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June, 2025

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2018 Line Chronic Vs. K2 Poacher

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skierman_jack
Posts: 1671 - Karma: 17,558
Looking for a ski that will spend about 80% of its life in the park. I do a good balance of rails and jumps, but nothing huge. I’m a fairly traditional park skier (not a crazy buttery skier) but I would like something that butters well. Weight isn’t a huge priority but I would prefer a lower swing-weight. I would love to get 2-3 seasons out of my next park skis so durability is key. I’m 5’10”, 156 lbs, prob gonna get something in the 170-179 range. Can anyone vouch for either of these? I live on the ice coast so they don’t have to be great “mountain” skis and I already own powder skis so that is completely out of the picture. Thanks!
6 years ago
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,429
The new Chronic is a really fun ski but it's not terribly durable. Given your criteria, I would say that the Poacher in 177 is a perfect fit. K2 skis are bombproof and the Poacher is no exception. I've skied both on the East coast and appreciate the feeling of a beefier ski. The Chronic gets bullied by harder, choppier snow and is a little too soft in my opinion. If you did want to butter around the Chronic would be the better choice but given that you're more of a traditional park skier, the Poacher is your best bet. Also check out the Rossi Black Ops 98, the Faction Prodigy 2.0 and even the Black Crows Camox.
6 years ago
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skierman_jack
Posts: 1671 - Karma: 17,558
animatorThe new Chronic is a really fun ski but it's not terribly durable. Given your criteria, I would say that the Poacher in 177 is a perfect fit. K2 skis are bombproof and the Poacher is no exception. I've skied both on the East coast and appreciate the feeling of a beefier ski. The Chronic gets bullied by harder, choppier snow and is a little too soft in my opinion. If you did want to butter around the Chronic would be the better choice but given that you're more of a traditional park skier, the Poacher is your best bet. Also check out the Rossi Black Ops 98, the Faction Prodigy 2.0 and even the Black Crows Camox.


Gotcha. I demoed the new chronics and didn’t like them that much. I am looking at the last gen Chronic.

I am a pretty decorated K2 skier and I have loved how durable they are. With that said my last skis were Line SFB and they help up almost three seasons of park abuse.
6 years ago
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,429
Last gen chronic is definitely more like the poacher it was a great ski. Either that one or the poacher are great choices.
6 years ago
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
I’d size up and get some 184 poachers if I was ya
6 years ago
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leevo
Posts: 13 - Karma: 147
Wouldn't recommend poachers. Mine blew up just by skiing 3 months in the park.
6 years ago
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skierman_jack
Posts: 1671 - Karma: 17,558
Cade2I’d size up and get some 184 poachers if I was ya


What makes you say that?

I would prefer to keep them on the shorter size. I just am more comfortable with that. I don’t really need the extra stability bc we just don’t have big features here. Let me know though
6 years ago
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CalumSKI
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,123
plus you can use k2s broken warranty on those little cap thingys
6 years ago
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7978 - Karma: 23,328
leevoWouldn't recommend poachers. Mine blew up just by skiing 3 months in the park.


Is that just weekends or like most days? Not many skis will still be in decent shape after 80+ days skiing park all day long, especially if you're more rail oriented.
6 years ago
3 0
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skierman_jack
Posts: 1671 - Karma: 17,558
skiP.E.I.Is that just weekends or like most days? Not many skis will still be in decent shape after 80+ days skiing park all day long, especially if you're more rail oriented.


Honestly as long as the ski holds up decently. I totally understand that park skiing beats the shit out of skis and I don’t expect them to be in great condition after the seasons I ski.
6 years ago
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skierman_jack
Posts: 1671 - Karma: 17,558
I have two questions about the Poacher:

How stiff do they feel? I’ve heard they are on the stiffer side and the only reference I have is my brothers skis which are 14 cm too short.

What’s the swingweight like? I would enjoy a ski with a lower swing weight.

Thanks!
6 years ago
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leevo
Posts: 13 - Karma: 147
skiP.E.I.Is that just weekends or like most days? Not many skis will still be in decent shape after 80+ days skiing park all day long, especially if you're more rail oriented.


Around 50-60 days in the park. But ye I skied mostly rails so it wasn't that big surprise that they didn't hold up.
6 years ago
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skierman_jack
Posts: 1671 - Karma: 17,558
Any one else got some input?
6 years ago
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CalumSKI
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,123
SkylineGTR_R32Any one else got some input?


poacher
6 years ago
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SuckleBrick
Posts: 452 - Karma: 1,095
poacher are by far one of the best all day park and everything ski
6 years ago
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