quick decion for a powder day. ski choice help

[automagp68]

Hey guys

so I'm at kmart at my ski house. I only have my 6 stars this week and we are looking at a fresh foot of pow on friday so i hear.

Here is my dilemma I was gonna by some twins this year anyway im im usually a volkl guy

Here is what i found

729$ 09 volkl mantras with marker griffon

729 09 Volkl gotama with marker griffon

And several old pairs of k2 extreams all beat up with the marker griffon for $300

Do i go cheap and get something to ski the week or do i spend money and continue my volkl traditon

The k2s are beat but just the top sheet is a mess.

About me, im an upper intermediate skier who stays away from bumps. Looking for something to float in the powder but also use as an all mountain ski for grooming days.

Any thoughts guys? Or if any one is selling anything let me know im at K

thanks!

 

[tjf67]

Hey guys

so I'm at kmart at my ski house. I only have my 6 stars this week and we are looking at a fresh foot of pow on friday so i hear.

Here is my dilemma I was gonna by some twins this year anyway im im usually a volkl guy

Here is what i found

729$ 09 volkl mantras with marker griffon

729 09 Volkl gotama with marker griffon

And several old pairs of k2 extreams all beat up with the marker griffon for $300

Do i go cheap and get something to ski the week or do i spend money and continue my volkl traditon

The k2s are beat but just the top sheet is a mess.

About me, im an upper intermediate skier who stays away from bumps. Looking for something to float in the powder but also use as an all mountain ski for grooming days.

Any thoughts guys? Or if any one is selling anything let me know im at K

thanks!

Why dont you Demo a few different skiis. Whatever they cost you they refund you toward the purchase if you find something you want.

 

[automagp68]

yea i thought about doing that also i just cant find any place that has some demos i wanna try

Not alot of twin tips demos here

 

[bigbog]

...Anything over ~76mm really...

$.01

 

[snoseek]

I would demo as many kinds possible.

I don't really get the brand loyalty thing. I mean volkl makes a terrific ski but there are so many different manufactures these days you are cheating yourself and your wallet by doing this. I woold personally but the ski that truly skis the best for me at the best price.

 

[riverc0il]

Brand loyalty is not a good idea. Particularly if you have not sampled a variety of skis from a variety of manufacturers. This is coming from a guy that once was also a Volkl brand loyalist because a Volkl ski was the first ski that I ever truly "fell in love with". Thank goodness I tried a bunch of other skis. I have been loyal to particular designs/models of skis but I have long since stopped being loyal to one particular brand.

Also, it should be noted that you can really love a particular style of one brand but another style of ski may ski completely different (i.e. consumer race style versus powder style). Honestly, I am surprised as an upper intermediate that you enjoy the Six Stars... that ski requires some pretty aggressive technique to get the most out of it... so will the Mantra which skis more like a race ski than a powder board.

All that said, AC30 or AC50 are worth looking into if you want to stay with Volkl. Not with a twin but you did not indicate you were doing park/pipe up above so I don't see the point in having a twin if you are just looking for a ski that will mostly ski groomers but also some powder.

As far as the buy now or put off decision, Killington is not going to get massive powder this weekend the way things look. Perhaps you should just grab a rental or something for the weekend if you want a fat ski just for the powder and put off the buy decision when you are not pressed for time? My philosophy is if I feel that I "need" new gear for one specific event, it is time to reconsider buying now versus later to ensure I make the right decision.

 

[marcski]

Demo a few skis friday and saturday. Wait one month. Buy online. Save $.

 

[gladerider]

don't ski much so i wouldn't know, but my friends rave about line and armada

 

[polski]

Without getting into the timing of your purchase I will say I've been out half a dozen times on the 09 Gotamas and think they will be a strong pow ski that also edge well on groomers despite being 105mm under foot. At this point I think they're likely to be my everyday ski unless I'm out on a day when there's really nothing but hardpack/ice; then I'd trot out my old 66-waist planks.

Topsheet edges are a downside though, seem to chip/peel a little too easily -- they're already in worse shape now than my 6-year-old Atomic Beta Ride 8.20s. Nothing that a little epoxy can't fix but mildly annoying nonetheless. I also find the "Tokyo whorehouse" graphics to be appalling but I bought the skis for how they were reported to ski, not how they look.

EMS has the '09 Gotamas on sale for $419 fyi. Don't think they carry the Griffons though.

 

[rtibbs4]

I'd ski on a pair of frying pans with a foot of fresh. I am jealous. I can't get north until next week...

 

[TheBEast]

If you're able to wait you'll be able to find the Mantras for cheaper than $729 with a binding......as others have said, demo some stuff out first before you commit. I own a pair of Mantras and love them as an East Coast powder ski that's also able to handle the firm stuff pretty well.

 

[Edd]

I've never tried the Goats but I've skied the Mantra and liked it right away. I own a set of Public Enemies (same ski as the Extreme) and love them on everything except scratch. I've designated those my spring skis. They are super playful. Go longer on those if you get them.

If it were up to me I'd choose the Mantra.

I fully agree with the points on brand loyalty. I've become pretty open minded about skiing any brand. I'm taking a hard look at the Blizzard Titan Cronus right now.