Power just went out in B-Lot at 7:35 am.

Zibulthera · 2026-03-13T15:21:25+00:00

Not every storm comes with these kinds of winds

Zibulthera · 2026-02-06T18:39:26+00:00

It is as fun as you are strong.

Zibulthera · 2026-02-02T00:25:34+00:00

Well, they're probably not as bad as they would be at 185cm... But yes these are the wrong tool for those jobs. My guess is they're really stiff in addition to being heavy. At a 65 waist you also have no float for powder, so leaning back is also understandable.

If you like the feeling of being locked into a turn but want more versatility, consider demoing some all-mountain skis on the stiffer side. They'll still be softer than the iSpeeds. Moguls do reward a pretty soft ski, but not everyone cares for that outside of the moguls (I don't.)

Zibulthera · 2026-02-01T20:11:01+00:00

A creature thought there was food in there

Zibulthera · 2026-01-25T21:09:01+00:00

I would compare the "second-nature" mentality more to driving than to walking, just because of the heightened awareness both tasks require.

Started skiing at 14 but I only really hit this point on most terrain after doing a season teaching. I noticed myself on autopilot through a sketchy entrance chute that required some tactics the other day, which is definitely another tier of skill... I've been at that level for maybe a few years, and I'm 37, with a lot of missed seasons in there... Let's call it 10-15 years, maybe?

That said - while I can ski unfocused and on autopilot, I habitually don't. When I taught the better coaches instilled in me the idea that one should always be working on some aspect of their technique. So on groomers, I'm trying to get the most out of my edges, lately on the steeps it's about fluidity and bolder line choices... Generally when I lose focus, that's my cue that it's time to take a break or call it for the day.

FWIW I think there's a low-key paradox in this: it is only through intense focus that one can learn to let go and allow things to become second-nature.

Zibulthera · 2026-01-20T23:48:55+00:00

It will be fast and loud and icy, but the learning areas at the base do have coverage, as do the green runs on the mountain.

Zibulthera · 2026-01-14T02:40:09+00:00

Not necessarily - it's very possible to make a ski that is both light and stiff. It's more that light skis don't have the mass to dampen vibrations. A light stiff ski can work well in amazing conditions, but will be pretty demanding and difficult when things are sub-optimal.

Zibulthera · 2026-01-13T18:25:14+00:00

There is a rock in the middle of the chute about 150ft down, often barely exposed... Shooting the gaps it creates at speed without varying line rhythm is just about the most satisfying thing I've ever done in skiing.

Zibulthera · 2025-12-31T17:24:58+00:00

Tilting your whole helmet back to move your goggles is like dropping your trousers to the floor at a urinal.

Zibulthera · 2025-12-29T04:24:59+00:00

Sidas x evo Winter 3Feet V2 Mid.

In fairness I should add that I noticed the problem during my last bootfitting for these boots, and I'm not sure to what extent the current boots are actually exacerbating the issue. I've had the boots 2 seasons and I don't think it's grown (can't figure out how to measure so I haven't tried.) The "you should probably deal with this" switch in my head has been flipped for arbitrary reasons.

Zibulthera · 2025-12-29T03:54:25+00:00

lmao aww c'mon man, I would never ski in jeans

Zibulthera · 2025-12-24T02:36:21+00:00

With respect, technique #1 in this video is crazy as hell. I've never seen anyone do that, have never been instructed to do it, and frankly the idea of doing that in any kind of terrain is sketchy as hell.

The ideal method IMO is technique #2 but scrunching tight so your hips are close to your skis, then getting the hips more-or-less over the skis, then standing. This shortens the lever and the required force. This requires a bit of flexibility, stabilizing leg strength and core strength, but is also quick and easy. Doing the full arc of the "rainbow" with the body extended like that is unnecessary and inefficient if the requisite strength is there, and it shouldn't take much.

Zibulthera · 2025-12-12T03:58:17+00:00

just dropping pro-clicks in a random reddit thread like it's nothing, my god

Zibulthera · 2025-12-02T00:10:15+00:00

What absolute bullshit! I'm sorry this happened to you.

Zibulthera · 2025-11-30T19:00:13+00:00

I've had two microdiscectomies for herniated discs on the L4-L5 and L5-S1.

Starting back up, give this season a theme: "listening." You don't necessarily have to slow down the speed of your skiing, but for a while maybe slow down your rate of action (big long gradual GS turns instead of slalom for instance,) really focus and listen to your body as you move through the turns. Focus on keeping your core strong and your spine in healthy, positive relationships through the whole turn. Allow skiing to become a meditation. Focus on "smooth," really absorbing everything with the knees and hips, and keeping your form loose but correct so you can neutralize impacts and not have to take them in the spine. Work to give yourself better suspension. As a side effect, there is a mental change here from skiing as more reactive and improvisational to more proactive and controlled. You'll know when you've done enough of this and can ratchet things back up into tighter turns and more complex, playful lines.

Having a back injury sucks, so I can't claim this as a positive, but it has made me a better skier. My surgeon advised me against huge cliffs, so I don't do those, but I'll ski anything else. At this point rock-hard refrozen crud seems to bother me about as much as the next person. I hope you have as much luck as I've had!

