100mm width underfoot skis

Looking into buying a new pair of skis for this season. I have used 92mm Line Chronics and other skis around the 90mm range underfoot.

Just a bit wary of going 100mm wide underfoot. Want a ski that has all mountain ability. I don't really ride park. Much more enjoy finding powder, playing about finding and building jumps off-piste. Also love an early morning rip on the pistes. So I need a ski that can do all of that.

Chronics are an option and possible the Line Blend. What are peoples thoughts on the Line Sir Francis Bacon? And are there any other skis I should look out for?

Thanks

https://twitter.com/matt_mooney1992

In regards to +100 mm. skis, may I give you my point of view.

That extra width is for powder and floatation ON powder, serious powder ! Not the 20 cm. type.

I do not recommend to any skier +100 mm as "all round" ski. You lose out in performance.

Stay in the 90s range until you really are competent in powder and off-piste then get the serious powder skis.

My point of view is, if you want a ski for all-round conditions you get a ski that does all conditions at the "average",, range. I want a ski that does performance at the "top level of performance" ! It deems better skiing and gives you more chills and thrills.
Just my point of view. I am sure others will have other points of view !

Cheers for the thoughts, that was my thought. Would I lose out on piste performance ie. will the 100mm ski be a significant performance difference from edge to edge than the 90mm range.

Suppose I will have to get out there and try some skis out as demo's if I can.

Tested tons of skis last season, along with several ski instructors and with out a doubt the Blizzard range is leading the way this season. This is backed up by all the awards they are winning. See if you can test some skis before you buy, if you're in Courchevel this winter looks us up as we've a huge range of skis on test. Good luck!

To answer you question in regards to "performance reduction" with more width, you must understand the function of wider skis ( some with a rocker).

Performance for a SL type ski means fast very fast tight turns with great stability.

Performance for "all round ski" ( in the 90 mm range) means ability to perform various techniques in various conditions. You can not compare in normative terms these two.

Performance for powder skis ( 110 mm. + ) means fast rising, soft tip, floating , cruising skis with practically no edge sets. Again you can not compare SL type ski to powder ski. That is like comparing oranges and apples.

You have to decide what you want in a ski. The comparison must be based on your needs, not relative to each ski's parameters.

That is why good skiers, have a "quiver",,that is the best performing skis for each desired skiing contexts.

It is up to you to consider how fanatic you are about skiing.

Most fanatic skiers have at least three skis;

1. SL type ski for hard, steep, fast turning slopes often called "front side skis !
165-170 cm range

2. GS or type ski for those long fast cruising runs 180 cm range


3. Powder ski for +40 cm. powder snow , + 110 mm width, 175 +cm range

Each ski provides maximum performance and excitement to skier IN THE TARGET SKIING CONTEXT.

Mind you this is for skiers who want to ski on the very performance edge of a ski! Not for every skier.

You decide.

I bought a pair of Salomon Shogun few years ago, 102mm under foot. They still have some shape, are light and you can carve properly onpiste with them. Overall I think they are a great compromise. Even on 100% piste days now I tend to wear them, including in bumps. Have a pair of Dynastar 4 x 4 in locker and never take them out these days. Having said that I will be investing in a pair a slalom skiis next year.

If you go that width I think you just need to be careful of getting something that is a pure powder ski; straight/soft/massive rocker in which case likely to be rubbish onpiste.

You won't notice a significant difference going from 92mm to 100mm waist. It's not like changing from SL-type skis to 90mm for the first time and you should be able to adapt in one run. But you need to pay attention to other characteristics, like sidecut, camber etc.

As for skis you might want to look at Armada TST, very good all-around skis. Sidecut is similar to SL ski, and they are quite stiff underfoot with traditional camber. Only tip rocker, so they do well on piste and great off-piste.

Another good skis to look at is Volkl Mantra. Very different from Armada, stiff, much less forgiving - if you don't ski it it will ski you, but if you are on top of it you will enjoy it a lot. I think current model is 98 underfoot. Also tip rocker was added last year so they turn quicker now. I had (still have but want to get a current model) Volkl Aura for three seasons, which is Mantra marketed for women, and they rip both on and off piste. It was my first wide ski (I was on 76mm previously) so they was some learning curve and I had to work harder than I used to, but my skiing improved heaps as a result. Do well in powder too as long as you don't take them into trees - they become scary there ))

Whitedot Preachers' will do the lot :D