I have the Ripstick 96, and yes very good in the powder, crud, trees, and generally off trail. The dampening is significantly better in icy, hard packed conditions. There is no chatter whatsoever, and your skis maintain contact with the ground, giving you so much more control at higher speeds. It is noticeable immediately.
@@fynnderallereschte7991 it’s a joy. You can progressively build up the edge and then push hard and it will hold well. The Black version is a bit stiffer for bigger or more aggressive riders but you need to be on it.
I have the Ripstick 96 too (172 cm), and they feel to me as comfortable on hard pack and groomers (including steeper pitches) as they do off piste. They can carve broad GS turns no problem. I like them in moguls too, although I ski moguls pretty conservatively. I demoed a whole bunch of different skis over the past 5 years, and once I tried the Ripsticks I immediately bought a pair and they've worked for me in everything so far.
Stormrider 88s were the do it all ski for me. Research pointed me to the Ripsticks, but too much chatter and not enough grip on groomers at speed. Tried most of these in 2023 and the the Stormrider was significantly better all around, offering plenty of high speed stability and the ability to relax on them as well.
Nice. Stockli weren’t at the test but I’ve had my eye on the Stormrider 88 so it’s great to hear your thoughts. I’ll have to get on some before the end of the season. How is the 88 off piste?
Head Kore been my go to ski from its launch 2017, love the light feeling of the, edge grip and charge in a superlight package . Sender 94 was a nice surprice in 2024, its slightly lagging behind Enforcer. But Enforce is just way better handling crud and more icy conditions "East coast" , its unreal how "on-rails" enforcer hooks up on huge sweeping turns even in really bad snow conditions. Skis from Kästle, Atomic, Völkl i tried always felt way to stiff and grabby and needs full attention ride (lots of metal). Salomon's feels so "neutral" and boring(soft). Fisher ranger are a bit skittish but one of the best edge grips, good for beginners to get an edge. Been skiing for 40 years and 100+ kilo. Tests 3-4 new skis every year when renting.
We must suit similar skis. The Volkl Mantra has had great reviews for years and I've always felt that it was too stiff to be fun and playful. BUT I skied the M7 last week and they have softened out the front of the ski and it's much more enjoyable. Let me know if you get a chance to ski it, I'd like to know your thoughts.
So I have a set of Enforcer 94's and Ripstick 106's. I love both sets. The Ripsticks even at 106 are playful and so light. The Enforces are just amazing ski's...but you gotta ski..lol.
It also helps if you're a bigger skier, like a cheat code to level up the Enforcers. However the RipSticks are a blast from run one and there is so much tech involved in their design. What drew you to the RipSticks?
@@skng Just kept reading great reviews on them and was intrigued by the design. I wanted a ski for deeper snow and something that was more playful and I found it with them. I was honestly surprised by how easy a 106 could ski. I put a Marker Griffon 13 binding on them also to keep the ski light.
If you want "More Ripstick", you can move from the standard 106 to the black edition 106. Fantastic do everything ski with a little more crud destroying ability and high speed stability than the standard 106 Ripstick, while giving up a tiny bit of playfulness.
I am riding the 2024 K2 Mindbender 99Ti in Western Canada and they are just incredible. The harder I push, the better they perform. Surprised they're not on this list....
The vlog style shots and action shots of you out skiing are sick! Would love to see you do more vlog style and action skiing videos on this channel. I guess theres probably an instagram somewhere?
Found this Vlog by accident. Nice vlog Mate. Funny hearing a Kiwi after being here in the US for 20yrs - now I know how I sound to my mates!!! Chur Bro. Armada 92 Declivity for me cuz…( latest edition )
Love my enforcer 94s! But you have to ride them. I have a four pair quiver going from 78 eMags to 88 Rippies, 94 Nordicas and 105 Voks, but 7 days out of 10 I'm on the Enforcers. I just plain love them!!
I have the 2024 Ripstick 88 and it is amazing in the turns and I feel a much better skier. It struggles a bit in wet/bad condition like most skies in the PNW. The ski is frontside bias, lively, energetic and light - so it has a speed limit.
I went with the enforcer 88’s for eastern Canadian piste, but when it’s a bit softer and choppier. To complement my firebirds. Hope I made the right call!
Sounds like a great combo Kevin and the 88 will be great for the softer piste. You’ll have the Canadian conditions covered perfectly. Let me know how you get on.
I can’t make up my mind around the Nordica enforcer 94, the Elan Ripstick 96, and the Armada Arv 94. I’m riding literally everywhere, trees, powder, piste, crud, little natural bumps… I’m 178cm for 88kg…
I am an old guy- winding down from being a ski patroller as a teenager in the 1960s, to skiing fast, non-stop top to bottom laps at Whistler, trees and pow in Japan, groomers and bumps anywhere. My core ski for many years were Volkl Mantras, along with Shiros (118 waist) for the deep stuff. I got a pair of Atomic Vantage 97s and have hated them under most conditions. except semi-soft groomers at speed, working them hard. Last ski I now 'go to' for many soft snow days is an Elan Ripstick 106- a bit wide for frontside, but really fun in mixed snow. Not great for tight trees, but genuinely playful. I'd like feedback on what should be my mainstay ski as I go into the second half of my seventies- less stamina, knees a bit wobbly, but still wanting to be out there ripping up the mountain.
I’ve skied on Ripstick 98 Black and love them. Bought Renoun Citadel 106 for powder and it handles the ice and crud better than the Ripstick even in Vermont. The Renoun Citadel is the best ski I have tried. Would love to see it reviewed
Shouldn't a 106-width ski generally be expected to handle crud better than 98's? I'd expect the 98's to handle ice better, but is it possible your edges needed sharpening?
Not fully all mountain but just ordered Elan Wingman 82 Ti. Mainly on piste and the Ti version a little easier to carve. Well that's the theory, I'll find out in January.
I got the Head Kore 99 got them really long too - and these are the most amazing skis I have ever had on my feet. Tried the Enforcers and didn't see any benefit to having all that weight - Kores vastly out performed them on piste and of course off. Blossom and a few others in there - but the Head were for me. I was skiing in some serious ice refreeze over night - then total slush by afternoon with choppy crud covered moguls. In otherwords - the greatest test of "all mountain".
Thanks you for sharing your review, first time buying ski doing my research. I would love to see more content from you ! where did you get that mug it's incredible ? >
I’m the same. When I find a ski I like it ends up becoming an ‘ole faithful’ and I ski it until it gets retired. I have a few in the shed that have some great memories attached.
I’d have loved to hear a couple other things from you! 1) Was this all of the skis your tried? Favorite 6? Which didn’t make the cut for you? 2) What were the downsides? Which conditions did each ski prefer? Where did they struggle? I’m happy to accept that these opinions are your own, but I didn’t feel like I got much out of this feedback beyond what I might learn from a marketing brochure from the manufacturer. For reference, Rickety Ski Reviews is one of my favorite sources for this style. Maybe that’s not what you’re going for, but it’s how I think about feel coming away from this video.
Hey thanks for the feedback. I'm constantly trying to improve and bring you more info from a skiers perspective and veer away from the catalogue speak. So with this review I purposely didn't read up on any of the skis and tried to review them based entirely on feel and who they might suit. I think most skis have a style of skiing or type of skier they'd suit best. Anyway I hope you still got something out of the review? Whats your go-to all mountain ski?
Yeah for me, I’d totally agree. Enough float for powder but still arcs turns on piste. But for someone who wants the more ‘piste ski’ feel then 88 is just that bit quicker edge to edge. Did you go for the normal or Black version?
I have the enforcer 94’s in a 165 in my second season ever. I love them but you are spot on “you have to be on them the whole time”…I’m only 5,9 and 160 so I do feel tired and in the backseat with these sometimes with a long day…what skis would you say are more like the opposite of the enforcer’s in terms of ease of use and relaxed performance for more cruising instead of attacking?
From what I skied, the Elan Ripstick and Scott PureFree are a very well balanced all-mountain skis that are loads of fun but without that extra ‘bite’ of the Enforcer. A step down again would be the Blizzard Rustler 9. For me the first two were great all day skis.
Nordica Navigator/Enforcer series has been the best all mountain ski for years now. It is an amazing product and let's be honest: If you do a lot of off piste you are an expert skier anyway so no difficulty to choose really. Enforcers abilities even in icy surfaces with high speeds are incredible for an all mountain ski.
