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March, 2024

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New Touring Setup for the Wasatch - Don't like my Wildcat 108 Tours

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MtnGoatMadness
Posts: 2 - Karma: 26
Trying to figure out what to get for my next touring setup. I want something that's about 108-112mm underfoot, about 185 cm in length, and weighs under 1800g/ski.

I currently have a pair of Moment Wildcat Tour 108s mounted with Shifts. I hate the bindings so much that it definitely rubs off on the skis, but I'd rather sell them as a set than remount the Wildcats since I don't love the skis either. The Wildcats are great in soft and variable snow, skin well, and give me tons of confidence in the air. However, I HATE the way they ski hardpack. I honestly don't know how this shape (in the regular Wildcat 108) gets so much love as a resort ski. They're twitchy, won't go straight, always want to be on edge, and feel like they have a 5m turning radius. And that's in the 184! Even after detuning the edges I couldn't get them to track worth a damn.

Therefore, what I'm looking for is something similar in weight and width to the Wildcat 108 Tour, but that isn't a schizophrenic nightmare on hardpack/traverses/runouts (I know this is an unpopular opinion). I think I'll be mounting them with Fritschi Xenic or G3 Ions, so I want a ski that will pair with a light binding. I don't spin or ride switch, but I typically prefer jibbier skis that like to stomp landings, have some pop, and favor a neutral stance.

I've looked at the BD Helio 115, G3 Slayr 114, and Moment Deathwish Tour. I think the BDs and G3s are too wide, and I'm scared of the Deathwishes because they're so similar to the Wildcats, but they seem perfect. I've also thought about the DPS Pagoda Tour 112s but the price makes me gag. I think the Volkl BMT 109 might be my perfect ski, but I can't seem to find a decent deal on them.

Please help!
Oct 5 2021 12:40AM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6594 - Karma: 69,705
You need a pair of 4frnts. Hoji's or ravens. Or fuck it, inthaynes. So light and they carve way too well for what they are.
Oct 5 2021 12:43AM
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jca
Posts: 4162 - Karma: 6,261
I'm not a huge fan of my 190 108 tours either but for different reasons (too soft, too light for what I end up skiing on a 108).
Kinda sounds like your tune is off though if they feel that twitchy. I'd get a grind and retune to see if that makes a difference.
Oct 5 2021 9:34AM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
As @jca jusg said your tune is definitely off. I’d put money on the fact your skis are base high and your detuning would have made them even more scary on groomers.

Stone grind flat, 1/1 edge bevels and then detune from the camber contact points up on the tip and tail. It will will be like a different ski after a tune!
Oct 5 2021 11:21AM
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MtnGoatMadness
Posts: 2 - Karma: 26
As someone who used to work in a ski shop, I feel chagrined I didn't check the tune before. Took the speed square to them (no true bar at home ha) and it turns out they're concave throughout. Not just edge high, but the bases are concave enough you can see at least daylight under the ski the whole length. Photos attached.

Since I want to get rid of the Shifts anyways, I might still just sell them as a set. Pretty intrigued by the Line Vision 108s...
Oct 5 2021 11:56AM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
What cash and prizes do I get for guessing base high? Lol

Haven’t been on the Wildcat Tours(own the regular wider ones) but hear very good things about them for their weight. I’d still be tempted to give them another try after a tune with the same bindings to see if you just hate the bindings. Worse case you sell the combo to someone else after. Might just love the Wildcats and just swap the bindings.
Oct 5 2021 1:31PM
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MtnGoatMadness
Posts: 2 - Karma: 26
Greg_KWhat cash and prizes do I get for guessing base high? Lol

Haven’t been on the Wildcat Tours(own the regular wider ones) but hear very good things about them for their weight. I’d still be tempted to give them another try after a tune with the same bindings to see if you just hate the bindings. Worse case you sell the combo to someone else after. Might just love the Wildcats and just swap the bindings.


You get a gold star and a banana. DM me your address and maybe I'll send you something better.
Oct 5 2021 4:37PM
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freeski_Shaggy
Posts: 617 - Karma: 279
The Line Vision 108 is legit. I have them with a pair of Kingpins and they ripped the multi conditions of the Northwest. Powder to volcanos to getting out of the resort on groomers. They crush it all. I'm getting another pair with Ion's for bigger days and quicker laps. Would HIGHLY recommend
MtnGoatMadnessAs someone who used to work in a ski shop, I feel chagrined I didn't check the tune before. Took the speed square to them (no true bar at home ha) and it turns out they're concave throughout. Not just edge high, but the bases are concave enough you can see at least daylight under the ski the whole length. Photos attached.

Since I want to get rid of the Shifts anyways, I might still just sell them as a set. Pretty intrigued by the Line Vision 108s..
Oct 7 2021 5:09PM
1 0
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TheWeaz
Posts: 803 - Karma: 1,903
MtnGoatMadnessAs someone who used to work in a ski shop, I feel chagrined I didn't check the tune before. Took the speed square to them (no true bar at home ha) and it turns out they're concave throughout. Not just edge high, but the bases are concave enough you can see at least daylight under the ski the whole length. Photos attached.

Since I want to get rid of the Shifts anyways, I might still just sell them as a set. Pretty intrigued by the Line Vision 108s...


I have both vision 108's and wc tour 108s, they ski pretty similar. both have about the same float in pow. the shovel of the vision is softer so it doesnt hold up to speed quite as well. The vision might be a tad damper, but the soft shovel kind of lets that down a bit. Wildcat is stiffer throughout.

I wrote the roofbox review of the vision 108 a couple years ago: https://www.newschoolers.com/news/read/The-Roofbox-Review-2020-Line-Vision-108


I still stand by whats said in that review, but my Visions have become early season skis after an unfortunate encounter with a rock that left the sidewall compressed. I have also hit rocks on the moments and they haven't sustained any damage, so take that as you will, but in my opinion the moments are built a little tougher. They are also a little heavier.
Oct 7 2021 9:48PM
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