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Best playful all mountain ski

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allthekings
Posts: 9 - Karma: 23
Hey,

I'm looking for a playful all mountain ski with a bit of flex, but that I can still use to rip around groomers when I'm chasing friends around. I've done a fair amount of research on a number of skis, but still can't decide what would work best for me.

I'm 6'5, but I only weight 190lbs, so I've been a bit concerned about weight being an issue. I predominantly ski the French Alps, so its a bit of mixture of terrain, but not a heap of park, although I would definitely like to do a bit more and improve my abilities. I've been skiing since I was four, so I'm pretty comfortable with most things. My current skis are an old pair of the 108 width Rossignol Soul 7s that I got for a song a few years back before I went to Japan, but I'm in the market for something more interesting/playful.

Here are the skis I've been looking at so far, and my concerns with each:


ON3P Kartel/Jeffery 108s - slightly worried about weight and that I'd be better getting something a different width to my S7s

ON3P Kartel/Jeffery 96s - wondering whether at my height I'd be better with the wider option, but probably my first choice right now

Moment PB&J - heard great things, but that they're quite stiff, and I want to learn how to butter which is putting me off a bit

J Skis Vacation - absolutely love the topsheets, but seems like they're a bit too soft for ripping around, and I swear J used to offer free international shipping... US$200 for shipping is tough to swallow. Also 186 is going to run very short for me I think.

19/20 Line SFBs - concerned that the flex is going to be too noodle-y for anything other than jibbing, but since these are this year's skis I'm guessing no one outside the reviewers has skied them unless someone got to demo?

Armada ARV 106 - these seem to be sort of the middle of the road option - decent at everything, but I'd be interested to hear more

J Skis Metal - solves some of my problems with the vacation, but they also don't go above 186, which when you're my height is a bit of a problem - also don't love the new topsheets as much as some of the previous editions in all honesty - god I wish I'd bought Ridgeline when I first saw it, even if they are too short. Summit and Exposure were also amazing.


If anyone has any other suggestions I'm all ears, thanks very much for all and any advice you can offer.
Sep 8 2019 6:57PM
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 8,663
ARV 106 sounds like a very safe bet. Like you said, they're a great all-round option.

Jeffrey / Kartel are really fun, more stable than the ARV, though they wouldn't be my top pick for a 1-ski quiver if you ski a lot of really firm snow.

New SFB's are quite soft in the tips and tails and I feel like you might overpower them, even in the 190. That said, I've only skied the 184, and I'm not sure if the 190 is disproportionately stiffer. If its flex is similar to the 184's (which I would guess it is), I think you'd want a stiffer ski.

Moment PB&J, Deathwish, or Wildcat 108 are great options. Yeah, they're fairly stiff, but at your height and weight I don't think you'd have a problem bending them and they have a lot of rocker, which helps a lot when buttering.

The J Skis options are great, but yeah, probably too short for you.

A bit on the expensive side, but the new Prior Northwest 110 sounds like it'd be a great option. Similar to the Jeffrey in terms of stability but a bit more versatile and it comes in a 190 that'd be plenty of ski for you.
Sep 8 2019 8:28PM
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PlayTreeProd
Posts: 73 - Karma: 778
bent chetler 100s my man! im a 6'4'' 190lbs and rode the 188s. such a good ski. Their flex pattern was unreal. Literally one of my favorite skis all time.
They rip the 20cm pow days, park, and groomers.
Sep 8 2019 10:50PM
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allthekings
Posts: 9 - Karma: 23
patagonialukeARV 106 sounds like a very safe bet. Like you said, they're a great all-round option.

Jeffrey / Kartel are really fun, more stable than the ARV, though they wouldn't be my top pick for a 1-ski quiver if you ski a lot of really firm snow.

New SFB's are quite soft in the tips and tails and I feel like you might overpower them, even in the 190. That said, I've only skied the 184, and I'm not sure if the 190 is disproportionately stiffer. If its flex is similar to the 184's (which I would guess it is), I think you'd want a stiffer ski.

Moment PB&J, Deathwish, or Wildcat 108 are great options. Yeah, they're fairly stiff, but at your height and weight I don't think you'd have a problem bending them and they have a lot of rocker, which helps a lot when buttering.

The J Skis options are great, but yeah, probably too short for you.

