Theres no big mountain on the east

The issue with the older Experience 88 skis wasn’t their weight, it was their shape and profile that was more firm snow/carving biased. Their tips designed for quick turn initiation but when things got bumpy or going off piste, they were very “catchy” in the tips and hard to pivot. Your Metals are much heavier but have more taper in the tips and tails along with more rocker and a more forward mount making them easier to pivot in tight spots.

The Pinnacle 88 and Navigator are more piste biased vs the Mindbender 90Ti(Carbon too soft for your weight) or Enforcer 88 which have more taper making them better in the trees and in a bit of snow. The Bushwacker has a good shape like it’s big brother the Brahma that adds metal for more stability. Bushwacker more playful, Brahma more stable.

Invictus a bit light and stiff tailed for your needs I think and the park skis mentioned will not be as good off trail, carving and in crud as the other skis mentioned here.

QST 92 another decent option too for your needs but not as stable as an Enforcer, Brahma or Kendo 88. Kendo 88 another good option in the 177cm for you with less taper(better hard snow grip) but decent amount of rocker, nice flex and weight so it’s fun in bumps and stable. I’m a bit taller than you and got the 184cm Kendo 88 mounted on the most forward mounting line(to make more playful) for the same conditions you’re asking about.

Lots of insane deals on all these skis in the 177-180cm range at Corbetts.com right now. Add some Attack2 13 85(really 88)bindings to match and you’d have a great set of skis/bindings in the $600 CAN range.

Greg,

thanks for the insight

If the mindbender carbon is too soft for my weight. Will the bushwacker hold up. From what I’ve read it seems to have a very loyal following for tree skiing.

kendo and enforcer from what I’ve read have a stiffer flex

Do you think id be sacrificing too much of that playful and snappy response time for grip.

what do you have in your quiver

QuebecpowGreg,

thanks for the insight

If the mindbender carbon is too soft for my weight. Will the bushwacker hold up. From what I’ve read it seems to have a very loyal following for tree skiing.

kendo and enforcer from what I’ve read have a stiffer flex

Do you think id be sacrificing too much of that playful and snappy response time for grip.

what do you have in your quiver

My quiver is constantly changing as I love trying new gear and always get deals when I buy. Usually have a 4-6 ski quiver and might be down to 3 next year. I ski and love in Ontario but take yearly trips out West and ski about 45 days/1.6 mil vert a year.

I’m 6’2”/175 and currently have a 181cm Head Framewall(84mm comp park ski-fun on flat groomers, park and moguls. Might sell as I hope to use Kendo’s more), Kendo 88 184cm(new daily driver in Ontario unless it snow a bunch), Fisher 102 FR 184(just bought in Utah and a great ski in snow but stable at speed on groomers), Nordica Enforcer 104 Free 186(got as my soft snow/bit of powder ski ski. More fun at lower speeds than the Fisher but might sell and keep the Fisher as I like them more at higher speeds), Moment Bibby 184cm(116mm and amazing ski! Might buy the new heavier Moment Wildcat this Fall but would still keep these for a “low coverage” powder ski). So maybe Kendo 88, Fisher 102 and Bibby/Wildcat for next year.

Bushwacker in the 180cm would be okay for your size I think but the 180cm Brahma would carve better at speed and handle thick crud better. Same great shape, just softer and lighter in the Bushwacker. The Mindbender 90Ti in the 177cm would be lighter and softer than the 180cm Brahma so a nice mix of playful and stable.

Enforcer 88 179cm would be the stiffest of the group but has a decent amount of taper and a more forward mount so it’s not too demanding to ski but will be less forgiving if you get backseat in bumps. The Kendo 88 is a little softer and a decent amount lighter than the Enforcer 88 so not as damp but more forgiving. Good mix of grip that’s still fun on/off piste. More traditional binding mount so that’s why I moved mine up to the most forward mount to make them more playful.

You are not too heavy for the mindbenders. You should look at the Ranger 94FR.