Mike Thomas


Mike Thomas has worked in the ski industry in various positions for a long time now. He has a ton of knowledge about skis and really has a knack for describing a ski’s performance, so needless to say he was a super valuable addition to our test. These days Mike is a ski tech guru at our brick and mortar location, Pinnacle Ski and Sports. He is a very skilled skier and his style is deliberate and controlled, although that certainly doesn’t mean he skis slowly. He describes his preferred terrain as steep powder, but admits he really likes anything that’s steep. Mike has a lot of different skis in his quiver, but this past season spent the most time on the Fischer Pro Mtn 95 and Blizzard Cochise.

Mike Thomas Ski Tester Profile ImageMike Thomas Ski Tester Profile ImageMike Thomas Ski Tester Profile ImageMike Thomas Ski Tester Profile Image

Skis Tested

2018 Atomic Backland FR 102 Skis

2018 Atomic Backland FR 102
Radius: 19 m at 180 cm Lengths: 164, 172, 180, 188 cm

2018 Atomic Vantage X 83 CTI Skis

2018 Atomic Vantage X 83 CTI
Radius: 16.4 m at 175 cm Lengths: 161, 168, 175, 182 cm

2018 Blizzard Cochise Skis

2018 Blizzard Cochise
Dimensions: 136/108/122 mm at 185 cm Radius: 27 m at 185 cm Lengths: 171, 178, 185, 192 cm

2018 Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis

2018 Blizzard Rustler 10
Dimensions: 133/102/122.5 mm at 180 cm Radius: 17.5 m at 180 cm Lengths: 164, 172, 180, 188 cm

2018 Blizzard Spur Skis

2018 Blizzard Spur
Dimensions: 144/124/133 mm Radius: 26/30 m dual radius Lengths: 192 cm

2018 DPS Alchemist Wailer 106 Skis

2018 DPS Alchemist Wailer 106
Lengths: 168, 178, 185, 189 cm

2018 Elan Ripstick 96 Skis

2018 Elan Ripstick 96 Skis
Dimensions: 134/96/113 mm Radius: 18 m at 181 cm Lengths: 167, 174, 181, 188 cm

2018 Fischer Pro Mtn 95 Ti Skis

2018 Fischer Pro Mtn 95 Ti Skis
Dimensions: 137/95/122 mm Radius: 18 m at 178 cm Lengths: 170, 178, 186 cm

2018 Fischer Ranger 108 Ti Skis

2018 Fischer Ranger 108 Ti
Dimensions: 140/108/130 mm Radius: 19 m at 182 cm Lengths: 174, 182, 188 cm

2018 Head Kore 105 Skis

2018 Head Kore 105 Skis
Dimensions: 135/105/125 mm Radius: 17.8 m at 180 cm Lengths: 171, 180, 189 cm

2018 K2 Marksman Skis

2018 K2 Marksman
Dimensions: 132/106/126 mm Radius: 20 m at 184 cm Lengths: 170, 177, 184 cm

2018 K2 Pinnacle 95 Skis

2018 K2 Pinnacle 95
Dimensions: 132/95/115 mm Radius: 17 m at 184 cm Lengths: 170, 177, 184, 191 cm

2018 K2 Pinnacle 105 Skis

2018 K2 Pinnacle 105
Dimensions: 137/105/121 mm Radius: 19 m at 184 cm Lengths: 170, 177, 184, 191 cm

2018 Nordica Navigator 85 Skis

2018 Nordica Navigator 85
Dimensions: 124/85/109 mm at 179 cm Radius: 16.5 m at 179 cm Lengths: 165, 172, 179, 186 cm

2018 Rossignol Soul 7 HD Skis

2018 Rossignol Soul 7 HD Skis
Dimensions: 136/106/126 mm Radius: 18 m at 180 cm Lengths: 164, 172, 180, 188 cm

2018 Salomon QST 106 Skis

2018 Salomon QST 106 Skis
Dimensions: 140/106/126 mm at 181 cm Radius: 20 m Lengths: 167, 174, 181, 188 cm

2018 Volkl 100Eight Skis

2018 Volkl 100Eight Skis
Dimensions: 141/108/124 mm Radius: 22 m at 181 cm Lengths: 173, 181, 189 cm

2018 Volkl Confession Skis

2018 Volkl Confession Skis
Dimensions: 144/117/133 mm Radius: 23.8 m at 186 cm Lengths: 179, 186, 193 cm

2018 Volkl RTM 84 Skis

2018 Volkl RTM 84 Skis
Dimensions: 131/84/112 mm Radius: 16.8 m at 172 cm Lengths: 162, 167, 172, 177, 182 cm

