15 comments on “2015-2016 SkiLogik Powderball”

  1. Have you skied the Howitzer (186) as well? From what I have heard it is on the stiffer side. Would be interesting to hear from you, if anyone from Blister spent some time on it.

    I was wondering about your comment regarding the relatively soft and thin base. According to skilogic they use “the hardest sintered base material on earth (…) extraordinarily durable against rocks”.

    • Hey, Hannes – I have spent some time on the Howitzer, and Will Brown is currently finishing up a review of it. It’s definitely on the stiffer side.

      As for the bases, I generally don’t like saying much either about how “bomber” or “soft” a particular ski’s (or company’s) bases are, because it’s just so anecdotal. I’m definitely not claiming that the bases of the Powderball are alarmingly soft or anything, but if you’re billygoating through rocks frequently, I think there are thicker, harder bases out there—usually found on much heavier skis.

  2. Thank’s for your input Jonathan. I totally see your point. However, in an ideal world – you will agree – a ski not only skis awesome, but also lasts. Skilogik is a company putting an emphasis on how well built and durable their products are and this lead me to the question. Yet, at a weight below 4kg for the pair I realize that you have to make compromises at some point.

  3. Excellent review as usual. I’m thinking this could be next season’s ski. I’m 6’0 185lbs intermediate off piste/advanced on piste looking for a ski that is as nimble as possible in tight trees on 40 degree slopes in powder. I will be going back to Gulmarg and probably Japan and Tahoe over the next couple of years. I am considering the Armada JJ 185 and the RMU North Shore 185 as well. How would you say the 188 Powderball compares to these? It would be great if the ski I bought would cope with variable snow well and didn’t dive in deep powder but agility in steep, tight trees is my priority.

    Best ski review site I’ve found btw. Thanks.

    • Thanks, Angus – as I hope my review makes clear, this is an excellent choice if you’re looking for “a ski that is as nimble as possible in tight trees on 40 degree slopes in powder.” I haven’t skied the North Shore, but I never got tip dive on this ski in the way I did on the JJ – that JJ is more forward mounted since it is designed to trick and spin; the Powderball has a more traditional, directional mount point that is farther back. So if you aren’t spinning these, I’d recommend them as a pow ski over the JJ.

  4. Just trying to calibrate my thinking.

    You are saying that these skis are good in trees because of the 14m radius..

    I ski katanas, metal, and it seems that they are pretty nimble in powder, in the trees, provided you dont get in the back seat.

    Does the turn radius make a difference in powder?

    • Hi, Rod – short answer: Yes. Longer answer: I definitely don’t wish to isolate the 14m radius as the sole reason that the Powderball is good in trees – also important are the light weight and soft flex pattern of the skis, which allow them to work well at slower speeds – much better than a ski like the Katana (or at least, the 191 Katana we reviewed and love) that requires more speed to make quick turns.

      Also, if you’re skiing pow from a very centered or backseat stance, then a smaller sidecut will matter less. But if you’re staying more forward on the skis, the rocker profile + sidecut radius will help / cause the skis to hook up faster and turn more. Not something you necessarily want for skiing open faces at speed, but a trait that many find desirable in tighter trees.

  5. Jonathan, per a comment on a prior thread about ski’s for those not at expert level, message received in this review. Ha ha. Thanks for covering a range of ski’s.

  6. hey jonathan,
    first off, great site! thanks so much for creating all this. read above you’ve put some time in on the howitzers, and wanted your opinion on something.

    I’m heading out on a few trips in the next month to utah, co, and jackson, and want to invest in a new one-ski quiver. I’m 30, 5’11, 170, and grew up racing out of wilson, wy. my days are now probably 1/4 resort/backcountry, with the majority in the sierras. gonna be putting some at bindings on em and will be doing a fair amount of side/backcountry, but need a pair that can also hold speed on groomers and can handle drops and maybe some backcountry kickers. the majority of the days the skis will see will probably be with about 6-12″ of fresh, but there’ll be some hardpacked ones in between. i can get a deal at a local shop on a pair of soul 7 188s or on some ski logik howitzers in a 186. would really appreciate your recs, as it seems you guys have skied em all.

    huge thanks in advance

    • Thanks, Billy – happy to try to help, but honestly, these two skis don’t really have that much in common, and I’d hope the reviews of each would make that clear. The Howitzer is more of a directional charger, the Soul 7 is a lightweight, quick freestyle ski that isn’t at its best in tougher conditions. Think through your own style, and the conditions you will realistically use these skis in, and reread the reviews. Seems like one or the other will become the better choice for you.

  7. Thanks for the review. I only have one unanswered question… how would these do as a dedicated backcountry ski? Is the rocker too big to hold grip while skinning? Would they leave you high and dry if you found a wind or sun crust, or would you be able to get down in one piece?

  8. i know this is a super long shot to a old article…but does anyone have any idea where i might be able to find a pair of these? even used?

    Thanks in advance!

    • Hey Andrew,
      A friend just directed me to this thread. I have a pair of 2016 SkiLogik Howitzer 188’s (also reviewed on here), unmounted and untouched. Drop me a note if you’re interested in discussing further, at fixedfilms13@gmail.com.

      Thanks,

      Wills

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