Question for fans of modern carving and race skis...

[72Twenty]

I came accross a pretty good deal on a couple pairs of skis that would be a good quiver ski for me... My local hill, although located in the Rockies is stuck below the 300/year mark. It also does not have very much vert. I was thinking a carving/race ski would be fun for everyday skiing when we haven't had new snow in weeks and I just want to go fast.

What I own already:
193cm Line Dragons (dead/trashed)
185cm Pocket Rockets
195cm AK Launchers (yellow ones)


Ski #1:

"Volkl 724 Pro" (2004 model)

Length: 184cm Specs: 115-77-104

Binding: Marker Ti 1200 (I know, but they will do for this kind of skiing...)




Ski #2:

Rossignol World Cup 9X GS (2005 model)

Length: 181cm Specs: 104-64-91

Binding: Rossignol 120 SS



Assuming these skis are both the same price (both are used with bindings), which pair would you take and why?

[72Twenty]

The Volkls are wider, but I would assume the Rossi's are stiffer...

[trouble]

pretty different skis if you ask me. the volkl is much more versatile and wouldn't be all that bad in a bit of soft snow. the rossi (I am assuming based on other race skis I have used) would be only good on super hard snow and ice. I suppose if you only want to go fast on hard snow the rossi is a faster ski, but if you want any versatility, go with the volkl

[XtrPickels]

Those 724's were supposed to replace the G4/AX4's and apparently did a crappy job of it. They're really nothing more than a midfat from a few years ago. Get these if you want something that is kinda okay in cut up snow and kinda okay on groomers

The Rossi's on the other hand are a race ski with a pretty standard GS sidecut and will probably be more into making long fast turns with more stability than the volkl's. Get these if you want to stick to the groomers at high speeds. Plus, the bindings are nicer...

[PlayHarder]

"Volkl 724 Pro" (2004 model)

Length: 184cm Specs: 115-77-104

Shouldn't the Pro be an 83 or 84 waist? Not a carving ski, but should be stiffer and more versatile than you've got.

[72Twenty]

Yeah - will be used "all mountain" including alot of groomer-cruiser runs. The volkls kinda remind me of my old K2 Xplorers that I had way back when. Keep in mind, my main motivation on these is the price, and these two were the two I happened to find in a doable price range. I am leaning towards the Volkls, but wanted to get the maggot-comparison on the Rossi's. THe last race skis I owned were a pair of 198cm Dynastar Speed SF GS skis and some 205 K2 GS Race skis from WAAAY back in time.

[72Twenty]

Shouldn't the Pro be an 83 or 84 waist? Not a carving ski, but should be stiffer and more versatile than you've got.

Not sure - that's just what the specs said on the for-sale listing.

[ski_faster]

I own a pair of Rossignol 9X World Cup like those but mine are race stock. I have had some really fun days early in the morning when the groomers are fresh.
I demoed a pair of the Volkl's and I didn't like them at all. Maybe it was the Marker bindings but I couldn't lock them into a turn like I can my Rossignol's. It seemed like the ski never wanted to hook up. Since these are going to be a quiver ski I would get the Rossignol's.

[nick > jesus]

i have skied Rossi production race skis a good bit, and i guess they would be more user friendly for the non racer but i found that they were super soft, especially torsionally, i just did not feel like they were stable.

[PlayHarder]

Not sure - that's just what the specs said on the for-sale listing.

Looks like my mistake, I'd just assumed that there was a bit more difference between the Pro and the Exp, with the Pro still having similar dimensions to the g4/ax4.
Still, I think it's a decent ski for "all-mountain" use.

[Shredhead]

I have the 184 724 Pro and it's a good versatile ski. It rips the hard pack and can handle deep snow as long as it's lite. I don't think you will find a top end on it unless you’re straight lining in a tuck. I think it would be a perfect east coast ski.

[davep]

Looks like my mistake, I'd just assumed that there was a bit more difference between the Pro and the Exp, with the Pro still having similar dimensions to the g4/ax4.
Still, I think it's a decent ski for "all-mountain" use.

I think those dimensions are right, the pro was narrower (and a bit stiffer?) than the g4.

[4matic]

I had a pair of the 724's; too fat for groomers.. If I can make a guess for you maybe try a Volkl Vertigo motion, Volkl G3, or Salomon X-Scream.

