Jonathan Ellsworth (see bio)
I. What’s your two-ski quiver (of currently available skis) for where you ski most?
Ski #1: For Taos, I’m going to go with a ~100mm-underfoot, all-mountain ski that is, in this order:
(a) Good in firm-to-variable conditions and steep terrain
(b) Fun to carve big, fast, high-angle turns on groomers, even very firm / icy groomers
(c) Good in bumps—it doesn’t have to be the quickest or most forgiving bump ski out there, but it needs to have a big sweet spot and provide good stability
There are three contenders, and I’m having a lot of trouble making the call: 177cm Volkl Mantra; 184cm Salomon X-Drive 8.8; 182cm Rossignol Experience 100.
The 177cm Mantra might have felt like the most well-rounded of the bunch, but I would trust the fatter, flatter tails of the Experience 100 for high angle carving on very firm groomers. This is where the E100 excels, though it is a bit more work than the Mantras in bumps, and in gnarly, huge, bulletproof bumps, it’s probably the least fun of the three skis. And if we’re skiing very firm steeps, I’ll opt for the traditional camber of the X-Drive 8.8 or the E100 over the Mantra.
But honestly, the X-Drive 8.8 maybe should get the nod. It is the best nasty conditions ski of the three, it has impressive edge hold, and while it isn’t as easy-going as the still-pretty-substantial-but-a-bit-more-easy-going 177cm Mantra, I’m okay with that.
Wow, it looks like my “~100mm ski” is going to be ~88mm. I will miss skiing the E100 on groomers, because it is fantastic. And if I cared more about ski #1’s pow performance, I would pick the Mantra. But I don’t care about that, and the fact is, I prefer the X-Drive 8.8’s performance in steep, nasty conditions more than the E100’s.
• Salomon X-Drive 8.8 FS, 184cm
Ski #2: I want a fatter ski (~120mm-underfoot) that is good in pow, chop, and variable conditions.
In my two-ski quiver selections for last year, I wrote, “The old 190cm Moment Bibby Pro would have definitely taken this spot, end of story.” And so…
For the same reasons I noted in my 3-ski quiver selections.
II. What’s your two-ski quiver for Taos?
See above.
III. What’s your two-ski quiver for the Canterbury Club Fields, New Zealand?
The club fields are defined by big, open faces, some narrow chutes, and no tree skiing. You can certainly find some moguls, but you can find far more areas that don’t have them. Good storms can and do roll in, but you’re wise to plan for variable conditions.
Ski #1: Blizzard Cochise, 185cm
Most of the club fields don’t do any grooming, so high-angle carving performance down artificially smooth snow is pretty irrelevant (sorry, Rossi E100). I want good performance in firm-to-variable conditions, and again, the Cochise shined at this in NZ.
Ski #2: Blizzard Bodacious, 186cm
While the Blister Pro could get the nod here, it might be true that the 190 Blister Pro is a (slightly?) surfier, floatier pow ski than the Bodacious, while having very good tracked-out / chopped up-performance. But it also might be true that the Bodacious is the better choice as conditions move away from fresh pow and soft chop to firm and smooth or firm crud. I’m not certain, but I am certain that I was very impressed with the Bodacious in Canterbury. And since I’m valuing ‘performance-in-variable-conditions’ first and foremost, I’m going to go with two skis—the Cochise and the Bodacious—that do variable very well.
(And on the deepest days—especially if the snow comes in heavy and wet, I may wonder why I didn’t pick the Kingswood SMB.)
IV. What’s your two-ski quiver for skiing around the East Coast?
Ski #1: Salomon X-Drive 8.8 FS, 184cm
I’ve got firm and nasty covered.
Ski #2: Volkl V-Werks Katana, 184cm
The Katana proved to be a very capable all-mountain ski, and so any time (a) conditions are the least bit soft and the coverage is pretty good, or (b) there are more than 3-4 inches of fresh snow, I’ll be on the Katana.