A bit on the expensive side, but the new Prior Northwest 110 sounds like it'd be a great option. Similar to the Jeffrey in terms of stability but a bit more versatile and it comes in a 190 that'd be plenty of ski for you.


Thanks for the response man, appreciate it.

I'm definitely leaning towards the Kartel, but just can't take that decision about waist width, I do ski a bit of backcountry/slack country, and probably would appreciate something versatile enough to be able to go under the ropes as well. I read the Blister review that didn't have great things to say about the 108s performance on hardpack, but it's hard to know whether that's a serious issue or just the need for those guys to differentiate between the hundreds of planks they review.

I'm waiting for Blister to cover the SFB 190s so I can make a more accurate decision, but they were pretty complementary about how they handled on piste, and they do look like a lot of fun to learn some more playful tricks and to launch sidehits on.

I'm not actually sure Prior ship to Europe, I'm struggling to find their site from this side of the pond. Thanks for the all the info and advice though!
Sep 9 2019 4:46AM
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CalumSKI
Posts: 4121 - Karma: 23,046
look into the marksman
pretty dope ski from what ive heard
Sep 9 2019 8:37AM
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 8,663
allthekingsThanks for the response man, appreciate it.

I'm definitely leaning towards the Kartel, but just can't take that decision about waist width, I do ski a bit of backcountry/slack country, and probably would appreciate something versatile enough to be able to go under the ropes as well. I read the Blister review that didn't have great things to say about the 108s performance on hardpack, but it's hard to know whether that's a serious issue or just the need for those guys to differentiate between the hundreds of planks they review.

I'm waiting for Blister to cover the SFB 190s so I can make a more accurate decision, but they were pretty complementary about how they handled on piste, and they do look like a lot of fun to learn some more playful tricks and to launch sidehits on.

I'm not actually sure Prior ship to Europe, I'm struggling to find their site from this side of the pond. Thanks for the all the info and advice though!


Yeah, I'm one of the guys who wrote the Kartel 108 review — on very firm snow / ice, they were notably less predictable than most other ~108mm-wide skis I've been on. Something about the design just made the tails lose grip unpredictably. I absolutely love them on any sort of soft snow, it's just very firm, very smooth snow where they could feel a bit scary. Haven't tried the 96 though, so there's a good chance those are better. Also the Woodsman 108 might be worth a look. It's a more directional ski but still feels comfortable spinning and at least on the bit of hardpack I got it on, it felt much more predictable than the Kartel 108.

And FYI, we don't have the 190 SFB so if we are able to get it, that review probably wouldn't go up till late December or January at the earliest, just so you know.
Sep 9 2019 9:17AM
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allthekings
Posts: 9 - Karma: 23
patagonialukeYeah, I'm one of the guys who wrote the Kartel 108 review — on very firm snow / ice, they were notably less predictable than most other ~108mm-wide skis I've been on. Something about the design just made the tails lose grip unpredictably. I absolutely love them on any sort of soft snow, it's just very firm, very smooth snow where they could feel a bit scary. Haven't tried the 96 though, so there's a good chance those are better. Also the Woodsman 108 might be worth a look. It's a more directional ski but still feels comfortable spinning and at least on the bit of hardpack I got it on, it felt much more predictable than the Kartel 108.

And FYI, we don't have the 190 SFB so if we are able to get it, that review probably wouldn't go up till late December or January at the earliest, just so you know.


Ahahah what are the odds! Well, pretty good actually given the small community, but I really appreciate the stuff you guys produce. When I've got the money to spare, I'll definitely be signing up for a membership. Any chance of a Jeffrey 96 review at some point (obviously not in the immediate future), or will you wait until the Jeffery gets a revamp next year more likely? If you guys don't produce one I'm sort of lost with where to turn since I can't wait and demo them in Europe!

Yeah completely fair enough, I'm sure you're all pretty busy at the moment with the new buyer's guide being finalised, I'll definitely have made my decision before then so if I take the SFB I'll probably just fly a bit blind into it. Looks like I'm trying to choose between the 96 and 108 Jeffery I think - I'd go for the PB&J but that flex pattern still concerns me.

