24 HOUR 119-72-103@170 cm | R 15.1 | $1,125 w/b Readers of a certain age will remember the pop song Bend Me Shape Me, Any Way You Want Me. That’s the kind of ski the 24 Hour is — a ski that seems willing to contort itself in whatever way is needed to get the job done. Most testers, though not all, loved its versatility. Wrote one: “It adapts to the terrain rather than the skier adapting to the ski.” Sounds like a real contortionist. Bend it any way you want it.
24 HOUR 119-72-103@162 cm | R 13.6 | $1,125 w/b The 24 Hour is eager to please. What testers loved about the ski was that it seemed willing to do whatever the tester asked of it, rather than insist on being skied in one particular way. Easygoing cruiser? No problem. Hard-charging expert? Jump on board. One tester described the ride as “playful in a stable but not bouncy-ball way.” In other words, an energetic, fun ski that won’t get away from you. Sounds like 24 hours of pure pleasure.
CROSSMAX 119-72-103@170 cm | R 15.1 | $1,125 w/b What is that sound in your imagination? It is kind of like the sound of water getting sucked down the drain after you empty a bath, or the secure sound of a refrigerator door sealing shut. Now think of the edge grip of the Crossmax, which is so unwavering that you can almost hear the suction as it clamps onto the surface of the snow, whether hard or soft. “A handyman of skis, good on many types of terrain” is the way one tester described it. In other words, a carver that can carve anywhere. Which doesn’t suck.
XW TORNADO TI POWERLINE 120-79-107@166 cm | R 15.6 | $1,249 w/b Listen up, aggro babes. Here’s one for you. For this ski to rise to its full capability, you’ve got to load up the muscle and power through turns. One tester called it “stiff and demanding” yet, surprisingly, also called it “incredible in powder.” Huh? That speaks to the ski’s unusual characteristics. A power board with good flotation — a rare combo. Maybe a good all-mountain master for a woman in the big-mountain West. As long as she charges.
XW TORNADO TI POWERLINE 120-79-107@173 cm | R 16.3 | $1,249 w/b First words in the instruction manual: Stay forward. The stiff tip of the XW Tornado Ti Powerline calls out for pressure. When it is applied, the ski launches into nice, clean turns, especially of the longer-radius variety. Otherwise, the ski might make its own decisions about where to go. At least two testers found the ride so smooth that they compared it to a fine glass of wine. So drink up, as long as you stay forward.
ORIGINS DIAMOND 120-77-105@159 cm | R 12.9 | $1,125 w/b The measure of a ski is often as much in what it doesn’t do as what it does. What the Origins Diamond doesn’t do is make mistakes. Its strength is its turning accuracy regardless of snow or terrain. As one tester put it, “It is flexible and stable in all snow types.” What it sometimes does that certain testers didn’t like is vibrate at high speeds. But keep speed in check, and the result is a mistake-free ride.
XW ENDURO 127-85-112@177 cm | R 17.4 | $1,249 w/b Here is this ski’s imperative from one tester: “Go fast in powder and crud.” Another tester’s recommendation: “Be well centred.” While this might not be a true powder board, the ski is best when it’s in the snow, not necessarily on top of it. And it likes being pushed through big turns at higher speeds. Western speedballers, take note. This one might be for you. Go West — that might be another imperative.
24 DAYTONA 119-71-103@162 cm | R 13.1 | $975 w/b One tester called this “a fun ski, with character.” Character? That means a ski with many talents, adaptable to a variety of skiers. Push hard or ride easy, it all works. The ski just flows into turns, and the exit of the turn is easily controlled. Testers’ recommendation? Great for the weekend warrior, a go-anywhere beauty as long as you don’t push too hard.
24 DAYTONA 119-72-104@169 cm | R 14.6 | $975 w/b The flex pattern on this ski can be tricky. As one tester put it, “you need to stay awake.” If you find the right stance to make the ski bend properly, the ride can be sweet. If not, you’ll be taken for a ride. Testers who found the sweet spot were joyful, especially in bigger turns. But if you remain passive, you can find yourself in trouble. The sweet spot is the key to a sweet ride.
ORIGINS OPAL 120-74-102@160 cm | R 13.6 | $899 w/b You see a blue run, and your eyes light up. You shift into big-turning mode, and away you go. The Origins Opal is for the intermediate speed queen, whose turn shapes are consistently big. “This ski loves to be put on edge and tamed with speed,” wrote on tester. It is something of a one-turn wonder, but that one turn shape truly is wonderful. High-speed cruising is the name of the game.
XW STORM 120-75-103@168 cm | R 15.3 | $899 w/b Some skis defy consensus. Testers’ opinions of the XW Storm were all over the place. One enamoured tester wrote, “Its agility made me feel young again.” Another tester called the ski “stiff and sluggish.” Still another found it too soft. The same ski? You bet. So here’s one capable of bringing your youth back, if it matches your style. The key here: try it and find out for yourself if it is your fountain of youth.
GEISHA 128-99-118@173 cm | R 23.1 | $849 Grit your teeth and go hard, baby. This is definitely a deep-snow specialist that needs to be powered up to find its giddy-up. One tester called it “super in powder,” but you’ve got to apply some power to make it work. The Geisha is no girly ski — this is one for gals who ski like guys. So get your testosterone amped up, grit your teeth, and go for it, girl.
SENTINEL 125-95-121@184 cm | R 21.1 | $849 Bulk up, fellas. The Sentinel is one bruiser of a board. One tester took it a step farther, saying the ski is “made for a brutal skier.” Still another called it a “raging bull.” Get the picture? If you don’t want to launch down the mountain at warp speed, don’t bother. This is all about pure, big-mountain power; go big, go fast, or go to another ski. You don’t have to be big, but you have to ski big.
13 | SkiPress Ski Test’ 11
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