This came in the mail today!

Twelve weeks to opening day!

mm

Whatcha buy’n?

I'd like to try a pair of Stocklis.

I'm looking at the new redesigned Liberty Helix for next season. Looking for real world reviews but haven't seen much chatter. Wondering if there is an embargo or whatnot. Or maybe Liberty didn't have a chance to get that one out to the pre-GP reviewers. Always fun trying to read between the lines on reviews... goodness knows most pre-release reviews are slanted overly positive because people gotta play the game to get the press cred to try the new gear out before general release.

I guess that says it all about how I feel about the gear magazines, lol.

I remain in awe of ye who actually understand ski design and construction.

D.B. Cooper wrote

I'd like to try a pair of Stocklis.

Warning, after you do you'll want a pair.

I demo'd Stöckli Laser SC in the Mid-Atlantic a few years ago because that's what my coach at Massanutten skis.  Loved them but wasn't going to shell out that kind of money for a carver.  The next year the rep suggested I try the Stormrider 85.  Loved them too but wasn't going to buy based on two 2-min runs at Whitetail.  After a day demo'ing them at Taos later that season, I was sold.  Bought the demo pair the next day.  Lucked out that the first ski shop I walked into at Taos is one of the biggest U.S. retailers for Stöckli.  I went early enough in the season that the demo skis weren't all sold yet.  Supply is pretty limited every season.  Stöckli owners seem to hold onto their skis for a long time, so buying used is unlikely.  I'm certainly planning on keeping mine.

Harvey wrote

I remain in awe of ye who actually understand ski design and construction.

I don't bother to worry about the details because I can make the effort to get to free demo days in more than one region.  Know enough about brands and the basics to pick skis for a run or two to decide whether they are fun for me or not.  I actually learn more from skis that I don't like than ones that I expect to like, so don't really care what I demo.  Just need to be somewhat in the right ballpark for length, but the range can be plus/minus 10cm from the optimum length.

First free demo day was about a dozen years ago when I was still an intermediate (small mountain in NC).  Took out a pair of 4FRNT powder skis for kicks.  After that, I understood what "turn radius" meant.

They are not the Helix, but I
Will be happy to give a report
On them this season

I liked my old Liberty Helixes. They were a ton of fun in deep pow. I haven't seen any reviews or stats on the new ones. What did they change?

My brother has those Variants pictured above... he likes them.

Lots of good skis out right now. Hard to go wrong.

Harvey wrote

I remain in awe of ye who actually understand ski design and construction.

Seems less complicated than developing an understanding of weather patterns. Cursory knowledge of both is the way I like to roll.

<quote author="MC2 5678F589">
I liked my old Liberty Helixes. They were a ton of fun in deep pow. I haven't seen any reviews or stats on the new ones. What did they change?

My brother has those Variants pictured above... he likes them.

Those are the Origin 96

Oh shit, Origins, I'm sorry. Got my Liberty models confused. Kinda shitty for someone who repped them for a year.