For a certain size, level and style of skier they have been a great choice. But they’ve undergone a redesign for next year and I can wait to see how they ski. Do you own Enforcers?
@@jarnovilen5259 I’ve been chatting to Nordica about getting a pair to test and they’re up for getting an independent review so I’m hoping to get it shot in early March. I really enjoyed the old model a so hoping for good things. What (if anything) would you change/tweak?
Hey Niv, great to hear from ya mate. I reckon you’ll love it. Heading into the back and beyond on these will be a joy. What bindings are you going for? Any missions planned?
Hey Noddy. I’m just really getting into the randonnée. New GF does lots. Just looking for a good all mountain ski that I can use most of the time. Tried out the Elan 96 today in some great snow. Totally loved them. Going to try with some good high quality bindings maybe the « shift » . I’m doing some gigs in a new bar in Vaujany run by a French and Slovenian hence the deal with Elan. It’s called « Shred Burger » missions will mostly. Be local at the moment but maybe north of Sweden next year. GF is Swedish from the North. ❤️ all the best to you and yours. Cheers. 🥂😎⛷️
Sounds pretty epic @@nivendyer. I’ll have to swing by next time we’re in Alpe d’Huez for a brew and some ‘locals lines’ off the back. Have an awesome season and hope it starts dumping again soon.
Thank you for this VERY helpful info!! I picked up the Elan Ripstick 96 a couple of weeks ago, and it’s perfect for where I want to go and how I ski. Your review is dead on. The 96 is pretty incredible on piste, which surprised me, and floats really well off piste. More videos please!
Hello, Love your reviews. What is your advice regarding Elan skis? I’m a 58-year-old woman and an advanced skier. I've always used Elan All Mountain skis, number 5. Now I'm looking for new Elan skis, and this is my wishlist. Which one would you recommend for me? What I’m looking for: - Easy in short turns - Stable on black runs with icy patches, not too "fluffy" underfoot - Occasionally off-piste and back on the piste - Speed is not important to me, but I prefer skis that handle short turns easily Would you recommend the: - Rime Time 5 - Wildcat Or - Elan SLX slalom ski? Greet Barbara
I'm an over 6'2-270lb skier primarily skiing black/double black and gate Wasatch terrain 45-50 times per season. I've been riding the Kore 99 this season and have found it great in powder and crud with occasional bumps. What it doesn't do great (for me) with is those "East Coast conditions" where I have a really hard time getting it to hook up edges on scraped base/refreeze piste runs back to chairs or riding with my fam. I'm comparing it with mid 80s skis that have been my go-to for the last few years (but don't perform well at all for my size off-piste). For a one-ski-all-mountain-quiver, should I try dropping to the 93 or should I see if the Enforcers have a better hookup for me at the 100? They seem to be a little more shaped than my Kores and driving power is not an issue for me with a stiff ski, but since you rode that pair as a bigger skier (in the next width down) as a direct comparison, what are your thoughts?
What do you think about the up-and-coming 1000 all-mountain skis? Have you ever had the opportunity to try them out? Or would you like to give them a try in the future?
@@skng Would be amazing man! Definitely the 1000 all-mountain is the one I am most interested in, cause it is such a hard job to nail a ski that is good for everywhere, but if they are able to do it, it is for sure going to be appreciated by those of us, who don't have the money to get multiple skis for different terrains.
The Best All Mountain ski is based on skier ability and terrain. As for the waist, I would NEVER ski anything over an 88 and that would be in waist deep powder, I prefer a GS ski with a 188cm 110-70-107 cut. I traditionally have skied on a 72mm or less waist. The entire point of skiing is to ride edge to edge, I can get a quicker turn on a 70mm waist than a 80mm waist. Finally, in powder, the trick to floating with a 70mm waist is to lean back and bounce, yes bounce and float on the snow in-between turns. I also prefer K2 skis, the Mindbender should have been on your list.
I just want a new dynastar slicer 98… that ski was so much fun. Mine lost their pop years ago and I was dumb to not pick up more. I think I need to ski the dynastar m free 99 and the Rossi Black Ops 98 to figure this out.
I hate it when you get a fav ski and by the time you need to update it,the model is gone. I remember the Volkl Karma was an awesome park/piste ripper when I was younger and it got split into the Bridge and the Wall. Gutted. Fortunately for you there are some amazingly playful all-mountain/Freeride skis out there now. What did you like most about the Slicer 98?
@@skng been skiing the rocker2 102 for the past few years. It does everything I need, but it doesn’t pop like the slicers did. Just want a fun ski that I can have fun in the trees and steeps, yet still carve fast with on blue/black groomers. I know that’s pushing it for one ski so likely will get two. Likely will pick up a fast carver all mountain and a really fun all mountain ski (twin tip likely).
They are a great ski and sounds like you've had a good run with them. But if you feel like you need new skis then a fair bit has changed in the last 5 years and you should notice a difference. So it might be time to sell them on or add them to the wall of fame. (I hate letting my fav's go)
@@skng Maybe I've missed something, but I don't think the Kore 93 has changed for the 22, 23, 24 model year, other than the top graphics/PET sheet. Am I wrong?
Hey, do you have a recommendation for a heavy expert level carver getting into all mountain skis. The skis would almost exclusively be used for offpiste. It would occasionally be used for carving the days then a race ski drowns in loose moguly conditions
I’ve just skied the new Volkl Mantra M7 and they’ve done some great things to this ski to make it a bit more compliant in the powder but still eats through crud and carves better than some piste skis. As a bigger skier I loved it and never felt like I wanted more ski. I also took out the Katana V-works and that blew my mind, but that’s a bit more of a Freeride ski. I haven’t tried the new Nordica Enforcer yet but I imagine based in n past performance that this is another one to look at for bigger stronger skiers. What sort of off-piste skiing do you prefer? Skis on the deck, hard charging? Or more poppy and playful bouncing around the place?
Ice / powder combo? Well I just skied the all new Volkl Mantra M7 and it skied icy piste with power and control and yet it’s wide enough and compliant enough to have fun in the powder when necessary. Have you tried any of the older Mantra’s?
No I haven't tried them, but I will. I am planning for a day of ski demos at my local shop. I intend to test three pairs and they will be on the list. Thanks for your help.
For icy conditions to burst through crud, Enforcer, Mantra, Bonefied, Rustler . Leaning more to 99+ waist, lower then that will negativly effect those precious powder days. I haven't tried larger then 110 and it felt like water skis :D Rustler is freeride ski. Rest are real chargers. Lower then 95 those full metal skis feel more like pist skis.
Agree @mathiashammar1. The Enforcer and Mantra especially the new M7, it's epic for my style of hard charging. Also I agree, the Rustler works best as a Freeride ski so go for the Rustler 10 and above, less powerful on piste. The Bonefide's I didn't get to ski. How do they compare? I'd also throw the Elan RipStick in there as it's so capable in a vast array of conditions and would suit a broad range of skiers.
Hey. This is a Swedish brand called Wear Colour. I like it because I can wear it off the hill as well without looking too 'Techy'. Good pockets, warm and ventilated. What kit are you into?
Enjoy your reviews. I ski the Head Kores 93. You mentioned you are on the bigger side. Curious on your preferred ski length. I'm 6'3 204 lbs and have always skid on 184 cm. Wondering if I can get away with something shorter, i.e. 176 ish.
Great to hear and thanks for watching. Yeah you can, but there’s always a bit of a trade off. Shorter skis will feel a bit more ‘flighty’ underfoot especially off-piste compared to longer skis which feel more stable. Longer skis under our size should also float better in powder. I’m 6’2 190ish and I think 184 is about right for me in an all-mountain. Unless you’re going for more piste based then I think you can bring the length down a touch. For Freeride I’m happier around 190ish just for stability at high speed and landing drops. Where do you prefer to ski mostly piste or off-piste?
I’d love to. I’ll see what I can get hold of this winter. I’m guessing you haven’t skied them yet? I loved Candide’s Faction 5.0 LTD when it came out and hopefully he’s/they’ve brought some of that fun and pop into these. Have you skied any of the boards he’s been involved with?
Any thoughts on Armada declivity 82ti,they sell them as a all mountain ski/piste but i thini they will be just good for piste with 82. Greetings from baqueira ,spain.
