SKIER INFO
Skier: 5'10", 215#, aggressive
Skis I have ridden/review:
192 Moment M1
186 Moment Comi
188 Moment Tahoe
194 Dynastar Legend Pro
193 Nordica Blower
200 DPS Lotus 120 (flex 3)
SKI INFO
Ski tested: 192 Moment Comi-Kazi mounted on the line with 916s
Dimensions: 160-136-145 (35m r)
Specs: rockered tip which is about 1/4 the total length of the skis; slightly raised swallowtail
UPDATE (5/18/2008): after 10-12 days on these skis, the rockered tip now begins 54cm from the tip of the ski
TESTING INFO
Locations: Keystone (trees), Vail (back bowls)
Conditions: deep powder, deep powder in trees, bumped-out powder (get the idea?)
Mount line will appear a bit further back than some people might be used to, but it feels absolutely money and wouldn't mount it elsewhere.
On groomers and bumps, they are adequate. You will notice chatter on the flats. In crud and post-pow conditions, the Comi-Kazi does not fair well at all. This ski is strictly for powder and soft snow.
In trees, these skis are a ton of fun and are quite manageable for its size. My first time through the woods was a bit difficult since I didn't have a strong grasp of how the Comi-Kazi skis, but after a few more runs through, I was able to ski pretty quickly in moderately tight spots with ease. Again, for comparative purposes, the Comi-Kazi skis as well (if not better) in trees than the 193 Blower.
Bases are absolutely bomber. I hit several dozen logs and rocks at Keystone on Saturday through the woods in the Outback (first time the area has been open this season) with no base damage at all. At Vail today, I probably hit another handful of rocks ... again, no significant damage.
Now how does it ski in powder? Just as you imagined. As I've said to people over the weekend, it really isn't fair to ski something like the Comi-Kazi in powder. They make skiing powder seem incredibly effortlessly. Regardless of the pitch, you shouldn't get any tip dive. Most runs this past weekend were in close to 2 feet of powder. You're literally surfing on snow, and it seemed that the ski north of the binding toe piece was completely afloat at all times. The swallowtail does exactly what it should do and it's been designed very well to help sink the tail down for increased flotation.
The flex seems to be okay. I'm sure others will have better insight, but to me, the tip felt soft, underfoot has a medium flex, and the tail being medium-soft. If I had to change the flex, I would make it slightly stiffer near the heel placement of the ski and underfoot. As you would expect from a ski with a 136mm waist, they stomp and feel stable on landings.
Overall, I'm thrilled. The biggest surprise so far is how well the bases have held up; I was definitely expecting some core shots after Saturday and was shocked to find nothing more than a couple of very minor scrapes.
Pros:
+ gives a new perspective on surfing snow
+ bomber bases
Cons:
- you will have to answer a ton of questions about these skis
- doesn't perform well in crud and anything not soft
- could be a tad stiffer underfoot and in the tail
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5641/spa1535xk6.jpg
http://media.newschoolers.com/upload...7410bd7d_o.jpg
http://media.newschoolers.com/upload...5e903e65_o.jpg