Sorry to be a pain, but just to clarify, when you say 'very firm, smooth snow' do you mean basically the sort of cover that you'd get on an icy downhill racecourse? Or just very hard pisted runs where us mere mortals would otherwise anticipate being able to keep an edge in? Cause the former I could accept, I ski those conditions like a muppet regardless.
Sep 9 2019 10:03AM
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 8,663
allthekingsAhahah what are the odds! Well, pretty good actually given the small community, but I really appreciate the stuff you guys produce. When I've got the money to spare, I'll definitely be signing up for a membership. Any chance of a Jeffrey 96 review at some point (obviously not in the immediate future), or will you wait until the Jeffery gets a revamp next year more likely? If you guys don't produce one I'm sort of lost with where to turn since I can't wait and demo them in Europe!

Yeah completely fair enough, I'm sure you're all pretty busy at the moment with the new buyer's guide being finalised, I'll definitely have made my decision before then so if I take the SFB I'll probably just fly a bit blind into it. Looks like I'm trying to choose between the 96 and 108 Jeffery I think - I'd go for the PB&J but that flex pattern still concerns me.

Sorry to be a pain, but just to clarify, when you say 'very firm, smooth snow' do you mean basically the sort of cover that you'd get on an icy downhill racecourse? Or just very hard pisted runs where us mere mortals would otherwise anticipate being able to keep an edge in? Cause the former I could accept, I ski those conditions like a muppet regardless.


Yeah we'll probably be waiting on the Jeffrey 96 until the 20/21 versions, but not 100% sure on that.

And for very firm, smooth snow I'm mostly talking about (1) groomers that no longer have corduroy / groomed lines, and are instead just a flat, smooth, and borderline icy and then (2) early-morning spring groomers, when they were groomed when the snow was still soft and then refroze and are super, super firm in the morning. Basically, I'm talking about the absolute firmest conditions you see in a resort. The kind of conditions where you won't be carving a ski that wide / really digging its edges in, and instead would mostly be sliding your turns.

In these conditions, instead of sliding predictably, the Kartel 108's tail had a habit of giving out / losing grip, which was a bit unnerving compared to other skis in its class that would let me slide them in a more predictable manner. And then there are a few skis in this class (SFB and Sego Big Horn 106 are two I can think of) that actually let me carve on crazy firm conditions, but those are definitely outliers, and most skis I just expect to be predictable to slide.

[Edit: see Iggy's comment below. There are lots of people who get along just fine with the Jeffrey 108 on hardpack. My thoughts are just from my experience on the ski, and involve a lot of important nuance in terms of specific conditions (super firm snow), and the fact that I probably place a higher priority on hardpack performance than most people considering the Jeffrey skis. If you don't tend to ski bulletproof conditions on your 108mm-wide skis and/or are content sliding your turns more conservatively when encountering those conditions, don't worry about it. It's literally the only thing I didn't like about the ski, which is, unfortunately, probably why people tend to focus on it / why it stands out in our review. As always, just evaluate the conditions in which you'll be using a particular ski and your top priorities for what you want in that ski. Then take that perspective and read others' comments with your own context in mind.]

**This post was edited on Sep 9th 2019 at 10:27:29pm
Sep 9 2019 11:05AM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
I’m 6’2”/175 and had last year’s 184cm SFB which lasted 2 runs as they were too soft and light for my tastes and replaced with the 182 PBJ. The new SFB are even softer! Replaced the PB&J after experiencing major tip dive in powder and just “okay” performance on harder snow with then.

Replaced the PB&J with the new 186cm Enforcer 104 Free with the bindings moved up 2cm to make them pivot easier and more playful and they are a revelation! Can rip even firm groomers as you can run the edges sharp tip to tail(Moment and ON3P like tip/tail detuning usually) and the flex is med flexing throughout the whole ski. Not demanding at all yet rips through crud very well and a blast in the bumps. They make a 191cm version as well but I’d say you could ski either with your weight. 186cm more of a Charger, 186cm more playful.

Just picked up a pair of Dynastar Slicer Factory’s which are now called Menace 98 for a Spring ski and they would be a fun, playful ski that’s not a noodle for you. They make a 187cm of that and it would be easy to get in Europe.

