Popping my AT Cherry - Ski Choice

Head's Kore range could be worth a look. Haven't actually ridden them but have held & flexed them and can confirm they're super light and got a decent firm flex so could be a good blend of light weight and decent performance for pow as well as icy crud. Comes in a 105 & 117 that sounds like might suit you

187 4frnt HOJI. Full rocker, still slays hardpack, lightishweight with out folding and yet able to still charge.

japanada187 4frnt HOJI. Full rocker, still slays hardpack, lightishweight with out folding and yet able to still charge.

+1 for the hoji
Beyond this, the Moment Dwish Tours or Moment Bibby tours could be cool as well. ON3P Steeple series is always a good option too. However, in my opinion, if you're not going to be going on any crazy multi day tours, you dont really need a touring specific ski. Sure it makes it a little easier on the uphill but the main reason we tour is to get a good line on the downhill right? My current touring setup is an old pair of ON3P Jeffrey 114s and some Solly Guardian 13s. Definitely not the lightest setup in the world but they defiantly make for a shit-eating grin on my face when I'm ripping downhill. So take of that what you will but the main point is try to find a ski that you are going to like and dont be swayed by weight as a sole determining factor. So something like the regular bibby/dwish, ON3P Kartel 116s/Billy Goats, Sego Prospect series, etc. would all be fun options in the 'not meant for touring but still kick ass' department.

As for the bindings, I'd say stick with the Solly Guardians or Atomic Trackers. Both are some of the easiest interface to use and most durable so you wont have to worry about the binding twisting on the uphill. I have used the Adrenalin 16s before too but much prefer the guardians due to their torsional stiffness and lower stack height.

As for the boots, you dont need touring boots w/ a walk mode but they do definitely help. If I had more cash I'd probably just say fuck it and get pin tech bindings and boots for my touring setup.

japanada187 4frnt HOJI. Full rocker, still slays hardpack, lightishweight with out folding and yet able to still charge.

Bruh these and some dynafits... Dope setup

I like where your head is at. If you're going to go with the new SHIFT binder, why don't you just get the Death-wish with that? That would be a pretty killer setup for what you're describing...

japanada187 4frnt HOJI. Full rocker, still slays hardpack, lightishweight with out folding and yet able to still charge.

Zypher+1 for the hoji
Beyond this, the Moment Dwish Tours or Moment Bibby tours could be cool as well. ON3P Steeple series is always a good option too. However, in my opinion, if you're not going to be going on any crazy multi day tours, you dont really need a touring specific ski. Sure it makes it a little easier on the uphill but the main reason we tour is to get a good line on the downhill right? My current touring setup is an old pair of ON3P Jeffrey 114s and some Solly Guardian 13s. Definitely not the lightest setup in the world but they defiantly make for a shit-eating grin on my face when I'm ripping downhill. So take of that what you will but the main point is try to find a ski that you are going to like and dont be swayed by weight as a sole determining factor. So something like the regular bibby/dwish, ON3P Kartel 116s/Billy Goats, Sego Prospect series, etc. would all be fun options in the 'not meant for touring but still kick ass' department.

As for the bindings, I'd say stick with the Solly Guardians or Atomic Trackers. Both are some of the easiest interface to use and most durable so you wont have to worry about the binding twisting on the uphill. I have used the Adrenalin 16s before too but much prefer the guardians due to their torsional stiffness and lower stack height.

As for the boots, you dont need touring boots w/ a walk mode but they do definitely help. If I had more cash I'd probably just say fuck it and get pin tech bindings and boots for my touring setup.

CadeRBruh these and some dynafits... Dope setup

Yeah cheers lads, loving it, I hadn’t even thought to go that route and looking into it it sounds like a slick little number and exactly what I’m after, the lack of camber sounds like it could be a bit niggly on the ice, but life’s imperfect and it’s a trade off I’m more than happy to make.

Can’t get a Hoji in the 187 (They must do a tiny prod run?), gunna have to be the 195, I’m a big dude so I’m assuming it’ll be sweet - I do wonder though, is that extra length a bit niggly on the ascent?

cydwhitI like where your head is at. If you're going to go with the new SHIFT binder, why don't you just get the Death-wish with that? That would be a pretty killer setup for what you're describing...

