Season Forma Ski

Ski: Season Forma, 183 cm

Test Location: Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado

Days Skied: 8

Available Lengths: 167, 183 cm

Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (straight-tape pull): 182.1 cm

Stated Weight per Ski: 2200 grams

Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 2206 & 2224 grams

Stated Dimensions: 148-118-138 mm

Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 146.5-117.2-137.0 mm

Stated Sidecut Radius (183 cm): 19.5 meters

Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 57 mm / 20 mm

Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 7 mm

Core: paulownia + fiberglass laminate + stainless steel tail inserts

Base: sintered

Factory Recommended Mount Point: -7.65 cm from center; 83.4 cm from tail

Boots / Bindings: Tecnica Mach1 130 MV / Salomon Warden MNC 13

Luke Koppa reviews the Season Forma for Blister
Season Forma Ski — top sheet
Review Navigation:  Specs //  First Look //  Full Review //  Bottom Line //  Rocker Pics

Intro

We get on a lot of skis in a given year, and many of them are quite good for certain types of skiers. But many of them also feel somewhat similar, since there are only so many things you can change while still making a ski that’s going to be intuitive to a wide range of skiers.

But the Season Forma ski feels quite different from most skis, and that’s a big part of why it’s stood out so much to me this season — in a good way.

As the widest option in their unisex ski lineup, Season says the Forma is “playful and agile, shaped to plane in fresh snow.”

That’s a pretty concise description for a ski, and while I don’t disagree with it, here I’ll try to expand on why I think this ski warrants a very close look from folks seeking a different, uniquely fun ride in soft conditions.

(Oh, and if you haven’t already, enter our Gear Giveaway this week for a chance to win this ski, or any of Season’s other boards or skis.)

Luke Koppa reviews the Season Forma for Blister
Luke Koppa on the Season Forma, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado. (photo by Taylor Ahearn)

Construction

Like the Season Nexus ski, the Forma features a paulownia wood core, fiberglass laminate, sintered base, and a stainless steel insert at the tail for added durability.

This construction isn’t anything unusual, but talking to Season’s engineer, Andy Hytjan (who Blister Podcast listeners might know from episodes #8 and #27), he made a point to highlight the rounded top sheet / sidewall seam on their skis, which apparently required some pretty involved CNC machining of the molds to achieve.

While I don’t typically pay much attention to the sidewalls of skis, I will note that the Season skis feel really smooth — and their sidewalls seem to be notably less prone to chipping than a lot of skis. I bang my skis together a lot, and apart from some scuffs on the top sheet from my pole tips, all three Season skis are still looking quite good after many days of use.

Shape / Rocker Profile

The Forma doesn’t look like most skis, in large part due to its hollowed-out tail. I’m gonna call it a swallowtail, but for any of the surfers out there, feel free to correct me if there’s a more accurate name. But anyway, the Forma’s tail features a cutout that’s meant to add flotation by sinking the tail, and decrease the torsional rigidity in that area.

Different-looking tail aside, the Forma features a directional shape with a pretty wide shovel. There are very smooth lines throughout, with a moderate level of tip taper (for a playful, 118mm-wide ski) and very minimal tail taper.

That shape is paired with a not-super-radical rocker profile. The Forma has shallower tip and tail rocker lines than a lot of skis this wide, and a pretty subtle amount of tail rocker. It also has a considerable amount of camber underfoot (7 mm on our pair), particularly for a ski this wide.

Obviously, we have to bring up the Line Pescado since it’s the most notable swallowtail ski in this class and Season founder, Eric Pollard, helped design it. Compared to the Pescado, the Forma’s tips and tails are slightly more tapered, and it’s narrower overall with a 118 mm waist in the 183 cm length, compared to the 180 cm Pescado’s 124 mm waist.

Flex Pattern

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

Tips: 6
Shovels: 6.5-7.5
In Front of Toe Piece: 8-9.5
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 9.5-8.5
Tails: 8-7.5

Hand-flexing the 183 cm Forma, it has a moderate, fairly directional flex pattern. Its tips are pretty easy to bend and it pretty quickly (but smoothly) stiffens up as you move to the middle of the ski, and it smoothly ramps down in stiffness as you move to its tail, which is a bit stiffer than its tips / shovels.

