[GEAR REVIEW] Peak Skis 104: Modern-day Working day Charger or Advertising and marketing Hype?

If you’re a SnowBrains frequent, you know that we coated the launch of Bode Miller’s Peak Skis very last spring. Because then, they’ve added significant names like Chris Davenport, Michelle Parker, and JT Holmes to their lineup, which begs the problem, are these skis the actual deal or just a bunch of marketing and advertising hype? The good news is, Peak hooked me up with a pair of skis this season for a prolonged-term critique. I opted for the 184cm Peak 104 as a good every day driver in SW Montana.

To give some background on my ski preferences: I grew up in New Hampshire and used my youth ski racing. I have a rather aggressive, entrance-of-the-boots ski fashion. My inbounds ski quiver is 186 -196cm, with standard sidecuts, metal laminates, subtle idea rocker, and flat tails. I also like my inbounds skis to be hefty. The heavier, the far better. Words and phrases like “surfy” and “playful” require not implement.

Lightweight ski trends and progressive shapes have created ski browsing challenging for me in recent many years. Through most seasons, I’ve obtained or demoed a number of more recent versions, wondering I’d identified my new ski, only to be disappointed and return to my growing older favorites.

I was inherently skeptical when I picked up my skis from the Peak Showroom. They seem like skis I may like. I also saw firsthand that Bode Miller loves them. On the other hand, I’ve been underwhelmed by much too many skis these days. Why would these be any diverse? Ahead of I was done beveling the edges, I’d confident myself I did not like them also quick, way too much idea rocker, all hype, the listing went on.

Working day a single was at Bridger Bowl, and 9 inches of dense snow experienced fallen right away. I confirmed up all-around 10 am to each and every ski’s worst nemesis: significant, deep chop. On the chairlift, I wished I experienced introduced my unshakeable 196cm Blizzard Bodacious alternatively. They would have steamrolled this stuff. We headed left off the elevate, dropped into Avalanche Gulch, and I was well prepared to get entirely worked.

Right after the initially number of careful turns, I was nevertheless upright and in regulate. I cut still left into some tracked-up pow through the choke and aggressively let off the brakes. A suicide mission by all accounts, but at least the impact would be tender when I crashed, which by no means happened. As the day went on and the problems got additional variable, it was really obvious that my very first perception was improper. The suggestions rode up higher in the deep snow, and the skis felt well balanced, predictable, and in command as if I’d skied on them in advance of. These skis are no joke.

The extra times I spend on the Peak 104s, the additional I ski them due to the fact I want to, not simply because I’m crafting this evaluation. They are extremely able irrespective of situations – particularly what you want from a ski of this width. On an unusual working day previous week, I encountered anything from knee-deep powder to significant moguls and wind-stripped ice without having at any time feeling like I was on the mistaken ski.

To my delight, they’ve received some heft to them contributing to their skill to dominate in variable problems. Peak suggests their skis are “light enough” and isn’t afraid to confess the truth of the matter: fat matters! If you’re into tremendous light skis, these aren’t for you. If you miss out on the heavy metal chargers of several years past, you really should test these out.

Regardless of their bodyweight and “charger” position, the Peak 104s will also reply to a lighter touch. They’ll go total pace by any snow problems without the need of hesitation but won’t kick your butt if you are getting an off working day. The sweet location is massive, and I in no way really feel like I need to have to be beautifully balanced or on my A-activity at all situations. Is this Peak’s proprietary “Keyhole Technology” in action? I’m not guaranteed, but it is a exclusive feeling in this normally unforgiving style of skis.

I do have a couple minor critiques. At 184cm, the Peak 104s are the shortest skis I possess. I take pleasure in their size in restricted spots, but at other periods, I want additional ski out in front. For tall folks, 184cm as the longest length feels a small as well limited. Some of this is most likely because of to the wholesome amount of money of tip rocker – far more akin to an outsized powder ski than an all-mountain daily driver. In my impression, on a ski this stiff, the tip rocker could be minimize in fifty percent without having sacrificing float, providing the ski a lengthier experience. (Update: A Peak Skis spokesperson told SnowBrains that they will include 160cm and 190cm lengths to the 104 lineup subsequent year.)

That reported, I like the 104s so significantly that I may invest in a pair of the 188cm Peak 110s for up coming year. 

Examine them out at www.peakskis.com

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