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 on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard Pack: ★★☆☆☆
Park: ★★★★☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★☆
●Please rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★☆☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★☆☆☆
●Review:
This ski feels less like a ski for skiing in powder and more like a ski for performing freestyle maneuvers in powder. The ski is very light and easy to handle, and responds instantly to your movements. Being narrower than the BENT120, it makes it easier to perform intricate movements. This ski is recommended for those just starting out in freeriding.
● Common Usage Situations:
Primarily used during the peak season (December, January, February) when there is abundant powder snow and when the snow is soft enough to cause skis to sink. Used in sidecountry and backcountry areas. Occasionally used in the park as well.
Reviewer
Sasaki, 26 years old
, leveraged his experience of running around the mountains of Niseko since childhood to be selected for the Japanese national freestyle skiing team, competing both domestically and internationally. He later switched to freeride skiing and is currently active in that sport. Throughout the year, he runs a guesthouse at "Bongo Hiroba" at the foot of Niseko.
I alsoATOMIC BENT 110use
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★☆☆
Hard Pack: ★★☆☆☆
Park: ★★☆☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Please rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★☆☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Review:
The Benchtler series will be adding a 110 next season. In terms of ride comfort, it feels like it's right in between the previous 120 and 100, and it seems to be quite versatile. Until now, the 100 could be used for grooming and park riding, while the 110 felt a bit more suited to powder riding, closer to the 120. To be honest, I'm riding a board that's quite over-specced for a woman. So, I think women should go down one size.
●Frequently used situations
: Powder also used in FWQ HAKUBA
[Reviewer]
Ayana Onozuka, 34,
is a bronze medalist in the women's HP at the Sochi Olympics. Currently, she competes on the world stage with FREERIDESKI and, even as a mother of one, continues to push herself hard as a top skier. In the summer, she trains with SUP, and in the winter, she is involved in a wide range of activities, including promoting HP, training the next generation of skiers, and giving lectures at local elementary schools.
ARMADA｜ZERO ARV 116 JJ ULTRALITE
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★☆☆
Hard Pack: ★☆☆☆☆
Park: ★☆☆☆☆
Moguls: ★☆☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Please rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★☆☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Review:
I often use this board when riding in powder! This board is also relatively soft, so I think it's easy to play around with!
The ULTRALITE is lighter than the regular JJ, so it's easier to climb in the backcountry!
[Reviewer]
Shota Murayama, 24 years old,
films in parks, backcountry, and on the streets, and shares the videos on social media.
Instagram:@murayamashota
BLASTRACK｜ROC118
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★☆☆
Hard Pack: ★★☆☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★★☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★☆
●Please rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★★☆☆
Center: ★★★☆☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Review:
Although these are full-rocker skis, the contact point with the snow feels surprisingly long when you're riding them. At 183cm and weighing 1700g, they're incredibly light, and you'll definitely enjoy the long distances you can ski down the mountain. You won't lose speed on gentle slopes, and tricks are easy to do, so you can enjoy various styles of riding!
● Common Usage Situations:
I use it from the start to the end of the season, in backcountry and groomed powder conditions. It can be used in all conditions except for extremely icy conditions.
[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 on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★★☆
Hard Pack: ★★★☆☆
Park: ★★★☆☆
Moguls: ★☆☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★☆
●Please rate the perceived stiffness 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 straightforward, making them easy for anyone to ride. Despite their width, they allow for nimble short turns, and their buoyancy in deep powder is superb! They respond precisely to the pressure applied, making them very easy to ski on.
● Common use:
When skiing in powder from December to March
[Reviewer]
Takehiro Sakamoto, 45 years old
, mainly skis around Akaigawa Village in Hokkaido, working as a powder guide and mogul lesson instructor. In his free time, he enjoys himself on the snow, doing things like backcountry filming and exploring new areas using a snowmobile.
Instagram:@sakamototakehiro
VECTER GLIDE｜FLOWVER
●Suitable scenes on a 5-point
scale Powder: ★★★★★
Grooming: ★★★☆☆
Hard Pack: ★★☆☆☆
Park: ★☆☆☆☆
Moguls: ★☆☆☆☆
Touring: ★★★★★
●Please rate the perceived stiffness on a 5-point scale (★1=soft ←→★5=hard)
Nose: ★★☆☆☆
Center: ★★★★☆
Tail: ★★★☆☆
●Review:
These surf-like skis allow you to glide smoothly along the natural terrain of the snowy mountains. With their highly flexible handling and lightweight construction, anyone can enjoy skiing with these skis.
● Common Usage Situations:
I mainly use this in the backcountry, from powder conditions in the dead of winter to the spring granular snow season.
Reviewer］
Toru Kawaguchi, 37 years old,
has been competing in freestyle ski contests both domestically and internationally since his 20s, while also creating videos with his friends under the name "mighty jamming film works." His interest in filming led him to explore the backcountry, and he became captivated by snow-covered mountains and nature, expanding his field of activity to mountains all over the world. He currently continues to film with "Heart films." He is also active as a THE NORTH FACE Athlete, involved in the production of VECTOR GLIDE skis, and lives a sustainable snow lifestyle in Hokkaido.
