Without a shadow of a doubt, they are the funnest, most versatile skis I've ever owned. They handle a deep West Coast powder day without issue. More fun than something 120+ in the waist. On a softer groomer, they lay trench like a backhoe. And even on a really icy day, you never feel like you need more traction. The closest thing to a 1 quiver ski on the market. And contrary to what some have said, they are surprisingly comfortable when laid flat at high speed. You can cruise up past 90 kmh and have no worries that they are going to start chattering. I may buy a second pair and closet them, as I don't ever want to be without a pair for the rest of my ski life.
Such an insanely fun ski. Agreed that I want to buy some just to stash. This ski + Elan Wingman 86 CTi is my resort quiver and I think it's about the ideal two ski combo.
I have a pair in the 181 and I think they’re amazing with the right conditions. They dig trenches on groomers and make great short technical turns. I really don’t like them for freeze and thaw and dust on crust. I think in the wrong conditions you can over ski them and get some chatter. Just my experience. If I could only have 2 pairs of skis this one be one of them I just think u need something different for those frozen January days.
Trying this ski out for a one ski quiver in Japan early next year. This year I took the old trusty OG Soul 7s 188 for powder and Deacon 76 174 for carving when it hasn’t snowed. This year I’ll try one ski for both and see how it goes. Less weight to drag around etc. I only got to ski mediocre snow in Australia this year on them but they were fun. I did manage to catch an ice chunk out wide mid carve with that massive shovel and almost got KO’d. Can’t wait to see how they feel in the real stuff.
I skied the Pescado in Japan last winter, absolutely amazing ski in deep snow and did pretty well touring as well paired with a Fritschi Tecton 13. So good that I had to buy the Sakanas, hope they'll arrive in a few days. If you're doing the whole season in Japan I'd look into getting a pair of Pescados, a lot of places sell the old models very cheap, I guess they are a bit too funky to sell well.
Hey! Thank you for review. I have sakana 2019y version. Absolutely amazing skis. But I'm Looking for replacing it with 2024 version. Are there any difference between 2019 and 2024? And I also trying to figure out should I take another length, I'm 176 height and took 181 cm now I'm thinking what that actually 2 big length for those skis. What do you think? I'd been skiing for 25 years and most of time now I'm spending in park, riding on my park skis, but sakana I use for freeride and light touring. Could you help me to make things clear?
I ride the 181's at 6'0 140, the length on them has allowed me to push 70+ mph. I feel their description of it being "hard to put in a box" is not accurate. These skis are simply your do everything ski, they are the box. The sakana is a ski sent down from the snow gods.
at 180cm height and just about 200lbs weight, would you recommend going 174 or 181 ? I like to carve, i love slaloms, but i dont want to sacrifice float and 181 should offer more stability and larger surface area for more float right? is it that much worse on piste compared to 174?
If your focus is more on float and stability, then the 181 is likely a better choice. That said, I'm 6/2 225 and skied the 174 with no problem on groomers, although I do imagine in softer snow it'd feel a bit short for me.
@@SkiEssentials so the 16.5 radius compared to 15 would probably still be plenty fun on piste i imagine. tough choices here. just afraid having that much ski infront of me might be too much
Looking at this and the Black Crows Mirus Cor for a fun resort ski ~80% on piste, 20% off. How would you compare the pros and cons for each? I have a similar build to you at 6’3”, 240lb geared up.
Fun comparison, but it's not even like comparing apples to oranges--they're both such unique and individualistic skis. The Sakana's biggest benefit over the Mirus Cor is the soft snow and powder performance. Additionally, an added perk to the Sakana is that its more directional shape adds to the longer GS style turn format--the Sakana is more comfortable making fast carves. The Mirus Cor's biggest pro over the Sakana is the firm snow performance. It carves like a slalom ski. Additionally, the park and freestyle component of the Black Crows stands out as beneficial for creative skiers. Hard to choose, love them both!
