Seeking good Eastern Terrain "Mid or Fat / All-mountain" ski suggestions....???

[smootharc]

So, let me try to explain. Then you can let me know the error of my ways. When it comes to snow and terrain, there's East vs. West. I'm thinking about Eastern big-mountain terrain skis for the advanced stuff - tight steeps, trees, snakey double fall line classics, and the good possibility of variable conditions within the same ski day. Start out on powder, then tracked pow, maybe which sets up, with time on some groomed where areas have gotten scraped off on your way to the next stash. And when you wake up tomorrow, a little crunch and crud, but some pockets of untracked still await. All the while needing quick turns and reliable good and hard edge for just in-case moments. A "do it all" ski, but not necessarily an everyday board. A post dump, rage day board that adapts to rapidly changing conditions, sometimes during the same run. Or the one you pull from the car on Saturday (you just couldn't get away from work) when the storm was Thursday.

Control and powder float are weighted more heavily than large arc turns and top end speed. Some of the more "West-centric" fat deep-powder skis, with softer flex and not tuned with the likelihood of encountering some of more variable Eastern conditions (where stiffness and edge hold are appreciated) I've tried to eliminate (ie: Salomon Pocket Rocket).

I've been researching a bit, and, of course, going around in circles as I try to decipher manufacturer claims and sort skier reviews. At the head of the class, at the moment, are:

-Volkl Explosiv
-Rossignol Bandit B3 and B2
-K2 Seth Pistol
-Head Monster I.M 75 Chip Super RailFlex

But this is preliminary, there's no hurry. And maybe I'm off track altogether. Just been thinking about this niche lately. I'm open to input from those utilizing one or more of the above boards, and from those who have other suggestions altogether. Thanks.

Psyched for MRG this Sat, and the Bush on Sunday. Sorry Burke Forum Group Meeting won't work out this time around for me.

[riverc0il]

i personally really disliked the bandit B2. if you're doing powder, cool. but if you want something that can handle variable conditions, i don't think the B2 or the B3 is the ticket. i tried the head monster and found it fairly unresponsive, but ymmv and i'd recommend a demo on that one as it fits the bill description wise and some people love it.

two boards i would add to your list would be the volkl 724 pro and the dynastar legend 8000 (which i loved so much i bought earlier this year and love it). both handle everything with the 724 preferring hard pack whereas the legend loves natural snow. if you want something with more float than the 8000 (i am guessing you want a big board with that explosiv and B3 in there), try the 8800 instead of the 8000, but you'll lose some performance on the hard pack. elan 666m is a rad ski that would fit the bill too.

[Greg]

Also, remember: consider this preliminary research. Narrow it down to 3 or 4 skis and then be sure to demo before you commit...

[JD]

Stockli Stormrider.
Line Motherships
Rossi XXX
Fisher big stick, I'd get the 106, but the 86 would be OK.

Go short and fat if you're looking for east coast powder hounding performance.

The Fisher big stick 106 is an awesome shape for our woods up here.

And anyone who thinks you can't arc a fat ski needs to go take a lesson.

[awf170]

For powder and crud me and dad loved the pocket rockets, and there decent for everything else, not as bad as you would think on groomers

[JD]

The PRs are not really that great a ski. Descent shape, and they're light, but not very durable.

[goldsbar]

What about one of the Atomic Metron series like the b5? Supposed to be a do everything ski.

[awf170]

Originally Posted by JD

The PRs are not really that great a ski. Descent shape, and they're light, but not very durable.

Seemed pretty durable to me because at snowbird i lost a ski in a very steep glade and i launched through the woods hitting trees and rocks and it was in fine conditions, i dunno though u probably mean long term right.

[Beetlenut]

If it's an East coast fat ski you're looking for, don't forget the Phantom Crystalship at http://www.skiphantom.com As soon as I can dig up the cash ......

[thetrailboss]

Originally Posted by smootharc

-Volkl Explosiv
-Rossignol Bandit B3 and B2
-K2 Seth Pistol
-Head Monster I.M 75 Chip Super RailFlex

I demoed the Head Monster IM75 Chip SRF model at Sugarbush (Vt North) in January 2003...actually I demoed its sister, the IM70 and I was so impressed that I bought the IM75 SRF model to ski on. I urge you to go SHORT on it....it is a stiff ski that responds well, but if you go long or too long it will be hard to turn short turns. I skied a 183 before and am now down to a 170. Thanks to the RF feature the ski NEVER LOSES EDGE and drives through crud and ice. It is a very durable ski that has a nice smooth ride. Give it a shot.