2014-2015 4FRNT Hoji

On the Hoji, speed is kept in check primarily by working the ski’s softer shovel flex and full-length rocker in the soft snow, and not through huge changes in the skis’ direction. If you know how to regulate your speed in zipper line bumps by adjusting how hard you drive your tips into the oncoming mogul, then you’ll understand what I mean by this. If you want to speed up, stay balanced and light. If you want to draw in the reins a bit, all it takes is a slightly firmer press into the ski through each turn to flex the ski more, displace more snow, and introduce some braking action.

Also, in contrast to the bigger, heavier, “charging” fall line skis out there, if there is a pinpoint spot that you feel like slashing the crap out of, you can break the tails free effortlessly and at will. The Hoji’s light weight, rocker profile, and fairly forward mount (for a directional ski) made me feel like a cat on skis. (Remind you of anyone?)

When it came to skiing through chopped up snow, the Hoji again had very few limitations. The lack of sidecut—and more importantly the lack of a huge, oversized shovel—made flying down through soft crud feel like a hot knife through butter.

In thicker snow, the softer shovels of the Hoji could be overwhelmed, and did have a tendency to fold up a bit; but a slightly more relaxed stance (rather than a more aggressive, driving-the-tips stance), kept the tips from diving in all but the deepest chop. I can’t wait to get more time on the Hoji in chop at high speed as soon as I get back to Alta.

When the snow firms up, there are a few potential drawbacks to the Hoji’s medium-soft, progressive flex, and fully rockered shape. On my way back to the lifts, I experienced some quirkiness on low-speed cat tracks when running a flat base or setting a very soft edge.

Again, due to heavy snowfall (poor us) and low visibility, I didn’t really get to take any high-speed carving groomer laps. The few short pitches where I was able to pick up a little speed and apply higher edge angles, the ski carved and transitioned from turn to turn nicely, and without any surprises.

The few times I was able to fly down a steeper, open section of the mountain that had been skier compacted but remained bumpy, it was definitely a chore to keep the Hoji running smoothly. In such instances, a ski with a sidecut similar to the Hoji, but with more of a heavy, damp ride (e.g., the Blizzard Cochise), would have been absolutely comfortable cruising down at 50 mph, leaving only trenches behind.

Forcing the snappier, more dynamic Hoji to perform high speed, purely carved turns became a handful, and downright frightful at times. At this point, it looks like being comfortable at high speeds in firm, bumped up conditions is the tradeoff for all the fun in softer snow.

At slightly slower speeds, however, the Hoji handled firm, wind scoured conditions quite well. As long as I stayed aggressive and over the front of the skis, it was no problem to produce short-to-medium-radius turns.

The last thing I feel that I can safely comment on at this point is the viability of the Hoji as a backcountry weapon. With its exceptional soft snow performance, agility, and light weight, I believe it will make a phenomenal touring option. Since Hjorleifson spends much of his time earning his turns, it’s no surprise that this ski looks to fit those needs perfectly.

So far, I’m incredibly impressed with the Hoji’s performance in soft snow. I already believe it would make a great addition to the quiver of any advanced skier looking for a ski that performs well in anything from day-after chop, to one or two feet of fresh.

Jason Hutchins, 4frnt Hoji, Niseko.
Jason Hutchins, Miharashi, Niseko Grand Hirafu.

Once I get back to Alta, I’ll get more time on the Hoji and see just how versatile it is as a resort slayer. Stay tuned.

Update:

I got another 12 days on these skis at Alta this spring. Check out my update of the 4FRNT Hoji.

15 comments on “2014-2015 4FRNT Hoji”

  1. Good review. One thing I’m puzzled by however is the statement that “When it came to skiing through chopped up snow, the Hoji again had very few limitations. The lack of sidecut—and more importantly the lack of a huge, oversized shovel—made flying down through soft crud feel like a hot knife through butter.” I keep on hearing about stability and crud problems with oversized shovels, but taking a quick look at the various skis you guys have tested that are roughly around the 112 mark for width, and most if not all of them have larger or much larger shovels than the Hoji (Bibby Pro, Cochise, Katana, Girish, Zealot, Influence 115. . .), and if memory serves me correct the Blister reviews of those skis have generally praised their stability and crud performance. I don’t mean to say that shovel size is irrelevant, but from your own reviews it does seems that it’s not nearly as important a factor as the above referenced statement would suggest?

    • I’m 6′ and 160 to 165 lbs. You can find that info, as well as more about the background and skiing style of each reviewer by clicking on the author’s name at the top of each review, or checking out the “contributor bios” under the “about us” tab.

