2021-2022 Line Vision 118

Ski: 2021-2022 Line Vision 118, 183 cm

Test Location: Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado

Days Skied: ~10

Available Lengths: 175, 183, 189 cm

Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length: 182.4 cm

Stated Weight per Ski: 1900 grams

Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 1873 & 1878 grams

Stated Dimensions: 152-118-138 mm

Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 151.0-117.5-137.4 mm

Stated Sidecut Radius (183 cm): 19.5 meters

Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 63.5 mm / 41 mm

Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 3 mm

Core: paulownia/maple/aspen + carbon, aramid, & fiberglass laminate

Base: 1.3 mm sintered

Factory Recommended Mount Point: -6.2 cm from center; 85.0 cm from tail

Boots / Bindings: Tecnica Mach1 130 MV, Tecnica Mach1 130 LV / Tyrolia Attack2 13 AT

[Note: Our review was conducted on the 20/21 Vision 118, which returns unchanged for 21/22, apart from graphics.]

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Line Vision 118 for Blister
Line Vision 118 — 20/21 graphic
Review Navigation:  Specs //  First Look //  Full Review //  Bottom Line //  Rocker Pics

Intro

Last year Line introduced their new Vision series. The Vision 98 & Vision 108 are very lightweight skis, but Line is marketing them as “freeride” options, not skis that you’d only use in the backcountry. We’ve come away really impressed by the Vision 98 & 108, primarily since they give those skiers looking for very lightweight skis much more playful options (whereas most skis as light as the Visions are very directional and traditional). While we personally think the Visions excel in the backcountry, there are some skiers out there who will get along with them in the resort, too.

For 20/21, Line expanded the Vision lineup with the new Vision 118. Given how much we like the narrower Visions — and the fact that Line is discontinuing the excellent Sick Day 114 for 20/21 — we were very excited about this new ski. We’ve now spent several days on the Vision 118 here at Mt. Crested Butte, and you can check out our full review below. First, we’ll discuss the design of this ski.

What Line says about the Vision 118

“When the storms start frothing and the snow keeps flying, the all-new 118 is your ticket. A finely tuned taper and rocker profile, light core and reinforced with THC the 118 can blast, arc, and surf the deepest of deep. The award-winning chassis is chomping at the bit; drop in and forge through anything the mountain may throw at you.”

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Line Vision 118 for Blister
Dylan Wood on the Line Vision 118, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

Construction

Like the Vision 98 & 108, the Vision 118 features Line’s “THC” laminate, which stands for “triple hybrid construction” and reportedly has nothing to do with weed references…

Essentially, THC is a combination of carbon, aramid, and fiberglass, with the three different materials reportedly resonating at different frequencies, with the goal of creating a more damp and smooth ride. After using the Vision 98 & 108, we think Line did a very good job of making lightweight skis that don’t feel super harsh and “pingy” like some similarly lightweight skis.

For the Vision 118, Line kept most of the construction the same but added some Aspen stringers near the edges of the ski for slightly better stability and power, which comes at a slight increase in weight compared to the narrower Visions.

Shape / Rocker Profile

The Vision 118 looks very much like a wider Vision 108 — not much surprise there. Line has kept a lot of family resemblance between the three Vision skis — they all have pretty wide tips and tails with fairly minimal tip and tail taper (especially compared to similarly playful skis). The Vision 118 is less tapered than the Line Sick Day 114 and Atomic Bent Chetler 120, and its shape looks fairly similar to the Moment Wildcat Tour (though the Wildcat Tour has notably narrower tips & tails and a correspondingly much longer sidecut radius).

The Vision 118’s rocker profile is also quite similar to the Vision 108, but the more pow-oriented 118 gets deeper rocker lines. The Vision 118’s tip and tail rocker lines are very deep (some of the deepest in its class), but the way its tips and tails rise is also pretty subtle. I.e., while the contact points in the rocker profile are pretty close the middle of the ski, they don’t really start rising until you get much closer to the end of the ski. In the Vision 98 & 108, we found that this sort of rocker profile made the skis easy to pivot but also quite solid on edge, and we expect similar things of the Vision 118. Like the other Vision skis, the 118 maintains some camber underfoot.

