Frontside carver, Völkl or Atomic
This winter made me realize I need a carving ski…
Learned to ski 60 y ago, no racing, a bit freestyle & bumps, life got in the way (0-4 ski days/y), but the last few years it’s been a steady 15 days + per season. In-resort side country, no touring, I don’t jump, don’t do the chutes high up on the mountain, and really dislike icy bumps. Other than that, well…
I’ve been on a Salomon Pocket Rocket (185) for a very long time, but that one is pretty much retired unless I can change bindings to GW. Main toy is a Völkl Blaze 94 (172), there‘s an Atomic Bent 120 (184), and also now a Blaze 106 (172) since the 120 is giving me knee trouble getting from the soft stuff up top to the bottom of the hill.
I’m not into speed, can do short/medium turns all day, like the ski to be playful in trees or bumps and don’t mind if it’s twitchy, hence the shorter lengths. I’m 6-1, 180lbs, have skied them from 135cm (kid’s ski w/ adult binding just to play) to 225cm (a used downhill racing ski with very few races on it - it was great!).
Ski mostly Utah or Colorado. I need (well, want…) something that’ll provide better edge hold on icy frontside trails than the Blaze. I’m somewhat partial to Völkl or Atomic, want something reminiscent of a slalom ski with a short turning radius, but anything like a Racetiger or the Atomic equivalent is far too serious. I’ve watched too many videos… Thinking about a Völkl Peregrine- but can they possibly make any more models in 2mm width increments?
Tried a Stöckli Laser a while ago, liked it but it only wants to go fast, and didn’t like either the Salomon Addict or the Blizzard Stormbird I tried in Snowbasin this season. Thanks for any input.