V. What’s your two-ski quiver for the next 2 years, regardless of location?
Ski #1: Line Supernatural 108, 186cm
I’ll just let you read my and Brett’s reviews.
Ski #2: Moment Blister Pro, 190cm
VI. What ski was the most difficult to leave off your list?
The Rossignol Experience 100. If I screwed up these selections anywhere, it was probably by leaving this ski out.
VII. 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?
#1: Blizzard Brahma, 187cm. This ski has arrived at Blister HQ, and it looks very impressive (weight, dimensions, flex pattern).
#2: Kastle MX 98
VIII. If you had to choose a single brand from which to build your 2-ski quiver, which company would you pick?
This is really hard. The contenders:
#1: Blizzard: 187cm Bonafide + 186cm Bodacious. (I still want to ski the 187cm Bonafide, I’ve only been on the 180 Bonafide.)
#2: Volkl: 177cm Mantra + 184 V-Werks Katana. While neither ski may be the best option for either end of the conditions spectrum (ice or really deep snow), I found them to be really fun skis across a broad range of that spectrum.
#3: DPS: 185cm Wailer 105 Hybrid T2 + 189cm Lotus 120. I already know how capable the Wailer 105 is. I haven’t skied the tweaked Lotus 120 (with its fatter tail) but I’m really looking forward to doing so.
Next: Will Brown’s Selections
Since you asked:
My two ski quiver includes the 12/13 Moment Belafonte 187 and the 12/13 Moment Bibby Pro 190. I have yet to encounter conditions that I can’t have fun in on one of these pairs of skis at any of Kicking Horse, Revelstoke, Lake Louise and Whistler / Blackcomb, The Belafontes are good for everything from very hard pack / moguls and refrozen death chunder to a bit of pow. I’ve had lots of fun on the Bibby Pros (Blister Pros) in any conditions that are the least bit soft and found them to be great in pow (all kinds).
My wife’s two ski quiver is the same, actually, just shorter (she’s on the 12/13 174 Moment Bibby Pro and 12/13 174 Moment Belafonte). She started on the 172 Moment Bella and moved to the Bibby + Belafonte combo for stability / versatility in the conditions we encounter up here and has had nothing but good things to say.
If I were going to add a 3rd ski to the line-up, it would be a dedicated pow ski (the DPS Spoon, Moment Comi, Moment Chipotle Banana and ON3P Cease and Desist all sound very interesting…) but I’m quite happy with the 2 skis above, to be honest!
While the tweaked Belafonte is certainly a good ski, and some will certainly prefer it, I still love the 187cm, 12/13. If it were still around, then you’d be seeing a lot of the Belafonte + Blister Pro in my quiver picks.
Also (and I’ve rewritten this sentence about eight times), I’d just like to say that your wife is clearly awesome.
Thanks Jonathan!
I’m definitely keen to hear your guys’ thoughts on how skis like the Invictus and the Wailer 105 compare to the 12/13 187 Belafonte when you have a chance this season…
Andrew
I’m an east coaster, but I try to get to the Kootenay’s once a year. I’m mostly in the park or tight tree runs. Jibbing and playful riding mostly, so I’m never way up at the speed limit. Right now my set up is a two ski quiver with Armada AR7s as my daily drivers and a pair of Rossi Sickles, which I’m really impressed with how quick I can bring them around in trees as well as press and spin. I’d probably stick with a similar set-up in the future – park ski plus a jibby 110ish ski. The Sickles are going strong, but I’m eyeing SFBs and Patrons as possible replacements.
Adding in a third ski is interesting – it’s hard to justify a dedicated full-on powder ski given my location and travel plans. And I’m very used to riding my park skis around resorts, despite the center-mounting and dull-ish edges. It’s the funniest feeling when they slide out on east coast ice. So I could see a dedicated directional 95-100 ski getting used on too icy days where the grip of the AR7s isn’t enough. Liberty Variant 97 and Line Supernatural 100 are tempting options from the sounds of things.
