2024 Men's Wide Frontside 75-82 mm Ski Comparison with SkiEssentials.com
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- This year, we're splitting our frontside comparisons into "narrow frontside" and "wide frontside." In this video, we're focusing on skis ranging from 75 mm to 82 mm underfoot. In the next frontside comparison, we'll switch to skis 74 mm and narrower. Enjoy!
Written Comparison: www.skiessentials.com/Chairli...
0:00 - Intro
3:55 - Atomic Redster Q7
9:50 - Atomic Redster Q9
15:00 - Stockli Montero AS
22:30 - Blizzard Thunderbird R15
28:10 - Volkl Deacon 76 Master
33:00 - Rossignol Forza 70 V-Ti
40:35 - Head Supershape E-Rally
48:00 - Salomon Stance 80
54:30 - Volkl Deacon 80
1:00:05 - Stockli Montero AX
1:05:20 - Nordica Spitfire 80 DC
1:11:35 - Kastle PX 81
1:17:25 - Volkl Blaze 82
1:24:20 - Rossignol Experience 82 Basalt
1:33:25 - Dynastar M-Cross 82
1:39:20 - Elan Wingman 82 Ti
1:45:10 - Armada Declivity 82 Ti
1:51:05 - Elan Wingman 82 CTI
1:56:10 - Fischer RC One 82 GT
2:00:10 - K2 Disruption 82 Ti
2:06:50 - Rossignol Experience 82 Ti
2:11:30 - Blizzard Brahma 82
When I was an intermeidate I called myself advanced. Now that I'm advanced I call myself intermediate.
Love it. Very accurate of a lot of skiers, I'd guess.
Dunning Kruger Effect in action. We’re all guilty of it.
So hard to quantify skill level in skiing! If you are a 4 handicap in golf you are better than 95%+ of golfers out there, but there is a huge difference between a 4 handicap and a scratch golfer. There is an even bigger difference between a scratch golfer and a tour pro! You can be better than almost everyone on the mountain and still nowhere close to true “experts.”
If you want to see how the EMC works on the Head E-rally, hold the ski balanced in one hand with the base up and knock the tip with your other hand. The bad vibration goes away in less than a second and it will vibrate like a tuning fork for ~10 seconds.
Love those skis, so stable and smooth.
Will watch the entire comparison tonight, but i already jumped around to a few spots, and it looks like another winner to me! Thanks, guys.
Have fun!
Gents, great video! Thank you. Really appreciate the mogul comments as well as the intermediate vs whatever ability. As a new carver I'm learning and pushing my skiing to another level and enjoying the process. Happily admit I'm a new carver so no embarrassment here for ability level. I really appreciate the comments re all mountain with carving abilities (some higher end than others) vs pure front side carvers. Living in Colorado we get the groomed runs but its always fun to practice your carving then go off and find some fun stuff to get into with the same pair of skis. Appreciate the knowledge transfer.
Thanks so much! No embarrassment exists when you're enjoying skiing!
Picked up a declivity 82 in a 180 based on your reviews. I matched it with a tyrolia attack 13 rail binding. This ski is smooth &versatile. I teach on it, Ii free ski it. It carves very well, but it is not as demanding a dedicated carver. You can back off on it or you can charge and it remains smooth quiet and very predictable .Edge hold is fantastic for an 82mm waisted ski. so much so that I have retired my Speedzone 14 since getting these because they perform as well on the hard pack, but are much easier to ski everywhere else on the mountain. Great in the bumps. Just so smooth. Your reviews have been spot on on every ski that you have recommended to me in the past. Keep up the great work. I always recommend your site to everyone up in NH.
Thanks so much, glad you like the skis!
Yes I’ve been looking forward to this one 100% best category for all! East coast ice ice baby!
I'm missing a ski i own myself, and i'm sad to see it gone from the market for now, because i think it blends a ton of good attributes together. I'm speaking of the Black Crows Divus, that BC, as it seems, does not produce or sell anymore. 82mm, flat ski, pretty light for the H shaped metal, some tip and tail rocker for a wide range of skiers, and an applicability range that's also pretty wide. Gotta work pretty hard or be on the heavy side to find it's limitations. An amazing mix of accessibility, turn shape variety and performance ceiling, an incredible fun experience.