Ola mi amigo, I skied Baqueira a few years back, we even skied down a concrete dam and jumped over a road in a chicken suit. Anyway I digress. I skied the Declivity in the Freeride 102ti and l loved how playful it was in the shallow powder but still skied well on piste. I know the 82 will ski differently but the general ski characters often stay the same. So I think it’d be a fun piste ski with playful side-country potential. But that’s without skiing it. If I get the chance to ski one I’ll post a review for ya. Don’t you have a run called the ‘Scornagrabes’(?) in Baqueria which translates into ‘so steep even the goats fall over?
@@skng hola amigo,first thanks for taking your time to replay im letting you know i finally end Up buying two skis,one for powder(sad in Spain we get really low amounts through the season and powder is like gold over here)and other for piste,the 1st are the classics arv jjs 116 (2024 ones i LOVE the new graphics),the ones for piste i didint get them yet im still thinking about which one but i like the atomic redster s9.let me know your thoughts on those,i think they both rockets 🚀🚀 AND YES ESCORNACABRES IS A CLASSIC but its more the fame that the difficult of the piste,its pretty easy It just the first part that could impress(i think you could tell if you skied there),but if you ever come again LA MARCONI is the BEST place and onr of the hardest in Baqueira.
Hi ya. The M6 is a good ski. BUT I’ve been saying to Volkl for years to soften it just a shade, make the initiation slightly easier and just make it more fun. AND they’ve finally done it. The new M7 for 24/25 is a weapon of a ski. It’s like a tiger on piste and you can push it through a mix of turn shapes or just drift about. Off piste the softness helps the ski float, but still tears through the crud. It is one of my fav AM skis (of this style) for next year.
Yeah I can see how that might happen. The stiffer ‘Black Edition’ will be harder to progressively build up the edge on steeper (short turn) terrain and the softer version would suit better for sure. I think the Black version is better suited to bigger skiers or those wanting to push hard, all the time. Similar to the Nordica they want to be worked hard. What are your thoughts on them as a whole?
I have the enforcer 88 and the declivity 82 ti. Both are great on firm snow. Not chatters at all. The enforcer is better in crud and firm chunky stuff. The declivity floats better believe it or not.the declivity 92 to is also excellent on a few demo days. I couldn't get it so I ended up with the 82ti
Hey there, I'm a 5'6.5 (169) cm 160 lb high intermediate / advanced skier that skis 60-40 Groomers - Trees/Bumps. I also enjoy carving (Though not super aggressively). Am kind of in between sizes and unsure whether to ski the 168 or 174 cm size. Which would you recommend due to the rocker in this ski? Thanks!
Yeah so I skied the Declivity in a 102ti which pushed it more into the Freeride realm. It has that classic Armarda poppy and playful feel. So I imagine this is past down to the 92. What style of skiing do you prefer?
I would recommend trying the 92's. I think you would agree that a Rustler 9 that had 106 underfoot would ski much differently. I like fast on-piste or leisurely cruising around with the occasional dip into the trees and off-piste looking for some untouched pow, but always want something that can confidently hold up in any condition besides the deep deep stuff. I'd use different skis for that, probably some qst 106's@@skng
So I was just about to buy the Volke Mantra M6's....but they're not even on your list, which has given me pause. Is it just a case of too many good skis out there to review, or are they not up to snuff with these others?
Hi David, this was just a matter of the ski not being available at the time of testing. HOWEVER, I just recently skied the new Volkl M7 and absolutely loved that ski. They have finally softened the ski slightly and made it far more enjoyable and 'fun' to ski off piste. Yet it still retains its powerful grip on piste. Review coming out shortly and I think it'll be a very popular ski for 24/25 season. Have you skied the Mantra before?
Hey @TheGweedMan. Yeah unfortunately time was limited and so were the number of skis on test. But I skied the Mavericks last week. Whilst they are a good all mountain ski they just don’t have the finesse and lively, playful feel of the competition. I’d put them somewhere in the middle of the road. I like them but not massively. The Bents as a Freeride ski however are good fun ski. I do like Atomic’s when they get it right. 😉
Just about to buy the Nordica's based on this review, thank you! What length did you go for vs your height please? I'm 5'8 so the 179's might be a tad too long - would appreciate a reference! Thanks!
Excellent. Always tough to suggest the right size without knowing size, age, weight, skiing style, eye colour… But as a ball-park suggestion: because these are a strong ski I think the 173 will suit better if you want a true all mountain experience. But if you’re style is more hard charging, straight-lining savagery OR or you’re carrying a fair bit of extra ‘timber’ then the 179 will be a lot of ski to play with. What are your thoughts/feelings so far?
@@skng I don’t carry much timber! 75kg but an aggressive skier, frequently told off by the guide on my most recent trip. I think the 173 is the best option, currently on the QST 106 181cm but these are quite an agile ski. Love them mind, just after something more well rounded! Thanks for the quick response much appreciated
I have a pair of nordica enforcer 94, and being on the east coast (canadian) off piste travks here are tight trees and tight technical terrain or bumps... I find those enforcers too tiring to ski them off piste or bumps 70% of a day... I found myself to prefer my racing skis if their aint too much fresh snow. Wich kills the purpose of having an all mountain ski... would you say the head kore is reliable enough to send cliffs and drops ? The weight has got me worried a bit, but on paper they would be perfect, hard charging yet less fatiguing since they are light.
For me, totally. The Head Kore is less demanding and more forgiving than the Enforcer. HOWEVER there is a NEW enforcer out which I am skiing tomorrow. So hold ya horses and let me get back to you.
@@skng thanks for the answer, I'ma be super patient, already busted my ski budget this year 😅 tore my boots 😅 so obviouly had to spit 800 bucks on brand new Lange shadow 130, really makes me notice how old and soft my boots had become 😂
What a pain@@Glowtrey. I once had a boot split in two and take off down the mountain into the trees with the ski attached. I was left with a nice plastic anklet and cold toes. 🤣🤣🤣
There are loads of great options, I might have to do a whole series on these. Do you want twin-tips? Where do you spend the ‘majority’ of your time? Park/pipe/piste/powder?
@@charliestovall5406 Well. It’s a tough one for me. I’ve never found the Mantra a very ‘fun’ ski. I find it takes itself a little too seriously and needs to lighten up a little. So if this suits your style of skiing then great. However I have the new M7 review coming out shortly. Would you like to hear the spoiler?
@@charliestovall5406 All-mountain is a tough category and it really comes down to your size, skiing style and preference. Mantra and Enforcers are strong skis that dig in hard and need to be worked. Conversely, Line skis for example are way more playful, poppy and fun and suit that style of skiing. The Ranger 96 is definitely more ‘accessible’ than the mantra and easier to ski making them quite popular. I skied the 102 and as a more Freeride biased ski they were fun. So what’s your size and style like?
Hey @zamonster2. Yeah you need a good strong performing ski. The enforcer will definitely be a good fit and they have a new version due out for 2025 which I'm hoping to ski shortly. Stand by for the review... However I just skied the new @voelklskis Mantra M7 and absolutely loved it. Its floaty off piste without being weak or flappy and it tears up the piste better than some piste skis. In the past I've thought that the Mantra was a little 'too much' ski for the all-mountain category and a bit too stiff and not as playful as others. However the M7 has changed all that and it's now a bit softer in the shovel making powder and turn initiation easier, strong under foot for 'grip' on piste and poppy in the tail for off-piste Ollies and a little kick out of the turn. My kind of skiing. However I'm super excited to try the new Nordica Enforcer to see what they've done there. For you, if you're buying this season you won't go wrong with either of these skis as they are probably the 'strongest' skis in this category. What do you think to their graphics? Are you favouring either ski at the moment?
thanks for the very educational and informative review. you are a strong skier, no doubt about it. but for average skier like myself, carve mostly on piste and occasionally ventured off-piste and tree-runs for some extra fun, which one would you recommend? I tried the Enforcer once, and found it is hard to control and my legs got tired quickly.
If you're in a position to do it - like on a week-long trip somewhere - try demoing different skis until you find a model that feels good, and get that. It will cost some money, but it's the best way to choose a ski that works for you. Go to a good ski shop at the base of the mountain; they'll let you swap out different skis each day or even every few runs if you want. And if you end up buying from that shop, they'll usually credit some of the demo expense against the purchase price.
