Looking to add to the quiver, suggestions?

[The Sneak]

Level 8ish. Skiing for 20 yrs. Age 31, 5' 8" 155 lbs.

I have Fischer RX8s in 165cm for groomers/weekly wachusett trips. Very fun and great at what they are good for.

I have Fischer Watea 78s in 170cm for the 'do it all' ski. Now, these Wateas are 2+ years old and I bought em at a swap so they have demo bindings on them. These skis were rated as being comparable+ with Dynastar Legend 8000s.

My opinion? They are kinda 'meh.' They feel dull and lifeless on groomers and don't have nearly the edge hold of the RX8s. I guess they are ok in the crud, fresh snow, woods etc, but they just aren't very lively. Are the demo bindings contributing to this?

I see Fischer has a new ski this year, the Heat 76. Does anyone have any feedback on this ski?

I'm looking for a FUN, high energy all mountain ski. Am I SOL? Open to suggestions, esp last yrs models etc.

Boots are Nordica Supercharger Ignitions.

 

[Puck it]

I would say something in the 90ish range. I would look at the Monster 88 (my favorite ski now), Elan 888, or the Mythic Rider. You could throw the Watea in there also. I have heard good things about the Line 90's. The Monster 88 not this years Peak 88 is a great ski that can handle just about anything. It bash mank, crud and handle powder fairly well. I even ski moguls with it. The Peak 88 has the metal removed so it is does handle a forceful skier anymore. Just 2 cents.

 

[snowmonster]

What kind of terrain do you like to ski? You seem to have skis for the groomers already so my first instinct is to recommend something that you can take off-piste. I second the reco to go in the 90+ range -- Line Prophet 90, Volkl Mantra, Rossi SC 97. Look at last year's models to save a few bucks.

 

[Glenn]

I really dig the Volkl AC50. I need to demo a pair.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

Level 8ish. Skiing for 20 yrs. Age 31, 5' 8" 155 lbs.

I have Fischer RX8s in 165cm for groomers/weekly wachusett trips. Very fun and great at what they are good for.

I have Fischer Watea 78s in 170cm for the 'do it all' ski. Now, these Wateas are 2+ years old and I bought em at a swap so they have demo bindings on them. These skis were rated as being comparable+ with Dynastar Legend 8000s.

My opinion? They are kinda 'meh.' They feel dull and lifeless on groomers and don't have nearly the edge hold of the RX8s. I guess they are ok in the crud, fresh snow, woods etc, but they just aren't very lively. Are the demo bindings contributing to this?

I see Fischer has a new ski this year, the Heat 76. Does anyone have any feedback on this ski?

I'm looking for a FUN, high energy all mountain ski. Am I SOL? Open to suggestions, esp last yrs models etc.

Boots are Nordica Supercharger Ignitions.

The Heat 76 is similar to the RX8 performance wise...just a cm wider. Could be the Watea 78s are beat up, don't have a great edge on them, and yeah, a demo binding is going to add weight and make them feel less snappy. A good tune should change the way they hold on the hard stuff...it holds a better edge than the k2 recon and has more snap and life to it...but people rave about the recons. Since you've got the RX8s for cruising on the groomers and the 78 for the days in between, you should check out something in the 90s as mentioned. If you want the all Fischer quiver, the watea 94 is a great ski...and there have been a number of other good suggestions already.

 

[BackLoafRiver]

Level 8ish. Skiing for 20 yrs. Age 31, 5' 8" 155 lbs.

I have Fischer RX8s in 165cm for groomers/weekly wachusett trips. Very fun and great at what they are good for.

I have Fischer Watea 78s in 170cm for the 'do it all' ski. Now, these Wateas are 2+ years old and I bought em at a swap so they have demo bindings on them. These skis were rated as being comparable+ with Dynastar Legend 8000s.

My opinion? They are kinda 'meh.' They feel dull and lifeless on groomers and don't have nearly the edge hold of the RX8s. I guess they are ok in the crud, fresh snow, woods etc, but they just aren't very lively. Are the demo bindings contributing to this?

I see Fischer has a new ski this year, the Heat 76. Does anyone have any feedback on this ski?

I'm looking for a FUN, high energy all mountain ski. Am I SOL? Open to suggestions, esp last yrs models etc.

Boots are Nordica Supercharger Ignitions.

What year are the Supercharger Ignitions? Just wondering. I am still using mine and love them. Pretty comfortable.

I demoed some AC 50's at the end of last year and really loved them. I am holding off on purchasing a new set of sticks until I can demo a few more. (thanks to some great suggestions in an earlier thread)

 

[WoodCore]

Make sure you check out the Blizzard Magnum 8.7 IQ Max and Magnum 8.1 IQ Max. I skied on both last year and they are a hoot. Both received rave reviews.

 

[WWF-VT]

Where do you ski besides Wachusetts ? My knowledge is that Wachusetts is generally highly groomed and does not offer much opportunity for skiing in crud, fresh snow, woods. A 90+ waist ski is not going to be the best choice if Wachusett is your primary hill.

