Peabody Quad Unload Terminal Needs Some Paint

While I am not currently in the market for a new pair of skis, it never hurts to be current on lineups for when the next edge blowout happens. Sport Thoma brought the demos, Cannon brought the hardpack.

Most of the available demos were groomer oriented, the selection was lacking in 100mm freeride skis. It was the right demo selection for the right mountain given the conditions. But not many skis piqued my interest.

I took all of the demos down the same route for consistency. I occasionally switched back to my current skis (Fischer Big Stix 100 186cm) to get a better feel for the differences versus a known quantity.

The extensively lauded Nordica Enforcer 100 (177cm) was even more impressive than its incredible reputation, but for all the wrong reasons. If I was looking for a dedicated groomer ripper, this would easily be the right ski. It has been many years since I’ve been on a rocket like this.

While I easily switched between all sorts of turn shapes and sizes, the skis came alive when laid on edge for long railed high speed arcs. The faster you ski it, the faster it wants to go. The skis are heavy and lack rocker for nimble dancing and snappy pivots. I would love to compare it to the freeride oriented Enforcer Free 104.

While no natural snow terrain was available, it was apparent that this ski prefers groomers. In a pinch, it would be doable in bumps and trees. But it is incomprehensible why I see so many of these at Mad River Glen. This would be an amazing front side part of a two ski quiver. But my quiver days are long past.

If I had to pick one ski to blindly recommend to all expert skiers regardless of their preferences, this might be the one that fits the needs of the majority of average expert level skiers who spend a most of their time on groomers. But that is not me.

Thank you, next.

I thought it might be interesting to compare the Enforcer 100 with the slimmer Enforcer 93 (177cm). This was the blandest ski of the four demos that I tried, it left me quite indifferent. The Enforcer 93 was no more nimble nor snappy than the Enforcer 100 but substantially worse at railing arcs.

In fact, I compared this ski back to back with my current skis (which have substantial hardpack drawbacks) and found long railing turns were actually less fun on the Enforcer 93 despite its generally better edge grip on all other turn shapes. I was dumbfounded.

Maybe a lighter and less aggressive skier would have a different experience. But for me, I couldn’t believe how different the two Enforcers skied.

Thank you, next.

I demoed the second generation Volkl Mantra in a 177cm a dozen years ago. I wasn’t impressed then and I ain’t impressed now. I tried it in a 184cm to see if a different length might change my mind. Nope. It is still the same damp, heavy, lifeless ski that I remember.

This ski should have my name written all over it. I am a big, aggressive skier with a racing background. Yet, I found this ski less than amazing on groomed hardpack where I previously found it to excel. I cannot imagine taking this ski off the groomers into bumps or trees. It was the most overrated ski then and remains so today.

No thanks, next.

From the first turn (literally!), I felt an incredibly strong connection to the Blizzard Rustler 10. After just one turn, I had already comprehended its essence, I knew everything this ski was capable of. It spoke to me.

I was concerned the 180cm length would not be sufficient. At rest, the tail rises a few cm’s off the snow but is not excessively turned up nor twinned. The 180cm felt confident with plenty of contact, both fore and aft. The 188cm was not available for comparison but I am not sure it would have provided a better ride.

This ski has all the qualities I love: quick, nimble, playful. It pivots on a dime and makes me want to dance. Yet, it still holds its own on hardpack in a variety of turn shapes and lengths. The Rustler does not rail like the Enforcer 100. But it does better at slower speed groomer turns than one would expect.

The single half length of metal (which stops short of the tips and tails) seems to give this ski the best of both worlds (soft snow and hardpack). I can only imagine that it almost certainly has exceptional natural snow performance in the powder and the trees.

The Rustler 10 definitely tops my list for when my current pair gives up the ghost.

Thank you.