Post
by fisheater » Mon Dec 02, 2019 10:02 pm
Hello Swede, welcome to the forum! As Gareth (Lilcliffy) has written, I skied a S-112 for about 4 seasons as a touring for downhill turns ski, I purchased a Falketind 62 two seasons ago and have not skied the S-112 since. The S-112 is a 189 cm, and the FT 62 is a 188, but it is actually slightly longer.I weigh approximately 88 kilos.
Now one could dismiss my abandonment of the S-112 to my marginal snowpack. I don’t get 30 cm of snow at once every year, however I drive a couple hours north and generally get into a decent snowpack. So while 30 cm is a treat, and I believe the deepest snowfall I have skied is 40 cm of fresh powder. I can say without a doubt, the FT 62 was more fun and pleasurable to ski in those conditions. The S-112 would surf to the surface better in those conditions going downhill, and the FT 62 may be “in” the snow more at 30-40 cm. The FT is on top enough to provide easy turning. The FT 62 is far better on the kick and glide at this depth of snow.
How can a much less wide ski offer such superior kick and glide performance in soft snow? Before I offer a reason, I must add that the FT 62 is far superior on firm snow, or steeper corn. The S-112 torsionally limp like a noodle, with an air core of paulownia compared to a carbon fiber reinforced poplar core. The reason the FT 62 is so much better on the kick and glide is the flex. The FT has an even single camber, alpine type flex, with a small amount of extra tension that creates a was pocket in soft snow. On hardpack the wax pocket will be flat, and you will feel wax drag. The FT also has more rocker than the S-112, so it is supportive in snow of the depth discussed. The S-112’s camber and a half just does not surf to the top in kick and glide. It floats, but not to the top. I find myself lifting a heavy snow covered ski much more commonly on the S-112, where the FT playfully rises to the top, like a porpoise or a dolphin does in the ocean.
On a final note, you need to hear from Verskis on this forum. He skis in Finland and has a Rabb. If I recall he was not happy with the float on the Rabb. Perhaps your snowpack is so deep and light you will want to go fatter? I own a Tindan 86, however I didn’t have a chance to get it out last season. It is more rockered than the FT, as well as stiffer. I think you should shoot Verskis a PM if he doesn’t spot this thread. He may be able to offer an opinion more pertinent to your snow conditions.
Regards,
Bob