Opinions on best big mountain ski for me- Snowbird

[waxloaf]

If your only reference point for a wider ski is the katana, (which 1. isn't very wide, and 2. has a very traditional shape) perhaps you should go demo pretty much any modern ski. It sounds like you're setting a bunch of arbitrary criteria based on essentially zero experience.

This makes a lot of sense. You’ll have a much better idea of what you want after spending some time on a ski with a more-modern shape and profile.

[Abol98]

This makes a lot of sense. You’ll have a much better idea of what you want after spending some time on a ski with a more-modern shape and profile.

Demo (not rent) from the mountain for a day and swap out skis as many times as you can, just to get a sense of what you like. Armed with that knowledge demo some finalists from a shop that would deduct the demo from the final sale. I really dig the people at Lift House (I think they had the rustlers, Kastle 106s and a few others that might move the needle).

Then come here, tell everyone what you decided.... get lit up by the TGR spotlight of truth and purchase some ON3P Woodsmans or Moment Wildcat 108s.

[Timberridge]

Soul 7's

[smooth operator]

And once you do buy some new skis, sell me your katanas.

[Timberridge]

^^The katana was named after a type of Japanese sword used by top samurai. It's not for beaters. Do you have the skiing chops to handle such a ski?

[1000-oaks]

I'd also be interested in the 184 Katanas if one mount and still in good condition.

[Timberridge]

The OP's been skiing for 30 yrs and can't handle them. What makes you two think you can tame those beasts?

[tuco]

Skied 12 years in the satch and most of that was on under 110underfoot. I always said its better to be in it than on it.....

Been skiing here for 45yrs.
I agree w/ Thom.
Just sayin'....

[1000-oaks]

What makes you two think you can tame those beasts?

Beaters can dream.

[Timberridge]

^^Well if you do end up getting those katanas, get a good helmet and one of those POC things for your back.

Been skiing here for 45yrs.
I agree w/ Thom.
Just sayin'....

I hear that snow out there is like skiing in 3 ft of duck down. You may need a minimum of 130mm underfoot just to see your knees.

[tuco]

^^Well if you do end up getting those katanas, get a good helmet and one of those POC things for your back.



I hear that snow out there is like skiing in 3 ft of duck down. You may need a minimum of 130mm underfoot just to see your knees.

Spent 30ish yrs "down in it".
Fuck that.....I wanna surf.

[skaredshtles]

Spent 30ish yrs "down in it".
Fuck that.....I wanna surf.

So you're saying it's personal preference?

I'll be damned.

[tuco]

So you're saying it's personal preference?

I'll be damned.

No.
Like what I like or you suck

[skaredshtles]

No.
Like what I like or you suck

Oh yeah! I stand corrected.

[Skidog]

Spent 30ish yrs "down in it".
Fuck that.....I wanna surf.

I like the mix the smaller ski provides. Wider tip, smaller waist get the best of both. Some of my favorite days at Alta we on 25+" days and on sub 110 skis. I like their versatility when it's not deep too.
I went through a quiver stage and have skied up to 150 underfoot (moment comi og), and while fun I got to where I didn't feel like changing mid day as conditions changed so I never skied the quiver.

Different strokes I guess. It's all fun that's for sure.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using TGR Forums mobile app

[El Chupacabra]

Spent 30ish yrs "down in it".
Fuck that.....I wanna surf.

I was up above it...

[3PinGrin]

115 is the new 100

Amazed at how fatter skis can handle soft groomers these days. Firm and bumps are another story entirely.

OP, you order up some Praxis yet? Get er done!

[old goat]

OP--my experience as I age (I've got 18 years and 30 pounds on you) has been to go lighter, softer, less radius but not narrower.
And I advise against age-appropriate binding settings. They're why my season ended Feb 16.

[galibier_numero_un]

OP--my experience as I age (I've got 18 years and 30 pounds on you) has been to go lighter, softer, less radius but not narrower.
And I advise against age-appropriate binding settings. They're why my season ended Feb 16.

I'm thinking of softening things up a bit for my fatties as well. My BGs kick my butt in confined spaces. I love them in wide open terrain, but you can't change skis mid-run.

We're the same age, although I'm a bit lighter, at 165 Lbs.

... Thom

[sruffian]

but looking to downsize just a bit and go to something closer to 100-105mm in width, 180 cm in length, 15-20 meter turn radius, and has camber underfoot. Looking at stuff like the Blizzard Rustler 10, Head Kore 105, Nordica Enforcer 100, Volkl Mantra, ....

pretty sure none of those are big mtn skis.

for your category you should be looking at the moment commander 108 (more directional) or wildcat 108 (more playful)

if i skied mostly powder days and refused to buy more than one ski i'd get bibby's, as mentioned below

[skaredshtles]

Every ski is a big-mountain ski, if you're not a bitch.

[bmg97]

I have a pair of barely used enforcers for sale. 185cm mounted once for pivots.

[pfluffenmeister]

I was up above it...

Kinda like a cloud, I was up, way up in the sky ...

[jmills]

For what ever reason (likely just my older age) the 184 cm Katana's with their 112 waist width combined with their weight has just become a tad too much for me the last few years, again I'm only 150 lbs. I started skiing at Snowbird in the 80's on 203-207 cm slalom skis like most back in the 80's.

I'm still open to waist widths up around 108 and will be keeping my 184cm Katana's for those epic deep/light days. The J skis Metal looks like a good option, as does the Moment PB&J or Wildcat.

Close to 50 and 100+ days at Alta and a handful more at Snowbird and DV. I skied a QST106 on plenty of deep days and occasionally started some of them on a Pescado. The Pescado may not be for me so I’ve added an Enforcer Free 115 during the off-season.

Demo (not rent) from the mountain for a day and swap out skis as many times as you can, just to get a sense of what you like. Armed with that knowledge demo some finalists from a shop that would deduct the demo from the final price

If you pick up a demo from Powderhouse in Holladay you can then trade them out at any of the 4 locations at Alta and avoid paying the higher amount which includes a resort tax.

[SLCUTAH]

Lots of good information from most of you. I was hoping to find the right ski without going the demo route by using this huge data base. Looking at all of the recommendations so far the J Ski Metal intrigues me the most. I agree the best thing for me to do would be to demo a bunch and figure out what I like on my own but that can get time consuming and a bit pricey plus put me well into the season.

When I do get new skis I may just sell my Katana's which have only been mounted once and still in good condition considering they are 6 years old.