The Stranger is unique and a lot of fun on groomers. I think there's some good heft here, and it makes for a rewarding carved turn. The funny thing is that I'm capped in the 180 in the Stranger while the QST I'm a lot happier on the 189. The QST is smoother at higher speeds and considerably more capable in deeper snow, but I'd rather link carved turns on the Stranger.
What would your recommendation be between these and the 2024 ARV 94? 5'9" 170lb moderately aggressive advanced skier but enjoys the playful aspects of skiing like jumps, jibs and side hits but who carves hard in-between those. Currently riding 2013 Armada Alpha 1's and looking to get a more capable all mountain ski.
The weight is the big difference here, as the Stranger is a pretty stout ski. It is, nevertheless, quite fun and playful, but you do have to go a bit harder to access that creativity and fun-loving nature. The ARV is more poppy and peppy with good zip and chutzpah. The other interesting thing is the short turn radius of the Stranger which is a lot of fun to access. I'm a bigger and more aggressive skier, so I kind of prefer the Stranger.
In the 180, the line is -10 from center. You'd be splitting the difference between line and center with a +5. With a fairly specific ski like this, I'm not sure that's a good idea. I've spent some time on the Stranger and feel like it's short radius and wide shovel are part of the charm. When you go that far forward of the camber, you're altering the intended use of the ski.
What would you recommend for sizing? Up or down to normal all mountain. I'm 178cm - would the 172 be too little ski because of all the nose rocker? currently skiing faction agent 1, 178cm
I think I'd go up to the 180 is acceptable for a few reasons. The first is that the 172 might just feel too short. Secondly, the ski has a short radius, so it's not that difficult to turn. Third, and you mentioned it, there's quite a bit of rocker and taper here, shortening that effective edge. The only thing on the other side of the argument is the weight. It's on the heavy side at about 2000 grams, but if you can get beyond that, I'd say 180 is the way to go. Very, very fun skis!
@@SkiEssentials thanks. that's super helpful. While I have you here.. the other ski I'm looking at is the Armada ARV 94. They are obviously different skis but do you have a preference? I'm not going to be a park rat (no rails) but would like to get into some small jumps and be able to have fun on side hits. Was thinking either of the options could be fun for skiing with my girlfriend when the pace is a bit slower :) also, would 171 be too short in the ARV (only size left at my local shop in Aus)?
I’m doing a season in the alps this season and is looking into the stranger as I’ve been happy with it before, but now I’m going to do some touring and I can’t quite figure out what ski to buy, any tips?
For Stranger-like bounce and reasonable weight savings, the Blizzard Hustle 10 or the Nordica Enforcer 104 Unlimited strike that nice hybrid balance. For pure touring, the light Line Vision 98 is worth a look.@@eliasgjalby4992
We should do a "Unique Ski Comparison" video--we've often talked about doing a "Straggler" video of skis we don't normally talk about. These three would be top contenders! All very individual and with variable components and applications that make them insanely fun and surprisingly versatile. Mirus Cor is the best carver, Stranger is the most versatile, and the Blade is the most outlandish.
@@SkiEssentials I love to carve but hate my 76mm carving skis so have favoured twin tips the last few years but this new style of ski looks right up my alley… although testing anything like this in Switzerland is highly unlikely as anything over 76mm is considered wide 😂 But can’t wait to see what other brands come up with in this class!
Stranger lives up to its name. It's a weird ski. That said, I really like weird skis and the Stranger is one that I consider getting for myself. It's heavier than the Bent and has a much shorter turn radius. It also tops out at 180, so if you're looking for longer, that's something to consider. I personally love the idea of a wide twin with a short radius and a sturdy feel--that's what the Stranger is. I skied it during an industry demo at Pico here in Vermont and did not want to give it back--so fun in bumps and trees and then lays down sick carves on groomers when you pop out--totally my style of ski. The Bent is great, but lighter, with a longer radius, and not quite as interesting.
