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No bullshit discussion on each ski company’s park ski durability.

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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,100
This is my preliminary judgement of the durability of different park skis based on online reviews/comments.

Head: if you are going to hit rails, frame walls and caddies both seem to get poor durability reviews. Alot of people claim edge cracks appearing very quickly. I assume that if you dont hit rails or rocks your edges might hold up, otherwise it would probably happen to all head skis, as its unlikely heads park skis are weaker than their all mountain skis.

Atomic- mixed reviews. Some ppl say they are tanks, other ppl say they fall apart. Im curious what you ppl would say.

0n3p- usually get alot of game talked about their durability, but ive seen multiple posts/comments by ppl whos on3ps have eaten shit after 2 weeks of skiing.

liberty skis- only read one review by ns that said they were very durable. Curious if any of you have them or have tested their durability.

volkl- generally get better reviews than head and atomic and it seems that some of the rumors about them not being durable stem from ppl begrudgingly thinking volkl isnt a “core” brand and doesnt care about park skiing. I dont buy that, and from both my volkl park skis and the reviews of others, it seems that volkl may take more interest in the park/freestyle skiing community than atomic and head.

fischer- i feel is very underrated as far as the german austrian companies go. I have never read a poor review of fischer park skis and it seems they put alot of work into making their park skis reliable.

armada- probably the most bulletproof ski you can buy. Based on reviews/comments and the arvs i had looked and felt like they were carved out of steel. Only ski that gets durability remarks as good as armada seems to be 0n3p.

4frnt, surface, moment, nordica, i dont know much about these skis reliability.



salomon- kind of like ferrari- bling bling but not going to hold up when you need them. Also the flex of skis like suspects feels like the skis are made of plastic. Also french iirc.

rossi- i will never buy a pair of rossi park skis after watching a rider try to wheely out of a landing and their ski exploding into pieces. I really liked the scratch bc’s i rode once but reliability wise i dont trust them. French company iirc.

stockli/blizzard- i dont know if they even make a park ski.

k2- ive seen mixed reviews. Mostly good tho.

Line- mixed reviews but also mostly good, especially on their bespoke bombproof skis like the blend honey badger, and tw pro.


thats all i can think of right now, and im not trying to make any claims about durability bc what the fuck do i know?...
im just curious what everybodys general opinion is on the edge and base durability of different ski brands park skis.
Feb 21 2021 4:17AM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 6647 - Karma: 57,286
Armadas - always did me well. My go to for affordable park skis.

Libertys - good skis. Didn’t hit rails on them but topsheet/overall durability was really good. Rails aside, I put them through the wringer. Only thing is that I could see some places where the ski was delamming internally because the base was clear. However, this particular model was kind of known for that so no surprise.

Völkl - not impressed with topsheet or edges. Probably the quickest a park ski has ever starting breaking down on me. Maybe my detune wasn’t good enough but that doesn’t explain the topsheet

Factions - topsheet was ridiculously thin and splintered off at tips and tails easily exposing the core/carbon bands. Fun skis but they felt brittle.

**This post was edited on Feb 21st 2021 at 7:08:46am
Feb 21 2021 7:06AM
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rubberpantaloons
Posts: 506 - Karma: 3,097
Armadas are good but not the best for durability. Seen a few that only lasted half a season. On3ps are durable as fuck but the price is a bit too much for a park ski
Feb 21 2021 8:06AM
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Session
Posts: 5321 - Karma: 21,431
No bullshit discussion: How hard is it for you to put anything in the right forum?
Feb 21 2021 8:06AM
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keagan.karstens
Posts: 1486 - Karma: 32,561
I ride arv 96s in the park. I chip up the top sheet a lot from my skis clicking together but that doesn’t affect the skiing so I’d say they’re great with durability
Feb 21 2021 10:26AM
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gorbdawggybrent
Posts: 970 - Karma: 8,761
i know it’s a cliche at this point but ON3Ps last forever
Feb 21 2021 2:22PM
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lj_merk
Posts: 5 - Karma: 100
I ride the atomic bentchetler 100s. Really string ski. I do know they are made in the same factory as armadas
Feb 21 2021 3:13PM
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DesertStix
Posts: 2540 - Karma: 14,972
He can’t do anything right
SessionNo bullshit discussion: How hard is it for you to put anything in the right forum?
Feb 21 2021 4:30PM
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osm
Posts: 76 - Karma: 338
vishnu best ski i've skied durability wise and fun wise
Feb 21 2021 5:09PM
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CowboySkibop
Posts: 3503 - Karma: 27,971
surface- durable enough for some pretty advanced park skiing, but they might explode if you’re street skiing
Feb 21 2021 5:53PM
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WisconsinDogfart
Posts: 675 - Karma: 5,522
lines always be falling apart but they make up for it in being insanely fun to ski on and pretty cheap
Feb 21 2021 6:40PM
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SurfinCow
Posts: 223 - Karma: 1,686
in my experience:
k2s - bombproof that have survived everything I do
volkls- not impressed, seem to chip and break easy
line- chippy topsheet with meh edges but the most fun to ski so it makes up for it.
Feb 21 2021 7:13PM
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Hometownerz
Posts: 183 - Karma: 1,069
CrunnchyVanMansurface- durable enough for some pretty advanced park skiing, but they might explode if you’re street skiing


