Mike Thomas
Mike Thomas has a ton of experience in the ski industry. He’s currently a sales and service guy at Pinnacle Ski and Sports in Stowe, and has extensive knowledge of the ski industry, both past and present. He’s been skiing for 44 years and gets out about 50 days per year these days. He learned to ski at McIntyre Ski Area in Manchester, New Hampshire, which if you haven’t been there, it’s a must-visit. Currently, Mike is skiing on the Fischer Pro Mountain 95 and loves to rip them on the steep and ungroomed terrain here at Stowe. His boots are his most valued piece of gear, and his favorite skiers are Mar Kuhnel and Jeff Neagle. Mike has a comforting and open-minded nature about his ski analysis, and he’s a great person to talk to about anything ski related and beyond.
Hello Mike,
I enjoyed reading your review on the Liberty V92 186cm. I am interested in this ski, as well as other “all-mountain-front-side” skis, like the Blizzard Bonafide, Head Kore 93, and the Nordica Enforcer 93. I’ve and watched video reviews on these others as well and was wondering if you tested them your self and how you would summarize and compare them to the V92. I am 54 and consider myself as a strong intermediate on most frontside terrain, but not super technically clean in bumps and steep inclines. I tend go attack and ski aggressively on the groomed runs, but like to slow down as well. I owned a pair on 1995 206cm Dynastar X9s up to this year, having taken them out for a night in February in Big Bear, CA, and was able to turn and move them much better than i thought It was kind of fun, and showing off a little. I did get a lot of thigh-burn, and rightfully gave them to a thrift store the following week.
Again, I enjoyed your review and hope to hear back from you.
Sincerely,
Michael Ireland
Hi Michael!
I just spoke with Mike and got his input. I’m paraphrasing: The V92 is a burly, stable, and damp ski–much more so than the others on your list. If you’re keeping your skis on the ground 99% of the time, that one is the way to go. Off-trail, the Enforcer 93 is the most versatile and the most fun. The Kore is a bit light for someone his size, and the Bonafide is on the wide side for a true all-mountain front-side ski, but still a very strong carver nonetheless. We’ve found that the Kore is better suited for lighter weight skiers, while the V92 is on the opposite end of that spectrum. As far as a carver goes, that V92 is hard to beat–very smooth through the turns, but doesn’t really like to be broken away from its radius, while the Enforcer and the Bonafide are more maneuverable. Hope that helps!
SE