Used one of your links... great deal from Utah Skis!!! Used coupon code mentioned to save another $50, free shipping, and no tax. $475 out the door, skis and bindings! I could justify a pair of powder skis for that kind of price
Elliot please forgive me for I have sinned, I missed or forgot how you're affiliated w/evo, I just made a ski purchase there. I bought the Atomic Mav 86 C 184s, $461 w/tax. Think I saw those Mav 88 & Kendo 88 deals but way too short for me. While not my 1st choice I think it's what I'm looking for, a carving-training ski that I can use especially on hardpack and/or icy mogul days, or dust on crust to 2'-4' days. I want to expand my skiing window! It's a ski that really likes to be turned, no straight lining. It's got the horizon tech too can't wait to provide feedback to the community!
I am interested to hear your feedback on how a ski with no metal performs on the hardpack. Hopefully you won't regret not waiting for a good deal on your size to pop up online for the Kendo 88. Right now online... Lone Pine Gear Exchange has a demo 2024 Kendo 88 with Marker Griffon ID 13 demo bindings in the 184 cm length for $479. They have good pics of the actual skis on their website, and the skis are in great shape. Utah Skis only has the Kendo in the 163 cm length (great price at $449) and Elliot does have affiliate codes for Utah Skis.
Elliott, Great stuff! Looks like I bought my QST 98's too early. Although I got them for under $400, I had to add bindings and mounting which will put me at about $570. Anyway, SkiEssentials has the 2024 Stockli Montero AR in 180 for $899.94 right now or $1099.94 with Marker Griffon 13 ID bindings and free mounting.
That same Stockli ski was $749 a few months ago at Ski Essentials. I almost bought it, but I promised myself I would not ever buy a ski again with first demoing it.
My killer deal was a pair of ‘24 Volkl Mantra 102s at the 177 length for $480. Then found a pair of Marker Jester binding in the same colorway for $220! Add to that the $100 for mounting at my local shop. Only issue is from what I’ve heard is that the Mantra 102 is better skied short. I’m 5’8” and 175 lbs. I ski the Kendo 88s and Mantra M6 at 170 and they feel fantastic …so thought the 177s would be the right length. Thoughts? Guess I’ll find out in January 😊 I have to fly to ski so frequent demos are mostly not possible and I have to rely on recommendations like yours and buy blind. Only once have I bought a pair of skis like that and regretted it. The cost of living far from good snow.
im a short skinny guy (5'4" 140 lbs), who learned to ski last season after being a lifelong snowboarder. I have a hell of a time finding skis in my size! ended up with an older used pair of womens skis that I love at 156 length (Head Sweet Fat Thang). Shortest ski in your video is shown at 163. There just is not a market for *used* skis in my size, especially wide powder skis. I picked up skiing quick and enjoy the most difficult runs, what would be the length where I should be worried about TOO long of skis? Great channel and hoping for a bomb season!
I would suggest sizing up in length for a dedicated pow ski. Get around a 175cm length for those deeper days (12"+). I was a lifelong snowboarder until 2019 when I switched to skiing. The one downside to skiing (other than the boots) when compared to snowboarding is deeper powder. Snowboarding is effortless in powder compared to skiing. I would suggest you demo a bigger pow ski for your body size. I think you will appreciate the extra flotation. This is may be bad advice if you only ski on the east coast, but if you are out west, I think you will benefit from a longer ski. I love my Armada ARV 116 JJs (discontinued for 2025 but they now make a 112). However, I was worried like you about the length so I got a 185 cm. I wish I had gotten the 192 cm length. I am 6' and 190 lbs. For you, I would suggest the Armada ARV 116 JJ UL in the 175 cm length. The UL stands for ultralight. They do make it in a 165 cm length, but take the extra flotation with the 175 cm. The ski is playful and easy to turn the trees with the huge double rocker profile and decent camber. And the ligher weight may be easier for you deal with due to your smaller body size. But this ski is not a powerful crud cutter since it is very light weight with no metal. It more floats a little above the crud like it has air suspension. You can also look at the Bent Chetler 120 in the 176 cm length. That is also light weight. They did redesign it for 2025. The reviewers and Chris BenChetler himself have noted that the new 2025 is a little stiffer. My advice is that if you are going to get a dedicated pow ski, get a dedicated pow ski. This is especially true if you daily drive a wider ski around 100mm width which can handle those 6-11" pow days just fine.
