K2 and the Rolling Stones are turning 50!!! To celebrate K2 Skis and the Rolling Stones have teamed up to create the Limited Edition K2 Sideshow with the Rolling Stones graphics on them. These skis have a special die cut in the base with the Stones logo and you will also receive a Free T Shirt from k2 when you buy these skis. The Sideshow is a versatile do it all kind of ski wether you enjoy doing sidecountry, slackcountry or just want a fun ski for making tracks in the woods. The Sideshow is a perfect ski for AT and Backcountry with a lightweight design and a perfect tail for putting skins on. It will also make a great work of art for your collection. They will be making a Sidestaash ski as well with a totally different graphic. These will sell out as they only made a Limited number and each on is numbered as to what pair they are!! Find em and buy em!!
2012 Armada AR7 Skis Review
The 2012 Armada AR7 Skis are one of the best Freestyle all mountain skis on the market. The 2012 Armada Skis are versatile in that they are are great in the park and pipe, yet unlike many other freestyle skis they have sidewall technology and a wider platform to allow for more All Mountain freeride use as well. They are playful yet energetic anywhere you take them and if you are looking for a park ski that you can take anywhere on the mountain you have to strongly consider the 2012 Armada AR7 Skis one of your top choices. This ski a ski that sold out quickly last year thanks to high reviews and even higher demand and I would expect the same for the 2012 model so don’t wait until they are sold out like they were last year.
2012 Line Sir Francis Bacon Shorty Junior Powder Ski Review
One of the favorite junior skis that is coming over for 2012 is the Line SFB Jr. Ski. With a 107mm waist the Bacon Shorty will float in the deepest of snow while dad wins too because now your young ripper can go skiing the same places as you with just as much ease. The ski does have Early Rise and Early Taper so you can easily ski all conditions from deep snow to groomers with ease. If you are looking to save some money then you can also look for last years Line EP Shorty as it is the same ski with different graphics. It is awesome how companies have stepped up to make skis for the youth who can now be free with out limits because of their equipment.
2012 Volkl Mantra Ski Review
The 2012 Volkl Mantra Skis had some major changes for this season and all for the better. Now with a wider more versatile waist width of 98mm and all new tip rocker the 2012 Volkl Mantra is now in the same categroy as the Line Prophet 98 skis as far as versatility. It was lacking a little bit in previous models and we preferred the non rockered Line Prophet 100 Skis over the previous editions of the Mantra. The newer Mantra however has very similar qualities shared with that of the Line Skis and for that I thank Volkl. The new Volkl Mantra Skis can go anywhere at anytime and with confidence even on the firm days in the Northeast. The Prophet 98 has a slight edge in turn radius so if it comes down to what you like for turns it is easy if you are more of a long turn kind of skier go with the Volkl Mantra and if you enjoy something that will turn slightly more quicker edge to edge and is a little more forgiving than the Mantra go with the Line Prophet 98 skis which will also be one of the top selling skis for 2012 when all is said and done.
2012 Icelantic Keeper Skis Review
The 2012 Icelantic Keeper Skis are back unchanged except for graphic and I have no problem at all with that. The Icelantic Keeper Skis were thought to be a powder ski when they came out since they are 119mm in the waist but after skiing on them I can tell you that these skis are much more than most powder skis could ever dream of being. With a very quick turn radius and amazing edge grip even on groomers the Icelantic Keeper Skis are an eye opener for most expert skiers. With a fairly stiff flex and traditional camber Keeper skis will ski all conditions and terrain. If you are looking for something a little more forgiving for skiing bumped up terrain then you may want to consider the Line Mr. Pollard’s Opus. Overall this was an excellent ski and one that you will find yourself enjoying in more conditions then you previously thought possible.
2012 Icelantic Nomad All Mountain Skis Review
What can I say about the Icelantic Nomad other than it is one of the lightest skis on the market with its waist width of 105mm. If you are looking for something that is going to be versatile enough for some powder, all mountain skiing, and light enough to also do some touring with the 2012 Icelantic Nomad Skis are the skis that you should be considering. They are light but fairly stiff so they have excellent edge hold at high speed on groomers and if you are lighter weight and dont want something so stiff then you can also buy the ski in a SFT version. Icelantic is known for making versatile skis and they really pride themselves on the Icelantic Nomad Skis. If you are a skier that enjoys a lightweight ski that will push crud around and arc trenches on groomers then consider purchasing the Icelantic Nomad Skis.
