My one ski quiver is the Volkl kendo 88, a little thinner than what you said but since I've always skied with thinner skis, I already find it great in the pow (and french alps don't have really deep pow that often). Basically it's a thinner mantra m5, but really great for bombing mixed snow and carve the groomer. I find larger ski dodgy if you want to go fast on crowded resort days. I also have a pair of Fischer 80mm light touring skis with light dynafit so it's not really a one ski quiver but I never bring them in the resort, they're my one to many day huge elevations babies. I'll probably get a lightish pow ski like the blaze 106 at some point and slap switchs bindings on them for pow days, slackcountry and to enjoy the descent more on smaller
Thanks Gareth! Couldn't agree more -- fantastic crew. Thank you so much for checking out the video. We really appreciate it. Don't forget to subscribe to the TH-cam channel and follow us on Instagram @halflifet.5 Hope to see you on the hills! Tim
Had the Enforcer for two years and loved it. I want something lighter more for the bumps and trees what do you think? Thanks and keep up the great videos...
Hi Guys! I am pretty new to skiing, but picking it up extremely quickly - I can comfortably ski on blues and attempt some blacks, I live in the Rockies and was wondering if you could recommend some all mountain skis suited for my abilities? Thanks!
Hi Justin -- There are a number of good skis between $500 and $600 that would suit you really well: Atomic Bent Chetler 100 - $599 Atomic Vantage 97C - $499 Salomon QST 92 - $549 K2 Mindbender C - $499 All of these fall between 90 and 100 underfoot, great for the Rockies. Keep up the progression on skis! All the best, Gerk
Hey NoPro -- Thank you for checking out our videos! Yep - that mono ski is a beauty! Couple that with a one piece breeze'n outfit and Vuarnets and you are rocking it!
anything over 110 in the waist and about 170cm tall should work. Thank you for checking out our video. Hopefully you've subscribed to our channel and follow us on Instagram @halflifet.5
Hi Nicolas -- Of those 3 skis, it’s like asking what Truck is better between Ford, Chevy or Dodge. All 3 are designed for the same thing…versatility. 3 different skiers will have 3 different favorites, but if you want this skiers favorite, go with the Enforcer.
Great Video! I am currently skiing a pair of 2013 181sm K2 Rictor Amp All Mountain Skis (81mm waist) and am looking to finally upgrade. I live in PA and am forced to ski 90% groomers. I do have the IKON pass and have already done 2 trips to Snowshoe, WV and there I ski more like 70% groomers and 30% back side. I'm hoping to ski more out west this season and in the future. I am 48 years old, 6'1", 250 lbs and am an intermediate/advanced skier who loves to let the skis do the work while ripping groomers and explore the trees when the snow allows. I am currently considering the Atomic Vantage 97 Ti, the Nordica Enforcer 93, Rossignol Experience 88 Ti, Volkl M5 Mantra and the Blizzard Brahma. Any thoughts on which pair of skis would be the best fit and at what length. Thanks!
Hi There! Thanks so much for checking out our video! It’s a coin flip between the Volkl, Atomic and the Blizzard, but I’d go with the Bonafide over the Brahma. It’s 97mm like the Atomic. You’ll want a 180-185. I think all these skis are awesome on groomers but wide enough to handle the trees. We'd be happy to mount them up and ship them to you! Please email me at halflifet.5@gmail.com and we can talk through the details! Hopefully you subscribed to the TH-cam channel and follow us on Instagram @halflifet.5 Cheers, Tim
I am confused which one to buy. Please help me choose one. I want a ski that never lets me down, it must be lightweight and good carving capabilities on groomed slopes. I am using volkl RTM 84 at the moment but I want to ski more off piste.
Hi Tyler -- I recommend mounting the Mindbender on the recommended line. The guys at K2 put a lot of thought into where to ski them, and their recommendation is spot on. Cheers, Tim
What would you recommend as a one ski quiver for someone who is more towards the beginner-intermediate level as opposed to expert/hard charging level? I’m approx 88kg and 1.83m - would really love some advice! I live in Japan but realistically will be on groomers a majority of the time but would like something that can handle some light powder on the edge of runs or in trees for when I make improvements! Thanks!
