So, he has been on (and bought) new Stockli model versions.
And, to me, he was specifically referring to the difference between the initial WRT ST 172 with WRT binding setup,
and the later ones, at least from my perspective, since I posted about it, and he commented about it at the time.
(There may be other, more all mountain Stockli models he has posted about in a similar way.)
I do not regard this as "negative," or the other pop psychology stuff posted, but more likely just the response
of a progressing skier in Europe, who must of necessity ski lots of wetter snow, often crowded, groomer
and smooth terrain, for hours, and whose awareness of the whole realm of near race and race Stocklis (among a few others)
has been expanding over the years. Maybe he's become a better, more demanding front side skier in the process, who knows?
Also, it was not only his so-called "negative" idea/impression about the greater consumer accessibility going into the later
WRT ST 172 versions: this was something very specifically told to me, using the words "easier" and "more
accessible," by a local(?) Stockli rep who happened to be in the Stockli demo tent at the Loveland Basin demo
a couple of years ago. He (and I) liked the more recent versions. But we both liked more the OG version - dang,
I've remembered my runs on it ever since, from no more than the 6-8 runs I got on it total - and I've more than half wished
I'd bought it at the time.
Apologies,
@LindseyB , but I posted that admittedly exaggerated post about keyholes just because I was half hopeful to see
what a Stockli response and point of view might be. Please forgive me wanting to find out so directly, from folks on this thread.