Going Stockli: Can't decide Montero AS, AW vs Nela 80?

[Trailside Trixie]

I'm going to demo the montero aw in a couple weeks. Very excited.

 

[Lmk92]

I'm going to demo the montero aw in a couple weeks. Very excited.

That one is at the top of my list. Can't wait to hear what you think!

 

[snoWYmonkey]

I love the SC but it truly dislikes big steep moguls. Interested in the Montero AX, maybe the AW, but worried the latter would feel too soft at high speeds, so leaning AX for a more versatile option on firm snow days.

 

[Trailside Trixie]

I just bought a pair of 2018 laser Axs at a great price so also looking forward to skiing these.

 

[Lmk92]

I love the SC but it truly dislikes big steep moguls. Interested in the Montero AX, maybe the AW, but worried the latter would feel too soft at high speeds, so leaning AX for a more versatile option on firm snow days.

What's the difference (other than it appears that the ax is the men's, maybe)?

 

[snoWYmonkey]

What's the difference (other than it appears that the ax is the men's, maybe)?

I believe that the AW is much lighter, softer, more rocker and has for the same size ski a shorter radius and less ability to handle higher speeds. Just from their site so no first hand knowledge. They do demo them by me at least the AX.

 

[Lmk92]

Well, @Calinca, I skied them today. Bought them today.

We were at Waterville valley, and discovered they have demos. I tried the Montero, the Santa ana, and the kenja. I liked both the Santa ana and the kenja (SA moreso), but I looooved the Montero. Pulled the trigger right then and there.

 

[Calinca]

Well, @Calinca, I skied them today. Bought them today.

We were at Waterville valley, and discovered they have demos. I tried the Montero, the Santa ana, and the kenja. I liked both the Santa ana and the kenja (SA moreso), but I looooved the Montero. Pulled the trigger right then and there.

Hi LMk92, your know I'm going to pick you brain :-) Can I ask you your stats (Height, weigh). did you try more then one size? Witch did you pick and why?

 

[Lmk92]

Hi LMk92, your know I'm going to pick you brain :-) Can I ask you your stats (Height, weigh). did you try more then one size? Witch did you pick and why?

I think my stats are similar to yours - 5'2", 150 lbs. They only had one size, but it was my target (158). It was the Montero AW. They had other Stocklis, but all were much longer. I feel like 158 is the best length for me.

 

[Calinca]

I think my stats are similar to yours - 5'2", 150 lbs. They only had one size, but it was my target (158). It was the Montero AW. They had other Stocklis, but all were much longer. I feel like 158 is the best length for me.

I've realized I haven't said congrats on you new skis!!!! I still heard nothing about the Monteros being available so still considering online might be the reasonable solution for me. Also if they are a good ski, they should be easy enough to sell 2nd hand if for some reason I don't love them. Stockli skis in short lengths tend to run out fast and are sometimes hard to find.
Anyway reading about length and weight (now actually there are so many opinions....) I'm considering that my current skis are 152 and have a 12 radius and If I would find the 158 and it's longer radius of 14 not so agile, or if it would be maneuverable and nimble still, but maybe more stable at speed. I probably need to try diferente skis more often, I know that at fast speeds and longer turns my current skis are definitely a bit chattery, but I've assumed they all are like that? and maybe not. But stockli are supposed to be extra smooth
I've never ski longer then 10 cm bellow my Height so have no ideia if I would like/adapt to it.....
Sorry for the long ramble....

Keep us posted on your skis feedback after a few more turns

 

[Lmk92]

I've realized I haven't said congrats on you new skis!!!! I still heard nothing about the Monteros being available so still considering online might be the reasonable solution for me. Also if they are a good ski, they should be easy enough to sell 2nd hand if for some reason I don't love them. Stockli skis in short lengths tend to run out fast and are sometimes hard to find.
Anyway reading about length and weight (now actually there are so many opinions....) I'm considering that my current skis are 152 and have a 12 radius and If I would find the 158 and it's longer radius of 14 not so agile, or if it would be maneuverable and nimble still, but maybe more stable at speed. I probably need to try diferente skis more often, I know that at fast speeds and longer turns my current skis are definitely a bit chattery, but I've assumed they all are like that? and maybe not. But stockli are supposed to be extra smooth
I've never ski longer then 10 cm bellow my Height so have no ideia if I would like/adapt to it.....
Sorry for the long ramble....

