Great suggestions that span a bunch of categories. If I had to choose I vote Bob as the winner, but it was really close. Thanks for sharing these great deals.
Jeff wins the draft but only because he picked the Mindbender 85 which I literally just picked up two days ago for my son at our local ski shop. We were actually able to grab one for $314 and I was quite happy about that. I knew from watching your videos that it was a good ski but hearing you describe it I was very thrilled because it matches exactly what I was wanting to find for him to continue to progress.
End of season is such a great time to buy... I just got a new Ripstick Tour set (last year's) with ATK Raider 13 Evo bindings for under €1000, including the Elan skins and ATK crampons. The only downside is that I have to wait for next season to really use them... Greets from Holland!
I’m with bobs side. I sicked that qst 106 in Hokkaido this year. It was rad. I’m looking at getting that poacher to ski in Australia (harder pack) and play in the parks with my kids!
Bob crushed it on the draft. He outgamed Jeff this year. Bob's gotta have agents in the field and a strong backoffice operation to draft such a strong roster of talent. 😉
An Atris for $649??? You’re killin me, Ski Essentials. Dropped a total of $950 on a pair of Bent 100s 2 years ago, and am not ready to break the bank again for another pair. But I’ve got my eye closely on the Atris for a future ski option. That price is low enough to make me consider it, which makes me hate you for that 😂 We’ll compromise, just make sure it goes on sale again in like 3 years and I’ll certainly buy it from you guys then.
@@bearclaw5115 bought them from a store near me for $599, then it was about $240 for the Atomic Warden bindings, small additional charge to mount them and wax them, and then tax.
@@bearclaw5115 bought them at a local ski shop for $599, then the atomic warden bindings for them were around $240, add in a fee for putting the bindings on and giving the skis a wax, and then tax on everything.
That was a great sales review, I'm looing at my piggy bank now to see what's available. A note on presentation: Each of you going left-to-right was ok although maybe a better look might be going from the outside working to the center. Just a thought. Cheers.
Hey Guys Great info on all the skis. Have you considered doing a review on skis for youth riders? My 13 yr old is really getting into it, and I think your opinions/reviews would be super helpful in selecting the right skis for him.
It's always on the list, but we have a very long list! At 13, you're kind of entering the tweener zone, where you could be on a junior ski, a tweener, or a shorter adult ski. Do you have a specific question or are you looking for something in particular we can help with?
What would you recommend for 50% groomed runs, 15% off-piste, and 35% park? I ski in the Midwest so maybe something narrower underfoot. I was looking at the ARV 88 or Prodigy 2. Something stiffer and poppy preferably.
In my experience, I love the prodigy 2 and have had some of my favorite memories on it. Truly such a fun ski. I always wondered about Armada after being acquired, but what about Mirus cor?? 😂 (kind of kidding)
The ARV leans a bit more to the light side of the spectrum and is a fantastic park ski. I do think that the Prodigy has a bit more to offer a skier of your stats and application.
Well I couldn’t resist getting another, my third, pair of Bonafides. I’ve had two pairs of 98’s and came to you all to find the 97’s because you had the length I wanted 183. I’ve had so much fun on these skis I just had to get one more pair to have in reserve. I guess after this I’ll need to explore the Anomaly lineup. Thx guys👍🏻
Awesome! Huge Anomaly fan here--I do think the 88 is my favorite followed closely by the 94 and 84, but can't decide which at this point. I do think there's more similarities with the 94 and the current Bonafide than the 102.
@@SkiEssentials I guess we will have to see how I’m skiing , I’ll be in my early 70’s, by the time I’m ready for another ski. I’m sure there will be plenty of reviews and reactions to the Anomaly by then. Here’s to a BIG storm this week 🤞
I was a bit surprised Jeff's first pick wasn't the Unleashed 98.. I've just bought a pair in an end of season sale based largely on your reviews so it was a relief to see Bob still likes them!! Sadly my seasons over so I won't get to ski them til December 😢
Guys I need to ask, does the Ranger 102 have the same problem as the 96 in which is seems to not want to turn with a larger skier? I know Bob and I had similar experience of disappointment with the 96..
I don't think it's as acute of an issue for me (Bob). I skied the 96 the other day in the 180 and found it to work fine, but the snow was very soft and spring like and that makes it tough to get as accurate of a read.
Looking to grab a new all mountain ski and was hoping to find rustler 10s, but still full price and hard to find in 180. The atris seem like a good price point currently. I ski Stowe a lot as well as 2-3 trips out west per year. Utah/CO/Whistler. All mountain ski and i enjoy some bumps and woods as well as groomers. Touhgts on the 2 anyone?
