Soft Snow
The SENDr planes well in most light Colorado pow, but when the snow gets over about 18” (assuming it’s quite light) the SENDr has a hard time floating to the top.
Even though it has a very rearward mount, the tail on the SENDr still feels long and stiff, which means that transitioning to the more neutral stance people often use for skiing deep powder is difficult. That doesn’t mean you can’t drive this ski in deeper snow though. The generous length of its tip rocker means the SENDr is predictable and happy to submarine in and out of the snow when you drive the tips.
In bottomless snow, I’d prefer a ski with a softer tail that caters to a neutral stance — basically the opposite of the SENDr.
It is worth noting that skiing the SENDr from a neutral stance is possible. It has a very small sweet spot and requires near perfect balance, but it is possible. And honestly, doing so is quite fun. It took me at least 10 days on the ski to figure out how to ski it from a neutral stance, and it isn’t the ski’s natural habitat. But if you can walk that line and find that tiny sweet spot, it is very fun to surf a ski that has this much power in the tail. Imagine big, loose slashes where the ski slingshots back into the next turn rather than responding with a typical mushy, surf-ski flop. Awesome. Just be prepared for the inevitable tomahawk if you get too far backseat.
Groomers
Ok, you’re probably not going to rail groomers on your touring skis very often, but I’ve had a few resort days on the SENDr, and have been very happy putting the ski on edge.
The SENDr is stiff but has a lot of energy. The tail really likes to pop you out of a turn and the ski can stand up to a lot of speed, especially when you’re carving hard turns on edge.
Because it has a pretty big radius and not much camber, the SENDr needs a little speed to come alive, but once it does, it carves excellently. It’s not an alpine ski and it definitely has a speed limit on the far upper end, but the SENDr rails hard for a touring ski.
Hard Snow
When I first got the SENDr, I was exclusively using it for Berthoud pass pow days, but I quickly realized that it could handle bad snow as well. Because it likes to be driven and responds well to precise skiing, the SENDr actually performs very well on hard, icy, and steep conditions.
Besides the 188 cm length and the 112 mm waist, the SENDr has every feature of my perfect mountaineering ski (though my dream mountaineering ski would be a bit shorter and narrower). It is stiff, light, straight, predictable, and loves to be driven. It holds a great edge, has lots of power, and inspires confidence where plenty of my other mountaineering skis can make me nervous due to their lightweight constructions (especially in bad snow conditions).
Even with the length and width of the SENDr, it jump turns easily. The swing weight is amazingly low and it turns precisely and intuitively (as long as you’re driving the tips).
The ski is light, and it does gets kicked around the more variable the snow gets. However, because the SENDr rewards a forward stance, the technique involved in skiing it helps counteract the squirreliness that hard, bumpy snow can create. The harder you drive the ski, the less it gets bumped around. This, combined with the aforementioned damping afforded by the metal laminate and PU sidewalls, means the SENDr skis a bit “heavier” than it actually is, and that’s a very good thing. I still wouldn’t call this ski “damp” within the full spectrum of (alpine and touring) skis, but it is more damp than any other ski I’ve ridden at this weight.
And though it’s not as damp as heavier skis, the metal and PU sidewalls do make the SENDr predictable. I’m not worried about this ski jumping around on me, tracking weird, or folding up when I need it. It does what you ask (so long as you provide enough input), and remains composed enough to provide fair warning when it can’t take anymore (e.g., at very high speeds).
In the Air
The SENDr has essentially no freestyle feel. It is mounted at -11.3 cm and has a flat, stiff tail. The SENDr doesn’t want to jib, spin, or flip. However, it does like to jump off of stuff, it just likes to be pointed downhill and skied aggressively while you do it. As long as you’re not getting tricky, the SENDr is confident in the air.
When dropping cliffs, the wider waist, minimal sidecut, and strong tail all make for a solid landing platform, which makes the SENDr’s speed limit (and perhaps your bindings) more of a limiting factor than the size of the cliff.
Is It a 50/50 Ski?
I’ll start by saying the idea of 50/50 inbounds / touring gear doesn’t sit well with me, primarily because of the sacrifice that tends to happen in boots and bindings. You seem to always get a squirrelly inbounds setup and a heavy backcountry setup — neither of which is what I want to ski all the time.
That being said, the SENDr would make a good ski for someone who really wants a 70/30 (backcountry/resort) ski. It’s a bit light for something I’d want to spin lift laps on, but pair it with a solid AT binding and a strong boot, and it’d be very capable.
I think the type of skier who is going to love the SENDr, though, is the same person who is going to want their alpine setup to be solid, heavy, and ready to charge — race boots, FKS bindings, and a long, stiff, damp ski. If that’s your inbounds setup, then take a look at the SENDr for the backcountry.
Who’s It For?
