This was the first group of Lines produced at the K2 factory after the company was bought in 2006. We were anxious to see what the result would be, and we found that Line has maintained its identity and produced an independent product that skis like a Line, not a K2. A true innovator in the freeride scene for years, Line once again brings us “new and different” in the form of the Pollard Pro, the Blend and others.
Prophet 130
Length: 186
Dimensions: 155-130-148
MSRP: $900 Stoke: 7
Fat, beefy and very stable all aptly describe the Prophet 130. Testers liked this ski in the powder but questioned how much fun it would be in other conditions. “A real pow monster,” said one. Given the footprint of this maple-core ski, there’s no doubt that it will be better in some conditions than others and for day-in and day-out skiing, we’d have to suggest that you look at the Prophet 100 over the 130.
Prophet 100
Length: 172, 179, 186
Dimensions: 134-100-125
MSRP: $800 Stoke: 8.5
The Prophet 100 performs well in almost every condition, and provides a very wide comfort zone. “This is a great all-around ski,” says one tester, adding, “it’s flexible, carves well and is good when riding switch.” In fact, everyone who skied the 100 had nice things to say about the ski, which ranks as one of the most fun – and versatile – skis in Line’s quiver for 2008.
Prophet 90
Length: 165, 172, 179, 186
Dimensions: 125-90-113
MSRP: $700 Stoke: 7
The 90 is a great tool for those who spend “more time inside the ropes than out” and “would be perfect for back East.” It’s quick but also stable thanks to Line’s maple Macroblock Core and is fat enough not to be embarrassed in the powder and crud. A very solid, versatile offering from Line.
Pollard (EP Pro)
Length: 185
Dimensions: 153-127-150
MSRP: $865 Stoke: 6
This massive twin features what Line calls “early rise” and “early taper.” Early rise means the contact point the ski has with the snow is closer to the center allowing the ski to rise out of powder as opposed to plow through it. The early taper reduces tail drag and hooking. Like any ski with a new design, it had its fans and detractors. “I’m sure Pollard rips on it, but I can’t,” lamented one tester, which leaves us to pass along this advice: try before you buy.
Sir Francis Bacon
Length: 182
Dimensions: 142-115-139
MSRP: $800 Stoke: 7
“If you ski a lot of powder, you will like this ski,” commented one tester. It’s a feeling that was echoed across the board by the rest of our team in Solitude. While we “love this ski when it is deep,” the SFB does have a narrow performance range, making it less than ideal for a single-ski quiver.
Elizabeth
Length: 172
Dimensions: 139-110-137
MSRP: $800 Stoke: 8
Another fun, versatile ski from Line, the Elizabeth is a “soft ski that’s great in powder.” While the soft flex of the Elizabeth cost it stoke points with some testers (“too soft for me,” said one), the majority of those who rode it liked how easy and enjoyable the Elizabeth was to ski. “It was even good on the groomers!” said one tester who claimed the Elizabeth was his favorite ski of the test week.
Celebrity
Length: 158, 165, 172
Dimensions: 125-90-113
MSRP: $600 Stoke: 7
This women-specific model from Line made our lady testers happy with its broad performance range. “Easy to turn and maneuverable” and “great in soft snow” were two comments about this poplar wood-core ski that features a wood with carbon construction. Pure experts may find it a bit soft – “I’d opt for the Prophet 100” said one tester. But for many lighter women, the Celebrity will make you feel famous.
Invader
Length: 151, 161, 171, 178
Dimensions: 110-83-110
MSRP: $450 Stoke: 6
Jumps: 7 Pipe: 7
Playfulness: 7 All-Mtn: 6
“This ski is more buttery than a bulk butter package from Costco,” said one tester. This could be due to Line’s new Butter Zone technology featured in the Invader and the Anthem. The ski’s construction is thinner at certain points in the tip and tail creating “distinct ‘hinge’ points”. Additionally, the Carbon Olliband technology of vertically laminated, carbon-fiber stringers increases the pop and energy of this ski when in the park. Accordingly, one of our testers thought it was “ollie loving” and “surprisingly fun in the pipe given its softness.”
Chronic
Length: 156, 166, 171, 176, 181
Dimensions: 111-85-108
MSRP: $550 Stoke: 8
Jumps: 9 Pipe: 8
Playfulness: 7 All-Mtn: 8
The Chronic, a name Line has used forever, has changed its construction this year and did quite well at our park test. The overall stoke was high for this ski, as testers felt it ripped everything from pipe to jump lines. The all-mountain stoke was high as well for this ski, which is wider under foot than the Invader. It’s a good choice for skiers looking to spend half their time in the park and half tooling around elsewhere.
Anthem
Length: 161, 171, 178
Dimensions: 119-93-119
MSRP: $530 Stoke: N/A
The Anthem is a beefed-up version of the Invader, sharing its Butter Zones and Carbon Ollieband. This additional girth gives the Anthem stability and more versatility in softer snow and varied terrain. The Anthem maintains a super jibby feel even with its burly dimensions and might be a truly fun big-mountain jib stick, but we didn’t get a chance to get out on these, so hopefully you can give them a go.
Blend
Length: 165, 172, 179, 186
Dimensions: 125-90-113
MSRP: $600 Stoke: N/A
Speaking of big-mountain freeriding, the Blend marries park and big-mountain skiing into one attractive package, hence the name. The freestyle construction combined with freeride geometry makes this ski one of the seemingly more versatile offerings from Line. The Carbon Matrix technology of pre-stretched, carbon-fiber stringers in the core makes this ski lighter than many of its competitors.
Shadow
Length: 157, 167
Dimensions: 110-80-103
MSRP: $500 Stoke: 7
Jumps: 7 Pipe: 7
Playfulness: 8 All-Mtn: 7
“Good park ski; good for a more aggressive skier. The graphics made me feel really exotic too!” said one of our female testers. The general consensus among the girls at the test was Line has stepped up its game when it comes to women’s skis. Some testers felt that the Shadow was a little heavy in the air, but was super-stable on flats and held an edge well.
Next Review > >
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