Brian Lindahl (see Bio)
I. What’s your 2-ski quiver (of currently available skis) for where you ski most?
I primarily ski at Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin, as well as the Colorado backcountry. However, I also spend at least a few weeks per season traveling to chase powder during our dry spells — usually to places like Wyoming, Utah, Washington, or British Columbia.
For my 3-ski quiver, I chose a fat, stiff, 118mm-wide powder ski; a heavy, damp, directional, 105mm-wide charger that skis powder well; and a playful-yet-stable 104mm-wide dedicated touring ski.
When cutting this quiver down to 2 skis, I’ll have to give up a dedicated touring ski, and go with some sort of 50/50 ski. Since mass matters less when skiing powder, the obvious choice would be for my 50/50 ski to double as my powder ski — both in and out of the resort. And to pair up with this lighter 50/50 powder ski, I’ll choose a damp, directional charger that performs well at the resort in firmer conditions.
Ski #1: ~110-115 mm lightweight powder ski
As mentioned in my 3-ski quiver, I’ve found that a stiff flex helps avoid augering in too deep on landings when playing around on terrain features in deep snow. Therefore, I’m going to pick the 191 cm Volkl V-Werks Katana. Coming in at a stated weight of under 2100 grams, It’s one of the stiffer light skis I’ve been on in this category. It also has a reverse camber profile with mellow rocker, which, when paired with a stiff flex, lends itself to having a very nice frictionless feel in powder (less plowing). In chopped-up conditions at the resort, it has a powerful feel and is hard to beat when looking for a lighter, yet strong, directional powder ski.
And as I aso mentioned in the 3-ski quiver, I very much prefer the Fritschi Vipec over other touring bindings on the market. Unfortunately, Volkl mandates that the V-Werks and BMT skis should only be mounted with Marker Bindings (due to the binding reinforcement shape). For tech bindings, that means Kingpin only, which presents a major dilemma for me. (If you’ve read my review on the Fritschi Vipec, you’ll know how I feel about the safety of all other tech bindings — specifically that I’m very concerned about tib/fib fractures due to issues with only having lateral release in the heel.)
So to be honest, I personally would disregard Volkl’s mandate and mount the V-Werks Katana with the Vipec. Looking at Volkl’s binding reinforcement shape, only the heel screws fall slightly outside the shape. To mount the Vipec heels, I’d pack the unreinforced area with sawdust and epoxy as much as possible, allow it to cure, and then mount with inserts. To be very clear, Volkl does not endorse this, and they definitely would not warranty my skis after doing it. I also can’t recommend that other people mount anything but Marker bindings on the V-Werks and BMT skis. But if I’m being completely honest and transparent, this is what I personally would do, and I’d love to see the V-Werks and BMT accept a greater range of bindings in the future.
Ski #2: ~90 mm firm-snow-biased directional resort ski
I have my resort powder ski covered, so this choice is a no-compromise firm-snow directional charger — the 184 cm Head Monster 88. Yes, this ski has very limited tip rocker, and yes, I’ll be taking it out on some 4-6” days (when the Katana isn’t damp enough). It won’t be ideal in those conditions for the first few runs, but I have to make compromises somewhere. And those compromises are worth it to me; I’ve yet to be on a ski in this category that offers more stability or a higher top-end on firm snow. If you love to charge in these conditions too, the Monster 88 should be on your radar. It’s that simple.
II. What’s your 2-ski quiver for the next 3 years, regardless of location?
I’m sticking with my choices above. While my quiver won’t be optimized for dealing with Sierra cement or a place that gets consistent, deep snowfall, I feel as though the conditions I ski in Colorado are fairly representative of the average of conditions across many different locations, and as such, my choices won’t change.
III. What ski was most difficult to leave off your list?
For my lightweight powder ski, I haven’t skied anything that is comparable to the performance of the Katana, And, in the ~90 mm range, I can’t think of anything comparable to the Monster 88. However, when going wider, the obvious choice would be the 184 cm Head Monster 98. The 184 cm Volkl Mantra would also be an excellent choice that’s a bit more biased toward softer snow but still very capable in firm conditions. The Mantra provides a better overlap with the Katana, and I’d be less likely to be let down with my ski choice if the resort ended up getting more snow than they reported.
IV. What ski do you imagine has the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ski it, or get to ski it more?
Currently, I don’t feel like there is much that could replace the skis I’ve chosen. Compared to the Katana, the skis that I’m aware of are either too soft, too wide, too narrow, too heavy, or too light. Compared to the Monster 88, the skis that I’m aware of are too soft, or not as damp (except the ones I’ve mentioned above).
However, one particular ski could potentially alter my overall decision making. Based on what other Blister reviewers have said about the powder performance of the ON3P Wrenegade 108, the 189 cm length in a custom stiff flex could potentially perform well enough in both powder and firm snow to allow me to choose a dedicated touring ski again, such as the 179 cm Line Sick Day 104.
V. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 2-ski quiver, which company would you pick?
I’d have to go with Volkl. The 184 cm Volkl Mantra and the 191 cm Volkl V-Werks Katana.
