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  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Recommended Skis & Bindings List

    THIS THREAD IS NOW BEING UPDATED HERE

    RELATIVE FLEXES:
    9 - titan pro / Squad / supa stiff bros (270)
    8 - LP / Monster / explosiv / dp #3 / capital stiffs (260)
    7 - big daddy / stockli dp (250)
    6 - ANT / extra stiff kingswood / stiff bros
    5 - mantra / ak swallowtail / dp #2 (240)
    4 - gotama / soft bros / reg. kingswood (230)
    3 - yellow ak rockets / sugar daddy ?
    2 - PR / lawnchair (200 or less)
    1 - sanouk/made'n
    0 - green ak rockets

    also, HERE is a pretty rad ski flex chart too

    CUSTOM SKIS:
    I highly recommended gettin a nicer, more durable, better made, slightly more expensive ski - so worth it in the long run
    dp skis (80-138mm) - so light, so powerful, so sick. get a pair. www.dpskis.com
    igneous (88-118mm) - fat shapes & custom flex. legendary. so worth it. www.igneousskis.com
    kingswood (86-146mm) - custom fat twins from NZ www.kingswoodskis.com
    birdos (102-137mm) - be that cool guy with the new shit! out of Switzerland www.birdos.com
    capital (92-162mm) - tons of shapes and custom flexes put out of BC www.capitalskis.com
    PM GEAR (99-???) - bro model = classic everyday ski. more to come??? www.pmgearusa.com

    STIFFER EVERYDAY SKIS:
    dynastar legend pro (97mm-109mm) - not the fattest, but they rip. the XXL has a farily soft tail.
    volkl mantra (94mm) - shaplier version of the explosiv wizards, lots of sidecut
    blizzard titan pro (95mm) - long and stiff. they rule for charging hard.
    stockli stormriders (88-94mm) - as well made as anything out there.
    pmgear bros (99mm) - support you maggot bros. stiff and supa stiff options...
    ak king salmon (94mm) - super bomber. the comp ski of choice. 180cm only.
    Igneous FFL (98mm) - perfect everday ski for anywhere w/ more than 250" per year
    dp wailer (95-105mm) - light, powerful, responsive. progressive shovel.
    rossi squad (100-104mm) - 189 & 194 are BURL. expensive. rip.

    STIFFER EVERYDAY TWINS:
    4frnt MSP (90mm) - pretty fat, fairly stiff all mountain twin. for a fat twin, they'll still hold an edge
    Head Mojo (90-105mm) - all mountian twin. med to siffish flex. the new 105 is NOT TORSIONALLY STIFF AT ALL.
    prior original (90-102mm) - nice shape, moderate twin, can do med & stiff versions. handmade.
    armada ant (106mm) - skis short. lots of camber. pretty stiff.
    volkl karma (87mm) - nice stiff twintip. good bump ski.
    K2 PE (85mm) - Feels very dead in park but its a solid ski for all mtn


    SOFTER EVERYDAY SKIS:
    rossi b4 (95mm) - not the fattest, not the stiffest, but great skis for lighter folks
    salomon ak swallowtail (95mm) - new 05-06 have wood! i personally love these things
    salomon sandstorm (101mm) - ripper. stiffer, flattail version of the s-lab gun (187cm)
    prior doughboy (103-107mm) - ski. big old shovel. look pretty rad.
    atomic sugar daddy (99mm) - pretty soft. light. make killer AT setups.
    dynastar big/lbf/inspired (88mm) - great in shorter lengths for the GF
    Phat Love (90mm) - the ski of choice for the GF
    k2 apache chief (98mm) - i hate 'em but others like 'em. stiffer than a pistol, no twin.
    bros (99mm) - the soft flex are about as light as anything in the size...
    blizzard titan 9 (86-92mm) - nice medium flex. good a/m ski.

