@Ski_AnnA - Curious if you ended up picking a pair?
I just demoed the Santa Ana 93s and have been skiing on the 4FRNT MSP CCs for the last week in Tahoe (groomed, cruddy and sometimes icy conditions) and LOVE both. I also demoed the Black Pearl 88s, Atomic Mavens and own the K2 Mindbender 88Tis. My two favorite so far have been the 4FRNT and SA93s. I think both would be great contenders for a one ski quiver. As for my skill level, I am an intermediate skier (hoping to become advanced by the end of this season!) - mainly like staying on groomed blues and blacks.
Here is my assessment of each:
1) Santa Ana 93 - 10/10 - Such a confidence boosting ski. I immediately felt like I could charge down the mountain. Turns initiated easily, could go through cruddy, bumpy terrain with ease and felt really stable when going fast. They were super fun and felt light on the feet. I really wanted to demo the 88s, but the demo shop didn't have them in stock.
2) MSP CCs - 9.5/10 - They felt similar to the Santa Anas. They are a bit of a wider (99 underfoot) and a heavier ski, but I didn't notice much of the difference when on the mountain (just heavy to lug around off the mountain). I'd give the SA93 a slight edge in terms of maneuverability, but these were a super fun ski. Since they have a wider underfoot, I'd say that this would be a great ski to have as a one ski quiver that you can also take out on powder days. Also, you can't beat the graphics - such a gorgeous looking ski!
3) The BP88s - 9/10 - I can say that these are also a confidence boosting ski. Easy to turn with and they can rip. I would be super happy with the BPs and think they are a great ski! Only slight diff with the SA93s is that the BP88s felt a bit chattery and less stable when going fast. The SA93s feel like they just grip the snow....the BP88s less so. But, I could only notice these diffs b/c I skied the SA93 the same day.
4) K2Mindbender 88Ti - 8/10 - I own this pair. These are overall great skis. They can cut through crud, have great edge grip and they can rip. But, ever since I've had a chance to demo the SA93 and the MSP CCs - those two have become my two new favorites over the Mindbenders.
5) Atomic Maven - 6/10 - These were my least favorite from my demo day. They just felt quite unstable when going fast and also had a lot of chatter. They were easy to turn and maneuver, but in comparison to the others, these were my last choice.
Overall - I'm now torn b/w the MSP CCs and the SA 93 (or 88s if I can demo them). Should I get both or just keep one?