It seems to me, when people say “all mountain” what they really mean is “front side”. They want to be able to go hard on groomers, but also tinker with trees, bumps, and ski switch with authority. All mountain ski drivers hit mini-jumps on groomer trails, and dabble with powder while cutting between runs, but they’re not specialists. If you’ve got the talent to chase pow, crush the park, or nail GS turns, then you’re to the point where you either have multiple skis, or you have the skill to coax a good time out of almost any ski in any condition.
I feel like all mountain category encompass both frontside and freestyle skis. But will simply be less specialised, we still have skis that are frontside, yet can be skied switch with confidence (thinking Rustler 9) They often do nothing really good so I feel its only worth if I cant afford 2 skis hahaha.
I think that once you’re hitting rail slides, you probably need dedicated park skis, because rails destroy wax and edges. But… The ability to do more with less is super impressive. If I see a guy nail an airborne 540 in a set of gigantic pow skis, he’s definitely getting a “WooWoo” from my chair lift.
@@jackjmaheriii I mean skiessentials have impressive footage of Jeff shredding caves, hitting rails, doing backflip 180 with Mirus Cor! Quite impressive. Totally agree with the whoop whoop part 😁
Great points from everyone in this thread, I think that if you're in the West Coast, than all mountain is actually a great option for carving, because the snow is so soft, vs the east coast where you need something that is more aggressive and narrower typically.
@@RicketySkiReviews Ah TY now I understand why I love carving on my 2022-23 Stance 96s. NOT the 23/24s I read those aren't quite the hard chargers as the 22/23s. Took me a few hrs to learn I need to go faster to turn this ski.
Here's the original video by The Ski Monster: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-asm7B-jRhD0.html You can also see what skis I have in my quiver in this video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Jh_AfVSsH_A.htmlsi=qxK3J-sY-iw07xVj Thanks for watching!
As a intermediate Midwest skier who has watched about 1000hrs of ski reviews and pov skiing video since march. I think way to much emphasis is put on what each ski can do well. They should focus on who the ski should be for first because nothing matters if you don’t have the skills to ski on certain terrain or techniques that you can do on more advanced skis. In my experience they will sell you anything that sounds good and not focus on where your at in your skills. Like the ski I got recommended when I said I love to carve and my first ski to own basically being beginner moving to intermediate was a Head E-rally witch is a ski meant for advanced-expert carving. Luckily I learn fast (and I progressed a lot in 3 days of skiing on it) and I weigh a lot so I can flex that ski. But I think anyone else would have not had a good time on it. It has made me a way better skier very fast but it is stiff and the softer the conditions the more aware of my technique I need to be. However if I got a more all mountain ski or more of a freeride ski first I think it would take me substantially longer to learn proper carving. I think it’s all splitting hairs of your skill aren’t up to the task. You friend is such a good skier he could do whatever on any ski. I think get the right ski for what you want to do and a ski that is right for your skill level first then focus on improving your skill. None of a skis attributes matter if you don’t go out and ski enough either.
Definitely a good point. I recommended fairly advanced carving skis to a few of my friends that are strong intermediates. If they're athletic and willing to learn. I think it helps them progress more quickly with their carving than in all mountain ski would. Those directional narrower skis let yo u feel the side cut. I'm bought a pair of kastle m x 74 my first real ski purchase. Probably not what everyone would select. And probably not something that would be recommended at a ski shop for an intermediate. But they helped my technique tremendously. I was really forced to learn how to carve. So grateful for it. I was able to speed up my progression because of the selection of a carving ski. They kind of reward and promote good technique If you have a general idea of what you're doing. The recommendation you got for the head e rally was definitely a little bit unconventional in my opinion. It could have been a bit of a disaster. Glad it worked out for you. Sounds like you had a similar experience to me.