The Rustler feels a bit more like a wider all-mountain ski while the Atris has narrower freeride vibes. I think if you're mixing east and west, the Rustler offers more upside.
I have the kendo 88s. I’m over the mantra name change. In fact I embrace it. Times changes fellas. It’s tough but we have to move on. Let go of your grief.
Almost there. The hard part we're finding is referring to the Mantra 88 in our writing. Comparing an Anomaly 88 to a Mantra 88 just hasn't quite settled in to the muscle memory of the keyboard.
I recently purchased the Kendo 88 with some Marker Griffons from you guys, it will be my daily frontside driver. I’m looking for an East coast powder/touring ski and am considering the Blaze 106. I have a pair of Dalbello Panterras, so my touring bindings options are limited. What are your thoughts about putting a Marker Baron on the Blaze 106? Also, have you skied the 2025 Blaze 104 and how would you compare the 106 to the new 104. I have also looked into the CAST boot conversion, which adds tech inserts into the Dalbello Panterra. This would allow me to use the Marker Duke PT binding. Are you familiar with the CAST boot conversion. If so, what are your thoughts about going this route? By the way, your RU-vid ski reviews are awesome! Thanks for your hard work!!
Thanks! The new Blaze 104 is definitely worth a look. It feels a bit sturdier than the 106 and makes for a more versatile ski and option. I personally like the 104 more than the 106. The Baron, and other frame bindings, put you up pretty high on the ski and that's my biggest knock against the performance--makes the ski pretty twitchy. If you only have one pair of boots, though, that's still an option. The Cast insert addition, as long as you can put the tech inserts into the Panterra (boots need a solid lug/sole from what I understand), is a fantastic setup.
Hi guys, I'm looking for an all mountain ski with good carving performance and some playfulness and off-piste potential as well. I'm an intermediate skier, quite light (55kg) and 170cm tall. Was considering Kendo but am thinking it might be a bit much for me. What would be best from Declivity 92 TI/Sender 94 TI/Ripstick 88 or 96/Kanjo 84 (a little narrow maybe)?
I think that those who (correctly) find out the Kendo is a bit much will settle in nicely with the Kanjo. It's got a lot of the same qualities that you're looking for but in a lighter, more peppy, and easier to use package. Unless you're super aggressive, you probably don't need the metal skis on your list. I'd stick to the Ripstick 88 or Kanjo if you're spending most of your time carving with off-piste as potential.
I think so. It has the width for the big snows but the metal for firmer stuff. I find it works better for lighter skiers who like to make nimble turns more so than bigger and more aggressive skiers, but it can kind of be both depending on skill level.
The revolt 96 has just dropped again, down to 260. Was looking at it against the bent a while ago and went with the bent. At $260 is it worth the pickup as a backup and beat up pair for crappy midwest conditions?
So to be clear, there will be 3 models of Volkl skis on the hill that will be the exact same ski ‘23-‘25, just different names and top sheets: Kendo, Kenja, and Mantra 88.
I think there may be a correction here, the kendo will in fact be structurally different. Volkl is releasing the M7, making changes such as: changing the side-cut from the 3D radius to a "4 radius drive"@@SkiEssentials
@@user-ve9eb1pe7dNot quite yet. The changes to the 88, 102, and perhaps the 108 will likely take place for 2026. For 2025, the M7 and the Secret are the ones getting the 4D and altered tip shape.
Love your reviews but you always leave me even more overwhelmed with info than when I started. I'm going to be living next Winter next to a European ski station (Cerler in Spain) with often not ideal conditions. I'm an intermediate skier (reds mostly, looking to improve my skiing next year because I'll be able to ski a lot). Since I'll be skiing exclusively on-piste, but throughout the whole day, what should I be looking at? Jeff seems to be very fond of the Dynastar M-Pro 85, but maybe those are too much of an all-mountain pair for my use case. I can also buy the Mirus Cor quite cheaply from a friend (around 400 with bindings), but I guess those wouldn't work too well on the hard groomed snow. Any suggestions?
The Mirus Cor works great on firm groomers, just not at very high speeds. They are insanely fun. I also think the Dynastar M-Cross 88 is a better choice than the 85 if you're looking for more carving capabilities.
Hey guys love your videos! I'm in the market for a new touring ski. I currently have some 2020 Black Crow Navis Freebirds that I use for touring and they are ok but I feel like the tail edge doesnt want to budge very easily on snow that is cruddy, or crusty in anyway, which is not confidence inspiring. I'm 180 5'8" and love my 2022 Ranger 102s for inbounds in colorado. I've been looking at the Blizzard Hustle 10s but curious what you might recommend to fill a dedicated touring setup (using an ATK Free Raider). Weight is not much of concern I just want to enjoy my backcountry turns more than I currently do.
