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Need ideas: Twin tip powder ski for backcountry?
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For context: I'm 5'4 115lbs, I ski on the West Coast in BC backcountry (Whistler, Squamish, Pemberton, Coquihalla, etc.). I'm a pretty aggressive skier. I like building (small) jumps in the backcountry, finding drops / getting air / doing butters off anything I can. I like having twin tips for my touring ski for these reasons. I also obviously want a ski that can handle riding technical terrain (couloirs/tight trees). And something stiff enough to handle icey crud. I know it seems like I'm asking for a lot, and I'm willing to make some compromises to find the right ski.
This is NOT a resort ski whatsoever. This is purely a backcountry setup. I have the marker kingpins on a pair of K2 Remedy 102 (2014) at 169cm. These skis are tanks! They are way too heavy on the uphill and tire my short legs out on long days in the backcountry. To give you an idea of how heavy they are - the individual ski weight is 2200g compared to most touring skis which are 1400g-1600g.
I'm not asking for the lightest setup in the world, but I haven't gotten many useful answers at my local ski shops.
I love the profile of the K2 Remedy, it rides like a dream. Its a hard charging, fast & powerful ski, super poppy and absorbs big landings elegantly. It's a twin tip, floats well in pow, but also handles confidently on steep icey sections without feeling flimsy.
One more question I have is about the underfoot... I was looking at the Armada 116 JJ Ultralight, but I'm worried the 116 will be too wide for an every-day setup, and better for strictly pow days. What underfoot do you prefer for backcountry setup and why?
Thanks in advance to anyone that reads this post and offers advice.... I've been searching for weeks now and can't seem to find anything... Much appreciated ! :)
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I would consider the Moment Wildcat tour 108 for what you're describing. Not the stiffest, but still able to handle crud, and should fit the rest of your criteria.
I personally think 116 is a bit wide for a daily touring ski, even on the west coast, I personally like a 100-110 ski for everyday touring, will still float, but if you get into somewhat trickier terrain and variable conditions, I like having something a tad faster edge to edge, and also a tad shorter, since my pow skis are usually the longest in my quiver, I go a few cm shorter for the everyday touring, might just be personal preference tho.
I'd complete the quiver with wider/longer pow sticks for those deep days (Chettys or similar), and a narrower/lighter ski for those long days (mtn Explore 95 or similar).
**This post was edited on Apr 5th 2021 at 12:26:32pm
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I like what the gent above me said. I’m an armada guy much chunkier and taller than you but he has a great point with the moments! Oh your vote I picked the armada because they seem to be the most playful ski I’ve been on in a minute.
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checkout the line vision 108 for sure, I use it for what you describe, although I don't land switch and its only a partial twin. Obviously it can be done fine by pros on the internet but prolly easier on a full twin. For me, this ski is perfect and there is literally nothing I would change about it.
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I would also suggest the line vision 108 or the wildcat tour 108 for this purpose.
I currently have and ski both of these skis, the vision will suit the playful side a little better, its softer and easier to do butters on, also slightly lighter.
the wildcat will deal with variable snow and higher speeds better, it weighs a little bit more than the vision.
I would stay clear of the JJ ultra light unless skiing switch is a really important factor, the tips and tails are so soft they aren’t going to perform nearly as well in bad snow or demanding terrain.
keep in mind all of these options will most likely perform worse in bad snow than your current skis, but thats kind of the trade off for dropping hundreds of grams in ski weight.
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Bro I feel like I ski very similar to you and currently im on a pair of K2 catamarans. Sure they are 120 underfoot and are more powder rockered but the swing weight is awesome on them and honestly they feel amazing in every condition. Of course Im a little bias but I love how they feel.
Ive only heard good things about the new JJ's and honestly you couldnt go wrong with any of those skis.
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