Ski test: Movement Goliath, Thunder, and Baggy

[Dside11-11]

Skied some Movements today at loveland. Here's what I thought.

Goliath 191:

Pros:
Super stable, but very maneuverable, friendly, and lively. Light for such a beafy ski. Made short turns in the fall line very well - Maybe the best I have seen from this genre of ski. Laid over into GS and SuperG turns effortlessly, and felt locked to the snow. Released into a drift turn very easily and consistently. Tail is powerful without being unforgiving.

Cons:
Tail felt a little locked at times, but I think it could just need a little more detune in the tail, and because I was skiing a groomer with a ski that is meant for anything but.

Overall:
I can’t wait to get this ski out where it thrives – ripping pow and hucking cliffs. I also foresee it crushing variable snow with the tip profile and stoutness underfoot. So maneuverable for such a huge, solid ski. A great balance of power and stability with forgiveness and skiability. Unlike many in this category – this ski is not a challenge in itself. A great step forward for big mountain skis.

Thunder 177:

Pros:
Carves like nobody’s business, but does not feel hooky. VERY lively – my feet were coming off the snow between turns and the ski accelerates powerfully yet butter smooth and consistent. Stable at speed, with no foreseen speed limit. Tracks true – almost like a race ski. Burly with just enough forgiveness.

Cons:
For and all-around ski? None. Near perfect. I just want the 187.

Overall:
Sick everyday western resort ski, and would probably rock the east coast hardpack pretty well too. Bang bumps, charge crud, spin in the park and rail the groomer back to the car. Reminded me of a fattened-up Dynastar 4x4 powertrac or a fine-tuned Head im88.

Baggy:

Pros:
Buttery. Drifted very nicely through turns. Responsive to direction changes and VERY forgiving. Spins like a top.

Cons:
Only one length?! For serious? Center-ish mount is gonna be tough in the pow, which should be a priority for a ski that is 102mm underfoot. A little confused and indecisive feeling – would not readily set into a carved turn. Tracking left a little to be desired as well. Most of these problems could be solved by offering a 188-190cm length.

Overall:
A real contender in the a very popular bc freestyle class among the likes of the Gotama, Head mojo 105, etc.. Gotta get a 190 in the lineup, though, and set the mount point back a little. I'd buy the 190 right now - if they made it.

Impressions on the brand:
Attention to detail shines through in skiing all of these models. Even the characteristics that I didn’t like seem to be a deliberate result of fine-tuning for each ski’s purpose. All skis felt relatively stable, powerful, and lively. It is apparent that this is no small brand, despite it’s smallish market presence in the US. Goliath and Thunder felt like race-room skis. Dialed.

Skier: Race background, been trying my hand in big mountain events and have finished in the top ten as well as pushed my luck and beaterd all ugly-like. I like to ski fast and crank hard, surf-style turns in the open, but also dig the tedium of techy billygoat skiing and regularly get flak from my buddies for turning too much. Visit the park occasionally, and am working on throwing tricks into my all-around skiing.

Anyone else tried any of these? What y'all think?

[XtrPickels]

I've been interested in the goliath for a while now. Never pulled the trigger. Seems like its what I'm looking for... a replacement for the 193 Bigdaddy
Thanks for the info

[LeeLau]

I totally agree about the Goliath and posted a previous review.

The Baggy felt like a bit more turny Goliath and my wife liked it so much I got it for her. In that length - 180 I think - it's perfect for her

[Dside11-11]

I totally agree about the Goliath and posted a previous review.

The Baggy felt like a bit more turny Goliath and my wife liked it so much I got it for her. In that length - 180 I think - it's perfect for her

Sorry - would have just added to your thread had i taken the time to search. Whoops.

[marshalolson]

can you compare the goliath with the legend xxl (granted you only took 2 runs on them, but just an off the cuff kinda thing?)

great reviews too. makes me want a goliath more and more...

[Dside11-11]

Very similar to the XXL in behavior. A touch more acceleration out of the turn from the Goliath. Weight is similar - LIGHT for such a big ski. I like the early rise tip on the Goliath better than the plow that the XXL pushes. Both skis represent to me a departure from big mountain skis being meathead-clad-in-body-armor, jam-packed full o' metal, stiff, unwieldy 2x4's. Both are VERY skiable for strong skiers.

[milkman]

Nice review. Getting my new Goliaths mounted next week. Can't wait to get on 'em.....

[Rontele]

Robbie,

Great review. Must be nice to have your landlord also work at a shop in town Just fondling the Goliaths in the store was enough to impress me, the stiffness to weight ratio is impressive.

[Z]

What y'all think?

I think you turn too much.

