Chillaxier ski (than Bibby Pro 190's

[skizix]

Ok, I've got 190 Moment Blister Pro's (so, the OG Bibby Pro build), and they are one of my favorite skis of all time (...on most days - read on). They are my go-to, for inbounds with say 8-18" of new (got Protests for the really big days, Enforcer 100's for the lesser days - the latter may be going bye-bye, but that that's for another thread maybe).

So yeah, we all know how amazing the Bibby's are. But my inbounds pow days inevitably turn into tight tree skiing. And the Bibby's do thoroughly rock there, as long as the snow is of good quality. But they can be a LOT of work it it's sub-optimal: heavy or set-up mank, etc. And frankly they can be a lot of work if I'm just off my game (like: all of last season, where I was in crap shape and had way too few days for a few reasons: new job, slow death of a family member, etc.).

So while I'm most def keeping the Bibby's, I'm looking for a more easy-going, playful, easier-to-flit-about-in-tight-trees ski (hopefully w/o giving up *too* much stability), for those non-Bibby-friendly days (snow-wise or me-wise). Something along the lines of an Automatic or Praxis Concept (both of which seem impossible to score at this point).

Considering: GPO's, Deathwish, or maybe...Backlands? I've read that the Backlands are like Automatics, but how true is that (seems lighter, are presumably for bc, and come in different lengths, so: skeptical)?

Thoughts and recs, my most trusted geezers?

[Velomayniac]

187 Billy Goat. RES is designed for mank and trees, and the 187 should be easier but still crush resort powder days. Doesn't have the confidence on edge like the Bibby, but you're keeping the Bibbys for that reason. I've had both those skis (but different length BG) in my quiver at the same time and I didn't think there was too much overlap. In fact they really compliment each other in my experience.

[2FUNKY]

192 Mfree 108. Does exactly what you are looking for, seriously.


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[Velomayniac]

192 Mfree 108. Does exactly what you are looking for, seriously.


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How long does this thing ski? I see a lot of smaller dudes on the 192..but then it's a Dynastar so it's got to have some balls correct?

[halliday]

Devastators get it done in the tight trees for me. I have the older 184 and last years in 179. Perfect tight tree skis for good snow and not so good snow.

[YaBoyBlue]

I have a praxis MVP108 as this ski in my quiver, would recommend. They’re on killer sale right now

[toast2266]

184 bibby?

Tons of options that roughly fit the criteria. Kinda just comes down to personal preference.

[Huskydoc]

How long does this thing ski? I see a lot of smaller dudes on the 192..but then it's a Dynastar so it's got to have some balls correct?

Not as long as you'd think. Yes to balls but really loose, easy pivot easy to get yourself out of trouble

[2FUNKY]

How long does this thing ski? I see a lot of smaller dudes on the 192..but then it's a Dynastar so it's got to have some balls correct?

It skis a touch shorter than the 192 length. It can feel nice and quick in trees where ya need it but set an edge and it will feel nice and planted. The Mpro is more planted since it has a longer ee and not as much rocker, little stiffer. It’s more business where as the free is more play with some bidness. I’m 5’10 200ish with all gear on. I have no issues hauling the mail on them as well as a bunch of other ripper skiers I know and ride with. A bigger dude may like the mpro better. I had a lot of fun on them I know that and they truck. The OP wanted playful so mfree is my suggestion. It floats way better than a 108 should as well.
The Deathwish is a cool fun ski but just didn’t have enough mass for me at speed.


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[bw_wp_hedonism]

HL FR110?


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[Get.Kronk]

The deathwish 112 was my answer for this same question and I now ski them most days. Still love my bibbys, but the DW does 85% as well for the best things (deep snow, going fast), and better at almost everything else. More fun moving from one zone to another, more playful and a better carver.. kinda sucks going fast in heavy chop though, and then I really miss my bibbys. It’s a 184 DW for what it’s worth

[scmartin69]

The deathwish 112 was my answer for this same question and I now ski them most days. Still love my bibbys, but the DW does 85% as well for the best things (deep snow, going fast), and better at almost everything else. More fun moving from one zone to another, more playful and a better carver.. kinda sucks going fast in heavy chop though, and then I really miss my bibbys. It’s a 184 DW for what it’s worth

+1 on the DW... far more "fun" than my Bibby's, and I reach for them way more than I should (my other skis get jealous). Also, the best Western one ski travel quiver as they can pretty much handle anything you'll run into.