Oh god, who is trying to upsell an intermediate skier on a Head Supershape E-Rally? I really hope that wasn't their first instinct. I was at Gear West in the Twin Cities recently talking about adding a carving ski to my [*looks around nervously*] Nordica Enforcer 104 I picked up during my year and a half in the Rockies. I grew up in ski school all the way through high school, so I consider myself and advanced/expert skier who loves carving but hasn't had a proper carving ski in a long time and wants to feel challenged again in the Midwest. But the salesperson was doing everything he could to talk me out of the de-tuned race skis like the Head Supershapes until I finally convinced him I had an idea of what I'd be getting myself into. He still seemed really nervous about recommending those kinds of skis, as if only masochists or hardened ski racers could actually enjoy a ski like that. Now I have to try out some demos to see for myself. There's definitely a balance between getting a ski which is enjoyable but will provide the kind of feedback and performance to progress for the kind and level of skiing you're interested in. I suppose for anyone who's set on learning to become really good at carving, going to a dedicated carving ski makes sense, but most people probably aren't going to be all-in on carving performance and just want a ski they can have a good time on the hill with. My dad is probably considered advanced in his capability to ski pretty tough terrain, but he doesn't really carve, so a more relaxed all-mountain ski is perfect.
@@StartCodonUST To be fair there was 4 skis to choose from at a year end %50 off sale. Also I wouldn’t call the Rally a detuned race ski. It shares the same construction but it’s far too wide to be like a race ski. 78mm under foot and 133 in the tips. It’s a medium turn radius carving ski. And the stiffness it has helps me at the weight I’m at. Growing into it very well. I do still pull out the Kores in the evening when the snow gets soft or lumpy then hard. But when the snow is firm and flat I love them, getting to the point now where I’m accelerating out of the turns.
Yeah, you're right. It's the change in the ski's shape that is the turn. All I can think of when he's describing a turn as rolling it on its edges is in bumps sometimes when you do a little double turn on the top of a bump for speed control. But that's not a carved turn. It's more like a quick speed control pivot. And in powder, I'm not sure you're ever really carving? I mean is the snow hard enough to exert the physical forces to bend the ski and isn't the whole idea flotation? If the ski's soft, obviously it'll flex into reverse camber easier than a stiff ski, so in soft snow, bumps and powder that may be somewhat advantageous but here on the EC, the bumps and conditions in general are usually pretty hard so you still need a fairly stiff ski. You never want a ski to bend too easily and wash out--- especially on ice. And on hard snow/ ice, you get a stiff ski to bend by good ski mechanics. I didn't demo the Maverick 88's before I bought them. Pretty much went on your advice along with ski essentials and the shop owner where I bought them, but I owned a pair of Brahmas which I liked and figure they'll be pretty close to those with a bit less weight and a tip that might cut through chop a bit better. Keeping the Prodigys 2.0's for soft snow whenever it happens.
I agree!! Always 2 pairs...no matter what they say about do it all skis. Whether in the carving or soft snow category. There is always a compromise. A frontside laminate construction carving detuned race build ski 65-75mm with plenty of metal is always out carves any all mountain ski likewise >90mm spectrum. Especially super hard packed days with an aggressive edge tune like 0.7 deg on the base and 2 deg on the sides I really like to max out my all mountain skis width at 98mm for general utility but also have 107mm powder sticks. I like you have a race type technical background and really I can ski those 67mm skis in powder anyway...if that the only skis I had that day.
Totally, and on some days you have to! I will say it has been amazing to see just how far they have stretched that all mountain category though, it's improved so much the last 5-10 years
I’m based in the Pacific Northwest, but I take trips out of state as well. Multiple skis are a must for the varied conditions and terrain to optimize enjoyment over the whole season. I have four pairs and ski all over the West.
Elliot, how do you determine which ski to use which days? Is it just a matter of did it snow the night before or not? I ski in CO and have the Maverick 88 and I’m looking to eventually get a powder ski of either Bent 110 or Armanda 116 and I’m curious when someone owns multiple skis how to you know what is the best ski for that day? Do you plan out what type of skiing you will be doing that day? Would love your thoughts :)
I really like your commentaries because they are not biased and are knowledgable, unique and informative... And you are not afraid of giving negative feedback which is also very useful... In this video I felt that the original Ski Monster video was a general video and that your comments were a lot more specific to benefit more advanced skiers... But I felt that you seemed a little bit too focused on showing how much more you knew than the guy in the ski monster video, which again comes through and you need not worry about... As far as the one ski quiver, the best definition I ever found was, you are going some place and you are not sure what the conditions will be, which ONE ski do you bring? ...
