Edd
Well-known member
Had a pretty fantastic day at Cannon today. It was the first time there this year so after a morning of skiing in mostly sunshine and almost no winds I checked out the new pub. They did a wonderful job; it was way better than I expected. Then, on a whim, I demoed skis.
Me: 5' 11" 183 lbs
Current skis in use: Dynastar L8Ks, K2 PEs
Head Peak 88 (175): I've never skied Heads, but I'm aware of alot of love for the Monster series, for which the Peak series is the replacement. Since I'm looking for a wider and more ice capable ski than my current ones, I tried the 88s. I've read one layer of metal has been removed for the Peaks, with mixed reviews. I immediately felt comfortable on these. They were cooperative and stable with a good snow feel. Cannon was blasting all day on a couple of trails so there was soft manmade for the taking. Paulies Folly was all soft ungroomed snow with mild bumps and some severe ones on the left, which I avoided. The Heads did well on the soft snow. I would love to hit a powder day on these. Cannon, however, is always good for some very scratchy terrain somewhere. The Heads just didn't have the bite I was looking for; they MAY be 5-10% better than my L8Ks. In the end, I decided there was nothing these could do (including powder) that the L8Ks couldn't. I was surprised a bit because the Monster series is known for good edge grip. I don't think the Peak 88s are up to that. There are skinnier versions and I'd be curious to try those.
Volkl AC50s (177): So you've seen these everywhere for the last couple of seasons. I've never skied the AC series but read plenty. I'm not into strict carving so I never considered them seriously. Sweet Jesus, these things have incredible grip! I really wasn't leaning forward at first and they were holding on some icy terrain. On a run down Rocket I started leaning forward and Holy Moley they came alive! They inspired irrational confidence and, on another run down Zoomer, I approached speeds I'm not comfortable with. The skis were fine but I was not. You can release the tails, if you like, without being punished. That's not to say there isn't negative feedback but I would say these skis are more forgiving than you'd imagine. So I tried the soft stuff on Paulies; and there it was: the downside. Through the soft bumps I got worked. The stiffness just kept biting back at me. Pretty much, this time, what you WOULD expect from a ski that carves like this. If I'm in the market for a total hard snow ski, these are at the top of the list but not what I'm after now.
I was tired, but the guy in the shop pushed me to try some Mantras. They only had the 170s though, which I felt was one size too short. He pointed out that they'd still give me an idea if I liked them or not. Right he was, but I had skied a friend's set a few years ago..only for 2 runs though.
Volkl Mantra (170): Wow. I loved the ski. Very responsive yet damp. Strong edge grip, not like the AC50s but confidence inspiring. A turn radius I can control with minimal negative feedback but I feel comfortable with the natural radius (at 170, at least). I didn't have the energy for more Paulies bumps but I toured through plenty of available snow whales (I dig skiing fresh manmade) and the Mantras were fun as hell. I liked them a few years ago but I was very surprised how much fun I had; I was dog tired too.
A guy at Al's Ski Barn told me since I didn't like the 186 Line Prophet 90s than I wouldn't like the Mantra. Fully wrong there. It makes me wonder more than ever what shorter Prophets ski like.
End of reviews. Visit Cannon. Ski hard. Drink a Sierra Nevada on tap in the new bar.
Me: 5' 11" 183 lbs
Current skis in use: Dynastar L8Ks, K2 PEs
Head Peak 88 (175): I've never skied Heads, but I'm aware of alot of love for the Monster series, for which the Peak series is the replacement. Since I'm looking for a wider and more ice capable ski than my current ones, I tried the 88s. I've read one layer of metal has been removed for the Peaks, with mixed reviews. I immediately felt comfortable on these. They were cooperative and stable with a good snow feel. Cannon was blasting all day on a couple of trails so there was soft manmade for the taking. Paulies Folly was all soft ungroomed snow with mild bumps and some severe ones on the left, which I avoided. The Heads did well on the soft snow. I would love to hit a powder day on these. Cannon, however, is always good for some very scratchy terrain somewhere. The Heads just didn't have the bite I was looking for; they MAY be 5-10% better than my L8Ks. In the end, I decided there was nothing these could do (including powder) that the L8Ks couldn't. I was surprised a bit because the Monster series is known for good edge grip. I don't think the Peak 88s are up to that. There are skinnier versions and I'd be curious to try those.
Volkl AC50s (177): So you've seen these everywhere for the last couple of seasons. I've never skied the AC series but read plenty. I'm not into strict carving so I never considered them seriously. Sweet Jesus, these things have incredible grip! I really wasn't leaning forward at first and they were holding on some icy terrain. On a run down Rocket I started leaning forward and Holy Moley they came alive! They inspired irrational confidence and, on another run down Zoomer, I approached speeds I'm not comfortable with. The skis were fine but I was not. You can release the tails, if you like, without being punished. That's not to say there isn't negative feedback but I would say these skis are more forgiving than you'd imagine. So I tried the soft stuff on Paulies; and there it was: the downside. Through the soft bumps I got worked. The stiffness just kept biting back at me. Pretty much, this time, what you WOULD expect from a ski that carves like this. If I'm in the market for a total hard snow ski, these are at the top of the list but not what I'm after now.
I was tired, but the guy in the shop pushed me to try some Mantras. They only had the 170s though, which I felt was one size too short. He pointed out that they'd still give me an idea if I liked them or not. Right he was, but I had skied a friend's set a few years ago..only for 2 runs though.
Volkl Mantra (170): Wow. I loved the ski. Very responsive yet damp. Strong edge grip, not like the AC50s but confidence inspiring. A turn radius I can control with minimal negative feedback but I feel comfortable with the natural radius (at 170, at least). I didn't have the energy for more Paulies bumps but I toured through plenty of available snow whales (I dig skiing fresh manmade) and the Mantras were fun as hell. I liked them a few years ago but I was very surprised how much fun I had; I was dog tired too.
A guy at Al's Ski Barn told me since I didn't like the 186 Line Prophet 90s than I wouldn't like the Mantra. Fully wrong there. It makes me wonder more than ever what shorter Prophets ski like.
End of reviews. Visit Cannon. Ski hard. Drink a Sierra Nevada on tap in the new bar.
