Kartel 96 vs Filthy Rich

FR for sure if you are in the park that much and the ice coast. Also, you'll be fine with them out west, depending on where you go

What type of skiing do you do in the park? Do you prefer rails vs jumps? Do you prefer multiple switch-ups and big spins or presses and butters and slow switch-ups/surface swaps?

The skis are very similar, they're really only 10mm difference in waist width, the biggest difference is flex and sidecut. The FR is softer and symmetrical, so will be forgiving on rails, but less stable on bigger jumps (this is why the Prester exists) and the symmetrical sidecut will lower the swing-weight. The Kartel 98 are stiffer and asymmetrical, so it'll be more stable at speeds and off jumps, but spin slightly slower because of the extra width and higher swing weight. Both are pretty capable of butters and presses, the FR is easier to initiate the butter because it's softer, but the Kartel will lock in better because of the extra platform. The Kartel will also float better in fresh snow and ski all-mountain better.

Given the percentage you listed, I'd lean more towards the Kartel 98, but I think the way you ski park could make a huge difference.

I'm extremely happy with my Filthy Riches. They're alright offpiste and amazing in the park. They're also quite fun to ride on groomers because of the playfulness and the softness of the ski.

BWalmerWhat type of skiing do you do in the park? Do you prefer rails vs jumps? Do you prefer multiple switch-ups and big spins or presses and butters and slow switch-ups/surface swaps?

The skis are very similar, they're really only 10mm difference in waist width, the biggest difference is flex and sidecut. The FR is softer and symmetrical, so will be forgiving on rails, but less stable on bigger jumps (this is why the Prester exists) and the symmetrical sidecut will lower the swing-weight. The Kartel 98 are stiffer and asymmetrical, so it'll be more stable at speeds and off jumps, but spin slightly slower because of the extra width and higher swing weight. Both are pretty capable of butters and presses, the FR is easier to initiate the butter because it's softer, but the Kartel will lock in better because of the extra platform. The Kartel will also float better in fresh snow and ski all-mountain better.

Given the percentage you listed, I'd lean more towards the Kartel 98, but I think the way you ski park could make a huge difference.

I ski mostly rails, and medium sized jump, still in the process of locking down 3s though I have landed a few. I would like to eland some switch ups but nothing insane

vichka.fonarevI ski mostly rails, and medium sized jump, still in the process of locking down 3s though I have landed a few. I would like to eland some switch ups but nothing insane

I'd go with the Kartel 98s.

BWalmerI'd go with the Kartel 98s.

I have the kartel 106s and I love them. I'm curiois why you think the Kartel 98 would be the better ski? Like I've demoed it and it was great, but for smaller features and a lot of rails, don't you think a smaller ski would be better? Not trying to call you out or anything, just curious.

.lenconI have the kartel 106s and I love them. I'm curiois why you think the Kartel 98 would be the better ski? Like I've demoed it and it was great, but for smaller features and a lot of rails, don't you think a smaller ski would be better? Not trying to call you out or anything, just curious.

The FR is basically a 100% park ski, sure it carves fine, but to ski non-park 30% of the time, it's not quite as good as Kartel 98.

The Kartel 98 is the for park skier that want's ski all mountain some times (around 30-50% all-mountain), while the Kartel 106 is for the all-mountain skier that wants to take a few laps in the park every now and then (about 50-100% all-mountain). Based on what the OP wants, the Kartel 98 will cover all of his park needs and wants and be a much better all-mountain carver than the Filthy Rich.

BWalmerThe FR is basically a 100% park ski, sure it carves fine, but to ski non-park 30% of the time, it's not quite as good as Kartel 98.

The Kartel 98 is the for park skier that want's ski all mountain some times (around 30-50% all-mountain), while the Kartel 106 is for the all-mountain skier that wants to take a few laps in the park every now and then (about 50-100% all-mountain). Based on what the OP wants, the Kartel 98 will cover all of his park needs and wants and be a much better all-mountain carver than the Filthy Rich.

Thank you sir, that was very good insight. I guess it just makes sense to me (but i don't ski park at all really) to get the filthy rich if i was spending that much time in the park, but like I said, I don't really have the ratio in my skiing so i haven't put much thought into it. All the things you mentioned made perfect sense tho. I think OP would have a better time on the Kartel after the things you mentioned, but he would love them both.

Frs for sure, sounds like your gunna want the lesser swing weight and symmetry like the man said. They will still perform great all mtn so you have nothin to worry about.

i've been really impressed with how well the kartel 98 does everywhere outside of the park. i ride it everyday at alta or park city, park or pow, and they hold up great. i bought it as a park ski that i figured would be ok outside of the park, and ended up using it as my only ski and pretty much never ride my pow skis anymore because the kartel is just as good. insanely versatile, stiff but buttery, fun ski, the best one ski quiver i have ever had by far. however, based on how much you ski on the east coast, and your relatively novice (no offense) park ability i would say the FR would be a better choice. just more playful and progression friendly for an east coast kid, the kartel wants to charge big features in and outside of the park whereas the fr will be nice and forgiving on all but the biggest features. you'll be stoked either way, but if your only going out west for one week a year your will have more fun on the fr the rest of the year.