Replying to Black Crows Nocta vs Anima and Sizing
I'm 165 lbs, 5' 11". Advanced skier. Skied 43 days this season before corona virus ended things :/
I enjoy tight terrain in the trees, I also love big surfy turns in the powder at higher speeds. So I value something maneuverable and yet stable.
I currently have a pair of Black Crows Atris 184 cm. I freaking love these things. They are a blast. They are pretty easy to maneuver and yet I feel I can go fast on them as well. They float well. I do find myself leaning back when I hit chop at th end of a powder day especially in more dense snow. Looking to get a dedicated powder ski that will be ideal for deep days and yet float the chop pretty well at the end of the powder day at high speed. I don't really "need" another ski but I'm pretty dang addicted to this sport and find myself wanting another ski :D
Since I've enjoyed the Atris so much, been looking at the Anima and the Nocta. I'm leaning strongly towards the Nocta but would be curious to hear what others think. Considering putting a Salomon Shift S/Lab binding on it to use it for front side deep days and backcountry touring. Seems like the Nocta is a bit lighter and might be better for touring granted many would say there are other skis even better for touring but everything is a compromise.
Anyone have experience with the Nocta vs the Anima? My concern with the Anima is that it wouldn't handle as well at lower speeds in shallower tree terrain.
I'm not concerned with groomer performance at all for this ski. My Atris does great on groomers and will be my groomer day and light powder ski.
As for sizing:
If I get the Nocta I'm trying to decide between the 185 and 190 cm. Like I said my Atris is 184 cm and I feel very comfortable controlling it. The Nocta does have more rocker. But I'm slightly apprehensive to go long only because I previously owned a pair of Salomon QST 106's in the 188 cm length and they just felt a little too big and clunky especially in the chop at the end of the day and on hard surfaces. Granted the QST has a lower and smaller rocker profile in the front and much less rocker in the tail so its not really apples to apples.
My concern with the 190's is they'll be too cumbersome in tight tree terrain. My concern with the 185's is they might not plane up well enough from chopped powder at the end of the day.
Any help is appreciated
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