Flex Pattern

Here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the Vision 118:

Tips: 6
Shovels: 6.5-7
In Front of Toe Piece: 7-9.5
Underfoot: 9.5
Behind the Heel Piece: 9-8
Tails: 7.5-7

Again, lots of similarities here vs. the other Vision skis. The Vision 118’s flex pattern feels nearly identical to the Vision 108’s, with the 118 being a tiny bit stiffer in the front half.

The Vision 118 is not a very stiff ski, with very accessible tips and pretty accessible tails. Then there’s a pretty slow and smooth increase in stiffness as you move to the middle of the ski. One way the Vision 118 stands out from most directional options in this class is the fact that the Vision 118’s flex pattern is pretty round / symmetrical — there is not a huge difference between the flex of its tip and tails.

I’m someone who likes to be able to ski with a centered stance and occasionally lean back and wash out the tails of my skis, and I loved the flex patterns of the Vision 98 & 108. So I’m very excited about the flex of the Vision 118.

Compared to the Moment Wildcat Tour, the Vision 118 is similar at the very ends but the Wildcat Tour feels notably stiffer through the cambered portion of the ski. Compared to the Atomic Bent Chetler 120, the Vision 118 is again fairly similar at the ends, but the Bent Chetler 120 is stiffer throughout the rest of the ski.

Mount Point

The Vision 118’s mount point measures right around -6 cm from true center, which is right in line with the other Vision skis. As we’ve mentioned many times before, many of us at Blister get along with skis with mount points around -6 cm since they tend to allow for both a forward and centered stance (something that was true with the other Vision skis). As with its round flex pattern, the Vision 118’s more forward mount point is another thing that differentiates it from other lightweight skis.

Weight

The Vision 118 is a very lightweight ski for its size, with our pair of the 183 cm version coming in at an average weight of ~1875 grams per ski.

The Vision 118 is not as ultralight as some dedicated touring skis like the DPS Tour1 Lotus 124 or Black Diamond Helio 116, but it’s way lighter than most inbounds-oriented pow skis like the Rossignol BLACKOPS Gamer, Volkl Revolt 121, J Skis Friend, and ON3P Jeffrey 116. Compared to the now-discontinued Line Sick Day 114, the Vision 118 is about 50 grams lighter per ski when comparing the 183 cm Vision 118 and 180 cm Sick Day 114.

For reference, here are a number of our measured weights (per ski in grams) for some notable skis. Keep in mind the length differences to try to keep things apples-to-apples.