I'm a huge fan of the Nordica Enforcer Unlimited. These skis share the same footprint as the 104 Free but at a lighter weight and with more energy. I love the way they turn and float. The Hustle 10 is right there, but isn't as smooth of a floater--more bouncy.
I’m Trying to decide between the ripticks and the head kores. I live in Northern Wisconsin and ski mainly groomers but like to hit a few smaller jumps in the woods now and again. I currently have the liberty origin 96s in a 182 and these are nice, just feel too heavy and don’t carve as well as I’d like. I’m 6’2 175 lbs. Any insight would be appreciated! Thanks
I personally prefer the consistency in flex of the Kore. If you're mainly on groomers and looking for good carving performance, the Kore is the way to go. Ripsticks are great, but the shovel can feel flexible for pure engagement.
Love the content and it's always a good day when a new video is released. Question for the Skiessentials experts. I'm in the market for an all mountain ski and am sold on the 2024 Head Kore 93. I currently ski the Head ev5 in 170, which I believe is 74 underfoot. I'm 6' and weigh 215, mainly stay on groomed terrain but enjoy trees and want something a little better in choppy terrain (including evening Ohio groomers). I have no issues maneuvering the 170s. Should I move up to 177 to keep the 93 under foot or stay at 170 and be at 91 underfoot? I'm an intermediate (comfortable on Midwest blacks and blues on at places like 7 Springs in SW Pennsylvania). Just looking for an expert who can help me determine if 7cm of length and 2mm of width will be noticeable. Thanks
Leaning towards the enforcer free 104. Any other suggestions? Looking for a strong twin tip ish ski that can carve, ice, trees, east coast crud and some powder if I ever see it. Ps I like Jeff’s picks better cause he leans towards the twin tips
I mean, I had 3 out of 7 twins. But yes, the 104 Free accomplishes all of your goals. I think if you can deal with the extra weight, it's incredibly useful as a strong twin for various conditions and terrain. Unleashed 98 should be there as well, as should the Black Crows Camox and Rossignol Blackops 98. While these latter choices don't have metal to them, they're still pretty sturdy.
RE: Ranger 102 vs 96. I can't decide between those sizes. I'm 6'1" 185lbs intermediate-advanced, live in Idaho. Any thoughts on the best length of these skis?
If you're more of an adventure and soft snow seeker, I'd go 102. If you find yourself on-trail more often than not in search of a cleanly carved turn, the 96 is pretty darn sweet. I'd go with the 180 in the 96 or the 183 in the 102.
@@SkiEssentials oh good! I was afraid it might be going away. But incorporating it into the Mantra name lineup makes sense. It’s such a great ski, as are all the Mantras, and I bought mine from SKIESSENTIALS! 😃😃😃
The Poacher is stiffer and heavier (per cm at least), and is more amenable to freestyle and park skiing. The 106C is more of a directional freeride ski that operates well in deeper and softer snow.
The 92Ti was the only Declivity that we had a full size run of. Sure could have easily been here! www.skiessentials.com/products/2024-armada-declivity-92-ti-skis?ski%2520size=164
I’m looking for new skis and I’m so lost and confused! Im 6-6’1” 210 lbs intermediate/expert. I Ski on the west coat and would like to have a all mountain ski. I Ski mostly on the groomers but also like to do powder and trees sometimes. Also we have many crud days. My ski style is slalom short turns, but I also love to go to moguls (not a pro mogul skier just trying to practice and advance myself on the moguls). My current skis are mid 70s under foot but my heart is toward wider skis 85-95. My candidates are Rustler 9, Bent 90, blaze 94, Kanjo 84, Mindbender 89Ti. I will be appreciated if you give me your comment about those skis and any other suggestions. Also I will be appreciated if you recommend me the size of the ski that you think fits me mostly.
I think you're mainly in the right zone, I's narrow focus to the Rustler and Blaze, as those skis are a bit wider yet have excellent mogul and short turn capabilities. I'm a huge Blaze 94 fan as it carves well for a light ski and does well in off-piste zones and woods as well. I think the 179 is the way to go here. www.skiessentials.com/products/2024-volkl-blaze-94-ski-w-tyrolia-attack-14-binding?ski%2520size=179
I dunno, we got pretty excited about it! There are deeper discounts and better prices on even older skis on our site, but we chose these since we still have pretty good inventory and full size runs.
