i have skied the pocket rocket 165 for the last 5? 6? years. it is a great do everything ski. i'm looking for a replacement ski and/or combo of two skis if nothing comes close. i ski probably 50% of the time or more off groomed. west coast skiing primarily with a couple trips to utah or colorado annually. i am 5'2" 140 lbs, strong advanced skier. i ski 30 to 70 days a year. i have 30 days in this year already. go fast on groomers (keeping up with my kids) good to improving in medium bumps, scary in big bumps, deep stuff and trees--Yeeaahh!! i have a shortage of good demo opportunities but have tried the nordica olympia victory and conquest and put them through the paces and was pleased. didn't try bottomless though--used the rockets instead. wasn't as happy with the elan firemagic. wasn't as steady eddy.liked lotta luv better than burning luv. felt more versatile. i don't have to have girlie skis but that seems to be what the ski shops are really pushing this year. i think no hope of demo'ing uni skis in my length. i want an all speed limit ski, good carver, good in the deep, easy turning non specialist ski. any suggestions? any pocket rocket lovers who understand?
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replacements for pocket rockets
- Thread starter treebunny
- Start date
volklgirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
My picks for do everything skis after my demo day:
Volkl Karma - not great when the snow gets really, really hard but trustworthy, versatile, maneuverable, and no-speed-limit on everything else.
Rossi Zenith Z9 - damp and solid with outstanding short turns. May be a little narrow for deeper crud and pow.
Given the 50%+ off-piste, I look more at the Karma (or maybe the Mantra/Aura/Queen Attiva) instead. Everything else I tried in the 80+ waist category was balky and hesitant at shorter turns or required serious speed to be more maneuverable.
You can check out my reviews in the gear review threads.
Volkl Karma - not great when the snow gets really, really hard but trustworthy, versatile, maneuverable, and no-speed-limit on everything else.
Rossi Zenith Z9 - damp and solid with outstanding short turns. May be a little narrow for deeper crud and pow.
Given the 50%+ off-piste, I look more at the Karma (or maybe the Mantra/Aura/Queen Attiva) instead. Everything else I tried in the 80+ waist category was balky and hesitant at shorter turns or required serious speed to be more maneuverable.
You can check out my reviews in the gear review threads.
volklgirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
(Digging my latest brochure out from under the pile of cr*p on my desk....)
The Karma is 119-87-111, but is soft enough to be better on short turns than the dimensions would indicate. Karma is available in 161, 169, 177, and 185 - but be aware they ski short (my 6* are 161 and my Karmas are 177 - SnowHot is on the 169)!
The women's version is the Queen Attiva (119-87-111) and is available in 156, 164, and 172....although I don't beleive the Queen is a twin tip, and I haven't skied it.
Both the AC2 and the Aura have gotten raves in the mags, but I think the AC2 is too narrow for your needs (116-72-103), and the Aura is really a big mountain only ski (130-91-113)
Oh, and as far as short turns on the Karma....remember, we ski on a hill with 350 feet of vertical. A ski that doesn't make short turns means we only make 2 turns before we get to the bottom :-)
The Karma is 119-87-111, but is soft enough to be better on short turns than the dimensions would indicate. Karma is available in 161, 169, 177, and 185 - but be aware they ski short (my 6* are 161 and my Karmas are 177 - SnowHot is on the 169)!
The women's version is the Queen Attiva (119-87-111) and is available in 156, 164, and 172....although I don't beleive the Queen is a twin tip, and I haven't skied it.
Both the AC2 and the Aura have gotten raves in the mags, but I think the AC2 is too narrow for your needs (116-72-103), and the Aura is really a big mountain only ski (130-91-113)
Oh, and as far as short turns on the Karma....remember, we ski on a hill with 350 feet of vertical. A ski that doesn't make short turns means we only make 2 turns before we get to the bottom :-)
Lori_K
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I have the Pocket Rockets as well, and love them in everything except hardpack. For the hardpack and corduroy, I just bought a pair of Volkl Attiva S5s. Great carving ski, and works decently once the groomers get cut up.
I also demo'd the Volkl Attiva AC3, and that seemed to be a good all-mountain ski. Didn't get the chance to take it through much powder, but makes very nice short turns on the groomed. If I could only have one ski, I'd probably pick something like the AC3.
