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abjectwoe
May, 2025

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Cast Opinions

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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
Fuck it, I'm tired of my backcountry boots. I've got some Technica Coochie 130s sized down with an intuition liner and they are good but damm they just don't ski like resort boots. Every time I put on a backpack and tour boots I ski like a potato and I'm over it.

So I'm looking at a new setup for next year for snowmobiling skiing and jump sessions and I'm looking at the cast system.

I'm really interested in the Cast pin Conversion for my pair of head raptors. Have people done this and liked it on their boots? I'm sick of tour boots, nothing compares to a head raptor if you ask me. The K2 cortex and Fischer RC4 pro with pins is tempting too but I already have a spare pair of raptors and my resort raptors have a surefoot liner that I could use in the pinned raptors.

For bindings I'm torn between Cast bindings, new gen daymakers and maybe Duke PT. Opinions on this too? I'm marker gang for life so owning a pair of pivots sounds kinda cringe but cast is so baller I could be down.

I'm still gonna keep my coochie 130s and kingpin setup around for bigger tours but I want something with some more beef.

this post made by race boot gang
Jun 9 2025 3:31PM
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BallClapper
Posts: 3720 - Karma: 16,876
I don't personally have the cast boot conversion but have seen enough people far in the bc with them in race boots to think it's a legit option. The big thing with pivots is you need to helicoil them bitches toe and heel no matter the ski, doesn't totally eliminate the possibility of tearing out but greatly reduces. But cast 2 is really solid, haven't heard any complaints.
Jun 9 2025 7:58PM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
BallClapperI don't personally have the cast boot conversion but have seen enough people far in the bc with them in race boots to think it's a legit option. The big thing with pivots is you need to helicoil them bitches toe and heel no matter the ski, doesn't totally eliminate the possibility of tearing out but greatly reduces. But cast 2 is really solid, haven't heard any complaints.


I quiver killer all my skis anyway so I’m not concerned about pulling out a binding. Good shout tho. Why are pivots more likely to pull out than any other binding?
Jun 9 2025 8:00PM
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elinde
Posts: 1487 - Karma: 3,228
deadhead420I quiver killer all my skis anyway so I’m not concerned about pulling out a binding. Good shout tho. Why are pivots more likely to pull out than any other binding?

I feel like they’re not? Correct me if I’m wrong but I’ve mounted my fair share of fks/pivots and never had a screw pull
Jun 9 2025 9:43PM
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4777 - Karma: 20,331
The cast conversions are crap. There are tons of reviews about how piss poor of a job they do and people’s just falling out or receiving boots back that were just hacked up to hell. Don’t waste your money. Upgrade to one of the other boots you are considering.

the cast bindings are gonna be the most bomb proof set up for actually skiing. Ya it can be annoying carrying the extra toe but worth it to be skiing pivots.
Jun 9 2025 11:19PM
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4777 - Karma: 20,331
deadhead420I quiver killer all my skis anyway so I’m not concerned about pulling out a binding. Good shout tho. Why are pivots more likely to pull out than any other binding?


elindeI feel like they’re not? Correct me if I’m wrong but I’ve mounted my fair share of fks/pivots and never had a screw pull


The myth is that because of the shorter mounting pattern you have more stress centered to one area which makes them more prone to being pulled out. All the techs I’ve talked to about this say it’s complete nonsense. Pullouts are usually because of a shoddy mount job or a ski that was compromised by moisture.
Jun 9 2025 11:21PM
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BallClapper
Posts: 3720 - Karma: 16,876
deadhead420I quiver killer all my skis anyway so I’m not concerned about pulling out a binding. Good shout tho. Why are pivots more likely to pull out than any other binding?


elindeI feel like they’re not? Correct me if I’m wrong but I’ve mounted my fair share of fks/pivots and never had a screw pull


PartyBullshiitThe myth is that because of the shorter mounting pattern you have more stress centered to one area which makes them more prone to being pulled out. All the techs I’ve talked to about this say it’s complete nonsense. Pullouts are usually because of a shoddy mount job or a ski that was compromised by moisture.


