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March, 2024

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Moving to College! Need new skis

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Kierkegaard
Posts: 2 - Karma: 12
Hey guys! New here so let me know if I need to add any information

So I'm a senior in high school (18) and moving off to college next year. I'll be going to UW so the Pacific North West area, but my home mountain is Mammoth and when I can get there, Squaw. I'm 18, 5'10", 185lbs. I'm a Type III skier, and I'm looking for a ski that will be able to take a beating all around the mountain, either when I'm charging down groomers, hitting jumps in the park, searching for face shots on pow days, or jumping small cliffs and doing free ride type things. My budget is around $1200 with bindings

I've been spending the week at Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows and so far I've demoed:

Volk Kendos 177cm: too stiff for my taste
Blizzard Brahma and Bonafide 180cm: Switched the Kendos for the Brahama's, loved them but I really wanted something a little more playful (and less directional)
Atomic Vantage 90 CTI 176cm: Pretty light, playful, but just didn't strike a chord with me
Armada Invictus 95ti 167cm: Yeah, demoed them a little short, but they feel like lighter Bonafides. Very predictable, to the point where they're almost lifeless and boring
Line Sir Francis Bacon 178cm: Super stoked about these, I haven't swapped these out because I'm having so much fun! Great on groomers, good in the park (still have to get used to their width underfoot, I'm coming from 2014 Atomic Punx which are 84 underfoot). So far I love these!

I need your guys' opinions on my new choice of skis for next season, as I've narrowed it down to these possible choices:

Line Sir Francis Bacon
ON3P Kartel 106 (wood veneer if that makes a difference)
Faction Candide 3.0
Moment Underworld
4FRNT Kye 110

Thanks in advance!
Mar 28 2016 12:05AM
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gapersarefriends
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 4,269
i would consider a wider ski similar to jeffrey 114/armada jj if you're bringing your punx
Mar 28 2016 12:21AM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
Honestly you're gonna want a 2 ski quiver. Keep your punx and get something fatter too, around 115 or so underfoot. Given how heavy and deep the nw snowpack is, it will be hard to find a ski that can rip groomers and park (aka narrow unless you want to do that on a fat ski) and still hold its own in the deep stuff
Mar 28 2016 8:24AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
If im riding one ski at squaw its going to be a ~110 all mountain ski. That being said...you really need 2 skis. Get a decent all mtn / park ski and than some pow skis
Mar 28 2016 10:27AM
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Kierkegaard
Posts: 2 - Karma: 12
Thanks for the replies. I haven't really thought about keeping the Punx, I was thinking about getting something along the lines of the SFB's as my daily driver then buy a dedicated pow ski, as I tend not to do as much park anymore (80% off-piste/20% park). I do like the idea of just getting a wider ski though.

After researching a bit, I've come across the ON3P Jeffrey 112 as suggested, the Moment Deathwish, and 4FRNT Hoji and Kye 110. As a student in Seattle, I'm really hoping to get to Crystal Mountain and maybe even Whistler as often as possible. After skiing today (3" of fresh snow and more coming!) I've realized I'm more focused on off-piste skiing then park.

I'm thinking I keep the Punx, buy something like the SFB, then buy something around ~120mm width wise.

Sidenote: For some odd reason the Line Magnum Opus has really taken my interest. I normally ski around the 180cm area, is 188 too much for me and is it too specific of a ski?
Mar 28 2016 8:33PM
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whiteboi
Posts: 477 - Karma: 1,228
The SFB sounds like a solid choice. I'd also check out the Line Mordecai (114mm) or the K2 Shreditor 112, both are really solid everything skis.
Mar 28 2016 11:14PM
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
If you liked the SFB, just get that. No need to over complicate things. People often spend so much time worrying about tiny details that they forget that skiing is just about having fun. If you have fun on a ski, then it's a good ski. Don't over think it.
Mar 28 2016 11:44PM
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Aharrelson358
Posts: 356 - Karma: 478
I'm definitely a bit heavier and taller than you and currently have a pair of Pipe Cleaners and a pair of Sir Francis Bacons. Definitely would suggest at least a 2 ski quiver. I definitely wish my Bacons were a little wider if there is more than 5" of fresh. Next year ON3P is doing a Kartel 116 and that very well could be a perfect ski to add to your Punx. Crusty days you can ride your Punx and anything other than totally groomed and hardpack ride the Kartel 116
Mar 29 2016 12:42PM
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oxiclean
Posts: 615 - Karma: 680
Get green ones.
Mar 29 2016 1:37PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6792 - Karma: 23,524
sagerobGet green ones.


Or yellow. Can't go wrong buying lightning yellow and green for your entire kit on hill and off.
Mar 29 2016 3:42PM
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NvR_Forgetti
Posts: 74 - Karma: 192
The Line Mordecai might be one you could look at with 114 underfoot its an awesome ski
Mar 29 2016 4:29PM
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