Skier: Masahiro Yamaki Photo: Key Sato
We selected fat skis with a waist width of 110-120mm that riders highly praised for their "excellent performance in powder." We then categorized the ride quality based on a five-point scale that measured the stiffness of the nose, center, and tail. The fat skis collected here with a "moderate stiffness" are characterized by their "good balance." We asked the riders to share their ride quality and ease of use in detail
BLIZZARD | HUSTLE 11
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard Pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★★★☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Review:
BLIZZARD's HUSTLE is a ski that strikes the perfect balance between a lightweight ski that's simply light and a ski with a solid, heavy feel. It's the best of both worlds. Not only is it light, but the swing balance when you put it on your feet is outstanding.
● Common Usage Situations
: Primarily used for powder skiing involving ascents. Suitable for use from the start of the season through spring on large slopes. Its high all-around capability allows for use throughout the season.
[Reviewer]
Masahiro Yamaki, 46,
which he launched during the COVID-19 pandemic,New Ski Style,is gaining popularity among fans.
FACTION｜Mana4
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point scale
Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard Pack: ★★★★★
Park: ★★☆☆☆
Moguls: None
Touring: ★★★★★
●Rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Review:
It's light, thin, and easy to handle, so you can go anywhere. Personally, I find short and long turns really enjoyable.
● Commonly used conditions:
Powder, uneven terrain, all seasons
[Reviewer]
Koga Hoshino, 24 years old
He is based in Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture. He is also an international rider for Faction Skis. The videos he consistently posts on Instagram are highly popular not only in Japan but also overseas.
instagram>koga hoshino
LINE | VISION 118
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard Pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★☆☆☆
Moguls: ★☆☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Review:
Despite being a wide ski, it's very light. Furthermore, the nose floats well and it's easy to handle. Many skis sacrifice stability when prioritizing lightness, but by mixing carbon and fiberglass, it maintains stability without compromising performance.
Recommended for skiers who prioritize gliding performance and are looking for lightness. I personally like its overall good balance.
● Common usage situations:
Frequently used from the beginning of the season through the peak season. While skiing on groomed slopes is also done, it's mainly used on ungroomed runs.
[Reviewer]
Mikiya Tanno, 37 years old
, spent his 20s competing in domestic and international freeskiing contests while also working as a photographer for TLSP (Third-Level Freeskiing). He later switched to halfpipe competitions, participating in World Cups and World Championships.
Currently, he has expanded his photography activities to include backcountry skiing.
In 2013, he established the ski shop TRUNKBASE, and is dedicated to sharing the joy and appeal of skiing through both shop management and his own skiing activities.
Instagram:@mikiyatanno84
VECTER GLIDE| GENIUS Narrow
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard Pack: ★★☆☆☆
Park: ★☆☆☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Review:
Although the waist width is 115mm, contrary to its imposing appearance, it provides a sense of security that comes from its stability, allowing you to ski with confidence. The turning feel is supple as if guiding you, and the top rocker shape allows for a smooth turn initiation, leading you to a blissful turn while enjoying a moderate sense of stability until the latter half of the turn. It is characterized by a more straightforward and smooth movement than its appearance suggests.
You can feel a floating sensation under your feet, and it is characterized by how the entire gliding surface connects to the next turn.
Have you ever suddenly felt anxious about whether you can ski when you are in front of the best snow of the season? With the Genius Narrow, once you start skiing, there is no anxiety about whether you can ski or whether you will fall. It is not too light, and the weight is just right for skiing. It has good maneuverability when skiing, and the weight is not noticeable when climbing slopes.
● Common usage conditions and
seasons: From November to around April. Suitable
for groomed slopes, sidecountry, and backcountry. Can be used in almost all snow conditions except ice. Gentle to steep slopes, any groomed slope, off-piste courses, ski resorts, and backcountry mountain areas.