@@TheFreddy3344 You are very welcome. Elliot may have some better advice for you, but I think what I offered is a good starting point. I would strongly suggest that you join this channel so that you can get the best advice directly from Elliot. With that said... Demo Demo Demo before you buy so you can figure out what will work for what you want to do. The knowledge you will gain will be material and pertinent for the rest of your ski days. It is well worth the $80-$100 price so that you can try out 2-3 different skis in different lengths (demo at the base of the mountain so you can switch out skis easily). Demo one that I recommended and then demo one that has metal in it (a hard charging pow ski that is less playful but may handle the crud better). Figure out what works best for your skiing style since it is unlikely your style will change.
In a lot of brands/models the womens ski is exactly the same as the mens just in different sizes with a different top sheet, so nothing wrong with the womens model as long as you’re okay with how it looks. Fischer Ranger has both graphics for the entire size range instead of separating it into mens/womens sizes; other skis may do the same. Too long is when the ski is too strong for you to bend it or too unwieldy for you to rotate. Lots of people ski skis that are taller than they are, especially for skis with a lot of rocker.
Thanks for sharing...looking for a demo ski / binding that is around 100 underfoot for all around ski for Mammoth/June/Tahoe conditions light / heavy powder, groomers & soft wet snow? I have a pair of the QST 106 for more powder days / deeper snow.
Rustler 10 would be good although it may struggle a bit in spring skiing. Honestly like an M6 Mantra or a stockli storm rider 95, or nordica enforcer 99 would be perfect, but idk about demo skis for those.
Nordica enforcer 99 I think is the call over black crows justis, bent chetler - 100 or QST 98 which I like just don’t need the same ski in different widths. Thank you !
Genuine question that might be video worthy... do you recommend going longer in length the wider the ski gets? e.g. 176 if 88, 180 if 96, 185 if 102, 188 if 110 ... and if yes, is it because the wider skis suggests more powder where you want more float? For skiing resorts, what say you?
Elliot may have better advice on this subject than me, but my two cents... It really depends on your specific preference and what you value. Regarding a daily driver (not a dedicated pow ski), my preference is to size down in length. I am 6' and 190 lbs. Most ski experts would suggest a 180-185 cm length. However, I ski a 174 cm Nordica Unleashed 108. I only carve groomers around 35-40 mph, so the length is stable for me since the ski has one sheet of metal and is wide. The ski is also nimble and fun in the trees and while making jump turns on steep tight terrain. I tried the Unleashed 98 in the 174 cm and 180 cm lengths, but I found it either unstable for me (174) or clumsy where the tips would catch a little off piste (180). So for my particular skiing mechanics and what I value, a shorter but wider ski is a perfect fit. But this only worked for me becuase I found the Unleashed 108. This did not work with Blaze 106 or the Ranger 108 or 102. As for a dedicated pow ski, I always suggest you get the longest ski you can handle. It is all about flotation and keeping those tips out of the snow as much as possible.
I was chatting with this ski shop owner from NJ and he had nothing but bad things to say about EVO, he claimed they get the lesser quality skis from the manufacturers and pay less in order to be able to discount it more. I'm unsure of the validity of his claims but I have broke multiple pairs of LINE skis that I bought from EVO, so do with that info as you will.
Did the NJ ski shop owner provide any reliable proof for his claims about Evo? Ski Essentials often has better deals than Evo, and I have never heard this negative news about them. I think these big online retailers make huge purchase orders which allows them to get the skis at better price points. It is more probable than not that you breaking multiple pairs of Line skis directly relates to the quality of Line skis and/or how you use your Line skis.
@@igetu2c nahh he hit me with that trust me bro 😂 I think my LINE visions broke cause I'm hard on my equipment, I'm on dynastar m-free 99s now that have been doing me good for over a season, can take a beating too, think I got those at a christy's in UT.
@@nesloerik I have never skied Dynastar skis, but I have heard good things. I take them out for a few laps when I am at JH in FEB. They have several brands of skis to demo and easy to switch out at their tent mid-mountain.
Thanks for watching everyone! Hope you find great deals before winter prices kick in!
Used one of your links... great deal from Utah Skis!!! Used coupon code mentioned to save another $50, free shipping, and no tax. $475 out the door, skis and bindings! I could justify a pair of powder skis for that kind of price
Great deal... I love getting great skis at great prices.
Love the recs on goggles - thanks!
