Bs"D
Max, I'm sure it is
fine like I said considering its overall dimensions, but have you skied other more dedicated designs to compare it to - like the 8800 - to see if they are more than fine?
Again, I haven't skied it yet - and do plan to in Feb. - but based on the 88's construction, it makes sense to me that it should be less good. It may be much better on the groomed, but that's not what Greg is missing. It may even be better as a high speed big mountain powder plank - but that is not what Greg is up to.
For regular resort powder skiing, I don't think that I am jumping on the 88 bandwagon so fast. Again, like Greg's 75, my Supershapes take care of the piste and moderate powder on transition days. For a relatively pure powder day, my 8800 may be
better. John has specified the 8800 as a possibility and I have answered him honestly. And, that comment was made by someone who skied the im88 in powder, sells Head skis, and opinioned that it was less good compared to others like the 8800.
Interestingly, he suggested that if someone was looking for a versatile powdwr ski that was better in powder but still good on piste, he recommended the Mojo 90.
If I get a chance to ski the 88 in real powder, I may come back singing a different tune. But, you should realize that besides the theory based on construction, flex, and sidecut (the very things that make it versatile/better on piste), there have been different views on the 88 expressed than have been heard here.
I have been questioning this point since the end of last winter when HH first started raving about the 88. Again, I'm sure that it is amazing if you want to consider the ratio of on and off piste together. But, as far as in the powder alone - the issue for many - it may be a different story.
By the way, I asked Peter Keelty straight out: "You write that the 88 has superior float etc. Have you actually skied it in the powder, can you confirm that it is truly great in that consideration alone, as good as more dedicated designs?" His answer was: "Well no, I haven't actually skied it, but I have to believe that with its wide overall dimensions that it will float well". To beg to differ with the so called "guru", width, and even float, is not the whole picture. [I know he admits that his reviews are not really his own, and that they are a composite of multiple cards from testers. But to make such definative statements and rate a ski the "Ski of the Year", maybe you should have skied it yourself also.]
Of course there could also be some influence of "to each his
own", as in what he already owns (8800 etc.).