Post by gary on Feb 24, 2014 12:20:05 GMT -7
There once was the Armada JJ, the DPS 112, the Rossi S3...most recently the Head Rev 105.
Given my evolution into Rocker Technology and wider waist skis and I've learned so much about what I do and don't like. My last ski being the Head Rev 105 I now feel is a fantastic do SO much eastern ski..crud, pow, groomers, bumps...fun ski. It however falls short out west where it's sidecut does not make it the best pow ski in my experience. Both my sons ski on the 105's. One uses his for all conditions, retiring his P9's..formerly Svends.
Enter the Salomon Q115. A few weeks ago I returned from a trip to Powder Mountain, Ut. Love this place..it's a real throw back...no frills, few groomers..just pick up your big boy(or big girl) pants and go ski.
It snowed on and off, but a wet snow...dense and even buttery. Our skis stayed up in the top 6 inches although a fall, a step and you're in deep. A pole could be driven down very deep.
I skied the first day on the Rev105's and they were ok in these conditions...just a little hooky I felt sometimes pulling me into the turn a bit more quickly than I like. With it's traditional tail, it also liked to finish the turn more so than did the JJ, DPS and Rossi....just had to pay more attention to the release. It certainly was doable.
The next day I rode the Kastle 94's till noon....fun, workable but still NOT feeling the fun factor I was seeking. SO...my brother in law who rode his MX88's the first day wisely rented a pair of Q115's and was singing their praises. After watching him ski them...I noticed how he was easily able to transition from his 88's to the 115's using all his solid ski skills with no adjustments. He said it was the easiest to transition to that he's every been on.
My turn...I needed easypezy...more fun factor. I jumped on a pair at noon and we skied headwalls, trees and buttery snow...the skis responded so nicely...slight rocker tail, not weeny, just right..it was there for me if I happened (and I did) end up on the tails in the low light, low cloud conditions we had periodically. They were easy to bring up on edge and easy to hold there. Very quick underfoot and I was on the 178 length with a turning radius of 16.4...but it never felt quirky or jerky...very smooth and cooperative. I had them move the binding about 1/2 cen forward and it was spot on...shovel to tail..very balanced for me. Loved how easy the tail was to release.
The snow in some areas was very firm, even crunchy and I found the Q's length and width really absorbed the terrain exceptionally well. Even on the groomed Lodge Trail back to where our gear was...they carved very very well. I could see how some Skiers outwest could use this ski as their everyday driver. I've since had it in eastern conditions and it was a WOW on the fun factor. Equal in the east to the Rev 105.
The Q115 out shines it's predecessor leaps and bounds for outwest...the extra width gives superior support, it's floaty, surfy and AS quick with out feeling like it is driving you into the turn. The tails are much more co-operative for releasing or finishing a turn.
Overall...my pow crud ski evolution has brought to the fabulous Q115....if your in the market and you get a chance to demo one...it just might be your next ride too!
Best, G