Hi Mike -- Here's this from Gerk: There are a good handful of skis that will work great for those conditions. Generally, something around 90mm under foot that has a good shovel shape for Japow. Here are my top 4 suggestions: Rossignol Escaper Atomic Vantage C Salomon QST 92 Nordica Enforcer 94 I would suggest about a 177 for length. All models come in different increments, so whichever is the longest but under 180 would be right. (172-179)
Hi Anish -- They stopped making the Invictus last year, replaced with the Declivity family. But everything we carry in the 100 waist category goes up against it. I’d suggest the Bonafide 97 for the most similar feel. If you haven't already, please subscribe to our TH-cam channel and follow us on Instagram @halflifet.5
@@HALFLIFEVIDEO Just to clear up some confusion, modern skis that use "metal" use Titanal, which is a product manufactured by Austria Metall (sic) AG (or AMAG) and used by all of the major ski manufacturers. It is a blend of aluminum (the main component), copper, magnesium, zinc and zirconium. The key is that titanium is not used in Titanal - so it is incorrect (although rather common) to suggest that these skis have sheets of titanium in their construction. That is not true - as stated above, they use Titanal, which is an aluminum alloy.
Thanks Joe -- the thing about us is just that we're super stoked. If it was contrived or just for the cameras we probably would dial back but sometimes.....you are just who you are. I do appreciate the comment though and thank you for checking out our video. Please don't hesitate if there's any other reviews you would like to see. Cheers, Tim
My one ski quiver is the Volkl kendo 88, a little thinner than what you said but since I've always skied with thinner skis, I already find it great in the pow (and french alps don't have really deep pow that often). Basically it's a thinner mantra m5, but really great for bombing mixed snow and carve the groomer. I find larger ski dodgy if you want to go fast on crowded resort days.
I also have a pair of Fischer 80mm light touring skis with light dynafit so it's not really a one ski quiver but I never bring them in the resort, they're my one to many day huge elevations babies.
I'll probably get a lightish pow ski like the blaze 106 at some point and slap switchs bindings on them for pow days, slackcountry and to enjoy the descent more on smaller
Great review, thanks for the scoop. Love gerks for their ski tuning and boot fitting, Kevin, Andy and Kevin are the best. Thanks half-life
Thanks Gareth! Couldn't agree more -- fantastic crew. Thank you so much for checking out the video. We really appreciate it.
Don't forget to subscribe to the TH-cam channel and follow us on Instagram @halflifet.5
Hope to see you on the hills!
Tim
Had the Enforcer for two years and loved it. I want something lighter more for the bumps and trees what do you think? Thanks and keep up the great videos...
Hi Dan -- consider the Rossignol Sender, Blizzard Rustler 10, or Atomic Bent Chetler 100. All poppy playful skis!
Enjoy!
The Half-Life Crew
Wow no Ranger on the list. Surprising
I hear ya! We had to draw the line somewhere.
Hi Guys! I am pretty new to skiing, but picking it up extremely quickly - I can comfortably ski on blues and attempt some blacks, I live in the Rockies and was wondering if you could recommend some all mountain skis suited for my abilities? Thanks!
Hi Justin -- There are a number of good skis between $500 and $600 that would suit you really well:
Atomic Bent Chetler 100 - $599
Atomic Vantage 97C - $499
Salomon QST 92 - $549
K2 Mindbender C - $499
All of these fall between 90 and 100 underfoot, great for the Rockies.
Keep up the progression on skis!
All the best,
Gerk
Im only gonna buy 1 pair, please just say which is bets
Go with the Mindbender 99
Cheers,
Tim
how bout that mono ski in the background?! 👍🤙 sweet review!
Hey NoPro -- Thank you for checking out our videos! Yep - that mono ski is a beauty! Couple that with a one piece breeze'n outfit and Vuarnets and you are rocking it!
I live In the mid west but I go out to Utah somemes. Would the blizzard rustler 9 work well for that?
Yes on the Rustler 9. Great frontside performance with enough surface area to float you on powder days.
Cheers,
The Half-Life Crew
Do you recommend the M6, K2 Mindbender or the Enforcer 100? Ex-racer looking for all mountain.
All great skis - you can't go wrong. I am an ex-racer and the K2 Mindbender 99 was my personal choice for the all mountain.
Cheers,
The Half-Life Crew
What do you think would be the best east coast ski that does short effortless turns and can go in and powder
The K2 Mindbender will answer the bell for that!
@@HALFLIFEVIDEO thanks!
Thoughts on the Dynastart M-Pro 99?
which ski should I buy for Skiing slopes of Gulmarg, Indian administered kashmir - we have fresh powder snow here keeping in view I'm 5'6''
anything over 110 in the waist and about 170cm tall should work. Thank you for checking out our video. Hopefully you've subscribed to our channel and follow us on Instagram @halflifet.5
hello for you which ski is the best for carving, powder and maneuverability between the bonafide m5 and enforcer. thanks
Hi Nicolas -- Of those 3 skis, it’s like asking what Truck is better between Ford, Chevy or Dodge. All 3 are designed for the same thing…versatility. 3 different skiers will have 3 different favorites, but if you want this skiers favorite, go with the Enforcer.
