J Skis Discussion

[CouloirInTheLines]

I’ve got the 181 FastForward and like them a lot as an east coast ski that’s pretty loose and maneuverable but also has great suspension. 5’11” and 185 lbs. My prior firm snow ski was the 194 Rossignol Sender Squad (I had a weird quiver a few years ago) and the FF obviously isn’t as planted as that but I don’t miss any length in it, especially if you will be in the trees/moguls. Only negative I would point out is it doesn’t have the greatest edge hold for a directional ski in this waist width. Could probably be fixed with a sharper tune but I like keeping it loose and running bases flat/drifting turns at speed. But if you are a high edge angle hip dragger on ice this probably isn’t the ski for you.

[SnowMachine]

A bit of input on the Hotshot after ~75 days on them: I'm still pretty hyped on these skis. It's the ski that I'm never upset about grabbing. I finally had them tuned after some rough early season days. The bases are VERY durable. J's are nicely built skis. After the tune the tips/tails are a bit hooky. I'm going to hit them with a gummy stone from the contact points.

Ok, now my complaints: if you find yourself on steep, firm groomers, you're going to be slarving your way through it. They aren't truly confidence inspiring on edge in steep, firm conditions. In that scenario, I found that the Enforcers are more confidence inspiring.

That's about it. If I'm in steep, tech terrain, I'm stoked. Fresh snow to about a foot, I'm stoked. Variable soft snow/corn, I'm stoked. Steep, firm groomers.... I probably shouldn't be on them, anyway (and yet here we are).

Hotshot is a pretty darned versatile ski. Definitely a go-to for about 90% of my days when I have no idea what I'll be skiing.

[MD12]

I agree with snowmachine. only times i wish i was on a different ski was on steep firm technical terrain. i’ve been on the 189 this year and it requires a bit of speed to come alive. it wasn’t terrible, but would have rather been on lighter skis in those conditions at times especially once my legs were a little tired.

[MD12]

one more thing - i got a stone grind and thought the ski was just better overall after the stone grind, i didn’t detune the tips/tails but no hookiness at all.

[phatty]

one more thing - i got a stone grind and thought the ski was just better overall after the stone grind, i didn’t detune the tips/tails but no hookiness at all.

Good to know. I bought my Hotshot second hand and while I like them so far, have not been blown away. Will get them tuned and see what comes from that.

[phatty]

Duplicate, ugh

[PNW-skier78]

May be some learning curve, but truly I think most of the issues were the slow bases/wax from the factory making the skis sticky. I’ve had this issue before with other skis, although those were after many days and the skies had dried out. Slow bases and no wax/bad wax can ruin a ski’s behavior and make them very sluggish and hooky (doesn’t just affect straight line). Last year my Praxis Quixotes were like that and I have always loved those skis, realized they needed wax and they went back to being a breeze to ski.

I’m 5’10 215lbs (athletic) roughly. I do have very small boots (25.5) so sometimes I think that hurts my ability to leverage the tips

Now that you have had more time on your masterblasters how do you like them? I have a delaminating mantra 102 in 184 and debating if I want to get another M102 or something a little more center mounted and playful.


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[MD12]

I’ve spent most of the past few years in the 184 m102 and have loved that ski. This year most of my days are in the 187 MB. Unless it’s rock hard out, I prefer the MB. Biggest surprise was speed limit - MB doesn’t give up much if anything compared to the m102 (again as long as it’s not ice). First gen m102 may have it beat though.

m102 isn’t going anywhere given how quickly I start to like one ski over another and for icey days in the east coast. For a western dd, MB would be on my short list and would be my first choice currently.

[SnowMachine]

one more thing - i got a stone grind and thought the ski was just better overall after the stone grind, i didn’t detune the tips/tails but no hookiness at all.

Interesting. I just had mine serviced and thought they were hooky afterward. I detuned a bit, but I'm going to reset the base and side angles this week.

It is a heavy ski and you feel it at times. I was doing 360's yesterday and it takes a bit more whip on that final 90. I'm going to add a light freeride ski back into the mix at some point, here. Probably a Reckoner, Deathwish or Devastator. Something for softer days where I don't need the suspension.