I've personally seen it happen too many times to just be a shitty mount or compromised ski. Lets get a real techs opinion @tdollo
Jun 9 2025 11:35PM
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4777 - Karma: 20,331
BallClapperI've personally seen it happen too many times to just be a shitty mount or compromised ski. Lets get a real techs opinion @tdollo


You’ve seen it happen many times because as a whole there are more fks/pivots being skied extremely hard than any other binding. You have more people mounting their own pivots with multiple remounts than any other binding. Shitty mounts and compromised skis are way more common than you think. Plenty of bindings have pullouts. Pivots just get more attention than others.
Jun 9 2025 11:43PM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
So pivot pull out game strong?
Jun 10 2025 12:25AM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
PartyBullshiitThe cast conversions are crap. There are tons of reviews about how piss poor of a job they do and people’s just falling out or receiving boots back that were just hacked up to hell. Don’t waste your money. Upgrade to one of the other boots you are considering.


Damm that’s disappointing to hear that they do a poor job. Guess I’ll have to search around for some more negative reviews. I’ve always heard good about it but I guess not.
Jun 10 2025 12:29AM
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4777 - Karma: 20,331
deadhead420So pivot pull out game strong?


There’s never been any proof showing pivots pull out anymore than any other binding. You just have a way higher ratio of pivots out in the wild compared to other bindings. Especially with the much longer lifespan of pivots vs typical plastic bindings. If there was a known problem with pivots you’d have shops refusing to sell them and even more refusing to mount them. Theres a reason cast chose pivots to use with their system over everything else.
Jun 10 2025 12:31AM
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4777 - Karma: 20,331
deadhead420Damm that’s disappointing to hear that they do a poor job. Guess I’ll have to search around for some more negative reviews. I’ve always heard good about it but I guess not.

Maybe they’ve gotten better. I haven’t seen any posts lately from people who’ve had them done but there was more than a few posts on tgr with some horror stories about horrible jobs. Some pics of mangled boots with some hack jobs etc.
Jun 10 2025 12:38AM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
PartyBullshiitMaybe they’ve gotten better. I haven’t seen any posts lately from people who’ve had them done but there was more than a few posts on tgr with some horror stories about horrible jobs. Some pics of mangled boots with some hack jobs etc.


Gotcha. I just watched this video on the method and it seems pretty bomb for hiking on. I don’t see where the failure point would really be.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/964724/Boot-Conversion--Hard-Soles-
Jun 10 2025 12:41AM
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4777 - Karma: 20,331
deadhead420Gotcha. I just watched this video on the method and it seems pretty bomb for hiking on. I don’t see where the failure point would really be.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/964724/Boot-Conversion--Hard-Soles-


Well yes their own video is going to make their product look fantastic. The only failure is having the insert just fall out. Which was one of the reported issues. The bigger complaint has just been hack job installs where the final product they received was not what they expected with boots being pretty chopped up or inserts that didn’t line up with all tech toes.
Jun 10 2025 12:55AM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
PartyBullshiitWell yes their own video is going to make their product look fantastic. The only failure is having the insert just fall out. Which was one of the reported issues. The bigger complaint has just been hack job installs where the final product they received was not what they expected with boots being pretty chopped up or inserts that didn’t line up with all tech toes.

I would hope their install quality has improved. Seems pretty damm easy to install with that router jig and the one piece insert

How do the inserts not line up? I could see them being crooked with the boot but seems like the inserts would always fit the pins.

How do the inserts just "fall out" with the 4 thru bolts? do the bolts shear? does the one peice insert plate fracture?

not defending cast at all... just curious
Jun 10 2025 2:41AM
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4777 - Karma: 20,331
deadhead420I would hope their install quality has improved. Seems pretty damm easy to install with that router jig and the one piece insert

How do the inserts not line up? I could see them being crooked with the boot but seems like the inserts would always fit the pins.