I live in New York but I do most of my skiing in the Intermountain West. Right now I only really have 2 pairs of skis, however, my brother and I have the same boot sole length and we both keep our DINs at 7.5-8 so we can kinda extend our quivers, I have the 2023-2024 Dynastar M-free 99 (actually 98mm though), and beat up 2014-2015 K2 Shreditor 102mm (my rock skis). My brother has Faction Candide 112mm, Atomic Bent 90mm, and some old Rossignol 74mm slalom skis. Last season I bought 2 pairs of Line Visions (98mm and 108mm), without demoing, that I broke with around 30 ski days on each, definitely wouldn't reccomend those skis to anyone who skis remotely aggressively. I demoed a ton of skis for a few days after I broke both pairs because I needed something to finish the trip with (K2s were in NY), fell into the Dynastar M-free cause they lined up with my skiing style the best and I would've never figured that out if I didn't demo a bunch of skis first. Before you add any skis to your quiver, DEMO THEM!! You might be surprised by skis that you maybe haven't thought of trying, or you might be disappointed by skis you thought you'd love. Ideally in the conditions that you're trying to get a specific ski for. So don't demo powder skis when they haven't gotten snow in a week, and on the other end, don't bother demoing all-mountain or carving ski when you get blessed with a lot of fresh powder (unless you're like really curious how a specific ski reacts to deep powder or whatever).
Couldn't agree more. I try and use this channel to help people maybe narrow it down to 2 or 3 so they can demo since some areas don't have demo events anymore. Great insight thanks for commenting.
I think you should own 2 pairs of skis for recreational skiing based on where you're skiing and the conditions, and if you race or do non-resort skiing, you need more skis. Just accept the cost and find good deals. And no, NO ONE is switching them out throughout the day like golf clubs🤣 The thing I look for in every ski I buy is being good on snow 😏
I switch them out during the day 😂 since I coach I have acces to the competition club local wich has direct acces from outside. I can switch in 30 sec ! 😊 I get that this is quite eastcoast thing to be near a "local" 😂 gotta have advantages where we can!
Couldn't agree more than with Rittik and carterfan80. Great points. There's a guy on YT named Blake Saunders who's an incredible skier, guessing he may have a race background when he see him carve. His videos however are of him and his brother mainly free skiing at Winter Park/ Mary Jane on their well reputed bump runs and off trail areas. Blake skis on Head recreational SL race skis in a168cm in bumps and a more free ride oriented ski in deeper snow, trees. Blake's such a good skier, he can somehow flex that beast in the bumps. And @ 168cm, he brings that puppy across the fall line quicker than you can snap your fingers. I feel like he'd ski bumps with as much fluidity and bomber ski mechnaics on a longer ski but probably w/o as much double turning and lightning quick pivoting. And when he's carving on groomers, it looks to me like he's on his more free ride oriented skis. I do think when you start talking about skis >100mm underfoot, the mere width of the ski's going to make high edge angles more challenging for carving. Even > than 90mm, you can feel a difference between that and something like a Blizzard Brahma. But that's not really what their designed for. Bottom line though, good ski fundamentals and mechanics can be assisted with a carving specific ski but don't require it.
Totally! I've seen my friend Zach (from other videos) ski things I wouldn't believe on skis around 77 under foot. Skill can really help you maneuver through a wide variety of terrain.
Hi, I have a question. I'm thinking buying my first pair of skis, which are atomic maverick 83. I ski on groomers in French Alps resorts but I want slowly starting going off piste. Do you think that's a good choice or I should focus on carving?
Which mountain skis are those atomics you got there? I just asked you for a gear recommendation on another video. Of course skis are built with a general intention in mind. But yeah, you're totally right you got to ride the skis you've got and the conditions you've got. And your point about skill makes a lot of sense too. I know this from years of mountain biking and surfing. But I got to start with one pair of skis. Wondering if those atomics you got there would be a good choice for me.
Yeah these are 88Ti's I love them, they're a great starter and then later on you can look at designated powder (or whatever other area you're looking at). Fischer Ranger 90s are also a great starter imo.
@@RicketySkiReviews Thanks so much! Has luck has it there's a pair of these in my length on craigslist. I'll keep coming back. I subscribed and love your style of videos!