1605 & 1630 Line Vision 108, 183 cm (19/20–21/22)
1654 & 1682 Black Diamond Helio 116, 186 cm (17/18–19/20)
1660 & 1680 Moment Deathwish Tour, 184 cm (19/20–21/22)
1710 & 1744 Atomic Bent Chetler 120, 184 cm (18/19–21/22)
1795 & 1817 Moment Wildcat Tour, 184 cm (18/19–21/22)
1808 & 1809 Line Pescado, 180 cm (17/18–21/22)
1854 & 1903 Whitedot Ragnarok Carbonlite, 190 cm (17/18–21/22)
1873 & 1878 Line Vision 118, 183 cm (20/21)
1895 & 1906 Folsom Trophy Carbon, 188 cm (19/20–21/22)
1897 & 1913 Majesty Vanguard, 188 cm (20/21)
1910 & 1941 Scott Scrapper 115, 189 cm (17/18–19/20)
1920 & 1936 Line Sick Day 114, 180 cm (17/18–19/20)
1931 & 1959 Volkl BMT 122, 186 cm (17/18–18/19)
2006 & 2063 Elan Ripstick 116, 193 cm (20/21)
2013 & 2099 Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, 184 cm (18/19–19/20)
2019 & 2051 K2 Mindbender 116C, 186 cm (19/20–21/22)
2024 & 2031 Line Outline, 186 cm (19/20–21/22)
2027 & 2052 K2 Reckoner 112, 184 cm (20/21–21/22)
2034 & 2052 Blizzard Rustler 11, 188 cm (17/18–21/22)
2043 & 2046 4FRNT Inthayne, 188 cm (18/19–21/22)
2062 & 2080 Whitedot Ragnarok ASYM, 190 cm (18/19–20/21)
2081 & 2115 Faction Candide 5.0, 183 cm (19/20–20/21)
2102 & 2137 Line Sick Day 114, 190 cm (17/18–19/20)
2104 & 2108 Hinterland Maul 121, 186 cm (19/20–20/21)
2105 & 2185 Head Kore 117 (19/20–20/21)
2136 & 2174 K2 Reckoner 122, 184 cm (20/21–21/22)
2173 & 2204 4FRNT Renegade, 191 cm (19/20–21/22)
2174 & 2187 Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, 190 cm (18/19–19/20)
2196 & 2199 Icelantic Nomad 115, 191 cm (17/18–18/19)
2212 & 2215 Armada ARV 116 JJ, 185 cm (17/18–21/22)
2222 & 2278 Prior CBC, 184 cm (17/18–20/21)
2237 & 2315 Salomon QST 118, 192 cm (19/20–20/21)
2240 & 2250 Volkl Revolt 121, 184 cm (19/20–21/22)
2250 & 2280 Movement Fly Two 115, 184 cm (19/20–20/21)
2259 & 2279 Black Crows Anima, 189.2 cm (20/21)
2290 & 2293 Moment Commander 118, 188 cm (19/20)
2323 & 2352 Moment Chipotle Banana, 193 cm (14/15; 19/20–20/21)
2341 & 2357 Dynastar M-Free 118, 189 cm (18/19–21/22)
2343 & 2360 J Skis Friend, 189 cm (18/19–21/22)
2346 & 2351 Nordica Enforcer 115 Free, 191 cm (17/18–21/22)
2382 & 2395 ON3P Billy Goat, 184 cm (17/18–19/20)
2408 & 2421 ON3P Jeffrey 116, 186 cm (17/18–19/20)
2438 & 2480 DPS Foundation Koala 119, 189 cm (19/20–20/21)
2438 & 2492 Rossignol BLACKOPS Gamer, 186 cm (16/17–21/22)
2561 & 2585 Kye Shapes Numinous, 189 cm (19/20–21/22)

2021-2022 Line Vision 118, BLISTER

Some Questions / Things We’re Curious About

(1) Given that Line is marketing the Vision 118 as a “freeride” ski and not a touring ski, how capable will it feel in the rougher, more challenging conditions we typically see within the confines of a ski resort?

(2) Line mostly talks about fresh snow in their description of the Vision 118, but how will it do when the snow isn’t perfectly soft and untracked?

(3) How will the Vision 118 compare to the Sick Day 114? Now that the Sick Day 114 is getting discontinued, will the Vision 118 be a viable replacement, or is it a different ski entirely?

(4) The Vision 118 and Vision 108 look very similar on paper, but how much family resemblance is evident on snow?

(5) We think the Vision 98 & 108 can work well for both playful skiers and directional skiers seeking something a bit more forgiving and easy (compared to most directional options), so is the same true of the Vision 118?

Bottom Line (For Now)

The Line Vision 118 doesn’t stray far from the design of the narrower Vision 98 & 108. The Vision 118 is very light, has very deep rocker lines, a fairly forward mount point, and a moderate, pretty symmetrical flex pattern. Overall, it looks like it could be a very quick and playful pow ski. Blister Members can check out our Flash Review linked below for our initial on-snow impressions, then stay tuned for our full review.

Flash Review

Blister Members can now check out our Flash Review of the Vision 118 for our initial impressions. Become a Blister member now to check out this and all of our Flash Reviews, plus get exclusive deals and discounts on skis, and personalized gear recommendations from us.

FULL REVIEW

Looking back at our First Look of the Vision 118 (which we published on March 8th, 2020), it brings back fond memories. I was excited to ski it, snow was in the forecast, and most notably … the lifts at Mt. Crested Butte were still spinning.