I can see how it got a bit lost and overlooked in Black Crows catalogue, especially since you don't think of Black Crows when you think of a front side ski / narrow all mountain ski that leans more towards carving, but i'd hope they come up with something similar in the future. For slightly different reasons, i think you can say the same about the Divus than what Jeff and Bob said about the Declivity. It's hard to not have good day on a Black Crows Divus.
Very sad to see the discontinuation of the Divus for 2024! It was included on the original list but was axed when we found out that we don't carry it anymore.
All are best skis . My favorite is Head supershap e-rally skis.
I was looking forward to this one. Great review as always!
One minor comment is that i usually listen the videos as opposed to watching them. When you compare a ski to another ski it is hard to follow the conversation when you refer to other skis as this/that. It would be easier for listeners like me if you explicitly name the skis you are comparing it to.
Would you say the declivity 82 ti Is a great fit for an advance-intermediate east coast skier mainly for on-piste and trees. I like a ski that has some pop for natural terrain jumps. I already have a wider pair of twin-tip for park/snowy all montain days, but was looking for something with more carving capabilities thats still somewhat "playful for a frontside ski"
Great video!
Thanks!
Sounds like you're in the right zone for sure! Good energy, not too heavy, but still a fantastic carver. This and the Experience 82 Ti are top options.
I really appreciate this video. I've been eyeing a set of the day glow yellow Disruption 82TIs in 184 on facebook marketplace for the last few weeks, but I think I'll forget about that listing. I have a set of Wingman 82TIs that stopped gelling with me over the course of last season, but I might just give them another chance instead of getting too excited about new ski shopping
Honestly, I disagree with their comment about the Disruption 82ti being harder to ski than the Brahma 82. I had the opposite experience with those 2 skis. Went with the Disruption and love them.
What didn’t you love about the Wingman 82?
@@markhegg7409 I don’t like how the edges feel at slow speeds and low edge angles. When I’m slow cruising a cat track between runs or getting off the lift it can feel like the edges aren’t catching and the tails will try to slide out. Those are usually times I’m chatting with someone or thinking about the next run, or lunch, or anything other than my skis so its always a surprise. I got them tuned and they were exactly the same. My best guess is it's something to do with the amphibio shaping. If they were my only skis I would probably adapt and not notice, but they feel different enough from my other skis that it throws me off. Otherwise they're excellent carving skis and are perfect for Vancouver north shore mountains where groomers are often a series of chopped up little bumps by the afternoon
That Disruption is a great ski! Not too difficult to ski for a technically proficient skier. I also prefer them over Brahma 82.
Great overview. Have watched this one and the mid 80s one a couple of times already. As well as lots of the test videos.
I am looking to replace a rossignol pursuit 12 ti purchased in 2016. Which I dont especially like.
Based on price, I am looking at following:
Stance 80
Experience 82 basalt
Kore x 80
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Mindbender 85
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Maverick 86c
Stance 84
Kastle px81
I am 43, 5.8 tall and 154lbs.
Not a sporty guy.
Have been skiing once a year for a long time.
Would not call myself advanced but higher intermediate.
I am skiing with a group who are harder, better, faster, stronger.
So trying to keep up with them which is fun. But need to be able to follow all day :)
Mainly on piste in Austria and France which tends to get crowded and not always the best conditions in the afternoon. Can be icy as well.
Sizewise I am looking between 168 and 172 in those skis correct?
What would you reccomend?
I like the sounds of the Stance 84 for your application. This ski does it all from carving to off-piste and is pretty easy to handle. If you want more on-trail performance, the Kastle is great, but isn't quite as well-rounded. I'd still look at the Stance. Sizing sounds correct!
Thanks!
Grate job guys. I love watching your videos but in comparisons like that i always want to know the appropriate skier level for each pair i am an intermediate and i want a good pair of skis that is easy sking and not very demanding.
Great video - I enjoyed watching the whole thing! Question - is Jeff's side also lined up from easiest to ski to hardest? Or did Bob only do that? Cheers!
Thanks! It's really only because there were so many 82's in this lineup that it ends up looking that way (and is).
