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Here is a quick look at the break down of Alpine skis.
Mid fat Carve Skis (70-80 mm wide underfoot)
This has been the most popular type of ski for quite a few years. Even
into last year, many people felt that skis with a waist width
of 76-77 mm were the ultimate combination of versatility for skiing on and
off the groomed runs. Our staff at Kittredge now considers
these skis most appropriate for people who spend most of their time
skiing groomed runs or skiing moguls. Our favorite mid fat is
the Recon from K2. It’s the most versatile ski in this class. The
Rossignol Bandit 78 is a nice cruiser that you can relax on while
the Rossignol Zenith 9 has lots of side cut and is great for carving.
Our female testers are smaller, and thus found this category to be more
versatile. They really enjoyed Volkl's new Tierra and Fuego.
The Fuego was better suited to the conditions underfoot, and was their
test favorite. K2’s Lotta Luv has been the defining ski in
the category and remains the most versatile choice in a competitive
field. If you are looking for a playful ski that is not
too carvey, then check out a twin tip like Elan’s Mo’ Spice or the most
wanted K2 MissDemeanor. For a more relaxed ride consider
the Elan Black Magic. If you know how to tip and rip, the Fischer Vision
Vapor is a "kick in the pants".
All Mountain Skis (80 to 90 mm wide underfoot)
This is where you find truly versatile skis. These skis range from grippy
carvers like the Volkl AC 40 to forgiving cruisers such as
the Scott Mission. If you ski the whole mountain or just wish you could,
there is a ski here for you. Skis like the K2 Outlaw
and Elan 888 excel in almost every snow condition. Sure, they are not as
quick edge-to-edge as a narrower ski, nor do they have the
surface area of a wider ski, but day in day out these skis will do it all.
Some of our favorites in this category happen to be twin
tips. Don’t discount them just because you don’t go in the park.
Until this year, the 80-90mm wide ski has been an overlooked area of the
women’s market. The Rossi B83 (formerly B3W) has been a
versatile favorite for the last couple seasons. This year the K2 Tough Luv
brings serious beef to the line. It is 88 mm wide with
two sheets of metal. Think of it as a K2 Lotta Luv on steroids. The
Movement Spicy is the liveliest and most playful, while the
Fischer Vision Zeal has the best graphics and is a solid all mountain
twin.
Big Mountain Skis (90-110 mm wide underfoot)
Many people look at these skis and assume that they are just for powder.
Yes, most of them are great in the soft and deep, but there
are some amazingly versatile skis in this category. The Volkl Mantra sold
out quickly last year; expect it to do @the same. It’s that
good. The new K2 Coomba is going to raise the performance bar. It’s a
powerful ride with edge grip to spare. Some of the wider skis
like the Scott P4 and the 4FRNT VCT are obviously superlative in the
powder, but will surprise you with their every day performance.
Go wider? We think so. Actually, we know so.
K2’s Phat Luv was the first ladies' fat ski. This year it’s fatter and
stiffer than ever, but not as easy for less aggressive skiers.
The Volkl Aura is more forgiving and a great choice for many skiers.
The twin tipped K2 Nancy is a playful fat ski that may be
the only ski you need.
Powder Skis (110 mm wide or more underfoot)
The modern powder ski is a huge platform that will give you the run of
your life. The big news here is the reverse cambered or
rockered ski. These look like a cross between a traditional fat and a
surfboard. They are not especially versatile and will
most likely be a third or fourth pair in the quiver. If you are lucky
enough to heli or cat ski, or just hit every powder day on
the hill, then consider one of these big guns. I spent one of the few
good powder days of last season on the K2 Pontoon and
was blown away. It is hands down the best powder/crud ski I have ever
been on.
Twin Tips
Twin Tips are any skis with a prominent turned up tail. This allows
backwards (called switch or fakie) skiing and helps the ski
release at the end of the turn. Twins range from mid fat to powder ski in
girth and are often great all mountain skis. Some twin
tips are very park and pipe specific, and do not excel elsewhere. We only
carry versatile, all-mountain twins at Kittredge. If
you want a pure jib ski like a K2 Fujative or an Armada Tanner Hall Pro
Model, then check out our sister store P3, across the
street between Base Camp and Schat's Bakery.
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