Will Brown

Age: 23 | Vitals: 6’2”, 160 lbs | Years skiing: 18 | Current Residence: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Background:

I was born and raised in Taos, New Mexico. Growing up in Taos, summers were filled with day trips down to the Rio Grande, frequent hikes around the boundaries of the ski basin and Taos Mountain, and the occasional trail ride. I started skiing when I was five years old, and joined the Taos Ski Team a few seasons later to race GS and Super-G.

At 14, I found myself more interested and inspired by TGR ski films than world-cup race footage, and I quit the team to pursue big mountain free-riding. In high school, I dove and went out for track every spring, but no sport could beat skiing. I spent nearly every weekend and each day of winter break on the mountain. Living in Colorado now, I’ve had the chance to get more days on mountains less familiar to me, and am working to explore CO’s backcountry terrain more extensively.

Will Brown, BLISTER
Will Brown, Alta Ski Area.

I’m happy to ski anywhere, but when it hasn’t snowed for a week or more, and the steeps are littered with bulletproof bumps, you’ll find me either searching for remaining chute lines or off in the trees.

Yet, I suppose due to a racing background and an appreciation for a ski’s carving ability, I am happy railing GS-turns on groomers for a day if that’s what the conditions are favoring. When it comes to bumps, I must say I’m not usually one to take the zipper-line, but will probably look to cut larger turns to doubling over and through the mogul field if I can.

Will Brown, BLISTER
Will Brown, Alta Ski Area.

A perfect pow-day in my book consists of boosting and dropping off anything I can (I’m always on the lookout for natural features and transitions to hit up), opening things up here and there to cut big turns through the fresh and chop.

I always enjoy fast and aggressive big-mountain riding, so I usually prefer a ski with a formidable tail that finishes a turn well and can hold up at very high speeds. However, with so many interesting ski designs out there, I also really enjoy spending time on skis that cater to a mellower, more playful, very different style of riding.

For me, skiing is inherently awesome. The environment is spectacular, and the simple enjoyment of being “out-there” is enough to make every time out special. Add to that the rush of charging down a face, and there is nothing else like it.

 

Skis I’m stoked on:

12/13 Moment Bibby Pro; 11/12 ON3P Caylor; 11/12 Nordica Girish; 12/13 Volkl Katana; 12/13 Blizzard Cochise; 12/13 Moment Belafonte; 12/13 Salomon Rocker2 108; 12/13 Salomon Rocker2 115

4 comments on “Will Brown”

  1. hey,

    I have one question concerning the bibby pro. I do not know which length i should go for. I’m 6’1” tall.
    either the 184 or the 190.

    thank you in advance.

    Best regards Florian

  2. Hi Florian,

    Sorry for not getting to your question sooner. Next time post to the review page of the ski you’re wondering about – it’ll guarantee that it gets attended to.

    The length you get in the Bibby Pro will depend a lot on your riding style and ability.
    I’m over 6’2″ and own the 184 Bibbys, but also have quite a bit of time on the 190.

    I don’t find the `84 to be too short, lacking in stability, or too soft. The 190, as you might imagine, is slightly more stable at higher speeds (particularly in tracked powder) and takes a touch more work to move around in trees, but is quite manageable. As I’ve said to other readers, I think Moment has dialed the camber profile on the Bibby Pro to give it a perfect, functional balance between stability at speed and playfulness in the trees. In that sense the difference from the 184 to 190 is pretty predictable.

    If you spend a lot of your time in open terrain skiing faster, bigger lines, consider the 190. If you’re looking for slightly better maneuverability in tight trees, the 184 might be the way to go. Where you spend your time, and how you like to ski – those will be the biggest factors.

    Hope this helps,

    WB

  3. Will,

    I’m 5’10” and 160-165 lbs and an advanced skier skiing in the PNW and MT. I currently have a 2 ski quiver of 185 Blizzard Cochise and 184 Moment Bibby Pro (older). I LOVE my Moments and if it’s even remotely soft that’s what I find myself reaching for. They seem to strike the perfect balance of playfulness and charger that suits me. I also really like my Cochise, but I’m finding they suit what I want to do (and where I want to do it) more than what I actually do with my second ski.

    I don’t get to ski too often and usually pick good days. So the days that aren’t Bibby days are usually when it’s a bit harder and/or I’m going with friends/family for more relaxed days. I just don’t get that many charging-big-terrain-with-variable-conditions days that the Cochise is perfect for. SO I’m looking to replace my Cochise with something more like a mini-Bibby. Something that’s a playful charger in a smaller size. In addition to being good at going fast in variable-to-firm conditions, I would love something that is enjoyable cruising and playing around at more reasonable speeds on and off piste. I know it’s a lot to ask of one ski. Basically a well rounded daily driver that is Bibby-ish and probably 100-108 under foot.

    A couple options I’m thinking based on reviews:
    Line Supernatural 108 – guts for fast variable stuff like Cochise, but more lively at slower speeds
    Moment PB&J – maybe closer to Bibby style, ok for harder stuff?
    Blizzard Peacemaker – similar to PB&J
    Black Diamond Zealot (182) – similar to above?
    Blizzard Bonafide (180) – seems like a solid all around choice
    Volkl Mantra (new style 177) – maybe closer to the charger, but thought with the shorter length might be a good option

    So what do you think? Based on my planned skiing, which of these will I be best suited to? Any good options I’m missing? Thanks!

    Matt

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