This isn’t a super burly flex pattern by any means, but it’s also stiffer overall than many of the skis in the “More Playful” powder ski section in our Buyer’s Guide.

Sidecut Radius

At 19.5 meters for the 183 cm length, the Forma’s sidecut radius isn’t anything wildly out of the ordinary, though it’s slightly on the tighter side for a pow ski.

Season Forma Ski, BLISTER

Mount Point

Season’s other two skis, the Aero and Nexus, have recommended mount points that are pretty close to the true center of those skis. The Forma stands out in the line with its more directional mount point.

At about -7.5 cm from true center, the Forma’s recommended mount point is certainly not the most rearward out there, but it’s a bit farther back than most freestyle-oriented pow skis.

Weight

The Forma is not an ultralight ski, and that’s part of why I got really excited about it as a resort ski when I first saw its specs. At about 2215 g per ski for our pair, the Forma sits on the heavier side of the spectrum, though there are lots of similarly wide skis coming in at pretty comparable (or heavier) weights. This is one big area where the Forma and Pescado differ a lot — the Pescado is about 400 grams lighter per ski.

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.

1710 & 1744 Atomic Bent Chetler 120, 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 (20/21–21/22)
1895 & 1906 Folsom Trophy Carbon, 188 cm (19/20–21/22)
1897 & 1913 Majesty Vanguard, 188 cm (20/21–21/22)
2006 & 2063 Elan Ripstick 116, 193 cm (20/21–21/22)
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)
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)
2206 & 2224 Season Forma, 183 cm (20/21)
2212 & 2215 Armada ARV 116 JJ, 185 cm (17/18–21/22)
2222 & 2278 Prior CBC, 184 cm (17/18–20/21)
2234 & 2261 DPS Foundation Koala 118, 184 cm (21/22)
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 (19/20–21/22)
2259 & 2279 Black Crows Anima, 189.2 cm (20/21–21/22)
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)

FULL REVIEW

Powder

Luke Koppa (5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg): I’ll keep it brief — the Forma is one of my personal favorite skis for fresh snow.

The end. Review’s done.

Luke Koppa reviews the Season Forma for Blister
Luke Koppa on the Season Forma, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado. (photo by Taylor Ahearn)

Just kidding. This is Blister, so you know I’m going to write arguably too many words detailing what I mean here.

One of the standout characteristics of the Forma is how loose it feels in soft conditions. And really, the interesting thing is the way that it feels loose.

Many skis with a lot of tail rocker and / or very tapered tips and tails feel like they want to pivot from the middle of the ski, sliding sideways down the fall line.

On the Forma, it feels like the pivot point is at the shovel of the ski, rather than in the middle. It’s a tough thing to describe, but put some pressure on the Forma’s big shovels, and it’s incredibly easy to swing the rest of the ski around into a slash.

I hopped on the pow-surf bandwagon this year, and the Forma is one of the only skis I’ve been on that reminds me of (certain) boards in powder. Particularly, pow surfers with huge noses that let you ride them front-foot-heavy. Like those boards, the Forma requires very little effort to quickly slash through tight, pow-filled trees, allowing you to pivot off its shovels and bring the tails around with minimal effort.

I’m not saying the way the Forma slashes through deep snow is better than other fat skis, it’s just different. And I really like how it feels.

One upside with the Forma compared to most other pow skis is that, while it can slash its way through pow, it can just as happily carve through fresh snow. And thanks to its fat shovels, you can carve fairly tight turns on this ski. Combined with its uniquely loose ride, that makes the Forma an absolute blast in varied, rolling terrain where you can get creative with your line choices. It’s cliche, but just go look at Eric Pollard (or, for that matter, Austin Smith’s) social media — on the Forma, I feel inspired to mimic those guys and just lay down clean, fluid lines when the snow is good.

At the same time, the Forma has never felt hooky to me, so in more open terrain that’s covered in nice, fresh snow, I could comfortably make pretty big, drawn-out arcs.

