Skier: Masahiro Murayama Photo: STEEP＠Daigo Onozuka
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 "softer" fat skis featured here are characterized by their "excellent maneuverability." We asked the riders to share their riding style and ease of use in detail
ATOMIC｜BENT 110
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard pack: ★★☆☆☆
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★☆
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★☆☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★☆☆☆
●Review
Rather than skis for gliding through powder, I get the impression that these skis are for freestyle movements in powder. The skis are very light and easy to handle, and they instantly follow your movements. They are thinner than the BENT120, making it easier to make small movements. I recommend these skis for people just starting out in freeriding.
●Usual usage situations:
Mainly used in the high season (December, January, February) when there is plenty of powder snow and when the snow is loose enough for the skis to sink, in the side country and backcountry. Occasionally used in the park as well.
Reviewer
Gen Sasaki, 26,
has been racing around the mountains of Niseko since he was a child. Utilizing this experience, he was selected as a member of the Japanese freestyle skiing team and competed both domestically and internationally. He later switched to freeride skiing and is currently active in the sport. He runs a lodging at Bongo Square at the foot of Niseko all year round.
I also use the ATOMIC BENT 110
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★☆☆
Hard pack: ★★☆☆☆
Park: ★★☆☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★☆☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Review
Starting next season, the 110 will be added to the Benchtler series. In terms of ride comfort, it feels right between the previous 120 and 100, and seems very user-friendly. While the previous 100 could be used on groomed courses and in the park, this one seems a little more suited to powder riding, closer to the 120. In fact, I ride a bike that's way over-specced for a woman, so I think women could go down one size.
Frequently used
powder. Also used in FWQ HAKUBA.
[Reviewer]
Ayana Onozuka, 34,
won a bronze medal in the women's HP at the Sochi Olympics. She currently competes on the world stage with FREERIDESKI, and even though she is now a mother of one, she continues to push herself as a top skier. In the summer, she trains on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), and in the winter, she promotes HP, mentors the next generation of skiers, and gives lectures at local elementary schools.
ARMADA｜ZERO ARV 116 JJ ULTRALITE
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★☆☆
Hard pack: ★☆☆☆☆
Park: ★☆☆☆☆
Moguls: ★☆☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★☆☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Review
I often use these boards in powder! They're also relatively soft, so I think they're easy to play with!
The ULTRALITE is lighter than the regular JJ, so they're easy to climb in the backcountry!
[Reviewer]
Masahiro Murayama, 24 years old.
He shoots in parks, backcountry skiing, on the street, and posts the footage on social media.
Instagram: @murayamashota
BLASTRACK｜ROC118
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★☆☆
Hard pack: ★★☆☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★☆
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★☆☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Review:
These skis have full rocker, but when you ride them, the contact point with the snow feels longer than you'd expect. At 1700g for a 183cm ski, they're extremely light and you'll definitely enjoy the long distances you can ski on the mountain. You can maintain your speed even on gentle slopes, and it's easy to do tricks, so you can enjoy a variety of riding styles!
Frequently used conditions:
From the start of the season to the end, I use them on backcountry skis and in powder on the slopes. They work in all conditions except for very bare bones.
[Reviewer]
Masato Hirase, 34 years old
Based in Hakuba, he is a master of both freeskiing and telemark skiing. He was once a talented telemark skier, flying kickers. He now works as a BLASTRACK ski tester and is involved in a wide range of industries, including judging freeride and park competitions
K2 | MINDBENDER 116C
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★☆☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★☆
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★☆☆
Tail: ★★☆☆☆
Boots and bindings used with this board:
K2 MINDBENDER 120 / MARKER KINGPIN M-WERKS12
●Review:
These skis are very easy to handle and anyone can easily master them. Despite their width, they can carve short turns with ease, and they have great buoyancy in deep powder! They return as much as you push, making them very easy to ski.
Common use situation:
When skiing on powder from December to March
[Reviewer]
Takehiro Sakamoto, 45,
mainly skis around Akaigawa Village in Hokkaido, where he gives powder guided and mogul lessons. In his spare time, he enjoys being on the snow every day, taking photos in the backcountry and exploring new areas on his snowmobile.
Instagram: @sakamototakehiro
VECTER GLIDE｜FLOWVER
●Suitable scenes are rated on a 5-point scale
: Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★☆☆
Hard pack: ★★☆☆☆
Park: ★☆☆☆☆
Moguls: ★☆☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Hardness impression on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→ ★5=hard)
Nose: ★★☆☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
Review:
These surf-like skis allow you to glide smoothly over the natural terrain of snowy mountains. With their highly maneuverable and lightweight construction, they are a product that anyone can enjoy.
●Situations in which it is often used:
I mainly use it in the backcountry, from powder conditions in the dead of winter to the granular snow season in spring.
Reviewer］
Toru Kawaguchi, 37,
has been competing in freestyle skiing contests both in Japan and abroad since his 20s, while also leaving behind videos with his friends in "mighty jamming film works." Filming led him to venture into the backcountry, and his fascination with snowy mountains and nature led him to travel to mountains all over the world. He is currently filming with "Heart films." He is an active THE NORTH FACE athlete and is involved in the production of VECTOR GLIDE skis, while living a sustainable snow lifestyle in Hokkaido.
