Post by livingproof on Jan 12, 2014 9:13:16 GMT -7
At the annual Elk Mtn. Demo day, I spent 3 runs on each of the above skis. I've been looking for a wider ski to take to my western trips, and, the Sollies were recommended by Philpug. It snowed the day of the event, so I demo'd the wide skies in the conditions for which I hope to encounter in the west, softer snow. A quick caveat....it takes time, much more than three runs to figure a ski out. Especially with wider skis, where I have little experience, my technique breaks quickly and the feeling of stem entries starts to occur very quickly.
Salomon Q98 @ 180 cm
This was the first demo and the mountain still had a fair amount of new loose snow. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy these skis turned...almost playful, yet, still provided plenty of support and edging on the harder snow underneath. They encouraged me to stay in the fall line of lightly bumped up runs and just go for it. My weakness as a skier is ungroomed terrain as my home mountain trails are just too groomed. The Q98's were a very stable platform, more comfortable than demanding. The spec's of the ski place it in the "soft snow" category of the near 100 waist skis, and, it fits me well as I'm not looking for a high speed cruiser. Whatever my expectations were, they exceeded it.
Salomon Q90 @ 185 cm
From the very first turns, these skis wanted to lock onto edge more that the Q98's. It may have been the added length kept them on edge once established, but, there was a learning curve during the transition. Like the big brother, they are a soft snow ski, very comfortable to ski with the same ability to go from soft snow to hard while holding edge very nicely. Nice in bumped up cruisers. I remember thinking that these ski very well without having to think about technique. Just go have fun and enjoy the experience.
Nordica Firearrow Pro @178 cm (84 mm waist)
This was a ski the Svend expressed interest in, and, the Nordica demo tent had no line and I saw the ski there, so, I jumped onto it. I've demo'd the FA in the past with two different experience, would the third time be the decider? I feel I should like this ski as it's close enough to my Hart Pulse skis and the mountain conditions matched what an 84 waist ski is designed for. The FA pro is a detuned and less expensive brother of the Firearrow. While on these, our little group was skiing Elk's most demanding run with a full spectrum of bump conditions (read some hard snow below a bump). The FA Pro's delivered a fine performance. Edge hold was very good, edge changes are easy, stable and comfortable to ski, no bucking around in bumps. Did the first run, then just wanted to go back for more. Below is Philpug's epic review, which I agree with.
www.epicski.com/products/2014-nordica-fire-arrow-84-pro-evo
In retrospect, I wish I spent more time trying to determine how all of the above performed as a groomer carver, it just was not the day for that testing. I liked all three skis, but, the Firearrow would be overlap.
The big news is that Phil and I are discussing a purchase of the Q98 in time for the Utah Gathering. The 90's at his shop are sold out in long lengths, so the decision between which to buy becomes easier. It would have been a tough call.
Salomon Q98 @ 180 cm
This was the first demo and the mountain still had a fair amount of new loose snow. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy these skis turned...almost playful, yet, still provided plenty of support and edging on the harder snow underneath. They encouraged me to stay in the fall line of lightly bumped up runs and just go for it. My weakness as a skier is ungroomed terrain as my home mountain trails are just too groomed. The Q98's were a very stable platform, more comfortable than demanding. The spec's of the ski place it in the "soft snow" category of the near 100 waist skis, and, it fits me well as I'm not looking for a high speed cruiser. Whatever my expectations were, they exceeded it.
Salomon Q90 @ 185 cm
From the very first turns, these skis wanted to lock onto edge more that the Q98's. It may have been the added length kept them on edge once established, but, there was a learning curve during the transition. Like the big brother, they are a soft snow ski, very comfortable to ski with the same ability to go from soft snow to hard while holding edge very nicely. Nice in bumped up cruisers. I remember thinking that these ski very well without having to think about technique. Just go have fun and enjoy the experience.
Nordica Firearrow Pro @178 cm (84 mm waist)
This was a ski the Svend expressed interest in, and, the Nordica demo tent had no line and I saw the ski there, so, I jumped onto it. I've demo'd the FA in the past with two different experience, would the third time be the decider? I feel I should like this ski as it's close enough to my Hart Pulse skis and the mountain conditions matched what an 84 waist ski is designed for. The FA pro is a detuned and less expensive brother of the Firearrow. While on these, our little group was skiing Elk's most demanding run with a full spectrum of bump conditions (read some hard snow below a bump). The FA Pro's delivered a fine performance. Edge hold was very good, edge changes are easy, stable and comfortable to ski, no bucking around in bumps. Did the first run, then just wanted to go back for more. Below is Philpug's epic review, which I agree with.
www.epicski.com/products/2014-nordica-fire-arrow-84-pro-evo
In retrospect, I wish I spent more time trying to determine how all of the above performed as a groomer carver, it just was not the day for that testing. I liked all three skis, but, the Firearrow would be overlap.
The big news is that Phil and I are discussing a purchase of the Q98 in time for the Utah Gathering. The 90's at his shop are sold out in long lengths, so the decision between which to buy becomes easier. It would have been a tough call.