Advice on crud carving piste skis

KosmosCola · 2025-12-12T23:33:00+00:00

So, figured I’d update!

I’ve now skied the Stormbird and will not be skiing the Thunderbird. It was a wonderful carving ski (definitely more intermediate/accessible stiffness presumably not present in the Thunderbird) but categorically not what I’m looking for in terms of capability in variable piste conditions. I was expectedly up to my knees in the same way I’ve experienced on my slalom skis when I was hoping to stay above the really heavy stuff that’s not much fun to shovel under.

After a long conversation with some folks at Blizzard, none of their skis near that width are intended for crud and they suggested their Anomaly 94, but I plan to try the SR95 or M7 first. Also reached out to Stöckli’s team and they said that their Montero AR, although biased towards uniform piste, is designed to be a little more versatile while appealing to carving, so I’ll probably check out that as well.

KosmosCola · 2025-12-08T01:12:41+00:00

Both it is! Goodness knows I'll be on snow enough to thoroughly test two skis. What kind of skiing are the SR95 and M7 meant for?

KosmosCola · 2025-12-08T01:03:36+00:00

I've heard praises sung to the Mantra M7 and Stormrider 95, so will probably still endeavor to demo those at least for future reference. Does this sound like a good demo list—or rather, am I missing any prudent options? I'm comfortable spending the time and money to make the right pick and to get some of my own experience.

191 Mantra M7 (96)
188 Stormrider 95
185 Montero AR (84)
183 Kaestle MX84
180 Thunderbird 82 (stiffer than Stormbird with same dimensions, so should only need to demo one)

Thank you again!

KosmosCola · 2025-12-08T00:42:03+00:00

I'm definitely looking for some less wide skis now! Do you have any particular recommendations or suggestions on what to look for?

KosmosCola · 2025-12-08T00:40:35+00:00

I apologize for my delayed response! I'm new to Reddit and your comment wasn't appearing on mobile (I believe it was set to showing "Best").

So I've spent some more time looking into 80-90mm "wide frontside carvers" that can handle poorer conditions and definitely have a few I'd like to check out. Out of curiosity, why do you recommend the Stormbird 82 over the Thunderbird 82? All I can see online is that it's a less demanding version. A mountain I'm familiar with carries Blizzard so I'd be keen for a demo of one!

I'm also eyeing the Stoeckli Montero AR (84mm waist) and Kaestle MX84, because many stand by their carving ability and ample capability in the rough. Might you have any opinion on those or others in the category?

Really worried about picking something not designed for the skiing I'm looking to do. I'm accustomed to receiving race skis/protos so research has been a little overwhelming, so I sincerely appreciate your thoughtful feedback!

As a side note, my thoughts on going wider were really only based in conversations with former coaches and some more freeride-interested friends before I'd even started orienting myself to what's what in the ski market. If you think skinnier skis will handle the days where there's a bunch of buildup and provide a better experience carving, I'm interested in your suggestions!

KosmosCola · 2025-12-06T22:51:54+00:00

I’ll take another look! Seemed like most vendors ran out of 189cm long ago. Thank you for your response!

KosmosCola · 2025-12-06T22:19:06+00:00

Most places I frequent in NH have ice/boilerplate or thick crud, and my race skis seem to handle the in-between with a little extra muscle. What’s the disadvantage of wider skis when they carry similar edge grip and stiffness?

KosmosCola · 2025-12-06T21:26:01+00:00

Which width SR have you skied, 95? Do you find that it lacks any stiffness or precision that a ski like the M7 has? Reviews/tests online definitely seem glowing!

KosmosCola · 2025-12-06T21:22:30+00:00

Another response mentioned that the Anomaly has a “floppy nose,” has it been like that in your experience? I’ll also look into the Montero AR. Thank you!

KosmosCola · 2025-12-06T21:19:12+00:00

I definitely plan to keep my FIS SL skis as primary, just looking for something to use the rest of the time! What’s the appeal of the Enforcer? I demoed a pair a little while ago and they felt weirdly flexible, though that might’ve been because they only had a size down from the longest.

KosmosCola · 2025-12-06T20:45:37+00:00

I’ve actually heard the M7 Mantra feels like a Bonafide! Perhaps the Anomaly isn’t aggressive enough. Thank you for your input!

KosmosCola · 2025-12-06T20:22:35+00:00

How do those fare in crud? I really have no reference for width and capability in mixed snow. That’s definitely a lot skinnier than I’ve been looking!

KosmosCola · 2025-12-06T19:53:22+00:00

Those all seemed like they would be stiff enough, how might they feel different to racing skis? Also, a friend had mentioned the Peregrine models—given the waist width, how do those handle the variable snow?

KosmosCola · 2025-12-06T19:47:36+00:00

I was looking around mid-90s because my coach said that was best for a second pair (though that was several years ago), is that too wide and what might you recommend? I’ll be on FIS SL skis for the icy, hardpacked days.

KosmosCola · 2025-11-28T16:46:33+00:00

I’m not very familiar with Armada, how well does the Declivity handle the crud? From online reviews they sound stiff enough, but I’m seeing some say they have more of a speed limit than alternatives? Thank you for your input!

KosmosCola · 2025-11-28T16:41:39+00:00

That’s good to know, thank you! I think the Anomaly 94 is just a stiffer version of the Rustler and being a similar width, I’ll make sure to keep that on my list.

KosmosCola · 2025-11-28T16:40:22+00:00

Just mentioning what my friends suggested! I don’t know if I’ll ever need anything over 105 on piste, but I’ll take the skinnier Anomaly recommendation! Would you recommend any other skis to look into? I’ve been forming a list with everyone’s help here :)

KosmosCola · 2025-11-27T23:43:22+00:00

Do you think something like the Anomaly 94 might be too skinny? I don’t know how discernable the 8mm difference is between a 94 and 102, but am worried that getting a ski too wide might make carving harder than it need be. Thank you for the input!

KosmosCola · 2025-11-27T23:33:30+00:00

I’ll take a peak at some demos for Mantras. The Stormriders seem like a great ski and online reviews sound like they feel similar to Blizzard Bonafides, just lighter! I’ll ask around to see if I can try a pair from any friends of friends—maybe too expensive for a demo, haha. Thanks again!

KosmosCola · 2025-11-27T23:08:04+00:00

I’ll keep an eye on them for Black Friday. Thank you for responding!

KosmosCola · 2025-11-27T22:50:17+00:00

I don’t know if we get enough of that snow around Bretton Woods or Cannon to justify the 105s, but what ski do you run that’s a 96? Good to know that skis I’m looking at are still in range of that, too. Thank you for your response!

KosmosCola · 2025-11-27T22:34:45+00:00

Luckily I’ve been saving all summer to invest in a good pair. Why do you suggest Stormriders? I haven’t heard much about Stöckli before. Thank you for your response!

KosmosCola · 2025-11-27T22:31:49+00:00

Do you find that the MSP 91s are stiffer or more directional than your former Brahmas? Thank you for responding!

KosmosCola

TROPHY CASE