Ah Cy! Bro love your work - Haha was just listening to your podcast on the Vipec! Yeah it could definitely be an option, but feedback I’ve had on the Deathwish is that they aren’t super surfy and while good in the pow they’re more of an inbounds weapon? RE the SHIFT binder, I’m a little loathe to drive that pretty hard inbounds, but I may just be being over cautious? To be fair I had landed on the Vipec black before I heard about the SHIFT, so I do wonder if that would be a better off going with the new Vipec considering this is the SHIFTs first gen. Like I’ve no issues with getting a dedicated touring set up going - I’m running Armada Bubbas and TST’s at the moment so the quiver does need expanding. As I said though, pretty keen to soak up peoples thoughts on all this - especially yours in terms of binders!

Again, thank you all so much, bloody legends for all the advice/info. The more I was researching the more confused I was getting so you mad bastards have made this a lot easier.

BushwhackerNZYeah cheers lads, loving it, I hadn’t even thought to go that route and looking into it it sounds like a slick little number and exactly what I’m after, the lack of camber sounds like it could be a bit niggly on the ice, but life’s imperfect and it’s a trade off I’m more than happy to make.

Can’t get a Hoji in the 187 (They must do a tiny prod run?), gunna have to be the 195, I’m a big dude so I’m assuming it’ll be sweet - I do wonder though, is that extra length a bit niggly on the ascent?



Ah Cy! Bro love your work - Haha was just listening to your podcast on the Vipec! Yeah it could definitely be an option, but feedback I’ve had on the Deathwish is that they aren’t super surfy and while good in the pow they’re more of an inbounds weapon? RE the SHIFT binder, I’m a little loathe to drive that pretty hard inbounds, but I may just be being over cautious? To be fair I had landed on the Vipec black before I heard about the SHIFT, so I do wonder if that would be a better off going with the new Vipec considering this is the SHIFTs first gen. Like I’ve no issues with getting a dedicated touring set up going - I’m running Armada Bubbas and TST’s at the moment so the quiver does need expanding. As I said though, pretty keen to soak up peoples thoughts on all this - especially yours in terms of binders!

Again, thank you all so much, bloody legends for all the advice/info. The more I was researching the more confused I was getting so you mad bastards have made this a lot easier.

The 195s ski pretty easy given their size. I had a pair of both 187s and 195s, mounted the 195s +2 from the line and they work great. On bullet proof ice, yes they are not the best thing, but for more of a BC rig, how often do you encounter ice? I doubt I will ever go away from full rocker for a pow ski. The playfulness is unheard of with anything that has camber. I have the HOJIs, old metal katana, vwerks katana and want to add a devastator to the quiver for a hard snow and park ski.

BushwhackerNZYeah cheers lads, loving it, I hadn’t even thought to go that route and looking into it it sounds like a slick little number and exactly what I’m after, the lack of camber sounds like it could be a bit niggly on the ice, but life’s imperfect and it’s a trade off I’m more than happy to make.

Can’t get a Hoji in the 187 (They must do a tiny prod run?), gunna have to be the 195, I’m a big dude so I’m assuming it’ll be sweet - I do wonder though, is that extra length a bit niggly on the ascent?



Ah Cy! Bro love your work - Haha was just listening to your podcast on the Vipec! Yeah it could definitely be an option, but feedback I’ve had on the Deathwish is that they aren’t super surfy and while good in the pow they’re more of an inbounds weapon? RE the SHIFT binder, I’m a little loathe to drive that pretty hard inbounds, but I may just be being over cautious? To be fair I had landed on the Vipec black before I heard about the SHIFT, so I do wonder if that would be a better off going with the new Vipec considering this is the SHIFTs first gen. Like I’ve no issues with getting a dedicated touring set up going - I’m running Armada Bubbas and TST’s at the moment so the quiver does need expanding. As I said though, pretty keen to soak up peoples thoughts on all this - especially yours in terms of binders!

Again, thank you all so much, bloody legends for all the advice/info. The more I was researching the more confused I was getting so you mad bastards have made this a lot easier.

I'd definitely drive a SHIFT harder inbounds than a Vipec, I still need to get on a pair, but their premise is much more inbounds-friendly than the Vipec's.

