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Help a newb understand what park skis to get

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vexorg
Posts: 3 - Karma: 34
I'm relatively new to park skiing but I love it and want to do a lot more this year. I got a very old pair of Afterbangs and can do small boxes and rails but the skis seem pretty heavy to me, maybe cuz I'm old (51)? Is it worth getting a newer pair of skis or should I just suck it up and learn to deal with it? I've read lots of reviews on here but I don't know how well they apply to newbs like me.

I would use the skis pretty much 100% park and really want to focus on rails and boxes and also want to try learning how to butter. I saw that the Honey Badger is pretty light but maybe not super durable, or maybe Line Blend. But when reviews talk about "pop" or how well they butter etc does this really matter to a newb? What ski characteristics matter for new park skiers? I'll probably be buying used until I'm good enough to really know what's going on.

Forgot to mention, I'm 5'9", 175 lbs and a decent mogul skiier but recently have been doing more tree skiing at the local hills here in Vancouver BC.

**This thread was edited on Oct 6th 2020 at 1:32:33am
Oct 6 2020 1:13AM
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Celery
Posts: 1945 - Karma: 23,474
I personally ride the Blends, and I love them, but one downside is that they are really soft. That makes it super easy to bend em’ like you could just lean forward and get on the noses. They are definitely not light, or super stable on the landing of jumps. I think they’d be great as an introductory park ski, but if you decide to focus on some bigger jump tricks then you may want to switch to a ski like the K2 poachers or something stiffer. The honey badgers are probably a great choice if you’re not skiing super hard on them they should hold up great, also the 350 dollar price tag is a plus. Also props to you getting into park at your age! It’s sick as fuck to see that
Oct 6 2020 9:08AM
5 1
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 8952 - Karma: 57,670
how good at skiing generally are you? the skis you mentioned will be fine but they're made for kids. afterbangs are kind of weird young kid skis, badgers are kind of price point skis i think, and the blends are literally some of the softest skis available. unless you prefer things really soft or cheap i'd suggest getting a more standard park ski like the armada arv 86
Oct 6 2020 9:30AM
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Dollo527
Posts: 1 - Karma: 21
In my opinion the armada arv 86 is a great starter ski
Oct 6 2020 1:39PM
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H_up
Posts: 242 - Karma: 1,903
vexorgI'm relatively new to park skiing but I love it and want to do a lot more this year. I got a very old pair of Afterbangs and can do small boxes and rails but the skis seem pretty heavy to me, maybe cuz I'm old (51)? Is it worth getting a newer pair of skis or should I just suck it up and learn to deal with it? I've read lots of reviews on here but I don't know how well they apply to newbs like me.

I would use the skis pretty much 100% park and really want to focus on rails and boxes and also want to try learning how to butter. I saw that the Honey Badger is pretty light but maybe not super durable, or maybe Line Blend. But when reviews talk about "pop" or how well they butter etc does this really matter to a newb? What ski characteristics matter for new park skiers? I'll probably be buying used until I'm good enough to really know what's going on.

Forgot to mention, I'm 5'9", 175 lbs and a decent mogul skiier but recently have been doing more tree skiing at the local hills here in Vancouver BC.

**This thread was edited on Oct 6th 2020 at 1:32:33am


Gucci Pickles
Oct 6 2020 2:15PM
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vexorg
Posts: 3 - Karma: 34
CeleryI personally ride the Blends, and I love them, but one downside is that they are really soft. That makes it super easy to bend em’ like you could just lean forward and get on the noses. They are definitely not light, or super stable on the landing of jumps. I think they’d be great as an introductory park ski, but if you decide to focus on some bigger jump tricks then you may want to switch to a ski like the K2 poachers or something stiffer. The honey badgers are probably a great choice if you’re not skiing super hard on them they should hold up great, also the 350 dollar price tag is a plus. Also props to you getting into park at your age! It’s sick as fuck to see that


Thanks! I think you will see more and more of that. After all, you're not thinking "yeah I better ski my ass off now cuz I have to stop when I turrn X years old", are you?
Oct 6 2020 4:13PM
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vexorg
Posts: 3 - Karma: 34
SofaKingSickhow good at skiing generally are you? the skis you mentioned will be fine but they're made for kids. afterbangs are kind of weird young kid skis, badgers are kind of price point skis i think, and the blends are literally some of the softest skis available. unless you prefer things really soft or cheap i'd suggest getting a more standard park ski like the armada arv 86


I can ski pretty much anything with no problem (type III). Moguls are my favorite but there aren't many bump runs out here any more so I started looking for different stuff.

What is the disadvantage of going super soft?
Oct 6 2020 4:21PM
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Celery
Posts: 1945 - Karma: 23,474
The skis are less forgiving for when you land, meaning that if you land super back seat you might wheelie out of it or you might slip out.

But on the plus side, they are wicked fun to cruise around on since you can press and butter pretty much anywhere.
vexorgI can ski pretty much anything with no problem (type III). Moguls are my favorite but there aren't many bump runs out here any more so I started looking for different stuff.

What is the disadvantage of going super soft?
Oct 6 2020 5:20PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 8952 - Karma: 57,670
vexorgI can ski pretty much anything with no problem (type III). Moguls are my favorite but there aren't many bump runs out here any more so I started looking for different stuff.

What is the disadvantage of going super soft?

Gotcha. Soft skis are easier and more forgiving on small stuff, fun and playful to use, and less stable/lack backbone on jumps, bigger stuff, and "real" skiing

I'm not saying you shouldn't get soft or softer skis, but something more medium is worth considering especially if you're used to normal skis and are a good "normal" skier
Oct 6 2020 7:47PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 8952 - Karma: 57,670
Had to post and double check your post. Yeah, you say you want something exclusively for rails and buttering etc, so a soft ski is great for that. But you also say you are in BC and are getting into tree/freeskiing, and in that case I'd suggest getting something that's fire in the park and very manageable but still can handle some "real" skiing. So I say armada arv 86 or 96, both of which are reasonably priced/often on sale
Oct 6 2020 7:50PM
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Mdkeator
Posts: 27 - Karma: 110
Dollo527In my opinion the armada arv 86 is a great starter ski


I agree with this. Something playful but not too soft, especially if you're not looking to do crazy butters or press on anything. By the sounds of it, you're just starting out so something of a more all-around twin, like the ARV 86, would serve you better.
Oct 6 2020 11:08PM
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vexorg
Posts: 3 - Karma: 34
Thanks for all your help, I was able to buy a pair of new 2020 Armada ARV 86 and Look Pivot 14 bindings on sale. Can't wait to try them out!
Oct 9 2020 12:31AM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 8952 - Karma: 57,670
vexorgThanks for all your help, I was able to buy a pair of new 2020 Armada ARV 86 and Look Pivot 14 bindings on sale. Can't wait to try them out!


That's a fire setup dude, you're gonna love them
Oct 9 2020 8:15AM
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steeze_louise
Posts: 548 - Karma: 2,094
get the potato stick 5000
Oct 11 2020 6:25PM
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