On the recent trip to Banff that Gary and I took, I had the pleasure of being able to try out four different skis over the five days.? Because the reason for me being there was a business trip to a nearby project site, I did not bring my own skis; just my boots and other gear.? Skis were all rentals (sort of....see below....

).? Here are some snapshot reviews of these, in the order they were skied:
Nordica Hot Rod Tempest, 2011, 178 length, sidecut 127-80-111, R17I skied these at Louise, in groomed snow, broken snow and crud, and in some untracked bowls w. a few inches of two-day old snow over crust.? These skis were fine on the smooth groomed, but I just did not like them in any other conditions.? There was good energy and oomph in the tails, with a nice smooth powerful release, but the tips were just too stiff and jittery to really be of any use in the crud and broken snow.? Edge grip was poor, possibly because of the demo shop tune, but also because the front half of the skis were just too stiff to really arc properly and engage the full edge (at least that was my impression).? Turn initiation was slow; steering was OK; energy input was high to get them to do what I wanted.? Very stable and smooth at high speed, in long radius turns. Very fast.? Summary:? not versatile because of the stiff front end, which made them too jittery and lively in the tips; tiring because of the energy input needed to work them; low fun factor.
Dynastar Sultan 85, 2011, 178 length, sidecut 126-85-110, R17Again at Louise, ski day 2, similar conditions as above; about 2 inches fresh snow overnight.? (BTW, thanks Gary for dragging me into the shop and setting up the Sultan demos for me.? Much appreciated!)? I really liked these skis a lot.? What an incredible, versatile ski.? No wonder they are so popular.? On the groomers, they felt like a light, quick, snappy, GS ski.? Great edge grip, even on hard snow.? If I didn't look down, I would swear I had a 72mm ski underfoot, rather than an 85.? Quick initiation, went where I pointed them, easy to steer and roll on edge, lots of life in the tails, compliant tips rode over soft bumps and crud with fluid ease.? Smooth, damp, stable.? My only gripes are that they felt a bit twitchy in soft untracked snow, but that may be lack of familiarity with a new ski, and lack of experience of the skier in this stuff.? And, they felt too short (early rise tip?).? I would probably fit onto a 184 much better -- the 178 felt like a 170 underfoot.? Summary:? a great do-anything, go-anywhere kind of ski, very versatile, huge surprise on hard snow, nice balance of liveliness and smooth dampness, not jittery.? Would a be great one-quiver ski for east or west.
Dynastar Sultan 94, 2011, 184 length, sidecut 132-94-118, R20Looking to see if I could trade up a length on the Sultan 85, I went back to the rental shop at Louise but all they had in a 184 was the Sultan 94.? "Go for it!" said Gary. So what the heck, let's try 'em.? Totally different in feel to the 85's.? Longer, wider, stiffer, more damp, slower initiation, more power in the tails.? Not as quick and agile, as expected, but no slouch -- still easy to turn, go where pointed -- but just more deliberate and measured in their pace.? This is a stronger, damper ski than the 85, more solid and weighty underfoot.? Very fluid and smooth, very stable at speed.? Surprisingly good edge grip on hard snow groomers (I was amazed at how I could carve on a 94 waisted ski...never expected that), blew through crud like nothing there, great float and steering in soft snow ( I noticed and appreciated the longer turn radius over the 85's).? I loved them.? Very similar in feel to my Mythic Riders at 178 -- in fact, I'll bet if I had skied these in the same length, I would hardly be able to tell them apart.? This is a big compliment coming from me, as my Mythics are one of my favourite skis ever.? Summary:? another winner, and for the right skier with the weight and/or energy to arc these, a smooth, stable, powerful ride; excellent in soft snow and crud; great edge grip; surprisingly good on groomers.? Perhaps lacking a bit of spark and liveliness, but still most impressive.? (Can you tell I like Dynastar skis??

)
Nordica Speedmachine Mach 3, 2008, 178 length, sidecut 119-72-104, R16I had skied these last year, and this year again, when clicked into a friend's pair for a few runs; same length.? So I knew what I was getting.? A bit of background first:? I travel to the Calgary/Banff area at least once or twice each winter on business, and pay for rentals each time.? This year I thought "Why not buy a cheap pair of ex-rental skis and leave them at my sister-in-law's house in Calgary? Save myself hundreds on rentals".? So, I found a pair of '08 Mach 3's, in great shape, looked like they were skied on maybe 20 times, in my length.....for $100!!! Tuned and waxed, then retuned by none other than Gary the Tune-Meister in our hotel room, and I was ready to rock and roll! No need to demo, as I had already skied them -- just bought them on sight.? Smooth, damp but not dead, stable, great in crud, light but solid underfoot, reasonably agile with input, short turns require more torque, but medium and long turns are effortless.? They tracked perfectly through the bumped up and cruddy snow, and never got deflected.? These have a super smooth silky feel to them on the snow -- sweet!? Great energy, but not jittery or demanding.? They don't feel too soft for my weight, even without any metal, and held a high speed edge without problem and without losing any stability.? Very fast; no speed limit that I could find; very stable and predictable at speed.? Summary:? hard snow, ice, soft snow, crud, bumps...you name it, these skis can go anywhere (and they did, for 3 solid days).? Short of boot-high or deeper powder, you could take these anywhere on the mountain and have a blast.? A total delight, and one of the most versatile, fun skis I have ever skied.? Definitely in my top 5.? Not a ski that jumps up and calls attention to itself, or demands it from you....but rather one that calmly goes about doing great work wherever and whenever asked.? Overall, excellent, and a shame they are no longer made.
Hope these reviews are interesting and helpful to you all.
Cheers,
Svend