I have watched this video and the "Men's mid 80 mm" one in their entireties and man, I am so lost. Not because of you, these videos are excellent! But there are so many options out there that it is difficult to decide. Could you please share a short recommendation? I got my last skis when I was a teenager some 20 years ago and I am upgrading this year. I ski really well, carving on red and black slopes is no issue. I grew up on the slopes living in Austria, Europe. I am 32 and 1,85cm in height now and I ski about 10 times a year. And when I do, I like to push myself. Where I get confused with my buying decision is: I need a ski that can last the whole day, from the perfectly prepared slope at 9 in the morning, through the non-optimal slope mid-day, all the way through the wetter, muddier and heavier snow with some slight moguls at the slope around 3 pm. I never ski off-piste though. What category of ski should I look at? Am I better suited in the 75-82mm or rather the mid 80mm division (or something else entirely)? Perhaps any Top 5 skis for my requirements? Prices til USD 1,000 are fine, but if I get 80% of the performance at USD 500, I'd take that over 100% performance at USD 1,000.
There are a lot of choices indeed. The good news is that they're all pretty darn good. Your chances of making a wrong choice are tiny. If you're looking for a ski that can handle all conditions and terrain, I think the mid-80's is a better choice than narrower. In that realm, check out the Dynastar M-Pro 85, Volkl Kanjo 84, and the Salomon Stance 84. Those also fit budget preferences over something like the Stockli Montero AR. I've been very impressed with the Dynastar among this list.
@@SkiEssentials Many thanks for the response! I ended up going for the Stance 84. Got them incl. binding for USD 480 (Black Friday), which seems to be an awesome deal from what I understand.
I'll have my Kastle PXs at stowe super bowl weekend. If anyone wants to see a pair in the wild😂😂😂...I'll also have my Kastle DXs! Two unbelievably underrated east coast skis!! And both are outstanding values...
As always the best ski review content on the internet - great job! What length is the Blizzard Thunderbird R15 you guys reviewed ? For an aggressive skier (5 foot 8 height ) what length ski do you recommend?
I (bob) have skied both the 174 and the 182. I prefer the 182 and the slightly longer turn radius that goes along with it. Jeff has only been on the 174 and that fits him great at 5/10 and 155 pounds. For you, I think either the 166 or the 174, but they ski great in slightly shorter lengths than head high, so I'd lean to the 166 unless you know you prefer longer skis for smoother and faster turns. Personally, I've found the skis to excel in the mid-range of radius and that's why the shorter ones are more appealing to me.
Based on the width of 76 mm, it's the Thunderbird R15 Wide Body that is reviewed, which is different from the R15 without the WB designation (it's 70 mm wide). There's also Plus and LTD flavours to add to the confusion.
Really enjoyed watching this detailed comparison! Thanks a lot for giving this guide through wide front side to narrow all-mountain category as this is exactly where I‘m currently struggling in my buying decision. I‘m 1,88m, 80kg, skiing fast and experienced and using a Rossignol Experience 88 since some years. Actually the Ski is too wide for me as I go 90% on-trail. I‘m now looking for a narrower Ski which should love to turn edge to edge (more short turns than long turns), be stiff at higher speeds and additionally can handle some off-trail skiing.
Is there a recommendation you can give? My favorites so far are Atomic Redster Q7, Blizzard Brahma 82 or Elan Wingman 82 Cti.
Thanks a lot in advance!
You're in the right spot with the 82's I think, and the Brahma is a great one. Wingman is sharper in the tips and tails, and makes shorter turns a bit better. The Atomic is full-on front side. If that's what you're looking for, the camber of this ski makes it stand out among the rest.
Thanks a lot! In that case I think the Wingman could be the sweet spot for me. Will try to get some test / rental skis of them under my feet for final decision :)
Does the e-rally give a good start for a beginner intermediate skier for onpiste learning or there are other alternatives to stick with? I am worried about difficulty of learning how to progress on this ski as must be very advanced race, while I prefer cruiser slow turns. Olympic first option is qst 92 for my as 180/85 kg person.
It's pretty stiff and heavy for beginners and intermediates. I think the Head Shape E-V8 makes more sense in this width range as it is easier to turn and still has a high performance ceiling.
Great video, thanks for that!👍🏻
I did test the Volkl Deacon 76 a few weeks ago and they were awesome. Pretty easy to ski but also held up to every speed without any problems. Now I‘m thinking that a slightly wider ski may be the better because I want just one pair of ski for all conditions. I ski only on pist. How do the Deacon 76 and the K2 Disruption 82 ti differ performance wise? Did anyone skied both models and can compare? Thanks in advance
Yes, the K2 is an interesting ski in that it's quite stiff and square. While it has a similar rocker profile to the Deacon, it's still very sharp and strong, especially for not being based off a race ski like the Deacon is. I found the K2 wanted to go really fast while the Deacon was more amenable to speed and turn shape changes.
