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March, 2024

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Looking for a new tree ski...

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just_the_worst
Posts: 2 - Karma: 23
When I'm at the resorts, I'm in the trees. I'll be in anything from mellow to steeeep, open to tight. I'm very aggressive and thus very picky about finding a ski to meet my needs in the trees. Currently, I'm skiing Rossignol S3's and they handle the trees like nothing I've ever ski'd. It was a complete game changer when I switched to them 3 seasons ago. However, they are getting pretty banged up from 3+ million vertical feet, and are going to need to be retired soon.

What I love about the S3's and what I'm looking for in a new pair:

Flex: they are very flexible. I feel like it allows for more contact with the snow on banked turns and other obstacles. That being said, I have not tried a super stiff ski in the trees, but I just don't see it working. When the trees get tight and steep, I'll wash turns more than carve to manage speed.

Full twin tip: they are less likely to catch a tip. When managing speed or dodging obstacles, I'll need to wash the tail sometimes ahead of the tips downhill. Great switch ski too

Rocker/Camber/Rocker profile: they handle well in various snow conditions. Tree conditions change numerous times in a single tree run, and they adjust to it all.

Responsiveness: the wood core makes them very light, and allows for quick turns and washes. They do what I want when I want with minimal effort involved, which keeps the fatigue low from a lot of turns.

Playful: they butter and ski switch well. I'm no park skiier by any means, but I ski switch quite a bit. They go fast and carve well switch. They also have a nice pop to them.

Welllll that sounded more like a review of the S3's, but you get the jist of what I'm looking for now hopefully. Essentially. tree ski'ability is my first priority in a new pair, but I would also like them to have some park ski features to them as listed above. I have ski'd for 20+ years and consider myself a pretty strong and confident skier on all terrains.

Any suggestions would be most welcome and appreciated. Thanks!
Apr 4 2015 5:09AM
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jfp
Posts: 684 - Karma: 318
i ski the salomon rocker 2 122.
has everything you mentioned, and multiple width options.
Apr 4 2015 1:30PM
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shin-bang
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 6,992
hmmmmmm. buttery and playful hmmmmm 4frnt crj?? theyre definatley soft i cruise a little bit switch on them on groomers and such
Apr 4 2015 8:49PM
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NMMedia
Posts: 982 - Karma: 1,696
I would agree with the rocker 2 from solomon posted above. I however have used the 100mm waist version. Floated me through any depth of snow I encountered, was super fun in all conditions I skied in (lots and lots of trees + a little powder, moguls, and crud mixed in)
Apr 4 2015 9:46PM
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enilno
Posts: 199 - Karma: 74
XX110
Apr 5 2015 3:45AM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,564
For a twin tree ski, I'd second the R122s. I skied them the first season they came and I was really impressed. I was skiing on the OG Caylors (10/11) model, and they also handled trees amply. Further updates to the Caylor have only aided handling in variable condition and speed edge to edge. That being said the Caylors are a touch stiffer throughout than the R122s, I call the R122s a solid medium flex and the Caylors medium-medium-stiff. They are both different skis though, the Caylors like to be skied a little faster a more fall line, so read up on both independently and take your pick (I've got in depth reviews of both on my profile).

Alternatively, from what I've heard the OG Bibby Pros were pretty good for what you've described. Although I'm reluctant to say much more on them since I haven't skied them; Blisters has a quality review on them that'll be worth a look.

With sizing, consider sizing down a little if you're using this as an exclusive tree ski. For example I'm 6'1" and 185ish, so whilst I'd reach for a 190+ ski for a do it all deeper snow ski, I'd take a 186 in either the R122s or the Caylors if I were using them exclusively for trees.

I understand your keen to jump on a twin, but ultimately the best ski for right trees would be a pintail shape.

NB: Caylors have been rebranded Jeffrey 122s
Apr 5 2015 5:17AM
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.squirrely.
Posts: 7563 - Karma: 7,540
Nordica patron
Apr 6 2015 9:29AM
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parkskier5
Posts: 29 - Karma: 105
Check out the Line Blend. Theyre a twin tip and 100 under foot so theyre very versatile. Ive heard they kill it in all conditions!
Apr 7 2015 9:06PM
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RcRacing
Posts: 51 - Karma: 106
Def the Line Blend.

Very easy turn initiation and you can do 3-5 carving swings in a very short amount of time (if you are a advanced skier). Perfect when you need fast turns! The flex is about medium.

When you like to go larger look at the Candide 3.0 !!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aXFPZjCsok&spfreload=10

Look what the Legend did on them at 1:06 ...
Apr 10 2015 6:42PM
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fluffyclouds
Posts: 166 - Karma: 328
Why did they stop making the S3s again?
Apr 11 2015 2:06PM
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Muggydude
Posts: 701 - Karma: 383
They're super floppy? Fun, but for the type of all mountain ski it was they were too soft IMO.
Apr 11 2015 5:20PM
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TheWakes.
Posts: 685 - Karma: 235
on3p kartel 106. lots of rocker. deep flex. strong full sidewall build. quicker turn radius than most.
Apr 11 2015 8:43PM
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G_B
Posts: 786 - Karma: 3,006
Well this isn't recommending a new ski, but there are 40+ pairs on ebay that are almost new or new
Apr 11 2015 9:14PM
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