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

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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 continued on page 20
Tester Profiles & Ski Picks Brenden Thwing Weight-145lbs Years Freeheel- 2 yrs Years Alpine- 26 yrs Turn Bias - love’em all! Ski Most Often - 50/50 lift/bc Extra - Ideal quiver skis mid fat & fat Ski Picks Hut Trip to BC: K2 Work Stinx Spring trip to Alaska: Atomic TM22 Spring volcano skiing: K2 World Piste Rocky Mtn Resort trip: Atomic TMEX David Waag Weight-130lbs Years Freeheel - 13 Years Alpine - 0 Turn Bias – Medium-short radius tele i Ski Most Often - 50% backcountry 50% lift Extra – strapless dresses and toenail polish Ski Picks Hut trip to British Columbia: K2 World Piste Spring trip to Alaska: Atomic TMEX Spring volcano skiing: Karhu Jak Rocky Mtn Resorts: Atomic TM EX Don Pattison Weight- 190lbs Years Freeheel - 25 Years Alpine - 45 Turn Bias- Med. radius parallel on hard snow - Short radius tele in powder Ski Most Often- 30% backcountry 70% lift Extra- Dress size 18 and sparkle nail polish Ski Picks Hut trip to BC: Atomic Teledaddy Spring trip to AK: Atomic Teledaddy Spring volcano skiing: K2 World Piste Rocky Mtn Resorts: K2 World Piste Hal Shaw Weight- 155lbs Years Freeheel - 23 Years Alpine - 25 Turn Bias – Medium Radius Tele Ski Most Often- 50% backcountry 50% lift Extra - Or was it Mt. Adams, sw chutes with velvet corn. Ski Picks Hut trip to BC: K2 World Piste Spring trip to AK: K2 World Piste Spring volcano skiing: K2 World Piste Rocky Mtn Resorts: K2 World Piste Jeff Schuh Weight - 185lbs Years Freeheel -17 Years Alpine - 20 before switching to tele Turn Bias - Parallel in the fluff and backcountry. Mixed in-bounds. Medium to short radius Ski Most Often - Mostly backcountry Extra - I like skis that turn well but don’t do all the work for you Jeremy Rooper Weight- 205 Years Freeheel - 15 Years Alpine - 22 Turn Bias – Medium to Long Radius Ski Most Often- 70% backcountry 30% lift Extra – 90% Tele 10% AT Ski Picks Hut Trip BC: Voile carbon surf 188 (tele) Spring Alaska Trip: Karhu Jak 190 (tele) Spring Volcano Skiing: World Piste 188 (tele or AT) Rocky Mtn resort trip: TM EX 191 (tele) Quick profiles of our test crew as well as their ski picks for a variety of cool trips. Karen Holt Weight- 115lbs Years Freeheel - 14 Years Alpine - 25 Turn Bias - Medium radius tele in the powder, Medium radius parallel on firm snow Ski Most Often - 40% backcountry 60% lift Extra – Girls Rule Ski Picks Hut trip to BC: K2 She’s Piste Spring trip to AK: K2 World-Piste Spring volcano skiing: Atomic TMEX Rocky Mtn Resort trip: K2 Instinx Larry Goldie Weight-140lbs Years Freeheel - 10 Years Alpine - 16 Turn Bias - Short radius tele and parallel Ski Most Often - 90% backcountry 10% lift Extra - I live for powder Ski Picks Hut trip to British Columbia: K2World Piste Spring trip to Alaska: Atomic TMEX Spring volcano skiing:K2 World Piste Rocky Mtn Resort trip: Karhu Jak Nathan DeVol Weight- 140lbs Years Freeheel - 10 Years Alpine - 0 Turn Bias- Tele - Medium to Long Ski Most Often- 10% bc 90% lift Ski Picks Hut trip to BC: Voile Carbon Surf Spring trip to AK: K2 Work Stinx Spring volcano trips: Atomic TM EX Rocky Mtn Resort trip: Atomic TM EX Ray Thomas Weight- 155lbs Years Freeheel- 12 Years Alpine- 20 Turn Bias– Medium to long radius tele / parallel in deep powder Ski Most Often - 98% backcountry 2% lift Extra – Taught tele and Alpine for many years Ski Picks Hut trip to BC: Atomic TM EX Spring trip to AK: K2 Work Stinx Spring volcano skiing: Atomic TM EX Rocky Mtn Resort trip: Karhu Ryder Ryan Choate Weight-190lbs Years freeheel-3 Years alpine-21 Turn bias- short radius tele steeps/pow Ski most often- 40% bc, 60% resort Extra- Fixed Heel never, Tele forever Ski Picks Hut trip to BC: K2 Work Stinx Spring trip to AK: Atomic TeleDaddy Spring volcano skiing:K2 World Piste Rocky Mtn Resort trip:Atomic TM EX Todd Wells Weight- 180lbs Years Freeheel - 20 Years Alpine- 30 Turn Bias– med. radius parallel – tele in pow Ski Most Often– 75% lift 25%bc Extra– Been skiing alpine skis with tele gear since mid 80’s, glad to see tele skis evolve to meet our needs Ski Picks Hut trip to BC: Atomic TMEX Spring trip to Alaska: Atomic TMEX Spring volcano skiing: Atomic TMEX Rocky Mtn Resort trip: Atomic Tele Daddy Issue Issue Issue XVIII XVIII XVIII Off-Piste 11
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