2018 Volkl RTM 86 Skis

2018 Volkl RTM 86 Skis
Dimensions: 132/86/114 mm Radius: 18.1 m at 177 cm Lengths: 167, 172, 177, 182 cm

8 Comments on the “Mike Thomas”

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  1. Hi Mike,

    Of all the reviewers I think am most similar to you in style ( not necessarily ability) and I have 4 inches and 40 lbs on you. I am looking to compliment my enforcer 93s 193cms with a wider soft snow biased ski in the 100+ range. Of the skis you tested what would you recommend I investigate further? I am more of a cruiser than charger. Thanks.

    1. Hi Joe, one thing about folks our size is that we can often comfortably ski skis that smaller folks need to ‘charge’ on. Remember: Force= Mass x Acceleration, we kind of skew the ‘mass’ side of the equation! Don’t shy away from skis that others call ‘burly’.

      So, skis I like in this field:

      Nordica Enforcer Pro- the best bits of the Enforcer with the best of the old Helldorado. A surprisingly versatile big-boy ski.
      Fischer 108- A nimble light feeling ski that can deal with firm snow, the 188cm version is a completely different construction compared to the shorter lengths. I like it as a “surfy” feeling soft snow ski, great in tighter spaces but capable on groomers, it’ll rail turns if you ask it to.
      K2 Pinnacle 105- K2 changed the construction of this for 2018, it’s beefier than it was. I was really impressed with how much fun this ski was in some pretty ‘challenging’ snow conditions. It made a combination of refrozen crud and spring slush FUN. It’s a ski I would happily take on a ski trip as my only ski, knowing i would be happy ski anything on it. (It also really made we want to try the Pinnacle 118)

      I hope this helps a bit, I am happy to elaborate on any of these (or others) if it helps!

      MT.

      1. I found the 184 cm to be plenty of ski for here in Vermont, yes. If I were buying a pair for use in New England I would stick with the 184 cm. If I lived somewhere like Snowbird perhaps I would move up to the 191 cm as the terrain is much more open, although I found the 184 cm to be playful, fun, and stable enough for my needs.

  2. Thanks Mike!

    The Pinnacle is one I dismissed as being too “fragile”. Thanks for the reply and great info!

    Joe

  3. I am not looking for a true powder ski of say 110+, but rather something that is more at home out west or in fresh snow. I ski the midwest and WV PA with 10-15 days out west each year. My enforcers are great skis but can feel heavy at times. I was interested in the Kore 105 and the invictus, but will take a long look at the Pinnacle 105.

  4. Mike, I’ve read that you’ve spent a lot of time on the Fischer Pro Mtn 95 Ti. I’ve been a big fan of stiff, all-mountain skis like the old Mantras and the Blizzard Bonafide. I’m looking for a new, one-ski quiver kind of ski for the 2018/19 Colorado season. I will be skiing 80% in the resort and 20% off piste. I’m 5’8″ and 175 lbs. and am an expert-level skier. I like skiing open bowls with big, steep lines, but I also love a good zipper-line bump run. Typical of Colorado, I’ll see most days with variable, mixed conditions. Plenty of packed snow with good powder stashes in the trees. Do you think the Pro Mtn. 95 will suit me well?

    Thanks in advance for your feedback.