You tried their pow skis Mr. CrunnchyVanMan? Im eyeing the attilas
Feb 21 2021 7:27PM
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CowboySkibop
Posts: 3503 - Karma: 27,971
HometownerzYou tried their pow skis Mr. CrunnchyVanMan? Im eyeing the attilas


Oh the pow skis are fuckin bomb, I ride the Balances and thinkin about getting the Attilas as a touring ski. Surface’s park skis and pow skis are two different animals
Feb 21 2021 7:34PM
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,100
SessionNo bullshit discussion: How hard is it for you to put anything in the right forum?

Sorry.
Feb 21 2021 7:53PM
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,100
WisconsinDogfartlines always be falling apart but they make up for it in being insanely fun to ski on and pretty cheap


SurfinCowin my experience:
k2s - bombproof that have survived everything I do
volkls- not impressed, seem to chip and break easy
line- chippy topsheet with meh edges but the most fun to ski so it makes up for it.

Its interesting you both had the exact same thought of line skis “making up for it”
Feb 21 2021 7:56PM
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,100
SurfinCowin my experience:
k2s - bombproof that have survived everything I do
volkls- not impressed, seem to chip and break easy
line- chippy topsheet with meh edges but the most fun to ski so it makes up for it.

What do u mean by your volkls breaking? Like edge cracks?
Feb 21 2021 8:23PM
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SurfinCow
Posts: 223 - Karma: 1,686
DolansLebensraumIts interesting you both had the exact same thought of line skis “making up for it”


Yeah I really enjoy the butteryness and 'funfactor' the blends and new chronics have, but my next pair I may look into something that lasts a bit longer. Especially the bases infact, my k2s have held up to rails and noxes much better than lines. I know they are owned by the same company and probably make skis in some if the same factories but the overall construction seems fairly different.

And for the volkls i just mean the topsheet and bases chip and scratch fairly easily, and come off in big sections. They're my dads skis but even his riding has chipped them up a bit
Feb 21 2021 9:07PM
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,100
SurfinCowYeah I really enjoy the butteryness and 'funfactor' the blends and new chronics have, but my next pair I may look into something that lasts a bit longer. Especially the bases infact, my k2s have held up to rails and noxes much better than lines. I know they are owned by the same company and probably make skis in some if the same factories but the overall construction seems fairly different.

And for the volkls i just mean the topsheet and bases chip and scratch fairly easily, and come off in big sections. They're my dads skis but even his riding has chipped them up a bit


Cool. My volkls also have some minor topsheet chips but i dont worry about that too much. The edges are good and the bases only have some moderate scratches. Im sure if i rode over a rebar they would get own but the few rocks ive ridden over havent done much damage. I dont think volkl is as durable as armada and on3p but i think they are better than head and atomic.

Head and atomic i think are lazy about making their park skis durable bc fuck it everybody outside of the park is spending 800-1200$ on their gs skis. I still think the brains at head engineering are capable of making the framewall and caddys edges durable but the market for park skis is so small they dont give a shit. Thats why i commend volkl bc i think they take the park ski game more seriously. Like half of the xg slope riders were on volkls this yr.
Feb 22 2021 12:05AM
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Hometownerz
Posts: 183 - Karma: 1,069
CrunnchyVanManOh the pow skis are fuckin bomb, I ride the Balances and thinkin about getting the Attilas as a touring ski. Surface’s park skis and pow skis are two different animals


How do you like the surface pow skis overall? Are they damp? poppy? precise? Im a bit worried about the weight on the downhill for the Attila coming from Animas as a touring daily.
Feb 22 2021 12:18AM
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CowboySkibop
Posts: 3503 - Karma: 27,971
HometownerzHow do you like the surface pow skis overall? Are they damp? poppy? precise? Im a bit worried about the weight on the downhill for the Attila coming from Animas as a touring daily.


