Did You Buy Your Skis TOO EARLY? : Ski Questions for 2025

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thanks everyone, thrilled to work with Salomon this Winter, and loved all the nice comments from you guys!

[@jeffspicoli2643]

This seasons Salomon Stance 90 is my favorite ski from last season. I just got a Stance 102 and a QST 106… that’s my quiver this season. 🤙😬

[@AndrewMcMorrow]

The playground is your brand, don’t ever change

[@triggword7648]

I usually don’t but skis without doing the demo my self! First time because of you I got some QST106’s and they were exactly what you said they were! So the good and the bad of your idea of review is a big thumbs up along with the entertainment 😂😂😂

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Glad you love them!

[@GrampyScott]

Last year I purchased the QST 106 because of yours and ski essentials reviews. Last week I ordered 2024 Stance 96 from ski essentials with Salomon STH2 WTR 13 bindings mounted for $580 bucks. I can’t wait to try them.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

That's awesome! Hope you love them

[@tptplynboxsterguy1137]

Just skied my new (last year's model) Stance 84s at Timberline (Mt Hood for those not in the PNW). Loved 'em! Even I (a comeback intermediate skier with lots of bad habits from being self-taught 45+ years ago) could make different shaped turns at will, even on the EARLY season snow (that was kinda packed, kinda groomed, kinda slushy; you know, Mt. Hood snow!). Picked up a pair of last year's 96s and have a pair of this year's 90s on order and I am excited to get those on the hill as well. Decided to revamp my quiver after falling head over heels for a pair of Salomon race skis from Europe last season (that I used in the local beer league races). Will look forward to hearing your thoughts but this 61 year old fat man couldn't be happier. Jeff PS Will be going to Austria and Switzerland this winter.

[@beantownson6660]

Glad to hear Salomn is able to hook you up... Speaking of im trying to decide on th QST 106 or the Blank.. im a true all mountain skier from groomers to off trail trees and the wide open bowls out west... My weak area is tighter trees... Do you think the extra 4mm will make a difference as i believe u said both are great for trees

[@RicketySkiReviews]

It just depends, if your only goal is float, Sure the blank is great, but i found it tiring to ski all day specifically on my hips. Check out my review of the blank, I do a side by side comparison. Personally for me I prefer the 106 to be totally honest. But it depends on your priorities.

[@benjaminturner2197]

Right! Just about to take the plunge and buy some Mav 88ti s. Like what you say about them. I’m 210 pounds (0bviusly trying to reduce that before I go skiing 😂) Height 173cm. Two lengths available 176 and 184 (£360 UK). I’m a fairly competent skier. Have raced in my younger years and lay down good carved turns. Not that strong in Pow but getting there. Ski French Alpes mainly. The question is oh wiseman of the ski marketing world ……which length should I buy ???? Thank you

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I would go 176, I'm 186cms height and 240lbs and I love the 176 as it's very responsive and snappy with the turns.

[@chrisonkeys]

I bought the '24 QST 98 in the spring because I like the blue / orange better than the purple. I guess I could have waited, but wanted to be sure to get last year's color in a 183cm. Can't wait to ski them! I also own a '22 Stance 80, so I'm excited you finally get to review the Stance line! The 80 is great for steep sheer ice like we have in NY; but man does the included M11 system binding suck!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I'm unfamiliar, what do you dislike about it?

[@chrisonkeys]

@@RicketySkiReviews The Stance 80 comes with a "system" binding, which is a demo binding essentially. 1. There is WAY too much play in the dovetail joint between the track and the bindings, both heel and toe. 2. It's far too easy to accidentally release the lever and move the toe piece accidentally - (while carrying skis vertically in a gondola line for instance); on several occasions, I've clipped in to a binding too big for my boot and realized it when the binding released while skating the catwalk. 3. The plastic on the track, forward of the bolts and toe, broke off on both skis one day apart at the end of their 3rd season of use... though they are still skiable as that bit is superficial so far as I can tell. Yes, these are damn good for first skis at a great pricepoint and they took me from complete noobie to absolutely ripping it up all over the hill; but for safety, I'll be replacing the bindings this season in order to put them back in use for icy conditions without fear of binding failure.

[@huntersrc9865]

Agreed, I owned a Volkswagen once. Never again. Appreciate 2 sided reviews. You always say what you like and don’t like about a product.

[@RogerBradshaw-dc1hm]

Glad to hear that Salomon plans to send you the Stance to review. I think you will like them. I didn't own skis last season, so I did a season rental from my local shop. They don't always stock their rental department with the latest skis and put me on Volkl RTM to start. I hated them, so they switched me to Salomon S/Force, which I also didn't like. The next ski they gave me was the Stance 80. I had a great time skiing on the Stance. I didn't really like it in powder, but since we didn't have great powder a Brundage last season it wasn't much of an issue. If you venture to Tamarack or Brundage, you might find some skis that your local shop doesn't carry. Home Town Sports in McCall usually has a good selection of demo skis. BTW, I talked to the rental shop manager a Brundage recently, and he dropped Faction from his demo lineup this season. Seems people didn't like them very much.

[@anthonyalpha4118]

Awesome news about Salomon, really interested in your thoughts and experience on a Stance ski. Stance owners are a bit cultish I'll admit, I've yet to encounter anyone who doesn't love the Stance 96. The 86 Mavs arrived very nice ski construction lots of camber & front rocker tips, very stiff. Very excited think this is exactly what I'm looking for-a carving training ski that can go in crunchy moguls or dust on crust.

