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Big mountain ski that is still somewhat playful?

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snakerton
Posts: 2434 - Karma: 1,977
Title says it. I want something that skis pow well and can ski big mountain and perform in comps and somewhat playful. I know, that contradicting but I want a ski that is somewhere in the middle.
Weight: 140
Height 6'
I'm an aggressive skier
Ive been looking at the opus but Im worried it wont perform in the big mountain category.
Apr 2 2013 10:45PM
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jmasterp
Posts: 1976 - Karma: 233
I would look into the pettitor.
Apr 2 2013 11:45PM
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AndyGreen
Posts: 827 - Karma: 61

ive heard good things about the bibby and the caylor. pm zbphoto, i know he has bibby's, and he likes them. and i know lot of people have caylors on this site.

https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/738920/

a pretty in depth review on the caylor.

Apr 2 2013 11:49PM
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shredsticks
Posts: 108 - Karma: 33
Strangely the Opus or SFB from line might work.

Colter Hinchliffe on Line's team skis them in some of the FWT events he competes in. I know theyre playful, and im pretty sure some FWT action gives some big mtn cred.
Apr 3 2013 1:07AM
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pfoulger
Posts: 156 - Karma: 2,222
faction candide
Apr 3 2013 1:13AM
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zbphoto
Posts: 7789 - Karma: 12,037
Ha, didn't think I spammed the bibby train that much? I'm roughly 5'10, 140, expert skier, ski Whistler and Tremblant when I'm back home. I have my 184's mounted at -3 from true centre with marker barons.

They are basically the shit, they hold up really well in the wet and heavy crud/pow we get in the PNW and shine equally as well in the light/deep. I prefer chutes and bowls to tight trees, love arching giant turns in deep pow. They have a fairly mid/long sidecut, 24.5 in a 184 I think, but they still do well in the trees around whistler, obviously more ski to work around than a JJ or S7, but they are so stable on cliffs and pillow lines. The aspen/pine core is fairly stiff (barons stiffen the ski underfoot) and is so god damn light and poppy. They ski switch and spin really well, obviously mounting slightly forward helps, but I cant see it being that much worse at rec (-5/-6ish), bibby mounts -6 and kills it both directions). Very admirable on groomers, they have a nice long cambered section underfoot, having sharp edges also helps, but they hardly have a speed limit. Seriously a fantastic all around ski for an expert in the PNW. Note that next years Bibby is getting wider (120mm) and slightly longer (about 2cm per size). At your size, you could probably ski the 184 or 190 just fine, if your going to mount farther forward I'd personally go 190, it's the exact same ski (no changes to flex), just like 2mm wider and 6cm longer.

As for Caylors, they are a bigger, beefier (bamboo core, vs aspen/pine that moment uses), and more pow dedicated ski. Definitely a different beast, never skied them, but I hear great things about ON3P. I have a pair of 181 J-Mo's in the mail right now! (/end claim).
Apr 3 2013 3:19AM
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AndyGreen
Posts: 827 - Karma: 61
you didn't ive just been looking at the bibby for my skis for next year.
Apr 3 2013 5:50PM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,589
I would say look into either the bibby or night train from moment. I have night trains and love them, basically they are similar to the bibby explanation above but a little more flexy in the tip and tail, wider underfoot and full reverse camber. Still pretty stiff underfoot though, I have no problem charging on these things and I am around your size. Also look into the royale and 3.zero from faction, sick ass skis as well.
Apr 3 2013 7:11PM
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Keylan
Posts: 158 - Karma: 81
Moment Jag Shark Can butter as well as charge like a mother fucker. Selling some here

Apr 4 2013 6:06PM
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snakerton
Posts: 2434 - Karma: 1,977
thanks to everyone! bump
Apr 6 2013 7:29PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
I don't normally recommend Salomon, but I bet the Rocker 2 115 would be a great choice for you. I haven't skied this model of the Rocker2, so take this part of my response with a grain of salt, but I have read a ton of reviews on it. Its got a flat tail for more purchase on variable terrain and a directional flex profile for charging, while still having most of the playfulness specific to the Rocker 2 line. Those honeycomb tips and tails are going to provide a low swing weight without affecting the skis charging ability. It's what Cody Townsend uses, and he likes big stiff skis, but if you read reviews on the rocker2 115 its one of the most playful skis in its category.

For some skies I, and many other NSers, have some experience on, The Moment Governor as well as the Bibby Pro are both very stable skis, that also have a great blend of playfulness as well. They're pretty damp and super stable, however they still somehow have the traits of being super fun. It's pretty hard to find a combo like that. I also like the Surface New Life, it is very versatile ski. It has an amazingly playful rocker profile, but is super stiff and handle anything you can throw at it.

Also the Nordica Patron, more towards the playful side of things, with tail rocker and a medium flex, but definitely can still hold its own as a charger...Especially in the 193 length. I have a pair of 193 Patrons in mint condition (3 days of use, no damage whatsoever) with only one mount. I would sell them for 300$ flat.

There are many options playful charger in the 110-120 waist-width category. Usually playful and charger are contradicting attributes and hard to find, but when you have that much surface area (AKA a larger platform to stand on) , with a medium progressive flex, it's not too hard to make a ski that is playful while still stable. Obviously on this side of the range, the more playful Big mountain skis will have less stability than some of the damper skis of this category)...Some do break that "GOLDEN RULE", if you will. Of what I've skied The Bibby Pro/Governor and Surface New Life really stand out, and will do what you ask.