A whole lot has changed since we posted that almost exactly a year ago, but once we got back on snow this year, I was still very excited to get on this ski. I’ve now had the chance to do that in various conditions, along with Dylan Wood, so it’s time to dive in:

Powder

Luke Koppa (5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg): At 118 mm underfoot, the Vision 118 is undeniably a ski designed for deep snow, and that’s certainly where it’s the most fun.

We’ve been skiing the 183 cm Vision 118, and that’s just on the cusp of being on the shorter end of what I’d typically prefer for a deep-snow ski. But I think in large part due to its fat, fairly soft, deeply rockered shovels, I’ve never experienced any weird tip dive on this ski — even in roughly a foot and a half of fresh snow.

On consistently low-angle slopes, the 183 cm Vision 118 definitely prefers a more neutral stance, which is what I find with many skis, especially ones with fairly soft shovels (they can tend to “plow” through the snow on mellow slopes). But in somewhat steep terrain, I can get over the front of this ski without worrying that it’s going to fold and dive under my weight.

While the Vision 118 is lots of fun in open pow fields, I think it really stands out in the trees and techy terrain. Throwing the ski sideways in deep snow is nearly effortless, its sweet spot feels huge, and it’s really easy to flick around thanks to its low weight.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Line Vision 118 for Blister
Dylan Wood on the Line Vision 118, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

There are some skis with more tapered tips and tails that feel even looser than the Vision 118, but this ski is versatile in that you can carve clean turns through soft snow, or throw it sideways at a moment’s notice.

Overall, I love skiing pow on the Vision 118. And yeah, deep snow should be fun on any ski this wide, but especially in rolling, varied, and / or tight terrain with lots of different line choices, it really stands out to me as a great, fun, playful, surfy pow ski.

Dylan Wood (5’11”, 155 lbs / 180 cm, 70 kg): Yep, I agree with Luke entirely, the Vision 118 feels most at home in fresh powder. Usually I’d want a ski longer than 183 cm for powder, but the Vision 118 offered great floatation in many different scenarios and never left me wanting a longer ski in deep snow.

To me, the Vision 118 is one of the easiest skis to maneuver in fresh snow. It does not feel laborious to take through tight trees, and it’s easy to throw sideways or make jump turns on it. This is where the Vision stands out to me the most in soft snow, and it felt similar to other lightweight pow skis with a progressive mount point like the Elan Ripstick 116 or Atomic Bent Chetler 120 in this regard.

The Vision 118 was very fun in low-angle powder where longer, far heavier pow skis like the Kye Shapes Numinous felt like overkill. Overall, this ski is a fun and versatile choice for soft snow.

Soft Chop

Luke: Given how light it is, I was most curious to see how the Vision 118 would handle more typical resort pow day conditions. I.e., chopped-up snow.

And while this is certainly not the ski I’d pick for skiing as fast as I want in choppy conditions, I think the Vision 118 could certainly serve as a resort pow / chop ski for some folks. Unlike the much lighter Vision 108, I don’t view the Vision 118 as a ski best reserved for (relatively) untracked lines in the backcountry.

When the fresh snow is all cut up, the Vision 118 is predictable and can be lots of fun, provided that you accept that it’s a lightweight, playful ski and ski it with that in mind. Trying to ski the Vision 118 right through fields of chop results in a significant amount of deflection. But finding smoother lines and popping off every clump of pushed-around snow is a blast on this ski.

For lightweight skis like the Vision 118 — skis that aren’t inherently super stable in variable conditions — my main priority is predictability and forgiveness. The Vision 118 checks both of those boxes. When I eventually end up skiing too fast and on the edge of control, the Vision 118 is really easy to throw sideways and dump speed, even when I’m in the proverbial 2nd row of the backseat. At the same time, I can drive it quite hard through the shovels when needed. Again, it’s got a big sweet spot.