The SENDr is best suited for strong skiers who like to drive through the front of their boots and ski aggressively. It is light enough for long tours and ski mountaineering but, for me, it’s a bit too light to be a true 50/50 ski.
If you want to ski hard in the backcountry and like the confidence and damping of a metal ski, you’ll appreciate the SENDr, especially if you have solid technique.
Of course, this means that the SENDr is not a ski for beginners, and I would even have a hard time recommending it to a high-intermediate skier. It isn’t forgiving at all. If you’re not doing your best Tommy Moe impression, you might find yourself on your ass, often. However, I think the SENDr will make any skier better. So if you’re willing to put in the effort, the SENDr will whip your technique up a few notches because you can’t slack off, and will reward that technique at speed.
Bottom Line
I initially assumed that the G3 SENDr 112 would be a specialty ski for deep days and big terrain. But it quickly turned into my daily driver this winter, and I’ve been impressed by it every time I’ve taken it out. The ski is powerful, precise, light, traditional, pretty damp, and just plain fun.
If you want to surf around in powder, swerve, spin, or anything else that rewards a more neutral stance, look elsewhere. But for those with an aggressive style who like to drive their skis, the SENDr 112 is the best ski in this weight class that I’ve skied.
NEXT: Rocker Profile Pics
Hi Sam,
Great Review. A couple of comments. This set up seems a little odds, the Ion G3 bindings are great touring bindings but not really known for power transfer (see the Marker King pin). Also The boots you were using seem on the soft side for a powerful, stiff ski. Maybe the Freedoms would transfer power better. Also have you skied the Volkl Katana V-Werks? They sound similar sort of.
Thanks,
Jim
Hey Jim,
I got these skis mounted with the Ion demos straight from G3 so binding choice wasn’t a decision I made. However, I think the Ion is a good fit for this ski because it keeps the weight reasonable. Besides the harsh feedback in firm conditions, the Ion skis great and makes this setup very reasonable for big days (I did several LARGE days in this setup, including Mt Rainier).
The new Maestrales aren’t Freedoms, that’s for sure. But they are a solid boot and the best version of the Maestrale to date by a huge margin. With Freedoms and Kingpins, I think you would want a heavier ski to really get everything you can out of the setup (especially from the boots).
I haven’t skied the Katana V-Werks… it’s on the list.
Thanks,
Sam
Great Review. Thanks- I’ve been waiting for a good review of this ski!
You say the SENDr excels while skiing fast in technical terrain, jumping off stuff, and shutting down speed when you need it, slashing turns and plowing through soft variable snow. But you also comment that it is a very demanding ski. My question for you is, if you are a strong skier, can you easily transition from locked-in, driving the tips, to breaking the tails free and slashing quick turns or shutting down the speed? Examples would be tree skiing, or navigating rock-bands and tight terrain, or checking speed after a jump to set up for a consecutive jump (i.e. cliff bands and pillow lines), or surfing sideways down steep terrain..
I currently have a rockered skis that excel at the above, but rockered skis do have their disadvantages, and I’m also looking for a lighter set-up. So I’d appreciate any feedback on whether the stiff, straight tails of the SENDr really make this ski too locked in, or, with a good pilot, the tails can also be freed up for alternate turn shapes, maneuver in tight spots, and check speed in the conditions I describe above. I already have a ski-mountaineering set up, so I’m more looking for something fun, fat and fast for those deep days.
Thanks for any feedback you can provide!
Hey Connor, thanks for the feedback.
To (attempt to) answer your question:
The SENDr doesn’t really have a “locked in” feel like you describe. They slide, smear, slarve and break free rather easily. However, they do all those things best from an aggressive, driving stance. If you want to surf around, you have to find a very small sweet spot for the neutral stance. But as long as you drive through the fronts of your boots, you can definitely make more technical turns.
Personally I wouldn’t like this ski for the deepest days (granted, with a limited quiver, this would make a good compromise there). I prefer a little surfier ride in the deepest snow. The best way to describe the SENDr is precise. So if you value precision in any given condition, they will likely work well for you.
I hope that answers your question!
Sam
Thank you Sam. I greatly appreciate the feedback and super-speedy response. I want a precise ski I can drive. I also want a surfy ski! haha. I’d love to have them all, but unfortunately, at >$1000 per setup for the skis I’m considering, trade-offs will have to be made. So I greatly appreciate the detailed feedback (and Blister Reviews in general!) to help me decide which skis strike the best blend for my personal tastes.
Thanks for differentiating between maneuverability/variety of turn shapes and surfability. I’m looking for a deep powder ski, and when I think about it, I think I desire a surfy ski for those conditions too. I’ll definitely try to demo the SENDr if I can though, as it sound pretty interesting.
Thanks!
Great review!
Could you recommend this ski to someone who is new to backcountry touring? I want a damp, stable ski that I can drive for all things backcountry. How does this ski and the Corvus Freebird compare?