I typically use the word “surfy” to describe skis that are loose and easy to throw sideways. But the Forma is a ski that makes me think of actual surfing, where you’re not just slashing sideways, but also carving up and down a wave.

Luke Koppa reviews the Season Forma for Blister
Luke Koppa on the Season Forma, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado. (photo by Taylor Ahearn)

Season says the Forma is “shaped to plane in fresh snow,” and I’d say it does that quite well. The 183 cm length is currently the longest option, and I was initially worried I’d be wishing for more flotation (I usually get along best with pow skis in the 184–190 cm range). But I’ve never experienced any tip dive on this ski, and even at moderate speeds on mellow terrain, its tips did a great job of rising to the top of the snow. I’m sure there are larger individuals who would appreciate a longer ski, but I wouldn’t immediately write off the Forma if you typically ski something a few cm’s longer.

All in all, I love the Forma in pow. It floats well, it slashes easily, and it can carve turns that I can look back at and be proud of.

Soft Chop

I was initially a bit worried about the Forma in soft chop. It looks like kind of a weird ski, it’s not super stiff, and it has a fairly tight sidecut radius.

And while it wouldn’t be my top recommendation for those who primarily like to make big, fast turns in chop, the Forma can still be a blast in cut-up pow.

One of the Forma’s big upsides here is its weight. It is not super light, and that helps a lot when the snow is no longer untracked. This ski offers very nice suspension and enough mass to do a pretty good job of blasting through other people’s tracks.

The Forma still responds best to a more deliberate skiing style in soft chop. If I try to just ignore what’s in front of me and ski right through it, the Forma will get knocked around more than some of the similarly heavy, longer skis I’ve been on in this class. But the Forma feels more stable in chop than many of the lighter options.

Luke Koppa reviews the Season Forma for Blister
Luke Koppa on the Season Forma, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

And the nice thing in chop is that the Forma’s maneuverability still makes it easy to take it slow, or just shut things down quickly when skiing fast. Again, throwing this ski sideways is quite easy, and it’s also happy to strategically carve through cleaner sections of snow to avoid high-speed impacts with more set-up patches of chop.

While I haven’t skied the Line Pescado, given just how much lighter it is compared to the Forma, I know I’d prefer the Forma for resort pow days where a lot of the day is going to be spent skiing chop.

Moguls, Trees, & Tight Terrain

The Forma is so much fun in tight terrain. I’ve already spewed many words about its maneuverability specifically in powder, but it’s worth reiterating how enjoyable this ski makes skiing in tight spots.

Again, the Forma has a distinct pivot point in its shovels. And while I typically ski through bumps and trees with a somewhat centered stance, the Forma still felt really intuitive. Just put a bit of pressure on the front of the ski, and its tails will easily come around when you want. Or in more spaced-out bumps and trees, carve your way through.

Luke Koppa reviews the Season Forma for Blister
Luke Koppa on the Season Forma, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

The Forma will also let you get a little sloppy in tight spots. There are more playful, forgiving skis that will let you steer them more easily from the backseat, but the 183 cm Forma does not feel like a very demanding ski.

I didn’t love the Forma in some of the extremely tight bump lines at Mt. Crested Butte (where I would’ve preferred something narrower) and it’s obviously not ideal for really firm conditions, but if things were slightly soft, the Forma was tons of fun in this sort of terrain.

Firm Chop / Crud

The Forma isn’t the first ski I’d pick for these challenging conditions, but it’s far from the worst ski in its class. As I noted above, this ski offers pretty nice suspension and does a good job of making harsh snow feel a bit less jarring.

Add on the Forma’s fairly forgiving flex pattern and maneuverable ride, and the Forma makes it easy to ski through rough snow in a controlled manner. There are many better skis out there if you’re someone who wants to be able to ignore the conditions and just ski fast no matter what the snow is like that day. But the Forma is more predictable and comfortable on rough conditions than the many lighter options out there.

Luke Koppa reviews the Season Forma for Blister
Luke Koppa on the Season Forma, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

Groomers

For a 118mm-wide ski, the Forma is a lot of fun on groomers. While its edge hold isn’t great on very firm, scraped-off snow, on typical “pow day groomers” that are fairly soft, the Forma makes getting back to the lift a lot more exciting and enjoyable than many of the pow skis out there with longer sidecut radii, more tapered tips and tails, and / or more rocker.

