[Hamish]

Is this a tele or alpine ski: Both
Length: 184
Tip width: 139
Waist: 108
Tail: 128
Weight in this length: 3.8kg
Boots used: Crispi Evo
Bindings used: NTN
How many days on the skis: 5
Resort or backcountry: resort
Geographical region: West Coast
Tell us about the terrain you ski: All over. Inbounds and out, powder, mank
How many days a year: 30
Previous ski that you liked: Rapid Transits, Tonics, Super Stinx
Previous ski you did not like: Crossrides
How big are you: 6'1 - 220
Mostly tele or parallel: tele only

I started putting so many comments down on another thread that I thought I might as well do a proper review.

They're amazing.

'Nuff said.

Well, maybe a little more. I will start by saying that G3 is a client of mine so I get these skis under the barter system - Full disclosure. But if I wasn't excited about them, I'd keep my head down and my mouth shut.

When I saw Jarlybart's video review of the M's, where he called them a "quiver of one" I got excited, but was sure he was exaggerating. I mean, how could a ski that big be responsive enough to use all over? He really wasn't exaggerating. They are a 108mm underfoot all-mountain ski that's quick enough to handle bumps and trees, as well as powder crud, chop and groomers. And a lot of stuff that you'd think they'd have trouble in, they just sail over top of.

These are way more than a powder ski. I've skied 5 days on them in just about every condition, including some really heavy Wet Coast slush with Scotsman last week. The only time I really wanted another ski was on ice. They are a little too big to really grab, but tell me of a 108mm ski that isn't...

They are a lot of ski to move around quickly, I will admit. I'm not recommending skiing moguls in them all day. But if you find yourself there, you won't be cursing the skis. They have a very pronounced early tip rise, which keeps you planing up in the soft stuff, but makes them a very short, surprisingly quick ski in the hard stuff. That's how they turn so quickly in tight.

The thing I will say about those Manhattan's that really scares me is this: To really get the most out of them, you just have to let them go and kind of ride them. It's more like surfing than skiing. I have scared myself by how fast I go when I've really let those skis have their way. I am convinced that I am going to have so much fun on them that it'll cost me an MCL. Skiing them is like standing on a pair of freight trains. You have to balance yourself, let them go, and then plan on sticking along on for the ride. But they are freight trains that really do turn whenever you want them to. I had a pair of el Hombres that I didn't like, because they didn't turn quickly enough to suit me. Not so the M's.

These are a big, heavy, mountain eater - real downhill machines. Powder of course, and crud. But a whole lot more.

In any conditions, they just like going really fast, and have the muscle to do it. I haven't found a top end on them. I plan on giving them to Scotsman to try. If anyone can find it, he will. But I don't think it's there.

One other thing I've noticed with these skis is that they are almost a better alpine than tele ski. It's that variable J sidecut and low camber - the tails are very flat. So, when you parallel ski and sit back on them and ride the tails, you can turn them on a dime from way in the back seat. It doesn't work in the tele position, only in parallel. But if you get your weight over the rear of the skis, you can pivot the whole ski from the tails. It's quite a neat sensation. It almost makes me want to ski alpine.

I have a quiver of G3 skis. I have no desire to use anything else right now. These are too much fun. That early tip rise really does change the game on big skis.

[jbf]

Length: 184
Tip width: 139
Waist: 108
Tail: 128
Weight in this length: 3.8kg
Boots used: Garmont Synergy
Binding: HH, Pos 4
How many days on the skis: 1
Resort or backcountry: resort
Geographical region: Colorado
Tell us about the terrain you ski: 90% Inbounds, 10% backcountry
How many days a year: 20
Previous ski that you liked: Atomic Kongur
Previous ski you did not like: Black Diamond Verdict
How big are you: 6'1 - 220
Mostly tele or parallel: tele only


To cut to the chase, I bought this ski right after demoing it.

I've been demoing skis in the around 110mm width. For comparison, I demoed the BD Verdict (which I hated, felt like lead feet), and Icelantic Nomad, and Skilogic Howitzer. I liked both the Nomad and Howitzer in powder and cut up powder, but felt sketchy and bit "planky" on harder-pack. Just not a confident edge grip.

After a day demoing the Manhattan at Copper, getting runs in on everything from a fresh groomer to untracked 6-8 in powder, this ski seemed to have all the powder performance of Howitzer/Nomad, with very impressive edge grip on groomed and windblown/hardpack.

Only slight downside was a bit of a squirelly feel straightlining on cattracks, but just that you had to pay a bit more attention than on say the Kongurs. Also seemed a little less forgiving of poodling the back foot than Kongurs.

I haven't skied on tons of different skis, but for what its worth I felt that I didn't have to adjust my technique at all to get a comfortable feeling relative to Kongurs.

There you have it. Like I said: I bought these immediately after demoing. Psyched.

[brew53]

Length: 190
Tip width: 139
Waist: 108
Tail: 128
Weight in this length: A bit on the heavy side? (I don't care)
Boots used: Scarpa T2
Binding: HH, Pos 3 & 4
How many days on the skis: 2
Resort or backcountry: Resort - Alta
Geographical region: Utah
Tell us about the terrain you ski: 85% Inbounds, 15% backcountry
How many days a year: 15
Previous ski that you liked: 200 cm BD Arc Angels (my last skis!)
Previous ski you did not like: ?
How big are you: 6'3 - 175ish
Mostly tele or parallel: tele, but parallel on occasion when the legs wear out

Day 1: About 6-8 inches of new on top of semi-firm. Incredibly easy to turn, parallel or tele, of course I'm coming from 10 year old Arc Angels. The Manhattans carve very well for a fat ski, I was pleasantly surprised. Soft snow performance was amazing as expected.

Day 2: About 2.5 feet of Alta powder. Smooth as silk and equally stable. They like to run but will turn quick as you desire. The early rise tip is a big plus and really helps plow through anything. One thing, I'm not used to seeing the tips in the deep stuff, this is kind of fun. I did not demo these prior to purchasing, but after researching various skis, I got exactly what I wanted, a fantastic powder ski that will rip on the flats as well.

I highly recommend the G3 Manhattan, don't be afraid of the 190s, they rip!

[Ddog]

Thanks for the reviews, I demo'd the 180's last weekend at the Mt Cain telefest (I think Hamish was there as I saw someone whiz by me on Manhattens/NTN/Evo's??..) I loved the skiis and was surprized as I thought the 180's would be too short for me (I'm 6 ft). I'd buy the 185's based on that experience for BC or the 190's for resort skiing (note: I measured these skiis in the shop for actual chord length...the "185's" measure 182.5 and the "190's" measure 188).

[Hamish]

[dschane]

Thanks for the reviews.

Did you mount your bindings according to G3's specifications? Based only eyeballing the boot center marks on the skis, they seem fairly rearward from other skis. Thoughts?