Ski pro shops not only have the latest materials for each season, but they also have a long history of accumulating information on past products and feedback from users who have actually purchased them. Furthermore, since most owners and staff are skiers themselves, they have a wealth of specialized knowledge and experience.
This allows them to evaluate products from multiple perspectives and excel at comparing and evaluating numerous brands. So, we asked a pro shop's expert to recommend some skis that are guaranteed to be great. If you're thinking of getting some new skis this season, why not use this as a reference?
"This is the bike of the season!" selected by the discerning pro shop staff!
VECTOR GRIDE | Nadurra
Recommendation: Ishii Sports Sapporo Nishi Interchange Store
These backcountry skis were produced by Daisuke Sasaki, one of Japan's leading mountain guides and professional skiers. While focusing on the deep powder of Hokkaido, where Sasaki mainly works, they were created with careful consideration not only for skiing but also for climbing and skiing on a variety of snow conditions.
This ski teaches us that skis that work well on the slopes don't necessarily work well in the backcountry, and that the ability to handle them freely is also important. The skis are set up so that you can fully enjoy the three-dimensional depth of the snow while feeling plenty of buoyancy. They also say that it's easy to ride using the terrain! We're looking forward to it
Takanashi-san
Recommendation:
TOYRU VECTOR GLIDE are my top pick. They are made by Daisuke Sasaki. Lightweight, with a shape that seems to offer a high degree of freedom and a flexible flex, we have high expectations!
Recommendation: Ishii Sports Niigata Store
With a center width of 115mm, skis are often thought of as a model specifically for powder, but the Nadurra is not that ordinary model.
The SUPER LIGHT CORE and carbon core, combined with a cap structure that eliminates sidewalls, make this a lightweight all-mountain ski. Enjoy the snowy mountains all season long with this one ski
The lightweight and flexible tip and tail provide excellent swing balance. It's easy to maneuver when skiing and incredibly nimble in tree runs. It's also easy to handle when hiking. And of course, the 115mm center width makes it perfect for breaking through snow on hikes
Despite the large radius of 24m, it is flexible, allowing you to turn by bending the skis without relying on the side curve. Furthermore, it is easy to shift the skis when turning. This is very important. The radius is not small, and the rocker shape is not too tight. This is a new model that is not very modern, but it's the best!
LINE | BLADE
Odashima
Recommendation:
Mountain shop Niseko 343. It received high praise for its excellent carving ability and excellent release in the latter half of turns, for enabling deep turns on the edge, and for providing a turning sensation unlike anything you've experienced before, all of which were highly praised. Other comments included:
The biggest appeal of these skis is that they have an unprecedented shape that allows you to easily lean your body into turns. These skis offer a new way of playing. The top bites in the first half of the turn, the entire board bends in the middle, and the tail edge grips in the second half. You can also easily shift the board during a turn, allowing you to freely control it to suit the terrain
The side curve is sharp, so you can make both large and small turns without any wobbles, even on hard runs, and you can carve smoothly. Because it's short, you might think it would be weak in stability and speed, but perhaps because it contains metal, there are no problems with stability or speed. Although the tip is thick, it's a board that even those with little strength can ride easily. I think it will also perform well in powder. It's good for slopes, powder, and backcountry skiing
...So my overall review is
Mikiya Tanno
Tanno-san
Recommendation : TRUNKBASEFirst and foremost, the BLADE is a carving board produced by LINE, a freestyle brand that specializes in powder and park riding, so its perspective and message were fresh and I had my eye on it from the start.
I had a preconceived notion that it would be hard because it has a hollow metal shaped like a fishbone, but when I actually rode it, it didn't feel hard at all, and it flexed and turned very well
The edge grip and stability are undeniable. Compared to typical narrow carving skis,
Of course, it's not just for carving, but also for powder and park riding. It's a fascinating product that offers new possibilities for versatile riding, making the slopes even more fun
*Take a look at the world of BLADE through LINE video
ARMADA | ARV 116 JJ UL
Recommendation:
SKI SHOP Vail The deep rocker shape of the top and tail shortens the contact patch and provides excellent control. The 3D shape of the nose and tail makes it easy to enter and exit turns. The ability to perform tricks and have fun freely in powder is a testament to ARMADA's roots as a board that began with freestyle riders.
The waist width is 116mm, but it's easy to use and doesn't depend on the width, so anyone can enjoy powder skiing at any level and can use it on any slope. It's also lightweight, so it's recommended for women
ARMADA | ZERO WHITE WALKER
Recommendation: This
COMPASS HOUSE . It comes in the same three sizes as the ARV116JJUL, but features a pinned top and tail. The lightweight core is wrapped in carbon for a light, resilient finish. It slices through powder, and the camber, which peaks well forward, provides firm grip on hard surfaces that suddenly appear.
They're also great for hard big mountain skiing. They offer a strong rebound, allowing you to fly naturally and landing with a stable feel. They're so powerful they're a ski for experts who can't ride with the same kind of feeling as JJ. These are my favorite skis, and I've been wearing them for about half the season. The more I wear them, the better I appreciate them
ICELANTIC | SABA PRO
Recommendation: the BUMPS Sapporo
rocker shape, so by leaning the board in, you get a firm grip from the top to the tail, providing a sense of stability that is completely different from the full rocker that was popular a few years ago.
