2013 Skis: A dud of a Year?

[jbotti]

Realskiers has put up all the major brand reviews with the exception of Line and Fischer and there are maybe 3 skis that I am excited or even intrigued by. In the past I would find 10-15 skis every year that I really wanted to try. Perhaps I am getting older and wiser and I am believing the hype and the marketing BS less than in the past. Perhaos my skiing has improed to the point where I no longer long for a ski that will make or help me ski better. Or maybe there just isn't much new and interesting in skis this year (or some of all of the above). Lastly maybe I own all the best skis made in the last 5 years and improving on that will always be tough

I mentioned in a previous post, there are 3 skis that intrigue me. The Kastle MX 83, the Head Rev 105 and the Head Rev 85. I am pretty sure I will not buy either ski at the 83-85mm width. I own the Head IM 78 and the Kastle MX 78 and I love both of these skis. I also own the Head Peak 84 which is a great ski as well and even if the MX 83 is a lot better than the Peak 84 it's just way to close to the MX 78 to consider buying it (famous last words!).

I can see a potential place for the Rev 105 mainly because the Icelantic Shamans have tips that are bigger than I like. The Rev 105 is a tight TR ski that is 105 underfoot which is plenty wide for Montana powder (light and fluffy kind). So it's possible that the Rev 105's could be a perfect ski to replace the Shamans with (and I could move them to Tahoe where the huge tips help in that heavier pow). As well, It looks like the marketing rocker profile on the Revs is modest like it is on the Head Rock N Roll. If so this may be just the perfect pow ski at least for me and the way that I ski and or attempt to ski.

[Philpug]

The Rev's are very nice skis but now way game changers or even best in class. In fact there are very well 3-5 other skis I would choose over them because they ski just as well but, and this may sound superficial, but their graphics are much better.

[jim-ratliff]

Phil:


Name your list of 5?

[jbotti]

Yes, would love to see your list Phil.

I have not skied the Revs and from what I can tell the bulk of the Rev line looks middle of the road. Max skied the 85 and said it was nice ski but nothing earth shattering. But the 105 has dimensions that we rarely see. It has very mild tip rocker and very little if any tail rocker and it has a very tight turn radius which you almost never see in a wider big mountain or powder orieneted ski. Having skied the Rock N Roll (which is an unheralded sleeper ski from last year, and a truly great ski) the Rev 105 looks like a wider version. If so, it could be great for those that like tighter TR wide skis.

[Philpug]

Phil:


Name your list of 5?

Rev85:

Nordica FA EDT84
Blizzard 8.5
Kastle MX83
Rossi Experience 88
Dynastar Outland 87

..and I can think of another 3-4. It not that the Rev85 isn't damn good, if is just filled category with some kickass skis.

Rev 105:

Kastle FX104
Line Influence 105
Blizzard Cochise
Salomon BBR 10.0
Kastle BMX108