I demoed the 178 2010/2011. Despite the length (178), the reverse camber has less surface area on the snow and the combination of a flexible tip and firm center result in a light, responsive experience. I was frankly shocked by it’s performance as I thought it would be more sluggish at first look. I now understand why this won the 2010 Powder Magazine Skier’s Choice Award. I knew on this ski I could get over my commitment issues and charge down the steepest of chutes (though the snow and demo cycles didn’t allow), but I had to settle smiles on a couple of bumps, jumps, and steep grades in mixed/packed pow. From moderate to steep groomed pitches, they dug right in and glided across variance in soft, packed powder and ice. Despite their length and girth, they dove right through bumps, responding to absorption well. For the little poufs of powder I was able to scrape up, they gloated like a frothy heaven. It’s clear that Eric Hjorleifson put a lot of thought into this beauty.
Because I “need” to put something I didn’t like, if you ski in the back seat at all, this ski will not respond… so initate through the hips & commit! Nice work, Eric! That being said, this is not a ski for the non-aggressive. Go have fun!
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wpnatv
02/01/2010 07:02PM
I demoed the 178 2010/2011. Despite the length (178), the reverse camber has less surface area on the snow and the combination of a flexible tip and firm center result in a light, responsive experience. I was frankly shocked by it’s performance as I thought it would be more sluggish at first look. I now understand why this won the 2010 Powder Magazine Skier’s Choice Award. I knew on this ski I could get over my commitment issues and charge down the steepest of chutes (though the snow and demo cycles didn’t allow), but I had to settle smiles on a couple of bumps, jumps, and steep grades in mixed/packed pow. From moderate to steep groomed pitches, they dug right in and glided across variance in soft, packed powder and ice. Despite their length and girth, they dove right through bumps, responding to absorption well. For the little poufs of powder I was able to scrape up, they gloated like a frothy heaven. It’s clear that Eric Hjorleifson put a lot of thought into this beauty.
Because I “need” to put something I didn’t like, if you ski in the back seat at all, this ski will not respond… so initate through the hips & commit! Nice work, Eric! That being said, this is not a ski for the non-aggressive. Go have fun!