    SOFTER EVERYDAY TWINS:
    k2 seth (95-98mm) - mount 'em forward a bit for A/M
    k2 maiden (108mm)- SOFT. FAT. FUN.
    volkl gotama (105mm) - not too soft, not too stiff. great everyday ski for lightweights. skis short.
    salomon s-lab gun (101mm) - wish the PR was stiffer, fatter and longer? here you go
    Salomon Foil (87mm) - another twin thats good for everything, particularly carving all mtn

    FAT SKIS:
    igneous FFF (118mm) - possiblly the best traditional shaped pow ski ever made. go fast, go big.
    dp lotus (120-138mm) - the best progressive pow skis on the market. smears turns as well as they rail and huck
    volkl sumo (120mm) - fat twins with a more traditional shape. the 190's are fairly stiff, 175's are fairly soft.
    big daddy (125mm) - sweet skis. nice flex, too bad they are made with atomic cap/edges
    atomic Thug (120mm) - 190cm twin. too much tail for aggresive big mountain lines (IMHO).
    sanouk (110mm) - very soft swallowtail.
    crystal ship (115mm) - kinda silly. better off with icelantics
    icelantic (115mm) - 161cm 115mm: tight tree ski = $$$ on the EC. pretty stiff.
    praxxis POW (136mm) - basically a refined (lighter, wider) spatula. nicely made.
    4frnt EHP (112mm) - bomber bases, rail well, ski fast. slay it.


    CLASSIC SKIS: hard to find, but worth it if you can
    atomic big daddy (107mm) - they rock, and are way easier to ski than you think
    kneissl tanker (93mm) - basically they rule. low profile tip. they ski like a fat GS ski.
    volkl explosiv (95mm) - the classic. not as stiff as you think.
    volkl g4/40/41/ax4 (83mm) - classic. ski the 198 of you dare. perfect everyday ski.
    spatulas (125mm) - yes they are as fun as you think
    Atomic Powder Plus (110-115mm) - the ski that started it all. fat and stiff.
    Rossi Axiom (110mm) - fat and stiff. straight sidecut. 183. foam or wood core. heavy.
    Nordica W105/9.1FF (105mm) - super hard to find. they rip. buy 'em if you can find 'em
    head monster/supermojo (103mm) - requires a strong pilot. but if you got the balls, they do too
    volkl snowrangers (79mm) - classic. great bumpski, rock ski, billygoat ski
    dynastar flame bigs/arnos (80mm) - classic. ditto the above
    k2 extreme/TNC/MSL - if you don't know...

    SKINNY/EC/EVERYDAY SKIS:
    stockli stormrider XL (75mm) - the best skinny a/m ski out there, IMVHO
    head monster (82-88mm) - pretty stiff, ripping everyday skis w/ a bit of sidecut.
    ak no ka oi (83mm) - super well made mid-fat. nice shape.

    PARK SKIS: (courtesy of skibackwards)
    K2 Fujative - very soft park specific
    Volkl Dogen - soft all over no hinge points
    armada T-Hall Pro - alot like fujative. RIP tanner
    4FRNT STL - pretty stiff compared to others skis. pretty good all mtn
    Armada AR5 - Good all mountain and in the park
    Salomon Foil - another ski thats good for everything, particularly carving all mtn

    TOURING SKIS:
    PM Gear Bros - get the 179 soft flex. super light, nice round flex.
    trab freerando - tour it up, euro-boy
    Voile Carbon surf - pretty darn soft, but light and fat. a classic.
    Dynafit 10.0 - dimension of the Carbon Surf, snappiness of the Trab Freerando and light
    r:ex - edges tend to crack, but they are awesome touring skis.
    CMH explosiv - the cheap stiff touring ski of choice.
    k2 lawnchair - the cheap soft touring ski of choice.
    k2 shuksan - the ski mountaineering choice.
    line mothership/karhu jak - light and fat. what more do you want?

    ALPINE BINDINGS:
    look/rossi p12/14 - develop play in the heel very quickly. brakes don' bend well. sux w/ trekkers
    look tt09 - find 'em on ebay or play it again. sweet oldschool bindings vert release. sux w/ trekkers
    look p18/zrs/rossi fks/pro - great light comp bindings , suck w/ trekkers. bending brakes sucks.
    salomon s900/912/914 - locktite the toe wings if they some loose. 900s have metal heels and the best AFD.
    salomon 997/977 - get the 14DIN equipes. best oldschool binding out there...
    salomon s916/920 - for huckers, they are the way to go. easy to bend brakes.
    tyrolia dx9/mojo15/fisher??? - lighter than race stock, burlier than retail, cheap too - HOWEVER: the toe is NOT torsionally rigid.
    atomic 1018 - HEAVY AS HELL, but: move back/forward, can lock vert release, fatty brakes