The single brand question is interesting – I could see going Line Chronic and SFB. Maybe Nordica for OMW and Patron? As much as I love the AR7s, Armada doesn’t give me an option in the playful 110. I’m eager to hear something about the Transfers from local park kids, so maybe Liberty Transfer and Helix?
This is exactly why I’m a fan of the 10 ski quiver.
Trouble with 10 ski quivers is you are more likely to be on the wrong stix.
I believe I can speak for Brian here when I say, Not if you’ve chosen the right 10 skis.
185 Armada old school JJ with custom tip extenders for elimination of tip dive in bottomless
184 Armada Declivity
…if having to pare down from my 9 ski quiver. ;)
K2 obsethed 189cm and Volkl Shiro 203cm combind with Rossignol alltrack 110 and black diamond quadrant 120 boots. A killer combo!
In bounds, Mammoth:
2013-14 Volkl Mantra and the 2013-15 Faction 3Zero
Given Mammoth’s maching groomers/cut crud then big dumps that setup quick, these two winners are damn hard to beat.
@ Jason: Man, you’re really stoked on Sickle, which I have to admit is impressive and I totally respect that. I’m sure I am not the only one noticing this… Keep up and stay away from bad trouble!
Hi Brett,
blister has an interesting review of Scott Punisher. Could you comment or someone from the redaction who have skied both Punisher and Supernatural 108 how do these two ski compare?
Tank you Michal
Brett hasn’t been on the Punisher, so I’ll field this one – though I don’t have as much time on it as I’d like.
I’d have to say that the 108 felt completely intuitive, right out of the gate, in a way that the Punisher did not. I also think that the oversized shovels of the Punisher would make me much less inclined to go rip bumps all day on it, while I had a great time skiing bumps on the 108s. I wouldn’t call the 189cm Punisher a quick ski – at all, really. Garrett’s review of the Punisher matters a whole lot more than these few comments from me, however. So I’d still put a lot more stock in his review than in what I’ve said here.
FWIW, I think two and four ski quivers are a lot easier to pick than any three ski quiver. Four is probably the ideal for resort skis (so, not counting AT or tele skis in this). 1. Race/Carving ski for groomers or a park ski, depending on your preference, 2. ~90mm hard-snow all-mountain ski (E88, Kendo Steadfast/NRGy, etc…), 3. ~110mm soft-snow all-mountain ski(Cochise, Sidestash/Annex108, Zealot, etc…) and 4. 115+ powder specific ski. Any more than this, you’re either a pro or have way too much money lying around.
Two-ski quivers are easy because you can eliminate 1 and 4 and just go with hard and soft snow all-mountain skis. Adding the third ski into the mix and you start playing with Murphys law. If you buy a pow ski, it won’t snow at all that year, but of course if you buy a race or carving ski, then you know it will be a record breaking snow year.
I left out the ever popular ~100mm all-mountain skis like Bonafides and Mantras for a reason. They are great 1-ski quiver skis, or skis to bring if you travel a lot, but for everyday use at your home resort never going to be the best ski to chose from.
Interesting thoughts, Tom, and I think I’d agree in large part. Except for maybe the ~100mm ski part. There were definitely days at Taos where the now deceased Rossi Scimitar were a ton of fun. And the 13/14 Mantra was absolutely the best ski imaginable for me for a number of days. But since it no longer exists either … maybe you’re right after all….
Fun and interesting read. I’d be interested to hear re this post or the one ski quiver to come, if you have suggestions for those skiers who tend to keep the ski’s on the snow and aren’t experts. Something for the intermediate/advanced keen skiers amongst us.
We’re going to be addressing this topic in more detail soon, Frame. But for now, I’ll say that it would be a big mistake to assume that all / many of the skis we’ve named are merely for “expert” skiers. If you read our full reviews of these skis (e.g., Line Sir Francis Bacon & Pandora & Sick Day 110 & Supernatural 100 & 108; Rossi Soul 7; Blizzard Bonafide and the new Cochise), these are not super demanding skis that will punish intermediates. We always try to make clear when skis are either on the forgiving side of things or the more demanding side of things. A truly “advanced” skier would do just fine – if the ski suited his or her style – on any of the skis I’ve just named. And a true intermediate would, too – it’s much more a matter of selecting the ski that’s best suited for the particular person, and less about whether this person is “expert” or “advanced” or “intermediate.”