Oakley flight trackers are my most comfortable goggles! I got them in the prizm clear for low light days
Elliot please forgive me for I have sinned, I missed or forgot how you're affiliated w/evo, I just made a ski purchase there. I bought the Atomic Mav 86 C 184s, $461 w/tax. Think I saw those Mav 88 & Kendo 88 deals but way too short for me. While not my 1st choice I think it's what I'm looking for, a carving-training ski that I can use especially on hardpack and/or icy mogul days, or dust on crust to 2'-4' days. I want to expand my skiing window! It's a ski that really likes to be turned, no straight lining. It's got the horizon tech too can't wait to provide feedback to the community!
I am interested to hear your feedback on how a ski with no metal performs on the hardpack. Hopefully you won't regret not waiting for a good deal on your size to pop up online for the Kendo 88. Right now online... Lone Pine Gear Exchange has a demo 2024 Kendo 88 with Marker Griffon ID 13 demo bindings in the 184 cm length for $479. They have good pics of the actual skis on their website, and the skis are in great shape. Utah Skis only has the Kendo in the 163 cm length (great price at $449) and Elliot does have affiliate codes for Utah Skis.
@@igetu2c It's got carbon I'll let you know
Elliott, Great stuff! Looks like I bought my QST 98's too early. Although I got them for under $400, I had to add bindings and mounting which will put me at about $570. Anyway, SkiEssentials has the 2024 Stockli Montero AR in 180 for $899.94 right now or $1099.94 with Marker Griffon 13 ID bindings and free mounting.
That same Stockli ski was $749 a few months ago at Ski Essentials. I almost bought it, but I promised myself I would not ever buy a ski again with first demoing it.
Ski Essentials has the 2024 Bent 90's in all sizes for $299.99. that's crazy.
My killer deal was a pair of ‘24 Volkl Mantra 102s at the 177 length for $480. Then found a pair of Marker Jester binding in the same colorway for $220! Add to that the $100 for mounting at my local shop.
Only issue is from what I’ve heard is that the Mantra 102 is better skied short. I’m 5’8” and 175 lbs. I ski the Kendo 88s and Mantra M6 at 170 and they feel fantastic …so thought the 177s would be the right length. Thoughts?
Guess I’ll find out in January 😊
I have to fly to ski so frequent demos are mostly not possible and I have to rely on recommendations like yours and buy blind. Only once have I bought a pair of skis like that and regretted it. The cost of living far from good snow.
im a short skinny guy (5'4" 140 lbs), who learned to ski last season after being a lifelong snowboarder. I have a hell of a time finding skis in my size! ended up with an older used pair of womens skis that I love at 156 length (Head Sweet Fat Thang). Shortest ski in your video is shown at 163. There just is not a market for *used* skis in my size, especially wide powder skis.
I picked up skiing quick and enjoy the most difficult runs, what would be the length where I should be worried about TOO long of skis?
Great channel and hoping for a bomb season!
I would suggest sizing up in length for a dedicated pow ski. Get around a 175cm length for those deeper days (12"+). I was a lifelong snowboarder until 2019 when I switched to skiing. The one downside to skiing (other than the boots) when compared to snowboarding is deeper powder. Snowboarding is effortless in powder compared to skiing. I would suggest you demo a bigger pow ski for your body size. I think you will appreciate the extra flotation. This is may be bad advice if you only ski on the east coast, but if you are out west, I think you will benefit from a longer ski. I love my Armada ARV 116 JJs (discontinued for 2025 but they now make a 112). However, I was worried like you about the length so I got a 185 cm. I wish I had gotten the 192 cm length. I am 6' and 190 lbs. For you, I would suggest the Armada ARV 116 JJ UL in the 175 cm length. The UL stands for ultralight. They do make it in a 165 cm length, but take the extra flotation with the 175 cm. The ski is playful and easy to turn the trees with the huge double rocker profile and decent camber. And the ligher weight may be easier for you deal with due to your smaller body size. But this ski is not a powerful crud cutter since it is very light weight with no metal. It more floats a little above the crud like it has air suspension. You can also look at the Bent Chetler 120 in the 176 cm length. That is also light weight. They did redesign it for 2025. The reviewers and Chris BenChetler himself have noted that the new 2025 is a little stiffer. My advice is that if you are going to get a dedicated pow ski, get a dedicated pow ski. This is especially true if you daily drive a wider ski around 100mm width which can handle those 6-11" pow days just fine.
@@igetu2c thank you love the input and suggestions!
