West Coast Daily: MFree 108, QST Blank, Sender Free 110

[fencejack]

Need some help deciding. I've been scouring reviews and forums but everyone's needs are different. Looking for your thoughts on these three skis in the newer models. I currently have a 3 ski quiver (90, 105, 117 widths) but I'm finding I'm never using that 117 mm ski and would like to find a happy middle between the 105 and 117. I live east coast but do trips out west and would rather just bring one ski. I've narrowed it down to the three in the title. I've skied the blank a few years back and liked the maneuverability, though it did feel a bit slow/heavy to move. I also tried an older mfree 108 and enjoyed how easy it was to pivot and maneuver but found it too squirly on flats (I question if the new 185 cm model solves this?). I have not tried the sender free but it sounds like it could fit the bill too.

Anyways, this would be a daily ski for out west trips with focus on soft snow and ease in trees but be able to hold an edge on groomers and not be scary on flats (mainly to get back to lifts and bar). Also, hoping it's somewhat quick to turn and maneuver as well so I'm not dead tired by end of day. Let me know what you think or have other qualifying questions.

Thanks in advance.

P.s. could toss Wildcat 108 in the mix if you think that hits all my points.

[carterhudson]

Check out the new M-free 112. Seems to check the boxes for you as an in between waist width, will feel less squirrelly than the 108, and be more maneuverable and easy to pivot than the blank.

[MoeSnow]

Hi, PNW local. I had a pair of 186cm QST Blanks for a season. Rode them most days and they performed well in everything except wet 3D snow, which is always a possibility out here. Can't give any beta on the other skis.

[2FUNKY]

187 HL R110. Might still be a beta in the outlet. Please buy it so I don’t.

194 only left.
If the Mfree108 is squirly it’s either bad tune or you’re not comfy skiing wider skis on the flats. The Mfree112 wont fix that issue as stated above.


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[waveshello]

Soul 7, obviously.

[2FUNKY]

Soul 7, obviously.

The pinnacle of ski design.


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[kw_cap]

West coast skier here - I've skied M108 last 3 seasons and it ticks all your boxes. Good in soft snow, good enough on groomers, mindless on flat runouts. Its a fun ski, easy to maneuver and flick around. I also like that its just heavy enough to deal with the heavy snow we can get out here and do some crud busting

[forumskier]

Depending on your ability and weight, WC 108s could work. I have a set. I don't think they are the most loose or maneuverable ski in their category, especially at slow to medium speeds, but they are light enough that advanced skiers should be able to make them do anything in trees, bumps, tight stuff at any speed. They are also not the most precise ski on groomers or firm off piste, but they are uber predictable. The highlights of the WC108s for me are fall line big mountain ski, that are light enough to manhandle into any maneuver (park jibs or all mountain tight spots). Some people find them to be more loose than I experience, so you might find them loose enough for your liking, while still being very predictable on the way back to the lift. I don't know what you mean when you say the MFree 108s felt squirrelly, but I've heard MF108s are more precise underfoot than WC108s, but that the tips and tails of the Wildcats are stiffer and can be more predictable.

That squirly-ness you are referring to makes me hesitate in recommending a full rocker ski, but my initial thought to some of your problems was a 110-112 full rocker ski. They would work great in powder, trees, tight stuff, and be super intuitive, but they will also probably feel too squirrely for you in some places. It seems like you didn't mind the weight of the MF108s (which are on the heavier end of the spectrum for their category), so to me it seems like you don't mind a heavier ski as long as it's loose enough and maneuverable/intuitive.

Finding something that's as loose as MF108s, but also more precise is a tough one. I don't think Wildcat 108s are that, but you might. To me, Sender Free 110s seem more applicable here based on what I've read. From what SirVic has said, Bacon 115s might work, but those might be a bit wide and not damp enough for what you are looking for. I think Rustlers should get thrown into the mix.

[buttahflake]

Blanks are so freaking good looking, QST’s have the best graphics going.

[Fishskisurf]

What are the skis in your quiver currently?

[phatty]

Got a pair of brand new 192 MFree 108s if anyone is looking for some.

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[fencejack]

Depending on your ability and weight, WC 108s could work. I have a set. I don't think they are the most loose or maneuverable ski in their category, especially at slow to medium speeds, but they are light enough that advanced skiers should be able to make them do anything in trees, bumps, tight stuff at any speed. They are also not the most precise ski on groomers or firm off piste, but they are uber predictable. The highlights of the WC108s for me are fall line big mountain ski, that are light enough to manhandle into any maneuver (park jibs or all mountain tight spots). Some people find them to be more loose than I experience, so you might find them loose enough for your liking, while still being very predictable on the way back to the lift. I don't know what you mean when you say the MFree 108s felt squirrelly, but I've heard MF108s are more precise underfoot than WC108s, but that the tips and tails of the Wildcats are stiffer and can be more predictable.

That squirly-ness you are referring to makes me hesitate in recommending a full rocker ski, but my initial thought to some of your problems was a 110-112 full rocker ski. They would work great in powder, trees, tight stuff, and be super intuitive, but they will also probably feel too squirrely for you in some places. It seems like you didn't mind the weight of the MF108s (which are on the heavier end of the spectrum for their category), so to me it seems like you don't mind a heavier ski as long as it's loose enough and maneuverable/intuitive.

