Chop/Crud
While it certainly can snow a lot in Utah, as soon as it stops dumping, the snow quickly turns to deep chop and crud. The Bibby has done nothing but inspire confidence in these conditions, equally able to float over the surface, blow through pillows, or boost off anything resembling a launch ramp.
In my review of the 13/14 192cm Atomic Bent Chetler, I commented on its proficiency in deep Utah chop. But after back-to-back testing of the Bibby and the Bent Chetler I have found that the much shorter 186cm Bibby gives up nothing to the big Bent Chetler, all while being even more maneuverable because of its shorter length.
Freestyle
Moment describes the new Bibby as being more powder oriented than its predecessor, while still having the ability to rally chop. I agree, but more important to me is that they also describe the new ski as being more playful.
So while others here at Blister have labeled the previous iteration the ultimate “playful charger,” I would be inclined to call the new Bibby the ultimate “jibby charger”.
The Blister Pro is playful in that you can pop off of this and that and throw the skis sideways to slash pockets of fresh snow, but it was hardly known for its “jibby” character.
The shape of the new Bibby allows the rider to move the bindings farther forward to balance out the swing weight, and opens up a world of powder nose butters and switch landings while, in my opinion, being no slouch in terms of deep snow flotation or the ability to charge through chop and crud.
The Bibby’s flex pattern provides a smooth and predictable takeoff whether I’m leaving the lip of a nicely shaped kicker, or carving off a natural feature.
Returning back to earth is a similarly pleasant experience, where the surface area and flex of the ski provide a strong, stable base to land on.
In the air, the Bibby feels very manageable and comparable to anything I’ve ridden that’s close to it in size. It is not quite as easy to flick around in the air as the Opus, which has a very low swing weight, but it is easier to manage than the 13/14 192cm Bent Chetler—which is not truly a fair comparison, given the 7cm difference in (straight tape pull) length.
Flex Pattern
I have frequently mentioned my preference for skis that have a well-balanced and progressive flex from tip to tail, so I should note that the Bibby is the first ski that I’ve really enjoyed that doesn’t necessarily fit that description perfectly.
With the bindings slid forward of the recommended line, the portion of the ski directly in front of my boot does feel a little softer than the rear portion just behind my boot; more specifically, the portion of the ski underfoot that typically feels strongest, extends behind my boot a bit farther than I usually prefer. But I’ve actually grown to accept this for three primary reasons:
1) The front of the ski is still very supportive (never folding up or feeling hingy), and the portion of the ski behind the stiff zone is quite workable for tail presses and ollies. It is progressive and forgiving, not harsh.
2) The ski is rock solid on all landings, no matter how big you go.
3) More surprisingly, the Bibby makes stomping bigger airs to switch pow landings easier than any other ski I’ve ever been on. The ski never folds up or overturns, yet it still planes to the surface with great ease.
Bumps
The Bibby is a pretty big ski to go slithering through moguls on, but it is manageable so long as the snow is soft. The ski is quick, fairly stout, and has a decently long tail with the bindings slid forward as I had them, so navigating bumps while staying on my toes and not slacking off has been rewarded, while poor technique and forgetting about those longer tails is quickly punished.
The Line Opus is much easier to manage and confidence inspiring than the Bibby in these snow conditions, so long as speed is held in check.
Groomers
As I point out in most of my reviews, with a ski like the Bibby, the only performance characteristic I really care about on groomers is that it can get me back to the lift without knocking the smile off my face from the off-piste portion of my run.
The Bibby does this, and more.
I found the ski to carve medium-radius turns very easily, while providing a nice little boost from turn to turn when released from each edge.
Given the shape and short effective-edge length, it should be no surprise the ski is easy to break free and skid turns of just about any length. For anyone looking for a ski that they can ski aggressively off-piste one run, then move to the bunny hill with the kids the next, the Bibby will absolutely do to the job.
If you are looking for a less stout ski that is very easy and nimble when putzing around on groomers, check out the Opus.
Firm Snow
I haven’t actually been able to ride the Bibby regularly in firm conditions, primarily due to the fact that I have had other narrower skis to test when conditions were firm. So I’ll post more on this when I have the chance to ski the Bibby in firm, mid-winter conditions.
I’m eager to see how the Bibby will compare to the Opus, which is quite impressive (given its intended use, width, and flex) at taming nasty, firm, conditions.
Who’s It For?
The new Bibby is for aggressive, off-piste skiers who also have a solid bag of tricks up their sleeves.
