Ski Review 03-04 The Fall Line Blisters 100 ... - Off-Piste Magazine

Each winter, we gather a diverse group of skiers to
evaluate the latest lineup of Telemark and Alpine
Touring skis. The bulk of our testing occurs in bounds at
the resort but we also take the time to get the favorites out for a tour
as well. Following our testing, we debrief the skis and evaluate
each ski’s personality to help give you a basis for making the all
important decision of which ski is for you. Ski choice is largely
dependent on personal skier biases and where you ski. With that in
mind, here is our take on the 2003-04 line-up.
The latest crop of skis aimed at the Telemark and Alpine Touring
markets offers more surface area than ever before and will, no doubt,
offer something to help fine tune your quiver or even convince you to
finally put away those old alpine skis you have converted to tele skis.
Most companies now offer at least one ski that pushes the 100mm
width in the waist and exceeds 120mm in the tip while still offering a
variety of versatile mid fat skis. In addition to ever increasing
dimensions, the newest crop of skis also offers more boards designed
to meet the growing lift served market of telemark skiers. Tele skiing
ain’t what it was even five or six years ago and a few runs on just about
any new ski will help put that statement in perspective.
Skis are broken down into 3 categories, High Performance, All
Mountain with a Backcountry Bias, All Mountain with a Resort Bias.
High Performance: These skis are often viewed as quiver skis. Many
are the biggest boards available and although we tout the all around
versatility of several models, it does take a strong skier to enjoy them in
all conditions. For most folks they make a great compliment to a mid
fat ski, and have inspired more than one tester to consider selling the
house, and quitting the job . . .
All Mountain with a Backcountry Bias: This category is for the skis
that are capable in all snow conditions but are better suited to softer
backcountry snows. Typically a bit softer or with a more even flex
pattern, these skis are an excellent choice for your backcountry
adventures and when the resort is reporting double digits dumps.
All Mountain with a Resort Bias: Here you’ll find skis that perform
well in all conditions but hold up to the firmer snows of the resort better
than the skis with a backcountry bias. If you hit the hill more often than
not and can’t always pick the epic powder days, these skis will keep
you happy.
High Performance
Atomic TeleDaddy – 126/99/116; 163, 173, 183cm, densolite core, 8.1lbs/pair
(183cm) $675. At 99mm underfoot the Tele Daddy is the biggest of the boards
directed at the telemark world. In quintessential Atomic style, the Tele Daddy is a
stable predictable board that shines every time you let it run a little more. Given
10 Off-Piste Off-Piste Off-Piste October October 2003 2003
2003
its girth, it is not the fastest ski edge to edge but the beta construction gives it a
light swing weight and a responsive feel. The ski ranked consistently high with
testers. But remember that given its size, big boots and above average ski
ability are required to bring the TeleDaddy into its own. In fact, one tester
suggested the TeleDaddy performs best at speed. This ski likes to ride big turns
with speed yet feels remarkably responsive for its width. Another ski that inspires
to point ‘em and enjoy the ride . . .
Black Diamond Havoc – 120/88/113 163, 173, 183cm, densolite core 7 lb15
oz (183cm), $549.00. Another ski that becomes livelier as it gains speed or with
more driver input, the Havoc should please Alpine Touring fans. The torsional
stiffness holds up well to parallel turns and a fixed heel. Freeheelers will find the
ski responds best with a big boot and aggressive style but will run a wide variety
of snow conditions with a confident driver. If you enjoy running at speed with
long radius turns at the top of your list, the Havoc works well in a range of snow
conditions.
K2 Work Stinx 122/89/112;167, 174, 181, 188cm, wood core, 3.8kg (181cm)
$519. K2’s big tele board is made for the days that beg for flotation. A slight
redesign from last season makes the Work a bit quicker edge to edge and
slightly stiffer. Like most of the big boards, the Work is at home making longer
radius turns but scored almost as well for medium radius too. The ski rates high
for all varieties of deep snow but was less inspiring for general resort skiing than
some of its peers in the fat ski department. The Work has a healthy following of
skiers mounting it with Alpine Touring bindings but was designed with a freeheel
in mind and is not as dependent on big boots as the other big boards. If you
already own a pair of mid fats that carve and run a typical resort day, the Work
Stinx makes an excellent tool for the backcountry and deep days at the hill.