Shit I was a ski tech in CA the Sierra Nevadas. In 1984- 1989. I was skiing on 200 cm Head Racing SL’s. You can ski powder on old school skinny . These people are spoiled with Shaped skis now lol 😂 It’s was still fun . Hard but fun. Made me a better skier
My 2 ski quiver is gonna be a gs inspired ski (70mm under foot with titanal and so on, but not the stiffest race inspired, as it will be easier to flex, and i dont want something that will always be challenging (ski instructor life)) and a powder/wider all mountain ski at around 100 mm under foot with titanal under foot and soft-ish front and back. Like the qst 102, 98 or fischer ranger 102 depending on whats cheap while on season, if i make friends with a ski shop employee.
That was the guy that fit me to boots that were gigantic because I was a true size 22/22.5 and they had only 1 option for my size so they were bringing out all their 23.5s and just assumed that I would prefer my boots in a "comfort fit"... and when I insisted I wanted the 22.5, he was very hesitant to sell me the 22.5, and told me that I would have to make another appointment for heat molding and insole. It was weird and I felt very out of place... I think that their customer base is mostly wealthy intermediate skiers. I also had a hard time getting a pair of slalom ski from their shop. They barely had anything below 85mm waist, let alone race skis.
Your videos like this one are why I started to watch your channel months ago and eventually subscribed. You are funny. You are kinda mean but not in a cruel way. You are informative yet entertaining.
I'm definitely not a one ski quiver guy. Daily driver, sure. My resort driver are ripsticks 88, great for kinda laid back skiing with family or intermediate friends, fun, good enough for various snow and for trees, decent enough in a bit of pow, etc ... Fun to carve but definite ceiling. So I got rossignol hero st ti for pure carving on hard snow that I got dirt cheap. I tour so I have blizzard zero g 95. I'd like to add a crossover powder ski, currently considering the qst echo with tectons, maybe classic qst 106, have to try the echo first.
I live in Holland and go skiing in France , the transport is with the bus ,and then is it just one pair of skis . I switch this year from rossignol soul 7 to rossignol sender 104ti .The soul 7 was good in the powder and also good enough on ice , i hope the sender is also good . I like your progam .
Awesome, I visited chamonix last winter for the first time and skied Argentierre and LesHouches, we had bad weather do to thunder storms, but it was still just so amazing. I reviewed the BlackOps Sender and Liked them alot! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sckg_d4tTww.htmlsi=FAqJHJZroruXW3Hd
I bailed on this guy in minutes, I try to avoid the Slick YT channels. I much prefer an amusing authentic man at the playground! Consider me your newest biggest fan, I only wish I'd have discovered you much sooner, I'm hooked! You're very scientific too I've never heard anyone else describe loading up the boot & flex into the turn quite like you, very helpful. I wish we could hang out & nerd out on skiing I'd learn so much!
ONE SKI QUIVER AHHHHHH WICH ONE SHOULD I PICK??????? AAAAHHHH like to have a stable ski Love stability at high speed on the groomers. Love deep snow and floating easy Love making carving turns small and big. Not a park lover Like some response - [ ] Black Crows Mirus Cor - [ ] Blizzard Rustler 9 ski - [ ] Revolt 114 vökl - [ ] Faction prodigy 2 - [ ] Rosignol black ops 98 - [ ] Revolt 104 Vökl - [ ] Faction dancer 3 - [ ] Black Crows Atris! - [ ] Vökl mantra m6 - [ ] Rosignol sender ti - [ ] Armada ARV 100
This is a really in depth question, I would recommend some of the subscriber benefits to get more in depth analysis. but my favorite skis that fit the criteria are the Fischer Ranger, Atomic Maverick, and Salomon QST. would recommend checking out my videos on them.
10-15 days of powder day in NE 😆. You haven't been around lately much... what did we get... 2 storms last year? Just kidding. Great video, keep it up. Would love to hear your thoughts on Nordica Unleashed, not sure if you have made video on that, you do have very fresh angle on things. I ve spent one season on them now (all east coast)... love'em! Just asking since mentioned the mavericks behind you.
I like this content but as an east coast skier I don't think I'll ever need more than a daily driver. My powder experiences have always been awesome. I imagine that some folks really need a powder ski but I've never been in bottomless powder... seems like a dream to me, a very good dream.