And on the few runs I got on this ski in slush, it was similarly fun. You can carve it pretty hard and bend it into a wide variety of turn shapes. Oh, and it carves switch surprisingly well (just not in deep snow).

Playfulness

When considering the various aspects of ski performance that go into the word “playfulness,” the Forma checks some of the boxes, but not others.

Overall, I think the Forma is best described as a playful directional ski. By that, I mean it doesn’t feel like a ski that wants to spin or flip a bunch, or ski switch in deep snow, but it certainly doesn’t feel like a one-dimensional ski that only wants to ski straight down the fall line.

Most of the Forma’s playfulness comes from its loose, maneuverable feel. It’s super easy to slash sideways, or even nose butter (though, as you can see below, it won’t magically fix your terrible butter technique…)

Luke Koppa reviews the Season Forma for Blister
Luke Koppa on the Season Forma, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado. (photo by Taylor Ahearn)

The Forma also allows for a pretty centered stance, particularly in fresh snow and on more moderate-angle slopes.

In the air, the 183 cm Forma feels fairly heavy, though I was surprised by how quickly I got used to it. With its -7.5 cm mount point and directional shape, the Forma isn’t the first ski I’d pick if in-air performance was a priority. But for throwing threes, shifties, etc., it’s totally fine.

Skiing switch on the Forma in less than ~3” / 8 cm of fresh snow is doable and can be a lot of fun, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to take off or land switch in snow deeper than that.

Who’s It For?

Skiers looking for a maneuverable, uniquely surfy pow ski that’s also quite versatile across most soft conditions.

While I loved the Forma all over the steep, techy terrain of Mt. Crested Butte, I think it’s a ski that really stands out in glades and rolling terrain. Its uniquely loose feel — combined with its ability to also carve cleanly through soft snow — makes it stand out from a lot of other skis when the terrain requires more creative line choice and doesn’t allow for Super G turns down the fall line. At the same time, if the snow is forgiving, you can still open it up and let the Forma run.

There are lighter skis that are similarly fun and easy in tight spots, but the Forma also offers nice suspension and remains predictable when the snow is chopped up. And as long as conditions are fairly soft, the Forma can make every part of a resort run enjoyable — from the steeps to the trees to the groomers heading back to the lift. It’s not some niche, pow-specific tool.

As for those skiers who should look elsewhere, there are a few things to note. First, the Forma isn’t your best option if you primarily like to make big turns and care more about stability at high speeds than maneuverability at low ones (see the “More Directional” pow skis section in our Buyer’s Guide). And if you love to throw tricks, check out the “More Playful” pow skis section in our guide. Lastly, if you know you like very lightweight skis and prioritize a low swing weight over a damp, smooth ride in rougher conditions, you’ve got lighter alternatives.

But for those who love skiing trees on a pow day, who don’t stop skiing once the fresh snow is cut-up, and / or who are just looking for the closest thing to a snowboard in pow while remaining on two planks, the Forma should be on your list.

Luke Koppa reviews the Season Forma for Blister
Luke Koppa on the Season Forma, Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado. (photo by Taylor Ahearn)

Bottom Line

These days, you’ve got seemingly endless options to choose from when looking for a new pair of skis. And many of them are quite good for the right skiers.

But it’s always fun when we get on something that feels distinctly different from the other choices out there, and that’s the case with the Season Forma. In soft snow, it feels exceptionally surfy and maneuverable, it’s still versatile enough to enjoy in shallower or more chopped-up snow, and it’s one of those skis that legitimately made me look at the terrain I ski every day in a new way.

Deep Dive Comparisons

Become a Blister Member or Deep Dive subscriber to check out our Deep Dive comparisons of the Forma to see how it compares to the Line Pescado, Dynastar M-Free 118, Line Vision 118, Volkl Revolt 121, Line Outline, 4FRNT Renegade, DPS Koala 118, Blizzard Rustler 11, K2 Reckoner 122, Black Crows Anima, Volkl Revolt 121, J Skis Friend, Moment Wildcat, Salomon QST Blank, Icelantic Nomad 115, & K2 Mindbender 116C.