Yeah this is a great shout. Our local ski shop used to do this and it's a great way to find 'Your Ski'. The other option is to get along to a Consumer Ski Test where you can ski loads of different brands and models. It's a big investment so you might as well be sure.
Hi, great video! I’m about 6’8 260lbs looking to get better at what to look for in a ski at my height and weight. Do you any advice or pointers for what length and stiffness to go for in a ski? I currently only use rentals between 177-182 as that is where they usually max out.
Length is easy, you need the longest offered. Go watch Skiessentials comparison videos to get a better idea of what kind of ski is most appropriate for the conditions you ski and your ability level.
YES!!! we’ll try and get them on the snow this winter. Hope I don’t snap them. Maybe I’ll put them on the feet of a park pro instead. 🤔Loving your icon pic, is that Mike Douglas, JF Cusson or you?
@@skng it's JP - canadian air force - 1080's - i like the pic - i have some myself, same model as yours, they are what got me off a snowboard, though I don't think i have taken mine out since maybe 2 decades ago. Can't imagine how soft and bendy and thin they would feel now 🤣
Dear @1000skis please send me some test skis so I can help these folks out. All the Best, Noddy. (I’ll send this off Monday morning for ya and let ya know how I get on)
Yeah it’s a good ski that. I’d probably sneak it into the Freeride category at 100+ though. Do you own Bents? What’s your favourite characteristic of them?
@skng Verstality. I just came back from Lake louise, the first day I was carving on groomed tracks, and the next day, we got 30 cm of snow! Powder! Chetlers Skis were unbelievably good on black runs in deep snow. I don't knownhow Atomic was able to combine different things in one type of skis... and the are twin tips, yup, you also can go in switch from top to bottom so people will stare on you, lol
@@jask320 It’s mad how good all-mountain skis have become, sometimes it’s like reviewing two skis at once. The Bents are great skis especially, as you say, in the off-piste. How’s the snow in Banff at the mo? Sounds like you got a bit of pow stash?
Yeah nah, the blizzard rustler 9 is 96mm under foot which for me puts it right on the boarder of all-mountain skis. Personally I would not be comfortable pushing this ski beyond the ‘in resort’ terrain. It’s a good, accessible all mountain ski that is balanced towards the side country but for me, not strong enough to consistently hit up the Freeride domain. If you like this ski then I would look at the Blizzard rustler 10 or 11 as a Freeride option But that’s just my thoughts? What would you prefer to have on your feet when it gets deeper or choppy?
Thanks for your reply ! @@skng To be honest I'm not so expert on the freeride terrain, I'm not having the most fun on the piste neither so I try to go on the pow as much as I can without trying to go down the mountain from the peak. So the rustler 9 could be a good option for me. I tried 112 skis once and had to go through quite a huge icy spot. It was a nightmare haha I would say I'm more a 60/40 offpiste type of guy, as I'm not expert enough to go big mountain
@@AnthonyMalesys that’s a great self appraisal and perfect starting point. I think your right the rustler 9 could be a great ski for you or the Scott Pure Free if your want something just a little stronger.
Ah Yes. "Firm packed grey powder off-piste". May I recommend a 2004 Volkl Gotama. An excellent vintage for 'firmer' terrain with strong sidewalls (I once skied them down a concrete dam) and being a 2004 they can be gathered for around $50 on eBay so the 'care factor' is almost reduced to zero... Or maybe a late model Enduro mountain bike? Gutted to hear that for ya though. Hopefully February will bring a change of season and you'll be shredding long into April. Is there anything in the forecast?
For me the Atomic Bent is better suited in the Freeride domain. It just doesn’t have the piste performance of others in this category. If you’re after an all mountain Atomic, then check out the Maverick range it has a much stronger all around performance. Or get a Bent if you like that softer all-mountain feel.
I skied the Atomic Q5 for you and skied it though the beginner progression of turns and it felt stable, compliant and easy to turn. BUT I decided to continue the progression and ended up cranking it through some advanced carved turns down the bottom of the hill. So I imagine this ski would last you a good long while. Hows the injury?
Such a tough call. Most brands have a good offering for beginners. But I did ski the Atomic Redster Q5 and skied it through the whole beginner/intermediate progression. It was lovely and smooth and easy to turn which is to be expected for a good beginner ski. BUT what was surprising was when I decided to carve a little, gradually push into it and then really crank it over. It fully held up and was a fun ski. So something like this is a perfect ski to grow with and improve on. Have you tried/rented any skis you like yet?
They are not - too heavy and sluggish I’m a J ski guy I like the escalators for a do it all - clearly not as stable at speed But how fast do you really have to go ???🤣
@@KA-ne2et Yeah JLev is an absolute legend and makes some incredibly fun skis. I used to be sponsored by Line back in the day and lived on the Motherships. So I get ya. Lightweight, bouncy and playful. It’s a pity we didn’t have any J Skis to test? Jason? Jason? Send me some skiiiiii’s (I don’t think he’s listening)
I have the Ripstick 96, and yes very good in the powder, crud, trees, and generally off trail. The dampening is significantly better in icy, hard packed conditions. There is no chatter whatsoever, and your skis maintain contact with the ground, giving you so much more control at higher speeds. It is noticeable immediately.
It's an impressive ski. What made you choose them?
How is it on piece
@@fynnderallereschte7991 it’s a joy. You can progressively build up the edge and then push hard and it will hold well. The Black version is a bit stiffer for bigger or more aggressive riders but you need to be on it.
I have the Ripstick 96 too (172 cm), and they feel to me as comfortable on hard pack and groomers (including steeper pitches) as they do off piste. They can carve broad GS turns no problem. I like them in moguls too, although I ski moguls pretty conservatively. I demoed a whole bunch of different skis over the past 5 years, and once I tried the Ripsticks I immediately bought a pair and they've worked for me in everything so far.
@@humanbeing2420 What's your height and weight if you don't mind me asking? I'm 5'9" 140lbs and thinking this size is good for me.
Just got done skiing the Kore 93 out at Beaver Creek Colorado.... absolutely loved it....
Headed to Beaver Creek for the first time this season. Can't wait.
Stormrider 88s were the do it all ski for me. Research pointed me to the Ripsticks, but too much chatter and not enough grip on groomers at speed. Tried most of these in 2023 and the the Stormrider was significantly better all around, offering plenty of high speed stability and the ability to relax on them as well.
Nice. Stockli weren’t at the test but I’ve had my eye on the Stormrider 88 so it’s great to hear your thoughts. I’ll have to get on some before the end of the season. How is the 88 off piste?
@@skng honestly haven't done any deep snow skiing with them yet.
Stöckli Stormrider 88 and 95 are simply unbelievable and should be in the list
Head Kore been my go to ski from its launch 2017, love the light feeling of the, edge grip and charge in a superlight package . Sender 94 was a nice surprice in 2024, its slightly lagging behind Enforcer. But Enforce is just way better handling crud and more icy conditions "East coast" , its unreal how "on-rails" enforcer hooks up on huge sweeping turns even in really bad snow conditions. Skis from Kästle, Atomic, Völkl i tried always felt way to stiff and grabby and needs full attention ride (lots of metal). Salomon's feels so "neutral" and boring(soft). Fisher ranger are a bit skittish but one of the best edge grips, good for beginners to get an edge. Been skiing for 40 years and 100+ kilo. Tests 3-4 new skis every year when renting.
We must suit similar skis. The Volkl Mantra has had great reviews for years and I've always felt that it was too stiff to be fun and playful. BUT I skied the M7 last week and they have softened out the front of the ski and it's much more enjoyable. Let me know if you get a chance to ski it, I'd like to know your thoughts.
So I have a set of Enforcer 94's and Ripstick 106's. I love both sets. The Ripsticks even at 106 are playful and so light. The Enforces are just amazing ski's...but you gotta ski..lol.
It also helps if you're a bigger skier, like a cheat code to level up the Enforcers. However the RipSticks are a blast from run one and there is so much tech involved in their design. What drew you to the RipSticks?
@@skng Just kept reading great reviews on them and was intrigued by the design. I wanted a ski for deeper snow and something that was more playful and I found it with them. I was honestly surprised by how easy a 106 could ski. I put a Marker Griffon 13 binding on them also to keep the ski light.