The upside to this ski’s low weight is that it’s extremely easy to get it airborne and throw it around. Even when switching from something marginally heavier, like the 186 cm Line Outline, the 183 cm Vision 118’s lower swing weight was noticeable. And when switching from the very heavy 189 cm Kye Shapes Numinous, well, the Vision 118 basically felt like I had nothing on my feet.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Line Vision 118 for Blister
Luke Koppa on the Line Vision 118, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

So, my main point is that the Vision 118 will appeal most to folks who either ski soft chop in a pretty controlled, slower manner, or those who ski really dynamically / light on their feet. Those who like a ski that lets them make high-speed GS turns through chop should look elsewhere.

Dylan: Yep, Luke said it best. The Vision 118 is a great tool for popping around at relatively slower speeds in soft shop (i.e., not skiing super fast, making huge turns). If you like to jump and hop around, slash the ski sideways and throw some snow in your face, and search for side hits in soft chop, the Vision 118 is a great tool for the job. However, if your main goal in soft chop is to see how few turns you can make in a run, there are heavier options out there that do the job much better.

Moguls, Trees, & Tight Terrain

Luke: Particularly compared to the numerous heavier options in this class, the Vision 118 really shines in tight spots. Ideally, those tight spots would be covered in soft and / or deep snow, but it’s generally just a very maneuverable ski.

As I just touched on, the Vision 118’s swing weight feels really light. Its tails are also very easy to release, and they’re forgiving if you get backseat. I.e., it has pretty much all the traits that tend to make a ski feel quick and maneuverable.

If we’re talking about really firm snow in tight spaces, the Vision 118 obviously wouldn’t be my top pick. It is, after all, 118 mm underfoot and quite light. But thanks to its forgiving flex pattern and big sweet spot, the Vision 118 makes survival skiing in rough conditions pretty easy while you search for better snow.

Of all the wider skis I’ve been on, the Vision 118 is definitely in my personal top 3 for skiing pow-filled trees.

Dylan: Again, the Vision 118 stands out due to how maneuverable it is. It is not difficult to take through tight spots, and can change directions quickly. This makes it a good tool for finding tighter-wooded pow stashes that may not be tracked out as much, or skiing soft moguls at the end of a pow day.

Firm Chop / Crud

Luke: I’ve had a great time skiing the Vision 118 on resort pow days, the soft chop that comes with them, and the day or two after a storm. But if it’s been several days since the last snow, or the snow has just been really packed down and consolidated into firm clumps, that’s where I’d definitely want to be on a heavier (and probably narrower) ski.

Again, this ski is predictable and easy to ski, so it doesn’t feel like a burden when making slow, controlled turns in rough conditions. But you’ll be wanting to make those sort of turns, rather than big, fast ones. If you try to nuke through crud on this ski, it’s not going to be easy, and probably not very fun. Those who want a fat ski that’s really stable in rough conditions should be looking at much heavier skis.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Line Vision 118 for Blister
Luke Koppa on the Line Vision 118, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

Dylan: Wanting your ~118 mm, lightweight pow ski to be damp and stable in rough, firm conditions is a lot to ask and will take away from other attributes of the ski that make it excel elsewhere. I wouldn’t want to be on the Vision 118 on hardpack conditions due to how light and wide it is. There are heavier pow skis out there that do better in firm conditions several days after a storm, but they aren’t as easy going or forgiving as the Vision 118.

Groomers

Luke: Not that groomer performance is particularly important for a 118mm-wide ski, but the Vision 118 carves really well for its size. It initiates carved turns surprisingly quickly, it can make a variety of turn shapes, and even produces a nice amount of pop coming out of a hard carve.

As long as we’re talking about somewhat soft groomers, the Vision 118 is a blast on piste for how wide it is. On really firm groomers, it’s more inclined to slarve / skid turns, but overall, it exceeds my expectations for how fun a ski this wide should / can be on groomed snow.

Dylan: I usually only ski groomers on pow skis when I am going to or returning from skiing soft off-piste snow. Usually, these groomers are greens and blues – not that steep. The Vision 118’s relatively tight sidecut radius makes it easy to initiate turns on these kinds of runs, and makes it a good option for those who like to carve on soft groomers when they inevitably find themselves on piste on a typical soft-snow day.

