Kartel 96 186?

TubeBroLooking for a more narrow all mountain ski for Colorado all mountain. I'm 6'4" 215#, advanced/expert and ski hard. Currently on 190 Deathwish and 190 Bibby. Looking for something that might be more nimble but that can still deliver charging crud. Skied Enforcer 100's last year for a bit and they never felt safe going fast.

Will I overpower this ski?



Other suggestions?

**This thread was edited on Mar 2nd 2019 at 1:52:32pm

What size Enforcer 100 did you try as it’s pretty decent in crud if you tried the 191cm. The 185cm is very stable at 60mph plus so maybe the tune was off?

Kartel will be fun and playful but lots of rocker and softer flex than your Bibby’s so won’t be as stable or as good through crud. Not as much effective edge that you can leave sharp on the Kartel either compared others in the width range so not as great on harder snow either. Nice and playful but don’t think it would charge crud as what you’re used to in the Bibby’s.

I was pondering the Kartel 96 this year but opted for the Blizzard Rustler 9 instead. Stiffer and more effective edge but not as playful or as heavy as the Kartel 96. The 188cm Rustler 9 would be an option for you but would say it’s not as heavy as I’d like for charging Crud. Good but not great there but a fantastic carver and lots of fun in the bumps.

You might love the new Enforcer Free 104 in a 191cm(or even in 186cm if you wanted it more playful). More weight than the Nordica Enforcer 100 but more playful as it’s a twin tip. In between a Kartel 96 and Bibby flex so it’s very playful still. Can run it sharp tip to tail so lots of effective edge on hard groomers but decent float if you get some snow that’s not enough to bring out your wider skis.
I own this ski as my “bit of snow/crud buster” when there’s not enough snow to bring out the 184cm Bibby’s. I’m 6’2”/175 and have the 186cm Enforcer Free 104 and it hauls. Heavier than the Bibby’s but doesn’t feel heavy and very quick edge to edge. Would be a great daily for your conditions as I’m running in the East and it still rocks. It replaced my 182cm PB&Js as I found they didn’t charge or float well enough for their width.

We can custom build a 191cm Kartel 96 as well, if that was more your jam (did so for Michael Jordan).

What size Enforcer 100 were you on?

I skied about 25 days on the 191 Enforcer. Honestly I'm not sure what it was about that ski but it always felt real "hooky" and I didn't feel confident at top speeds. It was pretty good through chop though. I just never felt like I could open it up without getting nervous. My problems with it mighta been my own though because on paper that is a great ski.

The Bibbys are perfect skis on the right day, but those days aren't around that often. I'm usually on the Deathwish's, which are great. I almost have no reason to be looking around but can't help but wonder about a narrower damp fun ski.

A custom 96 could be a sick idea.

TubeBroI skied about 25 days on the 191 Enforcer. Honestly I'm not sure what it was about that ski but it always felt real "hooky" and I didn't feel confident at top speeds. It was pretty good through chop though. I just never felt like I could open it up without getting nervous. My problems with it mighta been my own though because on paper that is a great ski.

The Bibbys are perfect skis on the right day, but those days aren't around that often. I'm usually on the Deathwish's, which are great. I almost have no reason to be looking around but can't help but wonder about a narrower damp fun ski.

A custom 96 could be a sick idea.

Definitely a tune issue with the Enforcers. The Enforcers are very commonly railed or “edge high” from the factory which causes them to want to keep going straight, not easily swivel and feel hooky. Mine were like that and my Blizzard Rustlers and my Moment skis were the opposite and “base high” in spots causing them to be too surfy and feel like they were on marbles. Stone grind on all of them and a re-tune of the edges and they are all great.

The Enforcers Free 104 have been a very pleasant surprise. Super fun in bumps and at lower speeds but can rip crud even better than the 100 when you want.

A custom Kartel would allow you to add some stiffness which would help in crud.

iggyskier(did so for Michael Jordan).

thats so cool

iggyskierWe can custom build a 191cm Kartel 96 as well, if that was more your jam (did so for Michael Jordan).

weird flex but ok

I'm 6'4" / 200lbs, ski aggressive, and live in Colorado ... I get in about 60 days per years in the central mountains. ~50 of those days I'm on the ON3P Kartel 108 / 191 - the rest of the time I'm on the 96s / 186 (98s before this season).
I use the 96s (and previously the 98s) in early season / late season conditions when I know I'm going to be on groomers most of the time and/or I want something easier flick around. I've never thought the ski was too short or that I was over powering it. In fact, it's a bit of a welcome change coming from the wider / longer / heavier 108. It's something on which I can be aggressive without sacrificing playfulness. I will say that the 98 / 186 felt more like an all mountain slayer especially in deeper snow / crud whereas the 96 feels more like something to rail on. But, that's why I got it -- so I'm happy. If you're really looking to charge crud in a narrower ski and are interested in ON3P, I would look for a pair of used Kartel 98s but if you're going for super fun groomer+ performance, I would not hesitate to get the 96s ... I would certainly not be worried about overpowering them. Just my 2 cents, tho.

tripletI'm 6'4" / 200lbs, ski aggressive, and live in Colorado ... I get in about 60 days per years in the central mountains. ~50 of those days I'm on the ON3P Kartel 108 / 191 - the rest of the time I'm on the 96s / 186 (98s before this season).
I use the 96s (and previously the 98s) in early season / late season conditions when I know I'm going to be on groomers most of the time and/or I want something easier flick around. I've never thought the ski was too short or that I was over powering it. In fact, it's a bit of a welcome change coming from the wider / longer / heavier 108. It's something on which I can be aggressive without sacrificing playfulness. I will say that the 98 / 186 felt more like an all mountain slayer especially in deeper snow / crud whereas the 96 feels more like something to rail on. But, that's why I got it -- so I'm happy. If you're really looking to charge crud in a narrower ski and are interested in ON3P, I would look for a pair of used Kartel 98s but if you're going for super fun groomer+ performance, I would not hesitate to get the 96s ... I would certainly not be worried about overpowering them. Just my 2 cents, tho.

Good info. Thanks.