Thank you for the review and guides i have learned a lot. I am looking to buy my first skis and the stance 80 is very intriguing. For a skier who will stay on groomed runs nearly 100% is there any reason to get anything >80? Would the k2 disruption 76 be worth a demo as well?
It's not like you'll get less flotation with the 76. The 80 makes for a nice platform to stand on as well as holding up a bit better in the later day crud and chop. You will likely find the K2 to be more crisp and clean but the Stance is more versatile and easier to use overall.
Looking for a wider front-side ski to complement my existing collection (QST 92, Hustle 10/shift). I’m an advanced, strong, heavy skier (5’ 10”, 225 lbs, 30 years skiing experience), but still aspiring carver. No race background, but like to ski fast. I want a ski I can use on Midwest groomers for most days. Will also take all my skis out west a few times per year.
Considering Head eRally/eTitan, Brahma 82, Wingman 82CTi, possibly Forza 70. Are any of these good or bad for a heavy skier? I want something that will support my mass but also take me from advanced toward expert. Do you have a favorite for my criteria? If it’s one of the Head skis, should I go eRally or eTitan?
As for length, should I stick closer to the 170 sizes, or the next size up?
If you're looking for stability at speed at your weight, I think you can take the Forza and the Wingman off the list and focus on the Heads and Blizzard. Between those, the Brahma has the most off-trail potential as it is more of a narrow all-mountain ski rather than a wide front side ski. Your opening line in your comment indicates to me that you're looking for wide front side rather than narrow all-mountain, and that would point more to the Heads. Of the Heads, I do think the Rally makes a bit more sense as it's a clearer difference between that and the QST in terms of width. I'd go 170 in the Rally. Fantastic skis.
Great review as always, MCross 82 vs Declivity 82? Thanks nick
the Declivity is lightning quick from edge to edge--I love the pop you get from the camber and the snappy caruba core. The M-Cross is a bit slower edge to edge, as it prefers to roll from turn to turn. That's kind of what you get with such a wide shovel--less torsional stiffness so more of a response time. Not a bad thing, just different. The M-Cross feels smoother in said turn, though, so if you prefer cutting across the fall line and completing the carve of the stated radius, the M-Cross is preferable here. I'd rather ski the Declivity in firmer conditions, bumps, and in tighter spaces while the M-Cross likes more open trail skiing.
I core-shot my Wingman 86 cti on rocks and am looking for a slightly narrower front side ski to complement my all-mountain oriented Line Sakanas.
I'm an intermediate skier, 5'6" and 155 lbs. I'm looking for something precise and responsive to contrast with the Sakana's playfulness. I really liked my Wingman 86 cti for how direct and intuitive it was although I don't know that I'm good enough if a skier to benefit from the carbon rods, so I'm thinking about the Wingman 82 ti.
My ski style is fairly aggressive and fast. I found the 86 cti to already be more damp and stable at speed than the Sakanas, it sounds like the 82 ti will be even more so? Should I go with that, or is there another option you'd recommend?
Thanks!
I think the 82 Ti makes good sense. You're gaining quickness and edge grip here, minus the higher end ceiling in speed of the CTi. There's not more metal in the Ti, just no carbon rods. I'd also check out the Rossignol Forza V 70--a bit narrower but very engaging in the turns.
This is probably going to take me a long time to get through even though I imagine that these skis have more in common than any other comparison.. I did use my old race skis last week and they still got it.. I did use my GoodWill skis this week and I was sliding all over the place..
Mogul performance.. When I used to race on straight skis I would race on them 2 seasons and then bring them to Colorado and destroy them in the bumps.. All the camber was normally gone by that time..
You were talking about speed with the Q7 and Q9.. Q7 having a speed limit but would you say there is a minimum speed for Q9? Early season with a ton of people, I don't even use my skis that have a minimum speed..
Stockli.. I would probably go with the AS for the quicker turns.. I would still use my SR 88s when the hill opens up and my SR 105s for softer snow..
Moguls.. I try not to ski moguls that much.. Maybe if they are on the top of a bowl.. You said the AR or AX because they have a slightly stiffer shovel and they are more straight.. I just don't want to hit any rocks with any Stockli..