[shasti]

Either way, Goliath sounds pretty noice. Wish I would have jumped on the sale when I had the chance

[salx]

thanks for the review.

also skied the 07/08 thunders in 187cm and loved them. also, i can confirm on the review given, thought the same. however deals on this years are hard to find. last years are supposed to be a little stiffer but easier to find for decent price.

ps. have never skied dynastars legend pros - know how they compare ?

[powdertrain]

I third or fourth or whichever the above review. I have a set of 06/07 Goliaths and couldn't be more pleased with their performance.

[JeffreyJim]

Nice review.

Makes me REAL excited to get my XXLs mounted, just finished bending the brakes to my FKSs.

Who has a look jig I can borrow

[Vicious]

Good stuff dood! Great insight.

I think Marsh and I might be going up tomorrow am to make a few runs on these.

[marshalolson]

trigger pulled on goliath 191's.

[LeeLau]

OK - now we really need more reviews of Goliaths. All I've done this year is wax them

powdertrain - nice avatar of the very weird Baggy graphics

[powdertrain]

OK - now we really need more reviews of Goliaths. All I've done this year is wax them

powdertrain - nice avatar of the very weird Baggy graphics

Danke, Lee... I hope they come out with a longer length next year since the 180s are a bit short for me. I love the weirdness of the graphics. Something different then everything else out there. Once I get my AT setup finalized for the year we should catch up for some lines. pm me if you're game.

[Krash]

trigger pulled on goliath 191's.

Nice! you'll love 'em

I have a fresh pair or 191's just waiting for my Dukes to come in.

I've skied all the new '07-'08 stuff and nothing excited me as much as the Movements. This will be my 3rd season with the Goliath as my everyday and AT ski. But I also very much agree with D-side's review of the Thunder, it is a WEAPON, this ski rip's. And if you are not getting airborne between turn's with this ski, you don't know how to use the tail. The 187 is my choice as well, but even the 177 is impressive.

Another ski to check out is the "baby" Goliath, 184cm, 99mm waist. Just think Thunder with a 99 waist. Imagine a Mantra with the light weight and snap of a Movement, it rock's.

[marshalolson]

right on man... actually skiing your pair down in telluride was huge catalyst

[Z]

right on man... actually skiing your pair down in telluride was huge catalyst

yeah dude, those won't over lap yer XXLs at all.

[marshalolson]

yeah dude, those won't over lap yer XXLs at all.

xxl:sold

[Vicious]

Had a chance to jump on some of these bad chickens this morning and thought I'd add my thoughts:

191 Goliath
These are light. Lively. Buttery smooth. Even over ice chunks in the early morning, these seemed to conform and smooth out the terrain. True tracking. Easy to make different sized turns and no speed limit when pointed fall line. Plenty of stability without the extra effort required by something like the Squad. Tails had been detuned from when Dside skied 'em and they seemed to be dialed in terms of holding edge and releasing as needed. I'll be very interested to ski these back to back with XXLs once there is more snow. No complaints other than not having a couple feet of blower to ski them in.

177 Thunder, 122/89/111
Certainly the most lively ski I've been on in quite a while. Load up the tails and they are like slingshots...crazy acceleration. Carves beautifully. Felt super dialed...no hooking or drifty spots, just clean buttery turns. This ski likes to turn, but has no problem being pointed. If I were in the market for an everyday ski, this would be at the top of my list, although I'd probably opt for the 187.

193 Gladiator, 125/92/113
Another all mountain ripper. Not as lively as the Thuder, but still plenty of pop. Again, this ski felt super dialed. Carves effortlessly and changes turn size consistently. Super versatile. Felt like a slightly toned down version of the Thunder. Fun ski.

Overall Impressions
I'm impressed. Before this morning, I knew relatively little about Movement, but with the product they are putting out, I can't imagine they won't start showing up more and more. All three skis I tested felt incredibly dialed. Stable and lively are two of their most notable attributes. Great stuff.

[Z]

xxl:sold

heheh. Weren't killin the groomers hard enough for ya?

its too easy.

Actually nice that we don't have the same skis now... How was loveland this morning?

[marshalolson]

it was nice. the sun started to hit richards at 9:30. it wasn't too hard really at all.

[LeeLau]

193 Gladiator, 125/92/113
Another all mountain ripper. Not as lively as the Thuder, but still plenty of pop. Again, this ski felt super dialed. Carves effortlessly and changes turn size consistently. Super versatile. Felt like a slightly toned down version of the Thunder. Fun ski.

Overall Impressions
I'm impressed. Before this morning, I knew relatively little about Movement, but with the product they are putting out, I can't imagine they won't start showing up more and more. All three skis I tested felt incredibly dialed. Stable and lively are two of their most notable attributes. Great stuff.

I only had one run on a Gladiator and it was a 180. With only one run I couldnt really write a full on review. It felt a lot like my 180 Kneissl Tanker which is to say I agree with your review. Anyone else tried a Gladiator?