I'd say keep the Rockets and look for another ski to supplement. The PR's really are unique, so much fun on soft groomers, and then you can take them into the bumps or the trees on the next run. I don't know if you'll find an exact replacement, but if you do let me know. :D
I also demo'd the Volkl Attiva AC3, and that seemed to be a good all-mountain ski. Didn't get the chance to take it through much powder, but makes very nice short turns on the groomed. If I could only have one ski, I'd probably pick something like the AC3.
I'd say keep the Rockets and look for another ski to supplement. The PR's really are unique, so much fun on soft groomers, and then you can take them into the bumps or the trees on the next run. I don't know if you'll find an exact replacement, but if you do let me know. :D
Quiver Queen
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
A couple of skis with dimensions real close to the Pocket Rocket are the Head Sweet Fat Thang and the Atomic Snoop Daddy. The PR's are a ski unto themselves, though, so I agree with Lori K--don't (ever) ditch them and get something else to supplement that's more geared toward hard pack but still considered an all-mountain ski. Head Hot Thang and K2 Burnin' Luv come to mind--both can keep up with anybody's kids, no matter what the age, and both are really fun.
Elangirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I also ski in the West, about 50-50% groomed/off groomed too. I ski over 100 days per year. Last year I skid the Elan Magfire 8 and loved it everywhere I went. It was such a winner that I just ordered another pair for this year. The Mag 8 does not have a sheet of metal--it will be soft like your PR. If you want a stiffer ski then the Magfire 10 might meet your needs.
I think the Karmas are too stiff, especially for pow-pow. I would look at the Queen Attiva instead. Also, I loved the K2 ski Miss Demeanor--it was really awesome and I think it will ski most like your PR. Two of the ski instructors that I work with use it as an everyday ski. Kelly
I think the Karmas are too stiff, especially for pow-pow. I would look at the Queen Attiva instead. Also, I loved the K2 ski Miss Demeanor--it was really awesome and I think it will ski most like your PR. Two of the ski instructors that I work with use it as an everyday ski. Kelly
Elangirl said:
Elangirl,
I've been eying the Miss Demeanors. I demo'd them one day, but my knee was pretty beat up so was not really able to put it to the test. Can you tell me more about the Miss Demeanors? Also, I've been getting a lot of encouragement for others on this forum to try the Karmas. How do the Karma's compare with the Miss Demeanors as an all mountain ski? I'm looking for that one quiver all mountain to handle moguls (first priority), tree/glade skiing and powder.
(Here's my original post that has my background if you're interested: https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=887) Got a lot of great advice here.
Thanks!
okay. i'm becoming convinced there's no replacing the pocket rocket. but i've been skiing the scarlet in 154 and i like it. also the salomon scramler custom in 165 is nice. i can also say i am impressed to the point of buying the nordica olympia victory in a 154 and the olympia conquer. l liked them both and demo'd them several times. they both came across as very versatile all mountain skis with the conquer skewed to the off piste side of things. both carved good and clung to hard pan well. i also liked the elan magfire 8. i probably skied it too long because it was "for the men". i don't remember the length. but it still was cooperative. any other fun skis to suggest? i'm getting the hang of acquiring skis via ebay and a whole world beckons!!!!!!!
miss demeeanors
i forgot to mention for the record, my daughter skis the miss demeanor for two? years. maybe more. can't keep track. she LOVES them! she has skied since she was three and out skis the boys ( by their own admission) she can probably ski barrel staves and make it look good. any waay, she is 5' 120 lbs an loves skiing more than any thing else. she takes these anywhere and shines. i think its a 158 length. i have been wanting to try them but my boot won't fit her binding wihtout a fuss.
i forgot to mention for the record, my daughter skis the miss demeanor for two? years. maybe more. can't keep track. she LOVES them! she has skied since she was three and out skis the boys ( by their own admission) she can probably ski barrel staves and make it look good. any waay, she is 5' 120 lbs an loves skiing more than any thing else. she takes these anywhere and shines. i think its a 158 length. i have been wanting to try them but my boot won't fit her binding wihtout a fuss.
treebunny said:
I'm 5'7", 140. SHould I consider going longer than 158? I tried them at that size, and they seemed ok, but as I said, didn't get to do a whole lot w/ them. Maybe I'll try them longer (if they have them). BTW, what is "barrel staves"? How does she like them in the bumps compared to others?
