Last season represented a sort of coming out party for Liberty, a small brand that had carved out a niche as a bamboo-and-carbon specialist with a knack for making lightweight wide-bodies. Then they figured out how to industrialize the integration of an aluminum strut into their wheelhouse construction, trimmed down their usual silhouette to something more svelte and boom, they elevated to a whole new level of performance.
For the coming year, the transition between then and now isn’t nearly as severe, as the second-generation series with Vertical Metal Technology (VMT) simply adds an additional strut to the original dual vertical laminates. Yet the modification is nonetheless notable in that it adds a measure of connection that pays off when it’s skied aggressively.
That said, the V92 doesn’t require high speeds or steeply angled edges to feel utterly in control. “Very easy to ski, very easy to turn,” alleges Bobo’s consummate technician (and active ski coach) Theron Lee. “An average intermediate on up can ski it. The quickness of the ski surprised me for a 92 [mm waist], yet very user-friendly at both low speeds and high.
“It responds even better when pushed,” Lee continues. “Like all the Liberty’s I’ve skied, it was damp but not dead. Glides well.” This last remark may seem off-hand, but it speaks volumes coming from a magician with a stone grinder. When subjected to spring conditions that practically grounded other skis, the Liberty V92 fairly flew through the sodden ruts. The difference between the glide properties of every VMT Liberty and the rest of the field was eye-popping.
After having skied two generations of Vertical Metal Technology models from Liberty, two global qualities standout. One, every sinew of the ski seems dedicated to maintaining snow contact. If the modestly rockered tip deflects upward for a microsecond, the struts manage the moment so the edge underfoot is never perturbed.
Two, all the VMT models require zero adaptation on the part of the pilot. Don’t worry about loading the tip or exaggerating edge angles. Just ski from a centered stance with whatever means of angulation floats your boat. The V92 will hold an edge no matter how you stand on it. Because the V92 is so open-minded, it’s an ideal match for someone who hasn’t bought a new ski in ages, wants the benefits of new technology but doesn’t want to re-learn the sport.
Its amenable attitude also makes the V92 a suitable mate for the silver skier, hence its second season as a Silver Skier Selection.