Demo reviews (Sunday River)

[Edd]

So I spent a good 45 minutes typing this post with far more detail and delightful witty wording. When I submitted it, something went wrong and my soulful words went down some internet black hole. Lost, like great art. Here is the abbreviated version:

Dynastar Mythic Rider: Suprisingly good on groomers. Really curious to try powder.

Dynastar 4x4: Sucked. There, I said it.

Fisher Watea 84: Definitely a fun ski. Feels like you can take them anywhere.

Dynastar Legend 8000: Ski Of The Day. Felt like they belonged on my feet. I want them.

Today made me a demo guy. It also made me a guy who saves a copy of his posts before he submits them.

 

[snowmonster]

Because of my familiarity with Rossis, I went straight for the Rossi tent. I was late (and having too much fun on my skis) to demo other brands:

CX80 - Damp, very stable at speed. Good for fast GS turns. Took it down some soft groomers off North Peak and straight-lined to see if it would chatter. None detected. Good edge-hold. Carved very solidly even on the hardpack. Demands attention though. Once you get in the back seat, it can take you for a ride so you really have to pay attention to your technique and drive it. It reminds me of my B Squad. If I retire my Z9s, this would replace them.

S5 Barras - Damp (but not as damp as the CX80) and smooth. Good edge to edge and carved well on the hardpack. Straighlined it through the headwall of Sunday Punch and it did not waver. Good edge-hold. I suspect that it would be a great ski off-piste but conditions were not there.

After demo-ing these skis, my old Z9 felt very inadequate.

 

[bigbog]

Rossis...

Hey snowmonster....
Yours was not the first review I've read that favored the "S#" series... Of course they're all different to a degree, but...any comparisons to other skis...off the top of your head..(just curious).

STeveD

 

[snowmonster]

Hey bigbog!

Since I've only skied Rossis so far, my range is limited. The S5s are comparable to my B4s except that the S5 is a bit stiffer. They have close to the same basic dimensions but are not B Squad stiff. However, the S5 has less chatter at speed than the B4s and carved quite well on the hardpack for a ski its size. The B4 and S5 both have a certain liveliness to them and they're quick to swing around which makes me think that the S5 would be good in the trees. It's too bad I couldn't take them off-piste because I think they'll do well there. Hope that helps.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

CX80 - Damp, very stable at speed. Good for fast GS turns. Took it down some soft groomers off North Peak and straight-lined to see if it would chatter. None detected. Good edge-hold. Carved very solidly even on the hardpack. Demands attention though. Once you get in the back seat, it can take you for a ride so you really have to pay attention to your technique and drive it. It reminds me of my B Squad. If I retire my Z9s, this would replace them.

but are they worth the $1100 asking price?

 

[snowmonster]

No ski is worth that much money.

End of the season or summer deals should bring the price down by half or more. The weak economy may drive prices down even further. The MSRP on my Z9 in 2005 was around $1200. I got my pair in May and found it sticking in a snowbank outside a ski shop on Route 4 on the way to Killington. I paid less than $500 on that.