Coomba vs BC 100 vs Verdict: Let it spray...

[chris]

I want a pair of fat sidecountry boards. Weight is secondary to performance. Because of personal history and bias and poor research, I've narrowed the field down to three: K2's Apache Coomba; Karhu's BC 100; and BD's Verdict. They all sport a waist greater than 100mm but less than 110cm, and I'll be purchasing them in a 185-ish size. Whatever happens, one of these three skis is going to be saddled with a pair of Fritschi's.

So I'm looking for opinions - has anyone skied on any of these boards? Anyone made a similar decision? Anyone unhappy with on of these skis, or have another manufacturer that I just have to look at?

Cheers

Chris

[Maine-iac]

Get a pair of LINE skis. www.lineskis.com I just got the Prophet 100s after ridding a pair of Prophet 80s for a number of years.

But out of those you listed, personally I would get the BDs; mind you I have never ridden any of them. I have a few friends who have the kilowatts and they love them, so it looks like the verdict is just a little bigger.

[ilookeddown]

I have the Coomba mounted with Fritschi's I used about 20 times last year. They ski and tour well I have no complaints. They aren’t too heavy when strapped to the pack either.

 

I have not skied the others but you might want to also look at the Dynastar Legend Pro XXL. It is 109 under foot and you could get a great deal online for last years model. I think they retail for $1000 but can get them for just over $550. The 187's might be a little hard to find b/c standard length is 194.

[jordop]

Coomba is significantly softer than Verdict IMO. Powder board vs all terrain ripper.

[Hugh Conway]

I have the prior generation (foamcore) Verdict. They are a notch below ripper, imho. fun skis, but definitely have a top speed and so are more touring, imho. I have a pair of 1st generation Atomic Big Daddys 193cm, 107mm waist for ripping.... and errr... a pair of Bluehouse Shoots (191cm, 128mm in the mail.)

 

Closer to what you were looking at, Bluehouse Districts:

http://www.bluehouseskis.com/node/8

[Maine-iac]

DAMN Hugh! Those things are sick!

[jordop]

DAMN Hugh! Those things are sick!

 

Weight: 4.6kg/pair

 

????

[Hugh Conway]

Verdict in a 190 = 4.3kg/pair

[chris]

I think when you start talking about boards this fat, weight becomes a secondary consideration to performance.

[Hugh Conway]

true, but what you are looking at is the "all mountain" part of the spectrum now.

[BigWave]

Ok, Here is my take on comparing these 3.

The BC 100 and the Line prophet are very similar (if you have had the chance to ski either) A nice generous flex and smooth ski. It is forgiving and predictable but may be a touch soft if the throttle is to the floor.

The Verdict is a different beast. After the change to CNC wood cores the whole BD line changed in skiin characteristics. The Verdict is much stiffer. Handles speed well and you can really open it up on big high speed turns. I find it a little stiff in tight terrain, so there is the trade off.

I skied the Coomba almost all year last year. I really enjoyed it. I found that it is forgiving in technical terrain. Floaty in the pow, and that it can handle some speed. I find it a little more predictable than the Verdict and is easier to scrub speed if needed. The tails are a little softer and the side cut a little less severe in the tail, which helps out with that. In other words I don't always accelerate out of the turn.

I have been finding that in bounds I like to push my gear. Out of bounds I like to push myself...

I hope that might help.

[fear_and_greed]

I think when you start talking about boards this fat, weight becomes a secondary consideration to performance.

 

not true. with dynafits on my setup is almost half the weight. check these out http://icelanticboards.com/#/skis/detail/nomad

 

http://hydrogenplusstupidity.blogspot.com/

[chris]

Fear,

You're right - that's why my other two pairs of skis are mounted with Dynafits. But these are going to be specifically for 50/50 in bounds and lift-accessed backcountry. So I'm less concerned with weight then performance. Since the Fritschi's are step-in bindings, I think they're also more suited for lift-accessed backcountry and in bounds skiing then Dynafits.

That's my plan at least - I'll let you know if it works!

Chris

[hancockdn]

have the verdicts mounted with fritchis. simple ski. stiff-ish. great setup, i think, for what you want, area/slack country. the ski likes bigger-ish turns. so there's that.

[Hugh Conway]

Since the Fritschi's are step-in bindings, I think they're also more suited for lift-accessed backcountry and in bounds skiing then Dynafits.

 

Especially if you are riding trams quite a bit, step in is the way to go.

 

I might be able to sell you a pair of the old Atomic Big Daddys cheap

[dbb]

Hey Chris- If I were you I'd actually get the Zealot. Still within your specs (110 underfoot), can ski on-piste great, but you get that extra phatness for the slack country. My guess is that the extra width would be nice.

[Telemack]

Ok, Here is my take on comparing these 3.

The BC 100 and the Line prophet are very similar (if you have had the chance to ski either) A nice generous flex and smooth ski. It is forgiving and predictable but may be a touch soft if the throttle is to the floor.

 

I believe the Line and Karhu products are identical; made by the same company, right?