Soft Chop
In the aftermath of those big storms I got to ski plenty of soft chop, and the Kartel 116 very quickly became my default ski for this type of tracked-out-but-still-soft skiing. It’s not the quickest ski in these conditions, but its width and weight make it very fun to mob around fast, and it’s still playful enough that airing and finding micro-tranys is a blast.
If that added tip taper compared to the Jeffrey 114 makes the Kartel 116 less stable and stompable, I didn’t notice in softer conditions. The Kartel 116 felt very similar to the Jeffrey 114 when hauling through soft chop; surprisingly stable and predictable.
In the Air
The Kartel 116 feels just a little lighter than the Jeffrey in the air. It feels like it has a lower swing weight compared to the Jeffrey, which makes spinning, shifties, and quick turns easier.
Right now I can say with certainty that in any kind of soft snow, the Kartel 116 blends the ability to jib and pop with confidence-inspiring stability better than any other ski of this width that I’ve been on. Having said that, I’ll be getting on several other similar skis soon — including the Moment Blister Pro — so keep your eyes peeled for our Deep Dive Comparisons article.
Firm Conditions / Groomers
This is a 116mm-underfoot jib-oriented powder ski. It’s not meant to charge in firm conditions. Still, it does an admirable job on groomers, and in the cold, dry weeks following a storm. It’s stable and predictable on edge, and feels quite damp for this category, it does a great job of mitigating chatter.
However, I think firm conditions might be the one place where I’d choose the old Jeffrey 114 shape over the Kartel 116’s. I felt like the Jeffrey ran a touch longer on edge in firm conditions, and thus was a little more stable. But given that charging in firm conditions isn’t the point of a ski like this, I think the added tip taper is a very good thing. It helps the Kartel 116 perform even better in the conditions it’s designed for, and sacrifices minimal performance in the conditions it isn’t.
Who’s It For?
The Kartel 116 is a very strong option for skiers looking for something they can spin and jib, that will be fun on backcountry booters and cliffs and side hits, but that still allows them to ski fast and provides a stable platform for big airs and chopped-up runouts. So if the current crop of jibby 112-116 mm underfoot skis leaves you wanting something a little more stable and damp that you can push harder, the Kartel 116 is very much worth a look.
Bottom Line
When ON3P overhauled the Jeffrey 114 and created the Kartel 116, they ran the risk of messing up a very good thing. And sure, the Kartel 116 doesn’t feel quite as composed in firm conditions as the Jeffrey 114. But that sacrifice is minimal compared to the decrease in swing weight and increase in agility that the Kartel 116 gained. The Kartel 116 has a terrific blend of backbone and playfulness, and we’re excited to pit it against old favorites like the Blister Pro in our upcoming Deep Dive.
DEEP DIVE COMPARISONS
Become a Blister member or Deep Dive subscriber to read how the Kartel 116 stacks up against a number of other playful powder skis, including the Armada ARV 116 JJ, Line Mordecai, Moment Blister Pro, Atomic Bent Chetler, and K2 Catamaran.
NEXT: Rocker Profile Pics
Nice review, sounds like a great ski. How does this compare to my awesome Blizzard Gunsmokes? I would have described them in almost the exact same terms. The Guns are a bit heavy is perhaps my only complaint with them, but then that adds to their stability I would imagine.
Thanks for the review. I’m thinking of the Kartel 116 for my next ski, and wanted to get your thoughts. 5’7″ 140lb. For the last 3 seasons I’ve been on the 13/14 Line influence 115 (179). I love it’s stability and crud busting ability, but wish it had more float on powder days. Also wish it had more pop when making powder turns. This will be the wider ski of a 2 ski quiver, mainly skiing the PNW. The thing is I’m more of a directional skier. I do like taking little drop-offs and catching air off features, but will never ski switch or spin. Thanks.
on3p billy goat
I have Kartel 116s in 191 on order. I will try to remember to update with a review comment after I get them mounted and have a few days on them. I was looking to get a more “playful” ski but still – “wanting something a little more stable and damp that you can push harder” because that is sort of my default modus. My go to everyday skis are 189 SideSeths, 118 underfoot powder rocker tip and minimal rocker on the tail, more of a full camber tail ski and it encourages full on attack mode. They are heavy metal. There are many skis that fit into this general category and the ON3P Billygoat would land under this general description in the ON3P lineup.
Thank you for your review on the Kartels it is definitely encouraging for the type of ski I would like and have been contemplating. The ON3P’s are on “sale” right now which is relative. They are not mass produced and not prone to deep discounts since ON3P, I am guessing, is able to pretty well match production with demand. These skis are made in the US of A, which is another reason I gravitated towards them.
Cheers, S2F
Any idea how much overlap this ski would have with tje 181 sickle. I already own the sickle as a 1 ski quiver when traveling, liking for possible wider options for 2 ski quiver with a dedicated hard snow ski.
Hey so an update I’ve got 2 days at Alpental, spring corn (Kartel 116×191) Of course limited conditions, but so far these things rock. They are bomber, but I can get them around quicker (than my SideSeths), and the tail releases nicely. Quick enough to pound and pop the corn bumps and get through them, bomber enough to blow apart the corn when the bumps get smaller. They love to be driven hard, such as attack mode with quick turns down skiers right of International or down Adrenalin. Likely won’t be until next winter I get true freshies, but I can already tell the way these ski they’re going to be a blast.
Cheers, one more weekend – Cinco De Mayo at Alpental.
For reference, I am a ways north of 200 lbs, 6-3, have skied for many decades and am sort of like a train coming down the mountain.
Hey Blister,
Great job with your reviews and I love this website. I’m currently own a pair of Nordica Enforcer 110s-185cm. I use this ski as my primary powder ski. I love the Enforcers 110 in tight terrain and for tree skiing in Michigan’s upper peninsula (Mt. Bohemia) and take them for trips out west – Jackson Hole, Squaw, Colorado and Pac NW. But I think I’d like a pair with a little more float for deep days and stability/length for more wide open terrain.
I’m currently considering the Rossi Super 7 which is 116cm and the ON3P Kartel 116. What is difference between these who skis if any? They’re both on the more playful side of the spectrum which I prefer.
Also, do you think there’s much of a performance overlap between the Enforcer 110 vs. the Kartel/Super 7?
I tend to like skis around the 185/186ish length since it fits my style of skiing and I’m willing to bump to to a longer length as long as it has enough flex but supportive enough if I get knocked into the back seat.
43 Years old/ Advanced Skier/6’0’/200 lbs.
Thanks!
by the way, this part “Note: Our review was conducted on the 16/17 Kartel 116, which was not changed for 17/18, 18/19, or 19/20, apart from the name change to “Jeffrey 116” and graphics.” is completely wrong.
Not only has the sidecut and flex patterns been subtly tweaked year by year, so to has its layup with a change from first 22 to 19oz glass, to the newer carbon fiber infused glass.
Sure, the changes are not massive, but there none the less. The 16/17 and 19/20 skis are not the same, something Blister’s own podcasts with ON3P owner Scott Andrus over the years confirm.