Cheers Jonathan, will read more closely. Am glad that a couple of ski’s you named are ones I have in mind.
Anybody on blister gear’s testing panel skied one of the newer generation stockli storm riders? i am on the SR 100 in a tele set up (yeah i know, nobody cares…) and the ski rips. early rise, low camber, moderate flex, big old school tails. snake-like grip, damp and light. doesn’t flatter me when i’m feeling old and tired however; not the best for “lolly gagging about on my heels” to paraphrase somebody on the internet who caught my attention once.
my other ski is a soul 7: not much gap between the two in waist width but an entirely different design brief.
interested in your thoughts on this rarely reviewed ski.
Hey, Alex – we’ve been told several different times that skis we’re being sent, then nothing shows up. Very odd. We’re ready whenever Stockli is.
How about some more kastle skis as well? I know you tested a couple, but curious your thought on mx88vs storm rider 88 vs kendo vs brahma. I agree with someone else’s thoughts above that around 100 is a good one ski quiver, but in a 3-4 ski quiver, it’s not neccessary. I’m going to replace by hell and back with something around 88 that rips groomers and bumps. If there’s snow my SN108 or influence 115 is all I need. Thanks for the great reviews!
From this review and several others (notably Powder’s review) I’m highly tempted to get a pair of the Al Dente’s. The fun factor sounds out the roof.
The two ski set-up I ran on last year:
Line Sick Day 95
Rossignol Soul 7
I purchased a pair of Candide 4.0 at a great price towards the season’s end and I can’t wait to take it cat skiing and/or on deep resort days. It’s a bit too specialist to enter a 2 quiver conversation but might make a decent 3 quiver candidate.
Jonathan – your website is the single best outdoor product review site in existence, and your staff’s product knowledge is second to none. I was hoping to tap your knowledge for my own selfish personal benefit.
I currently ski Rossi S3 as my every day ski. In super deep I ski S7 which is great but has its own issues (tips tend to fold when going gets tough.) I’m an east coast skier but use the S3 on the west coast unless days are really deep. I’m an expert skier with a racing background. I now ski mostly all bumps, trees, etc… in Vermont and anything I can get my hands on out west. I will huck a little cliff here or there (nothing more than 10ft ever) and never ski switch. I need new skis and was wondering if you have any recommendations. The S3 is great all around, and Ok in real deal east coast bumps. Was thinking maybe one of the K2 Shreditor’s might be good or the Rossi Slat but hoping to tap some of your insight.
I’m also looking to replace my S7’s with something that’s still sooo fun and easy to ski in pow but that when the going gets a little tough, the tips don’t give up on me. I was looking at the new Rossi Super 7’s and some others but really look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Thank you, David, really appreciate it.
For someone looking for a S3 and S7 replacement, it’s awfully hard not to think of Rossi’s new iterations of both of those skis: the Sin 7 and the Super 7. While I think the S3 is excellent for the uses you describe, I will be shocked if I can’t tell a very similar story about the Sin 7. And for a directional skier, the new shape may be better. We are supposed to be getting on the Sin 7 very soon, so hopefully I can confirm these thoughts soon after Taos opens.
And I absolutely prefer the shape of the new Super 7 to the old S7. It is not a burly ski, but I expect it to exhibit less folding up than the kinked-up tips of the old S7. The other skis that come to mind are the Atomic Automatic and the (narrower) DPS Wailer 112RP. These are quick, softer skis like the old S7, so they will not charge harder than your S7s, but that doesn’t really sound like what you’re looking for. I think you’re looking for a better shape, and I think the new Super 7, the Automatic, or Wailer 112RP would all provide that. That’s about as specific as I can be for now – I really need to get on the updated versions of all of these skis before I can be more helpful.