How do the inserts just "fall out" with the 4 thru bolts? do the bolts shear? does the one peice insert plate fracture?

not defending cast at all... just curious

I guess if the holes are drilled slightly off center the inserts don’t line up exactly on each side. I wasn’t saying the inserts did not fit pins. I was saying people have reported the inserts not lining up correctly with all pins.

im not sure how an insert had come apart again just have seen reports on tgr where people have had issues with one coming out. Either from coming lose, breaking off etc.

the main complaint I’ve seen is just a poor installation job in general that looks like someone did a hack job on the boots in their garage. As mentioned I haven’t seen any posts in a while so maybe they improved the process and outcome, but there was more than a few complaints over on tgr. Make a thread over there and you’ll get more responses from people who have used the service.
Jun 10 2025 3:07AM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
PartyBullshiitI guess if the holes are drilled slightly off center the inserts don’t line up exactly on each side. I wasn’t saying the inserts did not fit pins. I was saying people have reported the inserts not lining up correctly with all pins.

im not sure how an insert had come apart again just have seen reports on tgr where people have had issues with one coming out. Either from coming lose, breaking off etc.

the main complaint I’ve seen is just a poor installation job in general that looks like someone did a hack job on the boots in their garage. As mentioned I haven’t seen any posts in a while so maybe they improved the process and outcome, but there was more than a few complaints over on tgr. Make a thread over there and you’ll get more responses from people who have used the service.


Thanks for your input🫡
Jun 10 2025 3:19AM
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4777 - Karma: 20,331
deadhead420Thanks for your input🫡


Ya no worries. To be clear I’m not anti cast. I love their system. I personally considered having the inserts done to my non tour boots since They don’t have tech fittings. Just seeing some of the negative reviews just made me feel it’s not worth the crap shoot of possibly getting a good or horrible job. So I just decided to keep using my Rossi’s that have walk mode and inserts already and not modify my dedicated alpine boots.
Jun 10 2025 3:22AM
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 4777 - Karma: 20,331
deadhead420Thanks for your input🫡


This was one of the homies over at tgr who had a bad experience. You could reach out to him and get the story.


Jun 10 2025 5:31AM
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lil.Boye
Posts: 2791 - Karma: 12,672
Bought some skis from a guy who have the new tyrolia attack hybrid bindings, and back them hard. Not really a fan of tyrolia, but his kind words of the bindings made me interested.
as for the tech insert on race boots, i have heard some gnarly skiers that swear by it. Problaly a lot of atomic redsters with the conversion out there, i think there was a guy in a Nikolai Schirmer video that used those
Jun 10 2025 8:03AM
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brownetown
Posts: 502 - Karma: 4,956
this is obviously purely anecdotal, but I’ve had poor experiences with mine and will not be using them. I’m not sure if the issues are resultant of a poor mount job or of the design itself, but transitioning takes 5-10x longer than my friends who have hybrid setups.


to clarify, having to take off one entire toepiece and slide on another is a huge pain in the ass. There always seems to be some amount of snow or ice buildup against the screws which prevent the toe piece from sliding all the way in, so I’ll have to alternate between trying to click in and pounding on the tech toe with the top of my pole multiple times before getting it to fit. It’s especially frustrating in waist deep baker pow.


this may have been something addressed in the most recent version, but I won’t be using my 1.0s anymore. The downhill performance is great but not worth the hassle. Might go for a sled setup where you are only transitioning once at the top of your line, but I can’t recommend it for everyday touring use
Jun 10 2025 9:11AM
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abjectwoe
Posts: 568 - Karma: 5,056
I've been using Duke PTs for a couple years. Only having one riser is a massive pain in the ass sometimes, but I like them for everything else. Cone laps are super easy with them and then you can hit the lifts when they open without changing skis.

