Best Big-Mountain and Freeride Skis of 2023-2024 | Powder7 Buyer's Guide
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- Опубліковано 30 лип 2024
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0:00 - Intro
1:04 - Fischer Ranger 108
3:51 - K2 Mindbender 106C
5:55 - Line Bacon 108
8:57 - Volkl Secret 102 / Mantra 102
10:57 - Volkl Revolt 114
14:09 - Atomic Bent 110
16:04 - Rossignol Sender Free 110
19:28 - DPS Kaizen 105
Alex and Matt are back, coming to you from Powder7 HQ in Golden CO, to talk about our top picks for 2023-2024! Keep in mind: You can find all of our tester feedback and top picks in our full Buyer's Guide on the Lift Line Blog. This video is a sampler platter.
The big-mountain and freeride category is our bread and butter here at Powder7. We can hardly contain our stoke for these skis when people talk to us about them in the shop. Plus, we have some of our best days on them.
Familiar Favorite
Fischer Ranger 108
All-Around
Rossignol Sender Free 110
K2 Mindbender 106C
More Demanding
Volkl Revolt 114
Volkl Secret 102 / Mantra 102
More Playful
Line Bacon 108
Atomic Bent 110
2024 Spotlight
DPS Kaizen 105 - Спорт
![Lp. Последняя Реальность #107 РОДНОЙ ДОМ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IK3QKzKUlHM/mqdefault.jpg)
Somehow lucked into getting the Sender Free 110 closeout demo with bindings for $500. Used them for 3 hours in late spring skiing last day. Loved them. Not as good in the flat runouts but really liked them especially in the slush. Can't wait for next year! May not use my Mantra 100's anymore.
Bent 100/110's and the Blizzard Rustler 10's are some of my favorite skis
We love 'em too! The Bent 110 may be one of the most popular skis at the shop! -Alex
I demoed the Mantra 102 last year and I was very impressed.. You didn't mention the 3D turn radius but I found that it turned really easy without being turny.. Very easy for me to get on and off the edges.. Easy to do short turns.. Easy to do long turns.. My experience is that they liked to float over rather that carve through..
What is the turning radius for the DPS?
Mine are the F100 RP x 184.. They are very turny and catchy.. They do very well in powder but not so much in crud, slush, or especially rock hard groomers.. I also have a difficult time in tight trees... I think that has to do with the lengthy and I am glad you talked about the advantages and disadvantages of the different lengths..
That Kaizen 105 in a 184 is at 18m, your 100 RP has a 15m radius. Totally tracks why they are turny and catchy! I love the turn-y feel in deep snow and in trees, but for sure it's specialty is not carving on firm snow. The Kaizen 105 is much more versatile for that kind of thing. -Alex
@@powder7skis 18m does seam like it is a better turn radius for that length..
My Stormriders are 177 with 19.3M turn radius and my Enforcers are 179 with a 17.5 turn radius.. I don't have a problem turning either of them and they aren't turny or catchy..
Nice, do those Sender Free's work ok on groomers while you wait for the off P to soften up? Cheers
Would love to know what you think of the Liberty Origin 106 and how it would fit into this category. Seems like it would compare well with the Bacon. Also would be good to know your thoughts on length for a ski with this much rocker/camber. I am 6' and 175lbs and fairly aggressive. The Origin is available in a 182 and 187.
I've spend a lot of time on the Origin 106 and really like it. Lots of rocker and low camber, so it feels drifty/smeary, but the sheet of metal goes a long way in giving you stability and energy. It feels lighter than the new Bacon on snow, and also more stout through the full length of the ski (though I wouldn't call it more demanding). I am 5'7" and I ski the Origin in a 182cm. So at your height if you're a strong skier and used to skis in the 180s, the 187cm is for sure the move. -Matt
How would you compare the sender free 110 to the ranger 108?
I'm standing between these two. I have had the ranger 96 and it was really nice, but i want more floating skis.
Does the sender free carve just as easy and good on grooms as the ranger 108, here i think of the tail rocker?
And was is the big difference between these two skis?
I'm on the prowl for my first dedicated pair of skis for skiing out west. I mostly stay in the skis, send side hits, look for natural features to hit, and send the occasional groomer or park run. Do you think the Bent 110 would be a good ski for me? The 4FRNT Devastator is also on my list. Thanks!