  2. Hey there Jason-
    First off, thanks for the review. Well done. I read your stuff often. Blister is turning into a great source of info. Much appreciated. On another note, I know the hoji is the big ski for 4frnt in 2013, but I’m much more interested in the Cody. It looks to suit my needs and location (colo). I was wondering if you’ve skied them and if so, If you’re going to write a review. I’d love to hear more about them from an independent source. Specs look sick for a daily driver. Thanks again-

    • Thanks for your support!

      I haven’t ridden the new Cody yet. I’m currently on my way back home to Utah from Niseko, and the immediate plan is to get a little more time on the Hoji to wrap up this review. Once that’s done, it looks like the Cody will be the next ski I test from 4FRNT.

  3. Thanks for the review. I had a chance to demo this years EHP and had almost the exact experiences you had on the Hoji–really fun and poppy in the bowls with fresh powder but sketchy on hard pack and groomers. My current all-mountain /powder ski is a 2008 line SFB 182(no rocker) and my groomer/skiing with the family ski is a 2010 4frnt Turbo 175. I’ve been searching this year for a ski to replace the SFB–I liked the playfullness of the ski but it’s very hooky and sometimes scary in thick chop. I also tend to overpower it in powder and have to fight to keep the tips up sometimes. The turbo, on the other hand, charges groomers great, turns quickly, is stable on ice and flats, has decent float in soft snow, but the soft tips tend to get deflected in heavy crud. I guess I’m looking for a fatter turbo that can plow through heavy snow (I live in WA) and can be used as an everyday/powder ski. I’m 5’11 and 180lbs and an advanced skier. Any thoughts? The EHP just didn’t fit the bill. I also demoed the bibby pro 184, but conditions weren’t all that great and I wasn’t totally sold.
    Thanks.

    • Just out of curiosity, have you considered a longer Turbo? At your size and weight you could definitely be on a bigger ski than 175. That being said, I’m not sure if the 189 (actually 186ish) Turbo would crush the thick chop like you are thinking, but they would feel way better in those conditions than the 175.

      As for skis I would recommend for you; Rossi Sickle, BD Zealot, Blizzard Cochise, and perhaps the Line Influence 115.

      • Yeah I was thinking of just getting the longer Turbo because the waist width goes up with each size. I bought the 175 to ski with my little kids in the tight trees, etc, so I went a little short. Was considering the blizzard gunsmoke as an option. Your review of the Rossi Sickle has me thinking that could be a good replacement for my old Sir Francis Bacons.

  4. Have you had chance to ski the 195 version?

    It seems I’m a similar skier to you (same height, a little heavier maybe) and I skied the 187s in March this year and absolutely loved them. They are top of my list for this coming season but I’m unsure whether to go up to the 195s? My reaction is to go to 190s because I ski them, but the current skis I’m on (AKJJs) I’ve fallen out of love with, so I’m nervous that going to a 195 on the Hojis would cause me not to like them as much too.

    I’m looking to use the Hojis day-to-day (I’m also off to Japan for the winter) and then get hold over another fatter ski (maybe the Renegade or Opus) in a 190 length for the real deep days.

  5. Hey great review!
    I am stuck between choosing either the Soul 7, Moment Exit World, DPS Lotus 120 or the 4frnt Hoji as a devoted backcountry touring ski. I am wondering which ski is best for; turns in the trees, hitting cliffs, some open powder skiing, touring, and playfulness. Im 5″11 and 160 lbs. Just wondering which one you would choose??
    Also I was trying to decide on a tech binding for the ski… I tour medium distances and hit 20-40 foot cliffs constantly. Which tech binding would be the best for hard impact and a quality release??

    • I have been wanting an all mountain / slack country ski with some underfoot width. I had a chance to ski the hoji for two days on hardpack and mixed chop for two days then a week later got a set of exit world to try in light powder over icy crud. Both skis carved well. The hoji was impressive on hard pack (really hooked up in a hardpack carve) and and pounded through chop really well. The the exit world were equally as stable but seemed to be far more flickable and light in all conditons. Was tee’d to buy the hoji with a light marker tour binding but have to admit i am now leaning toward the exit world. They blew me away how fun and versatile they were (even quick turns in moguls). For A 115 uf , the exwrld control and stability in all conditions was fantastic and did not seem to beat me down. Intermediate/advanced 5’10” 185 lb. skier snowboarder.

  6. Hi Blister thanks for another in-depth review!

    Just wondering about the flex profile on this ski. You mention that it has a “softer shovel flex” and a “medium-soft, progressive flex…” I tend to worry about skis buckling in the heavier coastal snow (BC) that I ski. I have always associated charger skis as being rather stiff. I am planning on using this as my backcountry “big lines/high speed” ski. Just wondering how the flex of the Hoji matches up to other charging skis.
    Thanks!!

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