Post by superbman on Aug 1, 2014 6:25:02 GMT -7
Are up and out. Say what you will, but I always look forward to Peter's (and now mostly Jackson Hogen's) mid-late summer listing of ski reviews. I like what Hogen brings to the table, and I really appreciate the new editorial focus on Narrower skis (though, I still like big skis as well, I have come to re-appreciate the value of carvers et al). I am sure many others do as well (I mean, hell, this used to be the forum for that website!).
I also like that they've taken the finesse/ power delineations another step further and developed a scoring system that breaks these meta-categories down into smaller focused points of evaluation. And while I miss Peter's trademark, matter-of-fact curmudgeonly writing style, I like Jackson only slightly less-curmudgeonly yet, somehow, ebullient prose. the featured articles and blog pieces are swell additions, too.
Complaints? I am not a fan of the persistent anti-indie ski sneer that has gotten stronger and stronger at real skiers. Yeah, there are a dizzying amount of small manufacturers (mostly contracting through Chinese chop-shops), but there are also some real players as well whose popularity reflects a union of innovative design, good manufacturing and, yes, an ability to plug into an on the ground grass roots ski culture. Icelantic being my personal favorite, but I've had good experiences with DPS (like Icey, made in America (top stuff) in top flight facilities), Liberty and 4frnt. I am not saying cover them all, but cover some (especially the USA made stuff with a visible presence).
I am looking for the versatile narrower ski this season to round out the quiver….and I always look for wider skis to try out as I just really like what they do in serious heavy/ soft snow east coast glades and on big mountain trips.
Skis of interest:
Blizzard Latigo
Icelantic Gypsy SKNY (I think this could be the long-awaited east coast off-piste exclaimer).
Liberty Origin (I just never tire of this sort of ski, and every Liberty I have skied has been a delight).
Liberty Sequence (another functional bump/ tree specialist).
K2 Rictor 82XTI-with the Latigo, a front side generalist. Really, I should have bought this ski already….
I am at the beach right now…but skiing never seems that far off.
I also like that they've taken the finesse/ power delineations another step further and developed a scoring system that breaks these meta-categories down into smaller focused points of evaluation. And while I miss Peter's trademark, matter-of-fact curmudgeonly writing style, I like Jackson only slightly less-curmudgeonly yet, somehow, ebullient prose. the featured articles and blog pieces are swell additions, too.
Complaints? I am not a fan of the persistent anti-indie ski sneer that has gotten stronger and stronger at real skiers. Yeah, there are a dizzying amount of small manufacturers (mostly contracting through Chinese chop-shops), but there are also some real players as well whose popularity reflects a union of innovative design, good manufacturing and, yes, an ability to plug into an on the ground grass roots ski culture. Icelantic being my personal favorite, but I've had good experiences with DPS (like Icey, made in America (top stuff) in top flight facilities), Liberty and 4frnt. I am not saying cover them all, but cover some (especially the USA made stuff with a visible presence).
I am looking for the versatile narrower ski this season to round out the quiver….and I always look for wider skis to try out as I just really like what they do in serious heavy/ soft snow east coast glades and on big mountain trips.
Skis of interest:
Blizzard Latigo
Icelantic Gypsy SKNY (I think this could be the long-awaited east coast off-piste exclaimer).
Liberty Origin (I just never tire of this sort of ski, and every Liberty I have skied has been a delight).
Liberty Sequence (another functional bump/ tree specialist).
K2 Rictor 82XTI-with the Latigo, a front side generalist. Really, I should have bought this ski already….
I am at the beach right now…but skiing never seems that far off.