
Bob St.Pierre
Ski Ability (1-3+): | 3+ |
---|---|
Aggressiveness (1-11): | 7 |
Ski Testing Experience: | 3 Years |
Occupation: | Editorial Manager at SkiEssentials |
Ski Origins: | Nashoba Valley, MA |
Preferred Terrain: | Steeps, Bumps, and Trees (Preferably all at the same time) |
Current Ski(s) of Choice: | Nordica Soul Rider 87 185 |
Other Hobbies/Sports: | MTB, Softball |
Favorite Skier: | Andy Kaplan, Loon Freestyle |
Most Important Gear: | Boots |
Spirit Animal: | Black Panther |
BOB ST.PIERRE, I really need some feedback on your testing of the 2020 DPS WAILER 100 RP ALCHEMIST 179 cm
I am your size probably a less skilled . quickness is paramount to me as I enjoy tight off piste lines. Will I overwhelm the 179cm?
insight appreciated regards Greg
Hi Greg!
Tight turns and lines are right up the Wailer 100’s alley. The RP shape really accentuates the quick-turning nature of the ski, and the dual-carbon laminates make it pretty stiff. I wish I tried the 184 for a bit of extra stability at speed, as the 179 did feel a bit short. But if you’re looking for quickness, the 179 will be a great size. If you’re skiing fast and aggressive and you’re my size, you might overwhelm the 179–there’s a bit of a learning curve to the shape and style of the ski. Hope that helps!
Bob
Hi Bob,
I’m hoping you can help me out with a recommendation?
For the longest time I’ve exclusively skied Whistler. I like steeps, fun trees (west cirque, big timber, ruby bowl and Christmas trees are some my favourites) and still rip the odd bump run. I also used to complete in and coach moguls. Since meeting my wife, 3 years ago, I’ve been spending 10 days or so a year at Big White. It’s super light pow, some fun bumps, great little glades and epic grooming.
At Whistler I’ve been using my 2016 Cochise. They work great for steeps and on those heavy Whistler crud days they’re unstoppable. Not the most fun in the trees, you have to be on it or at high speed on groomers to really make it sing….I’m 5’8 so I need the velocity or pitch to really get it carving hard. For bumps I find I have to back off the speed, the shovels are so stiff. Overall I love a charger with metal but last year I realized just how hard they are to work at Big White.
I dug my 2010 mantras out to see if they were better for that mountain. They are, but that ski is pretty dead. I had more fun breaking out an old pair of bump skies for groomer days and just used the Cochise for snow days. I dumped the mantras and was hoping to figure something out for this year. Covid kinda wrecked demo days so maybe you can help??
I like a snappy ski that rips a groomer, but will still make it fun to get in the trees and hit some bumps with or without fresh snow. In my heart I still love the feel of a mogul ski. I just want it to float better.
I’ve been watching your reviews and am considering the Bonified, Fischer 99 ti, enforcer 94…is there something I should consider that I’m not. Is there a good better best that you’d recommend based on Whistler and Big White. My Cochise are still feeling pretty good but they’re around the 75 days mark so I’m thinking something for big white/whistler and maybe next year looking at a rustler 11 or enforcer 115 for an exclusive pow ski
Thanks I’m advance!
Kevin
Hi Kevin!
I think the fact that you’re looking at adding the pow-exclusive ski for next year gives you the opportunity to get into something more mid-range. I think the Enforcer 94 fits the bill quite well. I put two pretty full days of all sorts of different snow, including a 4-6 inch snow day, and didn’t find a weakness. Full disclosure, I own an Enforcer 88 and 100 (both 2021, won them both at a raffle, if you can believe that) and love each of them. But I’m more of a one ski guy, and if I had my choice initially, I would have gotten a 94 in the 191 and called it a day. Great ski for here in Stowe where we get frequent snowfalls, just not always big ones. They’ve got immaculate snow feel and such an intuitive character. I’d say the Fischer (lighter and quicker than E94) is second on that list, and while I did enjoy the new Bonafide 97 in the 189, it’s still got that Cochise-esque feel that I am personally not a huge fan of. I think the combo of the Enforcer 94 and 115 (191 only, fwiw) is about as awesome as it gets for where you’re at. Your Cochise will still be a good stop-gap for this year, I’d say. Hope that helps, and have fun!
bob
That’s awesome! Thanks for the suggestions.
Really appreciate what you guys are doing! Great content