If you want "More Ripstick", you can move from the standard 106 to the black edition 106. Fantastic do everything ski with a little more crud destroying ability and high speed stability than the standard 106 Ripstick, while giving up a tiny bit of playfulness.
I am riding the 2024 K2 Mindbender 99Ti in Western Canada and they are just incredible. The harder I push, the better they perform. Surprised they're not on this list....
The vlog style shots and action shots of you out skiing are sick! Would love to see you do more vlog style and action skiing videos on this channel. I guess theres probably an instagram somewhere?
Found this Vlog by accident. Nice vlog Mate. Funny hearing a Kiwi after being here in the US for 20yrs - now I know how I sound to my mates!!! Chur Bro.
Armada 92 Declivity for me cuz…( latest edition )
Love my enforcer 94s! But you have to ride them. I have a four pair quiver going from 78 eMags to 88 Rippies, 94 Nordicas and 105 Voks, but 7 days out of 10 I'm on the Enforcers. I just plain love them!!
I can see why. They are a great ski for hard charging. But that’s a pretty tasty quiver you have there. What 105 Volkls do you ski?
I have the 2024 Ripstick 88 and it is amazing in the turns and I feel a much better skier. It struggles a bit in wet/bad condition like most skies in the PNW. The ski is frontside bias, lively, energetic and light - so it has a speed limit.
Even though it was light I didn’t feel any chatter even at pace. How do you find it when the speeds increase?
Epic comeback I hope you have a great year
Hey, thanks for the support and it’s great to be back. Hope to bring you loads more skiing content. Are you heading out skiing this winter?
@@skngdefinitely! I finally fixed a problem I had for a while now also do you have discord?
@@Coolstuff588 Yeah we have something similar going on, you can link up at: www.SKNG.Co
I went with the enforcer 88’s for eastern Canadian piste, but when it’s a bit softer and choppier. To complement my firebirds. Hope I made the right call!
Sounds like a great combo Kevin and the 88 will be great for the softer piste. You’ll have the Canadian conditions covered perfectly. Let me know how you get on.
The enforcer 88 is excellent is crud and chunky
I can’t make up my mind around the Nordica enforcer 94, the Elan Ripstick 96, and the Armada Arv 94. I’m riding literally everywhere, trees, powder, piste, crud, little natural bumps… I’m 178cm for 88kg…
Very well done. Nice format.
I am an old guy- winding down from being a ski patroller as a teenager in the 1960s, to skiing fast, non-stop top to bottom laps at Whistler, trees and pow in Japan, groomers and bumps anywhere. My core ski for many years were Volkl Mantras, along with Shiros (118 waist) for the deep stuff. I got a pair of Atomic Vantage 97s and have hated them under most conditions. except semi-soft groomers at speed, working them hard. Last ski I now 'go to' for many soft snow days is an Elan Ripstick 106- a bit wide for frontside, but really fun in mixed snow. Not great for tight trees, but genuinely playful. I'd like feedback on what should be my mainstay ski as I go into the second half of my seventies- less stamina, knees a bit wobbly, but still wanting to be out there ripping up the mountain.
I’ve skied on Ripstick 98 Black and love them. Bought Renoun Citadel 106 for powder and it handles the ice and crud better than the Ripstick even in Vermont. The Renoun Citadel is the best ski I have tried. Would love to see it reviewed
Wow. That’s a big call. Would love to try that ski out for you. I wonder if Renoun would send one out to us?
Shouldn't a 106-width ski generally be expected to handle crud better than 98's? I'd expect the 98's to handle ice better, but is it possible your edges needed sharpening?
@@humanbeing2420 ripsticks had just been tuned
I’m curious to see how the new 94’s stack up to the old 94’s, always loved the enforcer.
Not fully all mountain but just ordered Elan Wingman 82 Ti. Mainly on piste and the Ti version a little easier to carve. Well that's the theory, I'll find out in January.
I got the Head Kore 99 got them really long too - and these are the most amazing skis I have ever had on my feet.
Tried the Enforcers and didn't see any benefit to having all that weight - Kores vastly out performed them on piste and of course off.
Blossom and a few others in there - but the Head were for me.
I was skiing in some serious ice refreeze over night - then total slush by afternoon with choppy crud covered moguls. In otherwords - the greatest test of "all mountain".
KEEP IT GOING
Thanks you for sharing your review, first time buying ski doing my research.
I would love to see more content from you !
where did you get that mug it's incredible ? >
Hey David, thanks for the great feedback, I’ll try and get more reviews out this winter. Stay tuned for the mugs, more to come😉
I've bought my Blizzard Bushwacker used and will probably ski on them until they are destroyed. :D
I’m the same. When I find a ski I like it ends up becoming an ‘ole faithful’ and I ski it until it gets retired. I have a few in the shed that have some great memories attached.
I’d have loved to hear a couple other things from you! 1) Was this all of the skis your tried? Favorite 6? Which didn’t make the cut for you? 2) What were the downsides? Which conditions did each ski prefer? Where did they struggle? I’m happy to accept that these opinions are your own, but I didn’t feel like I got much out of this feedback beyond what I might learn from a marketing brochure from the manufacturer. For reference, Rickety Ski Reviews is one of my favorite sources for this style. Maybe that’s not what you’re going for, but it’s how I think about feel coming away from this video.
Hey thanks for the feedback. I'm constantly trying to improve and bring you more info from a skiers perspective and veer away from the catalogue speak. So with this review I purposely didn't read up on any of the skis and tried to review them based entirely on feel and who they might suit. I think most skis have a style of skiing or type of skier they'd suit best. Anyway I hope you still got something out of the review? Whats your go-to all mountain ski?
Great review thank you
I have the Elan Ripstick 96 - I think that's a much better all-mountain width than 88.
Yeah for me, I’d totally agree. Enough float for powder but still arcs turns on piste. But for someone who wants the more ‘piste ski’ feel then 88 is just that bit quicker edge to edge.
Did you go for the normal or Black version?
I have the enforcer 94’s in a 165 in my second season ever. I love them but you are spot on “you have to be on them the whole time”…I’m only 5,9 and 160 so I do feel tired and in the backseat with these sometimes with a long day…what skis would you say are more like the opposite of the enforcer’s in terms of ease of use and relaxed performance for more cruising instead of attacking?
From what I skied, the Elan Ripstick and Scott PureFree are a very well balanced all-mountain skis that are loads of fun but without that extra ‘bite’ of the Enforcer. A step down again would be the Blizzard Rustler 9. For me the first two were great all day skis.
Thanks! @@skng
I'm same height and have the 179cm. Bought blind and wish I had gone longer XD
I have the enforcer 93s in 177. I’m 5’9” and 195 lbs. I’ve been very happy with them, but I’m a relatively experienced skier and I enjoy pushing them.
Nordica Navigator/Enforcer series has been the best all mountain ski for years now. It is an amazing product and let's be honest: If you do a lot of off piste you are an expert skier anyway so no difficulty to choose really. Enforcers abilities even in icy surfaces with high speeds are incredible for an all mountain ski.
For a certain size, level and style of skier they have been a great choice. But they’ve undergone a redesign for next year and I can wait to see how they ski. Do you own Enforcers?
@@skng Yes, older Navigators and newer Enforcers. And will get more of those for sure.
@@jarnovilen5259 Awesome. Well, I better get myself on the new Enforcer’s and let you know how it goes ay?
@@skng I'd sure love to hear your take on them.
@@jarnovilen5259 I’ve been chatting to Nordica about getting a pair to test and they’re up for getting an independent review so I’m hoping to get it shot in early March. I really enjoyed the old model a so hoping for good things. What (if anything) would you change/tweak?
That mug is genius.
Ha haaa, glad you liked that. I might have to get a few more made up. Christmas pressies?
Nice review, just about to get the Elan Ripstick 96 with touring bindings. Think your review has reinforced my decision cheers Noddy (Niv)
Hey Niv, great to hear from ya mate. I reckon you’ll love it. Heading into the back and beyond on these will be a joy. What bindings are you going for? Any missions planned?
Hey Noddy. I’m just really getting into the randonnée. New GF does lots. Just looking for a good all mountain ski that I can use most of the time. Tried out the Elan 96 today in some great snow. Totally loved them. Going to try with some good high quality bindings maybe the « shift » . I’m doing some gigs in a new bar in Vaujany run by a French and Slovenian hence the deal with Elan. It’s called « Shred Burger » missions will mostly. Be local at the moment but maybe north of Sweden next year. GF is Swedish from the North. ❤️ all the best to you and yours. Cheers. 🥂😎⛷️
Sounds pretty epic @@nivendyer. I’ll have to swing by next time we’re in Alpe d’Huez for a brew and some ‘locals lines’ off the back. Have an awesome season and hope it starts dumping again soon.
