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Line EP pro, Armada ARG, JJ, or K2 Hellbent

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Mike619
Posts: 36 - Karma: 13


Im 5'11" 180lbs. I ski every powder day in mammoth. Mostly inbounds, the extent of my backcountry skiing is the sherwin mountains and hole in the wall (no booters or anything). I really enjoy the trees under 22, hitting small drops (10-25 feet), an occasional switch line, the hemlocks, and everything off of chair 9(dragons back/tail). Im more of a soulfull skier than a charger, I dont find myself straight lining and hitting hude cliffs ever, Im more into slash turns and dropping little 180s off rocks and stuff. Im also kinda intrested in trying out some of these fatties in the park, although prolly not the ARG.

what skis do you think I should get?
Nov 8 2008 3:46AM
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ryanwar6
Posts: 1134 - Karma: 114
based solely on what you have said, you have epitomized the EP Pro. If that is truly what you do, it would be stupid not to get that ski.

I rode them for half a season and decided I wanted something a bit more versatile, but if you are looking for a powder tool that isn't for charging, but more for playful slash turns/big 180's etc, the EP Pro was made for you and vice versa.

I have a review in my sig, along with the JP review. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Cheers,
Ryan
Nov 8 2008 3:53AM
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Mike619
Posts: 36 - Karma: 13

Thanks for the input man, nicely written reviews as-well. Because of what you've said I am defiantly leaning to the EP Pros. Thier softness kinda worries me though. I do like soft skis, but Im kinda a heavy guy(compared to other skiers), 185lbs, and Im worried about over powering them, especially since they already lack versatility in chop. If you wouldn't mind, could you tell me how much you weigh? So I have some sort of frame of reference. Do you think I will be too heavy for them?
Nov 8 2008 4:14AM
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Jballz
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 79
for what you described go with the ep pros
Nov 8 2008 12:58PM
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Fish_Sandwich.
Posts: 9108 - Karma: 16
ARG all the way.  Reverse sidecut seems so dope/  I got Donner Party's this year for all my pow days.  EP's are just too soft.
Nov 8 2008 1:17PM
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soup
Posts: 6320 - Karma: 4,261
god damn man you are so fucking wrong.

you did just describe everything that the ep is great at.  slash turns, riding pow, trees, smaller cliffs, everything you enjoy, the ep pro will slay at.  I rode them all last season at whistler and loved every second I was on them.  even took them out on the last days of the season just cause I wanted to ski them they are that much fun.

yes they are a little on the soft side but your height and weight are nearly perfect for these skis and you will have many a days of fun on them. I also have a review of the ep's in my profile you should check it out.

oh and definately hit some rails on them too much fun.
Nov 8 2008 2:07PM
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Fish_Sandwich.
Posts: 9108 - Karma: 16
Ya, I'm wrong for my opinion.
Definitely get the EP's you will love them.  There, now am I on the bandwagon.
Fucking retard.

I just think reverse sidecut would be great in the trees and for slashing turns, smaller cliffs, and everything.  and since you weigh 180 lbs. the EP will be too soft imo.  No, you won't hate them, but I think you should go try a reverse sidecut ski.  I haven't skied mine yet, but after reading the article McConkey wrote about the old spats, reverse sidecut has just seemed epic.
Nov 8 2008 4:26PM
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ryanwar6
Posts: 1134 - Karma: 114
I definitely don't disagree that a reverse sidecut ski would be awesome. And that for many people's purposes, the EPs are too soft, but I think you really have to look at what the kid wants.

Any ski out there that isn't a price point ski, and even most of those for that matter, are great skis. Anything that is wide underfoot is going to be a blast in the pow compared to what used to be available, so it really matters what you want the ski for.

ARGs are an extremely beefy ski, especially underfoot, but even in the tip and tail. They are a great ski for someone who is looking to charge more often than not. Again, they are a great pow ski, but not necessarily what he seems to be looking for.

When he said he is a "soulful skier" who likes slash turns in pow, it is obvious that he is more about having fun in the pow than killing some huge line, or straight lining a chute. I think the reason that everyone is recommending the EP Pro is because it just fits what he is looking for.

Having owned the EP pro for a while, I wholeheartedly understand that it is not for hardly anyone, and I mean that, almost no one fits this ski from what they say they like to do. Once they get it, they may end up becoming that kind of skier, but working at EVO for a year, I sold 1 pair of EP Pros, even though I owned them (quite the opposite of most people in a shop, who only sell the skis they own).

So I don't disagree with you that the ARGs are an amazing ski with an awesome concept, it just doesn't fit what he says he likes to do.

Love,
Ryan
Nov 8 2008 5:00PM
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Jordan.j
Posts: 847 - Karma: 28
how i hate these threads
Nov 8 2008 5:09PM
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chazz.
Posts: 2721 - Karma: 23

please no hate for voicing my opinion, but i think 179 hellbents would be perfect for him, due to his height and weight. im 165 lbs and rode eps a bunch this year, and they are just too soft to do anything besides butters. yes, the type of skiing he described is that which these type of skis cater to, but hellbents will be a bit stiffer and more stable for 180 lbs, and just as playfull as ep's. i think with the ep, the first time you wash out off a "little cliff" that you say you like hitting, you will be wishing you had a stiffer ski. but because of the rocker, and your weight, they will still feel extremly soft and playful.

Nov 8 2008 5:15PM
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Fish_Sandwich.
Posts: 9108 - Karma: 16
Agreed and I gave you some of that karma shit.
If you've ridden then I'm not gonna argue, because I have not ridden EP pro's.  I talked to Caylor and he just said they were too noodly, but he is a bigger guy so that's probably why.
The Donner party would be a better ski for you if you want reverse sidecut, but now, I think the EP's would be aight.
Nov 8 2008 6:07PM
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Thecriscokid
Posts: 141 - Karma: 11
I only read your first intro and from that I'd say EP's I have the EP and the bents and you described my kind of skiing with the exception of the mamoth  part.  The EP's just get up on plan faster because the rocker is a bit less dramatic. The bent's seem to push a little in really deep/ lighter snow. The softness and early taper really seal the deal for me.
I checked out some JJ's today and they look really fun and are really light.
If I didn't already have 2 rockered skis and the seth w/ miny rocker I'd want to get a pair of ARG's for purely BC fun
 
Have fun with 'em
Nov 8 2008 6:28PM
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JordanClarke
Posts: 998 - Karma: 1,922
dont be a dick, hes just asking for advice. I would say with what you said.. ARG/ Bents would slay deep pow, and bomb huge drops. JJ's are super sick probubly for BC booters, and pow (i have a pair and love em) But you should probubly go with the EP Pros, would suit you better for what you shred.
Nov 8 2008 6:45PM
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