Finding something that's as loose as MF108s, but also more precise is a tough one. I don't think Wildcat 108s are that, but you might. To me, Sender Free 110s seem more applicable here based on what I've read. From what SirVic has said, Bacon 115s might work, but those might be a bit wide and not damp enough for what you are looking for. I think Rustlers should get thrown into the mix.

Thanks for thorough response.

By squirrelly I mean when you ski then on groomers or cat tracks flat and not on edge they could move sideways without wanting them to. One poster mentioned it could've been the tune, which might be true because these have decent amount of Camber that I thought it would track straight well. So when I'm looking for a loose ski I mean something that I can break the tail loose to pivot and turn fairly easily. Could be today on skiing back seat on some skis but I find some skis the tail is locked in and requires effort to break it loose.

I was hoping the wc108 would just be a lighter mfree108 but it doesn't seem that way from your description.

[2FUNKY]

skiing back seat

Problem found.


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[altacoup]

Haven’t skied the sender free and it does look like a good ski. Between the blank and mfree108 I’d go with the blank. I honestly didn’t like the mfree at all in the 185, it’s ok in the 192. I own both lengths of blank and have the 186 set up with CAST. It’s the ski that I feel like I can ski anywhere in any condition and have a good time.


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[Bandit Man]

I own all three. In my opinion, the MFree 108 can take a little while to figure out how it likes to be skied and get the most out of the ski. My first day or two on the 192 was meh. After I figured out the ski, it is now one of my soft snow favorites, essentially what you are describing. However, if it didn’t work for you, I’m not going to try to change your mind. I think either the Sender 110 or Blank are a safer, more accessible choice for most people.

I ski the Sender 110 in the 191. Compared to the MFree, It’s easier on firm snow, floats a bit better in powder, and has an easier to handle disposition. It’s really fun in tight trees, as long as the snow is soft. It’s not loose and smeary like the MFree, but is fairly easy to toss around.

Agree with others’ thoughts on the Blank. Stable enough, great on groomers, and quite capable anywhere the snow is soft. I ski it in the 186 and think it is the easiest going of all three. Haven’t skied the 194, but understand it to be a step up in terms of stability and charge-ability.


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[whyturn]

My Mfree 108 182 is solid on groomers and a great all around west coast ski I think I defined the tip and tails a bit if I remember right to try ensure it was not hooky I like it better than the blank for float and groomer performance It’s easier and more surfy and fun


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[fencejack]

What are the skis in your quiver currently?

Salomon stance 90 176 cm
Black Crows Atris 105 184 cm
Icelantic Saba Pro 117 187 cm

I'm effectively looking to sell them all and just go with two skis. One for all mountain east coast and the other for west coast and maybe east coast "powder". Something ~95 and ~110 widths.

[fencejack]

Haven’t skied the sender free and it does look like a good ski. Between the blank and mfree108 I’d go with the blank. I honestly didn’t like the mfree at all in the 185, it’s ok in the 192. I own both lengths of blank and have the 186 set up with CAST. It’s the ski that I feel like I can ski anywhere in any condition and have a good time.


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So you had a chance to try the new mfree 108 in the 185 length... What didn't you like about it?

[altacoup]

Not the new skis. I think the construction has only been changed slightly but the shape is the same. Couldn’t wait to get off the ski, didn’t like anything about it.


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[2FUNKY]

Sounds like you were on the 182. Very different ski than the 192 in terms of performance.


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[whyturn]

Sounds like you were on the 182. Very different ski than the 192 in terms of performance.


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I skied the 182 and 192 On a smaller vertical hill with a lot of trees I preferred the 182. It provides 85-90% of wide open stability with way better tight tree and chute performance


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[SnowMachine]

Always going to rec a Deathwish here. It's my cold dead hands ski. Carves great and has edgehold for days for a 112. Can smear and cruise if you want. Floats great.

A ton of MFree 108's out here in the freeride realm.

A couple of my buddies are on the WC108 and swear by it, but I haven't ridden it.

If you want a heavier ski, the Blade Optic 114 is pretty dang good, too. Less snappy than the Deathwish. Very down to charge hard.

[2FUNKY]

I skied the 182 and 192 On a smaller vertical hill with a lot of trees I preferred the 182. It provides 85-90% of wide open stability with way better tight tree and chute performance


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Me too, the 182 is way too soft for my weight. Hated it in chopped pow or anything other than a very smooth surface. Going slow in tight trees was fine.


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[D(C)]

I have owned both 182 and 192 M-Free 108s and kept the 182s. Even for a place like Whistler, the 192s were a bit cumbersome hunting for stashes in the trees (the reality, even on a powder day after 3-4 runs). Skied back to back, they are definitely the same ski, with a different speed limit.

Very interested in seeing the new 185s in person. I did hear one account that they measure 182 tip to tail, which is the same as the previous 182s, so the shape might be the same. But they could be more ski if the new construction is more stout like the 192.

[fencejack]

I have owned both 182 and 192 M-Free 108s and kept the 182s. Even for a place like Whistler, the 192s were a bit cumbersome hunting for stashes in the trees (the reality, even on a powder day after 3-4 runs). Skied back to back, they are definitely the same ski, with a different speed limit.

Very interested in seeing the new 185s in person. I did hear one account that they measure 182 tip to tail, which is the same as the previous 182s, so the shape might be the same. But they could be more ski if the new construction is more stout like the 192.

I'm wondering how the 112 would compare here. It seems like it'll be looser but the descriptions in reading is that it's even more aggressive and heavier, which I'm not too sure I want.