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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Swiss alps -> Bozone,MT
    Posts
    671

    Damp, stable and somewhat light at ~95mm: What touring ski am I?

    To make the most of the mandatory home office and touring season: some more 'what ski' discussion!

    My touring quiver currently consists of the awesome 184 Vwerk katana and 178 Blizzard Zero G 95.
    I am contemplating replacing the zero G with something a bit more substantial. As much as I like the edgehold and power of the ski, i wish it was more damp. It is very much a precision tool, and I would like to move to something that I can charge on regardless of snow condition (like the VW Katana). I am willing to add a little weight (and even go a size shorter to allow for a heavier ski). The ski is mainly to be used on steep, technical terrain and longer tours where the weight and/or width of the Katana are a bit overkill.

    Honestly, the ski I want exists and it is called the Vwerks Mantra. at ~1600 gr in 170 this ticks all the boxes, apart from the price. I am not willing to drop 800bucks on a ski yet, especially with an impeding COVID lockdown. So really the question can be rephrased as what is a budget VW mantra. But just to keep it open:
    - 1600 grams max in a ~170
    - ~95 mm
    - stable, damp, good edgehold.
    - Flat(ish) tail

    What else should I be looking at?
    salomon mtn 95? (too similar to the zero G?)
    armada tracer 98?
    Elan ripstick?
    ...?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Squaw valley
    Posts
    4,639
    I have the vw katanas and i had the mtn explore 95. I sold the mtn because at speed, on firm, it was unstable. Think spring days on Shasta when it's still firm.

    I felt much more secure on the katanas, even on steep, firm, even with the width.

    Sent from my Redmi Note 8 Pro using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    FR&CH
    Posts
    354
    Older skis :
    Heavier, Blizzard Kabookie 173.
    Narrower, Blizzard Altitude 173.

    I have the Mantra VW and it rocks. Maybe wait for a discount or used pair ?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Wasatch
    Posts
    7,243
    Camox freebird is what I like in that spot


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    I need to go to Utah.
    Utah?
    Yeah, Utah. It's wedged in between Wyoming and Nevada. You've seen pictures of it, right?

    So after 15 years we finally made it to Utah.....


    Thanks BCSAR and POWMOW Ski Patrol for rescues

    8, 17, 13, 18, 16, 18, 20, 19, 16, 24, 32, 35

    2021/2022 (13/15)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Hell Track
    Posts
    13,845
    Look at the Renoun skis. They tick most of your boxes, and will help you feel more comfortable about ponying up for the Mantras.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Winthrop, WA.
    Posts
    1,592
    This may not be much help at present, but you just described the upcoming 20/21 Volkl Blaze 94....and they will retail for $550

    Other than that, ummmm, how about a Head Kore 93? Volkl 90Eight? Atomic Vantage 97c? Fischer Ranger 98ti? Any of those will outdo a touring weight ski for grip and charge in backcountry conditions, and they can all be had pretty cheap

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Verbier
    Posts
    162
    I would echo the advice about Völkl 90Eight. Super versatile ski.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Sun Valley, ID
    Posts
    2,527
    Quote Originally Posted by whyturn View Post
    Camox freebird is what I like in that spot


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    I hope so! I just got some 188’s.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Sun Valley, ID
    Posts
    2,527
    Quote Originally Posted by Lord Thomas View Post
    This may not be much help at present, but you just described the upcoming 20/21 Volkl Blaze 94....and they will retail for $550

    Other than that, ummmm, how about a Head Kore 93? Volkl 90Eight? Atomic Vantage 97c? Fischer Ranger 98ti? Any of those will outdo a touring weight ski for grip and charge in backcountry conditions, and they can all be had pretty cheap
    If the camox don’t work out I’ll look hard at kore 99’s.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    665
    Don’t know if it applies to all the Head Kores, but the ones I looked at were pretty high cambered, coming from a Katana would be very different feel.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Vallee Teton
    Posts
    2,586

    Damp, stable and somewhat light at ~95mm: What touring ski am I?