[PNW-skier78]

I’ve spent most of the past few years in the 184 m102 and have loved that ski. This year most of my days are in the 187 MB. Unless it’s rock hard out, I prefer the MB. Biggest surprise was speed limit - MB doesn’t give up much if anything compared to the m102 (again as long as it’s not ice). First gen m102 may have it beat though.

m102 isn’t going anywhere given how quickly I start to like one ski over another and for icey days in the east coast. For a western dd, MB would be on my short list and would be my first choice currently.

Thanks for the info. I have the gen 1 M102 but I am willing to give up a little stability for a little more playfulness. I have been skiing the M Free 108 and billygoat the last couple years and they turned me on to a little more tail rocker and slightly forward mount point.


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[MD12]

MB will have a mount that feels closer to the mfree and I suspect won’t be as loose as either the mfree or the bg. Still holds a great edge and can be driven hard in a directional style but is much easier going than the first gen m102 and very enjoyable to cruise around at high speeds in a more centered way as well. Def a lot easier in the bumps and off piste than the m102 without going too far into the loose and playful side of things. Sounds like a good option for you.

[Muggydude]

I haven’t been skiing much this season, haven’t put additional days on the MB. I’m looking forward to seeing how I like it at +.5cm from the line instead of -1cm.

In hindsight I probably should have gotten a 181cm MB instead of 187cm, as a playful low tide ski, and a 184cm Mantra 102 or M6 as a two ski hardpack quiver


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[DoubleBogey]

I have 181 MB’s if you want to trade, probably going to sell them before next year and get 187’s

[DoubleBogey]

Duplicate post

[Muggydude]

I haven’t been skiing much this season, haven’t put additional days on the MB. I’m looking forward to seeing how I like it at +.5cm from the line instead of -1cm.

In hindsight I probably should have gotten a 181cm MB instead of 187cm, as a playful low tide ski, and a 184cm Mantra 102 or M6 as a two ski hardpack quiver


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[Muggydude]

I haven’t been skiing much this season, haven’t put additional days on the MB. I’m looking forward to seeing how I like it at +.5cm from the line instead of -1cm.

In hindsight I probably should have gotten a 181cm MB instead of 187cm, as a playful low tide ski, and a 184cm Mantra 102 or M6 as a two ski hardpack quiver

[MD12]

Tried the Lange shadow boot today with my 189 hotshots. fuckin gold. Much better than with my Hawx ultra. Shadow is a damn good boot.

[DoubleBogey]

Who can tell me what to expect from the Friend? Bought some 189’s on marketplace. My widest ski was the 194 Countach and the plan was for that ski to be my widest but after skiing it in the trees and bumps I wanted something a little more nimble. For me, the Countach is awesome in open spaces and even on groomers but the 194 felt a little sluggish in tighter spaces.

[CouloirInTheLines]

Tried the Lange shadow boot today with my 189 hotshots. fuckin gold. Much better than with my Hawx ultra. Shadow is a damn good boot.

Great to hear. I’m thinking about upgrading to this exact pairing from Hawx Ultras and K2 Mindbender 108s.

[SnowMachine]

Great to hear. I’m thinking about upgrading to this exact pairing from Hawx Ultras and K2 Mindbender 108s.

Interesting. I have the new Hawx Ultra XTD BOA and think it's a fantastic boot. Enough so that I'm skiing it every day over my Lange RX's with Zipfits. Curious to try a Shadow.

[SnowMachine]

Who can tell me what to expect from the Friend? Bought some 189’s on marketplace. My widest ski was the 194 Countach and the plan was for that ski to be my widest but after skiing it in the trees and bumps I wanted something a little more nimble. For me, the Countach is awesome in open spaces and even on groomers but the 194 felt a little sluggish in tighter spaces.

I haven't skied the 189, but the 183 was super nimble. I really like that ski, but it just didn't have the headroom when things got rowdy/fast. I'm willing to bet that you like the 189. I want to try that ski.

[DoubleBogey]

Awesome

[MD12]

189 friend is super easy. Very loose but still ok on soft groomers. I posted more below and happy to answer questions.

[DoubleBogey]

Pretty stoked about these. Not mounted yet, anyone know where the rec mount is from center? I usually always go with rec mounted point, same with these?

[SnowMachine]

Pretty stoked about these. Not mounted yet, anyone know where the rec mount is from center? I usually always go with rec mounted point, same with these?

Those are freaking cool!!