Gear Review - Movement Goliath Skis

J Dogg — Sun, 4 Feb 2007 13:18:22 -0500

Rating

Time to introduce a new section on the site for all you gear junkies, and anyone who's curious about what sucks and what doesn't in the ski world. First off... Goliath Skis by Movement, the Swiss Freeride Company. In short, they don't suck. Far from it. Here's the goods:

The Geeky Stuff...

Company: Movement - The Swiss Freeride Company

Gear: Goliath Ski

Dimensions: 135-108-125mm

Length: 191 cm

Core: Mixed wood core (Okume, Poplar, Beech) with all the right secret ingrediants to take advantage of each wood's strengths and best qualities. For the tech geeks out there, if you saw the elasticity, bending strength and max crushing strength of these woods compared to others on the market, you'd be drooling in line to get a pair without reading the review.

The Dirt...

We are go for launch, repeat, go for launch. We've been putting the Movement Goliath ski to the test over the last few weeks, and they've been absolutely unreal.

They've been getting the full run around, from a 140 lbs skier and a 180 lbs skier, on the hill, in the steeps, in the backcountry, you name it. Straightlines, tight chutes, open bowls, cliffs, touring, and they even look good in the lift line. So if you don't mind people staring at you as you merge through the line ups, you're all good. Nowhere have they dissapointed yet. Well, we haven't hit moguls or rails, but if that's what you're after, stop reading now.

Made by real skiers, for real skiers, all of Movement's skis are designed and built for agressive skiing and are tough enough to stand up to the abuse. With Whistler's epic season we haven't had much chance to test them on hardpack, but they've been out of this world in the powder and chop. Fat enough and tough enough land any air or get you out of a straightline alive, but forgiving enough to let you shred

through tight spots or turn on a dime.

But what about turning, if you like to do that kind of thing? With the straightlines behind us and epic pow days in the midst, there was plenty of chances to test the agility. Hitting lap after lap in sub-alpine trees like South Side Deli or the Fishy Line on Blackcomb, we realized the Goliaths aren't just high alpine boards. Their light weight, width underfoot and forgiving tips let you chuck snowboard-like slash turns wherever the hell you feel like it, letting you totally link crux after crux through trees or kinks with all the flow you could ask for.

The Goliath's are stiff enough underfoot to catch you on your tails if you're not on it, but if you're ready to get on board the progressive flex in the tip & tail will duely reward you. If a 140 lbs office chump can turn'em quickly, so can you.

So to sum it up, do they rip? Yes. Do chicks dig them? Well we mentioned the oogling eyes in the line up didn't we? But more seriously, are they made by people who care? Hells ya. The name may be new to North America, but the gang behind Movement skis now has over 60 years of combined experience in manufacturing skis, and they're in for the love of skiing. Their big mountain riders are closely involved in R & D, and heck, Verbier is their backyard stomping ground.

Too positive? Maybe so. Perhaps it's just been a really good winter out here. Or maybe we don't spend enough time on ice, rails, or moguls. Our 180 lbs tester said there's been some moments while ripping through bumpy chop that a stiffer, heavier ski would be a safer choice, but admits the lightweight and softer tips has major advantages in other spots.

But ya know, we're not too worried about the hard pack right now. There's powder out there, lots of it, and the Goliath's are ruling it like a Cadillac in a Datsun parade.

Watch the helmet cam video of our 2nd weekend on them.

Check em out online.

Doglotion.com - Freeskiing Community - swiss freeride company

Gear Review - Movement Goliath Skis