    Praxis 9d8 or 172 cm praxis yeti at 94 underfoot


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    Aggressive in my own mind

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Not Brooklyn
    Posts
    8,319
    Last year's QST 99
    Moment Commander 98


    Sent from my Pixel 3a using TGR Forums mobile app
    Last edited by I've seen black diamonds!; 03-18-2020 at 03:35 PM.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Gaperville, CO
    Posts
    5,845
    Quote Originally Posted by hoarhey View Post
    Praxis 9d8 or 172 cm praxis yeti at 94 underfoot


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    As current owner of Yeti and former owner of 9d8.

    - Yeti -- really fun touring ski but it isn't damp or particularly stable at speed.
    - 9D8 is both damp and stable. But it is quite a bit heavier.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Colorado Front Range
    Posts
    4,644
    Quote Originally Posted by doebedoe View Post
    As current owner of Yeti and former owner of 9d8.

    - Yeti -- really fun touring ski but it isn't damp or particularly stable at speed.
    - 9D8 is both damp and stable. But it is quite a bit heavier.
    I know they're wider, but how have your CD 104L's been working out? A pair just found their way chez mois and I'm completing a mount tonight.

    ... Thom
    Last edited by galibier_numero_un; 03-18-2020 at 04:09 PM.
    Galibier Design
    crafting technology in service of music

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Vallee Teton
    Posts
    2,586
    Quote Originally Posted by doebedoe View Post
    As current owner of Yeti and former owner of 9d8.

    - Yeti -- really fun touring ski but it isn't damp or particularly stable at speed.
    - 9D8 is both damp and stable. But it is quite a bit heavier.
    What core is in your yeti?

    Maybe enduro core would be more damp?


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    Aggressive in my own mind

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Alta
    Posts
    2,933
    Everyone raves about the salmon mtn 95. I personally love my praxis yetis for this exact spot in my quiver. I hate light carbon skis. The yeti is light enough for me but skis like an ski should

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Tahoe
    Posts
    1,095
    FWIW I own a Zero G 95 and an MTN Explore 95.

    No one would confuse the MTN with a heavy, damp ski. That being said, it's a much smoother ski than the Zero G 95. Not as high strung & more damp. It handles a variety of snow conditions quite well for the weight. It's better than the Zero G 95 in soft snow with more tip rocker and splay.

    I use the Zero G 95 for long distance spring missions with a lighter boot (TLT6). MTN Explore 95 is my preferred spring time ski for slightly shorter approaches (although I've taken it on > 20 mile days without issue) or more difficult lines (for me at least). I ski the MTN Explore with a Maestrale RS.

    This is just conjecture, but I imagine a Vwerks Mantra will ski better given the extra weight.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Sun Valley, ID
    Posts
    2,527
    Quote Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds! View Post
    Last year's QST 99
    Moment Commander 98


    Sent from my Pixel 3a using TGR Forums mobile app
    Was last years lighter? Or?

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Not Brooklyn
    Posts
    8,319
    Quote Originally Posted by CaliBrit View Post
    Was last years lighter? Or?
    Yes. About 200g lighter per ski I think.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Sun Valley, ID
    Posts
    2,527

    Damp, stable and somewhat light at ~95mm: What touring ski am I?

    Quote Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds! View Post
    Yes. About 200g lighter per ski I think.
    Good to know thanks. Might track down a past year version.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Gaperville, CO
    Posts
    5,845
    Quote Originally Posted by hoarhey View Post
    What core is in your yeti?

    Maybe enduro core would be more damp?


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    Mine is the standard model (UL core and I think 3 flex in 182?)

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    none
    Posts
    8,335

    Damp, stable and somewhat light at ~95mm: What touring ski am I?

    I got the 186 BMT94 and the 178 VW Mantra this year. I ended up mounting the Mantra alpine with 916’s@296.
    I hate to say it, but the Mantras are too short.
    I’d take $500 + flat.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    NH
    Posts
    127
    What about the Icelantic Pioneer? Haven't skied them but seems to check those boxes. Plus sweet graphics and a quality company.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Taos Ski Valley or my truck
    Posts
    726
    Wren 96ti. Later.

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Not Brooklyn
    Posts
    8,319
    I'll add that that if you don't mind gong a bit wider, the Zero G 108 is a phenomenal ski mountaineering ski. They are utterly predictable, excellent on hard snow and deal with gloppy spring snow better than any 95mm ski. They are my preferred spring ski in CO. I only use my Zero G 85's on long-ass days that will involve lots of kick turns or sidehilling.

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