K2 Piste Pipe - 112/80/103; 159, 169, 179cm, wood core, 3.5kg (179cm) –
Designed with rail slides and switch landings in mind, the Piste Pipe left most of
our testers feeling less than qualified to speak to its intended uses but the ski
rated well in firm snow and medium radius turns. It holds speed well and will, no
doubt, impress the local fixed heel crowd at the terrain park.
Karhu Jak – 170; 120/90/110, 180; 127/97/117, 190; 127/97/117; wood core,
8lbs/14oz 180cm, $475. Karhu sets a standard in fat skis with the Jak that is
difficult to beat. The ski underwent some minor changes for 2003, namely the
turned up tail has been shortened. Still twin tip in profile, the shortened tail
makes for a more defined back seat on the ski. Understandably at home in the
deepest of snows, the Jak is remarkably versatile and will carve corn snow as
well as it floats in the powder. Given big boots and a confident driver, the Jak
moves between long and short radius turns without complaint. The ski responds
well to both parallel and telemark technique and don’t be surprised to see it
mounted with AT bindings, as it has developed a following from both sides of
the aisle. The most common criticism was simply its weight but any ski with
dimensions like these is unlikely to impress the gram counters. And now the
Jak is available in a lighter more touring friendly construction called the Jak BC.
Karhu Jil – 160cm; 120/90/110, 170cm; 120/90/110, 180cm; 127/97/117,
190cm; 127/97/117 7lbs 4oz, $475 The Jil was not available for our test period
but here are the basics of the ski. The Jil is a slightly lighter version of the Jak
designed specifically for women. By using a different core makeup the weight is
reduced about 10% while still holding the same stiffness and dampness of the
Jak. In addition, the Jil is available in a 160cm length.
Karhu JAK BC –170; 120/90/110, 180; 127/97/117, 190; 127/97/117; 8lbs/2oz
(180cm), $499. Unavailable during our test period, The Jak BC is the lightweight
version of the Jak (12oz lighter per pair) designed for touring and those
preferring a lighter ski. The Titanal power band is replaced with carbon fiber,
giving the ski a lighter snappier feel. The wood core is also lighter with more of
the weight concentrated in the center of the ski, giving the Jak BC a much
quicker swing weight. The dimensions remain the same as for the Jak.
Rossignol’ T4 122/94/112; 168,178,185,195cm, micro cell core,3.94kg
(178cm) $499. Rossignol’ steps up this season with four new models. The T4
replaces the Mega Bang to fill the fat ski profile and, at 94mm, is one of the
larger waisted skis on the market, not to mention that it also comes in a 195cm
making it one of the bigger boards available. The healthy waist is partial to long
radius turns in a variety of softer snows. The T4 fits the Cadillac ride category, but
will leave folks looking for edge to edge speed and a quick turning profile wanting
more. The characteristic damp Rossi feel and healthy dimensions make the T4 a
good match to a big hill, big boots, and big turns.
Voile Carbon Surf –158/168cm 113/83/105; 178cm 120/87/112; 188cm 120/88/
113, carbon fiberglass core, 6.5lbs (178cm), $425. Wow, was the first thing
everyone who picked up a pair of Carbon surfs had to say and that is because
the skis feel light. Obviously designed with the backcountry powder purist in
mind, the Carbon Surf will please a wide range of skiers looking for a
backcountry ski. The ski is noticeably light underfoot, which makes touring a
pleasure and means you do not have to have a big boot to make the ski
respond. Built on the legendary Mountain Surf platform, the Carbon Surf takes
lightweight one step further. Their healthy waist holds it own in the deepest of
snows and the ski favors medium to long radius turnsAs stated, the ski is not
dependent on big boots or even plastic for that matter. One tester took them for
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