[Reviewer]
Ayano Suzuki, 42 years old,
was born in Sapporo, Hokkaido in 1980. She showed great promise in alpine skiing from her junior high school days, sweeping junior titles including victories at the Junior Olympics and World Junior Championships. In 1996, she won both the downhill and super-G events at the All Japan Ski Championships. She joined the All Japan National Team and competed in FIS races and European Cups around the world. Afterwards, she worked as an office worker for a general company, but rediscovered her passion for skiing and began her journey as a professional skier again, focusing on adventure and recreational skiing.
Instagram:@ayanosuzuki.hokkaido
VECTER GLIDE｜INTIMACY
●Rating the featured scenes on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard pack: ★★★★☆
Park: ★★★★★
Moguls: ★★★★☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Review
Features: Available in two sizes, 188cm/140-110-130 and 180cm/137-106-120. Both offer a flexible flex derived from NaturalWood & G-FRP, making them enjoyable for riders of all skill levels, from beginners to experts.
Handling: Features a well-defined nose and tail rocker. Turn entry is smooth, and the shape allows for easy flex, resulting in a smooth exit from the latter half of the turn. The rider's intentions are easily conveyed, allowing for comfortable and natural handling.
Ride Experience: Contrary to its freestyle image, the Groomburn allows for aggressive carving. It also has ample float in powder snow and is great for playing in the park, allowing you to smoothly adapt to a wide variety of terrain in the backcountry
Weight: The board isn't particularly light, but that actually contributes to its stability, and there's none of the fluttering typical of rocker shapes. You'll probably select bindings according to your intended use, but if possible, I recommend choosing a separate type to maximize the board's flex.
Favorite points: As the name "Intimacy" suggests, it's an all-rounder that anyone can enjoy. Its exquisite balance and calculated shape expand the possibilities of how you can enjoy skiing. Since I got it in February of this season, I've only used the Intimacy, which is proof that it can be used in all situations.
● Commonly used conditions
and seasons: All seasons
Location (slope, course, ski resort, mountain area, etc.): Ski resorts around Asahikawa & Daisetsuzan mountain range
Conditions: All conditions, from groomed slopes to powder snow
Makoto Asakawa, 47 years old,
is from Asahikawa City, Hokkaido. He is a skier who is currently active mainly in Asahikawa.
Instagram >makotoasakawa
VECTER GLIDE | INTIMACY SE
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★☆
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard Pack: ★★★★☆
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★★☆☆
Touring: ★★★★☆
●Rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Review:
While offering a sense of stability, its outstanding maneuverability is its main appeal. Its ability to be controlled exactly as intended allows for a wide range of riding styles, from precise carving to sliding, depending on the situation. In particular, because the binding position is closer to the center, you hardly feel any weight during swings. I especially like the sticky feel and flexibility of the rocker in the nose and tail.
● Common usage conditions
and seasons: All seasons
Location (slope, course, ski resort, mountain area, etc.): All
Conditions: All
[Reviewer]
Sho Endo, 32 years old,
former Japanese national freestyle skier specializing in moguls. He currently manages a sports facility and coaches the Japanese national moguls team.
He aims for smooth riding.
Instagram:@shoendo7
VÖLKL| REVOLT 104
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point scale
Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★★
Hard Pack: ★★☆☆☆
Park: ★★☆☆☆
Moguls: ★☆☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Review:
Because it has the lowest effective edge length ratio among VOLKL's twin-tip series, it is extremely easy to handle while riding. It is ideal for powder and freeriding, but because it is long, wide and has good graphics, I also use it in the park, even if it's a bit of a stretch, because I prioritize the look. That being said, I would recommend it to people who do a lot of freeriding and powder riding.
● Common Usage Situations:
When I'm doing a variety of freeriding and park riding, if I could only bring one pair of shoes to the slopes, I would definitely choose the REVOLT104. Of course, it's also great in powder.
[Reviewer]
Takumi Toyama, 36 years old,
coaches mainly in park riding. This setup is also a gear review with park tricks in mind.