A little heavy tbh, but the only time I really notice is if I try to hit rails with them lmao. Balances are pretty stiff but it rly gives them some good pop when you need it, I’m guessing the Attilas will have a bit more flex and pop to them since they have a little camber. I think the Attila is kind of supposed to be the renovation of the Balance since they discontinued it so I would have high hopes for it
Feb 22 2021 9:45AM
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Dilldoes
Posts: 761 - Karma: 5,853
My Libertys won't die and my Fischer Big Stixx have always treated me right.
Feb 22 2021 10:43AM
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Session
Posts: 5321 - Karma: 21,431
A lot of durability will also depend on the skier. Do they smash on to rails or do they have a lighter touch. Do they maintain their skis or just throw them in the box until next time. You have to detune, you have to do some maintenance on those edge cracks when you get them. You can't under rotate, or ski in to a ditch, smash your tips then be surprised they broke.
Feb 22 2021 11:41AM
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itzPebbs
Posts: 91 - Karma: 186
On3p: 10/10

Moment: 8.5/10

New Line skis: 5/10

Old Line skis: 7.5/10

Jskis: 7/10

cant speak for anything else
Feb 22 2021 12:05PM
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Skier-Jon
Posts: 310 - Karma: 7,514
Here are my two cents as someone who has broken a pair of skis from many different companies (Armada, K2, Faction, LINE, Atomic, Surface, Volkl) from park riding. Honestly I don't believe any ski companies are inherently better or worse when it comes to durability. I've found that if you ride park hard and often the average pair of skis will last about 1-1.5 seasons before the deterioration gets to a point where it affects the way they ski, and that has been with just about every company I've tried. Usually the first thing to go is the edges and sidewall underfoot, especially if you spend alot of time on rails. Obviously you get some unlucky or shitty skis that break in a big way well before they should but I believe those are one-offs and can't be attributed to the specific company, as long as they are willing to warranty them. Sometimes I laugh at people who baby their skis and freak out when they get one little edgecrack or coreshot because the way I see it that's just part of the game. We smash metal against metal all day and your skis are going to start showing wear sooner or later. If I was sponsored or in a better financial position I would probably replace my skis more often but as it is i dont mind riding park with a bunch of missing edge or partially delammed skis if it isn't affecting my skiing
Feb 22 2021 1:07PM
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ScaryDumpTruck
Posts: 584 - Karma: 3,392
I have two friends who have armadas and both of their topsheets chip pretty badly. My ON3P's on the other hand don't have one topsheets chip yet, just scrapes.
Feb 22 2021 2:09PM
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MoneyMakerMike
Posts: 1254 - Karma: 5,770
Vishnus somehow seem to have bullet proof edges underfoot. Somehow I have no edge cracks after 60+ days on rails and have seem similar results on other people’s Vishnus. One downfall though is every Vishnu ski I’ve ever seen has issues with nose and tail delam. It’s a super easy fix but less than ideal to have to fix the nose after skiing them for a month.
Feb 22 2021 2:35PM
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CoupeSki
Posts: 4 - Karma: 11
I had a pair of ARVs delam after a season. The bases fell right out. Ski patrol buddy has Fischer Big Stix that have lasted 5 years of serious abuse so far, but they are seriously heavy. My Faction Prodigy 2.0 have lasted 2 seasons so far but I have a cracked edge and the top sheet is seriously chipped on all edges (still did better that I thought they would). Most durable skis I've had were some old K2 public enemies.
Feb 22 2021 9:51PM
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,100
DilldoesDurangoMy Libertys won't die and my Fischer Big Stixx have always treated me right.

Interesting. Another fischer commendation.
SessionA lot of durability will also depend on the skier. Do they smash on to rails or do they have a lighter touch. Do they maintain their skis or just throw them in the box until next time. You have to detune, you have to do some maintenance on those edge cracks when you get them. You can't under rotate, or ski in to a ditch, smash your tips then be surprised they broke.