Lori_K
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
treebunny-- for Pocket Rocket replacements, I encourage you to consider the Volkl Aura. I've been on PR's for the past 3 years, and then demo'd the Aura this past Saturday. (163cm vs. my PR 165). A VERY nice ski, did everything my Pocket Rockets could do, and did some things a little better! I think the Aura might be the next addition to my quiver... :D
Captain said:
I think in this context (ie, describing her daughters' skill), it's a hyperbole.
You know wooden barrels, and how they're made up of bent slats of wood? I think the slats are what treebunny is referring to. I wouldn't want to ski them, personally.migolfergirl
Diva in Training
How about a Sweet Fat Thang?
Have you tried the Sweet Fat Thang by Head? Hot ski!! I was up to my thigh in NW "powder" the other day, and these were awesome! On my way down the mountain at the end of the day, I went down a mogul run, and to my surprise, I skied the moguls like Suzie Chapstick.
When I got home and read the reviews, I was surprised to hear all the raves about this ski. It's great in just about everything. In fact, I think on all but the hardest of the hardpack days this ski would be my pick.
Have you tried the Sweet Fat Thang by Head? Hot ski!! I was up to my thigh in NW "powder" the other day, and these were awesome! On my way down the mountain at the end of the day, I went down a mogul run, and to my surprise, I skied the moguls like Suzie Chapstick.
When I got home and read the reviews, I was surprised to hear all the raves about this ski. It's great in just about everything. In fact, I think on all but the hardest of the hardpack days this ski would be my pick.
dloveski
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I love my Pocket Rockets. They rock in powder and in slush and most soft conditions. But this year, in Utah, we had few true powder days and many frozen crud days, where the Rockets can't hold up.
Try the Head Sweet Fat Thangs. I demo'd these in frozen crud and two days later in powder conditions and I was impressed with:
Carving edge on hard pack and groomers (unlike Pockets) A
Floatation in powder A- (unlike my A+ Pockets but pretty darn good)
The bindings were a bit forward for my ability and use, so be aware that factory settings are geared for terrain park use----we moved the bindings back as far as we could on the rental/demo, and wow, it made a difference. A little further, and floatation in powder will improve.
For soft powder days, I still will use the Rockets. But if I had to pick just one ski for a day or a trip to ski all kinds of conditions, I think this would be the one. I'm thinking I will add these to my quiver.
Try the Head Sweet Fat Thangs. I demo'd these in frozen crud and two days later in powder conditions and I was impressed with:
Carving edge on hard pack and groomers (unlike Pockets) A
Floatation in powder A- (unlike my A+ Pockets but pretty darn good)
The bindings were a bit forward for my ability and use, so be aware that factory settings are geared for terrain park use----we moved the bindings back as far as we could on the rental/demo, and wow, it made a difference. A little further, and floatation in powder will improve.
For soft powder days, I still will use the Rockets. But if I had to pick just one ski for a day or a trip to ski all kinds of conditions, I think this would be the one. I'm thinking I will add these to my quiver.
Lori_K
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I just replaced my beloved Pocket Rockets with a set of Volkl Auras. Demo'd them for the second time, and had a blast second time around as well. Better on hardpack, and slices right through the gloppy spring piles.
So, if anyone wants a set of lightly used (<30 days) 165cm PRs, let me know. :D
So, if anyone wants a set of lightly used (<30 days) 165cm PRs, let me know. :D
Bella Skier
Diva in Training
Pocket Rockets
Me too! As a soft twin tip (see how it flexes in the tail), I've barely skied my PRs and would also like to sell them. The pow at Whistler is rarely fluffly and I prefer something stiffer. They're also 165cm.
Me too! As a soft twin tip (see how it flexes in the tail), I've barely skied my PRs and would also like to sell them. The pow at Whistler is rarely fluffly and I prefer something stiffer. They're also 165cm.
migolfergirl
Diva in Training
Sell PRs?
I might be interested. How much do you want?
THANKS!
MIGolferGirl
Lori_K said:
I might be interested. How much do you want?
THANKS!
MIGolferGirl