2012 K2 Obsethed Skis Review
The 2012 K2 Skis are back and the biggest change is the graphic. With a very subtle graphic for 2011 Seth decided to bump it back up to a more evil look. The K2 Obsethed Skis is a favorite among freeride skiers and with a longer turn radius and more rocker than the 2010 Obsethed the 2012 Obsethed is built more for the true freeride skier that spends most of his time off the trail and in the search for powder and less time on the trail. On trail the turn radius is very long and it sometimes feels like a long time getting the ski on edge, however thanks to the Powder Rocker the skis float and slash powder and crud with ease. If you are into jumping off everything you can find then you will enjoy taking the Obsethed into some very fun adventures. Suggested mounting point depends on where on the ski you want to be. I suggest for Freeride/Powder skiing to be around the +2cm mark, if you are more all mountain then go around the +3 to +4cm. Overall a great ski for powder skiing and big mountain lines. Does lack some versatility on the groomers but if you are not worried about that then this is a great ski for you.
2012 Line Influence 105 Freeride Skis Review
The 2012 Line Influence 105 Skis are the All Mountain Skiers dream ski. If you want one ski to do it all then you have found yourself the right ski. At 105mm in the waist with a Metal Matrix, Early Rise, and Capwall Technology the Line Influence 105 skis will do everything you want the ski to do in every condition. If you find yourself more groomer oriented then go with the Pophet 98, but if you find yourself wanting to search out glades and fresh snow then it sounds like the Influence 105 is the ski for you. Built for playing off trail more than on you will be pleasantly surprised how easily this ski will carve trenches on firm East Coast snow. I prefer the Influence 115 for my own skiing but understand why for the majority out there the 105 is going to be a more versatile ski for them. The Marker Griffon ski binding is a great match for this ski and one that I highly would recommend using.
2012 Line Prophet 98 Skis Review
The Line Prophet 100 is no longer. For 2012 Line decided to make some changes to the Prophet Line and the Prophet 100 went to 98mm in the waist but more importantly it now has Early Rise and an all new Capwall Construction!! Both of these changes makes the 2012 Line Prophet 98 Skis some of the most versatile All Mountain Ski on the mountain. The slight tip rocker allows this ski to get edge to edge unlike a ski with out tip rocker. You wont even notice this ski is almost 100mm under foot. These skis are designed for skiing everything on the mountain. If you find yourself tending to go in the woods more than anything then you will want to look at the all new Line Influence 105 Skis or if you enjoy wide like I do the Influence 115 is one of my favorite skis. For the masses the Line Prophet 98 Skis are going to be an easy go to ski no matter which coast you live on. With a 17.2m turn radius in a 179cm length you can see why many Volkl Mantra owners have started to make the switch to Line Skis and with a Fatty Base & Edge you are know they are going to have incredible durability. Don’t be afraid to buy long in this ski as they measure short and the tip rocker makes them ski even shorter. If you are looking for a one ski quiver around 100mm then look no further than the Line Prophet 98 Skis for 2012. If you do not enjoy rocker yet and are still not ready to change then you can still find some 2010 and 2011 Prophet 100’s on the market.
2012 Line Sir Francis Bacon All Mountain Skis Review
The Line Sir Francis Bacon or SFB Skis has been one of our favorite skis of the past 4 years. Last year it received tip rocker and the reviews were all for the best!! For 2012 the ski gets a total makeover. Instead of 115mm in the waist the ski is now 108mm and with a totally different profile the ski is actually more versatile then ever before. With an Early Rise and Early Taper that allows the ski to have more effective edge when on groomers the 2012 Line SFB is the perfect one ski quiver ski. If you are looking for just one ski to be able to use in all conditions and terrain the Line SFB is an excellent choice. I tested this ski in multiple conditions and really found that it handled everything with ease. The new 2012 SFB is more responsive then it ever has before and with an AT Binding on it this would make an excellent backcountry setup. The bumps were a ton of fun to do with the new Line SFB thanks to its amazing tip profile and its ability to just absorb each bump. In the powder it floats with ease and snow does not get stuck underneath like it can with some wider skis with rocker that is not well thought out.
The past Line SFB was an excellent ski so if you enjoyed that ski dont be afraid to try and find a pair at a reasonable price. Some people just do not enjoy the rocker setup and that is their perogative, I however dont own a pair of skis with out rocker.
If you enjoy wider skis the Line EP Opus is the best new ski for 2012!! The Line EP Opus is now my everyday ski and and should be yours too if you enjoy having the versatility of a wider waist. If you want 115+ then go with the Line EP Opus it is going to be hard for you to be disappointed. If you want something for skiing a little bit more on trail then the Line Sir Francis bacon is an excellent call.