My SR 88s might be my favorite ski.. Last season I had the ski shop fix a 15 inch gash right along the edge.. If I have to replace these skis I might go with the AR or AX.. I still need to see if the new SR series will blow out at the heal or not.. If they don't blowout then I could get a new pair..
Thunderbird... Great carving footage...
Volkl.. My first 3 pairs I couldn't get to turn.. If you guys are talking about the little bit of rocker for turn initiation then that makes sense.. I would probably have to test out all of your Volkl skis to see which is the best fit..
You can only have one ski on the wall (putting price aside) for all day skiing (varying speed and snow conditions) for an advanced intermediate for frontside skiing of with the majority is on piste. Which one are you choosing. Seems between the Thunderbird and the AX?
I'd go AX or Declivity 82. More of an all-mountain feel to these skis. The Declivity is a bit lighter and more mobile if you're looking for varying speed and snow conditions.
What ski would be the best for a mix of short and Long turns? And What would the turn radius be?
When it comes to mixing carved turns, I think there's a lot to like about the Montero AX. Something in the 16-17 meter range for radius makes a lot of sense here.
Since they both have a similar more all mountain shape and the same waist size, would it be fair to say the Declivity 82ti is a slightly lighter Brahma 82 with softer tips and tails, but close to the same decent grip and power underfoot?
Yes to the first part but not quite on the second part. Declivity is lighter and more agile but the Brahma has a much higher ceiling when it comes to grip, confidence and power.
Oh boy is this great ⛷❄️ 2 front side videos
Opinion on Volkl deacon 84 vs. Elan wingman 82 ti/cti. Specifically when it comes to carving performance, stability, and intermediate approachablity/forgiveness? Also id assume all 3 are similar in terms of flexibility, with the main focus being groomers right?
The Wingmans, both Ti and CTi, have crisper shapes than the Deacon, which is a bit more well-rounded and easy to use. That said, the CTi version is a lot stiffer than the Ti, and more capable at speed than the Ti, but compared to the Deacon, the Volkl still feels more stout and balanced. I think stronger skiers who like the feel of more of a race-like dampness will gravitate to the Deacon while those who like more responsive and light skis will appreciate the Elan.
Are you doing a narrow front side ski review? Would love to see something on 65-75mm
We're trying! Lots of great skis in that range.
2 Hours 😍
I am really interested in a comparison between the Brahma 82 sp vs Brahma 82's. Would the SP's be closer to the Armada's. I ask because I like the 82 sp's I rented and was looking at buying the the Brahma 82's and realized they were a little different. I need something that is going to be forgiving and easy on knees as I get older. I rented the 82 sp 173 and seemed to manage it well.
The SP is more forgiving--less metal by a good margin. If you want more stability at speed and a heavier overall ski, the 82 is the way to go, but it sounds like you had a nice time on the SP and that lighter and more mobile ski fits in better with what you're doing these days.
Looking for something that is solid on hard snow has a turn radius on the shorter side and lot of pop, which would be best ? Forza and Deacon ?
Declivity is nice but the long sidecut radius might be too much
Bonus if has a mogul friendly tail
If you're looking for pop and a shorter turn preference, I'd take a look at the Wingman 82 CTi. Solid on groomers and a lot of energy with the carbon. While mogul friendliness isn't a strength here, it's certainly better than a lot of other skis on this list.
I know they don’t really fit in this world, but how do you guys view the Black Crows Mirus Cor against the easier/fun skis here? I know those are tighter and slower, but still curious.
Wondering as well, I've just bought the Mirus Cor but am wondering how this would compare
The Mirus Cor is interesting because it can fit in a lot of these categories. It's very much like a less-directional version of the M-Cross 82 in that it has a wider shovel and a shorter radius. If you moved the mount point up and added a wider tail to the M-Cross, you'd have very similar skis.
Thanks for the comparisons, super helpful to understand where brands are going, do you think the Forza 70 is an easier ski to use than the Head Magnum Super Shaper?
I think the Forza is easier to get more performance out of, yes. The Magnum is heavier and harder to access the totality of the performance.
@@SkiEssentials Thanks for getting back to me, I thought that was what you were saying with the E-Rally so took it that it would transfer to the magnum, I was thinking of a Forza for groomer days to complement my Declivity 91 for soft snow days, I had a pair of Magnums but they seem to have been stolen by my son!!!! TBH he skis them better than me now!
