2017 Midwest Test Fest Ski Reviews (2018 skis)

[volklgirl]

I'll be posting all our reviews under this thread by linking to my Gear Geek blog as I finish each batch.

To get y'all started, here's the overview and testers' introductions. Each review will then have the reviewers' initials before their impressions.

https://geargeekgirl.blogspot.com/2017/02/2017-midwest-ski-test-fest-intro-and.html

 

[volklgirl]

Aaaaand......

The first bunch of reviews! The Carvers!

https://geargeekgirl.blogspot.com/2017/03/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html

 

[marzNC]

Sounds like the Dynastar Intense 10 is a winner. There were a couple of instructors at the Whitetail Demo Day in early Jan who liked it a lot. I enjoyed the Intense 10 @ 146cm but the 153cm was clearly too long. For context, my Head Absolut Joys are 148cm, 78 underfoot.

* * *
* Dynastar Intense 10, 153 and 160 cm (120-73-104, 15.0m)
NW (160 cm): OMG!! REALLY fun!! Rock solid, speedy, turns on demand. I have nothing negative to say about this one, and even liked it enough to take it for extended exploring, and that says something!!
JE (153 cm): LOVED THIS SKI!!!
* * *

 

[newboots]

This stuff is all beyond me, but I like to read it and try to learn something. @volklgirl , what's my "weight class?" I'm 5'4", 143 lbs.

 

[Lmk92]

Sounds like the Dynastar Intense 10 is a winner. There were a couple of instructors at the Whitetail Demo Day in early Jan who liked it a lot. I enjoyed the Intense 10 @ 146cm but the 153cm was clearly too long. For context, my Head Absolut Joys are 148cm, 78 underfoot.

* * *
* Dynastar Intense 10, 153 and 160 cm (120-73-104, 15.0m)
NW (160 cm): OMG!! REALLY fun!! Rock solid, speedy, turns on demand. I have nothing negative to say about this one, and even liked it enough to take it for extended exploring, and that says something!!
JE (153 cm): LOVED THIS SKI!!!
* * *

And it's such a pretty ski, too! Not sure about that skinny waist, but I'll look for it on my next demo day. I've never skied on a Dynastar, so maybe it's time I give them a try.

 

[volklgirl]

This stuff is all beyond me, but I like to read it and try to learn something. @volklgirl , what's my "weight class?" I'm 5'4", 143 lbs.

I'd generally use the following classes: 125 or less=light weight, 130ish-170=mid weight, 175 and up=heavyweight, but that's just me.

 

[Jilly]

The Intense is a great ski for the east. It's predecessor was the Elite Pro.

 

[volklgirl]

Here's the next 2 batches. I had no intention of splitting out the women's skis, but this group was HUGE and I couldn't find a better way to split it up.

https://geargeekgirl.blogspot.com/2017/03/2017-midwest-test-fest-all-mountain.html

https://geargeekgirl.blogspot.com/2017/03/2017-midwest-test-fest-womens-all.html

 

[Jenny]

Here's the next 2 batches. I had no intention of splitting out the women's skis, but this group was HUGE and I couldn't find a better way to split it up.

https://geargeekgirl.blogspot.com/2017/03/2017-midwest-test-fest-all-mountain.html

https://geargeekgirl.blogspot.com/2017/03/2017-midwest-test-fest-womens-all.html

I can't remember if they changed the Kenja this year or not, but if we get a ski day together this year you can try mine if you want to see what the longer length feels like. They're 170s.

 

[volklgirl]

That would be awesome, thanks!!!

 

[Jenny]

We're thinking of heading north for a day this weekend. Nothing set yet, though.

 

[Jilly]

And there is that Legend name I heard about today....

