I’ve trimmed the bloated Covid quiver from 8 down to 4 skis (still have 184cm Bentchetler 120s, 180cm Dynastar Proto 118s, 180cm Rustler 11s and 179cm Nordica Enforcer Free 104s). Sold my Candides, Menace 98s, QST 106s and Backlands mainly due to Covid boredom causing me to buy then sell. And I had overlap.
So I picked the 4 I liked the best. Sold the rest.
Definitely have the soft snow days covered.
Chetlers and R11s both have Shifts.
Protos have Pivots.
Enforcer Frees have STHs.
Also am looking for a full on bc ski (WNDR Intention reverse looks like a wider Raven?) for my MTN bindings but that’s a different thread.
Here’s my thought process.....
So 16 ski days into this season.
Snow at Whistler has been awesome lately. Refilling constantly.
But I’m finding myself skiing the Nordica Enforcer 104s more and more inbounds. Even when it’s a bit deeper. I’m really liking the more solid, planted feel from the metal. I’m skiing through the snow more, instead of on it or around it.
Recently bought some 181cm Moment Meridan 107s, for that mid 100 waist, inbounds chargy, ripping ski when it’s not a pow day. Still waiting on them to arrive (huge delays in shipping...not sure they’re coming).
But then I got to thinking that maybe I sell the Meridians when they get here cause instead of having 5-6 of the same type of skis I’m kind of wanting to challenge myself after many years of skiing -6cm mounted, “easier” rather than full-on charger skis.... eg. I’ve owned Rens, Hojis, InThaynes, Bacons, PBJS, Candides, Devastators, Kyes, Nomads, Opuses, NAS Pows, Bibbys etc. over the past few years.
All were mounted -5cm to -7cm. Even my current Enforcer Frees are at -6.35cm.
Not skiing Mt Baker this year as the border is closed. May not do the annual Powder highway trip in Feb due to provincial Covid travel restrictions....so my full season looks like it may be at Whistler. Less deep pow. More variable. Lots of inbounds.
Thinking I need a metal filled charger for the days when it’s crap conditions inbounds without much recent snow at Whistler.
2021 Cochise 106?
2021 Mantra 102?
2021 Katana 108?
(probably too close to the R11s in width?)
Recommended is -11.5cm on these three. Holy!
How much am I gonna dislike that far back a mount after skiing at -6cm for so many years?
My gut says f it, buy a charger and then figure it out. They’ll feel different but that’s the point. I’m sure I can ski anything (been skiing 60 days a year for the last 25 years).
Or maybe I’m just bored.
I like to carve. But also will slide my tails for some turns. Need to pivot in tight spots sometimes. Make all turn sizes and shapes. Ski pretty fast, pretty upright and centered. Like to pressure the tongues of my boots (Dalbello Krypton 130s). We ski all over Whistler and Blackcomb. Like steep and techy. Groomers are just warm-up laps before the alpine lifts open and then to get to the steep stuff.
I’d likely go 177cm....I know this is tgr but I don’t care, they’re my skis and I’m 5’7” (170cm) and 165lbs. I don’t need the 184cm. I want to ski these hard. In sketchy terrain.
I always go a minimum of +1cm due to my short bsl (287mm).
Leaning Mantra 102? Most versatile? Fits in the quiver as a low-tide ski better?
Others I should consider? Thoughts?
And is +2cm blasphemy on the Mantra? +2.5cm?
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