    TOURING BINDINGS:
    Naxo 01 - durabuility issues on 1st gen. later model good for most people
    naxo 13DIN - not as tall as the fritschi and stiffer. looks like the leader
    fritschi Freeride - really tall stack. tele mode on soft skis. lots of heel settings. not torsionally stiff .
    Fritschi FR plus - still really tall, but MUCH more torsionally stiff.
    dynafit - LIGHT. skis like an alpine binding. 10DIN only... dont let it clog w. snow (PAM)

    TELE BINDINGS: (thanks lemon boy & homejay & hop)
    Linkens - step in, neutral, durability probs w/ toebar, snow buildup in wet snow
    Bombers - bomber, heavy, expensive, adjustable active/neutral
    R8's - relatively active, relatively solid, relatively cheap, no frills just performance
    Hammerheads - highly adjustable from very active to very neutral in theory but a pain in the field
    UTBs - 10 point crampon, semi step in, sweet heel lifter, expensive, between R8 & Linken active
    G3 - relatively neutral, somewhat less durable, somewhat sloppier than others, relatively cheap
    Voile Hardwire - similar to G3 - neutral - with rigid rods instead of cables - cheap & light.
    3-pin hardwire - more active flex than reg. hardwire, for uphill freedom and reduncancy incase wires/cartriges break.
    7TM - releaseable, available more active or tour friendly or active AND tour friendly

    SKINS:
    BD ascensions - WINNER great material, but clipfix sucks balls, go STS for sure.
    bd glidelite - tail clip works well, but they tend to freeze up, and absorb h20
    g3 - 2nd place. i'd go ascension if everything else is equal

    BOOTS:
    GO TO A FUCKING BOOT FITTER AND GET WHAT FITS.
    read mntlion's postHERE:
    if it don't fit your foot properly, it won't ski properly.

    NOT RECOMMENDED:
    atomic powder ride/powder cruise/heli star - delam machines. stay away
    markers - just in general. they get slandered pretty hard around here.
    fisher big stix - issues with delam and fragile edges.
    silvretta pure freeride - negative ramp angle = bad skiing


    THIS THREAD IS NOW BEING UPDATED HERE
    Last edited by marshalolson; 06-19-2007 at 08:59 AM.
    go for rob

    www.dpsskis.com

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    33,546
    You forgot Dynafit in your AT binderings list
    Quote Originally Posted by Downbound Train View Post
    And there will come a day when our ancestors look back...........

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    North Vancouver
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    6,457
    Monster 103?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    North Van
    Posts
    1,116
    Wouldn't really call the Prior a Jib ski except maybe in the short (under 181)lengths....
    Martha's just polishing the brass on the Titanic....

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
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    WYO
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    Oh, and if you're gonna mention the Extreme, you gotta slash it with the TNC. Show some love for the black machines.

    btw, great idea!
    "Have fun, get a flyrod, and give the worm dunkers the finger when you start double hauling." ~Lumpy

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    In Your Wife
    Posts
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    4Frnt MSP/MSP SM?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
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    spitting distance to the lift
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    242
    Marshall,
    What about 190 Nordica W9.1FF/W105s?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Ten Mile Vistas
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    Fatypus in quiver skis.
    Old's Cool.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    659
    maybe im85's in the 'skinny tanks' category

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    Salt Lake City
    Posts
    2,314
    How bout Rossi XXXXs in the "Huge skis that do not exist category"
    "I dont hike.... my legs are too heavy"

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    9,300ft
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    Quote Originally Posted by marshalolson
    Naxo 01 - durabuility issues
    Early issue, long resolved.
    Freeride vs Naxo real differences: Naxo has a full alpine toe and ergonomic pivot point, Fritchi has more heel elevator settings for steep skin tracks.
    Quote Originally Posted by blurred
    skiing is hiking all day so that you can ski on shitty gear for 5 minutes.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Snoqualmie
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    1,298
    AK NoKaOi and Volkl Karma under skinny and AK King Salmon under stiff?
    Not recommended for Markers?