For longer stuff, it's nice taking off the toe piece and throwing it in your bag. The longest tour I've ever done on them was to Sheridan from NF-45. Lots of flat traversing and then steep stuff. I hated it and regret trying to do it with the Dukes.

They're best for snowmobile assisted backcountry and sidecountry stuff only.
Jun 10 2025 2:02PM
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FakeKalmar
Posts: 2446 - Karma: 20,360
abjectwoeI've been using Duke PTs for a couple years. Only having one riser is a massive pain in the ass sometimes, but I like them for everything else. Cone laps are super easy with them and then you can hit the lifts when they open without changing skis.

For longer stuff, it's nice taking off the toe piece and throwing it in your bag. The longest tour I've ever done on them was to Sheridan from NF-45. Lots of flat traversing and then steep stuff. I hated it and regret trying to do it with the Dukes.

They're best for snowmobile assisted backcountry and sidecountry stuff only.


I have had mine for 3 seasons (around 60 days). I have skied everything with them. Works fine for my light park usage too. At my level I can't tell the difference between Jesters and Duke PTs. Someone more experienced might be able to feel the difference. Weight is fine for short tours. Haven't tried any long ones and probably never will with them.

Would buy again if I was in need of do it all setup.
Jun 10 2025 2:32PM
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7971 - Karma: 23,268
In terms of bindings pulling out of a ski, pivots or not, for me it's always been on a ski that was otherwise compromised, and it's always been after of backseat landings, butters or high speed carves when the ski is being flexed hard.

I don't use the casts but I ski with people who do and they love it. It definitely takes longer to transition but you then have the alpine binding to ski- worth it if you're going to be sending. Only tip I would have from observation is get some spare parts and hardware because I've seen some of the little clips and whatnot break or get lost, but that was on the gen 1 casts anyway.
Jun 10 2025 2:44PM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
abjectwoeI've been using Duke PTs for a couple years. Only having one riser is a massive pain in the ass sometimes, but I like them for everything else. Cone laps are super easy with them and then you can hit the lifts when they open without changing skis.

For longer stuff, it's nice taking off the toe piece and throwing it in your bag. The longest tour I've ever done on them was to Sheridan from NF-45. Lots of flat traversing and then steep stuff. I hated it and regret trying to do it with the Dukes.

They're best for snowmobile assisted backcountry and sidecountry stuff only.

Definitely leaning towards duke PT rn. I found a pair of $350 which is way less than Cast rn.

Have you had any issues with icing? Seems like a common theme in the hybrid binding realm
Jun 10 2025 6:17PM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
FakeKalmarI have had mine for 3 seasons (around 60 days). I have skied everything with them. Works fine for my light park usage too. At my level I can't tell the difference between Jesters and Duke PTs. Someone more experienced might be able to feel the difference. Weight is fine for short tours. Haven't tried any long ones and probably never will with them.

Would buy again if I was in need of do it all setup.


Thanks looks like a great binding
Jun 10 2025 6:18PM
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abjectwoe
Posts: 568 - Karma: 5,056
deadhead420Definitely leaning towards duke PT rn. I found a pair of $350 which is way less than Cast rn.

Have you had any issues with icing? Seems like a common theme in the hybrid binding realm


none at all
Jun 10 2025 6:37PM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
rn I’m leaning towards my new BC jump setup being:
- CAST Head Raptor with Surefoot liner - $320 for cast conversion
-Marker Duke PT -$325
-Elan Playmaker 101 -$385

seems like the best of all worlds at the moment.

any other input on that setup? or deals on skis boots or bindings I’m missing?
Jun 10 2025 10:10PM
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BallClapper
Posts: 3720 - Karma: 16,876
What if the little Weiner snaps off.
deadhead420rn I’m leaning towards my new BC jump setup being:
- CAST Head Raptor with Surefoot liner - $320 for cast conversion
-Marker Duke PT -$325
-Elan Playmaker 101 -$385

seems like the best of all worlds at the moment.

