Skier: 5'10", 215#, skis fast and getting progressively more aggressive
Skis I have ridden: 200 DPS Lotus 120 (flex 3), 194 Dynastar LP, 193 Nordica Blower, 186 Moment Comi
SKI INFO
Ski tested: 196 Moment Comi-Kazi mounted on the line with 916s
Dimensions: 160-136-145 (35m r)
Specs: rockered tip which is about 1/4 the total length of the skis; slightly raised swallowtail
TESTING INFO
Locations: Keystone (trees), Vail (back bowls)
Conditions: deep powder, deep powder in trees, bumped-out powder (get the idea?)
Mount line will appear a bit further back than some people might be used to, but it feels absolutely money and wouldn't mount it elsewhere. On groomers and bumps (not their ideal situation of course), they are adequate. They are more than manageable in soft bumps. You will notice chatter on the flats. In crud and post-pow conditions, the Comi-Kazi does not fair well at all; this ski is strictly for powder and soft snow.
In trees, the Comi-Kazis are a ton of fun and are easy to maneuver for its size. My first time through the woods was a bit difficult since I didn't have a strong grasp of how it skis, but after a few more runs through, I was able to ski pretty quickly in moderately tight spots with ease. Again, for comparative purposes, the Comi-Kazi skis as well (if not better) in trees than the 193 Blower.
Bases are absolutely BOMBER! I hit at least 30-40 logs and a handful of rocks at Keystone (in early season) with no base damage at all.
Now how does it ski in powder? Just as you imagined. As I've said to people, it really isn't fair to ski something like the Comi-Kazi in powder. They make skiing powder seem incredibly effortlessly, and regardless of the pitch, you shouldn't get any tip dive unless you are in snow up over your head. I got it out not too long ago in areas with 2 feet of powder while experiencing some areas that were above waist-high. You literally are surfing on snow, and it would be quite hard to not keep the ski (from tip to the toe piece) completely afloat. The swallowtail does exactly what it should (i.e. sink the tip down) and I think it's been designed very well.
Stiffness seems to be pretty spot on for a powder ski, but I would make it a bit stiffer underfoot.
Overall, I'm extremely thrilled. The biggest surprise so far is how well the bases held up; I was definitely expecting some core shots after Saturday and was shocked to find nothing more than a couple of very minor scrapes.
PROS:
+ gives a new perspective on surfing snow
+ offers incredibly float
+ bomber bases
CONS:
- you will have to answer a TON of questions about the skis
- doesn't perform well in crud and anything not soft (but again, this is a powder-only ski)
SKI INFO
Ski tested: 196 Moment M1 mounted on the line with Rossignol Axial 140
Dimensions: 130-105-119 (35m r)
Specs: checkered topsheet, stupid stiffness (i.e. significantly stiffer than the 194 LP in all aspects)
TESTING INFO
Locations: Keystone (night-skiing), Vail, Beaver Creek
Conditions: groomers, waist-deep powder, tracked-out powder, crud, hardpack
First impressions, these are STIFF. The 194 LP used to be my everyday hardpack ski and have about 20-25 days on them since last January. If the LP is an 8 out of 10 on a flex scale, the M1 is easily a 9. They are incredibly fast and have no speed limit at all. I've never been on a racing ski (have a pair mounted but have yet to take it out), but I imagine that these are pretty close to what it would feel like.
It took me about 4 runs to get a good feel of the ski and how to position myself on it. You will need good form and angulation or else the ski will be a handful to handle; I actually felt that the M1 forces you to ski better technically. There really is no speed limit on these and they are freakish stable at high speeds. My second night at Keystone was much like the first, but with the mountain being completely deserted, I was able to really unload on the M1. Transitioning between medium and long turns was easy, and the edge hold was better when compared to the LP. Bottom line, the M1 just wants to go fast ... VERY fast.
Day 3 was at Vail in waist-deep powder (a day in which I should have used the Comi-Kazi instead) in mostly open spaces. Although the M1 wasn't great in these deep conditions, it was manageable if you put a bit of effort towards keeping them afloat. This is definitely not a powder ski and would refrain from using again in anything over 6" of fresh.
Day 4 was at Beaver Creek in post-powder/crud conditions. The snow in the morning was hard everywhere and eventually it softened up in the afternoon. The M1 handled these conditions very well while making the harder snow feel a bit softer. The factory tune did not feel right at certain times and will opt for my usual 0/2. I did find the M1 to be a bit too much to maneuver and tight spots and trees (but some will say that it is far more manageable when compared to similar skis like the LP and Squads). In the crud, these skis bulldozed through everything while making tracked-out snow feel like an untouched groomer. Bumpy terrain felt significantly minimalized as well.
Overall, I was surprised by the construction of the M1 and was not expecting it to be as burly as it is. It did take some time getting adjusted to, but I think anyone on them would find it's sweet spot after two days. They also require a bit more effort than I'm accustomed to in the past, but I only think that will carry someone's skiing ability to the next level. This will officially become my everyday hardpack ski with the LP being designated as my early season (and day-off) ski.
PROS:
+ extremely stable at high speeds
+ excels in post-pow conditions
+ no speed limit
CONS:
+ flotation is poor for a 105mm-waist ski
+ relatively difficult to maneuver in tight spots