I’m literally going back and fourth between these 2 skis as well. I thought I was dead set on the mirus cor but after seeing these I’m not sure anymore
Hi ! It is make sense for you to have these skis as a unique pair for everyday and to put Marker Kingpin to do sometimes freerando ? It’s so hard to choose one paire ( I can’t have more because I will move after the winter and I don’t have car…) I’m looking for good skis to do freeride, most in the trees because I will be on BC and to go on the slopes when there isn’t powder. And to put some Kingpin to do touring to go to good spots with fresh powder. I hope you could help me Thank you so much
My fear is that the Sakana deserves a stronger alpine binding to truly get the benefits of the on-trail performance. It'll work fine, you just won't get the full appeal of the Sakana with touring bindings and boots.
@@jcool222 I'll get my pair this week, I was wondering if I should put a shift, tecton, kingpin or something like ATK freeraider 15 on. But I guess Shift makes the most sense for this ski eh?
I’d go 174. I demo’d the 174s and they’re a dream to ski on. Mind you I’m more of a slim build and 6’2, so there’s that. These skis are definitely built for more of an athletic build person. Heavier people will have a harder time skiing these
We had a co worker smash the tails of his Sakanas but that's because he landed on a rock in the early season. Other than that, we haven't seen a disproportionate amount of damage to Sakana vs. other skis in this range.
Without a shadow of a doubt, they are the funnest, most versatile skis I've ever owned. They handle a deep West Coast powder day without issue. More fun than something 120+ in the waist. On a softer groomer, they lay trench like a backhoe. And even on a really icy day, you never feel like you need more traction. The closest thing to a 1 quiver ski on the market. And contrary to what some have said, they are surprisingly comfortable when laid flat at high speed. You can cruise up past 90 kmh and have no worries that they are going to start chattering. I may buy a second pair and closet them, as I don't ever want to be without a pair for the rest of my ski life.
Sakanas for life! Love the concept!
Such an insanely fun ski. Agreed that I want to buy some just to stash. This ski + Elan Wingman 86 CTi is my resort quiver and I think it's about the ideal two ski combo.
I have last year's models and they are an absolute blast. But I wish I had these graphics! Gorgeous ski.
One of the top 2 or 3 of the year!
Bro, same!! I saw this years graphic and slapped my forehead
I saw this years graphite and bought last years cheaper instead. I actually like last years graphic more but can appreciate the Sakura print.
I have a pair in the 181 and I think they’re amazing with the right conditions. They dig trenches on groomers and make great short technical turns. I really don’t like them for freeze and thaw and dust on crust. I think in the wrong conditions you can over ski them and get some chatter. Just my experience. If I could only have 2 pairs of skis this one be one of them I just think u need something different for those frozen January days.
Yeah, we've noticed that this is a possible downside. At 105, there's really only so much it can do when it comes to total lockup.
Trying this ski out for a one ski quiver in Japan early next year.
This year I took the old trusty OG Soul 7s 188 for powder and Deacon 76 174 for carving when it hasn’t snowed. This year I’ll try one ski for both and see how it goes. Less weight to drag around etc.
I only got to ski mediocre snow in Australia this year on them but they were fun. I did manage to catch an ice chunk out wide mid carve with that massive shovel and almost got KO’d.
Can’t wait to see how they feel in the real stuff.
I skied the Pescado in Japan last winter, absolutely amazing ski in deep snow and did pretty well touring as well paired with a Fritschi Tecton 13. So good that I had to buy the Sakanas, hope they'll arrive in a few days. If you're doing the whole season in Japan I'd look into getting a pair of Pescados, a lot of places sell the old models very cheap, I guess they are a bit too funky to sell well.
@@AndreasJacobson I would love to try a pair of pescados when it gets deep.
Best Graphics 2024 winner for sure
Yes!
It seems to me that the graphics of the 2nd generation of Sakana, with an airplane, are the most successful
Hey! Thank you for review. I have sakana 2019y version. Absolutely amazing skis. But I'm Looking for replacing it with 2024 version. Are there any difference between 2019 and 2024? And I also trying to figure out should I take another length, I'm 176 height and took 181 cm now I'm thinking what that actually 2 big length for those skis. What do you think? I'd been skiing for 25 years and most of time now I'm spending in park, riding on my park skis, but sakana I use for freeride and light touring. Could you help me to make things clear?
