Powder Ski Comparison - Soft Snow Ski Smack Down
We've brought you the all mountain ski comparison of crazy 98s, threw down with a big mountain ski comparison of skis between 100 and 110 mm underfoot - and now we're bringing you the big boys with this powder ski comparison.
Powder skis get a lot of attention - partially because so many of us dream about the deep bluebird days, and partially because so much of recent ski innovation has happened here. Rocker, reverse camber, early rise and taper all cut their teeth in the powder before trickling down to narrower skis.
For this ski comparison test, we'll take a look at the Atomic Bent Chetler, the Volkl Shiro, the Salomon Rocker2 115, Nordica Patron & Nordica Helldorado, Armada JJ, AKJJ and Magic J, Line Influence 115, K2 Sideseth, Icelantic Gypsy & Keeper, Dynastar Cham 127, Dynafit Huascaran, DPS Wailer 112, Blizzard Gunsmoke and the Rossignol S7, Super 7 & Squad 7.
These are all fantastic powder skis and cover the spectrum, from quick and nimble skis for turning quickly through your favorite tree stash to big and stable for arcing big lines down open bowls - and everything in between.
Strengths: Slash and spin in the soft snow - the Atomic Bent Chetler is here to play. It likes popping off natural terrain features in the trees, skiing switch and playing more than charging.
Weaknesses: Not for cutting figure 11's straight down the fall line with your hair on fire - you've got to ski centered - backseat skiers can wheelie out.
Who it's for: This ski is for those who like to play, turning natural features in the trees and in the backcountry into your own terrain park. This ski is the pick of Start Haus staffer Jared.
Strengths: The low rise full length rocker is great for surfing, slashing and smearing in the soft stuff, but its got the guts to go fast in the untracked too.
Weaknesses: Fully rockered means you've got to be on edge when running the groomer back to the lift - no flat-footing these skis.
Who it's for: Strong skiers who want a surfy ski that won't fold at speed will dig the Volkl Shiro, as will fans of the current Volkl Gotama.
Strengths: This is one well-balanced ski, walking the line between hard charger and finesse player. Just the right rocker-camber-rocker profile to tackle most conditions.
Weaknesses: A jack of all trades, master of none - if we had a gun to our head in picking out weaknesses. It's that good.
Who it's for: This is a great all-around powder ski for those who like to open it up in an untouched bowl as much as they like to zig and zag through the trees. One of Phil's top picks in this category.
Salomon Rocker 2 115 Video Review
Strengths: The Patron's strengths are the Helldorado's weaknesses and visa-versa. The Patron is a light and playful powder ski that does well in mixed conditions, while the Helldorado adds metal for a hard-charging unflappable feel.
Weaknesses: See strengths - these skis are yin and yang, both good resort powder skis.
Who it's for: These are both versatile resort powder skis for two types of skiers - like the trees? Go Patron. Like speed and open lines? Go Helldorado. These two are favorites of Sierra Jim.
Nordica Patron & Helldorado Video Review
Strengths: Like the Nordica's above, you can pick which iteration of this ski you want depending on your preferences. Starting at the JJ, you've got a surfy, quick and nimble powder slayer. Step up the Magic J and you're going faster with a little more power. AKJJ is, well, for AK spines and big powerful dudes.
Weaknesses: The tapered tips and tails really reduce edge contact on firm snow, so only hit the groomers when you're making your way back to the lift, or go for quick turns rather than big GS arcs.
Who it's for: Quick and playful skis that step up in speed and stability, all of these skis are great in the trees or as sidecountry powder slayers - all playful, just by a matter of degrees.
Strengths: This is another well balanced powder ski like the Salomon, walking the line between stable, predictable, quick and playful.
Weaknesses: This is a heavier ski, so it's not a top pick for sidecountry or backcountry mission.
Who it's for: Another good pick for those who split their time on powder days between open bowls and tight trees - a little more traditional shape than the Salomon Rocker2, a little more of a charger.
Line Influence 115 Video Review
Strengths: The best of K2's Seth Morrison pro models yet. Long tip rocker and a little tail rocker make it great in the powder, while a straight sidecut and stiffer build make them stable at speed.
Weaknesses: Long radius sidecut doesn't make these the quickest turners on firm snow, a little more demanding ski than some.
Who it's for: Those who have big mountain aspirations, in-bounds or out. Go from powder stashes in Pacific Northwest trees to crazy steep lines in Chamonix.
Strengths: Icelantic continues to impress with their made in America line, 2 year warranty and fun yet smooth rides. Some of the best dampening in the bunch without feeling heavy or slow.
Weaknesses: If you're looking for the liveliest ski in the bunch, this isn't it - the tradeoff you take with such a smooth sailor.
Who it's for: These two skis are some of our staff's top picks for a dependable companion on powder days - go big without any surprises.
Strengths: These are big boy chargers. Camber underfoot, flat, tapered tails and tip rocker wants to go one way and get their fast. Plenty of float at 127 mm underfoot.
Weaknesses: Not the quickest turning in the trees, the surfiest or the most playful.
Who it's for: Big guys who want to go fast - if you want to make three turns from the top of the mountain to the bottom, this is a good candidate.
Strengths: This is the backcountry specialist in the bunch - nobody builds lightweight skis like Dynafit. Tip and tail rocker give it the surf, camber underfoot make it sure-footed enough for those wind-scoured surprises.
Weaknesses: Go for a ski this light and it can get tossed around in the crud and chop - but that's not why we go to the backcountry, is it?
Who it's for: You get fresh tracks by earning them - these skis are as good up as they are down. They don't forget Dynafit's ski mountaineering heritage, either - they won't leave you stranded if you find yourself short of the soft stuff.
Strengths: These skis created a huge buzz when they first came out, for good reason. If you're looking for a fat ski to ride everyday, this is your quiver of one. They're quick and playful both in the powder, and surprisingly, on firm snow too.
Weaknesses: A short turn radius and tip and tail rocker don't add up to the most stable ski for straight line flying, but that's kinda the point.
Who it's for: You don't want to run back to your car at lunch to swap out the powder skis for something else. You don't ever want to swap out the powder skis for something else.
DPS Wailer 112 RP Video Review
Strengths: Blizzard's Flipcore is applied to this twin-tip rocker-camber-rocker ski that's quick in the trees but won't leave you rattled on piste.
Weaknesses: It's hard to pick out a weakness on these well rounded skis, but if you're not a fan of tail rocker, this isn't your ride.
Who it's for: If you've skied and loved (like everyone at the Start Haus) Blizzard's other Flipcore skis like the Bonafide and the Cochise, this is the powder ski for you.
Blizzard Gunsmoke Video Review
Rossignol S7, Super 7 & Squad 7
Strengths: Here's a trio that gives you the pick-your-own-adventure option. The original Rossignol S7 is the most popular powder ski around, quick and nimble, and not bad on firm snow. The Super 7 adds some guts for stability, and the Squad 7 straightens out the shape for even more stability.
Weaknesses: The S7 and Super 7 don't have the most stable tails so they can wheelie out, but the Squad 7 helps address that at the expense of nimbleness in the trees.
Who it's for: We'll put it in Tahoe terms - Th Squad 7 is for Squaw Valley, the Super 7 is for Alpine Meadows and the S7 is for Northstar. These are the skis that really started the fun shape revolution, so you can't go wrong - just decide where you fit in the spectrum from hard charging (Squad 7) to finesse play (S7).