Playfulness

Luke: The Vision 118 is a really playful ski.

It feels very light and balanced in the air. It lets you ski with a centered, neutral stance. It’s easy to throw sideways. It’s poppy.

I.e., it checks all the boxes for the traits I’d list under the word “playful.”

Probably the only thing that I’d say limits the Vision 118’s playfulness compared to freestyle-oriented pow skis is the Vision’s tail splay / tail rocker. As several of Line’s athletes have shown, it is certainly possible to take off, land, and ski switch on this ski in deep snow. I feel like Dylan Siggers was going backward on it like half the time in his Intent video this year. But for a mere mortal like me, the Vision 118 requires just a bit more pressure on the shovels when I’m trying my stupid little 1’s into fresh snow, compared to something with more of a “true twin” tail.

Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the Line Vision 118 for Blister
Luke Koppa on the Line Vision 118, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

That aside, the Vision 118 is awesome for skiing with a playful style. It made me more inclined to spin and attempt to butter off things than most other skis in this class, particularly smaller hits since the Vision is so easy to throw around. And as long as I landed fairly balanced, it also felt supportive enough for bigger drops.

Dylan: Yep, agreed. The Vision 118 is about as playful as it gets in the realm of pow skis. It feels great popping and slashing around, skiing backward, throwing tricks, and whatever other soft-snow shenanigans you can get yourself into. As Luke mentioned, as long as you land fairly centered, the Vision 118 will allow you to try whatever in-air maneuver you can muster up the courage to try (but, always remember that you aren’t Dylan Siggers).

Who’s It For?

Luke: Skiers looking for a pow ski and who prioritize things like maneuverability, playfulness, quickness, and a generally easy, intuitive ride in most soft conditions.

While it feels natural in the air and is very playful overall, the Vision 118 can still be skied with a more directional, forward stance, so a lot of skiers could potentially get along well with it.

I think this ski would be extremely appealing for those who want a pow ski that they’ll use for touring and resort skiing (i.e., “50/50” use). It’s very light for its size and ideal for untracked turns in the backcountry, but if you’re ok with either dialing things back or skiing dynamically when the snow gets choppy, it can also function quite well as a resort pow ski. If it were me, I’d throw something like the CAST system, Marker Duke PT, or Salomon Shift on this ski and be very psyched.

For skiers who are only skiing via lifts, I think the Vision 118 is worth a look if you like to ski trees / tight terrain on a pow day, and / or want something that’s easy to flick around in the air. It’s still lots of fun in open terrain, just not as ideal if that terrain is all chopped up and you want to make big turns. Those looking for a resort chop destroyer should look to the far heavier options in our Buyer’s Guide.

If you’re only going to be earning your turns and not using lifts, then I think the Vision 118 stands out among other alternatives due to its playful, maneuverable, forgiving ride. It’s not the lightest ski in the wide-touring-ski category, but there are few skis that are as fat, light, and playful as the Vision 118. It makes mellow, rolling terrain a blast (and will probably encourage you to learn how to butter 3 in those spots), but especially in soft backcountry conditions, it can be pushed quite hard. If you find most lightweight pow skis too stiff, directional, or one-dimensional, the Vision 118 should be on your list.

Bottom Line

The Line Vision 118 is a ski that could be several things for different types of skiers. It can serve as that super playful pow ski that encourages you to try new tricks when the snow is deep. It can serve as that really maneuverable ski that makes skiing pow-filled glades easier and more fun. And it can serve as that ski you haul uphill under your own power so that you get to carve, slarve, and pop your way down untracked backcountry lines.

It is not the best choice for those who primarily want to ski super fast in choppy conditions, but if you want a surfy, playful, quick, easy pow ski, the Vision 118 warrants a closer look.

