Ski: Anthony B. New Life - 184cm (151 -122 -151)
Me: 5.11", 170lbs, fairly aggressive all mountain
Technology / turns/float:
Like others my biggest concern was about the big rocker in the tail and symmetrical twin affecting stability at speeds. But these babies held edge beautifully on groomers and hardened pow alike. Sure there was a bit of chattering on the ultra packed out groomers with icy bits (which 120mm ski doesn't) but due to its traditional sidecut and staged rocker (Surface uses a 3-stage proggressive rocker system in their ski design) the first and biggest part of its rocker in the nose actually engages the ski when pushing it hard in sharp carving turns and SGs. The progressive rocker on both ends also means that that the ski actually rides very short for its length, giving it incredible and a ridiculous turn radius for a ski this size (16.5 m on the 184). The next length up is 194cm which I would definitely recommend to anyone a bit over 6 ft.. Flotation wise there wasn't too much to test today other than old, somewhat hardened and heaped up pow during the day. Late afternoon crud and slush were effortlessly dominated. Landed off a few slightly softer kickers and handled those very well.
Jibs/jumps/stance
Riding and landing switch is a breeze with these guys as the front and back are fully symmetrical. Because the ski is super light it LOVES air. it has incredible pop and launches into jumps effortlessly. It's wide platform at the base is actually pretty confidence inspiring, providing loads of width and stability.
Also noticed that in contrast to the Surface LLs and JJs this design lends itself a lot more to a center mounted stance which more than a few members on this forum have recently addressed as an issue.. Unlike the former the NL's do not put you in the backseat at all (maybe because of the symmetrical rocker on both ends), making it unnecessary to constantly having to readjust your stance in relation to steepness, speed and terrain. As a result it is also much more forgiving in landings. For those of you who have or have demoed the S7's - this ski is possibly slightly less heavy charging due to its somewhat higher flex and lower weight. However, what it loses in stiffness it more than makes up for in versatility and playfulness. This ski is A.LOT. OF. FUN.
Finally, due to their monstrous, frankly grotesque appearance these skis are a killer conversation starter everywhere you take 'em. They attract a lot of attention and comments from anyone who beholds......
Critical points:
Only two critical points I would mention at this early stage are: (1) that due to their slightly bigger flex and rocker (in relation to the the NL) they are a bit more jumpy over bumpy/crusty pow instead of slicing through it, particularly at higher speeds. This takes some getting used to if you are used to a somewhat stiffer/heavier ski. However, I found that assuming a slightly lower stance pretty much solves this problem. Obviously, how one navigates terrain (busting through it or sailing over it) comes down to a matter of preference. If you like a big, heavy killer, this ski is not for you. Second point is that the topsheet seems pretty flaky and chips really easily. I was demoing a brand new pair today and without doing anything particularly crazy there were already visible scratches and marks on the ski after only one day.
Can't really comment on their performance in deeper and softer pow yet since IT HASN'T FUCKING SNOWED PROPERLY IN WHISTLER FOR AGES!!!
Bought them in 184cm mounted dead centre with Rossi FKS 140's XXL ready to shred it up tomorrow!!
Will keep u guys posted on how it rides in the deep stuff if ever it starts snowing again.
Highly recommend this skis to anyone looking for a super fun, super playful big mountain pow ski that jibs, jumps, carves, floats, destroys, kills, shits on anything it comes accros.