any other input on that setup? or deals on skis boots or bindings I’m missing?
Jun 11 2025 12:01AM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
BallClapperWhat if the little Weiner snaps off.


huh?
Jun 11 2025 12:37AM
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IsaacNW82
Posts: 780 - Karma: 6,776
FakeKalmarI have had mine for 3 seasons (around 60 days). I have skied everything with them. Works fine for my light park usage too. At my level I can't tell the difference between Jesters and Duke PTs. Someone more experienced might be able to feel the difference. Weight is fine for short tours. Haven't tried any long ones and probably never will with them.

Would buy again if I was in need of do it all setup.


I own both Jesters and Duke PT16's, they share a LOT of common parts and design. The entire heel pieces (except brakes) are identical, and all the pivot and contact points on the toe pieces (downhill mode) are the same. The only real difference I feel is the weight
Jun 11 2025 4:11PM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
IsaacNW82I own both Jesters and Duke PT16's, they share a LOT of common parts and design. The entire heel pieces (except brakes) are identical, and all the pivot and contact points on the toe pieces (downhill mode) are the same. The only real difference I feel is the weight


What’s your review of how the brake, walk mode/ski mode and toe peice removal mechanisms work? Any issues?
Jun 11 2025 4:14PM
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FakeKalmar
Posts: 2446 - Karma: 20,360
deadhead420What’s your review of how the brake, walk mode/ski mode and toe peice removal mechanisms work? Any issues?


Zero problems with changing modes. Worst thing about PTs is the brake sizing. Who's idea it was to make only 100 ans 125 brakes. Depending on the snow the brakes don't brake very well.
Jun 11 2025 4:39PM
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IsaacNW82
Posts: 780 - Karma: 6,776
If you already have a preference for Marker I see no reason to go CAST over Duke PT. They're really just the Pivot and Jester versions of the same idea: heavy, expensive, reliable, no compromises on downhill performance.

I just finally broke my Duke PT 16's recently after 3 years on them; I'm pretty constantly breaking all my shit so these actually lasted longer than expected.

I would definitely buy them again. They go uphill... good enough... and downhill indistinguishable from a Jester
Jun 11 2025 4:41PM
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IsaacNW82
Posts: 780 - Karma: 6,776
deadhead420What’s your review of how the brake, walk mode/ski mode and toe peice removal mechanisms work? Any issues?


Never had a single issue with any of the touring specific bits. When I finally broke the bindings, it was the forward pressure spring and heel mounting plate metal track that broke, two parts that are identical on a Jester (also parts I've broken on normal Jesters as well)
Jun 11 2025 4:44PM
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AndrewO
Posts: 34 - Karma: 306
I’d look into the new Armada AR one 130 boot it has tech inserts on the toe with no walk mode, I ski in Cochise 130 for touring and a Kastle K130P at the resort, while boot testing I found the AR one to have quite good performance, with great heel hold, a nice progressive flex and was impressed, my test consisted of 4-5 runs so not sure longevity of the product particularly if you are going to do lots of sledding in them but from a skiing standpoint they ski sweet! If they fit your foot maybe give them a try. But boots are always so dependent on fit and style characteristics you prefer, never had Cast do a conversion or seen one in person so can’t speak to that, but seems like a good idea as well.