Keep us posted on your skis feedback after a few more turns

I have read that the monteros can be chattery. I didn't have them at top speed, but I was zooming along pretty good and didn't experience that. It is something I will be watching for (and hopefully never experience). My current skis are Blizzard Quattro's (from back when they made that line for women) and they've never been chattery, but they are a very heavy ski, which is why I was looking for a new pair.

I hope you get to try them! I'm not a great person to get advice from, so I can't wait to hear what you have to say about them.

 

[Calinca]

Hi, so finally on my 2 week ski trip! Here in the Grand Massif in France, snow coverage is low, so I'm limited to hard pack(ice in the morning and slush in the afternoon, but a lot of sunshine and blue skies. Still my first ski of the year so I've LOVED it! Went to the shop to sort out ski testing, feel a bit overwhelmed by it....... they gave me brand new skis to try and ask me to please be super careful, only ski in the high resort. So I feel a bit of responsibility on my shoulders, not really confident and worried about what if I damage them??? It's giving me anxiety......Anyway got the Stockli SC 156 (the shortest they have here) ready to go for tomorrow and will ski just a few pistes with it. Will report back tomorrow. Cheers all

 

[Calinca]

Hello Ski Divas,
So I managed to do 3 pistes with the stockli SC in early afternoon, Hard pack, but no ice plaques, softening at the button, becoming mush. My anxiety didn't allow me to test them aggressively as I was afraid to mark then in any way, as the guys at the shop were so detriment I was careful with them. I did return them immaculate :-)
My immediate feeling was how smooth they were, I realize now how much my current skis, BP 88, vibrate and chatter, these were very stable and smooth that made easier to ski faster with confidence in the bumpy slush, not breaking/skiding so much, and that, was less fatiguing. Also I felt more vertical in general witch also made me more confortable (maybe the biding set and ramp angle is different? Although I've asked and the ramp angle in theory is the same as my BP). Regarding turns they felt responsive and easy, even if they are longer (156 vs 152) then my BP, radius is the same. I was concerned they were too long for me, as I am 160 cm, and was hoping to try the149, but these are not available:-( They are heavier then my current skis, but as maneuverable as my BP, and I didn't feel them too heavy skying and too punishing.
My husband, who has come to terms with me spending this much €€ on a pair of skis, was supportive saying he really saw a diference in my skying and that I looked more relaxed and smother, and fast!! He actually confess he was a bit jealous and curious about the skis ;-))
Tomorrow I'll test the Montero AW in 158, and report back my impressions.

Take care,

 

[Jilly]

Sounds like you've hit the speed limit on the BP's. The Stockli will be much different in that respect.

 

[marzNC]

Keeping in mind that this is a marketing video, Stöckli skis are designed to last a long time. There are variations of videos about the manufacturing process starting around 2018.

October 2023

I enjoyed the Black Pearls that I bought in 2012 and still have as rock skis. However, it was pretty clear after 2-3 seasons that the top sheet was chipped in more than one place. The camber was also not the same as when the skis were new.

The Stormrider 85s that I bought from Le Ski Mastery at Taos Ski Valley in 2017 after demo'ing them for a couple days are still in great shape after more than six seasons, averaging 25+ days on snow at destination resorts in the Rockies.

Note that I treated these skis with DPS Phantom in 2020 so they have not been waxed since then. I had a stone grind done before I treated the skis at home.

The instructors at my home mountain love the narrower Stöckli models. That's how I first learned about the brand when I was starting to demo skis more.