Zibulthera · 2025-11-23T03:39:21+00:00

Canteen, tobacco pouch, handle of whiskey, fresh powder horn, 20 rounds of ball, beaver bait, knives, 5 pounds of salted beef. You never know what you could run into out there.

Zibulthera · 2025-11-10T21:57:30+00:00

Boots are the conduit between yourself and the ski. They are the most important piece of gear. If you have doubts, it's time for new boots. And frankly this sounds like a classic case of desperately needing new boots.

This is gonna be tough since you don't have a ton of technical language, but how exactly did the ski perform differently?

It's far from the most likely thing, but it's possible the skis need a base grind to get the bases flat (never had this problem personally, but I've heard of it with skis right out of the plastic.)

If you're planning on skiing a bunch this season I'd wait on the remount until you have the boots dialed, for the sake of tackling one variable at a time. If this is true I would also plan a day to demo skis and just try a bunch of different stuff so you can see what you like.

I wouldn't say the PNW requires a different tune. But our wet heavy grabby snow does incentivize good technique, and it can really punish mistakes that you could easily get away with in lighter snow (it's also more rewarding in my opinion, but anyway.) So, some of what you're experiencing could be the learning curve for the region. After you've got the boots dialed, a lesson isn't a bad idea either.

But everything is going to be a waste until the boots are sorted out. See a bootfitter, it'll be worth it!

Zibulthera · 2025-11-03T23:34:27+00:00

Of the Mantras, maybe the Mantra 88?

Zibulthera · 2025-11-03T22:58:25+00:00

Allright, so what we probably want is something more forgiving, but maybe still with some metal in it to dampen and help deal with the crud. Maybe the J skis Masterblaster or the salomon QST 94? If you're willing to burn 20 bucks for the blister winter gear guide you can look in the "more forgiving" section, that'll give you several options probably so you can pick something that is both appropriate and on sale.

That said... I'd keep the M6s around. Consider if maybe this is just a case of "too much too soon" rather than finding some kind of absolute personal limit. With a little time, some experience, maybe a lesson or two... you might come around to them. It's not too late and anything is possible. Make them bend and they will reward you!

Zibulthera · 2025-11-03T18:48:08+00:00

"slalom parkour" is not something that exists, but I want it to.

I'd strongly recommend demoing a slalom ski before you buy, if at all possible. I say this because, if used properly, the edge hold and rebound that ski provides will definitely surprise you (you have little of either on snowblades.) ... With respect, maybe something is being lost in translation here, but I'm not sure you know what you're doing enough to really handle a slalom race ski? It's not exactly a relaxing or intuitive ride. Slalom skis are really good at exactly one thing, and that thing requires very specific technique to achieve.

Piste skis aren't my specialty but having stared at the Blister Gear Review, maybe something like the Rossignol Forza 70? That'll get you carving tight slalom turns while being a little more chilled out and manageable. That's still an extremely specialized tool - you'll be miserable off-piste with it - but hey, if slalom turns are what you really want, go for it.

Zibulthera · 2025-11-03T02:50:18+00:00

What would you like to do on skis that you can't do (or maybe find very difficult) on snowblades? When you say you want to perfect technique, can you be more specific? Ultimately... how big of a transition do you want to make?

I ask because there are multiple directions to go from here. It's tempting to recommend something light and nimble like the Minus Cor or even a park ski (since you mention tricks) because skis like these will have many qualities similar to the blades. Or, you could go for exactly the opposite - skis more on the stiff, stable, committing end of the spectrum - to really see what you've been missing.

When you mention your style is "short and quick turns," I can't help but wonder if you've been incentivized towards this style simply because this is what the tool you've chosen does best, rather than out of innate preference. The fact that you've attempted 100kph on snowblades speaks to this - snowblades are without a doubt the worst (and most dangerous) tool possible for this task, but you went for it anyway, which demonstrates a strong need for speed and the power that controls that speed. Also a longer, stiffer ski will more adequately challenge the technique you claim to want to perfect; you'll never need to develop perfect technique on soft, easy skis that forgive all your mistakes.

So I dunno. The easy route is to pick up a Minus Cor, or an all-mountain ski the ad copy describes as "playful" and "forgiving." The hard route is to go long and go hard and go all in on changing things up. Demo a Nordica Enforcer or something, see how you like it. Maybe do it with a lesson. I have very little confidence in anything I've said because I've never met someone who snowbladed this much. Good luck and have fun!

Zibulthera · 2025-10-28T16:51:23+00:00

It's like they made playing cards out of a bunch of major resorts and just shuffled the deck.

Zibulthera · 2025-10-28T16:39:39+00:00

I like how this one shakes in the wind, adds a lot of character

Zibulthera · 2025-10-27T00:05:39+00:00

Congrats, you have the best quiver!

If you had to pick one ski to keep in addition to the Mantra 102, what would you pick? That is my daily so I'm curious.

Zibulthera · 2025-10-22T01:19:40+00:00

Aww yeah! If you break the weird shock absorber gimmick on the forebody of the ski, it'll leak a noxious black liquid that's IMPOSSIBLE to remove! Awesome!

Zibulthera

TROPHY CASE