Rossingnol Black Ops 98 is another ski like the Menace 98 and it’s available in 192cm.
Sep 9 2019 11:25AM
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Liam_j10
Posts: 507 - Karma: 2,441
PlayTreeProdbent chetler 100s my man! im a 6'4'' 190lbs and rode the 188s. such a good ski. Their flex pattern was unreal. Literally one of my favorite skis all time.
They rip the 20cm pow days, park, and groomers.


bent chetty 100 all day

Took these guys out in the park, pow days at alta, and bombing crud at the bird. Plenty of butter for ya but honestly offers some surprising stability too for its flex

**This post was edited on Sep 9th 2019 at 1:21:55pm
Sep 9 2019 1:19PM
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YeetCannon
Posts: 114 - Karma: 299
I have ridden every ski on your list, and I must say the Kartel/Jeffrey 108 feels like a very special ski. It's in a totally different ball park from the other ones, even the ARV 106 doesnt compare. With some pivots you would be a very happy camper
Sep 9 2019 5:18PM
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allthekings
Posts: 9 - Karma: 23
Greg_KI’m 6’2”/175 and had last year’s 184cm SFB which lasted 2 runs as they were too soft and light for my tastes and replaced with the 182 PBJ. The new SFB are even softer! Replaced the PB&J after experiencing major tip dive in powder and just “okay” performance on harder snow with then.

Replaced the PB&J with the new 186cm Enforcer 104 Free with the bindings moved up 2cm to make them pivot easier and more playful and they are a revelation! Can rip even firm groomers as you can run the edges sharp tip to tail(Moment and ON3P like tip/tail detuning usually) and the flex is med flexing throughout the whole ski. Not demanding at all yet rips through crud very well and a blast in the bumps. They make a 191cm version as well but I’d say you could ski either with your weight. 186cm more of a Charger, 186cm more playful.

Just picked up a pair of Dynastar Slicer Factory’s which are now called Menace 98 for a Spring ski and they would be a fun, playful ski that’s not a noodle for you. They make a 187cm of that and it would be easy to get in Europe.

Rossingnol Black Ops 98 is another ski like the Menace 98 and it’s available in 192cm.


I had a friend who works in a ski shop and was going to all the demo days say that the Nordica Enforcer 104 was "the best five minutes of skiing" he had last season, so it's getting rave reviews.

How do you find the flex though? I was sort of hoping to jump onto something a bit progressive, and I've always thought of Nordicas as more frontside carving skis.
Sep 9 2019 6:19PM
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allthekings
Posts: 9 - Karma: 23
BightLinkerI have ridden every ski on your list, and I must say the Kartel/Jeffrey 108 feels like a very special ski. It's in a totally different ball park from the other ones, even the ARV 106 doesnt compare. With some pivots you would be a very happy camper


I'll be mounting a set of pivots no matter what I end up on, wouldn't ski another alpine binding if I can avoid it!

How did you find the groomer and hardpack performance on the 108? I'm on 108 with my current skis so the width itself isn't an issue, I'm just worried that this problem with the tail washing out in carves is more common than I think it is.
Sep 9 2019 6:22PM
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YeetCannon
Posts: 114 - Karma: 299
allthekingsI'll be mounting a set of pivots no matter what I end up on, wouldn't ski another alpine binding if I can avoid it!

How did you find the groomer and hardpack performance on the 108? I'm on 108 with my current skis so the width itself isn't an issue, I'm just worried that this problem with the tail washing out in carves is more common than I think it is.


I personally bumped from the 108 to the 116, they both are a blast on hardpack! The rocker can scare people, but the 108's are just as happy backcountry jibbing as making big ol super G turns on hardpack. You have to move your center of gravity foreward and take a more centered stance.
Sep 9 2019 7:53PM
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iggyskier
Posts: 10433 - Karma: 9,727
allthekingsI'll be mounting a set of pivots no matter what I end up on, wouldn't ski another alpine binding if I can avoid it!

How did you find the groomer and hardpack performance on the 108? I'm on 108 with my current skis so the width itself isn't an issue, I'm just worried that this problem with the tail washing out in carves is more common than I think it is.

For what it is worth, over the last 3 seasons since we updated the flex, I cannot off hand remember a single customer who has had this issue and expressed it to me or our CS team in a specific way. So that isn't to say people don't experience it - or haven't mentioned it to us, only that if so, we hear about it so little that it hasn't even registered in a way that would factor into our design and development process (aka, not something we worry about with the intended skiers and market - a market we know well since everyone who works here skis it).

And it has been a question (is the Kartel/Jeffrey capable of skiing hardpack?) we've been getting consistently for years based upon the above review, and one that I've noted in multiple places that we don't exactly agree with (but that is the nature of reviews).

