Hi all. Long time lurker and Volkl guy here looking for input on Deacon 80 182s. Now that the demise of deacon line is near, I am looking for deals on a groomer / carver / bump ski.
I am 5'11'', 230lbs, 57 yrs old, 45+ years skiing, tend to ski fast, and mostly gs my turns. For reference, I am trying to replace v-werks rtm 84 175 (too short, never loved the full rocker or carbon fiber upgrade- although great in bumps and trees) and Rossi hp 72? wide carver 177 (meh) for skiing all over catskills, adk, and vt; mainly prioritizing edge hold on hard pack, morning courd, and boiler plate on the steeps (if that is a thing). I suspect Deacon 84s will be too close to what i have below. I think I would like the extra glass / less metal and the pop of the 80s for a change. I don't mind slowing down a bit and turning more to stay with my friends. I do have the strength to short turn 19-22 m bi-metal skis down narrow steeps and across double bumps if needed, but i really dont need to work that hard anymore. I like the 16 radius of the Enforcers. I ski wherever my skis take me, and I rarely retire a great ski.
My G.O.A.T are 2012 Dragon Kendo 89 177 22 radius, Stockli SR 88 184, Enforcer 93 177, and Mantra M5 177 in that order. I also have J. Masterblaster 96 174 and Kendo 88 177 (o.k. if I had to live with 2 skis), but they cant compete with those very weathered dragon Kendos! I hand tune everything old to a 3 side / 0 to 0.5 base but sometimes wish for a bit more hold on east coast ice. I also think a narrower ski will be easier to angulate at my age.
I have been spending more time this year in the Catskills with the kids, and also day trip to Gore, Whiteface and Killington. I ski about 40+ days year, mostly with my teen son and daughter who also race for the local schools. They occasionally pass me on the cruisers and in the trees now if I start relaxing; never in the bumps though...I like to be "on edge" piloting my skis, but don't mind "letting them run" either.
This year I have been seen on quite a few skinny <66mm skis from years past. Namely, Volkl W-cup renntiger "R" 203, Volkl Carver Plus 195, Volkl P40 Race Carvers 188, Volkl Explosive SL 195, Rossi 7XK 210 (meh), Rossi 7s 203 (meh). Sort of a trip through ski evolution. I had a ball on all of them, in that order, more than once. It is clear I prefer the Volkl feel. I have come to really like and miss the hold these old planks have, and their speed and confidence on hard pack is right up there with any of my all-mountain stuff. Back in the day, these were all mountain...I don't feel the extra length much except in the bumps. Still, they are a bit narrow (and aged) for anything but local. Perhaps I need some Volkl 72 or 76 Masters...or even cheater Racetigers.
Any thoughts on the Deacon 80 that I can get now, or would I be better served waiting on the 84s with more titanal, or even the 72/76 models? Is the Deacon 80 in the longer 182 length enough ski for me to enjoy all day at 230 lbs, say, at Killington, Stratton, Mt. Snow or Gore where I might find a mix of icy steeps, icy bump runs, long cruisers, and some glades? Thank you for any opinions.
I am 5'11'', 230lbs, 57 yrs old, 45+ years skiing, tend to ski fast, and mostly gs my turns. For reference, I am trying to replace v-werks rtm 84 175 (too short, never loved the full rocker or carbon fiber upgrade- although great in bumps and trees) and Rossi hp 72? wide carver 177 (meh) for skiing all over catskills, adk, and vt; mainly prioritizing edge hold on hard pack, morning courd, and boiler plate on the steeps (if that is a thing). I suspect Deacon 84s will be too close to what i have below. I think I would like the extra glass / less metal and the pop of the 80s for a change. I don't mind slowing down a bit and turning more to stay with my friends. I do have the strength to short turn 19-22 m bi-metal skis down narrow steeps and across double bumps if needed, but i really dont need to work that hard anymore. I like the 16 radius of the Enforcers. I ski wherever my skis take me, and I rarely retire a great ski.
My G.O.A.T are 2012 Dragon Kendo 89 177 22 radius, Stockli SR 88 184, Enforcer 93 177, and Mantra M5 177 in that order. I also have J. Masterblaster 96 174 and Kendo 88 177 (o.k. if I had to live with 2 skis), but they cant compete with those very weathered dragon Kendos! I hand tune everything old to a 3 side / 0 to 0.5 base but sometimes wish for a bit more hold on east coast ice. I also think a narrower ski will be easier to angulate at my age.
I have been spending more time this year in the Catskills with the kids, and also day trip to Gore, Whiteface and Killington. I ski about 40+ days year, mostly with my teen son and daughter who also race for the local schools. They occasionally pass me on the cruisers and in the trees now if I start relaxing; never in the bumps though...I like to be "on edge" piloting my skis, but don't mind "letting them run" either.
This year I have been seen on quite a few skinny <66mm skis from years past. Namely, Volkl W-cup renntiger "R" 203, Volkl Carver Plus 195, Volkl P40 Race Carvers 188, Volkl Explosive SL 195, Rossi 7XK 210 (meh), Rossi 7s 203 (meh). Sort of a trip through ski evolution. I had a ball on all of them, in that order, more than once. It is clear I prefer the Volkl feel. I have come to really like and miss the hold these old planks have, and their speed and confidence on hard pack is right up there with any of my all-mountain stuff. Back in the day, these were all mountain...I don't feel the extra length much except in the bumps. Still, they are a bit narrow (and aged) for anything but local. Perhaps I need some Volkl 72 or 76 Masters...or even cheater Racetigers.
Any thoughts on the Deacon 80 that I can get now, or would I be better served waiting on the 84s with more titanal, or even the 72/76 models? Is the Deacon 80 in the longer 182 length enough ski for me to enjoy all day at 230 lbs, say, at Killington, Stratton, Mt. Snow or Gore where I might find a mix of icy steeps, icy bump runs, long cruisers, and some glades? Thank you for any opinions.