Thank you for this VERY helpful info!! I picked up the Elan Ripstick 96 a couple of weeks ago, and it’s perfect for where I want to go and how I ski. Your review is dead on. The 96 is pretty incredible on piste, which surprised me, and floats really well off piste. More videos please!
Anyone know of a new powder ski that skis like the rossingol S7??
Such an easy turning ski!!
Hello, Love your reviews. What is your advice regarding Elan skis? I’m a 58-year-old woman and an advanced skier. I've always used Elan All Mountain skis, number 5. Now I'm looking for new Elan skis, and this is my wishlist. Which one would you recommend for me?
What I’m looking for:
- Easy in short turns
- Stable on black runs with icy patches, not too "fluffy" underfoot
- Occasionally off-piste and back on the piste
- Speed is not important to me, but I prefer skis that handle short turns easily
Would you recommend the:
- Rime Time 5
- Wildcat
Or
- Elan SLX slalom ski? Greet Barbara
I'm an over 6'2-270lb skier primarily skiing black/double black and gate Wasatch terrain 45-50 times per season. I've been riding the Kore 99 this season and have found it great in powder and crud with occasional bumps. What it doesn't do great (for me) with is those "East Coast conditions" where I have a really hard time getting it to hook up edges on scraped base/refreeze piste runs back to chairs or riding with my fam. I'm comparing it with mid 80s skis that have been my go-to for the last few years (but don't perform well at all for my size off-piste).
For a one-ski-all-mountain-quiver, should I try dropping to the 93 or should I see if the Enforcers have a better hookup for me at the 100? They seem to be a little more shaped than my Kores and driving power is not an issue for me with a stiff ski, but since you rode that pair as a bigger skier (in the next width down) as a direct comparison, what are your thoughts?
What do you think about the up-and-coming 1000 all-mountain skis? Have you ever had the opportunity to try them out? Or would you like to give them a try in the future?
I haven’t skied them yet but yeah, I would love to give them a go for sure. They look like they could be a fun all-mountain ski. Have you tried them?
@@skng I have not but I've been thinking about getting one for a while now, I've seen very good reviews on them.
I'll have to chase them and see if they'll send one out for review. Which model would you be looking at?
@@skng Would be amazing man! Definitely the 1000 all-mountain is the one I am most interested in, cause it is such a hard job to nail a ski that is good for everywhere, but if they are able to do it, it is for sure going to be appreciated by those of us, who don't have the money to get multiple skis for different terrains.
@@aronmoravecz7779 the ultimate one ski wonder. Has anyone got close for you yet?
The Best All Mountain ski is based on skier ability and terrain.
As for the waist, I would NEVER ski anything over an 88 and that would be in waist deep powder, I prefer a GS ski with a 188cm 110-70-107 cut. I traditionally have skied on a 72mm or less waist.
The entire point of skiing is to ride edge to edge, I can get a quicker turn on a 70mm waist than a 80mm waist.
Finally, in powder, the trick to floating with a 70mm waist is to lean back and bounce, yes bounce and float on the snow in-between turns.
I also prefer K2 skis, the Mindbender should have been on your list.
I just want a new dynastar slicer 98… that ski was so much fun. Mine lost their pop years ago and I was dumb to not pick up more. I think I need to ski the dynastar m free 99 and the Rossi Black Ops 98 to figure this out.
I hate it when you get a fav ski and by the time you need to update it,the model is gone. I remember the Volkl Karma was an awesome park/piste ripper when I was younger and it got split into the Bridge and the Wall. Gutted.
Fortunately for you there are some amazingly playful all-mountain/Freeride skis out there now. What did you like most about the Slicer 98?
@@skng been skiing the rocker2 102 for the past few years. It does everything I need, but it doesn’t pop like the slicers did. Just want a fun ski that I can have fun in the trees and steeps, yet still carve fast with on blue/black groomers. I know that’s pushing it for one ski so likely will get two. Likely will pick up a fast carver all mountain and a really fun all mountain ski (twin tip likely).
Have absolutely loved my HEAD Kore 93's and have been riding them for 5 years now. Is it time to update?
They are a great ski and sounds like you've had a good run with them. But if you feel like you need new skis then a fair bit has changed in the last 5 years and you should notice a difference. So it might be time to sell them on or add them to the wall of fame. (I hate letting my fav's go)
@@skng Maybe I've missed something, but I don't think the Kore 93 has changed for the 22, 23, 24 model year, other than the top graphics/PET sheet. Am I wrong?
The 24 edition has additional carbon on top that is supposed to dampen it somewhat.
Hey, do you have a recommendation for a heavy expert level carver getting into all mountain skis. The skis would almost exclusively be used for offpiste. It would occasionally be used for carving the days then a race ski drowns in loose moguly conditions
I’ve just skied the new Volkl Mantra M7 and they’ve done some great things to this ski to make it a bit more compliant in the powder but still eats through crud and carves better than some piste skis. As a bigger skier I loved it and never felt like I wanted more ski. I also took out the Katana V-works and that blew my mind, but that’s a bit more of a Freeride ski.
I haven’t tried the new Nordica Enforcer yet but I imagine based in n past performance that this is another one to look at for bigger stronger skiers.
What sort of off-piste skiing do you prefer? Skis on the deck, hard charging? Or more poppy and playful bouncing around the place?
is there any good twin tip option?
How about eastern powder, aka ice? At Jay Peak, we can have ice one week and 2-3 feet of powder the next.
Ice / powder combo? Well I just skied the all new Volkl Mantra M7 and it skied icy piste with power and control and yet it’s wide enough and compliant enough to have fun in the powder when necessary.
Have you tried any of the older Mantra’s?
No I haven't tried them, but I will. I am planning for a day of ski demos at my local shop. I intend to test three pairs and they will be on the list.
Thanks for your help.
For icy conditions to burst through crud, Enforcer, Mantra, Bonefied, Rustler . Leaning more to 99+ waist, lower then that will negativly effect those precious powder days. I haven't tried larger then 110 and it felt like water skis :D Rustler is freeride ski. Rest are real chargers. Lower then 95 those full metal skis feel more like pist skis.
Agree @mathiashammar1. The Enforcer and Mantra especially the new M7, it's epic for my style of hard charging. Also I agree, the Rustler works best as a Freeride ski so go for the Rustler 10 and above, less powerful on piste. The Bonefide's I didn't get to ski. How do they compare?
I'd also throw the Elan RipStick in there as it's so capable in a vast array of conditions and would suit a broad range of skiers.
What ski jacket are you using?
Hey. This is a Swedish brand called Wear Colour. I like it because I can wear it off the hill as well without looking too 'Techy'. Good pockets, warm and ventilated.
What kit are you into?
Enjoy your reviews. I ski the Head Kores 93. You mentioned you are on the bigger side. Curious on your preferred ski length. I'm 6'3 204 lbs and have always skid on 184 cm. Wondering if I can get away with something shorter, i.e. 176 ish.
Great to hear and thanks for watching. Yeah you can, but there’s always a bit of a trade off. Shorter skis will feel a bit more ‘flighty’ underfoot especially off-piste compared to longer skis which feel more stable. Longer skis under our size should also float better in powder.
I’m 6’2 190ish and I think 184 is about right for me in an all-mountain. Unless you’re going for more piste based then I think you can bring the length down a touch.
For Freeride I’m happier around 190ish just for stability at high speed and landing drops.
Where do you prefer to ski mostly piste or off-piste?
Can you make one with the Candideskis BC 111 plis?
I’d love to. I’ll see what I can get hold of this winter. I’m guessing you haven’t skied them yet? I loved Candide’s Faction 5.0 LTD when it came out and hopefully he’s/they’ve brought some of that fun and pop into these. Have you skied any of the boards he’s been involved with?
Any thoughts on Armada declivity 82ti,they sell them as a all mountain ski/piste but i thini they will be just good for piste with 82.
Greetings from baqueira ,spain.
Ola mi amigo, I skied Baqueira a few years back, we even skied down a concrete dam and jumped over a road in a chicken suit.