I certainly know of customers who want less rocker overall, want less tail length or a more traditional mount (see the Woodsman), or just want something more "frontside", but the tail washing out on hardpack is not something I personally hear - or experience (including with all the factory and team guys on it) - and this is on our best selling ski three years running, so the volume isn't trivial.

To note - I'm the most biased individual on the planet in this regard as I designed them (with a platform history going back to 2006), so take what I say with a grain of salt.

That said, amongst the list you have down, I have no concerns about the Jeffrey 108 hardpack performance compared to the other models you are considering, outside the Metal, which for obviously reasons is going to provide the best edge hold and damping on the list. And in softer snow, I would take the JF108 over every option on the list (but again...biased).

Hope that helps. If you have any specific questions we can help with, shoot us an email.
Sep 9 2019 9:08PM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
allthekingsI had a friend who works in a ski shop and was going to all the demo days say that the Nordica Enforcer 104 was "the best five minutes of skiing" he had last season, so it's getting rave reviews.

How do you find the flex though? I was sort of hoping to jump onto something a bit progressive, and I've always thought of Nordicas as more frontside carving skis.

The Enforcer 104 is shockingly fun! The narrower Enforcers like the 88, 93 have flatter and stiffer tails for more powerful carving but aren’t super playful or forgiving. The Enforcer 104 has a more symmetrical flex similar to freestyle skis like the Kartel/Jeffery but the E104 has a flatter rocker giving it more effective edge on the groomers. The increased rocker splay of the Jeffery will pivot a bit better maybe at the cost of edge grip although the Enforcer 104 pivots quite easily as well with the mount forward.

Really like the flex on the E104-playful/forgiving tip/tails and more solid underfoot. 2 sheets of metal so it’s damp and solid yet it’s the same weight as the ON3P without metal.

The ON3P advantage will be the durability if you’re hitting rails or hidden rocks etc as they have thick bases and edges. The Enforcer has very fast race bases and regular edges so not as “bomb proof” as an ON3P. So park skiers will favor the ON3P and playful freeride groomer/powder rippers will favor the E104.
I don’t ski rails but hit jumps in the park and ripping the rest of the mountain and the E104 are great for that.

Here’s a video review and quick on hill high speed groomer ripping video of the Enforcer 104. There is also a great review on Blistergear of them.


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/938819/2020-Nordica-Enforcer-104-Free-Ski-Reviewhttps://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/938820/2020-Ski-Test---Nordica-Enforcer-104-Free-Skis

**This post was edited on Sep 9th 2019 at 9:28:18pm

**This post was edited on Sep 9th 2019 at 9:29:06pm
Sep 9 2019 9:27PM
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TreyMiddleton
Posts: 78 - Karma: 349
allthekingsI'll be mounting a set of pivots no matter what I end up on, wouldn't ski another alpine binding if I can avoid it!

How did you find the groomer and hardpack performance on the 108? I'm on 108 with my current skis so the width itself isn't an issue, I'm just worried that this problem with the tail washing out in carves is more common than I think it is.


I have skied a pair of kartel 108s with pivots the last couple seasons and the only time I have had an issue on groomers is when they have been really icy, other than that they are by far my favorite pair of skis I have owned. I’m looking for a new pair of either Jeffery’s or Woodsmans for this season just because I want a longer pair
Sep 9 2019 11:12PM
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allthekings
Posts: 9 - Karma: 23
iggyskierFor what it is worth, over the last 3 seasons since we updated the flex, I cannot off hand remember a single customer who has had this issue and expressed it to me or our CS team in a specific way. So that isn't to say people don't experience it - or haven't mentioned it to us, only that if so, we hear about it so little that it hasn't even registered in a way that would factor into our design and development process (aka, not something we worry about with the intended skiers and market - a market we know well since everyone who works here skis it).

And it has been a question (is the Kartel/Jeffrey capable of skiing hardpack?) we've been getting consistently for years based upon the above review, and one that I've noted in multiple places that we don't exactly agree with (but that is the nature of reviews).

I certainly know of customers who want less rocker overall, want less tail length or a more traditional mount (see the Woodsman), or just want something more "frontside", but the tail washing out on hardpack is not something I personally hear - or experience (including with all the factory and team guys on it) - and this is on our best selling ski three years running, so the volume isn't trivial.

To note - I'm the most biased individual on the planet in this regard as I designed them (with a platform history going back to 2006), so take what I say with a grain of salt.