 

[marzNC]

* * *
* Head Wild Joy, 168 cm (?-90-?, ?)
KS: The Wild Joy is new for 2018, and it fills the width slot between the Total Joy and the Great Joy. I skied the Total Joy and Super Joy 2 years ago, and I really disliked the super light and stiff construction at the time, so I was excited to give the Wild Joy a try when I heard that they had made some changes to the series’ core material and construction. Boy, I’m glad I did! The Wild Joy was light yet stiff, but not so stiff as to be rattly or bouncy. While slower speeds were doable without any fuss, it really shined at high speeds and in larger turns. That weird vibration underfoot from the previous construction was totally gone. What a complete surprise!!
NW: The Wild Joy was just okay for me. I found the tips to be really floppy. This may be a ski best suited to bigger, heavier, more charging skiers.
* * *

Aha! Now that sounds like a ski I want to demo. I like the Joy line in general. The Wild Joy is 139-90-119. With that wide a shovel, I could have fun in pretty deep powder since I'm petite. The Great Joy was too wide for me, 139-97-122, to have fun with on groomers, which was the only option at an Alta Demo Day on an April morning. Not really interested in owning a powder ski for the rare times I get lucky and catch a storm during a trip to the Rockies.

 

[santacruz skier]

* * *
* Head Wild Joy, 168 cm (?-90-?, ?)
KS: The Wild Joy is new for 2018, and it fills the width slot between the Total Joy and the Great Joy. I skied the Total Joy and Super Joy 2 years ago, and I really disliked the super light and stiff construction at the time, so I was excited to give the Wild Joy a try when I heard that they had made some changes to the series’ core material and construction. Boy, I’m glad I did! The Wild Joy was light yet stiff, but not so stiff as to be rattly or bouncy. While slower speeds were doable without any fuss, it really shined at high speeds and in larger turns. That weird vibration underfoot from the previous construction was totally gone. What a complete surprise!!
NW: The Wild Joy was just okay for me. I found the tips to be really floppy. This may be a ski best suited to bigger, heavier, more charging skiers.
* * *

Aha! Now that sounds like a ski I want to demo. I like the Joy line in general. The Wild Joy is 139-90-119. With that wide a shovel, I could have fun in pretty deep powder since I'm petite. The Great Joy was too wide for me, 139-97-122, to have fun with on groomers, which was the only option at an Alta Demo Day on an April morning. Not really interested in owning a powder ski for the rare times I get lucky and catch a storm during a trip to the Rockies.

I'm skiing the Great Joy in switzerland for the week.. Really fun ski- plows through everything ...

 

[santacruz skier]

I'm skiing the Great Joy in switzerland for the week.. Really fun ski- plows through everything ...

In a 153... Could possibly go longer? Turning radius 11.4..usually ski 15-18... Super fun ski...

 

[marzNC]

In a 153... Could possibly go longer? Turning radius 11.4..usually ski 15-18... Super fun ski...

For what it's worth since we're about the same size (petite), for skis about 100mm underfoot I've gone with lengths from 158 to 166, depending a bit on the amount of rocker. Of course, I only bother to rent wide skis when there is fresh powder at Alta.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

https://geargeekgirl.blogspot.com/2017/03/2017-midwest-test-fest-womens-all.html

* Atomic Vantage 95c W, 170 cm (132-95-118, 16.8m)
KS: SO LIGHT AND SO FUN!! This ski excelled at all turns in all conditions, and even at a 170 length, I could not shake them loose at any speed. Wow!! Light, flexy, poppy, nimble, and super fun! Highly recommend this ski for skilled skiers who want to take on the whole mountain!!
-------------
^^ THIS ski. 2 years since I demo'd and still cannot get it out of my head!!

 

[WileyAce]

Curious as to why Armada wasn't on the list...That being said I think I might have to demo some Blizzard's next. The Bonafide piqued my interest.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Curious as to why Armada wasn't on the list...That being said I think I might have to demo some Blizzard's next. The Bonafide piqued my interest.

Possibly were not available at this particular demo?

 

[Jilly]

https://geargeekgirl.blogspot.com/2017/03/2017-midwest-test-fest-womens-all.html

* Atomic Vantage 95c W, 170 cm (132-95-118, 16.8m)
KS: SO LIGHT AND SO FUN!! This ski excelled at all turns in all conditions, and even at a 170 length, I could not shake them loose at any speed. Wow!! Light, flexy, poppy, nimble, and super fun! Highly recommend this ski for skilled skiers who want to take on the whole mountain!!
-------------
^^ THIS ski. 2 years since I demo'd and still cannot get it out of my head!!

Gotta agree with both of you on this one. Had it out yesterday!