Ski: 2022-2023 Majesty Vadera Ti, 176 cm
Test Location: Mt. Crested Butte, CO; Taos Ski Valley, NM
Days Skied: 6
Available Lengths: 166, 171, 176, 181 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (straight-tape pull): 174.9 cm
Stated Weight Per Ski: 1880 grams
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 1860 & 1862 grams
Stated Dimensions: 140-110-125 mm
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 140.1-109.3-125.6 mm
Stated Sidecut Radius (176 cm): 21 meters
Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 67.5 mm / 16.5 mm
Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 4 mm
Core Materials: poplar/ash + titanal + fiberglass laminate
Base: “Fast Base” IS 7200
Factory Recommended Mount Point: -9.15 cm from center; 78.3 cm from tail
Boots / Bindings: Tecnica Cochise Pro W; Fischer Ranger 115 W / Tyrolia Attack 13 Demo
Intro
The Majesty Vadera Ti is the slightly softer, lighter sibling to Majesty’s Havoc Ti. The Havoc and Vadera are wider (~110 mm underfoot) directional freeride skis that are available in two different constructions: the lighter Vadera Carbon / Havoc Carbon and the heavier, more resort-oriented Vadera Ti / Havoc Ti.
For a metal-laminate ski at nearly ~110 mm underfoot, the Vadera Ti isn’t wildly heavy. So both its construction and weight had me wondering how it would handle conditions ranging from powder to chop, as well as less ideal conditions most of us ski on a daily basis.
After several days this season and last, the Vadera Ti has proven to be an intriguing option that defied initial expectations and assumptions.
Women-Specific Aspects of the Vadera Ti
Majesty markets the Vadera Ti as a ski that is built for lighter, younger, and/or female skiers that want a hard-charging directional ski. The Havoc Ti is positioned as the stiffer unisex version, whereas the Vadera is just a touch lighter and a little softer in its flex pattern.
However, the Vadera Ti’s construction is just minorly altered from that of the Havoc Ti. Majesty achieved this difference by utilizing a tip-to-tail paulownia wood core with poplar inserts in the Vadera Ti, and a poplar and ash wood core for the Havoc Ti.
For women who would prefer the stiffer ski, the Havoc Ti is available in lengths starting at 166 cm. Conversely, the Vadera Ti is offered in lengths as long as a 181 cm, ensuring plenty of options for people opting for either the stiffer or softer versions of this ski.
What Majesty says about the Vadera Ti
“Titanal reinforced all-terrain freeride skis built for women.
Vadera Ti are technical, high performance directional freeride skis that focus on enhanced stability, responsiveness, power transmission and strong edge-to-edge skiing.
Built for the most demanding female freeriders, the Vadera Ti is the Havoc Ti’s little sister and it was built slightly lighter with a minimally softer flex. Its 4Radius sidecut enables confident turns, with improved stability and control in any terrain. This sidecut design enables better and longer edge hold so you can get more efficiency out of each turn. Making quick, tight turns feels as instinctive as carving long big-mountain turns because you can easily release the edge exactly when you need it. The Vadera Ti will boost your confidence in turns regardless of your speed, snow conditions or terrain. The 4Radius rocker tips reduce drag, maximize control and top speed. Vadera Ti skis were built for speed and adaptability with its flagship features including dynamic responsiveness and precise handling in difficult terrain. In a nutshell, versatility is its middle name.”
Shape / Rocker Profile
The Vadera Ti has a fairly wide and moderately tapered shovel with a fairly deep tip rocker line. With some pretty average camber underfoot, a much shallower tail rocker line, and minimal tail splay, the Vadera’s rocker and taper up front definitely stand out the most. That said, it’s overall design isn’t very radical — it’s fairly similar to several narrower skis in terms of shape and rocker profile.
Flex Pattern
Here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the Vadera Ti:
Tips: 6
Shovels: 6-7.5
In Front of Toe Piece: 8-9.5
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 10-9.5
Tails: 9.5-8.5
Sidecut Radius
Majesty builds the Vadera and Havoc skis with their “4Radius” sidecut, which blends four different radii through various parts of the ski to achieve better turn-shape versatility. The Vadera Ti has a stated sidecut radius of 21 meters (the average of its 4 total radii) across all of its lengths.
Mount Point
To accent its directional rocker pattern, shape, and flex pattern, the Vadera Ti has a fairly rearward recommended mount point of -9.15 cm from the center.
Weight
Considering the width and surface area provided by the 176 cm Vadera Ti, and the fact that it’s a metal-laminate ski, the Vadera Ti is a bit lighter than expected. While its weight is comparable to several other wider skis with metal, it is a bit lighter than some of its most direct comparisons, such as the Faction Dancer 3X. That said, there are many skis that the Vadera Ti is quite similar to as far as weight goes.
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.
1676 & 1700 Majesty Vadera Carbon, 176 cm (22/23)
1693 & 1710 Moment Sierra, 172 cm (21/22)
1709 & 1710 Blizzard Sheeva 10, 172 cm (17/18–22/23)
1735 & 1740 K2 Mindbender 106C, 175 cm (21/22-22/23)
1741 & 1747 Nordica Unleashed 98 W, 174 cm (22/23)
1787 & 1798 Faction Dancer 2X, 172 cm (22/23)
1792 & 1792 Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free, 172 cm (20/21–22/23)
1797 & 1839 Rossignol Rallybird 102, 170 cm (20/21–22/23)
1806 & 1821 Blizzard Sheeva 11, 172 cm (17/18–19/20)
1831 & 1852 Rossignol Rallybird 104 Ti, 171 cm (20/21–22/23)
1836 & 1838 Armada ARW 106 UL, 180 cm (21/22-22/23)
1847 & 1854 Wagner Summit 106 W, 172 cm (21/22-22/23)
1860 & 1862 Majesty Vadera Ti, 176 cm, (22/23)
1867 & 1890 K2 Mindbender 115C, 179 cm (21/22-22/23)
1878 & 1891 Salomon QST Stella 106, 173 cm (22/23)
1881 & 1895 Salomon QST Lumen 99, 174 cm (19/20–21/22)
1917 & 1935 Nordica Santa Ana 98, 172 cm (20/21–22/23)
1928 & 1945 K2 Mindbender 99Ti W, 172 cm (22/23)
1933 & 1975 Volkl Secret 96, 170 cm (21/22–22/23)
1955 & 1990 Coalition Snow SOS, 173 cm (19/20–20/21)
1958 & 1960 Faction Dancer 3X, 172 cm (22/23)
1969 & 1988 4FRNT MSP CC, 171 cm (20/21–22/23)
1983 & 1999 Nordica Santa Ana 100, 177 cm (18/19 – 19/20)
2015 & 2024 Blizzard Black Pearl 97, 171 cm (20/21–22/23)
2074 & 2088 Line Blade Optic 104, 178 cm (22/23)
2104 & 2115 Volkl Secret 102, 170 cm (19/20–22/23)
Now, onto on-snow performance:
FULL REVIEW
Moguls, Trees, & Tight Terrain
Kara Williard (5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg): If you would have told me I’d (happily) spend quite a few early and late season days lapping moguls on a ski that was ~110 mm underfoot, I would have struggled to believe you. But within a few turns on the Vadera Ti, I quickly noticed it was a ski that handled moguls quite well and felt surprisingly stable on days when the snow was less than ideal.
The Vadera Ti is a relatively quick ski, notably easy to skid / slide around, and quite lively. I also found the tail to be supportive in a way that provides some energy, rebound, and reassuring support in firm snow, but also wasn’t difficult to maneuver or roll out of turns.
While the Majesty Vadera Ti isn’t the most optimal ski to ski moguls on, it is quite surprising just how well it handles even the larger, firmer moguls I frequent throughout a season. It feels pretty smooth and damp, but also forgiving enough to whip around and come in and out of turns without a ton of effort.
The Vadera Ti offers quite a few favorable features when it comes to tight terrain and trees. It’s easy to initiate and slide into tight, quick turns. This is helpful in really steep terrain when I prefer to make lots of smaller hop-style or skidded turns, rather than big arcs at speed, while its stiffness and fairly damp construction help it mute out harsh vibrations when I feel like skiing faster. That, combined with its fairly low swing weight and supportive but forgiving flex pattern, makes it quite capable in technical terrain, especially for a ski this wide.
Soft Chop & Powder
In soft conditions, the Vadera Ti offers a very respectable mixture of stability, quickness, and flotation. The shovels have no problem planing to the top on most pow days, without getting knocked around a whole lot when the fresh snow gets cut up.
While it’s not the loosest, most poppy, or most playful powder ski, it’s a great option for someone who wants decent maneuverability while still having a damp, directional ski for skiing faster in more open terrain. Compared to some of the heavier options out there, I found the Vadera Ti to just be a little easier to handle, while not feeling overly punishing or stiff when I found myself thrown off-balance, though if maximum stability in deep chop is a priority for you, going with something a bit heavier might be the right call.
Firm Chop / Crud
The Vadera Ti isn’t the most damp ski in really rough snow, but mixture of agility and suspension can still be beneficial when the chop turns to full-on crud.
Overall, the Vadera Ti feels most intuitive when skied with a forward stance, but it also doesn’t demand perfect technique and can be skied with a slightly more upright and relaxed stance better than some other metal-laminate, directional skis.
There were a few times when the Vadera Ti’s softer shovel (relative to the rest of the ski) felt a little more apparent than I would like it to, to the point where it slightly hampered the ski’s composure / stability. This was mostly on firm or rough snow in steep terrain, and while it wasn’t compromising, I did find myself tentative and working to not over-flex the shovel. Apart from feeling this a couple of times, I did find the overall flex pattern of the Vadera Ti to feel intuitive; despite its stronger, stiffer tail, I never felt it lurching me forward or feeling difficult to manage even in unforgiving conditions.
Luke Koppa (5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg): I spent a day on the 176 cm Vadera Ti (somewhat accidentally), and despite it being much shorter than I’d usually pick for a ski of this width, I found it quite intuitive overall and agree with everything Kara has said. I didn’t really notice any unpredictable “shovel folding” during my day, though I also tend to ski with a stance that blurs the line between fully “forward” and fully “centered,” so I think if your skiing style is somewhat similar and you don’t frequently find yourself wishing skis were stiffer through the shovels, I wouldn’t worry too much about the Vadera Ti.
Groomers
Kara: Again, the Vadera Ti isn’t the ski that I would typically opt for on a majority of the firm days at Mt. Crested Butte, but similar to its performance in firm bump and tree lines, it’s not a ski that I am mad about carving on groomers, either.
On groomers, I found the Vadera Ti to offer quite a bit of energy when bent, while being easy to feather and adapt turn shape on the go. For a powder ski, the Vadera Ti is quite a bit of fun on groomers and feels pretty fluid and intuitive when switching from smaller to larger turns. It’s obviously not as precise, quick, or secure on edge as many narrower all-mountain skis, but the Vadera Ti does an impressive job of locking into turns on piste and feeling relatively smooth and stable throughout.
Luke: Fully agreed — I was really impressed by the Vadera Ti’s turn initiation, edge hold, and energy on piste. This was probably aided by the fact that I was skiing it in a length that’s much shorter than I usually do, but regardless of that, it still carved really well for a ski of its width.
Playfulness
Kara: The Vadera Ti is playful in terms of how quick and lively it is, but it is not all that playful in a “freestyle” sense. If you’re specifically looking for a super loose, poppy, balanced, freestyle-friendly ski, you’ve got better options.
But for a directional skier who is seeking a pretty stable, wider ski that will feel fairly quick and forgiving in tight terrain, energetic in bumps, and is pretty surfy and maneuverable in powder, the Vadera Ti is an excellent option.
Length
Kara: Overall, the 176 cm Vadera Ti felt mostly ideal for me. For reference, I tend to enjoy skis in lengths anywhere from 170 cm to 180 cm, generally opting toward the longer end when it comes to powder skis and/or skis with significant tip splay / rocker.
I think if I was using it strictly as a powder ski, I’d be tempted to opt for the increased flotation and stability of the 181 cm version.
But for the wide spectrum of terrain and conditions I found myself in on the 176 cm Vadera Ti, I was pretty satisfied with its maneuverability-to-stability ratio. I think more intriguing than going up in length with the Vadera Ti would be to compare the 176 cm Havoc Ti to the 176 cm Vadera Ti, just to gauge how the fairly minor constructional differences help or hinder the skis’ stability, agility, etc.
Luke: Unsurprisingly, the 176 cm Vadera Ti felt quite short to me overall, especially in soft snow; it was surprisingly intuitive in firm snow, but less stable than I prefer. (I usually prefer skis around this width in lengths ranging from ~182 cm to ~192 cm.) So I don’t see much reason for people to instantly size up or down; if caught between sizes, it’d just be the usual logic of going bigger for more flotation and stability or shorter for improved maneuverability.
Who’s It For?
Kara: The Vadera Ti makes a lot of sense in a few different scenarios. For one, if you are a directional skier who prioritizes stability but also doesn’t want the heaviest or most demanding ski on which to enjoy the soft days, the Vadera Ti is a worthy contender. It floats well and is maneuverable in soft snow, but doesn’t feel sketchy in firmer conditions.
On that note, it’s also a worthwhile option if you’re specifically looking for a versatile powder-oriented ski, or perhaps a 1-ski quiver in areas that get lots of fresh snow.
It’s neither the most damp, stable ski in its class, nor the most playful or maneuverable. But it does a lot of things quite well, especially for a 110mm-wide ski, meaning it’s not limited to some niche demographic.
Bottom Line
The Vadera Ti is a rare ski in terms of how well it works across a variety of conditions, while also being a blast in powder and soft snow. There are narrower skis that handle firm snow better and more playful skis that encourage a more playful, less directional skiing style, the Vadera Ti offers an intriguing combination of stability, damping, and maneuverability.
So for someone who wants a pretty damp, substantial, wider ski that isn’t overly heavy or demanding, the Vadera Ti is worth a close look.
Deep Dive Comparisons
Become a Blister Member or Deep Dive subscriber to check out our Deep Dive comparisons of the Vadera Ti to see how it compares to the Armada ARW 106 UL, Blizzard Sheeva 11, Faction Dancer 3X, Fischer Ranger 102, K2 Mindbender 106C, K2 Mindbender 115C, Line Blade Optic 104, Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free, Majesty Vadera Carbon, Salomon QST Stella 106, & Wagner Summit 106.
Any thoughts on mount point with this ski? Would it make a difference to go +1 from the line. Sounds pretty playful as is.