That said, amongst the list you have down, I have no concerns about the Jeffrey 108 hardpack performance compared to the other models you are considering, outside the Metal, which for obviously reasons is going to provide the best edge hold and damping on the list. And in softer snow, I would take the JF108 over every option on the list (but again...biased).

Hope that helps. If you have any specific questions we can help with, shoot us an email.


Ahhh man, I'm sorry, sounds like you're probably sick to the back teeth of answering questions about it, but sounds like you also understand that it's a significant investment for some of us, so appreciate you taking the time to give your view.

I think I'm leaning pretty heavily ON3P's way, I'm just really struggling with whether to get a 96 or a 108. I was thinking I'd get the lighter fibreglass in a custom setup with a wood veneer top, are you able to say how that will effect the overall weight for the 96 and 108? Basically because I'm so tall I really want to minimise the swing weight as much as I can to make it easier to learn butters and spins properly, but if I can take the 108 and still do those things I will for the extra versatility. Thanks again man!
Sep 12 2019 9:09PM
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iggyskier
Posts: 10433 - Karma: 9,727
allthekingsAhhh man, I'm sorry, sounds like you're probably sick to the back teeth of answering questions about it, but sounds like you also understand that it's a significant investment for some of us, so appreciate you taking the time to give your view.

I think I'm leaning pretty heavily ON3P's way, I'm just really struggling with whether to get a 96 or a 108. I was thinking I'd get the lighter fibreglass in a custom setup with a wood veneer top, are you able to say how that will effect the overall weight for the 96 and 108? Basically because I'm so tall I really want to minimise the swing weight as much as I can to make it easier to learn butters and spins properly, but if I can take the 108 and still do those things I will for the extra versatility. Thanks again man!


It's all good - just part of the job. I just always laugh a bit when we're talking about rockered freestyle skis and the conversation is centered around hard pack performance. I get it if the conversation was in comparison to say...the Enforcer Series - but when its rockered freestyle ski vs rockered freestyle ski, I think people tend to lose focus a bit. All these skis can get down hard snow fine - but hardside carving just isn't their performance goal.

I would lean 108 as an everyday ski. If you went wood veneer, you will already get 19oz glass with it, as the wood veneer stiffness the ski and we lighten the layup to account for it. That would lighten the ski up, but flex would be similar to stock.

What length are you thinking of? Are you keeping the Soul 7 in a functional capacity?
Sep 12 2019 9:55PM
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Topsen
Posts: 85 - Karma: 76
Quality input here.
I‘m 6‘4, 220 and ride the Kartel98 in the European alps.
I really love the ski. Fun, bomb proof and really likes to charge. Due to its weight and construction its not the easiest ski to spin and butter out there, but thats trade off you have to take.
As mine is heavily detuned underfoot it can be kind of sketchy on ice, but what do you expect from a rockered ski that does not have edges. As soon as there is some kind of grip, the ski is awesome.
If you dont ski rails, you definitely will be fine.
Kudos to iggy, great ski.

**This post was edited on Sep 13th 2019 at 6:02:25am
Sep 13 2019 5:58AM
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allthekings
Posts: 9 - Karma: 23
iggyskierIt's all good - just part of the job. I just always laugh a bit when we're talking about rockered freestyle skis and the conversation is centered around hard pack performance. I get it if the conversation was in comparison to say...the Enforcer Series - but when its rockered freestyle ski vs rockered freestyle ski, I think people tend to lose focus a bit. All these skis can get down hard snow fine - but hardside carving just isn't their performance goal.

I would lean 108 as an everyday ski. If you went wood veneer, you will already get 19oz glass with it, as the wood veneer stiffness the ski and we lighten the layup to account for it. That would lighten the ski up, but flex would be similar to stock.

What length are you thinking of? Are you keeping the Soul 7 in a functional capacity?


Okay thanks, that's good to know regarding the topsheet and weight. I'll probably keep the S7s for now, but I'm sort of envisaging that if I get the Jeffrey 108 there's not many situations where I'd want to have both, since I think the ON3Ps can basically cover all the scenarios where I would have previously used the S7s.