Anyway I digress. I skied the Declivity in the Freeride 102ti and l loved how playful it was in the shallow powder but still skied well on piste. I know the 82 will ski differently but the general ski characters often stay the same. So I think it’d be a fun piste ski with playful side-country potential. But that’s without skiing it. If I get the chance to ski one I’ll post a review for ya.
Don’t you have a run called the ‘Scornagrabes’(?) in Baqueria which translates into ‘so steep even the goats fall over?
@@skng hola amigo,first thanks for taking your time to replay im letting you know i finally end Up buying two skis,one for powder(sad in Spain we get really low amounts through the season and powder is like gold over here)and other for piste,the 1st are the classics arv jjs 116 (2024 ones i LOVE the new graphics),the ones for piste i didint get them yet im still thinking about which one but i like the atomic redster s9.let me know your thoughts on those,i think they both rockets 🚀🚀
AND YES ESCORNACABRES IS A CLASSIC but its more the fame that the difficult of the piste,its pretty easy It just the first part that could impress(i think you could tell if you skied there),but if you ever come again LA MARCONI is the BEST place and onr of the hardest in Baqueira.
Love my Volkl Mantra M5s. What do you think of the M6?
Hi ya. The M6 is a good ski. BUT I’ve been saying to Volkl for years to soften it just a shade, make the initiation slightly easier and just make it more fun. AND they’ve finally done it. The new M7 for 24/25 is a weapon of a ski. It’s like a tiger on piste and you can push it through a mix of turn shapes or just drift about. Off piste the softness helps the ski float, but still tears through the crud. It is one of my fav AM skis (of this style) for next year.
I find my Ripstick 96 black editions are very chattery on steep hard packed groomers. Bit disappointed in them as most my time is still on piste.
Yeah I can see how that might happen. The stiffer ‘Black Edition’ will be harder to progressively build up the edge on steeper (short turn) terrain and the softer version would suit better for sure.
I think the Black version is better suited to bigger skiers or those wanting to push hard, all the time. Similar to the Nordica they want to be worked hard. What are your thoughts on them as a whole?
I have the enforcer 88 and the declivity 82 ti. Both are great on firm snow. Not chatters at all. The enforcer is better in crud and firm chunky stuff. The declivity floats better believe it or not.the declivity 92 to is also excellent on a few demo days. I couldn't get it so I ended up with the 82ti
Great review
Hey there, I'm a 5'6.5 (169) cm 160 lb high intermediate / advanced skier that skis 60-40 Groomers - Trees/Bumps. I also enjoy carving (Though not super aggressively). Am kind of in between sizes and unsure whether to ski the 168 or 174 cm size. Which would you recommend due to the rocker in this ski? Thanks!
We're the Armada Declivity 92's considered?
Yeah so I skied the Declivity in a 102ti which pushed it more into the Freeride realm. It has that classic Armarda poppy and playful feel. So I imagine this is past down to the 92. What style of skiing do you prefer?
I would recommend trying the 92's. I think you would agree that a Rustler 9 that had 106 underfoot would ski much differently. I like fast on-piste or leisurely cruising around with the occasional dip into the trees and off-piste looking for some untouched pow, but always want something that can confidently hold up in any condition besides the deep deep stuff. I'd use different skis for that, probably some qst 106's@@skng
So I was just about to buy the Volke Mantra M6's....but they're not even on your list, which has given me pause. Is it just a case of too many good skis out there to review, or are they not up to snuff with these others?
Hi David, this was just a matter of the ski not being available at the time of testing. HOWEVER, I just recently skied the new Volkl M7 and absolutely loved that ski. They have finally softened the ski slightly and made it far more enjoyable and 'fun' to ski off piste. Yet it still retains its powerful grip on piste. Review coming out shortly and I think it'll be a very popular ski for 24/25 season.
Have you skied the Mantra before?
Seems that you have never heard of Atomic skis. The Maverick line is awesome. Maybe do a separate review sometime soon. Thanks!
Hey @TheGweedMan. Yeah unfortunately time was limited and so were the number of skis on test. But I skied the Mavericks last week. Whilst they are a good all mountain ski they just don’t have the finesse and lively, playful feel of the competition. I’d put them somewhere in the middle of the road. I like them but not massively.
The Bents as a Freeride ski however are good fun ski. I do like Atomic’s when they get it right. 😉
Just about to buy the Nordica's based on this review, thank you! What length did you go for vs your height please? I'm 5'8 so the 179's might be a tad too long - would appreciate a reference! Thanks!
Excellent. Always tough to suggest the right size without knowing size, age, weight, skiing style, eye colour… But as a ball-park suggestion: because these are a strong ski I think the 173 will suit better if you want a true all mountain experience. But if you’re style is more hard charging, straight-lining savagery OR or you’re carrying a fair bit of extra ‘timber’ then the 179 will be a lot of ski to play with.
What are your thoughts/feelings so far?
@@skng I don’t carry much timber! 75kg but an aggressive skier, frequently told off by the guide on my most recent trip. I think the 173 is the best option, currently on the QST 106 181cm but these are quite an agile ski. Love them mind, just after something more well rounded!
Thanks for the quick response much appreciated
I have a pair of nordica enforcer 94, and being on the east coast (canadian) off piste travks here are tight trees and tight technical terrain or bumps... I find those enforcers too tiring to ski them off piste or bumps 70% of a day... I found myself to prefer my racing skis if their aint too much fresh snow. Wich kills the purpose of having an all mountain ski... would you say the head kore is reliable enough to send cliffs and drops ? The weight has got me worried a bit, but on paper they would be perfect, hard charging yet less fatiguing since they are light.
For me, totally. The Head Kore is less demanding and more forgiving than the Enforcer. HOWEVER there is a NEW enforcer out which I am skiing tomorrow. So hold ya horses and let me get back to you.
@@skng thanks for the answer, I'ma be super patient, already busted my ski budget this year 😅 tore my boots 😅 so obviouly had to spit 800 bucks on brand new Lange shadow 130, really makes me notice how old and soft my boots had become 😂
Head Kore and Atomic Maverics for light package but still can charge.
What a pain@@Glowtrey. I once had a boot split in two and take off down the mountain into the trees with the ski attached. I was left with a nice plastic anklet and cold toes. 🤣🤣🤣
Good shout @mathiashammar1 . Kore for more off-piste and Mavericks for more piste?
GREAT
could you please share a video how you keep that selfie stick set in your waist and back? it’s amazing it’s not moving
looks like an insta 360 on selfie stick attached to the backpack
What if i’m advanced skier who rides on powder ,park and on normal stokes
There are loads of great options, I might have to do a whole series on these. Do you want twin-tips? Where do you spend the ‘majority’ of your time? Park/pipe/piste/powder?
What is your ski jacket please!?
Hi ya. This is a Swedish brand called Wear Colour. It’s a great coat that you can wear on and off the hill. What do you ski in?
How do you feel about the volkl m6 skis
@@charliestovall5406 Well. It’s a tough one for me. I’ve never found the Mantra a very ‘fun’ ski. I find it takes itself a little too seriously and needs to lighten up a little. So if this suits your style of skiing then great.
However I have the new M7 review coming out shortly. Would you like to hear the spoiler?
Yes I would. I am in the market for an all around ski rn from last season. While they are still cheap!
@@skng I have been looking at the Fischer ranger 96. I want to try to stay under $500
@@charliestovall5406 All-mountain is a tough category and it really comes down to your size, skiing style and preference. Mantra and Enforcers are strong skis that dig in hard and need to be worked. Conversely, Line skis for example are way more playful, poppy and fun and suit that style of skiing. The Ranger 96 is definitely more ‘accessible’ than the mantra and easier to ski making them quite popular. I skied the 102 and as a more Freeride biased ski they were fun.
So what’s your size and style like?
@@skng I’m 5’8 160 normally ride like 170 length. Defiantly looking for something more fun than hard
Question as a 6.11 tall guy weighing 245-250 fit advanced skier. What would you recommend, debating between enforcer or Völkl m6
Hey @zamonster2. Yeah you need a good strong performing ski. The enforcer will definitely be a good fit and they have a new version due out for 2025 which I'm hoping to ski shortly. Stand by for the review... However I just skied the new @voelklskis Mantra M7 and absolutely loved it. Its floaty off piste without being weak or flappy and it tears up the piste better than some piste skis.
