As far as the Rossignol Black Ops 98, I’ve had these for a few seasons. On cold firm snow you really have to drive them and stay on top of them, they can throw you in the back seat a bit, but on soft snow they are a blast, super playful and easy to carve. They handle less dense powder and chop great. For me, when the snow is soft, so far they’ve been my favorite ski. Bumps, trees, powder they’re a blast. But when the snow is cold and firm, I’ll grab something else.
When nostalgia calls for using those older skis... Just be careful putting your newer GW boots into older alpine bindings that may not be GW compatible. While it may fit in there and be secure, it may be too secure as it may not release properly during an impact. If you are not sure, take the skis and your boots to a certified shop and they can tell you and/or do a release test for about $20
The most fun I had as a kid on skis was when I was like 10-12 and got to try a pair of Salomon Equipe! We also got a foot of powder one day that week and it was a workout but it was SO FUN even on those skinny skis! Only ever skied for a week per winter at most so I was decent but not ski racer good
I have plug boots. My understanding is the plastic is thicker for grinding and the last was narrower than any other boot I could find for my skinny low volume feet with a super high arch
My Blaze replaced my qst for all the exact reasons you stated. It's lighter and more nimble. It carves a better turn. The qst may have a slight edge in powder performance. However the more I skied my blaze, the less noticeable the difference became. It's just a slightly different style, the qst has a little more weight to it
The comment about using race skis everywhere got me thinking.. I would race on skis for a couple seasons in Wisconsin and when they lost there camber I would destroy them on the moguls in Colorado.. 20+ years ago I skied in Aspen and it was after Day Light Savings so it was icy longer and I skied with this 60+ year old guy who was on shaped skis and I was on my straight skis.. I left my racing skis at home.. I kept up with him down the steeps but when we took the cat track he was able to maintain all of his speed where I lost a lot of speed.. So I bought a pair of demos in Aspen for $75.. So I went from 205 to 175.. When I skied Birds of Prey at Beaver Creak the top moguls on the top of the hill were still firm/icy when the bottom moguls were soft/slushy.. My shaped stiff short skis went straight into the moguls and I flew over the top.. I am sure that my longer skis would have bent and absorbed the moguls.. I did see the same thing happen to a ski instructor who was instructing someone.. The other thing I want to mention is when we used to come out WEST and we would hike.. The straight skis would sink but the snow would also slow us down.. My wipeout that I had last week was on windblown snow pack so it was a totally different experience.. The snow is really fast and I sunk in a little bit and went head over heals and just flew on back down the hill.. Not exactly like falling on pillow..
Race skis are the ticket for ultimate edge hold and performance on hard snow. They are demanding and take a lot of pressure to work there is a speed minimum. I found that now i prefer deacon 84 better because for the effort i can put in them they deliver 90-95% of the performance my sl race skis give me. They also are better in softer condition or when the ski trench in the snow base deeper. Real race skis don’t tolerate back seater at high speed they will eject you faster than you can correct your position. I would say test them before buying. Now top tier carving skis are the ticket for non racer even Kendo88 or blizzard anomaly can carve better than 95% of skier can so there is no real downside now(there were 10 years ago but not now).
The Rossi Black Ops Sender is supposedly more directional and Black Ops 98 (used to be called Holy Shred?) has a twin tip so more playful. Never tried either though.
They say GS is "dangerous"...like you can't sideslip, plow, or stem turn if you had to. Same as any ski. SL is actually more dangerous because you are traversing more, doing sqirrelly turns. Going closer to the speed of Jerries so you interact with the more. GS skiing you just arc around them, or briefly straightline past them.
I ended up Buying the 2025 Armada 94 for first skis. even though you didnt like 102... I heard they were different. 🤞. I was a Ice Hockey Player as a kid. Should be interesting 😅. I have never skied before
Great job pushing out tons of content. I realized I started watching your videos only on topics that directly apply to me. Now I'm finding that I'm just watching every video as they come out as I'm sure it will be interesting and I'll learn a thing or two. 👍👍
Using garmin/strava or ski specific app: what should your MPH be to justify a race ski? Counting by peak speed for the run, or speed that the bulk of the run is above.
