Dreaming... Stockli Stormrider 88 or Stockli Nela 88?

[Verve]

Demoing sounds like a great call! I’m interested to learn what you go with as we’re similar skill level and height! I tried the Stormriders in my length and bought the Nelas blind as I find I often have to at our height (5’11”, 175lbs). This was in the 96 underfoot - so a different ski. I love them and ski them over my stiffer ski in most East Coast conditions (they ARE quiet!) but I think a more dedicated carver is in my future. Keep us posted

 

[sashak]

Demoing sounds like a great call! I’m interested to learn what you go with as we’re similar skill level and height! I tried the Stormriders in my length and bought the Nelas blind as I find I often have to at our height (5’11”, 175lbs). This was in the 96 underfoot - so a different ski. I love them and ski them over my stiffer ski in most East Coast conditions (they ARE quiet!) but I think a more dedicated carver is in my future. Keep us posted

I will! Thanks to all who replied!

 

[mintzcole]

That is helpful, thanks! I have never demo'd before, but this might be a great reason to. I just wish all the ones I was comparing were on the same day demo list, LOL! Like, I really thought the Santa Ana would be the next ski for me. It has the titanal, too, right? But the Stockli reviews really caught my eye !

You mentioned the Montero. It's hard to really see what the difference is in these skis when there are so many in the same category (all mountain groomers...). I assumed the Montero would be narrower and less versatile, but could be wrong.

I have demo'd both the Nela's and Santa Ana's albeit on different days on different mountains. The Santa Ana's are a bit stiffer than the Nela's. The Nela's were wonderful but I just didn't want to pay the money for them. I ended up purchasing a pair of Salomon Stances 84w. These were my second favorite skis.

 

[sashak]

I have demo'd both the Nela's and Santa Ana's albeit on different days on different mountains. The Santa Ana's are a bit stiffer than the Nela's. The Nela's were wonderful but I just didn't want to pay the money for them. I ended up purchasing a pair of Salomon Stances 84w. These were my second favorite skis.

Thanks. When you say stiffer does that mean they are more solid in crud?

 

[mintzcole]

Thanks. When you say stiffer does that mean they are more solid in crud?

They’re both equally solid in crud. I found the SA88’s to be more demanding. I had to work harder than I wanted to get the SA88’s to do what I wanted. The Nelas felt effortless.

 

[Verve]

For anyone dreaming of Nela 88s on the cheap, a demo ski 160 pair with Salomon Strive 11 bindings popped up on a Northeast Facebook group - pickup in Portsmouth NH or at Sugarbush. Listed price is $650 but maybe some flexibility given topsheet scratches?

 

[KLW]

For anyone dreaming of Nela 88s on the cheap, a demo ski 160 pair with Salomon Strive 11 bindings popped up on a Northeast Facebook group - pickup in Portsmouth NH or at Sugarbush. Listed price is $650 but maybe some flexibility given topsheet scratches?

Are these still available

 

[spoicegurl]

They are quite similar. The difference seems to be a lighter weight core and MAYBE less titanal ( I'm not positive of this) in the Nela. The result is a softer flex in the Nela 88 than the Stormrider 88 and a slightly (very slight) lighter ski. How much softer? No idea. I haven't skied the Stormrider.

Howdy! Ive skied all of these... SR 88, 95, Nela 88 and 96. The Stormrider is a touch heavier. It feels like you're on the gas 100% of the time. It will ski you, so you have to keep up. The SR 95 carves just as well as the 88 but feels less squirrely at speed, in crud, and through pow. Frankly, the SR felt like an objectively better ski due to its better handling and versatility. On the other hand, the Nela 88 feels like more of a ninja. Still buttery smooth and carvey but extremely snappy and responsive compared to the SR. The handling is a bit more nimble, probably from the lighter core. They still feel pretty dang stiff, only a touch less than the stormrider. The stiffness of the Nela is hardly noticeable compared to the stormrider. The perceived stiffness will also depend on the length that you choose. Overall, I have a slight preference to the Nela. I'm 5'3", 120 lbs aggressive skier. The Nela 88 in a 160 felt like a swiss army knife versus the 166 cm stormrider 88 and 95. I've skied sneaky pow on the nela 88 and still had a blast. The Nela 96 in the 164 was a bit more conducive to my home mtn (jackson hole). If you're 5'10" the Nela 96 172cm could be the top contender if you like med-long turns at a decent speed. If you're skiing with kids a lot and making shorter slower turns the 164 might be better

 

[Mermimi]

I have the Stockli AX's (80mm/163cm) - they too feel like a ninja! I ski mostly at Tahoe and they do great all over the mountain. I've skied in storms and in chopped up powder and they don't sink but I have to keep speed up. I find that the only time I want a fatter ski is powder on a flatter pitch so I can float more. I'm 5'7", 140 and an agressive skier and take the Stocklis out most days. What @spoicegurl said about length is true. I like shorter turns and I want a little forgiveness toward the end of the day so I sized down from 168 to 163. The Montero AX's are really fun!

 

[Trailside Trixie]

My stormrider 85 motions, stormrider 95s and 100s are my ninjas of choice. So smooth and so fun. Handles our hard pack and ice just as well as the soft snow. All are a blast.

I've heard the Nela 96 is something special

 

[cosmicplanks]

Then a year later...
View attachment 22312

Glad to see them out of the bathtub!