You mean under rotate on a rail right?
CoupeSkiI had a pair of ARVs delam after a season. The bases fell right out. Ski patrol buddy has Fischer Big Stix that have lasted 5 years of serious abuse so far, but they are seriously heavy. My Faction Prodigy 2.0 have lasted 2 seasons so far but I have a cracked edge and the top sheet is seriously chipped on all edges (still did better that I thought they would). Most durable skis I've had were some old K2 public enemies.

Fischer again. This is kind of the sense i get from internet reviews and comments. Fischer seems to be doing something right. I tried looking for nightsticks yesterday and the entire internet is basically sold out. I might just get caddys or framewalls for next season bc i dont really hit rails anymore so the weak head edges might hol up
The referenced post has been removed.

Fair point but if your sample size of comments/reviews is big enough you start getting some statistical relevance
Feb 22 2021 11:37PM
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ColoradoDogfart
Posts: 2358 - Karma: 27,389
man did you really just say the honey badger was lines "bomb proof" ski?
Feb 23 2021 1:47AM
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VISHNU
Posts: 593 - Karma: 21,864
kind of the trade off for an under $500 ski, putting tip protectors on the Plus and Keys for next season though. Should help a lot.
MoneyMakerMikeVishnus somehow seem to have bullet proof edges underfoot. Somehow I have no edge cracks after 60+ days on rails and have seem similar results on other people’s Vishnus. One downfall though is every Vishnu ski I’ve ever seen has issues with nose and tail delam. It’s a super easy fix but less than ideal to have to fix the nose after skiing them for a month.
Feb 23 2021 12:30PM
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ColoradoDogfart
Posts: 2358 - Karma: 27,389
VISHNUkind of the trade off for an under $500 ski, putting tip protectors on the Plus and Keys for next season though. Should help a lot.


Keys??? Is this a new ski??!
Feb 23 2021 1:53PM
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gorbdawggybrent
Posts: 970 - Karma: 8,761
ColoradoDogfartKeys??? Is this a new ski??!

probably the shape they teased a bit ago
Feb 23 2021 2:08PM
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VISHNU
Posts: 593 - Karma: 21,864
New jump oriented ski, see you in the olympics lol
ColoradoDogfartKeys??? Is this a new ski??!
Feb 23 2021 2:19PM
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AlwaysGrabBlunt
Posts: 156 - Karma: 738
I got arv 96's and they are pretty good for durability the bases hold up well so do the edges, the topsheets scratch pretty easily but it's a lot harder to get and actual chip.
Feb 23 2021 2:44PM
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Notaskibum
Posts: 849 - Karma: 4,005
Why is dolan obsessed with durability? I thought he was rich and dropping too much money on Beaver Creek ski in ski out.
Feb 24 2021 8:02PM
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,100
NotaskibumWhy is dolan obsessed with durability? I thought he was rich and dropping too much money on Beaver Creek ski in ski out.

Breckenridge son.



and no im not that rich.

just based beyond all recognition
Feb 26 2021 6:03PM
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,100
ColoradoDogfartman did you really just say the honey badger was lines "bomb proof" ski?

They arent? Even line themselves seemed to market them as durable as fuck. Thats pretty humiliating if they arent.
Feb 26 2021 6:05PM
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,100
ColoradoDogfartman did you really just say the honey badger was lines "bomb proof" ski?

They arent? Even line themselves seemed to market them as durable as fuck. Thats pretty humiliating if they arent.
Feb 26 2021 6:09PM
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,100
NotaskibumWhy is dolan obsessed with durability? I thought he was rich and dropping too much money on Beaver Creek ski in ski out.

Also, as for why i obsess about durability...
It would really bother me to be riding around on skis that were falling apart.



part of loving skiing is loving your skis , and loving your skis is hard when theyre falling apart like a bitch ass ferrari.
Feb 26 2021 6:12PM
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The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,985
DolansLebensraumThey arent? Even line themselves seemed to market them as durable as fuck. Thats pretty humiliating if they arent.


There is a reason they are the cheapest park ski they make. They use cheaper materials for it.
Feb 27 2021 1:01AM
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wutangforever
Posts: 181 - Karma: 573
I've had armada ar7s, pipe cleaners, halo 2s, bdogs, and arvti's and they all lasted through 1 whole season into the next until they became unusable.