I’m on the IR list the rest of the season unfortunately. I left a long cry baby rant yesterday. But I still have opinions. I have an 11m radius beer league ski. I love it. But only on lower angle slopes like Northstar frontside for example. I’m not strong enough for steeper and have already ruptured both patellar tendons (see cry baby rant). The issue with race skis is they don’t want to get off edge and are hard to feather to scrub speed. They want to carve. They don’t want to slarve. I detune the tip and tails but it only helps a tiny bit. I tried two runs on them at my new mountain (mission ridge). It’s too steep and narrow to really enjoy them. They are really fun on wide low angle blues at Mammoth on a weekday off peak like first week after new years. But I’m at least off snow for 18 months to heal my patellar tendon. Have fun everyone
Thanks for answering my question in the video! Great to see your recommendations of the skis. I have done some demos before, but only demoed one on your list, the Rossi Experience 84 (non Ti). At the time I think we were at Deer Valley which had the free demos, so I took advantage of that. The Experience felt very noodly and I found it really difficult to do shorter turns on it. That day was a powder day so it was difficult to test the carving ability of that ski. I also tried several demos subsequently in Sun Valley (which I assume probably would be similar conditions if maybe a bit more firm than Bogus) but I settled on the Blackops 98. I also tried the Blizzard Sheeva which felt similar the blackops but I think the twin tips in the BlackOps allowed me to turn faster for some reason? I also tried Atomic Maven 104 and that felt like I was trying to turn a bus when the snow was a little hard packed in Sun Valley. My 2nd favourite was the Voelkl Secret 96/Mantra M6 because it did well in slightly harder snow. Strangely I found the Blackops 98 to smear turn a lot easier than the rest, it just doesn’t have the same precision to it when trying to carve like the Secret. Maybe you’re right and what I have is too much for what I want to do. Maybe the Blackops would be fun when I get to return to utah again 😝 the best day I ever had was the first demo day skiing it in Deer Valley and also last year skiing Mineral Basin with fresh powder. Also you’re such an amazing reviewer engaging with viewers and fans! Proud to be a member now!
I’m on the IR list the rest of the season unfortunately. I left a long cry baby rant yesterday. But I still have opinions. I have an 11m radius beer league ski. I love it. But only on lower angle slopes like Northstar frontside for example. I’m not strong enough for steeper and have already ruptured both patellar tendons (see cry baby rant). The issue with race skis is they don’t want to get off edge and are hard to feather to scrub speed. They want to carve. They don’t want to slarve. I detune the tip and tails but it only helps a tiny bit. I tried two runs on them at my new mountain (mission ridge). It’s too steep and narrow to really enjoy them. They are really fun on wide low angle blues at Mammoth on a weekday off peak like first week after new years. But I’m at least off snow for 18 months to heal my patellar tendon. Have fun everyone
As far as the Rossignol Black Ops 98, I’ve had these for a few seasons. On cold firm snow you really have to drive them and stay on top of them, they can throw you in the back seat a bit, but on soft snow they are a blast, super playful and easy to carve. They handle less dense powder and chop great. For me, when the snow is soft, so far they’ve been my favorite ski. Bumps, trees, powder they’re a blast. But when the snow is cold and firm, I’ll grab something else.
In Switzerland, even elderly women ski on slalom race skis, Stöckli Laser SL.
Just started this one but per the title, yes you should own a race ski, SL and GS, “if” it makes financial sense. Race skis teach you things!
When nostalgia calls for using those older skis... Just be careful putting your newer GW boots into older alpine bindings that may not be GW compatible. While it may fit in there and be secure, it may be too secure as it may not release properly during an impact. If you are not sure, take the skis and your boots to a certified shop and they can tell you and/or do a release test for about $20
Picked up Atomic race stock GS skis in plastic for $500. Liked to go fast. Very damp compared to Volkl Mantra every day ski. Super ski.
The most fun I had as a kid on skis was when I was like 10-12 and got to try a pair of Salomon Equipe!
We also got a foot of powder one day that week and it was a workout but it was SO FUN even on those skinny skis!
Only ever skied for a week per winter at most so I was decent but not ski racer good
I have plug boots. My understanding is the plastic is thicker for grinding and the last was narrower than any other boot I could find for my skinny low volume feet with a super high arch
Got my merch today and will be sporting it at Bogus in the morning. Keep up the great reviews!
honestly in Jeff and Bob's defense, if I worked in the industry I'd have like 20 skis
haha fair
My Blaze replaced my qst for all the exact reasons you stated. It's lighter and more nimble. It carves a better turn. The qst may have a slight edge in powder performance. However the more I skied my blaze, the less noticeable the difference became. It's just a slightly different style, the qst has a little more weight to it
The comment about using race skis everywhere got me thinking.. I would race on skis for a couple seasons in Wisconsin and when they lost there camber I would destroy them on the moguls in Colorado.. 20+ years ago I skied in Aspen and it was after Day Light Savings so it was icy longer and I skied with this 60+ year old guy who was on shaped skis and I was on my straight skis.. I left my racing skis at home.. I kept up with him down the steeps but when we took the cat track he was able to maintain all of his speed where I lost a lot of speed.. So I bought a pair of demos in Aspen for $75.. So I went from 205 to 175.. When I skied Birds of Prey at Beaver Creak the top moguls on the top of the hill were still firm/icy when the bottom moguls were soft/slushy.. My shaped stiff short skis went straight into the moguls and I flew over the top.. I am sure that my longer skis would have bent and absorbed the moguls.. I did see the same thing happen to a ski instructor who was instructing someone..
The other thing I want to mention is when we used to come out WEST and we would hike.. The straight skis would sink but the snow would also slow us down.. My wipeout that I had last week was on windblown snow pack so it was a totally different experience.. The snow is really fast and I sunk in a little bit and went head over heals and just flew on back down the hill.. Not exactly like falling on pillow..
Thanks for answering my question.
