2nd Look: MOMENT Bella

Review of the Moment Bella, Blister Gear Review
12/13 Moment Bella

Ski: 2012-2013 Moment Bella, 172cm

Dimensions (mm): 134-106-126

Turn Radius: 18 meters

Actual Tip-to-Tail Length (straight tape pull): 171.5cm

Boots / Bindings: Lange RS 110 SC / Marker Griffon / (DIN) 6

Mount Location: Factory Recommended

Test Location: Winter Park and Mary Jane

Days Skied: 8

(Editor’s Note: Our review was conducted on the 11/12 Bella, which is unchanged for 12/13, except for the graphics.)

Earlier this season, BLISTER reviewer Julia Van Raalte handed off the MOMENT Bella to me with a big smile on her face. Since I’d read her MOMENT Bella review, I knew why.

And I can now honestly say that I’ve enjoyed every moment I spent on these skis.

As the female counterpart to the MOMENT Bibby Pro, the Bella has a big reputation to live up to. Both skis are built with a mustache profile—camber underfoot, and rocker in the tip and tail. MOMENT trimmed down the core of the Bibby Pro to lighten and soften the flex of this woman’s-specific ski, but even so, the Bella is stiff enough to hold its own.

On a snowy, mid-season day, I was eager on the chairlift as it neared the top of the slopes. It had been a fairly dry season, and I wanted to see how the Bella performed in fresh snow, especially since Julia didn’t get the chance to test their powder performance. With high winds at the top, most of the snow had been pushed off the trail and into the woods, leaving the main trails icy and bare. Deciding against a warm-up run, I headed straight for the glades. And it was a great decision.

I entered the woods a bit cautiously at first, but it didn’t take me long to get a feel for the skis—and charge. At 172cm, the Bella was a perfect length for ripping through the trees (and anything else for that matter). As a 5’10” skier, the Bella was long enough to provide stability for faster speeds, but short enough to accelerate confidently in bumps and tight spaces.

After skiing the Black Diamond Element with 115mm underfoot, I was also pleasantly surprised how well the 106mm Bella handled powder. Though it is designed as an all-mountain ski, the Bella performed beautifully in the six fresh inches the first day I skied on them. This was largely due to the tapered shape of the ski. The wider, rockered tip and tail gave the illusion that the Bella was much wider than 106mm underfoot, and greatly enhanced its playfulness and ability to float. It has a 134mm-wide shovel that pushed through the fresh snow and a 126mm-wide tail that helped balance when things got deep.

Though it was not difficult to find the balance point on the Bella, it was definitely important to keep it. Even with a wider shovel, the tips had a tendency to dive if I was too far forward. In order to maintain the balance point in fresh snow, I skied in a more centered, almost backseat position, but the softer tail of the Bella allowed me to stay in control at the same time.

As I neared the edge of the woods (and the edge of the powder), I moved forward to a more aggressive stance and was able to transition effortlessly from powder to hard pack. Because of the stiffness and camber underfoot, I was able to rip on the groomers. Just as Julia pointed out, this is a women’s ski that can charge. With just a little pressure at the top of the turn, the tip of the Bella engaged.

Moment Bella, Blister Gear Review
Morgan Sweeney on the MOMENT Bella.

7 comments on “2nd Look: MOMENT Bella”

  1. I am a rapidly advancing skier going from blue-black to black.
    I am 5’1″ and 145, very strong weightlifter. I learn quickly, am instinctive and more and more aggressive. I was impressed with Line Pandora reviews. But really impressed with PB&J for PNW skiing. Would the Bella be a better fit? I’m curious about Wailer Yvette 112RP and anina 99. I want a stiffer but playful and forgiving ski that isn’t so floppy. The trees here are tighter so longer turns aren’t a big deal. I’m so small anyway. LOL.

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

  2. Hi Heather,
    For the skis that you listed in your comment, the Bellas are the only ones that I have tested (though I’m also extremely curious how the Yvette 112RP performs). The Bella is definitely not the stiffest ski on the market for women right now, but if you are also looking for a playful element then you won’t want the stiffest ski. It really depends on where you will be taking these skis and what conditions you want them to excel in. The MOMENT Bella is a relatively poppy ski and is a lot of fun in the trees, bumps, or just ripping short-radius turns on corduroy. Since it is 106 underfoot, I wouldn’t recommend it as your solo powder ski, however if you’re looking for an all-mountain ski that can hold its own in powder then the Bella could be the perfect ski. Comparatively, after talking to Julia about the Pandora, I have the impression that it is a much better powder ski than the Bella. I think both skis are well-designed and have a great balance of stiffness and playfulness, so it really depends on where you think you’ll be skiing the most and if you’re looking for a well-rounded ski or more powder-specific ski.

    I hope I was able to clarify a few things and don’t hesitate to ask any other questions!

  3. Thanks for the tip. I went for the 2012 Pandora in a 152 that I managed to find for a steal. It pays to be short sometimes. I wanted the increased edge it provides as it doesn’t have the tail rocker that the Bella has. I also felt the width to be a better choice over the narrower Bella. Found tons of reviews on the Pandora from happy riders. I’m anxious to try it.

    Just a few other questions though. What the heck does a DIN number mean on the bindings? How do you know best position (centered, +1, -1, etc).? Lastly, how do you get into doing demos for skis? It sounds insanely fun.

  4. Hey Morgan,

    Do you think these skis would do well for touring – or would they be too heavy? I’d mount them with Marker F12s.

  5. Hi there,

    Just mirroring Jennas comment. Would these skis be good for short tours – side country, small backcountyr hikes

    Thanks

  6. Heather and Flo,

    The Moment Bella is not built as a touring-specific ski; it carries some weight, however it is not an extremely heavy ski. The DPS Yvette would be a more ideal touring ski. It has a similar build to the Bella (camber underfoot and rocker in the tip and tail) but is lighter and has a slightly wider waist (112 underfoot). The Bella would be a nice option for side-country and small backcountry hikes, however, because though it is heavier than the full carbon Yvette, it is still fairly lightweight and manageable for short tours.

  7. Hi I am looking at the Bella for my wife…she has a 162 but needs a longer Powder Ski for this upcoming year so a 172cm Bella or looking at Atomic Century 109 in a 175cm…she is 46,adv skier,5’4,135lb…PNW and Utah skiing…mostly PNW. I can find the Century 109’s ( older ones 14/15 I think same ski just graffics ) for $349 the Bella’s are $569.

    Thanks Ladies,

    Guy :)

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