Definitely would recommend the Bent 110! It's a top pick for folks with a little freestyle flair. Light to swing around in the air, with enough stance underfoot to feel stable for those landings. We also really like the way it carves for the width, and feels quick for the size. I think that 4FRNT is going to be a little chargier, just a little less light and quick in tight terrain and in the air. Hope that helps! -Alex
Thank you!
How would you compare the Ranger 108 and the Mindbender 106c? Does the Ranger 108 float noticeable better? Is the Mindbender 106c more forgiving when you backseat?
Great question! I actually think you're spot on about the MB being more forgiving in the back seat. It also feels more playful to me with deeper rocker lines in the tip and tail, and is just easier to get sideways. I think the Ranger feels a bit more powerful underfoot, and probably carves a touch better with the partial sheet of metal in there. They both float well for the size, the Ranger having a touch more width it probably floats a bit better, but I'm not sure if you would notice a difference unless you skied them back to back (and maybe not even then!) -Alex
@@powder7skis thanks! That’s great! Is the Sender Free burliest ski of these 3 and less forgiving?
Quick question-I’m a bit of a lighter skier(120lbs) and 5 6” in height, do you think the 2024 black crows Atris would work for me? I don’t want to buy a ski that is too stiff and won’t really work for my weight. I like playful freeride skiing, but I do want a good amount of stability to not be held back when going fast on steep terrain.
Totally! I think that would be a solid choice. The shape is designed to give you stability when conditions are a little dicey and at speed. It's also a really energetic ski that's really fun to flex into. Another ski to look at would be the Salomon QST 106, which features a lot of lightweight materials that dampen the ski without making it too stiff. The Bent 110 would also be a great option, if you ski with a more playful style. If you tend to tackle the fall line more and take bigger turns, I would lean on either the Atris or the QST. I'm similar in height/weight and those skis rock for me! -Alex
Thanks for the great review! I've been looking a lot at the Rossignol Sender Free 110 and like the way it's very playful, but still okay stable and good for a bit of everything. I'd love to hear your opinion on its ability on groomers - is it okay? Obviously it's not made for groomers, but you're bound to run into a groomer every once in a while. I would also love to hear what you would recommend in size, I'm 6'4 and 170lbs ish, so don't know if I should go with 184 or 191. Thanks a lot in advance!
It's a solid ski on groomers for a 110. Like you said, no ski that wide excels there. But I think the Sender Free is slightly above average. And I'd base your size choice on what you typically ski. Without knowing that, I'd generally say 191 if you're a strong, aggressive skier. But if you prefer shorter skis or aren't used to something nearly that long, then you could go 184. Hope that helps! -Matt
What you think about the K2 reckoner 102 2023? have not tested them yet. Also, where should i place my bindings?
Super super fun! Probably one of the more freestyle and softest flexing skis in this category, it's a dream if you like soft buttery skis that are easy to press into and flick around. It's mega easy to pivot and get sideways. I've heard great things mounting them on the "team" line (which should be about -3.5 from center), so if you like a more freestyle and playful feel, that would be a good way to go. -Alex
How does Volkl Blaze 106 vs K2 Mindbender 106C? Both has deep rocker lines.
Honestly great comparisson, the Blaze 106 leans more into that lightweight-but-stiff category (more like a Head Kore) where the K2 MB 106C has a significantly softer flex in the tips and tails (maybe more like a QST 106). Both of their shapes involve deep rocker lines that lean directional, so they're manuverable in tight places but still have plenty of ski up front to lean into. I think the MB 106 feels more playful, where the Blaze has a bit more backbone for firmer snow or rougher snow conditions. -Alex
How's the sender 110 compare to the QST 106?
Both great skis! I think they feel very similar in terms of dampness and how the construction absorbs inconsistencies in the snow and stays stable at speed. The big difference to me is just shape. The QST has boatloads of rocker, but it's still in a directional shape and offers a more traditional mount point. Deep tip rocker and plenty of tail rocker, but it's heavier in the tip. The Sender is more symmetrical and hosts a lot more splay. You also get a much more progressive mount point. So I find the QST to like a more forward stance, and skis best with a pilot who's engaging the shovel as opposed to skiing super centered. The Sender is pretty happy to be skied directionally or centered. Hope that helps! -Alex
Unleashed 108 bro
I personally LOVE that ski! We put it in the written Buyer's Guide (link above), since we talked about it in last year's video. -Alex
360p is the best video quality available?
HD was still processing 12 hrs ago :)
@@powder7skis it was painful to look at such beauty skis like it was on my old 486 CRT monitor lol. Gotta get me some of those ranger 108s now