@@SkiEssentials Do you think there are any other skis that have this same "carving experience" style that I should cast an eye towards, I like the idea of the slightly easier pathway to performance carving without going all out on a slalom style race ski, I'm thinking 12-14m radius with a little extra width for later in the day conditions as well as the perfect groomers at the start of the day. Thanks for your time, much appreciated.
I've gone from 220lb to 180lb since last season by eating healthier. I'm on Blizzard Thunderbirds, Peak 88s, and Nordica Enforcer 100s. Are these still the right skis for me? Will I even notice a difference? My abilities in the gym have not changed.
In my opinion, you could feeld it on the Blizzards and the Enforcer. But it depents on the length of the skis and the "age" of them. as some of the skimanufacturer, the put allways the same materials in the different ski length, a shorter ski can be harder to flex than a longer. In newer builds they changed that. But you need to try, then you have the better feeling on what you are able to do with your force, or what was more weight related.
Totally fine. You'll feel less planted is my guess, making the Enforcer feel a bit more of a handful. That'll be the one that is the biggest difference I'd think.
I read the Elan Wigman line have an asymetrical design (like the amphibio serie). how do we know which ski goes under the left/right foot ? is it tagged on the skis ?
Yeah its tagged on the ski, and the bottom of the top sheet has a different design so not a problem.
Correct, they are labeled in front of the binding so it should be pretty evident.
Were there any changes to the Wingman 82 Ti from 2023 to the 2024 skis besides graphics?
Not that we can tell!
Hello! I have recently seen a lot of videos whith the red “1000 skis”. Did you have any contact with them and if yes what are your opinions?
They've popped up in conversation a few times lately and is certainly piquing our interest.
Great! I am really excited to see a vedeo about them!
Very off topic but what color pivot 15 would you put on a pair of 1st generation topsheet qst blank?
Forza on everything. Seriously though-go with some color.
I'm a Raw/Silver fan.
Great review, as always. I said this before but you do such a great job! Anyway. How would you compare the feeling, carving ability, forgiveness or anything else relevant between a Stöckli Montero AX 124-80-112 radius 15.5m at 173cm and a Stöckli Laser AX 124-78-111 radius 15.9m at 175cm?
Hi Gregror, I'm skied both. for me the AR need more space, makes longer turns, to make him shorter and medium turns you need a lot more force. While the AX is more rounded ski for me, even i'm 95kg. I have more fun on the AX it allows me all the turn shaps I like to do, with less effort. In higher speed the AR is a bit more stable, than the AX, but here in Switzerland, but the ski this fast, you need realy a lot of space 🙂
@@dinukaufmann4487 thanks for your reply. My question concerned the the AX laser and AX Montero. I had a chance to test the Montero AR but I'm looking for a more frontside oriented ski. I found the Montero AR close to my current SR95. Or not frontside enough anyway.
@@gregor1 then I would choose an other ski. I depends a bit on what kind of terrain you ski, here in Switzerland we have mostly hard pack and ice, so I would choose, a 65mm mid until maybe 74. If you have "better" slopes, then I can say that the Blizzard thunderbird and the Spitfire from the video are for me the skis with the most performance vor me. But not all of us ar almoste 100kg 😀
@@dinukaufmann4487 Here in Québec / Montreal area, south shore where I ski the most, hard pack and ice too, rain following by -20C and so on. I tested the Blizzard. Good ski but not the "instant smile effect" like Stocklis. My SR95, which shoud be used on soft snow is surprisingly super great on hard snow/ice. Much better than my Head WC rebels. I'm just looking for something quicker edge to edge, shorter turn and no to demanding at slow speeds. I'm 100kg too by the way...
Thema you need to have a look at the AS in 170. Or the wrt st in 172, for sure one of the most vesitaile Ski, even great on bumpier slopes
I am really struggling between brahma 82 and experience ti 82. Some good offseason deals. Looking for something that can carve but a bit more easy going and a bit more all mountain for when skiing with my soon to be 5 year (I dragged an old (ancient) pair of elan wingmans from the basement for that purpose but really doubting the bindings age). Current main ski is redster s9 which I love but sometimes require more attention than I want to give. I have eliminated the atomic q series because I want some rocker. My most recent ski in this 80s category is atomic nomad crimson, the pandemic delayed new ski purchase. Primarily ski in eastern canada, blue mountain and tremblant. thanks
These are two great choices, especially if you can get them at a good price. I'd say the Experience is slightly more versatile and easygoing, but neither are particularly "friendly." It's nice to have an all-mountain carver that can handle firm snow and be amenable to off-trail adventures with kids.