@@TheFreddy3344 You are very welcome. Elliot may have some better advice for you, but I think what I offered is a good starting point. I would strongly suggest that you join this channel so that you can get the best advice directly from Elliot. With that said... Demo Demo Demo before you buy so you can figure out what will work for what you want to do. The knowledge you will gain will be material and pertinent for the rest of your ski days. It is well worth the $80-$100 price so that you can try out 2-3 different skis in different lengths (demo at the base of the mountain so you can switch out skis easily). Demo one that I recommended and then demo one that has metal in it (a hard charging pow ski that is less playful but may handle the crud better). Figure out what works best for your skiing style since it is unlikely your style will change.
In a lot of brands/models the womens ski is exactly the same as the mens just in different sizes with a different top sheet, so nothing wrong with the womens model as long as you’re okay with how it looks. Fischer Ranger has both graphics for the entire size range instead of separating it into mens/womens sizes; other skis may do the same.
Too long is when the ski is too strong for you to bend it or too unwieldy for you to rotate. Lots of people ski skis that are taller than they are, especially for skis with a lot of rocker.
Do you find that a demo binding effects the flex of the ski? Have you ever skied a particular model with and without a demo binding?
You should do a live ! I think most of us can't make a decision lol
Thanks for sharing...looking for a demo ski / binding that is around 100 underfoot for all around ski for Mammoth/June/Tahoe conditions light / heavy powder, groomers & soft wet snow? I have a pair of the QST 106 for more powder days / deeper snow.
Rustler 10 would be good although it may struggle a bit in spring skiing. Honestly like an M6 Mantra or a stockli storm rider 95, or nordica enforcer 99 would be perfect, but idk about demo skis for those.
Nordica enforcer 99 I think is the call over black crows justis, bent chetler - 100 or QST 98 which I like just don’t need the same ski in different widths. Thank you !
Genuine question that might be video worthy... do you recommend going longer in length the wider the ski gets? e.g. 176 if 88, 180 if 96, 185 if 102, 188 if 110 ... and if yes, is it because the wider skis suggests more powder where you want more float? For skiing resorts, what say you?
Elliot may have better advice on this subject than me, but my two cents... It really depends on your specific preference and what you value. Regarding a daily driver (not a dedicated pow ski), my preference is to size down in length. I am 6' and 190 lbs. Most ski experts would suggest a 180-185 cm length. However, I ski a 174 cm Nordica Unleashed 108. I only carve groomers around 35-40 mph, so the length is stable for me since the ski has one sheet of metal and is wide. The ski is also nimble and fun in the trees and while making jump turns on steep tight terrain. I tried the Unleashed 98 in the 174 cm and 180 cm lengths, but I found it either unstable for me (174) or clumsy where the tips would catch a little off piste (180). So for my particular skiing mechanics and what I value, a shorter but wider ski is a perfect fit. But this only worked for me becuase I found the Unleashed 108. This did not work with Blaze 106 or the Ranger 108 or 102. As for a dedicated pow ski, I always suggest you get the longest ski you can handle. It is all about flotation and keeping those tips out of the snow as much as possible.
I was chatting with this ski shop owner from NJ and he had nothing but bad things to say about EVO, he claimed they get the lesser quality skis from the manufacturers and pay less in order to be able to discount it more. I'm unsure of the validity of his claims but I have broke multiple pairs of LINE skis that I bought from EVO, so do with that info as you will.
Did the NJ ski shop owner provide any reliable proof for his claims about Evo? Ski Essentials often has better deals than Evo, and I have never heard this negative news about them. I think these big online retailers make huge purchase orders which allows them to get the skis at better price points. It is more probable than not that you breaking multiple pairs of Line skis directly relates to the quality of Line skis and/or how you use your Line skis.
@@igetu2c nahh he hit me with that trust me bro 😂 I think my LINE visions broke cause I'm hard on my equipment, I'm on dynastar m-free 99s now that have been doing me good for over a season, can take a beating too, think I got those at a christy's in UT.
@@igetu2c and LINE makes disposable skis.
@@nesloerik I have never skied Dynastar skis, but I have heard good things. I take them out for a few laps when I am at JH in FEB. They have several brands of skis to demo and easy to switch out at their tent mid-mountain.
Is that you skiing the Atris?
No that's Zach
He was moving pretty well out there... I was about to compliment you on how young and fresh your legs were looking . 😂😂@@RicketySkiReviews