[@carterfan80]

I've liked everybstance I've been on. Even the 84. A leftover stance 84 is possibly the best value in skiing

[@anthonyalpha4118]

@@carterfan80 Really love the 96 especially in corn snow. I researched the 84 but was turned off by the beginner to intermediate description. Suppose you can't really go wrong w/the Stance. It's not a flashy ski it may fly under the radar. Good!

[@carterfan80]

@anthonyalpha4118 the 84 is definitely not quite the same as the 90 or 96. It's got a lower speed limit, and it's lighter, but overall, it's still a really good ski. I've seen them brand new online ( leftovers) for $250 or less ... I personally use it as my Mogul ski. It's excellent for that application. I don't think I have been on anything better in the bumps. Definitely nothing over 80 mm .... It's all the ski most people need. If you're just going to cruise small to medium resorts at reasonable speeds, it's a great choice.

[@anthonyalpha4118]

@@carterfan80 Yeah I'm bit of a Hard Charger, but I've never considered a mogul-only ski. I saw how cheap the 84 was. A cheaper mogul-only ski for the quiver, a worthy consideration mate!

[@normware]

I am an eastern skier, so most powder skis do not interest me, I do like your videos. I like the fact you actually don't praise every ski, and every bit of ski gear. The point I was trying to make, was about you talking about Salomon flying out skiessentials to test skis, but you couldn't get a pair of skis to review. Skiessentials sells skis. They review skis to enhance/generate sales. Salomon sees that and wants them to push the brand, so they throw perks at them. Like in any industry, earners get rewards. Fair or not, you don't sell skis, so you are low on priority to get product to test. I am glad to hear that Salomon will send you some Stance skis to test.

[@benjaminturner2197]

Thanks

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@jjr007]

I think the Skiessentials being a retailer remark does address the junkets that the manufacturers invite them to, it has always been that way in all industries.

[@anthonyalpha4118]

About saving that last buck. I got super lucky, I bought my Stace 96s Feb 2023 they arrived for Presidents Wknd. I watched their price drop for over a month. IF I'd have waited until Pres wknd I'd have saved another $50. I was so thrilled to have them that Pres Wknd I just consider that $50 a more than worthwhile rental fee.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally, I thought the same thing, I loaned out my qst 106s for a weekend and a storm hit. I thought, oh that was a pricey loan lol

[@anthonyalpha4118]

@@RicketySkiReviews LOL bad timing mate!

[@BigUranium238]

I have Peak 104 Bode skis with Tyrolia Protector Bindings. I chose the Tyrolia PR 13 for the ACL safety and Demo mount. I utilize the demo mount to move the boot position forward or aft as snow conditions (your video from last year testing Peak) The demo mount has a problem, it raises the boot off of the ski about 3-4mm. I read that the Look Pivot binding can improve ski responsiveness. This is due to the closest boot height to ski and the largest toe/heal elasticity. Is this thing? Is this boot height a problem? or is this ski purest babble from the likes of Ski Talk channel? If I listen to the binding purist I should scrap my $400 bindings and install $500 bindings whilst making the tops of my ski into Swiss cheese. Your thoughts

[@delriv5238]

Good question

[@normware]

Pure babble. Look sells plates for their bindings. most racers have plates. The FIS had to limit the height of the plates because it enhances turning.

[@res_ipsa-REX]

Normware's comment is correct. The higher profile demo binding adds leverage which can make carving on higher edge angles much easier. I have read on ski blogs that for a pow ski, a more flush mount binding like a Look Pivot can be better in deeper snow since edge angles don't matter. I do not remember the mechanics that support this idea. Also freestyle park rats like a more flush mounted binding for jumping and tricks. The primary issue most people have with demo bindings is that they are heavy. And if you place them on a heavier ski, weight can become an issue in deeper powder or when making jump turns or in moguls. Based upon your comment, you are daily driving your Peak 104 and like the flexibility of moving the binding to change the mounting position. You chose the right binding for what you want. I would not worry about it and enjoy the skis. Since most skiers are skiing groomers or chalky softpack off piste 85% or more of the time, the benefits of the demo binding significantly outweigh any minor shortcomings in deeper powder.

[@BigUranium238]

@@normware I didn’t know that ski race authorities limited that. So on off piste skiing and wide skis the geometry might work against. Maybe?

[@BigUranium238]

@@res_ipsa-REX thanks for your input Mr Ig. I like glades and off piste skiing. My home resort is White Pass, WA. While I was researching Tour bindings I ran across the video and blogs regarding the Look pivot. I’m looking forward to another awesome season. This year I bought a used Atomic Backland 117 with kingpin bindings and skins (BCA Tracker s probe airbag). Ohhh so scary but I have a friend who knows the avalanche and backcountry.

[@Nwrig004]

Just bought a set 2022 Salomon Stance 84 for $250

[@keith2076]

OMG!!! I had almost the SAME experience with a Volkswagen Passat. So many issues, so many problems, super expensive repairs, and complicated instruments. I was only able to get the Cruze control to work ONE TIME!!! So hence. I will NEVER own a Volkswagen EVER again. I’ll take Toyotas please!!!!

[@toehead25]

I have checked out a lot of the demo skis that UtahSkis are selling and they are pretty beat up!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Interesting, In store you saw them?

[@toehead25]

@@RicketySkiReviews they do an annual tent sale and have them on display for sale and most of them are in bad shape. I haven't asked them if they are the same skis they have listed online.

[@simonorr594]

I have a Golf Mk7 Gti. I have spent $5000+ on it at 86,000 miles. Waste of money.

[@Xenoni]

How do you load your skies in your gti ?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Omg, sorry to say I feel your pain