 

[ta&idaho]

Given your feedback--that the Watea is dull and meh, that you want something lively, and that you love the RX8s--I'd stay away from skis that are essentially fatter versions of the Watea that you currently have. Different people want different things in an "all-mountain" ski. Some prefer something softer and more nimble, that can handle bumps and tight trees easily, but probably isn't as lively or responsive when pushed harder. The Watea tends to be that kind of ski, with different widths providing different versions of a similar experience. Others prefer a wider version of a carving-oriented ski, something stiffer and more active. You seem to fall in the latter camp.

I can't comment on the impact of the bindings, but my guess is that you would prefer something like the Volkl AC series, the Fischer Heat series, or the Nordica Hot Rod series over something like the Fischer Watea series. I don't know what the current versions are, but something like the Nordica Afterburner or Nitrous or the Volkl AC40 sounds like a good fit.

(This all assumes you're looking to replace the Watea 78s rather than supplement them, which seemed to be the gist of your post.)

 

[bigbog]

Haven't skied either one but the Blizzard Magnums(87/81) along with Nordica Hotrods have a lot of fans. Remember Phil not being in love with the IQ system(fwiw)...any flat Mags Phil? There's also an Argosy..y/n?
I thought the Watea94s/Atuas(y/n) were pretty nimble...but guestimate = lower in energy compared to the Blizzards/Nordicas, but how much energy does one want vs float off-trail..? ..having said that I did purchase the Watea8xs a few years back, but upon demoing the 94s...sold the 8xs asap..think the ski gets more fun as width increases.
Aren't the Heats the foam cored newer RXs? Other Fischers, Answer, Progressor...seem like ripe to demo...along with Elan's 888s and the Monster88s...but have read other skiers tales of the newer, easy-turning ~100+ waists possessing the crud crushing ability with added float...y/n?

 

[snowmonster]

Where do you ski besides Wachusetts ? My knowledge is that Wachusetts is generally highly groomed and does not offer much opportunity for skiing in crud, fresh snow, woods. A 90+ waist ski is not going to be the best choice if Wachusett is your primary hill.

Ironically, one of my best powder days was at Wa during a storm. They were actually grooming during the dump! But, the trees were untouched and I had a good time there. I agree that the OP has a quiver of carvers perfect for Wa. But, if he has plans to go beyond Wa and build a quiver, then 90+ is where he should look.

 

[RootDKJ]

I got a pair of Nordica HR Jet Fuel's last year. I only got to ski them one day, and conditions were very variable. About 5" of new in the AM, crud before lunch, corn after lunch and the ski excelled through it all. AndyZee has the same ski and is pretty happy with it also, iirc.

 

[gmcunni]

I got a pair of Nordica HR Jet Fuel's last year. I only got to ski them one day, and conditions were very variable. About 5" of new in the AM, crud before lunch, corn after lunch and the ski excelled through it all. AndyZee has the same ski and is pretty happy with it also, iirc.

i think my afterburners are the same just without the metal topsheet so they are a little softer, which i wanted after skiing a stiff volkl. love teh nordica but haven't tried it yet in powder. done corn, hard pack and bumps - all of which it handled well.

 

[RootDKJ]

i think my afterburners are the same just without the metal topsheet so they are a little softer, which i wanted after skiing a stiff volkl. love teh nordica but haven't tried it yet in powder. done corn, hard pack and bumps - all of which it handled well.

I think you're right. Since I have no mogul skills, and I'm a pretty big dude, I opted for the stiffer ski. I can't wait to dip them in some powder.

I still have my K2 Crossfire ice skates for hardpack days.

 

[The Sneak]

Hi all
Thanks for the many suggestions. Will look into them. While I am a wa wa passholder and try to go there 20-30 or so times per year, I also try to get 10+ days at real mountains. Usually the loaf, stowe, wildcat, k, etc. Might be going to tahoe this year too. Also thinking saddleback, ragged, s bush and jay.

I like natural snow trails, low angle bumps n glades etc. Pretty much anything but serious steeps with huge moguls. Also like big gs turns top to bottom on groomers. Though I'm getting away from that. I'm not a stratton/okemo homogenized cruiser d00d.

Can't wait to demo some of the skis suggested in this thread. Whatever I get will just be in addition to what I have now unless it renders the watea 78s moot, in which case they will become my rock skis.

 

[The Sneak]

Update
I was looking at Elan Magfire 78tTI's, but now I'm thinking Volkl AC50 in 163cm. At 5' 8" 155 lbs, I think the 170 will just punish me by the end of the day. Y/N?

How are AC50's in smaller bumps? Any change from last year or are 08/09 the same as 09/10?

Anyone here have these skis?

 

[Hawkshot99]

now I'm thinking Volkl AC50 in 163cm. At 5' 8" 155 lbs, I think the 170 will just punish me by the end of the day. Y/N?

I have not skied the 163. Only had the 170 and 177 in the demo fleet. But I would definatly recomend the 163. I typically like high 170's for a length. I really liked the 170 though, and I am 6' 250#. They are a STIFF ski.

How are AC50's in smaller bumps?

In true moguls I do not know, but in the end of day bumps that form they are great. Can plow through the crud, or can be turned very nicely.

Any change from last year or are 08/09 the same as 09/10?

Identical except for the graphics.

Anyone here have these skis?

Do not own them, but did have 2 pairs in my demo fleet last winter.