Sizes: 192 Sidecut: 147|127|137 Special Features: Rocker, Full Wood Core, Flat swallow-tail
The 2011 Salmon Rocker was the surprise favourite amongst all our testers this year. When we first pulled it out of the Thule rack, everyone had comments on the size, the swallow-tail and how it looks cool it probably wasn't for them. Thankfully we had this baby for demo in the backcountry powder where it belongs! This skis charges hard down the piste as I am sure you can imagine. What really impressed all of the testers was how easily the Salomon Rocker was to manuever. Remember, this is a 192cm! Now, probably not the most versatile ski for use at the resort but that won't be a problem because once you have experienced these in the backcountry pow you won't be rushing to get back to the chairlifts!
Sizes: 185 Only Sidecut: 153|127|150 Radius: 15.90 Special Features: Sidewall Constructiuon, Ealrly Rise 45cmx30mm, Early Taper, Symmetric Flex Maple Macroblock core, Fatty base & edge
Like most of you, we have been watching Eric Pollard smoothly make his way down some powder sloped most of us only see in our dreams. The difference with Eric is that he makes it look easy with such grace and little effort. Part of the trick is this ski that beares his name. The 2011 EP Pro has it all: Nose Rocker, Tail Rocker, Reverse Camber, solid wood core, sweet graphics and some surprising verstility. If you are the kind of powder skier who likes to jib and jump of of everything and anything the EP Pro gives you a tonne of pop followed by a really controlled and smooth landing. Don't be afraid to make these the only skis you use whether in the backcountry powder skiing or on the lifts. It just works and we like it.
Hey, even if you don't ski like Eric Pollard, this is one step closer.
Sizes: 175, 185 Sidecut: 145|125|145 Radius: 17m (185cm) Special Features: Sidewall CTS Woodcore, Dynamic Tri-Axial Wrap, Okulen Synthetic Base
When we first set our eyes upon this very curious looking pair of skis we thought they might be broken. The rocker tip and tail are that drastic! You, like us, may thing that they are silly and won't perform. That is where we all would be wrong. These 2011 Movement Fly Swatters are the real deal. A tough woodcore construction coupled with a short turning radius make these the ultimate backcountry jibbing tool. Take all your best days in the park at your local resort, add a snowcat, take away the lift lines, add a dash of powder and BAM! Time of your life.
Sizes: 175, 190 Sidecut: 142|106|122 Radius: 25m (183cm) Special Features: Woodcore Sandwich construction, Mini Rocker, Custom Graphics Option Made in Canada!
Powder skiing, crud busting, ripping in the trees and bowls. Does this sound like a perfect date? If so, then this is the ski for you. We must admit, it was a little different looking upon a first glance, but once you got beyond first impressions you discovered how you could easily have a love affair with these babies! This ski was happier at a little higher speeds and the long length meant you should probalby have some good strength. But that is why those earned turns are so sweet!
Sizes: 176, 188, 195 Sidecut: 145|117|127 Special Features: Sandwich Construction, Wood/WRS Core, Flat Mount
This is one of the biggest, meanest and crazy stable backcountry skis we tested! The S7's features Rossignol Amptek profile combining, early raise tip and tail, camber underfoot, reverse sidecut in the tip and tail and sidecut underfoot. Rossignol has created the perfect powder tool for strong backcountry skiers who have a lust for the steep and deep. The word on the street is that a few of these behemoths have been released early. So you might see the new 2011 S7 (a.k.a. The Koopman) out in your favorite hardcore shop. You'll know it is them because they are HUGE! Oh, and they've been updated with interesting new graphics...
Sizes: 174, 186 Sidecut: 135|106|129 Radius: 19.4m (174cm) Special Features: Sandwich Construction, Wood/WRS Core, Flat Mount
When we first tried this ski it was at Big White Ski Resort and we were a little worried...then we took it to where it belonged: The BC backcountry. Off the Piste, in the powder an off the hits is where this ski shines. It became a crowd favorite amongst the testers. The grin on Adam's face after a run through some perfectly spaced trees.
Sizes: 169, 183 Sidecut: 127|97|118 Radius: 25m (183cm) Special Features: Made in Canada! Woodcore Sandwich construction, Custom Graphics Option
All mountain versatility, one ski quiver, fun, energetic, suprising...these are the terms that were heard as our testers tried out the Crown Skis Satori for the first time. This skis is hand made in Vancouver BC by a small company of dedicated skiers. They seemed to have hit is right with the Satori. It was the smallest of the group on our test day and it held it's own very well. Use this ski to cruise thorugh the trees and play around on natural features. The cool thing is, they are not heavy so you can keep doing laps all day!
