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Looking For A Soft, Wide Park Ski

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Style+eeze
Posts: 6901 - Karma: 551
I've been riding ON3P Blue Steeles for the past three seasons and they're beginning to fall apart. I'm looking for a new pair of park/all-mountain skis with a mid-90mm waist that comes in a mid-180cm length. I'm about 6'3 and plan to center mount these skis. Additionally, I want a ski much softer and more "playful" than the Blue Steele. For skiing in the park, I'm willing to sacrifice some degree of stability on larger jumps for a forgiving flex on rails and around the mountain.

Skis I have been considering:

-Armada Al Dente. The Al Dente seems to be the perfect ski for me, but I've read a lot of reviews about the thin, weak edges. Durability is a huge factor for me. I'm getting ready to cross these off my list.

-J Skis Tropic Thunder. These look like a great fit for me as well (184cm, 98mm waist) but are sold out online. Any idea if they will be restocked, or another ski will be available soon?

-Nordica Soul Rider. Again, these skis look perfect (185cm, 97mm waist). Has anyone ridden them, what did you think?

-Faction Soma. I haven't heard too much about these but they seem fun and playful (184cm, 92mm waist). Again, has anyone ridden these? I like the rocker on the Soma compared to the traditional camber on the Faction Wednesday.

-Rossignol Slat. I expect high quality from Rossignol and know these would be a fantastic combination of a park and all-mountain ski (181cm, 97mm waist). They seem to be soft and the rocker is appealing to me. I haven't heard too much about the Slats, but they seem to have good reviews.

-Fat-y-pus L Toro. I've heard good things about the flex pattern and they look like a big boy ski (182, 101mm waist). These are on the upper end of the width spectrum that I'm considering, but they look awesome.

Lately I've found myself riding my K2 Hellbents on a daily basis (park skiing included) because they're so soft and wide. I love the flex pattern, but am obviously looking for something a bit easier to handle in the park and in sub-par condtions around the mountain. While I love my Blue Steeles, they're slowly falling apart and I need a replacement somewhat soon. Blue Steeles were great for the past few years when I was hitting bigger jumps and needed a quick, light, skinny park ski... But I'm ready to give up a little bit of nimbleness and stiffness for a more playful ski.

Thanks ahead of time, I appreciate it!
Mar 23 2014 3:46PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,883
You willing to wait for next year? 186 Kartel 98 sounds right down you're ally. It's the softest ski from ON3P (and just as soft or softer than any of the skis you mentioned, besides the Al Dente), but it's still stable at speed.
Mar 23 2014 3:56PM
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Style+eeze
Posts: 6901 - Karma: 551
Thanks, the Kartel 98 sounds like another solid option for me!

Any other opinions?
Mar 23 2014 5:24PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7099 - Karma: 17,043
I would say go al dente. I love those skis so much. They absolutey shredded the whole mountain. I got some on3p jmo's this year as my all mnt ski an they are awesome but the al dente is even better. Yes the durability may be questionable ( never seen an issue myself) but they are so much fun I honestly would accept them snapping after a season. Try them out and see what you think.
Mar 23 2014 5:53PM
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MartianMan
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 2,098
The Faction Soma is hands down one of the funnest skis I have ever ridden. Bit of tip and tail rocker, but a still that camber is the perfect blend for a park all mtn ski IMO. Also very durable. But, you should look at the Faction Prodigy, instead. It is the exact same ski, just wider w a 98mm waist. Best ski for you on the market.
Mar 23 2014 7:50PM
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Style+eeze
Posts: 6901 - Karma: 551
I'm not so worried about them snapping, per se. I've ridden Armadas for years and never had any issues with that... I'm just nervous about the 2.2mm edge vs. the 2.5mm edge that's on their other park skis. Do you hit a lot of rails? If so, do your Al Dentes have any sort of edge damage?

@MartianMan - Thanks! I'll check those out.
Mar 23 2014 10:22PM
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TheDetectives
Posts: 634 - Karma: 1,472
i currently have the faction prodigy in the 178 size (available in 184) they have a 98mm waist, they have a super low swing weight, im talking, it feels like im riding snowblades when i spin, they're a little stiffer though, also they have held up better then any skis ive had in the past.

then again, the only reason i have these is because i couldnt find the l-toro's for a low price, but from what ive herd, if you are willing to spend the money, they are 100% worth it, also to be noted, im looking at the rossi slat for my next ski once my prodigy's break
Mar 23 2014 10:52PM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,589
soul riders look like quality
Mar 24 2014 12:52AM
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Joonas
Posts: 568 - Karma: 230
Theres also the line blend in 185cm, 100 underfoot, or in the same length, the k2 shredditor 179 in 102 underfoot, both are damn soft and fun.
Mar 24 2014 5:15PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7099 - Karma: 17,043
I don't actually own a pair but I have ridden armadas for 10 years. Back then there were no 2.5 edges and the skis held up fine. You will be fine, a 2.5 edge may be slightly stronger but it's not going to make a huge difference. They are such fun ski though.