Deep Dive Comparisons

Become a Blister Member or Deep Dive subscriber to check out our Deep Dive comparisons of the Vision 118 to see how it compares to the Vision 108, Line Outline, Atomic Bent Chetler 120, Moment Wildcat Tour, Folsom Trophy Carbon, Majesty Vanguard, Movement Fly Two 115, Black Crows Anima, 4FRNT Inthayne, K2 Reckoner 122, Faction Candide 5.0, Volkl Revolt 121, J Skis Friend, Blizzard Rustler 11, Liberty Origin 112, Moment Wildcat, Salomon QST Blank, Parlor McFellon Pro, Icelantic Nomad 115, Prior CBC, & Kye Shapes Metamorph.

2021-2022 Line Vision 118, BLISTER

Rocker Pics:

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15 comments on “2021-2022 Line Vision 118”

  1. Looking forward to hearing how this compares to the LINE Pescado and when you would use this over the Pescado in the BC.

  2. Greetings, is there a review on this ski coming in a 189 cm length? It sounds like I have possibly found my touring ski replacement using the S/Lab Shift 13 binding . I wonder if the longer length will have a similar mount point compared to the 183cm length (-6.2 from TC) or does the mount point get progressively further back when going to a longer length? I am happiest in the -9.5 to-11.5 rear of TC range (so I could possibly re-mount at -2 from rec yielding a -8.5 from TC ski position). Did you get the chance to try any other position on this ski? And did you get to ski it in any crud/melt-refreeze junk snow conditions?
    Thanks,
    DHJ

  3. “Of all the wider skis I’ve been on, the Vision 118 is definitely in my personal top 3 for skiing pow-filled trees.” what are 1,2,3?

  4. Anyone mount the skis more forward from recommended? Or does anyone know what the C line above the R is referenced for – I assume it is a center mount but not true? When I compare Bent Chetler 120 recommended against this C is roughly 1cm for of BC120.

    • For a pow touring ski, we have no reason to worry about durability. We’ve primarily been using it inbounds at Mt. Crested Butte (notoriously rocky) and have had zero issues on the durability front.

  5. Hello
    I just bought mine in 189.
    And as many before I am curious about the mount point. I will use it for touring only and I wonder if it would be still good to do kickturns with some much Ski behind the bindings. I am used to way shorter tails. Any recommendations or thoughts about mounting the bindings about 3-5cm closer to the tail then recommend.

  6. It would be awesome for Blister to ski/review the Armada Whitewalker! Another ski I feel like is similar in intended use/category

  7. I know it’s been a while, but after reading the review a few times, I don’t see a comment on length other than it’s shorter than what you would normally pick. I’m in the 5’9” 175 lb range, and am curious how you would feel 183 vs 189.

    This would be a dedicated pow ski for things like Silverton mountain, and occasional bootpacking at Telluride up Palmyra.

    • Depends on which skis you’ve previously used and whether any felt particularly long or short. For me (5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg), the 183 cm Vision 118 is great for skiing pow, especially in tighter terrain, but it’s also pretty capable in more open terrain, provided the snow if consistently soft. If I were avoiding tight terrain and focusing on bigger, steeper lines (especially if there might be variable snow), then I’d probably bump up to the 189 cm length and be alright, given that it’s a fairly light, soft-ish, and rockered ski. To put that into perspective, most of my favorite pow skis range from 184-190 cm, so I’m pretty caught between the two lengths of the Vision 118, and therefore I think it’d come down to what sort of terrain and conditions I wanted to prioritize.

  8. Thanks Luke.

    I went ahead and got the 189s. They looked monstrous when they arrived, especially compared to my trusty 183 Vision 108s that I tour on.

    I don’t regret the 189s… I put a Duke setup and have used one day touring and one day at CB.

    I can slash them so easily that they have been absolutely perfect in the trees and bumps (soft), and float perfectly in the deep.

    I did mount them 2cm back from recommended just as my Vision 108s and feel that was a good choice as well.

    I initially had my 108s on recommended and felt I had to lean a bit too far back to keep them floating. I’m kinda wishing I had gone with 189 on the 108s too…

    I’m 5’9” 175 so I have a bit more meat to keep floating lol.

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