    Otherwise nicely compiled list...

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
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    Quote Originally Posted by joshbu
    Not recommended for Markers?

    Otherwise nicely compiled list...
    Surely you jest...
    Quote Originally Posted by blurred
    skiing is hiking all day so that you can ski on shitty gear for 5 minutes.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    utah
    Posts
    4,649
    Not only are the Fisher 106s heavy, but both pairs I've had were the least durable skis I've ever owned.
    "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow, what a Ride!"

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
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    spitting distance to the lift
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    Marshal,
    there still are some 190 FF/W105s out there! {most current owners "excluding the ones on this site" don't realize what they have! So far this fall I have spotted 3 pairs for sale..... I personally picked up a pair of brand new FFs earlier this season.
    After having a few days on them/ they fucking rule!!!! by far one of the best skis I have ever been on.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    North Vancouver
    Posts
    6,457
    How about adding recommended boots? I know it all comes down to the actual fit, but it wouldn't hurt to have a list of good boots to start from.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Dela Where?
    Posts
    236
    Great job. Thanks for doing this for the community.
    I ski because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things.

    "This deep snow makes my skis stupid!"

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    758
    Nice job;

    Note 1;
    DP Lotus 120 should definately be amongst the quiver skis (and maybe Lotus 138 too).

    Note 2;
    k2 apache chief could be added to soft fatties,

    Note 3;
    This years m103 has A LOT softer tips and tails than previous versions. Have only flexed them, but I imagine they will be a lot more managable than previous versions.
    All work and no play, ... you know...

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
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    Sweet post Marshal...

    On the skin front, while clipfix sucks ass, the STS tails seem to work pretty well (so far at least).
    "It is not the result that counts! It is not the result but the spirit! Not what - but how. Not what has been attained - but at what price.
    - A. Solzhenitsyn

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
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    just left the ATM
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    715
    Quote Originally Posted by marshalolson
    line profit - PM rascal king, he has 2 pairs
    He does? damn dawg, he must have gotten them for mad cheap.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
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    did you just add the req for tele stuff?

    regardless...

    bindings:

    Linkens (the de facto offical mag binding)
    Bombers (they are)
    R8s (a mag's spancer)
    Hammerheads (much as I don't give a shit for cable bindings I'm sure they're fine)
    UTB (crampons? sweet)

    The ski front...well my list looks a lot like your stiff fatty list so it should be okay to just call those good
    "It is not the result that counts! It is not the result but the spirit! Not what - but how. Not what has been attained - but at what price.
    - A. Solzhenitsyn

  22. #22
    adam is offline The Shred Pirate Roberts
    Join Date
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    marshal=creator of great threads.

  23. #23
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    Marshal- Sorry man, I wouldn't know. IMVHO they're always too soft and/or too short and/or too skinny for real consideration. The only "telemark specific" skis I'd be even sort of tempted to ski are Hippies and teledaddy's, both of which = resheeted alpine skis. I think that hippies/pistols are a fun tele ski, no 1st hand on TDs but just extrapolating from my BDs which are truly great telemarkin skis.

    I was gonna suggest adding an * as a tele endorsement for skis already on your list and then decided that it'd be silly to put *'s next to every ski.
    "It is not the result that counts! It is not the result but the spirit! Not what - but how. Not what has been attained - but at what price.
    - A. Solzhenitsyn

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
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    Powpow New Guinea
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    2,981
    Quote Originally Posted by marshalolson
    added.
    verdict? reverand? havoc?
    You should also add the ubiquitous G3 Targa, light, neutral, reasonably durable.
    Voile Hardwire (similar to G3 with rigid rods instead of cables)
    3-pin hardwire, more active flex than reg. hardwire, yet 3-pins for uphill touring freedom and reduncancy incase wires/cartriges break.

    edit- and MOST people like to tele on skis shorter and softer than what they'd alpine on.
    Last edited by homerjay; 12-08-2005 at 10:07 AM.

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Dystopia
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    21,054
    Move Phantom Crystal Ships to "Quiver Skis"

    Its the EC equivalent of a big fat pow ski.
    If it hasn't snowed in a while and there are no freshies, I really can't see using it.

    Oh, and add "super short" to the description.
    . . .

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