The jmo I must say though are really good in deep and cut up snow. So if your after a softer snow ski I can really recommend the jmo. But on harder runs where you need to carve the jmo is not the ski for you. Good skis but much better in fresh snow then hard.
Mar 24 2014 5:30PM
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EastShoreDrive
Posts: 188 - Karma: 862
I ride the 181 Slat currently and probably wouldn't get them again. I'm around the same size as you are. I was hoping they were going to feel similar the Scimitars just with camber underfoot but they really don't. I wouldn't consider them to be soft and playful. My biggest issue with them is weight. They are heavy and slow to spin. If Rossignol made them lighter and a little more playful I would consider them again because I like the dimensions and turn radius. Otherwise I'm moving onto something else (pretty sure they aren't even making them next year anyway).
Mar 24 2014 5:43PM
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Tacocat
Posts: 658 - Karma: 356
I just got these and I love them in the park. I can't say anything about durability because I have been on them for only 5 days but they are sooo fun! Kill it anywhere else on the mountain too. Oh, and they're pretty soft I'd say, I'm a lightweight guy and I can do butters and presses nearly effortless
Mar 24 2014 5:47PM
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CluingPrissy
Posts: 2 - Karma: 12
looking at the Jskis first... pretty wide and looks soft
Mar 24 2014 6:16PM
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Goku
Posts: 8119 - Karma: 4,221
I'll sell/trade you some J skis Mericas
Mar 24 2014 9:31PM
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Tucks
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 161
I have been riding the Caravan SB100 recently for park a great deal and am enjoying them very much. 100 underfoot may be at the upper end of what you are looking for but I love it. They are definitely soft but have a fair amount of pop and energy that you may be missing while riding the hell bents. They are definitely a small brand but they are made of very good quality and they are holding up really well for me and I have a knack for beating my gear up pretty well... Check em out:
Mar 24 2014 11:05PM
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charcharbinks
Posts: 515 - Karma: 734
I would personally go with the Soul Riders. I've had my pair for about a week now and I love them! Probably my favorite park ski I've ever been on. They are soft but also really stable at high speeds and on jumps. I have friends who have ridden the Al Dentes and they do seem to fall apart pretty quickly. Good luck man
Mar 25 2014 12:21AM
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blazer258
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 642
The L-Toros are an awesome ski and you can probably find them for a good price now. They're really really light and playful but can charge pretty hard at the same time. They seem right for what you want
Mar 25 2014 8:40AM
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Kygz.
Posts: 129 - Karma: 89
The only ones i've tried are the Al Dentes (Tried them a weekend, i do not own them), so i cant really compare any of them..

The Al Dente is a super sick ski, and it fits what you want perfectly. Its a park ski, its wide, and most of all, its soft.

I know people who own this ski, and has been skiing them all season, and none of them has been complaining about the edges.

If you have the money, go for the Al Dente, if you're trying to save some money, i'd consider the Halo 2 (Armada). I own this ski and i've been using them all season. I've had no problems with durability. They are also a wide and soft park ski.
Mar 25 2014 4:37PM
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skier58284
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 5,365
I don't ski park, but I love Line Chronics. Worth trying out at least. 92mm waist. Not completely symmetrical, but close. Soft and playful, but still hold an edge on groomers at speed very well. If I get another pair of on-piste skis (right now I just have K2 Extremes) I think it will be the Chronics.
Mar 25 2014 4:59PM
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Ironwaffle
Posts: 61 - Karma: 159
J skis ha s the tropic thunder part duex. It's the same as tropic thunder but have a slightly diffrent graphic on the top sheet and base. Last I checked there were 18 left.
Mar 25 2014 9:38PM
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11986 - Karma: 12,239
i'm about the same height and weight as you and i went with the tropic thunders. crazy fun ski and soft in the tip and tail.

like someone said above, there are some tropic thunders left just with a different topsheet
Mar 25 2014 9:52PM
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11986 - Karma: 12,239
i'm about the same height and weight as you and i went with the tropic thunders. crazy fun ski and soft in the tip and tail.

like someone said above, there are some tropic thunders left just with a different topsheet
Mar 25 2014 9:52PM
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wizard_of_aahhhs
Posts: 711 - Karma: 1,757
SOUL RIDERS! Such a sick ski, picked up a pair last weekend and I am in love. Perfect shape and perfect flex. Super soft and buttery beyond belief but hold up well on jumps and at high speeds. They feel great on rails, and so far the durability has been pretty good. I highly recommend the soul riders.
Mar 26 2014 11:23AM
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Style+eeze
Posts: 6901 - Karma: 551
Soul Riders and Tropic Thunders seem like two of the favorites right now. Does anyone have an idea if Nordica will be having a end of the year sale? Also, it looks like the 184cm Tropic Thunder Part Deux are out of stock. Any idea if J Lev will be pressing more soon? Thanks for the responses!
Mar 27 2014 11:17PM
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skier58284
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 5,365
I don't have a lot of experience with park skis so you might not want to put a lot of emphasis on this, but I would recommend Line Chronics. They are the most park oriented of anything I've skied, but I've skied a lot of all mountain twins. Compared to the rest, I find the Chronics to be very fun, playful, soft, and light, yet they still hold an edge at speed on groomers. If I was going to get another pair of skis solely for on-piste right now, it would be the Chronics.
Mar 27 2014 11:49PM
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