dannyt986
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- Joined
- Feb 5, 2006
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Folks, since this great website helped me make an informed decision, thought I'd give you all some feedback from my first day on my new skis! Short version... these skis rock.
I have to say I have loved every pair of K2s (now 3 I have had) and bought these untested on that basis, versus Bandit B2, on the basis of the reviews here and elsewhere.
Me: 6'0", 220lbs, level 8 I would guess based on web descriptions but never had that assessed in the USA. Last 3 seasons skied K2 Mach S (a 109/64/105, also 173cm, 18m radius) looking for something more forgiving (wider and softer) to improve my powder and mogul skiing. I guess I prefer to ski stylishly at moderate speed than dangerously at balls out speeds.
Conditions: Skiing in a great little resort near Zurich Switzerland, Flumserberg. Air temperature -5 celcius, sunny day but even by 3pm still not getting slushy, last snow over 10 days ago so off piste pretty crusty. Skied with a guide both on piste and off piste.
On piste. Like most reviews said, handles great on piste... compared to the Mach S not quite as nimble with really quick short turns, but tons of grip, especially if you ski the front (I guess due to the progressive side cut). Did not like edge to edge jump turn skiing, particularly on steep hard pack pitches, jump/juddering like crazy before the edge caught (but we are talking 35% or so steep). I guess this was also due to the razor sharp fresh edges and the ski width. Comments elsewhere to ski this ski on the front are on the mark.
Off piste. This was mostly already cut up crud ranging from crusty in the shade to heavy powder on the sunny exposures. The ski cuts through this stuff like hot knife through butter. I liked that for a wide ski the turns were easy to initiate and once turning the ski pretty much did the rest. We did find one nice stretch of untracked powder and I managed to string together my best set of turns this season... I definitely feel these will give the extra support and forgiveness I've been looking for to get that rythmic powder turn thang down. The Mach S are just too unforgiving and prone to catapult me headover heels coming out of the turn unless the balance is just right.
Another point generally is how incredibly stable these skis are with no tip flap even on schusses. I definitely found myself skiing faster than normal because of that..
I didnt get to try these in real icy conditions, but based on today, I can only really assume the Mach S will get an outing for on piste icy days.
Hope that helps others..
Daniel
I have to say I have loved every pair of K2s (now 3 I have had) and bought these untested on that basis, versus Bandit B2, on the basis of the reviews here and elsewhere.
Me: 6'0", 220lbs, level 8 I would guess based on web descriptions but never had that assessed in the USA. Last 3 seasons skied K2 Mach S (a 109/64/105, also 173cm, 18m radius) looking for something more forgiving (wider and softer) to improve my powder and mogul skiing. I guess I prefer to ski stylishly at moderate speed than dangerously at balls out speeds.
Conditions: Skiing in a great little resort near Zurich Switzerland, Flumserberg. Air temperature -5 celcius, sunny day but even by 3pm still not getting slushy, last snow over 10 days ago so off piste pretty crusty. Skied with a guide both on piste and off piste.
On piste. Like most reviews said, handles great on piste... compared to the Mach S not quite as nimble with really quick short turns, but tons of grip, especially if you ski the front (I guess due to the progressive side cut). Did not like edge to edge jump turn skiing, particularly on steep hard pack pitches, jump/juddering like crazy before the edge caught (but we are talking 35% or so steep). I guess this was also due to the razor sharp fresh edges and the ski width. Comments elsewhere to ski this ski on the front are on the mark.
Off piste. This was mostly already cut up crud ranging from crusty in the shade to heavy powder on the sunny exposures. The ski cuts through this stuff like hot knife through butter. I liked that for a wide ski the turns were easy to initiate and once turning the ski pretty much did the rest. We did find one nice stretch of untracked powder and I managed to string together my best set of turns this season... I definitely feel these will give the extra support and forgiveness I've been looking for to get that rythmic powder turn thang down. The Mach S are just too unforgiving and prone to catapult me headover heels coming out of the turn unless the balance is just right.
Another point generally is how incredibly stable these skis are with no tip flap even on schusses. I definitely found myself skiing faster than normal because of that..
I didnt get to try these in real icy conditions, but based on today, I can only really assume the Mach S will get an outing for on piste icy days.
Hope that helps others..
Daniel
Glad we were able to help and hope to see more of you! :beer:
