2nd Look: 2012-2013 Line Pandora

My primary ski is a 162cm K2 Phat Luv, which is quite a bit smaller than the Pandora and likes to be skied in a forward, driving stance. But when I tried this same stance on variable snow conditions and hard pack with the Pandora, I tended to get thrown around more than I expected. With its more centered mount and vastly different shape, the Pandora preferred to be skied from a more neutral position. Once I adjusted, however, skiing it has been like second nature. By shifting my weight back a little, I found the Pandora smeared across the snow in much smoother turns.

Line Pandora, Blister Gear Review
Stella Selden, Eagle’s Nest, Alta Ski Area.

Later in my testing, I got some intermittent spring skiing conditions and bumpy hard pack, which meant I got to test the Pandora in firm moguls, groomers, and hard crud. Moguls were Julia’s least favorite condition on the Pandora, but I didn’t mind the Pandora’s large size in the bumps, and was very impressed with how maneuverable they were. I was able to make tight turns quickly and maintain control, thanks to its lightweight core, extra thin tips and tails, and short 15.5-meter turn radius. The Pandora also felt predictable as I changed from a forward stance around each mogul to a more neutral stance before coming into the next bump.

I had a more difficult time, however, controlling them in variable snow where bumps and snow density were inconsistent. In such conditions I needed to make constant adjustments in my stance to maintain control.

On groomers, the Pandora was surprisingly easy to roll over from edge to edge, given how wide they are. They liked to go fast and felt very stable at high speeds. They turned smoothly in everything from large arching turns to faster slalom turns. Some of this can be attributed to the subtle early rise tip, which keeps the skis from being too hooky while transitioning into a new turn. Additionally, the Pandora has no tail rocker, which allows more edge contact throughout the turn compared to rockered skis. These skis have enough early rise to float in powder, but not so much that you feel unstable on them ripping groomers.

This season I have been in the market for a bigger powder ski that still performs well in a variety of conditions. Additionally, I have wanted a ski that could push my skiing to the next level and challenge me while helping me conquer varied slopes more aggressively and at higher speeds. After skiing on the Line Pandora, I can certainly say that this ski fits the mold. I would recommend the Pandora to any aggressive female skier looking for a phenomenal powder ski that can also be taken anywhere on the mountain, whether it be a chopped-up day after a storm, a mashed potato spring skiing day, or hard pack conditions.

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