2011-2012 LINE Influence 115, 186cm
Dimensions (mm): 153-115-142
Actual Tip to Tail Length (straight tape pull): 183.5cm
Weight Per Ski: 2502 grams
Boots / Bindings: Lange RX 130s / Marker Jester / (DIN) 10
Mount Location: Factory Recommended
Test Location: Taos Ski Valley
Days Skied: 3 and counting
If you like snow, then you probably know what’s been going on (or going off) lately at Taos Ski Valley. Conditions have been crazy good (this photo gallery will give you a sense), and we’ve been able to check out some bigger skis (ON3P Billy Goats, RMU Apostles, MOMENT Bibby Pros and Night Trains, and the Line Influence 115) in their natural habitat.
We’ll be getting to these other skis soon, but I’ve been eager to write about the Line Influence 115, probably because it’s surprised me the most.
A couple seasons ago, I owned both the Line Prophet 90 and the Prophet 100. This was back when the Prophet 100 seemed to be winning every ski magazine award out there. To be honest, I thought the Prophet 100 was just okay; it didn’t blow my mind. It was a very quick ski, and it was certainly good on groomers, but I didn’t think it absolutely killed it in deep snow. (Of course, this was all back in the dark ages – the Prophet 100 had a big shovel, but it wasn’t rockered.)
The Line Prophet 90 was the ski that actually did blow my mind. That thing railed, was stiff, quick, and fantastic in chop. Obviously, it wasn’t the right tool for deep days, but that’s not what it was designed for.
Fast forward to this season. Line’s got the Influence 115 (formerly known as the Prophet 115), and I need to check it out. I’ve heard people talking up the Influence 105, but I’ve heard a lot less about its bigger brother, the 115.
The Influence 115 arrived last week. I mounted them with Jesters, and my immediate reaction was that they felt really heavy—which is saying something, since I’d been skiing 191cm ON3P Billy Goats and 190cm MOMENT Bibby Pros.
What I quickly found, however, is that, while the Influence 115s feels fairly heavy in your hand, they don’t ski heavy on your feet. (That was surprise #1.) They have a nice (and yes, surprising) swing weight for a ski with 153mm tips and a decent amount of metal. But that metal matrix cuts out before the tip and tail, keeping the real weight of the ski underfoot. Long and short: while these may look like burly beasts, these are not super demanding skis.
POWDER PERFORMANCE:
This past Friday, Taos was ridiculous. The previous week was outstanding, too, but the snow was thicker, more PNW-like. But now, it was dry and light, and one or two feet deep off of Highline Ridge.
Jonathan Ellsworth, Two Bucks, Taos Ski Valley (December 16, 2011).
In deep, untracked, light snow around Kitchen Wall and through the trees of Two Bucks and Billy Sol, the 115s were very good; zero tip dive, very balanced and stable, intuitive. In general, I’m not a huge fan of enormous ski tips—I tend to prefer narrower tips that don’t quickly give way to a lot of sidecut, because big tips tend to get hooky. So my preferences run opposite of the Influence 115, but I experienced no hooky behavior, even though I hadn’t detuned the tips. (For the record, I will detune, I’m just impressed that the tips didn’t get all hooky as is. This was surprise #2.)
Over the weekend, I was also spending time on the 191 Billy Goats and the 190 MOMENT Bibby Pros. And in Taos’ untracked pow, I would personally have given a nod to either the Billy Goat or the Bibby Pro over the Influence, mostly since their rockered tails were a bit more playful in this snow. The (fat) tails of the Influence weren’t grabby, they just weren’t as surfy as the BGs and Bibby Pros—which you may or may not consider a virtue….In any case, the tips and shovels of all three skis were fantastic, planed well, and were incredibly fun across the board.
Where to Buy:
Comments:
Questions? Comments? Tell us what you think.
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December 20, 2011 at 6:14 am
Your photo rocks!
December 30, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Really looking forward to your impressions of the 191 Billygoat, especially in comparison to the 186 Billy, and (sounds like one of your favorites) the Bibby Pro’s.
Any chance your going to be posting a review ?……great review of the 186 Billy’s, but have been chomping at the bit for more info on them since your set of the 186′s had some issues.
Looking to add to the quiver and the the 191 Billygoat, Bentchetler, Bibby Pro, and DPS Wailer 112RP are all on the radar. All different ski’s but on paper seem look good for the type of skiing I do up here in Washington.
Thanks!
January 20, 2012 at 3:13 am
Hi I have a question.