NEXT: Paul Forward’s 2-Ski Quiver Selections
Finally, the scott scrapper 115! Can’t wait for the review!
I’m not about to limit myself to two (really?!) pair, but I often have to do exactly that on road trips. This year:
1. Head Titan: Because if you go — and it doesn’t snow — a guy has to dig some trenches (also a great ski for technicians in the bumps).
2. Nordica Enforcer 100. A change in this slot from my much-loved Fischer Motive 95s the last few years. Haven’t skied them yet (thanks, rain) but I’ve got high hopes.
Looking forward to hear what you think of the Enforcer 100. By no means do I believe you’ll think “Basically the same as my 95s,” but that also doesn’t mean that you won’t like them.
(And we still need to get on the Titans. We were supposed to already, but it hasn’t happened yet…..)
No love for 4FRNT and their line of skis that have been quite highly regarded this year?
Hi, Troy, couple things: (1) the Raven is my pick for everyday touring ski, and we’ve gushed about that ski for two years now. (2) We haven’t reviewed all the current skis from 4FRNT. (3) I always love the anonymous “quite highly regarded” claims — highly regarded by whom? And more specifically, what did they praise them for? How well they worked as part of a 2-ski quiver? I say all that only as a reminder that the skis listed here are not answers to the question, “Which skis are good or bad?” but rather, “Which skis work well as part of a 1, 2, or 3-ski quiver?”
I don’t have 4frnt and haven’t ever ridden them – not trying to be anonymous in any way either, just have seen the top mags (powder, ski, skiing & freeskier) all gush about this year’s 4frnt line and was surprised they didn’t get a mention. U guys do great work there and your views and your opinions are appreciated. Won’t get any hate from me, was just wondering if you had input on all the praise being thrown 4frnts way. Was looking at the 4frnt MSP and have read it stacks up or beats J’s MB. Either way, they both sound like great skis.
Anyone have advice on a new ski purchase? I’m skiing about 14 days a year usually in Steamboat or Park City on vacations. Southern Vermont for weekend trips. I’m Solid advanced intermediate, like everybody else looking for soft snow to ski on resort no back country. I don’t ski park but want a fun ski. I currently own a J ski Masterblaster and thinking about getting something a little wider for vacations out west. I have been looking at the Deathwish, Sego big horn 106, ON3P Wrenegade 108, and the Cartel 108. I’m sure they are all great but i’d apreciate a push in the right direction.
Hi, I can’t speak to the Sego Big Horn 106 – so you’ll have to track Cy Whitling’s comments about it on the site and in our buyers’ guide, but the the Deathwish, Kartel 108, and Wren 108 are all pretty similar in terms of stability, forgiveness, quickness and intuitiveness. Honestly, I think mount point will be one of the biggest factors; the Wren 108 is the most set back, and that ski is the least playful / most directional of all the skis you mention. (Big Horn 106 & Kartel 108 are most progressive, then Deathwish, then Wren 108.) Still, they are all pretty easy and forgiving skis, so I’d think about how traditional (driving the shovels hard) you like to ski, or how upright / neutral / centered you prefer to stand on your skis, and that will go along way to determining whether the Wren 108 should be in play, or whether the other 3 skis will likely be the better (and more playful) fit for you. Hope that helps?
Hi Jonathan, thanks the quiver section! It’s always very interesting and helpful! I’m thinking of adjusting my quiver a bit, that’s why I’m posting my question in this thread. I bought the Rossignol Soul 7 the season it came to the market mainly based on the reviews and suggestions on blister. I’m using it as my soft snow touring ski with pin bindings ever since then and absolutely love it. So thanks for supporting me to having made a very good buying decision some years back. :-)
In the last year’s there have only been a few occasions with 24+” of fresh powder where I wished for wider skis with better floatation. However, I will be heading to Georgia (cat skiing and touring) and Japan this winter season where I will most probably encounter more of those deep powder conditions (hopefully!). That’s why I’m wondering if I should add a truly powder specific ski to my quiver. If so, I would for sure mount touring bindings and it should deliver a noticeable bump up in float and a similar skiing experience (easy and fun to ski, versatile, directional, intuitive, nimble, good performance in Soft chop, still touring friendly) to my Soul 7s.
From what I have been reading on blister (and I already spent hours ) I think the atomic automatics 117 in 186cm would actually be the perfect choice. However, they are not produced anymore but I might find some 2nd hand deals on the web or maybe look into their successor, the backland FR. Since I never skied something wider than the 108mm on the Soul 7 188cm I’m just not quite sure if the 117 width makes sense for what I’m looking for or if I should go even wider..?! I don’t really want to buy super wide skis that would stay in my basement for the majority of the season. I’m living in the Alps and I think I would be able to use skis like the automatic on a quite regular basis also here at home. With anything much wider I doubt that a little..
What’s your thoughts on this one and do you maybe have recommendations which other skis might fit the bill? I’m 6″1 and around 178 pounds.
Thanks for your advice,
fred