Post by superbman on Dec 31, 2014 5:27:55 GMT -7
I ought to review this..
So, after demoing a host of 88-95mm wide skis near the end of last season, I ended up buying the one I never skied. My experience was that almost every new iteration in this category was an excellent ski, and could meet my needs so I took a chance on a well-received ski based solely on price (430.00-NEW, shipped, including a set of Rossi Axial Bindings).
I haven't been disappointed, and I've been mostly quite pleased.
So Far, I have it up in Vermont for two days, skiing mostly glades and few early season bumps and groomers. And I've had it for about 8 days at Berkshire East, skiing everything from groomers, to early bumps, to all that funky weird rain and refreeze snow we've all been skiing for the last week and a half.
In a word, the REV is easy. I mean, really easy to ski well. For some that might not be a benefit, as easy is also associated with 'uninspiring' or un rewarding or overly damp and too soft. And, honestly, there's some truth to this. But, for an easy, medium flex mid fat, it delivers a surprisingly high level of energy, pop and fun. Beyond shadow of a doubt, there are more demanding skis in this category that deliver higher levels of speed and energy under the accomplished pilot, but I suspect few of those would be as fun and versatile for those of us who possess a more modest skill set. To whit, I haven't skied the REV anywhere that it failed to meet my demands or was overmatched by terrain, speed or skier input.
The REV 90 prefers a caved turn approach but it is fairly tolerant of a pivoted or drifted turn, and since I really wanted to rely on this ski for 'lower-snow' east coast glade skiing, that's a good thing. It is surprisingly easy to link together rhythmic short turns (for a ski this wide), and it is pleasanty stable at speed through funky snow (again with the caveat: For a Ski without metal). It doesn't have the pure stability of the K2 Rictor 90 XTI, but it's quicker and a touch more lively. It doesn't balk in funky snow at faster than average speeds, but it has a comforting way of conforming to the surfaces, holding it's line and calmly releasing a turn. And like every ski that HEAD had ever built in this width range (Monster 88 on up), it has that great, slightly rounded/ lifted tail that is pure gold for those who like a soft or feathered turn finish in tight terrain, or just an easy releasing turn finish in general.
As I said on another Forum, if you are the sort of skier who laments the passing of the previous Volkl Mantra, or loves the Blizzard Bonafide or those Stockli hard charging skis, you probably won't like the REV 90. However, if you've skied the previous iteration the Rossi E88, and liked it but wished it had more guts, a touch more stability and better float-You'll like the REV 90 a lot. Also, if you were a fan of the iPeak 90, well, this ski feels like a direct evolutionary step up from that ski.
Like a lot of skis these days, it has broad appeal and great construction. Though, I would admit, this is true for every other ski I have tried in this category (to date; Brahma, K2 90xti, Dynastar Powertrack 89, Nordica NRGY 90, Line Supernatural 90). Though there are some key differences among these skis in design and materials, make no mistake they are all easy handling, crowd pleasers with fairly wide use envelopes. The industry just knows how to make this ski really, really, well. With all of these skis, I am impressed by how versatile they've really become at both ends of the terrain, and skier skill spectrum. I made my purchasing choice solely on Price, and didn't get burned. I think, with this category of ski, you can get away with that approach.
Length suggestion: For the REV, the medium (slightly softer than medium) flex matches well with a longer length. For any full grown adult male, I wouldn't ski this shorter than the 177cm, you'd give back too much fore/ aft stability and stability at speed or through funky snow-without the metal, that's part of the equation with the REV 90. I could have gone longer.
Hope that helps.
Going skiing in about an hour….
So, after demoing a host of 88-95mm wide skis near the end of last season, I ended up buying the one I never skied. My experience was that almost every new iteration in this category was an excellent ski, and could meet my needs so I took a chance on a well-received ski based solely on price (430.00-NEW, shipped, including a set of Rossi Axial Bindings).
I haven't been disappointed, and I've been mostly quite pleased.
So Far, I have it up in Vermont for two days, skiing mostly glades and few early season bumps and groomers. And I've had it for about 8 days at Berkshire East, skiing everything from groomers, to early bumps, to all that funky weird rain and refreeze snow we've all been skiing for the last week and a half.
In a word, the REV is easy. I mean, really easy to ski well. For some that might not be a benefit, as easy is also associated with 'uninspiring' or un rewarding or overly damp and too soft. And, honestly, there's some truth to this. But, for an easy, medium flex mid fat, it delivers a surprisingly high level of energy, pop and fun. Beyond shadow of a doubt, there are more demanding skis in this category that deliver higher levels of speed and energy under the accomplished pilot, but I suspect few of those would be as fun and versatile for those of us who possess a more modest skill set. To whit, I haven't skied the REV anywhere that it failed to meet my demands or was overmatched by terrain, speed or skier input.
The REV 90 prefers a caved turn approach but it is fairly tolerant of a pivoted or drifted turn, and since I really wanted to rely on this ski for 'lower-snow' east coast glade skiing, that's a good thing. It is surprisingly easy to link together rhythmic short turns (for a ski this wide), and it is pleasanty stable at speed through funky snow (again with the caveat: For a Ski without metal). It doesn't have the pure stability of the K2 Rictor 90 XTI, but it's quicker and a touch more lively. It doesn't balk in funky snow at faster than average speeds, but it has a comforting way of conforming to the surfaces, holding it's line and calmly releasing a turn. And like every ski that HEAD had ever built in this width range (Monster 88 on up), it has that great, slightly rounded/ lifted tail that is pure gold for those who like a soft or feathered turn finish in tight terrain, or just an easy releasing turn finish in general.
As I said on another Forum, if you are the sort of skier who laments the passing of the previous Volkl Mantra, or loves the Blizzard Bonafide or those Stockli hard charging skis, you probably won't like the REV 90. However, if you've skied the previous iteration the Rossi E88, and liked it but wished it had more guts, a touch more stability and better float-You'll like the REV 90 a lot. Also, if you were a fan of the iPeak 90, well, this ski feels like a direct evolutionary step up from that ski.
Like a lot of skis these days, it has broad appeal and great construction. Though, I would admit, this is true for every other ski I have tried in this category (to date; Brahma, K2 90xti, Dynastar Powertrack 89, Nordica NRGY 90, Line Supernatural 90). Though there are some key differences among these skis in design and materials, make no mistake they are all easy handling, crowd pleasers with fairly wide use envelopes. The industry just knows how to make this ski really, really, well. With all of these skis, I am impressed by how versatile they've really become at both ends of the terrain, and skier skill spectrum. I made my purchasing choice solely on Price, and didn't get burned. I think, with this category of ski, you can get away with that approach.
Length suggestion: For the REV, the medium (slightly softer than medium) flex matches well with a longer length. For any full grown adult male, I wouldn't ski this shorter than the 177cm, you'd give back too much fore/ aft stability and stability at speed or through funky snow-without the metal, that's part of the equation with the REV 90. I could have gone longer.
Hope that helps.
Going skiing in about an hour….