In the past I've thought that the Mantra was a little 'too much' ski for the all-mountain category and a bit too stiff and not as playful as others. However the M7 has changed all that and it's now a bit softer in the shovel making powder and turn initiation easier, strong under foot for 'grip' on piste and poppy in the tail for off-piste Ollies and a little kick out of the turn. My kind of skiing. However I'm super excited to try the new Nordica Enforcer to see what they've done there.
For you, if you're buying this season you won't go wrong with either of these skis as they are probably the 'strongest' skis in this category.
What do you think to their graphics? Are you favouring either ski at the moment?
@@skng thanks for the reply, that’s what I thought am fitt and sort of heavy so a stronger ski is needed
Yeah it's like you have a cheat code to unlock the potential of these skis @@Patricktotall Are you looking to get some this season?
@@skng correct, late but going for 2-3 weeks so was like I need to buy ski’s never bought ski always rented them.
thanks for the very educational and informative review. you are a strong skier, no doubt about it. but for average skier like myself, carve mostly on piste and occasionally ventured off-piste and tree-runs for some extra fun, which one would you recommend? I tried the Enforcer once, and found it is hard to control and my legs got tired quickly.
If you're in a position to do it - like on a week-long trip somewhere - try demoing different skis until you find a model that feels good, and get that. It will cost some money, but it's the best way to choose a ski that works for you. Go to a good ski shop at the base of the mountain; they'll let you swap out different skis each day or even every few runs if you want. And if you end up buying from that shop, they'll usually credit some of the demo expense against the purchase price.
Yeah this is a great shout. Our local ski shop used to do this and it's a great way to find 'Your Ski'. The other option is to get along to a Consumer Ski Test where you can ski loads of different brands and models. It's a big investment so you might as well be sure.
Legit question, where is that coffee mug from??
Ha haa, I wondered who might notice that. I found it in a charity/thrift shop. Do you want one?
@@skng haha I'd love to grab one!
@@Jason-vv4if I’ll have a word to my potter 😉
Hi, great video! I’m about 6’8 260lbs looking to get better at what to look for in a ski at my height and weight. Do you any advice or pointers for what length and stiffness to go for in a ski? I currently only use rentals between 177-182 as that is where they usually max out.
Length is easy, you need the longest offered. Go watch Skiessentials comparison videos to get a better idea of what kind of ski is most appropriate for the conditions you ski and your ability level.
Take the ten-eighties back out for a spin !😀
YES!!! we’ll try and get them on the snow this winter. Hope I don’t snap them. Maybe I’ll put them on the feet of a park pro instead. 🤔Loving your icon pic, is that Mike Douglas, JF Cusson or you?
@@skng it's JP - canadian air force - 1080's - i like the pic - i have some myself, same model as yours, they are what got me off a snowboard, though I don't think i have taken mine out since maybe 2 decades ago. Can't imagine how soft and bendy and thin they would feel now 🤣
I've read really good things about the Black Crows Serpo, have you tried them??? I'm considering a blind buy, or the Kore 93.
What style of skiing are you into? Hard charging or more playful & poppy? More piste or off-piste?
What about the 1000 skis?
Dear @1000skis please send me some test skis so I can help these folks out.
All the Best,
Noddy.
(I’ll send this off Monday morning for ya and let ya know how I get on)
What about 1000skis all-mountain? :)
What is "piste"?
He means slopes. Pist means the paved resort slope
@oakcakaya Okay, thanks.
Didn't used to hear this word. It's French I think. Why all the sudden the use of it?
Atomic Bent cheters 100 🎉
Yeah it’s a good ski that. I’d probably sneak it into the Freeride category at 100+ though. Do you own Bents? What’s your favourite characteristic of them?
@skng Verstality. I just came back from Lake louise, the first day I was carving on groomed tracks, and the next day, we got 30 cm of snow! Powder! Chetlers Skis were unbelievably good on black runs in deep snow. I don't knownhow Atomic was able to combine different things in one type of skis... and the are twin tips, yup, you also can go in switch from top to bottom so people will stare on you, lol
@@jask320 It’s mad how good all-mountain skis have become, sometimes it’s like reviewing two skis at once. The Bents are great skis especially, as you say, in the off-piste.
How’s the snow in Banff at the mo? Sounds like you got a bit of pow stash?
The Blizzard Rustler 9 are more Freeride skis than All Mountain.
Not sure it's doing too great on the pistes
Yeah nah, the blizzard rustler 9 is 96mm under foot which for me puts it right on the boarder of all-mountain skis. Personally I would not be comfortable pushing this ski beyond the ‘in resort’ terrain. It’s a good, accessible all mountain ski that is balanced towards the side country but for me, not strong enough to consistently hit up the Freeride domain.
If you like this ski then I would look at the Blizzard rustler 10 or 11 as a Freeride option
But that’s just my thoughts? What would you prefer to have on your feet when it gets deeper or choppy?
Thanks for your reply ! @@skng
To be honest I'm not so expert on the freeride terrain, I'm not having the most fun on the piste neither so I try to go on the pow as much as I can without trying to go down the mountain from the peak. So the rustler 9 could be a good option for me. I tried 112 skis once and had to go through quite a huge icy spot. It was a nightmare haha I would say I'm more a 60/40 offpiste type of guy, as I'm not expert enough to go big mountain
@@AnthonyMalesys that’s a great self appraisal and perfect starting point. I think your right the rustler 9 could be a great ski for you or the Scott Pure Free if your want something just a little stronger.
The best skis for 2024 in whistler are the one's built for riding 🪨 rocks we have no snow 😂😂😂
Ah Yes. "Firm packed grey powder off-piste". May I recommend a 2004 Volkl Gotama. An excellent vintage for 'firmer' terrain with strong sidewalls (I once skied them down a concrete dam) and being a 2004 they can be gathered for around $50 on eBay so the 'care factor' is almost reduced to zero... Or maybe a late model Enduro mountain bike?
Gutted to hear that for ya though. Hopefully February will bring a change of season and you'll be shredding long into April. Is there anything in the forecast?
No Stockli’s?
Unfortunately not on this test. It’s been a while since I skied Stockli’s too so I’d love to know where they’re at. Are you skiing them?
Any thoughts on Atomic Bent 90 in this category?
For me the Atomic Bent is better suited in the Freeride domain. It just doesn’t have the piste performance of others in this category. If you’re after an all mountain Atomic, then check out the Maverick range it has a much stronger all around performance. Or get a Bent if you like that softer all-mountain feel.
All Nordica.
Have you tried the Spitfire piste ski too?
@@skng I'd like to try the Spitfire in 80, have you tried them?
As a [ current ] mature beginner on 0 - 1 skill level, none of them would be suitable for my first investment.
Probably not. BUT I’m about to take out an Atomic Q5 just for you. The X5 is not here but Atomic have recommended the Q5 ski as another great option.
I skied the Atomic Q5 for you and skied it though the beginner progression of turns and it felt stable, compliant and easy to turn. BUT I decided to continue the progression and ended up cranking it through some advanced carved turns down the bottom of the hill. So I imagine this ski would last you a good long while. Hows the injury?
Best beginner ski ?
Such a tough call. Most brands have a good offering for beginners. But I did ski the Atomic Redster Q5 and skied it through the whole beginner/intermediate progression. It was lovely and smooth and easy to turn which is to be expected for a good beginner ski. BUT what was surprising was when I decided to carve a little, gradually push into it and then really crank it over. It fully held up and was a fun ski. So something like this is a perfect ski to grow with and improve on.
Have you tried/rented any skis you like yet?
Enforcers are the most over rated ski out there …
Yeah I don’t think they’re for everyone. What’s your preferred ‘do it all’ ski?
They are not - too heavy and sluggish I’m a J ski guy
I like the escalators for a do it all - clearly not as stable at speed But how fast do you really have to go ???🤣
@@KA-ne2et Yeah JLev is an absolute legend and makes some incredibly fun skis. I used to be sponsored by Line back in the day and lived on the Motherships. So I get ya. Lightweight, bouncy and playful.
It’s a pity we didn’t have any J Skis to test? Jason? Jason? Send me some skiiiiii’s (I don’t think he’s listening)
I agree i have them and i feel like they are too heavy and stiff
They are a man's ski !
LOL