I think that for the most part people are looking for 1 pair of skis to do it all, at least on the east coast, which is somewhat counterintuitive in my opinion. Most of my friends think that I'm crazy for owning multiple pairs of skis and I know very few people other than racers and former racers that own multiple pairs of skis.
@@RicketySkiReviewsI've been asking him to get on a pair of narrow ski's for 3 seasons! I could never understand why people would select a wide ski on a firm day. Unless they have no choice. They're so particular about their width for powder, Often debating over five millimeters. But then wI'll ski a 110mm on a groomer😂😂😂. Having the right ski in low snow is just as important As having the right one on a deep day
I think you're being a little bit tough on them. This video really isn't meant for someone like you. You obviously are very knowledgeable about technique. I think he's trying to make it extremely simple for the average person to understand. These guys are pretty good in general. Their short format Reviews are not the most insightful. But if you listen to their longer format Podcast You can tell that they definitely know what they're talking about (in terms of equipment at least) They have a good Understanding of east coast conditions and skiers needs. You are not the average skie by any means. 😂 Think about it. If you're looking at a video because you truly don't understand what a quiver of skis are, You probably don't know much about equipment selection at all.. And i'm sure that these people know even less about technique and arcing a turn 😂😂😂 I'm watching because I'm an obsessed skier. Not to figure out if I need more skis!!😂(I always need more skis. 5 pairs and counting!)
@@RicketySkiReviews I know. You're a passionate skier! Lol. Enjoying the content. Maybe a video on the new head protector bindings ??? Probably the biggest innovation in bindings in awhile.
Like you said, skis are done for a specific task. But I still feel like we have come SUCH a long way ! Most of the old skiers I see on carving skis would have more fun on all mountain skis ! we have plenty of options to RIPS some incredible carves! Maverick, Declivity, Kendo, Brahma (tho most skiers I see on Brahma should check their ego 😂). And still, those all mountain skis are specialized tool too! And in my eyes, have enough difference between one another that I know my next pair of skis is gonna be another all mountain ski. 😂 Why buy a true twintip if you have the money to get a Blade Optic, Mfree, Mirus Cor and such? Your just gaining even more versatility! Like you said, its about choosing the best ski for what you do most. Some skiers clearly need carving skis, but not as much as we see. Even about east coast ice, there are a lot of grippy and powerful skis between 84 and 96.
I agree. The all mountain skies have come a long way. You can buy an all mountain ski that will grab on ice Good enough for ninety five percent of the population. I tried all of the skies that you mentioned. And I don't think too many people would be let down by their edge grip. I would say anyone except a former competitive skier Or a really really hard charger would not Need any more On trail performance. ( As long as your skis are sharpened and waxed) I would even say that nine out of ten people wouldn't even be able to access the performance of the all mountain skies you mentioned. They definitely don't need something more race like 😅) And great suggestions when you mentioned the m free and blade optic. I agree with you one hundred percent. Unless you need a true twin tip for park or competition, Most people would be better served by something like M Free 99 or blade optic for all mountain skiing. Loved the Mfree on demo day.❤
@@carterfan80 And I'm saying this as an ex racer, now I coach in my local race club. I kinda feel we need to add a new criteria : what do you dislike to do ? Like of you are doing 90% on piste, and like a ride in the bumps or trees, go for all mountain. But if you dislike moghuls, trees, etc. And ONLY enjoy carving, then only then get a carving ski (unless you have several skis) and same logic applies to park skis. 😁 And yeah those Mfrees are nice ! Have you tried the Mpros 90 ? I didnt and I was considering getting a pair for moghuls and steep tight technical terrain since I dont like neither my racing slalom skis or my enforcer 94 in those situations.
@@simongloutnez589 It just so happens I owned the mpro for 3 seasons😄 Not much like the m free. The taill really grips. I ski them in some very tight technical terrain out of bounds at keystone last year. They are good for steeps. The grip is there and they're pretty stable. For me, they were a little bit of a handful in moguls and very tight terrain. Doable, but Def preferred my qst 92s in those scenarios. You have formal training and a background in competitive skiing. I think you'll be okay with them. I'm a very solid skier but definitely not an x racer. You can feel the pu material in the core when the conditions are choppy. Smooths out the imperfections Pretty well considering how much rocker is up front. The rocker really lets you make any turn shape you want. One thing I really liked about those skis. The carving is pretty solid. It's a little bit of a different feel because the fronts don't engage that much due to the rocker. But from about Six inches in front of your toe until the tail they grip and rip. I've had them upmto 50mph plus, and they didn't scare me😂. The manager of my local ski shop has the m pro 99s. He uses them as more of his high speed all mountain ski.
