ONE-SKI QUIVER: Reviewers’ Choices – Part 4
Reviewer: Emily Cleveland
Age: 23 | Vitals: 5ʼ6”, 135 lbs | Years skiing: 20 | Current Residence: Jackson Hole, Wyoming | (See complete bio)
One-Ski Quiver Selections:
1st Choice: Blizzard Dakota, 177cm
In the steep, technical terrain of Taos, the Dakotas are the skis I want to be riding. They can rip down any type of terrain and instill confidence when things get sketchy. Although it isn’t ideal for the really big days, its limitations are overshadowed by its versatility and predictability.
Runner-Up: Kastle James, 175cm
The James is only 90mm underfoot, a skinny ski by today’s standards. Though I envision something around 105mm when I think of a Taos one-ski quiver, these skis are so much fun and surprisingly versatile. They are incredibly playful and forgiving but they can also handle speed and landings well. Though they are still good in deeper snow, they are true all-mountain skis, not powder skis. However, that’s a compromise I’m willing to make for how much fun this ski is in the conditions where I spend the most time skiing.
1st Choice: Blizzard Dakota, 177cm
For the aforementioned reasons, the Dakotas once again make the list. These damp, stable skis would be ideal in Alta.
Runner-Up: Atomic Access, 181cm
The Access is lightweight and has serious tip rocker, which makes it perfect for Alta’s famed champagne powder days. But with camber underfoot and a good amount of sidecut, these skis are a lot of fun between the storms, too.
1st Choice: Atomic Automatic, 179cm
Whether headed out the gates or crushing tram laps, the Automatic is an ideal ski for Jackson. It is moderately stiff and burly yet lightweight and surprisingly nimble. It’s not a carver by any stretch of the imagination, but they still show you a heck of a good time ripping down groomers. The pintail shape and subtle tail rocker keep them stable without compromising playfulness. At 179, they are a little more versatile and manageable for an everyday ski, but there won’t be any compromise on a powder day.
Runner-Up: Blizzard Dakota, 177cm
On a mountain where you can go through three distinct zones of snow from the top of the mountain to the bottom, the Dakota is the ski I want to be riding. This ski handles a huge spectrum of snow conditions exceedingly well.
1st Choice: Atomic Automatic, 186cm
Although I chose 179cm for Jackson’s varied terrain, I would definitely step it up to 186cm for the big open lines that make Las Leñas famous. I am 5’6″ and 135 pounds, and though I felt the 186cm was manageable through terrain like the steep, deep trees in Jackson’s Granite Canyon, I think the big open faces of Las Leñas is where the 186 would really shine.
Runner-Up: Blizzard Dakota, 177cm
Once again, I choose the Dakotas. These skis are so much fun to rip big turns down the fall line.
1st Choice: Atomic Automatic, 179cm
It’s a tough call, but with all of the tree skiing in Niseko I think I would be happiest on the 179 Automatics. They are playful, poppy, stable, and float delightfully in powder.
Runner-Up: Kastle James, 175cm
These are a far cry from the Automatics, and the James might seem like a strange call in comparison, but these skis are so nimble and playful, and while they aren’t technically powder skis, they ski deep snow well. In the playful terrain of Niseko, I want an equally playful ski.
FINAL QUESTIONS:
Q: What skis were the most difficult to leave off your list?
A: The Kastle FX 104 for Jackson Hole. Two thin sheets of metal make the 104 stiff and stable but still lightweight. With traditional camber, no early rise, and a 104mm waist, these skis are ideal for switching from in-bounds skiing to technical backcountry terrain, from one run to the next.
Q: What skis do you imagine have the greatest likelihood of making your list, if and when you get to ski them (or get to ski them more)?
A: I haven’t had a chance to ski the 183 Armada TST but I will definitely be trying it out next chance I get. The camber profile and flex pattern seem to have exactly what I look for in a one-ski quiver.
And finally:
Q: If over the next three seasons you had to ski one ski, every day, regardless of location, what would you choose?
A: The 179 Atomic Automatic
Related Posts:
ONE-SKI QUIVER: Reviewers’ Choices – Part 2
One Ski, Part Two. Find out which skis approach the ideal of the One-Ski Quiver for BLISTER reviewers Will Brown and Lexi Dowdall.
ONE-SKI QUIVER: Reviewers’ Choices – Part 3
One Ski, Part Three. BLISTER reviewers Jason Hutchins and Kate Hourihan offer their one-ski quiver choices.
ONE-SKI QUIVER: Reviewers’ Choices
One ski, for every day on the mountain, any and all conditions. This is the Holy Grail of the ski industry, and we're going to let you know which skis in our view come closest to the ideal of the one-ski quiver.
