Best bump/all-mountain ski

[Brettski]

James, your request is going to be tough to satisfy. I'm a bump lover too, and I'm not a fan of multiple ski quivers either. I'm sure ski manufacturers love folks who buy different skis for different conditions; personally, I think it's totally unnecessary in most cases...

Except for bumpers. Skis with too much sidecut or too much width underfoot are no good in tight bump lines. So, I have a pair of dedicated bump skis and another pair for other conditions.

I think that's the route you're going down too. Good bump skis to consider are:

Dynastar Twister
Volkl Dragon Slayer
Rossi Scratch

I'm a Dynastar man myself. Since it sounds like you're relatively happy with your Vipers in bumps, you might consider the recommendations that RivercOil and awf170 made...all excellent all mountain skis you would probably be happy with in powder and on flats.

Make that Dynastar Vertical Assaults...love mine still

Then I bought the Rockets. What a totally different style of skiing. Your center of gravity is totally different. they are an absolute blast. But they are not a bump ski or a hard pack steep vert ski. You can easily over drive them and wash out the tail.

Soooo....I test drove a pair of Volkl AllStars...man did I love those...I tried to overdrive them and couldn't...talk about carve.

So I'll bring 3 skis to the mountain...fine by me....

Now to find a pair of allstars that won't break the bank

Oh, my Rockets are 185...I'm 5 11 at 220

I still can't buy into to this short is better thing...my mogul skis are 203

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

A big no no on the metrons, way too much sidecut will make them absolutly horrible in bump.

No ski will make you absolutely horrible in bumps or great in bumps, it's your skill level in them that makes you or breaks you. I realize that certain skis are more conducive to bumps then others, but if you can ski them you'll ski them well on almost any type recreational ski.

 

[ckofer]

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No ski will make you absolutely horrible in bumps or great in bumps, it's your skill level in them that makes you or breaks you. I realize that certain skis are more conducive to bumps then others, but if you can ski them you'll ski them well on almost any type recreational ski.

I've got a pair of metrons (m11/162). I'm 6 feet tall & weigh 220.

Using the stuff I learned in Dan D's book, they seem fine in the bumps. The huge shovels make them float through anything (especially local crud: packed chowda) . Don't have the high-speed confidence that I have felt with other skis (SX11, etc) but I seldom get passed on the mountain. The shape has really transformed spring skiing for me. I bought them with an Atomic race binding that can be adjusted forward or backward about 1.5" without tools. This makes a HUGE difference. All the way foreward ( EXTREM ) and the bite seems pretty good. Put them all the way back for powder and slush; you'll find the tips will float while you can still apply forward pressure.

 

[Traverser]

I'm new to the forum as well and by no means an expert skier.
I bought the '07 Volkl AC3, and I'm happy as a pig in poo. I demo'd the 6 stars before and was thrilled with the awesome performance on the groomers, but I knew I needed an allmountain ski for my only ski.
The AC3's are incredibly quick, cut like a skate in ice, and give me every bit as much of a thrill on the hard pack as did the 6 stars. On fresh snow, and between the trees off the groomers I did fine.

So that's my recommendation. -Coming from someone who just recently got comfortable on single blacks and attempted "the wall" a double black, but that's another story.
Good luck