Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

Algreen wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 07, 2021 8:15 am

Montana St Alum wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 05, 2021 9:14 pm

Hey, both of you in Colorado. There's talk of storms this week, but they've lied before.

Saw that. Should add over a foot by the end of the week!

Curious of your height and weight and how you like those 164cm Rustlers?

Looks like the storm will hit, but maybe not as hard! I'll report.
I'm 5'9" and 167, now that Thanksgiving is past. Hoping for 160 or so once I struggle through X-mass eating.

I REALLY like the Rustler at 164. It's a fairly stiff ski, so it holds up at that short length on groomers and bumps. I increased the sharpness by going 3 degrees on the side bevel and 1 on the bottom Vs. stock 1.5 or so on the side. That's probably overkill, but I have that on my 3 shorter skis so it makes tuning simpler. My M-Free's are stock.

Yesterday I was carving on some pretty hard pack (no ice in Utah, just "loud powder") with no slippage and the short ski length and not too wide shovels work great in bumps. I wouldn't hesitate to take them out in 8 or 9" over a solid base, but of course something like a 172+ would be a bit better (that's what my Rustler 10's are).

That’s helpful. Im still getting used to new school ski sizing. I used to tele on 177cm Atomic TM:EX at 5’5” and 162. Now I’m down to 150lbs and with 96mm underfoot, dropped down to a 164cm on the Ripstick. Excited to try them. I skied a few days last year in a 176 Liberty origin 96 and it was too long to turn quickly.

Algreen wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 07, 2021 9:51 am

That’s helpful. Im still getting used to new school ski sizing. I used to tele on 177cm Atomic TM:EX at 5’5” and 162. Now I’m down to 150lbs and with 96mm underfoot, dropped down to a 164cm on the Ripstick. Excited to try them. I skied a few days last year in a 176 Liberty origin 96 and it was too long to turn quickly.

Yeah, the TM was a classic design. No rocker! Rockered skis definitely turn quicker. Heck, my JJ's at 116 underfoot and 185cm turned easier than Tms. I think you'll love them. I'm sure they'll take a few runs to get used to. Kind of like a snowboard in that they are more stable on edge.

I'm 5'6", 165 lbs, and chose the 172. I did think long and hard about the 165, but in the end, I figured I'd be side-country in mostly softer snow, so... I'm hoping the 172 doesn't take me for a ride in the occasional bump runs I venture in to before I bug out of the ski area at the top. Can't wait for this weekend's storm!

Pealer wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 07, 2021 5:50 pm

I'm 5'6", 165 lbs, and chose the 172. I did think long and hard about the 165, but in the end, I figured I'd be side-country in mostly softer snow, so... I'm hoping the 172 doesn't take me for a ride through in the occasional bump runs I venture in to before I bug out of the ski area at the top. Can't wait for this weekend's storm!

That makes sense. Where you ski and the type of snow has a big impact. Going back 15 years, I skied the Atomic Sugar Daddy in 163 length, and that was 99 under foot. Heavy, and stiff, but fun and turntable with a 28m radius. Totally different from today.

I've had 4 days on my 106 Volkl Blaze skis. I love them. Binding is an Outlaw X, boot is the Scott Voodoo. I'm 6'3,205. I can't wait for some powder. I'm hopeful the rocker will bring some nice float in deeper snow. Old rig was a Head Rev 104, a 10 year old rig retirement. The Blaze is very responsive, feels faster, and holds an edge much better. I need to detune the tips. They were a bit grabby last time I was out.

TeleSteveAbasin wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 21, 2021 2:17 pm

I've had 4 days on my 106 Volkl Blaze skis. I love them. Binding is an Outlaw X, boot is the Scott Voodoo. I'm 6'3,205. I can't wait for some powder. I'm hopeful the rocker will bring some nice float in deeper snow. Old rig was a Head Rev 104, a 10 year old rig retirement. The Blaze is very responsive, feels faster, and holds an edge much better. I need to detune the tips. They were a bit grabby last time I was out.

Thanks for the feedback. Seems like a good ski for tele. I just ended up going with the Elan Ripstick 96 and really like them on the first day. Looking forward to some pow.

TeleSteveAbasin, Thanks for the review. Do the tips need a de-tune, or are the tips maybe a bit wide. That's about my only concern with the 106. It looks like they might favor forward stance and pressure, which is easier done with a locked heel. Or, maybe I'm wrong. Let me know your thoughts. Anyway, I'm waiting one more storm to move my Outlaw X's over from my rock skis.