Softest Funnest mid-fat Lightweight Touring Ski?

[CaliBrit]

I have enforcer unlimited 104, makes me want to try the rip stick tour 104 against it.

[rfconroy]

The vision 108 is a very soft ski, dont get me wrong very fun, but definitely not as chargy or stiff as the line blade optic. What about the dispatch 102 or the raven, both are pretty fun and surfy but a tad stiffer.

[SoVT Joey]

That Ferox 186 that’s sitting in gear swap with clamps on it for $425 is the winning ticket.

[Westcoaster]

I have enforcer unlimited 104, makes me want to try the rip stick tour 104 against it.

What are your thoughts on the unlimited?

The tour 104 looks loose for sure. Seems like people find the 104uls tails more substantial than expected, which is surprising given the rocker profile.

[CaliBrit]

What are your thoughts on the unlimited?

The tour 104 looks loose for sure. Seems like people find the 104uls tails more substantial than expected, which is surprising given the rocker profile.

I’ve only skied them after hours resort so far. But we get a pretty good 3300ft rip. I have enforcer 94’s and owned 110’s previously.

I hate light skis. Was touring on katana v werks but decided they are a little heavy (1950g). Figured I’d try these as I love the hill version.

They’re good. So far like don’t love. Maybe it’s the stiffer tail as you mention. But they do ski well for the weight. Still feel too damn light to me though!

I’ll updated once I get them out in the wild.

[DGamms]

2nd the Line Vision 108s. I have a few days on my pair of 183s now, and they are surprisingly damp and composed for a ski that weighs 1650gm. Super fun ski.

[CaliBrit]

Fatter but has anyone been on the G3 slayer 114?

[Beder]

I'm on the Backland 107 with FR 14. I wouldn't call it soft but it's easy and capable.

[priapism]

Apologies for the super **jong**tastic post but I want to replace my skis and with so many closeout deals now, I'm wondering what people's experiences have been.

Currently on BD Helio 95 for 3 seasons (my first BC ski), they're chattery and not exactly confidence inspiring. I'm looking to move up to the 1500g range (for 177ish), ideally something damp, sturdier, and forgiving. For what it's worth I'll be skiing in the Sierras so there's a lot of crust and refreeze.

My current contenders are:
- Line Vision 98
- Movement Go 98 Ti
- Volkl Blaze 94
- Dynafit Free 97
- Salomon MTN Explore 95
- Atomic Backland 95

Clearly a lot of options. Anyone spend time on these or know anything else I should be looking at? The Visions seem to be a favorite especially when compared to other lighter skis but I rarely see them compared to heavier ones. Entertaining the WNDR Vital 100s as well, if anyone can convince me they're in fact what I'd want (coming in a bit above weight and budget)

[fleaches]

Apologies for the super **jong**tastic post but I want to replace my skis and with so many closeout deals now, I'm wondering what people's experiences have been.

Currently on BD Helio 95 for 3 seasons (my first BC ski), they're chattery and not exactly confidence inspiring. I'm looking to move up to the 1500g range (for 177ish), ideally something damp, sturdier, and forgiving. For what it's worth I'll be skiing in the Sierras so there's a lot of crust and refreeze.

My current contenders are:
- Line Vision 98
- Movement Go 98 Ti
- Volkl Blaze 94
- Dynafit Free 97
- Salomon MTN Explore 95
- Atomic Backland 95

Clearly a lot of options. Anyone spend time on these or know anything else I should be looking at? The Visions seem to be a favorite especially when compared to other lighter skis but I rarely see them compared to heavier ones. Entertaining the WNDR Vital 100s as well, if anyone can convince me they're in fact what I'd want (coming in a bit above weight and budget)

Also BMT 94 if you can find one, or HL bc90. From what I hear the blaze has pretty minimal camber too but I've never skied one.

Having that little bit of flat/reverse camber is magic when it gets crusty

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[Backward_Banana]

I just went through this exact problem and ended up with the Dynafit Free 97. Haven't skiied 'em so I can't say much, but here's a rocker pic since there's basically no info out there on web about these. They hand flex reasonably round, maybe slightly more carbon-y than I wanted, but it's hard to say without skiing them.

Other good news is that any ski will be an improvement over the Helio, IMO.

[wantriot]

Apologies for the super **jong**tastic post but I want to replace my skis and with so many closeout deals now, I'm wondering what people's experiences have been.

Currently on BD Helio 95 for 3 seasons (my first BC ski), they're chattery and not exactly confidence inspiring. I'm looking to move up to the 1500g range (for 177ish), ideally something damp, sturdier, and forgiving. For what it's worth I'll be skiing in the Sierras so there's a lot of crust and refreeze.

My current contenders are:
- Line Vision 98
- Movement Go 98 Ti
- Volkl Blaze 94
- Dynafit Free 97
- Salomon MTN Explore 95
- Atomic Backland 95

Clearly a lot of options. Anyone spend time on these or know anything else I should be looking at? The Visions seem to be a favorite especially when compared to other lighter skis but I rarely see them compared to heavier ones. Entertaining the WNDR Vital 100s as well, if anyone can convince me they're in fact what I'd want (coming in a bit above weight and budget)

I love my LINE Vision 98. IMO one of the major differentiators in this category is your style/technique and matching that to sidecut and mount point. Big difference in this spread beyond the layup and tech.

[skisurfmirth]

I really like the Vision108 for an every day touring ski. Light Fun easy damp. I use the vision98 for spring touring. They aren’t nearly as capable as the 108. The tails are really soft. But they are still pretty fun if you lower the speed limit and look to play/jib more. I’d go with the 108 if I had to choose just one pair.

I’ve skied the Go98 and it’s surprisingly damp for the weight and easy to ski, and shredded esplanade pow great. but is extremely traditional in shape and mount point compared to the Line options.


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[Benneke10]

For big mountain snow with crust and refreeze you want a ski with a relatively straight sidecut and little to no camber. The best options are the Volkl BMT 94 and 109 (sadly hard to find these days) and the Heritage Labs C90 and C105. The 4frnt Raven is another good option, although it is a little heavier and more rockered. The Dynafit Beast 98 and 108 are also very good, not as refined but can sometimes be found cheap. When I'm skiing something serious I usually use the BMT 94 or Beast 108. The Dynafit Free 97/107 replaced the Beast, looks like they added some more sidecut and camber but they are still probably the best ski of the ones you listed, I imagine they ski at least somewhat similar to the Beast. The Volkl Blaze are probably good options as well, very minimal camber, I worry a little about the heavy sidecut but I'm sure they are better than most skis due to the rocker profile. I have a pair of Volkl 100eights I'm using as early season skis, they are the older version of the Blaze 106 with a very similar sidecut and rocker profile and they generally do pretty well, although not in the same league as the BMT and Heritage Labs.