Kuhtai served up just the right conditions for testing freeride skis last winter, with a nice mix of fresh powder and sunshine, so it was great to score first tracks off the side of the piste with a ski like the Monster 98.
This new ski features graphene (the worlds thinnest and strongest material) in its construction, keeping the weight down nicely which allowed it to float through the powder yet didn't prevent the Monster 98 from having a solid, reliable feel that allowed it to bash through any cut up snow, which really builds your confidence on the first run of the day.
Maybe it was as a result of the graphene that the ski has a smooth yet light and nimble feel too, but it also held turns well on packed pistes whether at speed or whilst travelling in a more leisurely fashion.
There's a full wood core too with a titanal layer and a 20% tip rocker providing easy turn initiation and that extra floatation in the powder.
It's not bad value either, especially since the price includes bindings; and whilst we were not overly keen on the Monster's looks, that's perhaps only to be expected - after all, who ever saw a pretty monster?
An ideal ski for hard charging, all-over-the-mountain freeriders who like to stomp over everything that gets in their way.