Hey guys, love your Videos. I am trying to find my new setup after a knee injury. Before I had the qst106/shift & ferox/atk14 combi. I bought the stranger two weeks ago to get sth different and I love it. Unfortunately a bit heavy for multi day touring (gonna be shift no pin anymore) and a bit to small for powdering. Do you have anything to recommend between 104-112 to recommend which is not to heavy and has a similar feel but does deliver on crud as well. I don’t like the way the edge grips anymore lof the qst, prefer the feeling of the stranger that I can always pull it around. I thought of the enforcer unlimited 104, how does it compare to ferox and stranger
I was thinking the 104 Unlimited prior to reading it here, and that's always a good sign that we align. The Unlimited makes very clean, round, and energetic turns--it's an amazing turner, but it's also one of the more composed skis I've been on in the trees and deeper snow. The Stranger is going to be more sturdy in crud, but not by a whole lot. The Ferox is kind of a weird ski with very dramatic taper and rocker, almost like a DPS. The Unlimited feels more like a real ski to me while the Ferox seems like some type of science project--nothing wrong with it, just very unique.
@@SkiEssentials thanks a lot for your reply! I skied the ferox this week again and reading your comment ‘science project’ made me laugh. Unfortunately my knee hated it. Is there anything else you would recommend beeing a bit more sturdy. I am home in the Austrian alps and our snow conditions change a lot. Weight up to 2kg/Ski would be fine, also I enjoy the short Radius a lot. Thanks for your help
Yes, but in a non-traditional way. It's 100 mm wide with a short radius and a wide shovel. There's a good amount of tail splay as well, so it becomes a bit different than most other skis in this width range out there. That said, I skied it two years ago at an industry demo and did not want to give it back. It was a blast in the bumps and trees, and then carved very clean and cohesive turns on the groomers. If you're in a softer snow zone and ski variable conditions and terrain, the Stranger is an amazing choice for a one and only ski. For those that ski firmer snow most of the time, I might look a bit narrower.
Thanks for the great review. Just wondering, how does this compare to the qst 98? Especially on groomers and harder snow. Thanks.
The Stranger is unique and a lot of fun on groomers. I think there's some good heft here, and it makes for a rewarding carved turn. The funny thing is that I'm capped in the 180 in the Stranger while the QST I'm a lot happier on the 189. The QST is smoother at higher speeds and considerably more capable in deeper snow, but I'd rather link carved turns on the Stranger.
What would your recommendation be between these and the 2024 ARV 94?
5'9" 170lb moderately aggressive advanced skier but enjoys the playful aspects of skiing like jumps, jibs and side hits but who carves hard in-between those.
Currently riding 2013 Armada Alpha 1's and looking to get a more capable all mountain ski.
The weight is the big difference here, as the Stranger is a pretty stout ski. It is, nevertheless, quite fun and playful, but you do have to go a bit harder to access that creativity and fun-loving nature. The ARV is more poppy and peppy with good zip and chutzpah. The other interesting thing is the short turn radius of the Stranger which is a lot of fun to access. I'm a bigger and more aggressive skier, so I kind of prefer the Stranger.
Did you go for the factory recommended mount and would you think going up to +4/5cm from the recommended line would be a good idea?
In the 180, the line is -10 from center. You'd be splitting the difference between line and center with a +5. With a fairly specific ski like this, I'm not sure that's a good idea. I've spent some time on the Stranger and feel like it's short radius and wide shovel are part of the charm. When you go that far forward of the camber, you're altering the intended use of the ski.
What would you recommend for sizing? Up or down to normal all mountain. I'm 178cm - would the 172 be too little ski because of all the nose rocker? currently skiing faction agent 1, 178cm
I think I'd go up to the 180 is acceptable for a few reasons. The first is that the 172 might just feel too short. Secondly, the ski has a short radius, so it's not that difficult to turn. Third, and you mentioned it, there's quite a bit of rocker and taper here, shortening that effective edge. The only thing on the other side of the argument is the weight. It's on the heavy side at about 2000 grams, but if you can get beyond that, I'd say 180 is the way to go. Very, very fun skis!
@@SkiEssentials thanks. that's super helpful. While I have you here.. the other ski I'm looking at is the Armada ARV 94. They are obviously different skis but do you have a preference? I'm not going to be a park rat (no rails) but would like to get into some small jumps and be able to have fun on side hits. Was thinking either of the options could be fun for skiing with my girlfriend when the pace is a bit slower :) also, would 171 be too short in the ARV (only size left at my local shop in Aus)?
I’m doing a season in the alps this season and is looking into the stranger as I’ve been happy with it before, but now I’m going to do some touring and I can’t quite figure out what ski to buy, any tips?
