164-165_Mʼs FR Skis_Layout 1 03/09/2012 13:27 Page 165
Völkl Mantra
Blizzard Bonafide
Armada TST
FREERIDE Atomic Theory + FFG 12 £485
Armada TST £495 (ski only)
Where’s it going to be skied? Last year’s Fall-Line magazine Overall Ski of the Year. It’s built for skiing soft snow and off-piste with the grip and control to handle firmer stuff and mixed conditions. This means it’s happy chewing through a few miles of groomed trails too. 95mm in the waist ensures the floatation, camber underfoot provides the edge hold, and rocker on the nose helps with versatility. Who’s going to use it? Good all mountain skiers who want snow soft performance but decent ability elsewhere too, possibly even an occasional lap in the park. It’s a topseller and award winner that has been improved by a Carbon Backbone added to the wood core, increasing the levels of grip and liveliness. Tester’s comments: Sandy (Braehead) ‘Nice, smooth feel with a lot of power and grip on piste. Suits a massive range of conditions.’ Demo available Radius: 19m (177cm) Sidecut: 130/95/119 (177cm) Sizes: 168, 177, 186 Binding DIN: 4 to 12 Ski code 700242 Binding code 702242
with Tyrolia Peak 12 £600 / with Marker Griffon 13 £670 Where’s it going to be skied? Anywhere with snow and the chance of first tracks: fresh, deep bowls, powder-filled tree runs, tracked-out meadows, even the occasional groomer. The 4-point sidecut and the EST All Mountain Rocker uses traditional camber underfoot and at the tail, plus rocker on the nose. This provides float and effortless turning, as well as stability and power. Who’s going to use it? Freeriders looking for a smooth, playful ski that will deal with all off-piste conditions and not be compromised on groomed runs. FR50 construction positions sidewalls underfoot for grip, with cap at the tip and tail for durability. Carbon Kevlar stringers add pop to the durable UltraLight wood core. Tester’s comments: Rob (Castlefield) ‘Smooth and lively at a variety of speeds, with the ability to switch from carving down pistes to blasting through soft stuff.’ Radius: 16.8m (183cm) Sidecut: 119-132/102/123 (183cm) Sizes: 174, 183, 192 Ski code 700259 Binding code Peak 12 702282, Griffon 13 702297
Scott Venture £520 (ski only)
Blizzard Bonafide £520 (ski only)
with Tyrolia Peak 12 £625 / with Salomon STH 12 Driver £690 Where’s it going to be skied? The Venture is a big, powerful ski that’ll take you pretty much anywhere. The 96mm waist is up to dealing with all but the very deepest of days; the 16m radius and wood core provide clean, precise turns on groomed runs. A Venturi tip rocker boosts the versatility, reducing snow friction and increasing float. Who’s going to use it? Advanced skiers who want to ski everything, and demand control on steep pistes and manoeuvrability off-piste. A dual radius sidecut improves handling in all conditions and sidewalls help with ‘laying down’ the power. Wherever you go, the Venture will remain supremely stable and beautifully balanced – encouraging you to ski longer, faster, further. Tester’s comments: Mark N (Bristol) ‘Good blend of power, agility and liveliness. So stable it blows you away, just no fuss on any terrain.’ Demo available Radius: 16m (178cm) Sidecut: 134/96/121 (178cm) Sizes: 168, 178, 188 Ski code 700229 Binding code Peak 12 702283, STH 12 Driver 702290
with Tyrolia Peak 12 £625 / with Salomon STH 12 Driver £690 Where’s it going to be skied? Off-piste with pace and power. The wood and metal construction provides the strength and torsional rigidity to ski aggressively on all terrain; Flipcore technology ensures a level of smoothness and control in every condition that other freeride skis just can’t match. Who’s going to use it? This one is for advanced and expert skiers who want real all-round performance, whether they’re on piste or in deep powder. Skis with tip and tail rocker can end up compromised on firm snow, not the Bonafide it remains full of energy and grip, whilst keeping the float and turn initiation you would expect. It really is the most versatile ski in the 98+/-mm category. Tester’s comments: Marcin (Tower House) ‘Amazing. Behaves like a regular GS ski on the piste (very smooth, loves the speed), fantastic in the deep powder.’ Demo available Radius: 21m (180cm) Sidecut: 133/98/118 (180cm) Sizes: 173, 180, 187 Ski code 700252 Binding code Peak 12 702282, STH 12 702290
Atomic Alibi £435 (ski only)
Völkl Mantra £515 (ski only)
with Atomic FFG 12 £540 / with Atomic Tracker £755 Where’s it going to be skied? Lots of time off-piste in every condition imaginable. A 98mm waist gives plenty of base for floatation; rocker at the tip and tail ensure great handling in all snow. The wood core provides power; sidewalls help with grip, and the Titanium Backbone adds smoothness and boosts edge hold. Who’s going to use it? Advanced and expert skiers with a preference for off-piste and eye for a special ski. The Alibi is new for 2012/13 and is the big brother to the Theory. Like its sibling, it too is an award winner, collecting Fall-Line’s Ski of the Year award. It will be the pick of many seasonnaires, freeride tourers and all mountain skiers, so don’t hang around if you want a set! Tester’s comments: Mark N (Bristol) ‘Feels solid underfoot and powers from turn-to-turn. Handles as much speed as you can throw at it.’ Demo available Radius: 19m (180cm) Sidecut: 130/98/119 (180cm) Sizes: 173, 180, 187 Ski code 700241 Binding code FFG 12 702241, Tracker 702285/702286
with Tyrolia Peak 12 £620 / with Marker Baron 13 £795 Where’s it going to be skied? The Mantra has reached legendary status for its ability to provide almost racelevels of grip on pistes and packed snow, with the power to charge all conditions and the dimensions to float in any depth of snow. 98mm in the waist gives the base area for powder, camber underfoot provides the edge hold and tip rocker improves the handling. Who’s going to use it? Heavier or more aggressive skiers who want grip and power so they can commit to every turn. A burly wood core with plenty of metal reinforcement provides the beef; sidewalls deliver the precision. It might not be for everyone, but those skiers who it does appeal to will definitely not be disappointed. Tester’s comments: Scott (Tamworth) ‘Power is the name of the game. Stable at speed charging down lines.’ Demo available Radius: 25.8m (184cm) Sidecut: 132/98/118 (184cm) Sizes: 170, 177, 184, 191 Ski code 700210 Binding code Peak 12 702283, Baron 13 702293/702294
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