Binding choice is a bit harder, I have Marker Duke PT 16 as well as the Cast 1s with the mushroom towers, the biggest difference I notice is the weight of the Duke PTs they are super heavy so if you are trying to get tricks done after a long day the swing weight is noticeable, where as the Cast 1 draw back is the touring toe is a bit more sloppy when skinning in firm conditions, but I think the 2.0 Cast may have fixed that but haven’t tried them yet. I think the Duke PT is better for short hikes because the transition is a bit more quick when you don’t remove the toe piece, I have broken the little plastic clip that keeps the toe locked down when in tour mode it’s a little plastic square piece, so now my binding flops around when it’s left on the ski but it still works, I broke it when I crossed my skis to scrape of the snow on my top sheets on the chairlift and jammed the edge into it so totally my fault. Anyways I ski both Marker Jesters/Griffons and Pivots at the resort and feel both ski great no real compromises either way so really a personal choice. I do think touring wise the Kingpin 13 is the best weight to ski performance ratio that I’ve tried but the newer Hy Free from ATK and the Alpenflow 89 seem like interesting concepts but both seem more touring oriented than a Cast or PT. It’s currently still a game of compromises and what you are trying to maximize, I think without trying them all it’s tough to know. Sidenote for purely jump sessions where you need to access somewhere somewhat close the Daymakers do make sense as the majority of the time once you made it to your jump spot you are booting but I haven’t tried them.

Goodluck and have fun!
Jun 12 2025 11:26AM
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turntable
Posts: 2737 - Karma: 857
BallClapperI don't personally have the cast boot conversion but have seen enough people far in the bc with them in race boots to think it's a legit option. The big thing with pivots is you need to helicoil them bitches toe and heel no matter the ski, doesn't totally eliminate the possibility of tearing out but greatly reduces. But cast 2 is really solid, haven't heard any complaints.


this isn't true. pivot's dont come out with normal screws and installation.
Jun 12 2025 3:37PM
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abjectwoe
Posts: 568 - Karma: 5,056
AndrewOI’d look into the new Armada AR one 130 boot it has tech inserts on the toe with no walk mode.


I don't think he wants to go from a Head Raptor to an AR one. Maybe if they had a LV.

Really cool boot, but from a performance/fit perspective they really aren't in the same league.
Jun 12 2025 4:52PM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
AndrewOI’d look into the new Armada AR one 130 boot it has tech inserts on the toe with no walk mode, I ski in Cochise 130 for touring and a Kastle K130P at the resort, while boot testing I found the AR one to have quite good performance, with great heel hold, a nice progressive flex and was impressed, my test consisted of 4-5 runs so not sure longevity of the product particularly if you are going to do lots of sledding in them but from a skiing standpoint they ski sweet! If they fit your foot maybe give them a try. But boots are always so dependent on fit and style characteristics you prefer, never had Cast do a conversion or seen one in person so can’t speak to that, but seems like a good idea as well.

Binding choice is a bit harder, I have Marker Duke PT 16 as well as the Cast 1s with the mushroom towers, the biggest difference I notice is the weight of the Duke PTs they are super heavy so if you are trying to get tricks done after a long day the swing weight is noticeable, where as the Cast 1 draw back is the touring toe is a bit more sloppy when skinning in firm conditions, but I think the 2.0 Cast may have fixed that but haven’t tried them yet. I think the Duke PT is better for short hikes because the transition is a bit more quick when you don’t remove the toe piece, I have broken the little plastic clip that keeps the toe locked down when in tour mode it’s a little plastic square piece, so now my binding flops around when it’s left on the ski but it still works, I broke it when I crossed my skis to scrape of the snow on my top sheets on the chairlift and jammed the edge into it so totally my fault. Anyways I ski both Marker Jesters/Griffons and Pivots at the resort and feel both ski great no real compromises either way so really a personal choice. I do think touring wise the Kingpin 13 is the best weight to ski performance ratio that I’ve tried but the newer Hy Free from ATK and the Alpenflow 89 seem like interesting concepts but both seem more touring oriented than a Cast or PT. It’s currently still a game of compromises and what you are trying to maximize, I think without trying them all it’s tough to know. Sidenote for purely jump sessions where you need to access somewhere somewhat close the Daymakers do make sense as the majority of the time once you made it to your jump spot you are booting but I haven’t tried them.