I could go on and on here... Sorry for the essay.
Apr 6 2013 10:24PM
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,296
I'm looking for a similar ski, something midfat that is still playful. I demo'd a few different skis this season with those specs and the ski that stood out the most was definitely the Rocker 2. Everyone I've talked to that has ridden the Rocker 2 loves it. I've ridden both the 122 and the 108 and loved them both. Amazingly playful, yet still very predictable/ dependable on and off piste. One of my favorite things is how symmetrical the ski is for being an all mountain/pow ski, if you look at the profiles of both you'll see what I mean:


The 108 version just has a bit more camber. I'm hoping to pick up some 108's once they go on a better sale. 20% off is the best I can find right now and I make a habit of never paying more than 60% MSRP for new skis.
Apr 6 2013 10:53PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
The 122 and 108 are not for "Big Mountain" skiing. There very very soft, and much more playful than stable. I can see them getting squirrely in chop and crud, nvm when your trying to blast through it at 50 MPH.. http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/2012-2013-salomon-rocker-2-108

Apr 6 2013 11:11PM
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,296
OP said he was looking for a playful ski, so I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. I haven't ridden the rocker 115 so I can't comment on it, all I can say is that I've heard nothing but glowing reviews on every one of the rocker 2 skis. I don't have trouble charging softer skis, but maybe I'm not charging hard enough for it to be an issue.
Apr 7 2013 12:18AM
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zbphoto
Posts: 7789 - Karma: 12,037
Don't take this the wrong way but you also a girl, which does make a difference, there is a reason girls skis are softer and pro girls who actually charge ride guys skis.
Apr 7 2013 12:51AM
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pow314
Posts: 424 - Karma: 111
I've skied the opus for a while and hated it. It wasn't stable whatsoever, and I felt like I couldn't stomp anything. If you grew up skiing park type skis they can definitely be a lot of fun though, just not my style of ski. I now ski a renegade, and it's by far my favorite ski ever. Ridiculously stable, but I can still create any turn shape I want. It has pretty amazing quality of bouncing in and out of every turn like I never have before. Pretty cool.
Apr 7 2013 1:30AM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
I was going to say the same thing. No offense, its just MOST girls are lighter and put less energy into the ski. Some girls rip, and ya, they ski dude skis.

OP wanted a "Big Mountain" ski that was still somewhat playful.
Apr 7 2013 1:08PM
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snakerton
Posts: 2434 - Karma: 1,977
Went with the Bibbys! Thanks everyone. +k given
Apr 8 2013 12:07PM
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zbphoto
Posts: 7789 - Karma: 12,037
Fuck yeah!
Apr 8 2013 3:42PM
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TheSkiMonster
Posts: 155 - Karma: 327
2014 K2 Shredditor 112 (Been skiing on it for the last 2 months really sick)

Apr 8 2013 7:42PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
i hoped you got them at bentgate for 429$, or better yet called up moment factory and had them match that price on a pair of level 1 collab Bibbys. That would be sick. Screw that anime topsheet, get the Level 1 graphic.
Apr 9 2013 9:20AM
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Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10887 - Karma: 2,165
Volkl Mantra
K2 Shreditor 102 or 112
Line Influence
Apr 9 2013 11:41AM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,564
Oh if we're talking proper big mountain skis that still feel playful add Wrens to that list, the rocker and low camber makes them feel surprisingly playful when you want them to be
Apr 9 2013 12:07PM
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JahFeels
Posts: 779 - Karma: 587
I also want to see how the new line sick days perform.
Apr 9 2013 12:33PM
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TheSkiMonster
Posts: 155 - Karma: 327
They are F#$king awesome!
Apr 9 2013 12:41PM
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snakerton
Posts: 2434 - Karma: 1,977
Went with bentgate. Almost went with backcountry.com but thought I'd do a last minute search and found bentgate
Apr 9 2013 12:50PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
Good for you bud. Seriously, Im glad I know somebody is buying a pair, so I dont have to. Im going to regret never owning a Bibby of this generation, But I just have way to many fat skis to buy another pair without looking completely insane.

If I could sell me Nordica PAtrons ($30, 3 days of use for anyone who cares) and Moment Belafonte (brand new unmounted dont wanna sell, 300$, but would rather have a pair of Bibbys) along with my Surface New Lifes (300$ with bindings, 1 DAY of use), I would definately grab a pair. Hopefully they'll still be around in a few weeks, If not ill have to buy a used pair next year. FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF BOMBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB CITYYY I want a pair.
Apr 9 2013 2:13PM
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zbphoto
Posts: 7789 - Karma: 12,037
This gen bibby has amazing specs and the graphic is just gorgeous, if I could afford to I'd buy a a second pair and hang em on my wall!!!
Apr 9 2013 3:38PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,564
I feel this way about a lot of skis
Apr 9 2013 4:04PM
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zbphoto
Posts: 7789 - Karma: 12,037
I wonder if bibby has all his skis wall mounted in succession for the story line......
Apr 9 2013 4:22PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
I dont think he is that kind of person haha.
Apr 9 2013 4:35PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,564
I dunno maybe, I mean it's not like Bibby/Moment ever made a big deal out of having story line graphics. So maybe he just drew up some story line graphics to amuse himself.
Apr 9 2013 4:46PM
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zbphoto
Posts: 7789 - Karma: 12,037
Yeah, I realized that after I posted the question.
Apr 9 2013 5:56PM
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