Hi Jonathan…I must reiterate much that has been said about your reviews and your site in general: well written, well researched and incredibly helpful. I have a question that I hope you might have time to answer.
I live in Nelson BC and ski Whitewater. It’s amazing. 40 feet of snow a year…well not this year but we have more white than most places. I currently own tow pairs of skis. I purchased a pair of 2012/13 195 Super 7’s based on way too many “one run and done” reviews…then I got last years PB and J’s in 188. I am 6’3″ and 195 to 200 pounds…I am an advanced/expert skier. I ski everything and like to mess around a lot…I’m not much of a top to bottom charger which is why I’m not super stoked on my Super 7’s…they’re great in deep pow and not much fun the rest of the time. What I want is a dump day/deep day ski that’s just a blast to mess around in tight trees, drops, just messing about. I don’t need a lot of speed but I want float and fun. I have been looking at the Bibby and Blister Pros and…well…I don’t really know what else to look at. I’m very lucky in that our gear shops carry everything except some of the more esoteric microbrews. If you can give me a few options to check out I’d be eternally grateful.
Cheers and keep up Ullr’s work amigo!!!
Hey All,
First of all, thank you guys. This site is a blessing and a curse. On one hand I’m so happy to find a website that provides such thoughtful, in-depth reviews that don’t seem like corporate quid-quo-pro puff pieces. On the other, I’ve never studied something so intensely and obsessively in my life. It’s literally keeping me up at night. My every day driver is a Kastle FX94 which I absolutely love, but want to pick up a ski that will really shine in fresh deep snow. Ideally this new ski, is one I would take out in the morning to charge a bit in un-tracked bowls, but could also finish the rest of the day in the trees. Currently considering Moment Bibby’s, Blizzard Gunsmokes, Atomic Backland FR117, or the ON3P Billygoat. I suppose I’m looking more for a hard charger that would be manageable in the trees than the other way around. The terrain will vary as I will be road tripping 11 resorts on the mountain collective pass this January :D Thanks again!
David …
… Funny you say that, my wife woke up this morning and said
” what time did you come to bed last night?”
I said laughing “midnight” – she’d seen me on the iPad before she went to bed at 8:30pm ….. truth be told it was more like 4am… now it’s 9:30am and I’m back searching again
I’ve been looking for about 12 months now for my next ski quiver to satisfy the thirst ( I get 6 weeks holidays a year – blow it all at once in WY and I don’t want to waste a day on the wrong gear).
I got the lib wreckreate 100 and 115 last year but they ended up being too burly for me. – ( bumbed – I had the libtech fully functional five 2014 and loved it )
I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to find blister- I found it this week .. what a site..
I live on the Gold Coast Australia with some of the best waves going, and am lucky enough to be buffed out with a garage full of boards – it wasn’t until then… that I realised a surfboard is not just a surfboard…. and you can’t just have 1
… look at the conditions.. grab the best board .., throw it in the ute, and hit it.
It does have a down side thou…. skiing is exactly the same…
and Unfortunately….I’m not as fortunate on the ski front as I am on the surfboard front….. (I’m restricted to 2 skis)
which brings me to the point….
you got to be on the right gear and it takes a long time to work that out… hole lotta of time…. $ ….. trial and error
Jonathan …. This site is an absolute cracker, the info is all there, eveything you want to know, its honest, unbiased, detailed and straight to the point….. something that I have not found anywhere else….. it cuts thru the shit of the free skier “editors pick” and other gear guides which I’ve been blindly following for the last few years… can’t believe it took me that long to work it out….
Love the site, its awesome …. I’ll be supporting it for sure and can’t wait to get my hands on your guide in october keep it up
Looking forward to see what I can replace my 2014 lib FF5 (185) / sick day 95 (185)… didn’t have any luck last year with the wreckreate and I’ve been trying to find info on the lib wunderstick but no ones got anything for me
Cheers