Ultimate Eastern Front Country?

By jaycoburn2448385 Ranked #558 - Alpine Skiing February 18, 2009

Replaced my 4 year old Volkl 6 Stars with these skis last year (March 2008). Did not want to give up the stability and edge hold of those skis but was looking for something with a shorter turning radius and bit more forgiving. I hoped the switch would give me a lively, athletic ski in the morning and a more forgiving ski in the afternoon.
After 10+ days on these skis, I am a big fan. They ski as billed - and met my goal. On groomed or hardpack, they are quicker edge to edge in 168cm than my 175cm 6 stars and they still hold everything on eastern hardpack and ice, even at speed. But they also soften up with the flip of the switch and give a more comfortable flex for bumps, 8" to a foot of new snow, or just a mellow afternoon. I've read the critiques about the switch being too gadgety but for my money, I think I got a very versatile eastern ski thanks to the switch. It is like having two skis in one and I recommend them highly to anyone with goals similar to mine.
These are my one-ski solution for eastern front country - possibly the last pure alpine ski I will buy. I am 6'1" 190lbs, 53 year old advanced/expert who spends about 1/2 time lift served and 1/2 time backcountry. I have a pair of 175 cm Movement Chamans for alpine touring here and in the Alps and Atomic R:EX in 180 cm for backcountry and deeper snow - both with Freeride Plus bindings. I am so happy with the lot of them that I can't quite justify a pair of Gotamas or Katanas for out west...at least not yet.

View Details: Volkl Tigershark 10 Foot Power Switch Alpine Ski w/ Motion iPT 12.0 TS Binding

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes | 0 No