range is but...I will say that I bought a standard edition 182 GPO this year and wish so bad that I went with the 187. I'm 5'8" (barely) and 190# semi-beater skier. I commented to Keith that they seemed to ski short and maybe they were just that easy to ski. He agreed and recommended that I try a 187 (probably ordering one now). Something to think about.

The 187 GPOs skied like my 182 Qs, and my 182 CD 114s.

That was a key reason for my swapping the 187s for 182s - for a bit of variety. The Qs are gone, and the Downs and 182 GPOs compliment each other.

For me, it's more about where I ski. I appreciate the shorter GPOs in tight trees.

I'm not sure if I'm up to heavy hitter (5'9", 165#), but I'm 100% sold on veneer's ability to damp without making a ski feel dead.

... Thom

[Cars Suck]

What would the collective recommend for a ~105 waist ski to be used a few days after a storm in Tahoe. Think, dump on Thursday but I can't ski until Sat. So everything is tracked out, some aspects are sun affected but some have soft snow still. Bumps most places. Unfortunately I'm a weekend warrior so find myself skiing this a lot. I'm an ex racer so not really jibby/poppy. More going through things then off them...

Currently have:
on3p Woodsman 96: I love this ski. Use it low tide, spring, or dry periods. Almost might just want to get a 102 or 108 for this use but that would be a lot of overlap.
Praxis Concept Custom HH, #3: Also love this ski anytime it's soft. I intentionally sized up a bit for this build so it struggles a bit in bumps in conditions described above.
Praxis MVP 108 Stock: Use this for touring with tech bindings, I think it's not quite chargey enough for what I want inbounds. Maybe my solution is putting some alpine bindings on these but I am not convinced yet.

Id also rec the FRD but keep it Easy Build amd add veneer to smooth it out even more. If you want a resort charger, that’s an excellent ski across conditions and great value with HH + carbon at the Easy price.

Would slot nicely in your quiver. Only question would be the size? I had 174 which was surprisingly stable at that length but just a little squirrelly when it got over 50. Tried a 184 which felt long. If you’re between sizes a HH backcountry in 180 would also rip. Fantastic shape if you want something looser than FRD

[Cars Suck]

What would people recommend as a "first praxis ski?" Im 6'1" 190, ski 90% in tahoe and have a 190 wct and a 184 dwt for touring along with a smattering of skinnier touring skis, and a 188 r11/ 191 ranger 102fr in bounds. Looking for something chargery for IB skiing in tahoe mank and deeper days, and dont really know if a protest fills that niche. I like the idea of supporting praxis and have always wanted a pair of em, where to start?

I have 184 Wildcat 116 (19-20) and FR102s along with 182 GPOs and 182 Quixote and love all those skis for charge-y, slashy Tahoe skiing.

Had OG 188 Protests and selling them was a terrible decision. They absolutely rip in heavy Tahoe dumps and skipped over chop and mank like nothing.

At your size a HH or enduro core + veneer would be a machine for deep and cut up resort days and would sit nicely at the top of your resort quiver. They are stupid fun and I need to get a new pair

[undertow2]

Must resist... I think it was already asked but when does the sale date end...


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[grinch]

Love the hh core. No veneer? Veneer is awesome. Sale went quite long last year

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[undertow2]

Love the hh core. No veneer? Veneer is awesome. Sale went quite long last year

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I have the veneer on my custom Qs and honestly did not hold up well for me... Now I went cherry top sheet but it scratched like crazy and side walls were a pain... I travel a lot for work so in my bag they get F’d up... My nylon top sheets are low maintenance... The heavy hitter core is key for me...


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[N1CK.]

I did the HH + carbonz on one build and love it. I'd bet the stock HH core is teh tittays as well.

[eskido]

HH for inbounds for me no question

[grinch]

I have the veneer on my custom Qs and honestly did not hold up well for me... Now I went cherry top sheet but it scratched like crazy and side walls were a pain... I travel a lot for work so in my bag they get F’d up... My nylon top sheets are low maintenance... The heavy hitter core is key for me...


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Oh ok. I had good luck with the veers i had. No top sheet chips like my nylon top gpo. I think they were maple ambrosia. Another one too i cant remember. That was a bonus but they ski so well. Added dampness but i could still pop and they save pretty much the same weight as carbon. Thom got a recommendation, from Iggy? or Scott?, on a stain/laquer that makes them super brilliant and much more durable. Veneer looks great but that coating was crazy good looking. Hopefully he'll add/correct some of my memory on this.
My gpo's are still going from the original pressing year. My other skis havent chipped as much so maybe there an anomaly. My veneers did seem to fair better than all the nylons though. Not sure if it was the particular veneers i picked or luck. Thought that stain would just remove any worries for my next pair though

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