Even among basic skiers who normally strive for technical perfection, some might consider freeriding as a way to enjoy free expression. On a morning when there's plenty of fresh snow, powder skiing is sure to be a fresh experience. Pro shops offer persuasive advice, as they can test ride numerous brands and models on the snow, integrating their extensive knowledge and user feedback to compare and evaluate products from multiple angles. For basic skiers looking to broaden their horizons and try freeriding in the 2023-2024 season, let's ask a discerning pro shop for the best fat skis that will help them demonstrate their technical abilities
INDEX
ROSSIGNOL｜BLACKOPS 98
I used it myself when I was doing the basics, so I can recommend it with confidence!
Many freeskiing boards, which tend to have a soft flex, are too soft for beginner skiers. The "BLACKOPS98" skis are made with metal and are sturdy. Even if they feel a little soft, you'll be able to ski without any discomfort. Also, the 98mm center width may seem thick, but when you actually try it out, it's not like that at all. Beginner skiers will quickly get used to it and enjoy it! I personally use them and recommend them with confidence!
Despite the wide specs, the tight radius allows for easy turns. The fun part is that even with wide specs, you can still make turns like you would with basic skis
The reason it receives such high praise is its outstanding carving performance. You might think, "Carving performance on a 114mm ski?", but it's an incredibly fun ski to carve with! The nose section has a large radius of rotation, so you feel a significant drop in the skis during crossovers and turns, similar to basic long skis. To put it in perspective, it's like an airplane making a wide turn in the sky! It feels amazing! However, on the other hand, the skis don't turn very easily, so a basic understanding of skiing techniques is essential.
Next, the lightness is noteworthy. Despite its excellent carving performance, it weighs less than 2000g. You can take it to any mountain without hesitation. As for bindings to pair with it, since it's a ski with a relatively short tail setting, and considering grip performance in the latter half of turns, bindings that reduce the boot welt are a good match. For example, Maker's KINGPIN is a prime example.
Reviewer: Ishii Sports Yodobashi Kofu Store Staff / Yuki Amari
FACTION ｜ DANCER 1
Experience the joy of maneuvering a board like you've never experienced before!
We want you to break away from the traditional Japanese genre of basic skiing and create the tracks you imagine! With FACTION's DANCER 1, you'll experience the joy of maneuvering a board like you've never experienced before. For all skiers who want to break away from the basics!
The carbon and metal construction allows for high-speed skiing on a variety of slopes. The edges have excellent grip, but the rocker on the tip and tail allows for freestyle maneuvering. The center is set back, making this a versatile freeride model that's also great for powder. This board is perfect for experts who are familiar with basic and racing boards
The FARTHER, BLASTRACK's flagship model, is being reborn for the 2024 season with a completely new concept! It's a true all-mountain model (and of course, groomed slopes too!) with a straight tail and under 15m of side curve! This look will be familiar and well-received by beginner skiers! However, if you check the specs, you'll see that it's actually a solid twin-shape, long nose, and fully-fledged freeski design, making it a ski that anyone can enjoy, anywhere, in any way!
The FARTHER offers the sharpness of a basic ski, while also allowing you to fully enjoy the free-form turns of a free-ski. This is a ski that will have you feeling comfortable turning on flat ground, but also skiing on snow in a variety of conditions, and experiencing the joy of free-skiing turns
The new FARTHER for the 2023-2024 season has a completely different shape from previous models, making it fun to cruise down the slopes. The wide top makes it great for powder
The Pobla & Ash core increases durability, allowing for nimble movement and precise edge control. And yet, at just under 70,000 yen, this freeski model offers excellent value for money
The lightweight core makes it extremely light. The vibration absorption system provides excellent stability at high speeds, ensuring a comfortable ride. The 98mm center offset makes it ideal for both powder and groomed runs, making it a versatile ski
This is the ultimate ski for enjoying everything from park to powder, slopes to backcountry, anywhere, in any snow condition. With a 106mm center, it offers surprising agility for a fat ski, powerful edge grip that lasts forever, and shock absorption that won't falter even on rough slopes. It excels in these three areas, and while it does require a fair amount of leg strength, it's such a well-rounded ski that you'll wonder if there's a better ski out there. While the buoyancy isn't as great as the BLANK, in powder, you can enjoy diving deep and then using the ski's rebound to launch you off
The RUSTLER, a legendary ski, has undergone a complete model change. For those with a foundation in basic skiing, jumping straight into a twin-tip ski tends to be difficult due to the short tip, often causing them to stumble. Therefore, we recommend a directional ski with a deep tail rocker. The 23-24 season RUSTLER features a new titanium structure called "Flux Form," an H-shaped titanium structure, resulting in better grip from the tip and allowing for more aggressive turns. The
edge grip and turn sharpness are among the best in the fat ski world. However, it's not as quick to react as the previous model, making it less prone to mistakes and a more versatile ski. The deeper rocker also improves buoyancy and maneuverability in powder. With a solid tail rocker, switch riding is not a concern, allowing even those with a foundation in freeskiing to try various techniques. Sliding is easy, and turn control is simple, enabling freeriding that incorporates movements unique to basic skiing. If powder skiing is not a major part of your routine, choose the RUSTLER9.
Reviewer: PADDLE CLUB Staff / Koji Kato
BLACKCROWS｜ SOLIS
The average speed is high in all conditions and the speed range is also high, so it is suitable for intermediate and advanced riders
This ski is recommended for intermediate to advanced skiers who have a basic understanding of skiing techniques. It offers high average performance and a high speed range in all conditions. First, I recommend experiencing its stability on groomed slopes in the morning and then on rougher runs in the afternoon. What's truly surprising is its speed in powder; it's no wonder that skiers competing in the FWT (Freestyle World Tour) choose it. It can compete with fat skis with a waist of around 120mm. A
word of caution for recreational skiers: this isn't a ski that relies on the sidecut for turns, so you'll need to control the amount of pressure you apply, the angle and timing of your lean to carve the arc you want. I've actually already ordered a pair for myself, and I'm really looking forward to this season.
