Ski testing again.

[Paul Oberin]

Four of us went up to Buller today to test out some of the current skis on the market from the 2012 range that we were not able to test last season, it had snowed a fair bit overnight but the snow had a lot of moisture in it so it was not powder, more like what is called Sierra cement in the States, it became quite clear very early the best choice were skis with early rise technology, the standouts were the Fischer Motive and ladies Koa series, the Atomic Crimson and Blackeye Ti and of course the K2 Rictor which I had with me.
It was nice to ski on a well tuned Atomic Crimson, I expected them to be a lessor ski, and was very pleasantly surprised at how they handled the conditions, even on the small section of firm snow the edge hold was far greater than I expected, for a ski I call wide under foot they were excellent in every way, in my opinion the edge hold was as good as the Rictor even with the extra 10mm under foot, and the rec retail price is a fair bit lower than the Rictor, certainly a ski well worth considering as a good all rounder for both here and overseas.
My female tester Donna was quite impressed with the Fischer Koa range, even to the point of she wanted to get off her normal high performance skis and get back on the Koa skis as often as she could.
My Son Daniel and also myself took quite a liking to the Motive skis and in particular the Motive 80, when we got back to the shop he took a set out of the retail rack and joked about them being his new skis (he can't afford them).
For me a tough call now after today, would it be the Rictor or should I look at the Fischer Motive 80 or maybe the Blackeye Ti, if going overseas the wider Crimson Ti would be tempting.

[nickdos]

Could you elaborate on the Blackeye Ti? Looks like the closest thing to the Rictor from Atomic so was wondering how you rate it compared to the Rictor?

[ozgirl]

I would really like to thank Donna for taking one for the team. :-)

Will be seriously considering the Fischer Koa now. Perfect timing.

[ozgirl]

I am really liking the sound of those Fischer Koa 78.......

gaahhhhhhh - money is the root of all evil!!!

[ozgirl]

hmmmm just remembered tax chq!!! hehe

[Paul Oberin]

Could you elaborate on the Blackeye Ti? Looks like the closest thing to the Rictor from Atomic so was wondering how you rate it compared to the Rictor?I think there wouldn't be much in it, sadly the test Blackeyes had been used a fair bit and didn't have the factory tune, but even so it was obvious that they had the potential to be just as good as the Rictor, the big surprise was the Crimson, a wider ski than the Blackeye and the Rictor, but as it still had the factory tune it did have edge hold to match the Rictor, which was a pleasant surprise for such a wide ski under foot, seeing as how the Blackeye is close to the Crimson in construction but narrower under foot, I am sure with a factory tune they could be even better than the Crimson and maybe give the Rictor a run for the money.

[Paul Oberin]

The big tests days are on this weekend at Hotham, top of village chair, almost every brand and model will be there.

[DHS]

Do they have water skis too Paul? ;)

[Paul Oberin]

Do they have water skis too Paul? ;)Forecast by the BOM for Hotham has changed and is now no mention of wind or rain, in fact now saying snowfalls.

[Paul Oberin]

From reports back this afternoon, the popular ski was once again the Fischer Motive, and Atomic Crimson.

[Coopski]

Paul have you heard anything on how the atomic supreme skis are. I'm (nervously) considering putting two planks on in NZ and looking at what to demo (with potential to accidentally buy ;-)

[Paul Oberin]

I have not heard anything good or bad about that particular ski, Atomic skis are generally very good skis if tuned well, certainly worth demo'ing a set if you can find them over there.

[Coopski]

Thanks Paul. I might look around to see if I can find a demo on them, the line celebrity 90s or the 4frnt madonnas. Or I might just chicken out all together ;-)

[John Deere]

They all come back......eventually!! ;)

[Paul Oberin]

Try a Fischer Koa they have been very popular at the ski public demo days, way more fun than a snowboard. ;)

[Jahoota]

how heavy are the k2 rictors Paul? I love my nordica jet fuels but geez they weigh a ton and I was thinking the rictors might be a option.

[Paul Oberin]

how heavy are the k2 rictors Paul? I love my nordica jet fuels but geez they weigh a ton and I was thinking the rictors might be a option.Most good skis are not light, the days of foam core are gone thank goodness, it can still be done though, I notice the Blizzard skis are very light weight and yet offer fantastic performance.

[The Frog]

have been using my new K2 Rictors over the last few days at Thredbo and they are by far the best skis I have ever used. I can't believe how responsive they are. I haven't skied as much as I have in the last few years since I was in my early 20s. Can't say enough good things about them (only downside would be they are heavy and I have carry mine and my wifes from the snow so gets a bit tiring) :)

Wish I had a pair earlier. My wife also raves about her new K2 Superstitous skis as well as my sister on her K2 Super Burnin's and my brother in law on his new K2 Chargers. One big happy family. :)

[Straight_Line]

I didn't bother to test any ski's on the Hotham weekend because of the snow quality...... but I did hear that they sold all the Liberty ski's that were demo'd.

[Paul Oberin]

Good to hear that the Liberty skis have sold well, I like to see smaller importers do well in our market.

[DHS]

have been using my new K2 Rictors over the last few days at Thredbo and they are by far the best skis I have ever used. I can't believe how responsive they are. I haven't skied as much as I have in the last few years since I was in my early 20s. Can't say enough good things about them (only downside would be they are heavy and I have carry mine and my wifes from the snow so gets a bit tiring) :)

Wish I had a pair earlier. My wife also raves about her new K2 Superstitous skis as well as my sister on her K2 Super Burnin's and my brother in law on his new K2 Chargers. One big happy family. :)
Are you sponsored by K2 now Frog? ;)
Love my rictors. The response is what amazed me too Frog, the harder you push them the better they are

[Paul Oberin]

Frog just knows who to get good advice from regarding skis, of course I did give a small discount. ;)

The Chargers and Rictors have been a great success story for K2, as have the ladies versions such as the Superstitous and and Super Burnin, I wonder if they will keep them going another year or change to something else for next season.
Some other brands like Fischer, Blizzard and Nordica are matching them now for performance by also having Early rise, the one that appears to be making in roads at the moment are Atomic and Salomon, I have thought they had lost their way in past years but going back to wood core has lifted their performance, and I am hearing good things about certain models.

[The Frog]

Have seen quite a lot of new K2 skis in the lift lines this year, very noticeable.

[John Deere]

K2 have been a favourite of mine for years for fat skis, good to see them doing good elsewhere in the range.

[SA]

Query about the Rictors - I keep hearing about how heavy they are, and the metal in them. How would they go for the lighter-weight skier? Has anyone who fits that description had a go?

[Paul Oberin]

Query about the Rictors - I keep hearing about how heavy they are, and the metal in them. How would they go for the lighter-weight skier? Has anyone who fits that description had a go?There is another ski in the K2 range that is the same shape as the Rictor, but a softer flex for lighter weight people, I am home right now but I think it may be the one called "Force"

[John Deere]

Do they come in a 120?

:outtahere:

[powderhog]

Or maybe a ladies :p

[Paul Oberin]

Or maybe a ladies :phttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kwlNxL7SmA The closest thing to it for ladies would be the Superstitious.

[The Frog]

Query about the Rictors - I keep hearing about how heavy they are, and the metal in them. How would they go for the lighter-weight skier? Has anyone who fits that description had a go?
I'm about 71kg (5'10 tall) so that's not too heavy and they were fine for me, don't notice the weight when skiing, just carrying around the village....but that's being picky cause the missus makes me carry hers as well whilst she carries the poles.

[SA]

Might have to demo both the Rictor and the Force (or whatever it's called). Up at Hotham anytime soon Paul? :D