You are about to read a lot of contradictory statements about the 183 Stöckl Stormrider 107. Why? Because no other ski I have ever clicked into seemingly does so many things so well even though it just doesn't seem like it should.
For 2016, Stöckli changed up the construction of the 107, shedding 8% of its weight (according to Stöckli) and added its Triple Range inserts, which are carbon inserts into the tip and tail and reinforced under the foot. It also has two sheets of titanal. Even with the tapered tip and tail, the ski doesn't really look like a powder ski; in fact, Stöckli calls it a freeride ski.
First note the rocker profile: the tip has a very modest amount of rocker with low splay, and the tail has very little rocker; it reminds me of the tail on a Salomon Q-105. Flex is rather soft; it's super even and consistent. Picking up the ski, it does feel light -- even though the silver topsheets are reminiscent of a Volant so you think it is going to weigh a ton. One thing that caught me was the sound of the ski. Most skis "click" when tapped together, but the Stöckli "clunks" .... It's a dull deep clunk, just another indication that this ski is different. The topsheets are silver with the red and black strips of carbon. It's a very classy look, and obvious this ski is very well constructed. It just feels good.
I had been looking for a highly versatile powder-oriented ski with little rocker. @FairToMiddlin and @Drahtguy Kevin gushed over this ski as did @Philpug. I spoke to Scott @dawgcatching and he also liked it, so I decided to give it a shot. I sold off some skis and other gear (a lot, in fact) and ordered a pair from him.
There are three mount points to choose from: FS (freeski), AM (all mountain), and PW (powder). For the first day I set my Attack binding at -5mm from the FS line as I tend to prefer powder skis more center mounted.
It was a boot-deep day of medium-density snow, not Steamboat's typical blower. I was immediately impressed with the damp, grounded feel. I skied down an open blue run to get to the Storm Peak lift, which goes to the top of Mt. Werner. Starting with easy short-radius turns and then mid-radius turns, I could tell the ski was very responsive and quite easy. For a 107mm ski with a soft flex, the ski engaged and tracked extremely well with a damp, assured feel. It planed up quite well when I skied it flat. In fact, with such little rise, it almost seemed like it had "on demand" rocker. The softish tip seemingly adjusts itself to what is needed. It was quite bizarre -- in a good way of course. The ski just stays glued to the terrain. I skied into some off-piste areas with undulations, rollers, and dips; again the tips just rode through the terrain, never raising its pulse. The tips absorbed the variations with uncanny ease. However, I did find this mount point to be too far forward.
Next time out, I set the bindings to about +3mm in front of the AM mark. This was just about perfect for me. I think AM for trees and tighter turns is the right call; if you are skiing in open terrain, you could probably go back. For this reason, a demo or adjustable binding may be a really good choice.
Skiing the third day was deep. Sections were really deep. I got up very early and we had first tracks down one of the blue-black runs off the Four Points chair. There was a solid 8 to 10 in. over a groomed surface (ie, nirvana). I was able to open up the 107, and man! was that a blast. The 107 comes up on edge exceedingly easily and just rips along unshakably. Take a look at the tips engaging; I wish I had a progression of pics here, but you can see how the tips are just bending and pulling me across the fall line.
From that run we headed right to the edge of Shadows, which has amazing aspens. There we again skied untracked champagne knee high and above. So the same ski that just ripped down a groomer at speed with incredible stability was now dancing through the trees. I was really amazed how amenable this ski was: drift it, carve it, and now turn it on a dime in tight aspens. Even with the minimal rocker in the tail, the ski releases and can be easily slarved. Wow! What I have learned is that this ski is very flickable, like a carbon mountain bike on switchbacks, the 107s can be moved around and really worked in the trees and bumps. I think this is due to the balance of the ski and the reduced weight in the tips; the ski has a very easy swing weight.
Day 4 was 6 in. of medium-density very easy and grippy powder. I ended up moving the bindings forward again, so it seems to make sense that in deeper powder moving them back was the ticket but I really preferred them a bit forward (+5 to 7mm) of the AM line, otherwise.
For 2016, Stöckli changed up the construction of the 107, shedding 8% of its weight (according to Stöckli) and added its Triple Range inserts, which are carbon inserts into the tip and tail and reinforced under the foot. It also has two sheets of titanal. Even with the tapered tip and tail, the ski doesn't really look like a powder ski; in fact, Stöckli calls it a freeride ski.
