anyone using new gear this season

[eastcoastpowderhound]

Fischer Watea 94...mmm mmm good.

[riverc0il]

Originally Posted by eastcoastpowderhound

Fischer Watea 94...mmm mmm good.

I am looking seriously at these skis but am holding off for a demo and prices to come down.

[eastcoastpowderhound]

Originally Posted by riverc0il

I am looking seriously at these skis but am holding off for a demo and prices to come down.

I demoed them last year on a typical EC day...great edge hold, stable at speed and you know they'll float well. nice addition to the quiver.

[bvibert]

I just pulled the trigger on a pair of Head Mad Trix Mogul skis with PX12 bindings. At least I should have the moguls covered for this year. I'll be looking for a pair of mid-fats as well. The mogul skis were a wicked good deal that I've been eyeing all summer and I couldn't pass it up any longer...

[Greg]

Originally Posted by bvibert

I just pulled the trigger on a pair of Head Mad Trix Mogul skis with PX12 bindings. At least I should have the moguls covered for this year. I'll be looking for a pair of mid-fats as well. The mogul skis were a wicked good deal that I've been eyeing all summer and I couldn't pass it up any longer...

Sweet! Congrats. Bring on the Sundown bumps!

[riverc0il]

Originally Posted by eastcoastpowderhound

I demoed them last year on a typical EC day...great edge hold, stable at speed and you know they'll float well. nice addition to the quiver.

These types of comments make me nervous. I look for powder tree skis to not be stable at speed and have great edge hold. More concerned about powder, float, and especially short, nimble, tight tree skiing type turns. Very delicate balance between good float and nimble enough to make the tight turns and cuts of New England wood and tree skiing.

[eastcoastpowderhound]

Originally Posted by riverc0il

These types of comments make me nervous. I look for powder tree skis to not be stable at speed and have great edge hold. More concerned about powder, float, and especially short, nimble, tight tree skiing type turns. Very delicate balance between good float and nimble enough to make the tight turns and cuts of New England wood and tree skiing.

That's kind of my point...I can tell just by the dimensions that the surface area will make the ski float, for me, I want to know that a powder ski will still perform in the conditions its not ideally suited for..harder snow, dust on crust, etc...all the things you don't want to hit on a powder day, but are likely to encounter nonetheless. Its on the narrower end of "fat" skis...so its a little quicker than most...certainly quicker than the Gotama for example. You're definately talking about a delicate balance...wider, longer skis will float really well, but won't be as nimble...a shorter, slightly narrower fat ski will be more nimble, but with less surface area, won't float as well as even the same ski in a longer length. I wouldn't expect you to take some guy on an online forums word for it...but I literally ski on dozens of skis every winter...pretty much eveything new that's offered by
Volkl, K2, Atomic, Fischer, Salomon, Rossi, Head, Nordica, Elan, Armada...but you've got to put them to the test yourself to find out if they're right for you.

[riverc0il]

Yea, totally. Good deal. The reason for my concern is from my experience last year with the Mantra. Seems like every ski company out there is looking to do a "quiver of one" in general and especially in the powder board line up. Personally, I like having a few different skis and don't want a ski that compromises even slightly on natural snow and powder. There is always a trade off. People talk about the one ski quiver, but there is always a trade off. I would prefer to see more specialization. Just have seen a lot of comments about how well powder skis can carve lately, and it just isn't what I want a powder ski to do well. Usually, the components that make a ski rail on groomers generally trade off for the qualities that make a ski a blast on the natural stuff. I'll give it a shot myself.... I gotta respect any one that admits other skiers need to try it for themselves rather than shooting from the hip that it is the best ski for someone else.

[wa-loaf]

Originally Posted by eastcoastpowderhound

Fischer Watea 94...mmm mmm good.

I'd like to try a pair of the 84s. My skis right now only have 66 waist and I want to pick up a mid size ski next year sometime. Fat skis are going to have to wait for awhile.

[eastcoastpowderhound]

cool...I hear what you're saying, so try the watea, but also try a k2 seth...they're softer, springy, mini rocker in the tip....don't rail as well on the hard stuff but they're great in the fluff. The watea might be stiffer than you want, its going to have a similar feel to the mantra...fischer's misfit has similar dimensions but softer flex, more in line with the seth without the rocker or crazy twisted graphics...and its still a woodcore, sidewall ski. I'm an idealist when it comes to skis...I'm all about having the best ski for the conditions. You're right on with the one ski quiver comment...jack of all trades, master of none. Not that there aren't some great ones out there, I'm just glad I don't have to settle for one...3 or 4 is more like it.