And bigger skiers who are afraid they are going to overwhelm a ski like the Opus and Bent Chetler around the mountain, but who still want a playful ski capable of tricking it up, should also have a close eye on the Bibby.
Average-size skiers looking to expand their skills to include more trickery, and want a devoted tool that will promote that growth, should look more closely at the Opus.
Bottom Line
The fact is that there are a lot of great soft-snow, freestyle-oriented skis on the market. Of the skis I have ridden in this category (and even down to about 105mm underfoot), the Bibby offers the best combination of providing a solid platform for aggressive, off-piste skiing in soft snow, while still being quite easy to ride and very capable of tricking, buttering, and hand dragging till your heart’s content.
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Sooooo, Jason; does it finally dethrone the Rossignol Sickle? ;)
I wouldn’t necessarily consider the Bibby vs. Sickle an apples to apples comparison. The Bibby is significantly larger and has a shape intended to excel in soft snow, while the smaller Sickle has a shape that impeccably balances soft and hard snow performance. I am confident stating the Bibby offers a greater degree of stability during fast “big-mountain” skiing in most soft snow conditions (while still being very trick-able), but the Bibby is not nearly as intuitive and easy to ride as the Sickle. When you move to more firm conditions, the Sickle certainly outperforms the big Bibby, just as you might expect with it’s narrower dimensions and longer effective edge.
would love to see what’s your take on a bibby/blister a/b with 122/114 jeffrey!
Sounds a lot like the 2015 Atomic Automatic 117 to me. Which is another amazing ski you need to get out and try if you haven’t already. Great review anyhow Jason! Would love to see one on the Automatic sometime, which is my personal favourite ski I’ve ever owned.
The new bentchetler is amazing. I cant wait to see your review on it! The stability went through the roof, while keeping almost all the playfulness. Category defining jib-charger.
Hello, have you monted yours Chets?
Sorry I meant, where have you mounted
I’m excited too! Word on the street is we have both lengths and I should be on them pretty soon.
Great review! I think i’ve realized this ski isn’t for me though… I’ve been on the 176(ish?) SFB the past few years an absolutely love it, but i’m looking for a longer/fatter ski for a trip to argentina in august (I’m 5’9″ and 60kg). As much as i would love to own these, from the sound of it, it wouldn’t suit my style (after hearing all the comparisons with the opus, thats looking like a better option). Any chance you’ll try out the Faction Candide 4.0? They’re the only ski on my radar at the moment other than the magnum opus.
Awesome review and it sounds like an awesome ski, just not for me!
All of the Faction Candide’s are at the very top of my wish list of skis to test. Unfortunately, not one pair has made it through my door as of yet. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!
BTW, if you love the Bacon and just want something longer/fatter, but just as easy and playful, definitely grab the Opus. If you like to play around it’s impossible not to fall in love with that ski.
I have seen the chipotle banana on backcountry but I have not really been able to find much feedback/reviews about it… any thoughts,comments? what does it compare to in the moment lineup as far as aggressiveness/stiffness. Thanks!
WOW Jason You nailed the new Bibby spot on, I love it over the old one also, I got a pair at the end of last season and mounted them at +2 but I am a little heavier then you 175lbs. They ski great there, quick, surfy, yet can still able to drive the tips in crud& chop, I still think they might even be better going foreword another 1-2cm, my only complaint is I wish they would have killed the camber on them, they still have about 5mm, and when you go into those real hard hand drag slashes you can feel the cambers resistance when their sliding around, and it would make it even better in the pow. even though they float really good, I was surprised, even where I have them mounted I have skied very foreword in knee to thigh deep snow with no tip dive at all. I’m bummed Moment gave into the pressure to bring back the old shape, oh well, I have some Ghost trains on the way maybe they will ski like the current Bibby but with no camber. Keep up the great reviews, you and I like the exact same type of skis. .
Great review Jason, these sound like an awesome setup. I’m currently skiing on Line SFB from 2010 (had a knee injury between now and then and took a number of years off). Skis are finally on their last legs and I’m looking for a new setup. I love the stability, playfulness, and float the SFBs have in pow, but I’ve always felt them to be a bit too heavy and hard to manage in tight trees or bumps. I still manage to do well in them and I find them to perform very well on groomers despite their width. Been primarily looking at the moment bibbys or armada norwalks. Hoping to find a quiver of one ski but may also be touring with these for a few days per season. I’m 6’0 155lbs and have been skiing the 182s. Any help would be appreciated!
Hi, Jon – just to clarify, this specific model year of the Bibby doesn’t exist anymore. So you’d need to find these used. Search the site for the 15/16 and 16/17 Bibby for more information.