This was the ski that had the biggest gap between the impression of its appearance before the test ride and the impression after, and it was extremely popular
* Check out the video of SABA PRO rider Noriyuki Sasaki to get a feel for the riding experience
ICELANTIC | NOMAD105
| D=140-105-130mm | R=17m( 186)
Recommendation: SKI SHOP Vail The
NOMAD105 uses the same core as last year,
In terms of functionality, depending on the size, they can be used for a wide range of purposes, from free skiing to powder skiing. The flexible flex allows for a variety of playful ways, expanding the imagination and imagination of skiers
FACTION ｜ AGENT3.0
Recommendation:
Ishii Sports Sapporo Nishi Inter Store This ski belongs to the backcountry touring ski category, but it is sure to be one of the most popular this season, with an excellent balance of lightness, stability, and maneuverability.
While it shares the same sidecut as the brand's popular "DICTATOR 3.0" model, it features a lighter core and is reinforced with carbon stringers instead of metal sheets, making it a tour model with a freeriding feel. This model is recommended for those who value both smoothness and lightness
4FRNT (Four Front) | DEVASTATOR
Wasshi
Recommendation: BLACK DIAMOND
This season's Devastator has undergone a complete redesign while retaining its freeride DNA. The overall impression is that it offers improved maneuverability on a variety of snow surfaces, a more floating feel, and outstanding stability.
The new Reflect Tech™ with multiple radius values gives you more lift off the top of the board than ever before, allowing for sharper turns and tight tree runs and cliff drops
The new sidecut provides the edge grip of a camber ski, increasing maneuverability and stability. The ski core has also been made 10% lighter thanks to the addition of carbon fiber. These are skis that will make you think, "With these, I can go anywhere."
EXTREAM | FUSION 105 RELOAD
Recommendation: Ishii Sports Niigata Store
. Handmade by Scandinavia's only alpine ski factory, the FUSION 105 is a tuned version of EXTREM's standard model, the OPINION, with enhanced performance on groomed runs.
With a core of highly elastic poplar and beech for added stability, this is a true all-rounder that allows for comfortable and light gliding on any slope
The moderately long rocker at the top and the short but firm rocker at the tail maintain carving performance without sacrificing edge grip. Enjoy it on groomed runs. It also has excellent flotation in deep snow, so you can rest assured
Of course, it can't beat the floating feeling you get in powder snow with thicker skis, but this model has the absolute advantage of being suitable for any snow condition. It's rare to find powder snow all day long, so if you wear the FUSION 105, you can enjoy it even if there isn't powder. If you want to enjoy powder snow using a lift or gondola, this is it! There are skis that offer more floating feeling, and skis that offer more carving feeling, but the FUSION 105 is just right
A discerning professional shop fell in love with this brand and became a distributor. "This is the one!"
Pro shops learn about and research a wide variety of skis, both domestic and international, in order to stock the "good stuff" that meets the owner's expectations. In the process, the owner may find a product that they like so much that they decide, "We'll carry this!" and become a distributor (importer/seller). Here we introduce the top recommended models from two overseas brands that have captivated discerning shoppers
KYE SHAPES | NUMINOUS
The flagship model of KYE SHAPES, a brand established by Kye Petersen after he left 4FRNT.
Recommendation: BLACKDIAMOND
(POW WAVE)
After many years of development and testing at 4FRNT, Kye Petersen launched his new brand, KYE SHAPES, in search of more freedom of expression through skiing. Kye was also selected as the world's best skier in 2019.
NUMINOUS is KYE SHAPES' flagship model. With a long tapered tip and a gentle tip curve rocker that blends multiple radius values, it is an aggressive yet stable ski
The ride is reminiscent of the KYE series that 4FRNT previously produced, and this model is suitable for a variety of powder and can easily handle everything from sharp turns with the edges to slide turns
*Check out KYE SHAPES' promotional PV!
J SKIS ｜ THE HOTSHOT
L=177, 183, 189cm | D=134-106-124mm
L=177, 183, 189cm | D=134-106-124mm
continues to thrive even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This limited edition ski is limited to 450 units worldwide.
Recommendation: Ski Bum Trading Co.
LINE Skis founder Jason Levinthal founded J Skis, a unique brand that defies industry conventions by selling entirely direct to the world without wholesale to retailers.
This season, we're introducing the new metal ski "THE HOTSHOT." Limited to 450 skis worldwide, it's available in two graphic options. Its wide sweet spot allows for intuitive control in any terrain or condition. Simply initiate a turn and the entire edge, including the rockered tip, engages perfectly, providing a precise feel that responds exactly as you want
Optimized shape and placement of Titanal, a lightweight, high-quality aluminum laminate, delivers more power where you need it and less weight where you don't, resulting in a powerful, smooth, and stable ski
*Check out the video introducing Nocturnal Daydream by Ryan Schmies, who collaborated with Jason Levinthal, VP of Promotion for the parody-inspired Nocturnal Daydream
If there's a particular ski you're interested in, why not visit the shop that recommended it and actually touch and feel the product, or even make an inquiry?
(Clicking on the shop name will take you to the SKI PRO SHOP page within STEEP.) I'm sure
they'll be even more enthusiastic about telling you about its appeal.
Interview cooperation (in alphabetical order):
Ishii Sports Sapporo Nishi Interchange Store , Ishii Sports Niigata Store , COMPASS HOUSE , SKI SHOP Vail , Ski Bum Shokai , TOYRU , TRUNKBASE , BLACKDIAMOND , BUMPS Sapporo , Mountain shop Niseko 343