Also had fischer big stix and night stix. Night stix held up way better than the big stix but they were 2 by 4s. Big stix fell apart in a month but were so fun.

Also had line blends for about half a season and they held up decently but I've seen a million pairs of them get destroyed in very little time
Feb 28 2021 4:53PM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 6647 - Karma: 57,286
Honestly I’m very interested in this. I would be super about a Vishnu wet would a touch more stability and less rocker
VISHNUNew jump oriented ski, see you in the olympics lol
Feb 28 2021 5:02PM
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jprene8
Posts: 298 - Karma: 2,046
BradFiAusNzCoCaHonestly I’m very interested in this. I would be super about a Vishnu wet would a touch more stability and less rocker

I’m pretty sure you already know this since you’re on ns. But you can get the plus to get more stability, still a shit ton of rocker tho
Mar 1 2021 1:30PM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 6647 - Karma: 57,286
Yeah I know. It’s just the rocker. Liberty Antigen was one of the most fun skis I’ve ever ridden. Vishnu wet specs and construction/materials used are not far off (aside from the heavy rocker) from the earlier antigen. Basically, if Vishnu tweaks it a little bit and makes a ski similar the antigen - I will be all over it. That’s what I’m hoping for.
jprene8I’m pretty sure you already know this since you’re on ns. But you can get the plus to get more stability, still a shit ton of rocker tho


**This post was edited on Mar 1st 2021 at 1:43:14pm
Mar 1 2021 1:41PM
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jprene8
Posts: 298 - Karma: 2,046
BradFiAusNzCoCaYeah I know. It’s just the rocker. Liberty Antigen was one of the most fun skis I’ve ever ridden. Vishnu wet specs and construction/materials used are not far off (aside from the heavy rocker) from the earlier antigen. Basically, if Vishnu tweaks it a little bit and makes a ski similar the antigen - I will be all over it. That’s what I’m hoping for.


**This post was edited on Mar 1st 2021 at 1:43:14pm

Got you. Hopefully that new Vishnu ski feels that need for you.
Mar 1 2021 2:07PM
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Jems
Posts: 7284 - Karma: 93,622
anyone here who have on3ps ride and chairlifts don’t have the same experience as people who ride ropes.

in my expierence the on3p magnus 90 (specifically) CAN be a durable ski, but i lost an inch of edge on on ski within a week of having them. A month later i lost another inch of edge on my other ski. 2 seasons later and i only have underfoot edge on one side of one ski. The rest is edgeless to where the toepiece and heelpiece end. I’m not saying they’re bad skis because i’m probably gonna end up getting another pair cause i love the way they feel.
Mar 1 2021 6:51PM
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Dilldoes
Posts: 761 - Karma: 5,853
BradFiAusNzCoCaYeah I know. It’s just the rocker. Liberty Antigen was one of the most fun skis I’ve ever ridden. Vishnu wet specs and construction/materials used are not far off (aside from the heavy rocker) from the earlier antigen. Basically, if Vishnu tweaks it a little bit and makes a ski similar the antigen - I will be all over it. That’s what I’m hoping for.


**This post was edited on Mar 1st 2021 at 1:43:14pm


You want to start a petition to get @libertyskis to make the Antigen again? I would love an updated version maybe at like 95-100mm.
Mar 1 2021 7:11PM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 6647 - Karma: 57,286
Yes. I am down with the original width or updated
DilldoesDurangoYou want to start a petition to get @libertyskis to make the Antigen again? I would love an updated version maybe at like 95-100mm.
Mar 1 2021 7:44PM
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WoFlowz
Posts: 7722 - Karma: 63,703
K2 press (seasonal rental) durable af no edge issues no side wall issues super butter able, only thing that wasn’t durable was the top sheet chipped somewhat easily

Rossi sprayer (seasonal rental) snapped 1 pair and ripped an edge out of the other from age 10-12. Hate them. Could hear a cracking when I’d butter, flew was so weird. Also bases dried out so fast even with a wax every few days

K2 marksman second season now got them last year at 13 14 now. Bases have held up great, no delamination in anyway, edges didnt even detune till now and they look fine, sidewalks are bombproof idk what K2 uses but it works along with the edges. They took a bit to kinda break in felt very stiff to begin with, super poppy and fun now. Same issue as the press top sheets chip somewhat easily. But noting a little epoxy or duct tape can’t fix
Mar 2 2021 10:47AM
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