Looks like it's the same ski. I'd try the 176 to open up that shorter arc. Love the Sakana.
@@SkiEssentials thank you!
I ride the 181's at 6'0 140, the length on them has allowed me to push 70+ mph. I feel their description of it being "hard to put in a box" is not accurate. These skis are simply your do everything ski, they are the box. The sakana is a ski sent down from the snow gods.
Wow! I like this description for sure!
at 180cm height and just about 200lbs weight, would you recommend going 174 or 181 ? I like to carve, i love slaloms, but i dont want to sacrifice float and 181 should offer more stability and larger surface area for more float right? is it that much worse on piste compared to 174?
If your focus is more on float and stability, then the 181 is likely a better choice. That said, I'm 6/2 225 and skied the 174 with no problem on groomers, although I do imagine in softer snow it'd feel a bit short for me.
@@SkiEssentials so the 16.5 radius compared to 15 would probably still be plenty fun on piste i imagine. tough choices here. just afraid having that much ski infront of me might be too much
Looking at this and the Black Crows Mirus Cor for a fun resort ski ~80% on piste, 20% off.
How would you compare the pros and cons for each? I have a similar build to you at 6’3”, 240lb geared up.
Fun comparison, but it's not even like comparing apples to oranges--they're both such unique and individualistic skis. The Sakana's biggest benefit over the Mirus Cor is the soft snow and powder performance. Additionally, an added perk to the Sakana is that its more directional shape adds to the longer GS style turn format--the Sakana is more comfortable making fast carves. The Mirus Cor's biggest pro over the Sakana is the firm snow performance. It carves like a slalom ski. Additionally, the park and freestyle component of the Black Crows stands out as beneficial for creative skiers. Hard to choose, love them both!
@@SkiEssentials thank you, and I appreciate all your review videos!
@@SkiEssentialsI have the mirus cors already, should I get the sakana’s for the deeper days?
I’m literally going back and fourth between these 2 skis as well. I thought I was dead set on the mirus cor but after seeing these I’m not sure anymore
Hi !
It is make sense for you to have these skis as a unique pair for everyday and to put Marker Kingpin to do sometimes freerando ? It’s so hard to choose one paire ( I can’t have more because I will move after the winter and I don’t have car…)
I’m looking for good skis to do freeride, most in the trees because I will be on BC and to go on the slopes when there isn’t powder. And to put some Kingpin to do touring to go to good spots with fresh powder.
I hope you could help me
Thank you so much
My fear is that the Sakana deserves a stronger alpine binding to truly get the benefits of the on-trail performance. It'll work fine, you just won't get the full appeal of the Sakana with touring bindings and boots.
I have shifts on mine. If you only tour on soft snow they are nice. I don't think they are very good for rough/icy/steep off-piste.
@@jcool222 I'll get my pair this week, I was wondering if I should put a shift, tecton, kingpin or something like ATK freeraider 15 on. But I guess Shift makes the most sense for this ski eh?
@@AndreasJacobson I think the shift makes the most sense for this ski 🙂
What bindings would you recommend on these?
www.skiessentials.com/products/2024-line-sakana-ski-w-salomon-strive-14-binding
At approx 181cm, would you steer towards 181 or 174? Better on a shorter set with these?
I’d go 174. I demo’d the 174s and they’re a dream to ski on. Mind you I’m more of a slim build and 6’2, so there’s that. These skis are definitely built for more of an athletic build person. Heavier people will have a harder time skiing these
174
how's the durability?
I own the 2023 version and love them. Only wished the top sheet and base would be mor3 durable
We had a co worker smash the tails of his Sakanas but that's because he landed on a rock in the early season. Other than that, we haven't seen a disproportionate amount of damage to Sakana vs. other skis in this range.
@@SkiEssentials Should i get the 166 or 174, i'm about 5'4 and 120 lbs and a advanced skier.
@@MuayThaiKiwi I'd go 166 in that ski--it is supposed to be skied a bit short.