The Cyclic 115’s ample tip and tail rocker not only disengage the extremities for easier swiveling, their soft flex lets the ski bow in soft snow, compressing the cambered center section and energizing the turn exit. The Cyclic 115 knows how to set a rhythm even white guys can dance to, using its coiled rebound energy to guide the skier into the next move. Whether slashing through freshies or crushing crud, the Cyclic 115 slithers through the snow with the confidence and grace of a professional hoofer.
This year’s jury was unequivocal: the Power Instinct Ti Pro belongs on the Power podium. Its everything-including-the-kitchen-sink construction isn’t impressed with any snow condition found on this planet, tearing into terrain like piranha with edges. A wide circle of skier types is able to steer it, in part because it adds a dab of Graphene™ – how do you measure a material reduced to atoms? – through the midsection of the ski, making the tip and tail more pressure-sensitive.
Much about the Monster line from Head is contrarian in nature: they want to engage early (the tips aren’t tapered), the tail holds onto a carve (they’re only rounded enough to avoid hang-ups), they use absurdly light materials but don’t obsess about overall weight, and every ski is built the same and priced the same despite wider skis having higher material costs.
Every Monster could also give a hoot about what’s it’s flying into. The Monster 88 would make a good ski for a Marvel™ Avenger: it’s not afraid of conflict. Aim it at snow with the consistency of fluff or foie gras; it could care less.