How would you compare the Kanjo with Blaze 82 or 86 for groomers? Thank you!
The Kanjo has some more pop and energy to it than the Blazes. The metal underfoot and the fiberglass frame make it both grippy and peppy. The Blazes are fine, but they can't quite match the energy of the Kanjo.
Which would hold up.to higher speeds. Declivity 82 or wingman ti?
In a straight line, I'd rather have the Declivity. The Wingman likes to be on edge a bit more while the Armada can be manipulated to make longer arcs and more direct lines.
@@SkiEssentials That's pretty much what I thought. Would the c t I outperform the declivity?
Hi gentlemen. I'm 40 years old and just completed 11 hours of ski lessons on a simulation. (Basically a rug that spins under you and you ski). They said they've taught me all I need to know up to intermediate and now its just up to me to go out there and do it. That being said, I still consider myself a beginner since I haven't been on real snow but I feel like I have the tools to get me to intermediate in a day or two on the snow. I'm seriously considering the Montero AS skis. Do you think they will be too dangerous for someone like me? Thank you
Just rent intermediate skis a few times until you're comfortable enough and get those kick ass skis after. I started to ski at 41 and I think if you're in shape enough, you should get those advanced/expert skis quite early to be able to progress if your goal is to rip carving turns. I was flabbergasted when I first tried stiff skis with titanial in them.
I don't think dangerous is the right term here. The new AS is pretty easy to turn due to the shorter radius. It's not that difficult to control.
For cruising around the frontside, Redster Q7 or Wingman 82ti ?
The Redster feels a bit more race oriented while the Wingman has more all-mountain notes. Since you included the word cruising, I'd take that as the Wingman.
What are the best bump skis?
Im pretty happy with my QST 98's as a one ski quiver,
but about to start skiing a lot at Mary Jane (mogul heaven) and considering expanding my quiver to include something more nimble
True bump skis are the best bump skis, so the Faction LeMogul, K2 244, Fischer Gunbarrell, or Rossignol Athlete mogul skis are truly meant for that craft. For a normal all-mountain ski, I really enjoy the Atomic Bent 90.
@@SkiEssentials thanks, any thoughts/experience on the Bent 85 for bumps?
True mogul skis are so rare to see, I would love to be able to demo a pair to see how different they feel. Also the ones that I've seen discounted online are so short, I know bump skis are supposed to be a bit shorter, but I'm 6'7", can't be out there feeling like I'm on snow skates, lol
@@proverbalizer You'd have to go with the 180 in the Bent 85 given your height. They're not bad in the bumps, but they do have a densolite composite core rather than a full wood core like the Bent 90, so there may be some durability issues if you're going to be pushing it in the bumps with your leverage.
Brahma 82 vs declivity 82ti? I’m lighter weight but still fairly aggressive(6ft 170). I’m concerned brahma 82 will be too stiff. Does the declivity provide similar carving/edge grip without being as demanding as the Brahma? Also open to any other ski recommendations for a dedicated carving/hard snow ski without a binding system.
Thank you!
The Declivity is lighter and easier to use at more moderate speeds but the Brahma is very stable and secure the faster you go. If you're not looking for too stiff or too demanding, I do think the Declivity is a nice balance. You may find an Experience 82 without a system as well!
thanks a lot for this exhaustive and very competent presentation . I am 59 , 180 and 73kgs , quite experienced , skying in the Alps , where on groomers hard pack and ice are the average condition during the day, to end ithe sky day in the afternoon in the middle of small moguls formed by the skiers.I skied last season the Elan Amphipbio 16 and were great , light and less fatiguing compared with Rossi Elite Ti , Head Supershape and Atomic redster g9.I would like to buy a pair of ski flat and light , but still capable to hold on ice , and same be fit it with an Hybrid binding (MNC shift , or Marker Tour ) which would allow me to do some small ski-tours with skins. What would you recommend me ? Rossi Experience , Declivity or Wingman ? Thanks a lot !
Declivity. If you're looking for a hybrid binding and have any expectations of uphill efficiency, this ski provides the best combination of attributes you're looking for.
Are you guys planning to do a women’s version of this category?