What is your height in cm…I´m 171 cm and I can´t decide to buy 179 or 186…
Btw thanks for review :))))
January 20, 2012 at 3:22 am
Hi, Majkiman. I am 179cm tall, and I really liked the 186cm length. At your height, I could imagine going with either length – I did not think that the 186 was terribly demanding, but I could imagine that the 179 would still be plenty stable and provide good float for you….Tough decision!
March 28, 2012 at 9:24 am
Hey Jonathan,
Thanks for a great review. I currently ride the 2012 influence 115 179cm and love it. Agree with your review completely. I am 5’10″, 177lbs and have been thinking about going for a longer length. I am not sure if I want the 186cm influence due to the weight as I do a lot of side/backcountry as well. I have been looking at the bibby pro. I don’t have any concerns about how it’ll do in powder, but as a one ski quiver, will it handle as well on firm groomers as well as the influence? on the chop? Any thoughts?
March 29, 2012 at 12:49 am
I haven’t skied any 115mm+ skis that handle groomers “as well” as the 11/12 Influence 115, so no, the tail rockered Bibby Pro is no exception. As far as chop, the 186 Influence 115 and 184 Bibby Pro are closer, and I can’t say with certainty which you’d prefer.
Now, keep in mind that next year, the Influence 115 gets completely overhauled. So if you’re talking about the 12/13 Influence 115 rather than the 11/12 version, then the 184 Bibby is definitely the more capable crud / chop ski, and I would likely take the Bibby over the new Influence on groomers, too. The Influence 115 might now get the slight nod in deeper snow, and it is definitely lighter, softer, and more playful than the Bibby. And you should absolutely get the 186cm Influence if you do go with next year’s version.
April 10, 2012 at 8:49 am
As prices are dropping on 11/12 inventory, I’m trying to decide between the Influence 115 vs. 105. Looking to compliment my Line SFBs with a faster, more stable feel on groomers, and something that will charge through hard crud, chop and crust. I vowed after getting the Bacons that I would never ski anything under 108 again. My one concern about the 115 is the thought of ending up in an unexpected, tight tree line or mogul field and getting thrashed. Not sure if the 105 would offer much better bump performance, but I wanted to get some input. How might the different sidewalls and weight come into play? FYI I’m 5’2″, 155 lbs.
April 12, 2012 at 12:10 am
Hey Jacob – We haven’t put time in on the Influence 105, so I can’t speak to that ski. But given what you say you’re looking for, the 115 certainly fits the bill. I’m prepared to believe that the 105 will be at least a bit better than the 115 in the bumps, but since you aren’t planning on skiing bumps a lot on the 115s, I wouldn’t worry about bumps – or tight trees. Slow down a bit if you need to in bumps and tight trees, and enjoy absolutely ripping groomers, hard crud, chop and crust.
April 16, 2012 at 11:33 pm
Great review. Before I even found this site I had narrowed by search between Influence 115, Bibby pros, and the Volkl Shiro. So good to read about 2 of the 3. My question is about length. I am 6’5 205lb and worried the 186 influence could be a bit short. I was interested in the 12-13 models but maybe not after your review. I ride fast and hard in everything so want an all-mountain ski, but am just worried even the big shovel won’t be enough in deep powder. Any recos on the skis and even mounting position for the influence 186s?
Thanks!
April 19, 2012 at 7:59 pm
Hi Rob – at your height and weight, and given that you like to “ride fast and hard in everything,” the 12/13 Influence 115 doesn’t sound like your ski unless you ride fast, hard, and PLAYFULLY. As for the 11/12, it definitely doesn’t ski as short as the 12/13, but I’m not sure that it will be enough ski. I’d consider the 190cm Bibby Pro, the 191 ON3P Caylor, or if these were going to be more dedicated pow & soft snow skis, the even fatter 196cm Praxis Protest. (But those skis are all tail rockered, unlike the 11/12 Influence 115, FWIW.)
January 31, 2013 at 3:46 pm
I know this is an older review, but wanted to say thank you. I have been agonizing over which ski to buy for a month now. I read your reviews a few hundred times and bought this ski based on your description. They are exactly what you said….exactly what i wanted. I read those other reviews… including ones saying the complete opposite of your 2011/2012 vs 2012/2013 comparison. IMO none as accurate.
I scored a 2011/2012 for half the price and got the perfect ski. I would have bought the wrong one if not for Blister.
Thanks
February 6, 2013 at 12:53 am
Matt – I really appreciate you taking the time to write this note. It’s basically the entire reason I started Blister in the first place. I’m very happy to hear that we helped you find the right ski, and very proud to hear that you found my review to be on point. All great stuff.