Great Video! I am currently skiing a pair of 2013 181sm K2 Rictor Amp All Mountain Skis (81mm waist) and am looking to finally upgrade. I live in PA and am forced to ski 90% groomers. I do have the IKON pass and have already done 2 trips to Snowshoe, WV and there I ski more like 70% groomers and 30% back side. I'm hoping to ski more out west this season and in the future. I am 48 years old, 6'1", 250 lbs and am an intermediate/advanced skier who loves to let the skis do the work while ripping groomers and explore the trees when the snow allows. I am currently considering the Atomic Vantage 97 Ti, the Nordica Enforcer 93, Rossignol Experience 88 Ti, Volkl M5 Mantra and the Blizzard Brahma. Any thoughts on which pair of skis would be the best fit and at what length. Thanks!
Hi There! Thanks so much for checking out our video! It’s a coin flip between the Volkl, Atomic and the Blizzard, but I’d go with the Bonafide over the Brahma. It’s 97mm like the Atomic. You’ll want a 180-185. I think all these skis are awesome on groomers but wide enough to handle the trees.
We'd be happy to mount them up and ship them to you! Please email me at halflifet.5@gmail.com and we can talk through the details!
Hopefully you subscribed to the TH-cam channel and follow us on Instagram @halflifet.5
Cheers,
Tim
I am confused which one to buy. Please help me choose one. I want a ski that never lets me down, it must be lightweight and good carving capabilities on groomed slopes. I am using volkl RTM 84 at the moment but I want to ski more off piste.
Hi Emral -- the best call would be to give us a call at Gerk's shop. Ask for Kevin or Gerk. (425)270-3061
Where are you located?
Cheers,
Tim
Where do you recommend the mount point should be on the k2 mindbender?
Hi Tyler -- I recommend mounting the Mindbender on the recommended line. The guys at K2 put a lot of thought into where to ski them, and their recommendation is spot on.
Cheers,
Tim
What would you recommend as a one ski quiver for someone who is more towards the beginner-intermediate level as opposed to expert/hard charging level? I’m approx 88kg and 1.83m - would really love some advice! I live in Japan but realistically will be on groomers a majority of the time but would like something that can handle some light powder on the edge of runs or in trees for when I make improvements! Thanks!
Hi Mike -- Here's this from Gerk: There are a good handful of skis that will work great for those conditions. Generally, something around 90mm under foot that has a good shovel shape for Japow. Here are my top 4 suggestions:
Rossignol Escaper
Atomic Vantage C
Salomon QST 92
Nordica Enforcer 94
I would suggest about a 177 for length. All models come in different increments, so whichever is the longest but under 180 would be right. (172-179)
HALF-LIFE thank you very much! I’ll check those models out, really appreciate you taking the time to write a detailed reply, that’s great!
You bet!
cheers,
Tim
Could you make a review on the Armada Invictus series? Thankyou for the info.
Hi Anish -- They stopped making the Invictus last year, replaced with the Declivity family. But everything we carry in the 100 waist category goes up against it. I’d suggest the Bonafide 97 for the most similar feel.
If you haven't already, please subscribe to our TH-cam channel and follow us on Instagram @halflifet.5
Somebody answer the telephone.
Call - www.google.com/search?q=gerks+issaquah&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#
425-270-3061
concerned that you’re recommending skis but saying that titanal is titanium.
Correct Jack -- that makes for a stiffer ski.
@@HALFLIFEVIDEO Just to clear up some confusion, modern skis that use "metal" use Titanal, which is a product manufactured by Austria Metall (sic) AG (or AMAG) and used by all of the major ski manufacturers. It is a blend of aluminum (the main component), copper, magnesium, zinc and zirconium. The key is that titanium is not used in Titanal - so it is incorrect (although rather common) to suggest that these skis have sheets of titanium in their construction. That is not true - as stated above, they use Titanal, which is an aluminum alloy.
Who so concerned? What difference is it going to make to your or anyone’s life?
Correct! Which at the end of the day makes them stiffer :-)
90 to 106??? How ridiculous!
Hey Mark -- not sure what your question is?
Yeah dial it back. No one uses hype anymore.
Thanks Joe -- the thing about us is just that we're super stoked. If it was contrived or just for the cameras we probably would dial back but sometimes.....you are just who you are. I do appreciate the comment though and thank you for checking out our video. Please don't hesitate if there's any other reviews you would like to see.
Cheers,
Tim
@@HALFLIFEVIDEO I don't think it was hype at all, I loved the video!