I don't think we're going to have time for that one, but I'd encourage you to check out this page for all the info/data we collected on this range of skis: www.skiessentials.com/2024-ski-test/category/womens-frontside
Been on the Disruption 82Ti for three seasons now, they are criminally underappreciated by the cork sniffer crowd.
Excellent comment.
They are amazing. Super playful, sometimes I do feel like I can't get all out of the ski when I want to get into them, but that's on me. Criminally underrated for sure.
enjoying the push back against marketing TECH BS, and calling out brand partners for more honest recognition about the best use for a ski.
Would you recommend me Stance 80 for my skiing style?
I have like ten years experience on skis. A few years ago I started snowboarding too and I am switching day to day depending on conditions and mood.
I dont want to be the fastest on piste, but instead goofing around a little. So driving backwards, sprinkle in 180 or 360 turns. But I am also not a park or off piste skier. I am looking for forgiveness, versatility and agility. However I dont want a ski with to much disadvantages on piste. Also a little support at the end of the day in cut up snow wouldnt hurt.
Thank you
Sure! Great skis, easy to turn and a lot of fun in both on and off-piste situations.
Forza 70 for this season it's decided!
Yes! Great choice.
Awesome job guys! Sadly I'm no more decisive than I was before though (not your fault), lol! I was looking at the Spitfire DC 74 and 80, and also the Enforcer series. I excel on and prefer faster hardpack/granular/NE crap conditions and don't do moguls anymore as I'm not sure my body can take it anymore at this point. I do go out west and see real powder from time to time, and every so often will go into the woods, but generally spend most of my time at Killington on the main intermediate stuff enjoying higher speed carving. 5' 11", 200 lbs. Skill level is probably an 8 or so. What would you guys recommend?
As long as you're capable of overlooking relatively poor powder performance, the Spitfire 80 really makes good sense here. They won't want to go in the moguls either, so that's good news. For mainly on-piste skiing, it's nice to have a bit of extra width underfoot, and these skis are about as smooth as it gets. The 74 might feel a bit too narrow, and the Enforcer might take away some of that grip and front side performance that the Spitfire 80 squarely delivers. I'd say the 174 in that ski would be a lot of fun.
@@SkiEssentials Thank you! Two sets of skis options? Name them and their size so I can be done with this madness! LOL!
And BTW, I'm use to skiing on 200cm old school pencils, so I'm guessing narrow width might not bother me. Never had a set of dedicated power/all mountain skis though so figure I might as well just buy two sets and be happier.
@@ssoffshore5111 I suppose if you are getting two, I'd say the Spitfire 80 in the 174 and then go wider to the Head Kore 105 in the 177!
@@SkiEssentials Awesome, your experience is so appreciated from those of us who will never have the opportunity (or time) to demo all the offerings! A friend suggested I just pick up a set of the Black Crows Serpo's in 180cm and said I'd be happier with just that one set of skis to pretty much cover everything. Any thoughts on that vs the more well rounded 2 ski combo? I like the simplicity of that, but again zero experience with them!
Frontside comparison is my favourite. I might watch this on loop until I figure out which will be my next pair.....and so I can avoid listening to more Patriots talk.
Well, I'm glad that we come in higher standing than the Patriots this year. We had it very good for a very long time, and it's been a difficult transition for a lot of New Englanders.
Demoed the Q7 yesterday , I loved it. Now I need to determine if to go with Q7 or Q7.8 live in upstate NY. And stay on groomers. I didn’t test the 7.8
Depends if you like a wider platform underfoot for balance. Even in upstate NY, it's okay to go slightly wider if you feel more comfortable on a slightly wider ski.
@@SkiEssentials Q7.8 or nordica steadfast 85? I’m a beginner intermediate skier. I want to learn how to carve the proper way. Currently doing more smearing across the mountain than actually carving.
The meat and potatoes!
Bob, you keep saying “no love lost”. I do not think it means what you think it means lol
K2 Disruption 82 Ti is a tempting ski.
Consideration of this ski drops to near zero when the potential purchaser admiring the top sheet sees “ made in China”.
Are you worried about it from a quality standpoint or something else? In terms of QC, we've not noticed any drop in durability or build issues that would make us steer away from it.
Stockli quality is much overrated, I have had only bad experience with this company’s products, very relevant is they have the worst customer service I have ever seen…..
I do not think their skis are worth high price they are asking. Please test before you spent your bucks.