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[Sargentdrufus]

You could go DW in 190 or even 184 which would be my pick, or just get a Wildcat in 184. If you wanted to keep some better top end you could do Wildcat 108 in 184.

But if you want fun playful, easy and really capable in 90% of what you'll ski DW is the answer in my biased and not humble opinion

[SupreChicken]

Deathwish is great. If you want a more bibby like waist - bent chet 120. 192 skis short and is super easy to toss around

[wicked_sick]

What don't you like about the enforcers?

[Velomayniac]

You could go DW in 190 or even 184 which would be my pick, or just get a Wildcat in 184. If you wanted to keep some better top end you could do Wildcat 108 in 184.

But if you want fun playful, easy and really capable in 90% of what you'll ski DW is the answer in my biased and not humble opinion

Does the WC108 have a higher top end than the WC118?

[Pinned]

Does the WC108 have a higher top end than the WC118?

Not really. The full size is stiffer and heavier. I have both, both are great and have plenty of top end for me, but I think the wider ski is more stable at speed as long as it's moderately soft. The 108 is a more versatile ski as you'd expect.

[Velomayniac]

Not really. The full size is stiffer and heavier. I have both, both are great and have plenty of top end for me, but I think the wider ski is more stable at speed as long as it's moderately soft. The 108 is a more versatile ski as you'd expect.

That’s what I figured. Maybe I misunderstood that other post, but that’s why I was asking. I haven’t tried the WC108 yet

On two separate occasions over the last decade, I had both Bibby/Pbj or Wildcat118/Pbj, and I always ended up selling the Pbj because the 118 waste was more stable and I didn’t think it gave up much firm snow performance. For me the 118 skis more like a 110

[Sargentdrufus]

That’s what I figured. Maybe I misunderstood that other post, but that’s why I was asking. I haven’t tried the WC108 yet

On two separate occasions over the last decade, I had both Bibby/Pbj or Wildcat118/Pbj, and I always ended up selling the Pbj because the 118 waste was more stable and I didn’t think it gave up much firm snow performance. For me the 118 skis more like a 110

Sorry I should have been clearer. I was meaning the WC108 would have more top end than the DW. Without sacrificing much if anything on versatility and playfulness ( I assume I haven't ridden the WC108 just basing it off what I've been told from those that have) Sorry for the confusion

[SoVT Joey]

The answer to your question is a nocta.

[halliday]

The answer to your question is a nocta.

^^the answer^^

[Velomayniac]

Sorry I should have been clearer. I was meaning the WC108 would have more top end than the DW. Without sacrificing much if anything on versatility and playfulness ( I assume I haven't ridden the WC108 just basing it off what I've been told from those that have) Sorry for the confusion

Thanks for clarifying

[toast2266]

Sorry I should have been clearer. I was meaning the WC108 would have more top end than the DW. Without sacrificing much if anything on versatility and playfulness ( I assume I haven't ridden the WC108 just basing it off what I've been told from those that have) Sorry for the confusion

If the WC 108 is in the running, just get a praxis MVP. Better than the WC108 in every way. Easier in tight spots, higher top end, somehow manages to be both more maneuverable at low speeds and more stable at high speeds.

[2FUNKY]

If the WC 108 is in the running, just get a praxis MVP. Better than the WC108 in every way. Easier in tight spots, higher top end, somehow manages to be both more maneuverable at low speeds and more stable at high speeds.

Curious how they stack against the Mfree 108? The mvp that is.


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[skizix]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

The Nocta sounds just about perfect, but it was clear I'd have to throw down serious cash for the newer, non-full-reverse camber version (never skied a full-reverse camber ski, but I just can't get my head around that).

The M-Free sounds great also (but I'd be looking at the 118 - not looking to downsize, waist-wise), and I've never skied a Dynastar I didn't like (but my last were 4x4 Bigs, lol).

In the end, not being in the mood to spend a bunch, at the moment, I went with a 2016 Automatic 117, with Warden 13's, for a nice price (don't know much about those bindings, hopefully they don't suck).

Hopefully this fits the bill - wish me luck.