Hey Aaron,
Though I’ve never ridden the Corvus Freebird, I don’t think the SENDr is inherently bad as a first touring ski. The only caveat being that it better not be your first ski period! There isn’t much difference between alpine skiing and touring on the way down, so as long as you’re looking for a precise, stiff and lightweight ski that likes to be driven, then the SENDr should work for you,
Hello Aaron, How would you compare these skis to the Zero G 108? More surfier ? Little bit of a compromise on the dampness for a gain in float? Thanks!
Hi Sam,
Thanks for the informative review! I just acquired a pair of Sendr’s 174cm and I was hoping you could help me out with some mounting tips based on your experience with the skis. I’m putting the Ion bindings on to have these as my touring setup. I live in BC, so I ski a lot of steep and tight trees. The factory recommended mount is pretty far back from the true centre, and as a smaller rider (5’5″, 125lb) I’m considering mounting forwards +2 or 3cm. What’s your take on the factory recommended mount? And what do you think of mounting a bit forward? In your review you talk about skiing the ski from a neutral stance, with a very small sweet-spot. Do you think a forward mount would make it easier to ski from a neutral stance, or make the “sweet-spot window” bigger?
Hey Kine, thanks!
As far as mount point goes, I think going +2-3cm would make the SENDr a touch quicker but I doubt it would make it easier to ski from a neutral stance (you’re effectively just making the stiff tail longer at that point). However, because of the light weight, the SENDr is already pretty quick. I’m not a huge fan of changing around mount points (granted, I did have a good park skiing phase…) and, for me, the SENDr never felt like it needed a more forward mount.
I would also make sure that your mount point keeps the binding in the little flat spots for the toe and heel piece built into the core.
Be sure to let us know what mount point you decide on and how your new setup skis!
I mounted the SENDr 188 w/ G3 zed +2cm to get more tail out of the ski. I’ve now bought the Maestrale XT to replace my old Maestrale’s which will send me back farther a tiny bit farther. I believe I’ll enjoy this as I’m found the ski to feel a bit short and would probably rebuy at 195cm length and mount on the recommended length. I was worried about washing out the tails when sending a cliff.
That being said, the pivot point and snap in the crescendo of the turn is gorgeous on a nice fall line.
I know they are totally different skis, but would it be fair to call the Sendr a happy middle point between the very traditional feel of the old G3 carbon zenoxide and and the ultra surfy feel of the G3 empire? Having owned both those skis, I’d say a middle ground between the two would probably be a fairly badass one ski quiver for a bigger, more aggressive skier who only earns their turns.
Hi Eric, though I’ve never skied the Carbon Zenoxide or the Emprire, I would guess that the SENDr is more similar to the Zenoxide as you describe them. It likes traditional technique but it also excels in conditions and terrain where traditional shapes tend to falter. It really isn’t a surfy ski (though it does a have a very small neutral stance sweet spot).
I agree though, the SENDr is a badass one ski quiver for an aggressive skier who tours frequently. The bigger you are, the more forgiving you’ll likely find it too.
Hope that answers your question,
Sam
Sam,
Trying to sort out the length on these. Can you tell me your height and weight? It almost sounded in your review like the 188 was a lot of ski and wondering if shorter (181) would be a good fit for me or just dumbing down the ski. I’m a 180# 5’10” aggressive skier. Thanks.
Hey Andy, I’m 5’10” and ~140lbs. I think the length question really comes down to skiing style and terrain. If you are planning to ski more trees and tight, techy terrain, then the 181cm would probably work. The more you expect to ski softer/deeper snow and make bigger turns, I’d lean towards the 188cm.
If you’re an aggressive skier, I wouldn’t worry about the 188cm being too much ski.
Hey Sam,
Great review, always love reading your stuff.
Any idea how the 195 SENDrs would compare to the 192 DPS wailer RPCs? They seem very very similar.
I am 6’6, 230 lbs, and an aggressive (directional) backcountry skier. I currently tour on 192 DPS RPCs with kingpin 13s. I like the RPC a lot, but sometimes I find myself wanting just a little bit more ski when I go to drive the shovels..sometimes I feel like I’m literally going to go over the bars (over the tips?) on bigger landings. However, I still really want to retain the quickness edge to edge and floaty/slashy-ness of the RPCs in pow, as well as their ability to bite into shit snow on sketchy steeps when they have to.
I’m looking to replace my RPCs with another one-ski backcountry quiver. My short list is currently the following skis (mounted w/ either kingpins or fritschi tectons):
– 204cm Faction Candide 3.0
– 196 Faction Prime 4.0
– 196 4FRNT Renegades
– 196 G3 SENDr
With the exception of the Renegades (Full rocker) I think all these skis are in the same ballpark
I’d love to see if you have any idea as to how the other options stack up to the G3 SENDr, as well as how the SENDr compares to my current ski (the 192 RPC).