Goodluck and have fun!


Thanks brotha. I’ll put my foot in an AR one if I can find one in town this fall. Gotta say I’m skeptical of the wider last and the Cables but I’ve heard good things.

Tough choice on Bindings. CAST 2.0, Duke PT and new gen Daymakers all make sense. Still learning towards the Duke mostly cuz I’m a marker guy and trust them in the resort.

its miles btw 🤙
Jun 12 2025 7:02PM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
abjectwoeI don't think he wants to go from a Head Raptor to an AR one. Maybe if they had a LV.

Really cool boot, but from a performance/fit perspective they really aren't in the same league.


Totally. Plus I already have a dialed Surefoot liner with footbed and electric heaters fit to a Head Raptor that would be nice to use in the new setup
Jun 12 2025 7:03PM
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powpatrol
Posts: 1761 - Karma: 11,484
deadhead420rn I’m leaning towards my new BC jump setup being:
- CAST Head Raptor with Surefoot liner - $320 for cast conversion
-Marker Duke PT -$325
-Elan Playmaker 101 -$385

seems like the best of all worlds at the moment.

any other input on that setup? or deals on skis boots or bindings I’m missing?


playmaker is a super soft ski, almost like a blend. especially so if your in raptors and then putting the pts on.
Jun 13 2025 3:01PM
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abjectwoe
Posts: 568 - Karma: 5,056
powpatrolplaymaker is a super soft ski, almost like a blend. especially so if your in raptors and then putting the pts on.


Oblivion 102/116 could be a could substitute. Similar weight but not as soft as the Playmakers. I have PTs on my Oblivion 116s so I'm kind of biased.
Jun 13 2025 3:44PM
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7971 - Karma: 23,268
deadhead420rn I’m leaning towards my new BC jump setup being:
- CAST Head Raptor with Surefoot liner - $320 for cast conversion
-Marker Duke PT -$325
-Elan Playmaker 101 -$385

seems like the best of all worlds at the moment.

any other input on that setup? or deals on skis boots or bindings I’m missing?


I think you're going to overpower the playmaker.

The Blizzard Rustler 11 is a good chargy but playful ski. I used them for 3 runs and didn't want to take them off.

I absolutely love the RMU Professor line too. The 111 is the perfect combo of surfy, playful and stable at speed. Didn't ski the narrower one but it looks sick and has a similar shape and flex. Crazy how light they feel on snow too.

Moment Wildcat 108 would be a great choice too.
Jun 13 2025 3:54PM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
powpatrolplaymaker is a super soft ski, almost like a blend. especially so if your in raptors and then putting the pts on.


abjectwoeOblivion 102/116 could be a could substitute. Similar weight but not as soft as the Playmakers. I have PTs on my Oblivion 116s so I'm kind of biased.


skiP.E.I.I think you're going to overpower the playmaker.

The Blizzard Rustler 11 is a good chargy but playful ski. I used them for 3 runs and didn't want to take them off.

I absolutely love the RMU Professor line too. The 111 is the perfect combo of surfy, playful and stable at speed. Didn't ski the narrower one but it looks sick and has a similar shape and flex. Crazy how light they feel on snow too.

Moment Wildcat 108 would be a great choice too.

Good shout on the softness of the playmakers, probably too much. And good recommendations. I’m looking for something 100-108mm x 180cm. It’s gonna be mainly a jump ski, something that has enough rocker to land switch in pow but also enough beef for medium pack spring sessions. I don’t want something too wide mainly for spring corn preformance and technical in runs. I’ve always used a pow ski in the past but it’s harder on the knees and body while edging hard.

I’ll look into the RMUs, Blizzard, Head and Moment offerings you guys suggested
Jun 13 2025 10:11PM
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deadhead420
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 18,822
I’m 100% on Duke PT and Cast Head Raptor.

Open to any ski or brand
Jun 13 2025 10:54PM
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