First note the rocker profile: the tip has a very modest amount of rocker with low splay, and the tail has very little rocker; it reminds me of the tail on a Salomon Q-105. Flex is rather soft; it's super even and consistent. Picking up the ski, it does feel light -- even though the silver topsheets are reminiscent of a Volant so you think it is going to weigh a ton. One thing that caught me was the sound of the ski. Most skis "click" when tapped together, but the Stöckli "clunks" .... It's a dull deep clunk, just another indication that this ski is different. The topsheets are silver with the red and black strips of carbon. It's a very classy look, and obvious this ski is very well constructed. It just feels good.
I had been looking for a highly versatile powder-oriented ski with little rocker. @FairToMiddlin and @Drahtguy Kevin gushed over this ski as did @Philpug. I spoke to Scott @dawgcatching and he also liked it, so I decided to give it a shot. I sold off some skis and other gear (a lot, in fact) and ordered a pair from him.
There are three mount points to choose from: FS (freeski), AM (all mountain), and PW (powder). For the first day I set my Attack binding at -5mm from the FS line as I tend to prefer powder skis more center mounted.
It was a boot-deep day of medium-density snow, not Steamboat's typical blower. I was immediately impressed with the damp, grounded feel. I skied down an open blue run to get to the Storm Peak lift, which goes to the top of Mt. Werner. Starting with easy short-radius turns and then mid-radius turns, I could tell the ski was very responsive and quite easy. For a 107mm ski with a soft flex, the ski engaged and tracked extremely well with a damp, assured feel. It planed up quite well when I skied it flat. In fact, with such little rise, it almost seemed like it had "on demand" rocker. The softish tip seemingly adjusts itself to what is needed. It was quite bizarre -- in a good way of course. The ski just stays glued to the terrain. I skied into some off-piste areas with undulations, rollers, and dips; again the tips just rode through the terrain, never raising its pulse. The tips absorbed the variations with uncanny ease. However, I did find this mount point to be too far forward.
Next time out, I set the bindings to about +3mm in front of the AM mark. This was just about perfect for me. I think AM for trees and tighter turns is the right call; if you are skiing in open terrain, you could probably go back. For this reason, a demo or adjustable binding may be a really good choice.
Skiing the third day was deep. Sections were really deep. I got up very early and we had first tracks down one of the blue-black runs off the Four Points chair. There was a solid 8 to 10 in. over a groomed surface (ie, nirvana). I was able to open up the 107, and man! was that a blast. The 107 comes up on edge exceedingly easily and just rips along unshakably. Take a look at the tips engaging; I wish I had a progression of pics here, but you can see how the tips are just bending and pulling me across the fall line.
From that run we headed right to the edge of Shadows, which has amazing aspens. There we again skied untracked champagne knee high and above. So the same ski that just ripped down a groomer at speed with incredible stability was now dancing through the trees. I was really amazed how amenable this ski was: drift it, carve it, and now turn it on a dime in tight aspens. Even with the minimal rocker in the tail, the ski releases and can be easily slarved. Wow! What I have learned is that this ski is very flickable, like a carbon mountain bike on switchbacks, the 107s can be moved around and really worked in the trees and bumps. I think this is due to the balance of the ski and the reduced weight in the tips; the ski has a very easy swing weight.
Day 4 was 6 in. of medium-density very easy and grippy powder. I ended up moving the bindings forward again, so it seems to make sense that in deeper powder moving them back was the ticket but I really preferred them a bit forward (+5 to 7mm) of the AM line, otherwise.
- Who is it for? If you appreciate fine craftsmanship and a ski that truly is unique and high performing, you need to at least demo it. If you want a ski that can ski deep powder, rip groomed, and dance through trees and soft bumps, this is a must try. I have skied many powder skis, and I have to say this is the finest inbounds and sidecountry powder ski I have ever owned.
- Who is it not for? If you like poppy, high-energy skis, this one may not thrill you. If you want a super surfy loose ski, don't even bother demoing. If you faint at a ski with four-digit price tag, stay away.
- Insider tip: Use an adjustable binding to get the mount point dialed for the given conditions
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...of course for the going rate they should:0