For Stranger-like bounce and reasonable weight savings, the Blizzard Hustle 10 or the Nordica Enforcer 104 Unlimited strike that nice hybrid balance. For pure touring, the light Line Vision 98 is worth a look.@@eliasgjalby4992
Any chance you could do a comparison between this the BC mirus Cor and the Line blade?
We should do a "Unique Ski Comparison" video--we've often talked about doing a "Straggler" video of skis we don't normally talk about. These three would be top contenders! All very individual and with variable components and applications that make them insanely fun and surprisingly versatile. Mirus Cor is the best carver, Stranger is the most versatile, and the Blade is the most outlandish.
@@SkiEssentials I love to carve but hate my 76mm carving skis so have favoured twin tips the last few years but this new style of ski looks right up my alley… although testing anything like this in Switzerland is highly unlikely as anything over 76mm is considered wide 😂
But can’t wait to see what other brands come up with in this class!
i am 183 medium built, advanced aggressive skier do you think the 180 is to short for me?
No. I'm 187cm and loved the 180. it's an interesting and unique ski that doesn't really follow standard protocol when it comes to sizing.
hello I'm look at the stranger vs the bent100, thoughts?
Stranger lives up to its name. It's a weird ski. That said, I really like weird skis and the Stranger is one that I consider getting for myself. It's heavier than the Bent and has a much shorter turn radius. It also tops out at 180, so if you're looking for longer, that's something to consider. I personally love the idea of a wide twin with a short radius and a sturdy feel--that's what the Stranger is. I skied it during an industry demo at Pico here in Vermont and did not want to give it back--so fun in bumps and trees and then lays down sick carves on groomers when you pop out--totally my style of ski. The Bent is great, but lighter, with a longer radius, and not quite as interesting.
Can you still ride switch at the factory mount point?
Yes. However, the shovel on that ski is pretty wide, so it's going to feel very turny going switch no matter where you put the bindings.
Hey guys, love your Videos. I am trying to find my new setup after a knee injury. Before I had the qst106/shift & ferox/atk14 combi.
I bought the stranger two weeks ago to get sth different and I love it.
Unfortunately a bit heavy for multi day touring (gonna be shift no pin anymore) and a bit to small for powdering.
Do you have anything to recommend between 104-112 to recommend which is not to heavy and has a similar feel but does deliver on crud as well.
I don’t like the way the edge grips anymore lof the qst, prefer the feeling of the stranger that I can always pull it around.
I thought of the enforcer unlimited 104, how does it compare to ferox and stranger
I was thinking the 104 Unlimited prior to reading it here, and that's always a good sign that we align. The Unlimited makes very clean, round, and energetic turns--it's an amazing turner, but it's also one of the more composed skis I've been on in the trees and deeper snow. The Stranger is going to be more sturdy in crud, but not by a whole lot. The Ferox is kind of a weird ski with very dramatic taper and rocker, almost like a DPS. The Unlimited feels more like a real ski to me while the Ferox seems like some type of science project--nothing wrong with it, just very unique.
@@SkiEssentials thanks a lot for your reply! I skied the ferox this week again and reading your comment ‘science project’ made me laugh. Unfortunately my knee hated it. Is there anything else you would recommend beeing a bit more sturdy. I am home in the Austrian alps and our snow conditions change a lot. Weight up to 2kg/Ski would be fine, also I enjoy the short Radius a lot. Thanks for your help
Voelkl blaze, BC Atris, Hustle 10, head 105
Would This work as a one ski quiver?
Yes, but in a non-traditional way. It's 100 mm wide with a short radius and a wide shovel. There's a good amount of tail splay as well, so it becomes a bit different than most other skis in this width range out there. That said, I skied it two years ago at an industry demo and did not want to give it back. It was a blast in the bumps and trees, and then carved very clean and cohesive turns on the groomers. If you're in a softer snow zone and ski variable conditions and terrain, the Stranger is an amazing choice for a one and only ski. For those that ski firmer snow most of the time, I might look a bit narrower.
@@SkiEssentials I’m 5’10”, 150 pounds expert skier, 172 cm or 180 cm?
I think 172 has more to offer unless you know you like long skis. They ski pretty long for having such a short radius. @@sorenlines8695
This is my daily driver in the west and I love it.
I live in the PNW, the Stranger is my sons daily driver, he loves it although he's thinking about moving on the the ARV 88