Any and all help appreciated!
to distill down the previous long winded comment: How do you see these comparing to other light and long touring skis with more directional shapes?
Hey Brett, I haven’t skied many of the skis you’re looking at but I think the SENDr will be a bit more versatile, especially in hard snow, than the RPC’s. However, the SENDr doesn’t have a lot of “slashy-ness” as you indicate. Hopefully I’ll get some time on the other skis on your list this year and can weigh in with more info.
Hey Sam,
Randomly stumbled upon this 1 year later…..any follow up thoughts on this, now that you have probably skied many similar skis since then?
Mostly interested in a comparison to the corvus freebird, but curious to hear your “year after” thoughts as well.
Rock on!
Brett
Hey Brett,
The closest comparison ski I’ve been on since I posted this is probably the Scott Scrapper 115, and the SENDr is more precise, demanding, and predictable (though it doesn’t float quite as well). Overall I still love the SENDr in the very small category of game on, charge-y touring skis. For the advanced to expert skier looking to push their skiing, the SENDr is still my top pick.
I know they are very different skis, but when compared to the G3 Synapse 109 which is fully rockered, does the Sendr 112 gain enough stability on hard snow to make it worth the loss of playfulness and quick turn ability?
Or put another way – does the Synapse 109 have a significant step down in hard snow capability which would make the sendr a better choice despite the loss of quickness in good snow? Looking for touring ski for Colorado mostly for mid winter but I do some spring touring which would include variable conditions. I am leaning towards the Synapse as I want something more powder oriented but am concerned the icy or spring snow capability will be severely lacking.
Hello,
Any idea how these might compare to the Volkl V Werks 122? I am looking for a deep-er day touring setup. It is hard to checkout these skis around here nevermind demo them.
Thanks!
Have you guys been able to get on this year’s Seekr 110 and/or Roamr 108? Can’t seem to find any first hand accounts of how those skis behave. I’d be interested in learning more about the Seekr and Roamr, especially as the Sendr seems like it’s way more ski than I’m looking for.
I’m an avid in bounds skier and occasional BC skier. I ski aggressively on groomers, powder, steep terrain and trees (although I’m not dropping cliffs by any means).
To give you an idea of my average ski season:
a. 50 + days of lift served skiing
a. 1 or 2 4000+ ft ascents in backcountry
b. a few 1500 to 2000 ft ascents in backountry
c. 1 or 2 hut trips
d. a couple dozen 1500 ft uphills at the resort before work
This is all in the Aspen, CO area.
I’ve been skiing the Black diamond Amperage, 176 for all terrain and conditions for the past 5 years or so. I have Dynafit FT bindings and BD quadrant boots. I absolutely love skiing powder on these skis but they’re heavy on uphills.
I’m finally considering trading them in. Due to cost, I’m not willing to have 2 set ups and I’m going to stick with my current boots and bindings for the meantime.
I’m 5’10” and 170 lbs. I’m looking at the G3 Sndr, 181cm. Considering the info. that I’ve laid out, do you think this ski will be a good option for me? If not, do you have other recommendations?
Hey Roger,
I think the SENDr would be a good choice if you’re a skier that rarely makes mistakes and you tend to drive your skis through the fronts of your boots — hard.
For more forgiving options, I’d check out the G3 ROAMr 108, Line Sick Day 104, and Elan Ripstick 106. All of those are great skis.
Hope that helps!
Sam
Hey Sam wondering if you had any thoughts on the Sendrs vs the 4frnt Hoji, a ski I have loved in the past…not having skiied the Sendr myself, could you speak to any obvious similarities/differences??
+1 , I’m trying to decide between Hoji and sendR and seekR 110. PNW skier looking for a powder setup to use on hut trips.
To clarify…I’m 5’10 185, if I did Sendr I’d mount with CAST forward of recommended. My thoughts being that with the camber profile and footprint of the SENDR it could be made to perform like a stiffer, damper Hoji. Your description of this being a ski you have to DRIVE hard with the front of the boot is a little confusing/at odds with my first impressions from seeing the G3 in person and hand flexing FWIW…curious to hear your feedback on the “slarveability” of these might be affected with a different binding, mount point and heavier skier!
I was thinking of upgrading my G3 District 112 for the Sendr. Overall, I really enjoyed the Districts in the wetter snow we get in Chile – any thoughts on how the Sendr compares? I also have the Zenoxide 105, and always had more fun (unless it was blower pow) skiing on the rockered districts than the traditional Zen.
Bumping this. Considering a set of 195 sendrs as soft snow touring skis in the PNW. I am 6’3″ 205 and prefer straightish skis with traditional mounts. How will these do in old growth trees under someone my size?