 

[edelweissmaedl]

Gl

Hello Ski Divas,
So I managed to do 3 pistes with the stockli SC in early afternoon, Hard pack, but no ice plaques, softening at the button, becoming mush. My anxiety didn't allow me to test them aggressively as I was afraid to mark then in any way, as the guys at the shop were so detriment I was careful with them. I did return them immaculate :-)
My immediate feeling was how smooth they were, I realize now how much my current skis, BP 88, vibrate and chatter, these were very stable and smooth that made easier to ski faster with confidence in the bumpy slush, not breaking/skiding so much, and that, was less fatiguing. Also I felt more vertical in general witch also made me more confortable (maybe the biding set and ramp angle is different? Although I've asked and the ramp angle in theory is the same as my BP). Regarding turns they felt responsive and easy, even if they are longer (156 vs 152) then my BP, radius is the same. I was concerned they were too long for me, as I am 160 cm, and was hoping to try the149, but these are not available:-( They are heavier then my current skis, but as maneuverable as my BP, and I didn't feel them too heavy skying and too punishing.
My husband, who has come to terms with me spending this much €€ on a pair of skis, was supportive saying he really saw a diference in my skying and that I looked more relaxed and smother, and fast!! He actually confess he was a bit jealous and curious about the skis ;-))
Tomorrow I'll test the Montero AW in 158, and report back my impressions.

Take care,

Glad to hear you had a great time on them. Can’t wait to hear your report on the AW’s.

 

[Trailside Trixie]

I have 2 pairs of the SR 85 motions and adore them. Have a few pairs of SR in various lenghts. It's definitely my favorite brand. So curious about the AW's... trying to find time/right conditions to demo them.

 

[Amie H]

It took me some practice on my 2023 Stockli Nela 80s , but once I adjusted to ride them the way they were meant to be ridden, I really enjoyed the dampening of chopped up stuff underfoot.

I feel mine do best on groomers that aren't too hard/icy, and bumps. I think I'm comfortable skiing the fastest on them compared to my other skis, partly because that dampening prevents little piles of chop from rattling me.

They do not do as well as others I have in deep snow, especially not deep granular. I have not skied them in slush yet, as my early April skiing last year, the conditions were not Spring-like. Good luck with your choices!

 

[Calinca]

Hello Divas

You are talking to the proud owner of a pair of Stockli SC's 156!
I wish I was more technical to give you a more detailed feedback instead of just impressions.
Tested both in mixed piste snow conditions. In the Montero 158 I felt again more vertical, easy turns even though the radio is bigger, it has a bigger rocker so if felt to me it ski similar length as the SC, they were more stable then my BP's, no question, but I found them considerable more chattery then the SC's, even at lower speed, they just didn't have the smoothness I felt with the SC's at every speed and turn type, the SC's were more confortable and a more effortless ride.
The Stockli representative told me the Montero was a bit more forgiving then the SC but I didn't find the SC's punishing at all and could't tell the diference.
I think he fact that I tested both on piste, might have made me biased towards the SC's. I wanted to love the Montero, It almost has my last name (Monteiro), and on a superficial girly note I preferred the graphics. But I did prefer the SC's, the fact is I do Piste skiing 90% of the time, so this seems a reasonable choice for me. Even tough the Montero Aw could shine a bit more in fresh snow and dabble of piste.
I'll still have about 10 more days of skying if it doesn't rain and ruin the small snow we have now, and will be happy to give you more feedback in my limit capabilities.

On a side note, my husband went to the store with me this morning to pick up the Montero for testing, the guy at the store was talking to us at he said stockli were great, it just took some out yesterday to test and told us they were another level. My husband asked if they had stockli for renting as he was curious to test out. They had the pair he tested, a pair of Stockli Sx from last year. SO he took those out. You should seem him ....... like a kid grinning the whole time, he was so excited how stable, easy to turn, precise, fast. :-) He basically told me if they will give us a good price he will buy them. The skis were in pretty good condition so we tried to negotiate and has I was already paying full price for the SC's, they didn't want to sell it at first and pushed us to buy 2 new skis, I told them we weren't buying 2 new stockli that was just to much, then he reconsider and offer them at 580€, wich I found a bargain price. So now we are a Stockli couple!

Cheers

 

[snoWYmonkey]

@Calinca Congrats! I love my pair. Do use caution if you find yourself in big bumps with those boards. They are not super bump friendly, not are they meant to be. Sometimes, we just end up in places with the wrong tool, and I learned the hard way and am hopefully saving you some unpleasantness.