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19 comments on “Season Forma Ski”

  1. Hell of a review. Been waiting to read something this high quality about this ski all season. I ski EP’s Magnum Opus woodies from last year and I’ve been really curious about these Formas. Sounds like I’d better try them, but the Nexus still seems like it’s probably a better bet to round out my quiver, overall… Thanks and well done!

  2. Yeah they’re that fun. Yeah they will change how you ski. They float, slash, charge fairly well, and are just really fun to turn. It wasn’t mentioned in the review but in my opinion landing on the Formas feels SO good. Both bigger style landings like cliffs as well as side hits. The tails are just the perfect amount of supportive and the tips just stiff enough to hold you up yet soft enough to flex into the terrain making landings smooth. When you’re surfing around, catching some air, hanging loose, etc and you find a small transition landing they really reward you.

    I could be wrong but I’ve definitely thought I’ve seen some guys on Hood with the 167 length on non-super deep days. For most people it probably doesn’t make sense to have both lengths but it could be really fun as a sort of wider sakana for side hits and groomer cruising. My gf has a pair of 167s and I’m excited to get out on them later this spring.

  3. This might not win any awards for the most relevant comment of the day, but I get that “pivot point in the middle of the shovel” feeling from my Atomic Atlas 192s. It makes it super easy to swing the tail around. A super fun sensation.

  4. Thanks for the great review, as usual! I’m thinking in changing my K2 Catamaran which I love, any comparison with the Forma?

    Cheers!

    David_Switzerland

    • Hmm, I think the main differences would come down to mount point and shape. The Forma is a much more directional ski than the Catamaran, and would consequently encourage a more forward, driving-the-shovels stance than the Catamaran. So that’d be the big difference to consider. That aside, The Forma is probably a bit more stable than the Catamaran, but won’t feel as nice in the air due to its directional design and probably won’t be as forgiving if you get in the backseat.

  5. Great review – I’m looking to replace my Pinnacle 118s. I ski the PNW and BC mostly, with some trips to UT. Resort skiing and some cat skiing. I’m a directional skier not a charger and looking for something quick in tight terrain and fun in the open. Seems like the Forma could be perfect. Is the 183 is enough for bigger guys (6’2”, 200lbs)?

    • Hmm, aside from length, the Forma does seem like it could be a pretty good replacement for the Pinnacle 118, but for someone your size, I think you might end up wishing for more flotation. The 189 cm Dynastar M-Free 118 could be a better choice in your case — while not quite as quick as the Forma, it’s similarly loose and offers better flotation and stability. The 4FRNT Renegade would also be worth a look if you want a lighter ski and are willing to give up a significant amount of suspension and stability in variable snow in exchange for a lower swing weight and more maneuverability.

  6. Can you elaborate on where exactly this pivot point is on the ski? Its a really fun idea, but I’m having trouble imagining it. Are we just pivoting on our toes, or at the skinniest section just ahead of that?

    • Like, I said, it’s kinda hard to describe, but it’s more like you’re pivoting around the widest point of the shovel. So less so from where your boots are, and more from the actual shovel of the ski. I mostly pointed it out because it’s an interesting sensation, rather than some super important aspect of the ski’s performance; the bottom line is that it’s pretty easy to pivot / slash / slide.

  7. Having difficulty finding skins that can clip to the back of this ski… Do you have suggestions other than using skis without back fix? Thank you!

    • Maybe the standard little metall clip fits into the gap between the swallows (may need some additional grinding).
      Other than that I imagine a fix similar to the race top fixes (so essentially just an elastic cord with a big knot) could also work

  8. Great stuff as always guys and thanks for such in-depth info as always! I have a pair of 183’s on the way and had a question about mount point. Have read some comments elsewhere mentioning the ski is feels a bit tip/front heavy when mounted on the recommended line.
    Did you guys have any experience with this? If yes, could a +1 mount mitigate this? Thank you!