Race skis are the ticket for ultimate edge hold and performance on hard snow. They are demanding and take a lot of pressure to work there is a speed minimum. I found that now i prefer deacon 84 better because for the effort i can put in them they deliver 90-95% of the performance my sl race skis give me. They also are better in softer condition or when the ski trench in the snow base deeper. Real race skis don’t tolerate back seater at high speed they will eject you faster than you can correct your position. I would say test them before buying. Now top tier carving skis are the ticket for non racer even Kendo88 or blizzard anomaly can carve better than 95% of skier can so there is no real downside now(there were 10 years ago but not now).
The Rossi Black Ops Sender is supposedly more directional and Black Ops 98 (used to be called Holy Shred?) has a twin tip so more playful. Never tried either though.
Awesome vid! What do you think about Outdoorgearlab's ski and gear rankings?
Rickety if your ever near alta at this point this year come into the powderhouse ski shop we got Fischer 102 rangers that you can demo!
I'm really enjoying your reviews! Can you please review Black Crow Navis Freebird ? Thanks
Volkl P60 180 Race?
I still use Volkl P50 188 non race. Fun enough for me. Nice bases, sharp edges, what more could i want.
They say GS is "dangerous"...like you can't sideslip, plow, or stem turn if you had to. Same as any ski. SL is actually more dangerous because you are traversing more, doing sqirrelly turns. Going closer to the speed of Jerries so you interact with the more. GS skiing you just arc around them, or briefly straightline past them.
I ended up Buying the 2025 Armada 94 for first skis. even though you didnt like 102... I heard they were different. 🤞. I was a Ice Hockey Player as a kid. Should be interesting 😅. I have never skied before
Welcome to the snow sport!
I think 2-3 pair is a great quiver unless you tour and then it can double in size.
Great job pushing out tons of content. I realized I started watching your videos only on topics that directly apply to me. Now I'm finding that I'm just watching every video as they come out as I'm sure it will be interesting and I'll learn a thing or two. 👍👍
Appreciate you watching!
Using garmin/strava or ski specific app: what should your MPH be to justify a race ski? Counting by peak speed for the run, or speed that the bulk of the run is above.
Thanks for watching! Appreciate everyone who ordered shirts, they are on the way! check your email for tracking
I’m on the IR list the rest of the season unfortunately. I left a long cry baby rant yesterday. But I still have opinions. I have an 11m radius beer league ski. I love it. But only on lower angle slopes like Northstar frontside for example. I’m not strong enough for steeper and have already ruptured both patellar tendons (see cry baby rant). The issue with race skis is they don’t want to get off edge and are hard to feather to scrub speed. They want to carve. They don’t want to slarve. I detune the tip and tails but it only helps a tiny bit. I tried two runs on them at my new mountain (mission ridge). It’s too steep and narrow to really enjoy them. They are really fun on wide low angle blues at Mammoth on a weekday off peak like first week after new years. But I’m at least off snow for 18 months to heal my patellar tendon. Have fun everyone
Thanks for answering my question in the video!
Great to see your recommendations of the skis. I have done some demos before, but only demoed one on your list, the Rossi Experience 84 (non Ti). At the time I think we were at Deer Valley which had the free demos, so I took advantage of that. The Experience felt very noodly and I found it really difficult to do shorter turns on it. That day was a powder day so it was difficult to test the carving ability of that ski.
I also tried several demos subsequently in Sun Valley (which I assume probably would be similar conditions if maybe a bit more firm than Bogus) but I settled on the Blackops 98. I also tried the Blizzard Sheeva which felt similar the blackops but I think the twin tips in the BlackOps allowed me to turn faster for some reason? I also tried Atomic Maven 104 and that felt like I was trying to turn a bus when the snow was a little hard packed in Sun Valley.
My 2nd favourite was the Voelkl Secret 96/Mantra M6 because it did well in slightly harder snow. Strangely I found the Blackops 98 to smear turn a lot easier than the rest, it just doesn’t have the same precision to it when trying to carve like the Secret.
Maybe you’re right and what I have is too much for what I want to do. Maybe the Blackops would be fun when I get to return to utah again 😝 the best day I ever had was the first demo day skiing it in Deer Valley and also last year skiing Mineral Basin with fresh powder.
Also you’re such an amazing reviewer engaging with viewers and fans! Proud to be a member now!
I’m on the IR list the rest of the season unfortunately. I left a long cry baby rant yesterday. But I still have opinions. I have an 11m radius beer league ski. I love it. But only on lower angle slopes like Northstar frontside for example. I’m not strong enough for steeper and have already ruptured both patellar tendons (see cry baby rant). The issue with race skis is they don’t want to get off edge and are hard to feather to scrub speed. They want to carve. They don’t want to slarve. I detune the tip and tails but it only helps a tiny bit. I tried two runs on them at my new mountain (mission ridge). It’s too steep and narrow to really enjoy them. They are really fun on wide low angle blues at Mammoth on a weekday off peak like first week after new years. But I’m at least off snow for 18 months to heal my patellar tendon. Have fun everyone