As far as surfy, you make a fair point. I think the Deathwish can be skied pretty surfy, but you have to know what you're doing. Basically my Deathwish recommendation is just based off my time skiing in NZ. I feel like the conditions are pretty different from what some north american skiers are used to, and in a touring ski for NZ I'd definitely prioritize a stable, predictable ride. But that's totally your call, you know yourself better than I.

I would say don't freak out over weight on your touring ski. Just get a tech binder and a good boot and get a ski that you'll have fun on. So if you want super surfy, go K2 Catamaran, surfiest ski I've ever skied, if you want a little more stable and consistent in bad conditions, maybe go Deathwish, or Sego Big Horn. Also, I know it's anathema to mention the big brands here on NS, but the Salomon QST 106 is a shockingly fun ski, that's super reliable. That ski with a SHIFT would be pretty rad.... I know it's not a twin, but I came into my time on it wanting to dislike it, and instead fell for it pretty hard haha!

japanadaThe 195s ski pretty easy given their size. I had a pair of both 187s and 195s, mounted the 195s +2 from the line and they work great. On bullet proof ice, yes they are not the best thing, but for more of a BC rig, how often do you encounter ice? I doubt I will ever go away from full rocker for a pow ski. The playfulness is unheard of with anything that has camber. I have the HOJIs, old metal katana, vwerks katana and want to add a devastator to the quiver for a hard snow and park ski.

cydwhitI'd definitely drive a SHIFT harder inbounds than a Vipec, I still need to get on a pair, but their premise is much more inbounds-friendly than the Vipec's.

As far as surfy, you make a fair point. I think the Deathwish can be skied pretty surfy, but you have to know what you're doing. Basically my Deathwish recommendation is just based off my time skiing in NZ. I feel like the conditions are pretty different from what some north american skiers are used to, and in a touring ski for NZ I'd definitely prioritize a stable, predictable ride. But that's totally your call, you know yourself better than I.

I would say don't freak out over weight on your touring ski. Just get a tech binder and a good boot and get a ski that you'll have fun on. So if you want super surfy, go K2 Catamaran, surfiest ski I've ever skied, if you want a little more stable and consistent in bad conditions, maybe go Deathwish, or Sego Big Horn. Also, I know it's anathema to mention the big brands here on NS, but the Salomon QST 106 is a shockingly fun ski, that's super reliable. That ski with a SHIFT would be pretty rad.... I know it's not a twin, but I came into my time on it wanting to dislike it, and instead fell for it pretty hard haha!

Ah yeah agree I defs would'n't hit the Vipec for an inbound ski, would use that on a dedicated tourer for sure - And fair play you do make a good point RE some stability touring in NZ, first time out touring it is probably wiser to err on the side of caution and I do think I'm falling into that hunt for a unicorn ski trap. I do wonder if the Deathwish even needs to be in the quiver given the TST (can get it at an absolute steal though).

I think I might be better off running maybe the Deathwish/TST on the SHIFT, or more likely a Vipec Evo or a Tecton, for this year (Have a four day avi/touring course up Mt Cook in NZ in July hence the rush to get an AT set up) and then get something like the Hoji or the Catamaran (again love your work, would be lost without Blister) and slipping a SHIFT on that as a POW Ski/Tourer for BC/Japan big NZ days and then from there once I've actually got more of feel for touring looking into something super light/tour (even the Big Horn which looks pretty sick) and slip the Vipec Evo/Tecton on those or just leave em on the Deathwish/TST.

Could even scratch the Deathwish and whack some Vipecs/Tectons on the TST's and some alpine binders or SHIFT's on a set of Hoji's and some SHIFT's on the Catamaran. Would that be a better move do you guys think? Bit more of a versatile quiver that way, great way to burn large amounts of cash too Haha.

Quick question RE brakes - could you bend 110mm out to112mm on the Vipec/Tecton alright? Seen a few different POV on that.

Haha I used to work for Salomon in Whistler, did pretty well out of them Hahaha, so I have nothing against jumping on a set of their sticks, while I'd never pay full price (SHIFT excluded) to the Amer demon I don't mind their gear.

Thanks again guys, super helpful

**This post was edited on Jan 17th 2018 at 2:36:45pm

**This post was edited on Jan 17th 2018 at 3:27:30pm