Sizes:165, 172, 179, 186 Sidecut: 134|100|125 Radius: 18.90 Special Features: 4D 'Super Beefy' Fibrecap Construction, Maple Macroblock Woodcore
We've all heard the saying - "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Well in this case we totally agree. The new Line Prophet 100 for the 2010/11 season is unchanged from last season. The only difference you will notice are the almost haunting graphics of an empty powder covered tree. We're diggin the look of the ski, but what really counts is how it performs. The Line Prophet 100 plows through the snow especially if you are at the back of the pack and have to deal with a few tracks. We also tested this ski at a resort where it showed us that it is a true all mountain powder ski.
Sizes:172, 179, 186 Sidecut: 153|115|142 Radius: 19.0 Special Features: Metal matrix 4D Fibercap Construction, P-Cut Geometry Freeride Flex, Maple Macroblock, Fatty Base & Edge
The Line Prophet 115 is new for the 2010/11 season and we welcome it with open arms! One of our testers Todd absolutely loved this ski. You know whe you ski some of these fat skis they feel a little loosey-goosey jib style? Well the Line Prophet 115 is NOT that. It charges hard but is seeminly nimble. A perfect ski if you want something larger that its younger brother the Line Prophet 100 but don't want a monster like the Prophet 130 and the like.
Sizes:172, 183 Sidecut: 142|115|139 Radius: 18.0 Special Features: Sidewall Construction, Early taper, G-Force Geometry Symmetric Flex, Maple Macroblock, Fatty Base & Edge
Bacon is good on everything and so is this ski. Line Pro Skier Eric Pollard dubs these his "one quiver ski". So if you aren't a pro skier and can only scratch enough cash together for one pair of skis, take his advice and buy these. The Sir Francis Bacon were a crowd favorite at our Catskiing.ca test day. We all couldn't really explain why women, girls, young men, old men, were grinning on these boards. We figured it out - one word.... Bacon.
Sizes: 166, 174, 182, 190 Side Cut (174): 128|108|111 Special Features: High Twin Tip Tail, Full Wood C0re
The Salomon Czar is a fun playful ski that lends itself well to tricks and poppin' around the features on the slopes. This ski tripped us out the first few turns because it has an incredible amount of float while not being the largest ski in the test. This makes it nice and loose to throw around, land switch and all those jibbing type actions if that is what floats your boat. So if you are looking for a tonne of float in a playful ski but not want to buy two pairs of skis, check out the 2011 Salomon Czar.
Sizes: 161, 169, 177, 185 Side Cut (177): 128|87|115 Special Features: Semi Twin Tip Tail, Full Wood Core
Well we are really happy to see Salomon is producing their freeride line in full wood cores these days. The Lord was a fun ski to have out but would probably appeal best to skiers who are looking to spend most of their days on piste at the ski hills. If I were headed out to the BC backcountry I would pick up the Rocker or Czar instead. That being said, the Lord would be that solid one-ski quiver ski.
This is not just a re-name of the old Seth twin tip. Yes, it definitely follows the lineage, but it is a completely new animal! The new 2009 obSETHed from K2 has a wider waist, more rocker, and even louder graphics. I have had a pair of Seth's for 4 years now and still say they are the toughest, meanest skis ever built. The new obSETHed is no different. It carries over the same rugged ABS sidewalls, solid wood core construction and Progressive Sidecut that has made this ski legendary.
Here are details:
Sizes: 169, 179, 189 Tip/Tail/Waist: 138/105/125 14/12-mm progressive sidecut with standard taper
Pros: Tasty and rich and goes well with many types of meat Cons: Not available at every cold beer and wine store, but worth looking for
This has been a staple for our group for many years. Whether you are sitting by the campfire on a summer evening, or lounging in a sweaty hotel room on a winter night waiting for your next day of skiing, it is a must to enjoy. Unlike some other stouts and beers that just look dark, this Stout has a true rich flavor that matches its coffee like appearance. As always, certified organic and locally brewed.
Pros: Light and easy to move around for the power they give you Cons: Not much, just a bunch idiots in the lift line asking you if you are an Iron Maiden fan.
I know these are a few years old, but if you are out at a ski swap or if you have a friend with a pair and he is in need of cash, they are worth picking up. They are big and stable and great on those big powder days or when you are cat skiing, but versatile enough to handle everything on the ski hill. A lot of fun and took my skiing to a new level after coming off a slightly narrower and GS styled free ride ski.
Sizes: 161, 169, 177, 185
This is not just a re-name of the old Seth twin tip. Yes, it definitely follows the lineage, but it is a completely new animal! The new 2009 obSETHed from K2 has a wider waist, more rocker, and even louder graphics. I have had a pair of Seth's for 4 years now and still say they are the toughest, meanest skis ever built. The new obSETHed is no different. It carries over the same rugged ABS sidewalls, solid wood core construction and Progressive Sidecut that has made this ski legendary.