Wasn't sure about the length either, I'm skinny as hell so while 191cm was the natural choice at my height, I was thinking of sizing down since your skis are measured post press aren't they? I don't think I've been in a situation where I wished the 188cm S7s were longer, and they'll basically be an identical length to a 186 Jeffrey.
Sep 13 2019 7:20AM
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allthekings
Posts: 9 - Karma: 23
TopsenQuality input here.
I‘m 6‘4, 220 and ride the Kartel98 in the European alps.
I really love the ski. Fun, bomb proof and really likes to charge. Due to its weight and construction its not the easiest ski to spin and butter out there, but thats trade off you have to take.
As mine is heavily detuned underfoot it can be kind of sketchy on ice, but what do you expect from a rockered ski that does not have edges. As soon as there is some kind of grip, the ski is awesome.
If you dont ski rails, you definitely will be fine.
Kudos to iggy, great ski.

**This post was edited on Sep 13th 2019 at 6:02:25am


Are you on a 186 or 191 length? And do you have another ski that you use for chasing deeper days around the resort, or do you find that 98 is enough float for the side piste stuff you're hitting?

Yeah I think I've hit one rail in my entire life and I didn't make it look pretty, so not a big concern! Won't be getting the factory detune anyhow. Thanks for the info!
Sep 13 2019 7:24AM
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Topsen
Posts: 85 - Karma: 76
allthekingsAre you on a 186 or 191 length? And do you have another ski that you use for chasing deeper days around the resort, or do you find that 98 is enough float for the side piste stuff you're hitting?

Yeah I think I've hit one rail in my entire life and I didn't make it look pretty, so not a big concern! Won't be getting the factory detune anyhow. Thanks for the info!


186, biggest length for the 98/96. And as you said they measure long so for park & everyday skiing they are totally fine.

I also have a Moment Wildcat 190 for the deep days. Which is also an amazing ski btw.

If you want to use it as any 1 Ski quiver kind of ski and go with the 108 you will be more than fine in any kind of condition. I got my Kartel 98 in up to 30cm and due to the big rocker they still are a ton of fun. Just get some used GS skis for those icy days.
Sep 13 2019 8:30AM
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PiddleSedans
Posts: 3 - Karma: 13
Im 5"10 and getting to be an old geezer at 67 but Im extremely fit and still ski everything from moguls to steeps to trees and bowls, but no parks Thinking about getting 186 J Skis - Metal "Exposure" as my one quiver ski?
Jan 17 2020 7:36PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 268
I'm in the same boat, been having a really hard time deciding. the marksman might be my top choice at the moment, i just dont like that I cant swap skis around for park use. maybe not a big deal.. I'm starting to look at custom options, prior northwest in a soft flex and narrower width, folsom completo. lithic skunkworks 110 also looks sick but again, $$$.
Jan 17 2020 11:48PM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
PiddleSedansIm 5"10 and getting to be an old geezer at 67 but Im extremely fit and still ski everything from moguls to steeps to trees and bowls, but no parks Thinking about getting 186 J Skis - Metal "Exposure" as my one quiver ski?

The Metal is a great ski and the Enforcer 104 is very similar but it’s lighter(yet more stable through crud), can carve better and is a blast in bumps. A bit of heavy snow and fresh during the day on Thursday and everyone on my local hill struggling through the crud and the 104s blasted through it with ease. Doesn’t have the best ice/hard snow grip(neither does the Metal) but other than that it’s awesome!

Fisher Ranger 102 FR a bit lighter and stiffer but another excellent ski in this range as well if you bias carving capability. The K2 Mindbender 108Ti another great ski if you want to bias soft snow/powder as it’s float is very good for it’s width but can still carve a turn. Very fun and easy to ski.
Jan 18 2020 8:13AM
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PiddleSedans
Posts: 3 - Karma: 13
Thanks
Jan 18 2020 11:03AM
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PiddleSedans
Posts: 3 - Karma: 13
What do you think about the Salomon QST 106 181 cm. I'm 5'10 160lbs Thanks
Jan 18 2020 3:48PM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
PiddleSedansWhat do you think about the Salomon QST 106 181 cm. I'm 5'10 160lbs Thanks

A bit lighter and more traditional feel than the Metal or Enforcer 104 but it’s a solid ski if it’s the 19/20 model(18/19 too light and not as stable). Pretty solid ski for it’s weight and not demanding at all to ski. Blizzard Rustler 10 another ski that got beefed up this year but still very easy to ski in the 180cm for your size.
Jan 18 2020 4:12PM
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