[FREESKIER_FIVE-0]

Where do you ski? Hogedon? (spellcheck?) White Pine? Cokeville? That other place in Wyoming closer to the east than west? (This is all assuming your location is still in Wyoming.)

Location shall help us. (Or me atleast, because i kinda know the resorts in Wyoming)

[dirtybryan]

I'd go with the rossignols. I don't think that ski is gonna be as soft as some said since it is the fis legal model. When rossi moved their race skis to the gold and black, they have become noticably stiffer then the rossi noodles of the past. I don't think turn initiation was very quick, but once in a turn they stayed in and lots of pop out of the turn.

Once I dialed these skis in, they were lots of fun. Until I bent the front of the ski up (think reverse camber gs skis). Thats the downside of metal in skis.

[Benny Profane]

I would do the Rossis. They were very popular at Gore on race days. I'd like a pair for the morning or ice.

[72Twenty]

Where do you ski? Hogedon? (spellcheck?) White Pine? Cokeville? That other place in Wyoming closer to the east than west? (This is all assuming your location is still in Wyoming.)

Location shall help us. (Or me atleast, because i kinda know the resorts in Wyoming)

Obviously.





I ski at Snowy Range most of the time. I get a free pass from my work every year.

[mnflyfish]

I saw this deal too, won't divulge where you found this. I would without question go with the 9X. I ski these myself as my everyday ski. Great on groomers out west and the ice and slush back home in Minnesota. They are fast, responsive, and a great all around ski. They are real easy to cruise on but when you want to kick it down, you can power your turns and they launch you. A really fun ski.

As a side note, I had a little accident last year and had to have a ski repair done. While I was waiting for my skis, I took a pair of these Volkl's for the afternoon. A little too soft for my tastes though I grew up racing and prefer a stiffer ski with a little more pop. Also if you buy these and hate them, the re-sale on the Rossi's via ebay would be better. If we're looking at the same site, you should be able to re-sell them for what you paid. Volkl can be hit or miss, not as well known with the average JONG cruising ebay for a pair of skis for the one ski trip a year to Aspen.

Good Luck,
Jay

[L7]

Rossi would be my vote as well. I rarely liked the way Rossis ski but I can enjoy that ski anytime I get on it. It will give you more of the hard snow performance you're looking for I think and would likely be ok in not too deep soft snow.

[marshalolson]

GS race skis in general are super fun for high speed carving

[uglymoney]

I haven't skied the Rossi 9x, and from the reviews here they sound like great groomer rippers, but at 64 mm in the waist? They sound like a nightmare on anything chopped up? Maybe I'm wrong.

I demoed some 724 Pro's and they hooked up for me just great. I loved the ski and have always imagined replacing my Bandit X's with them someday. It was way turny and snappy for a ski with a nice 77mm footprint. I see lots of rippers using these on groomer days when there is still some pow lurking in a few spots. Its not the hookup race ski, but who cares.

[philippeR]

Basically what everyone said :
I've skied the 724 Pro : a good 'all mountain mid-fat' 2003-2004 style. Nothing outstanding but a solid feel and rather versatile. Did enjoy some speed, so it may foot the bill.
The 9XWC is a different beast. I've skied the regular 9x (I enjoy GS skis for free skiing, sue me) and it's an excellent high speed carver, quite friendly for a GS ski. The WC is the race stock model, highly considered in its time. Much beefier (and really expensive).
For the same price, I would say, go for the Rossignol. There're plenty of 724 around and it's not an outstanding ski. A good Rossi WC is more difficult to find, the bindings are better and it will be the real McCoy for blasting the groomers.

Edit : On second thought) I think I remember that the 9xWC was supposed to be notably less stiff in 181 cm than in 185, the later being the genuine race product and the former a toned down version (but still with the vertical sidewalls, the racing plate etc...)

[Poacher]

Do the 9Xs have the Rossi/Vist plates and full white sidewalls?

If so go with the 9Xs!

[72Twenty]

Thanks for all the info... Unfortunately I got word form a fellow maggot that I may be able to buy a pair of fat skis from him instead...

These skis in this thread are each selling for $180/pair on Evogear.com if anyone else is looking for a deal on these. They are in the outlet side under skis.

[yesIsaidyes]

These skis in this thread are each selling for $180/pair on Evogear.com if anyone else is looking for a deal on these. They are in the outlet side under skis.

It's scary that I knew these were on Evo just from the way the pics showed the full ski, tail and tip... ...too much online shopping.