  9. I have a pair of Bent Chetler 120s as my pow ski, but thinking of snagging a pair of these at 183 cm. Would you say the surfy, yet more directional, quality of the Formas compliments the Chetlers? Or should I just not bother and save my money. I ski mostly up on Mount Hood/PNW. Thanks!

  10. Hi Blister team! SO appreciate all your thoughts on all things skis you have been a tremendous resource for me the past few years. Looking at adding a resort powder ski to the quiver, I am a directional skier 6’1 185 and ride Enforcer 104 Free 186cm most days out West. Curious to hear your thoughts about these vs the Sick Day 114? I guess my primary dilemma with the Forma is it might be a bit too short for my size? From what I’ve read it sounds like the Sick Day 114 will be more chargey and less surfy. Thanks!

  11. I’m in a similar position to Andrew. I’m 6’2.5″, but lean (170 lbs). My pow skis are typically 187-193 cm. I’m super drawn to this ski because I’m a lifelong surfer and love the description of how this ski rides. But I’m worried it’s too short, given my height. What do you think?

  12. Sakana user, likely the Formas will be my next ski.
    I ski east coast most of the year but take one to two trips out west. I’m usually ripping detuned race-style skis for new england boiler plate, but every spring day when it softens up, and every west coast day that there is fresh or soft, the swallows fly. The finish of the line skis seems pretty suspect (I have about 17- 18 days on mine). From everything I have read, the fit and finish of the formas is higher. Thanks Blister for the great write up here. Want

  13. Hey Luke,

    Picked up a pair of these as my dedicated pow ski based on your review (and they look sick). Wondering about the mount point as their recommended is -3 and “set back” at -5… Seldom ski switch or spin but don’t want to impair the playfulness of this ski by mounting too far back. What do you think is best option?

    Thanks heaps,
    Scott

  14. 6’3″, 183lbs, playful charger, Utah is home. Nippon is my love.

    Day 1: Had the 183cm 2023 model at rec mount on 6” of champagne pow at Snowbasin. All my regular skis are progressive mount but at rec the 183 felt short, like center mounted short. Then I realized this ski wanted to be ridden more from the arch/heel, tail gunning. Wow did this swivel and feel loose. Without the extra material in the tail, you can feel what a real fish surf board feels like. Describing the sensation is hard. But it’s addicting. In the way surfers cant get off fishes. I had a blast. Is this the ski I’ve been looking for? Still, I was left wanting more length bc I like to ski forward more.

    Day 2: I had the shop push the demo binding back 2cm. Another 6” overnight and wind-loaded champagne at the Bird. I came out charging untracked line after line. Bookends, Baldy, W. Bowl. Dreamy conditions. But couldn’t find that swivel from yesterday. Was is the extra 2cms? I’d lean back, tail gun it and it just didn’t feel as awesome as the day before. So I kind of gave up on it for a while enjoying the extra length and being able to aggro at the front. I discovered a feature that doesn’t get talked about enough. The pintail nose. It made me realize how outdated the classic shovel tip is. Knifing, slicing, never snagging. Tight trees, open aprons, narrow chokes, everything was my oyster. Is this a game changer? Why isn’t this standard? Idk but I was loving it. I never thought a 183cm ski could provide this much happiness on +12” of snow. Everyone’s talked about how the Forma wants more speed. At this mount point, at my size, that finally made sense. One of my best days ever possibly.

    My final decision, I want both of these days. I want both of these sensations. No sacrifice.

    Can we please bump this ski up to 185 for the taller crew! Or make a small batch 189 version? Would that size still fish though?

    Please EP, please! As a fellow surfer and lover of fishes, I know shorter and fatter creates a super fun wiggle that is epic. There’s a happy medium out there EP. Let’s find it!

    I’d love to hear EPs opinion.

    Maybe Blister can help out?

    1 Question I still have:
    -Is the newer lighter version as good in cut up pow? I was never thinking the ’23 model was heavy and loved its ability to handle everything from the 2cm back spot.

    Shout out to EVO for being what seems like the only place to Demo this ski. I’ve been so interested in all of EPs swallows for a long time. I get the hype

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