Ski: 2011-2012 4FRNT Switchblade, 181cm 
Dimensions (mm): 122-89-116
Turn Radius: 18.4 meters
Actual Tip to Tail Length (straight tape pull): 179cm
Boots / Bindings: Nordica Supercharger Enforcer / 4FRNT demo, DIN at 10
Mount Location: -1cm from true center
Test Location: Arapahoe Basin
Days Skied: 2
Memorial Day weekend yielded beautiful, sunny weather at Arapahoe Basin. This was quite the change from all the snow A-Basin had been getting the last few weeks. Spring had finally arrived, just in time for A Basin’s biggest party of the year, the 10th Annual Festival of the Brewpubs. It was also the perfect time to test 4FRNT’s newest park ski. Good times!
Arapahoe Basin’s Treeline Park was in excellent condition for this time of the season. A blustery tailwind combatted the slushy conditions and allowed the jumps to stay open most of the weekend, allowing me to spend a couple of full days testing the Switchblade in its element.
For me, the Switchblade’s moderately stiff flex was pretty ideal for a park ski. Butters and presses were manageable, but did require a little bit of effort. Though stiff, the flex was consistent and predictable – there was no guesswork when setting presses of any kind. I frequently found myself skipping jumps and rails so I could jib their rollers. But while butters and nose blocks were a blast on the Switchblade, jumps were really where the ski shined.