N+1 Seriously though if you ski a lot of days in all different kinds of conditions on all different kinds of terrain I don't see how it makes sense to only have one pair...unless $$$ obviously. Elliott, you never bring more than one pair to the mountain and switch out? That's just stubborn, my man. In the East, especially when the forecast calls for snow but the conditions start out marginal, I will totally switch skis for the afternoon if it starts dumping. Or I feel like doing only groomers the first couple hours then woods the rest of the day, or vice versa. When I go on a 3-5 day ski trip, I bring 3 pairs.
In Idaho it usually doesn't change enough to matter. I will keep big powder skis in my car if there's a storm on the horizon, but usually as long as I didn't severely mess up on which skis I brought up, I haven't needed to switch out no. Back East, I lived next to the mountain so I could switch if I had to, but pretty rarely since I only owned my race skis and one pair of beater Dynastar Troublemakers lol.
@@RicketySkiReviewsas much as I wish I had gotten into racing as a kid, I was never terribly interested in gates versus just skiing. I wish the freeride team thing had been around then but living in MA it might not have made sense. I'm glad I'm not having to ski everything on my 195cm straight skis I had when I was 15. No wonder I didn't ski the woods much with my Dad back then!
Yeah dudes who dont know what theyre talking about r crazy, I wanted my arv 96s mounted at freestyle -2cm off true center cuz i am skiing park with them and the guy who had to mount them tried to convince me to mount them -5 so they can ski everywhere 💀💀💀
Also yeah, once i skied 20cm of powder on 68mm salomon s race SLALOM when i didnt have a pow ski and i had a friend with a 78mm ski, i was absolutely shredding the pow, after that day (which was my best day skiing ever to that point) I knew i wanted to ski off piste. Also what i think is that getting a really good base with race skis is ESSENTIAL for becoming good at powder skiing and freeride. I dont wanna be seeing nun mfs with 100mm+ skis before they can do blacks comfortably and carve.
It's brutal, and like some people never figure it out. In HS I had a buddy end up with size 27 boots while his foot was like a size 6 shoe, and he had no clue and just thought they were supposed to be roomy.
yeah that was a HORRIBLE video --- but I must admit I have 3 -- 1 ski quivers :-) Its a 1 ski quiver because I fly out to ski resorts and can only take 1 ski... 3 because I decide what and how I'm going to ski based upon the expected weather, the resort, and what ski I bring. IE -- If I go to Utah or Jackson Hole, I bring a wider all mtn ski that likes fall lines and that's my playground, Steamboat, I bring all mtn tree skis and do trees and bumps, other Colorado resorts and Montana, zippy, carving oriented all mtn skis and do a bit of everything... so yeah I'd like more specific skis and agree with you that ideally, one should get skis for different things that aren't so compromised BUT those of us that don't live anywhere near a good resort have to strategize differently - and really try to get those "1 ski quivers" jack-of all trades MASTERS OF NONE and then make do -- and then worse yet -- get several of them...
Oh man… you don’t get his point… you say the same thing he does… all he said is don’t get an SL if you want just one pair of skis or 120-115… 88 to 102 seems like it. He sais get a pair of all mountain 88 to 102 and enjoy them…
There actually ARE people who change skis like golf clubs. That shit gets addictive once you start doing it 😸 I'm at a point where i feel it is actually not that crazy to show up with 212er downhill-skis for the empty morning runs. Then switch to a slalom pair that doesn't HAVE TO BE ridden at 60-90mph once other people show up. After lunch maybe grab the center mounted twintips and have some fun in the park? And of course its always a good idea to have some detuned allmountain skis in the car for when the legs are done but you are not ready to call it a day. One Ski Quiver is for people who have to take the skibus... 💩
The live reaction format is kinda frustrating. If you have something to say, just make your own video and say it. You have great experience so would love to hear your content in a better way.
