Skis for Denali

I'm deciding on a pair of skis for Denali. I'm between the Blizzard Zero G 95 and the Black Crows Navis Freedbird. Any thoughts on why one over the other? Zero G is much lighter for a long climb up but I've heard it doesn't perform as well as the Navis Freebird in variable conditions. Open to other suggestions as well.

They have tweaked the ZeroG 95 since I last skied it, and I've heard it's gotten better, but I did not think it did well in variable snow either. That said I have owned and loved the ZeroG 108, 105, and 85. If you're looking at Black Crows, then I'd suggest the Orb Freebird. It has a little flatter tail than the Camox and I thought worked better for mountaineering applications. This was my go-to ski mountaineering ski for Colorado for a couple seasons. My new favorite is the Atomic Backland 85 with the 95 coming in a close 2nd. 

I think it would be somewhat dependent on which route you are planning to ski and what season you plan to do it in.  

I specifically bought my Navis Freebirds for a Denali trip that was covid cancelled. I have been happy with them in the Colorado backcountry

Unless you are planning on skiing something like the Orient Express, skis on Denali are for transportation. As such, take something that works decently for going up cause you probably are not going to be doing turns. Further take skis that you really do not give a shit about losing.

Doug D wrote:

I'm deciding on a pair of skis for Denali. I'm between the Blizzard Zero G 95 and the Black Crows Navis Freedbird. Any thoughts on why one over the other? Zero G is much lighter for a long climb up but I've heard it doesn't perform as well as the Navis Freebird in variable conditions. Open to other suggestions as well.

Sounds like your asking about skis for skiing down?  Would be helpful to know...what are you ski plans?

I thought the Zero G 85 was great in variable conditions. Pretty stiff and holds an edge really well. Doesn't get as chattery and unstable as most of the Black Crows I've tried. I imagine the 95 is similar. If you can comfortably shred a GS ski off-piste I would go with the Zero G 85.

You should skip both of those and get some Kastle’s. They are as light as the zero g and ski like real skis. I had zero g’s and tried the black crows but bought Kastle’s this year based on a recommendation ( 93 and 100 underfoot) and have just been blown away how good they ski! 

zimick wrote:

You should skip both of those and get some Kastle’s. They are as light as the zero g and ski like real skis. I had zero g’s and tried the black crows but bought Kastle’s this year based on a recommendation ( 93 and 100 underfoot) and have just been blown away how good they ski! 

Which model Kastle?  I'm seeing hte MX99 come in at 2341g/ski for the 184cm length.  Compared to a Zero G 95 at 1310g/ski.  The reviews online claim the Kastle is heavy.

Kastles are like ferraris. They will blow any other ski out of the water in terms of downhill performance. You get what you pay for, and they aren't cheap. 

The TX is their touring line... TX93 is 1335g in 178cm.

Their FX line is a great all-around ski. Chris Davenport skied the CO14ers with their FX95s (they've bounced around between 94-96 for few years). I regret not putting dynafits on mine, but I sold them at a good price!

I haven't skied an MX since they got early rise, but they used to be full camber. MX98 would demand good technique (and a solid boot) and will take you where they want to go if you pussyfoot around on them. 

Great skis for ice coast ex-college ski racers with $$ to burn.

SLC Brian, Ross pretty much covered it above.

The TX line is their backcountry stuff. Essentially as light as any other ski besides crazy light race skis that really don’t “ ski” and the Kastles even with a light binding fully feel like a real ski going down.

I have 30 plus days in on them and still just get giddy at how well they have skied light fluff, hard rain glaze, clumpy mash etc.... as for the price. Well worth not buying coffees for a year.

My current ride are v werks katanas...but...I like good coffee.  Ha ha.  I'm usually a few years behind the curve, so, nice to ski something a bit newer.  Yeah, they're heavy and big (191cm...yee ha).

Wow...20 year hiatus and Kastle comes back competitive.  Nice.

Still begs the OP question:  skis for the up and dragging a sled, or, for the serious down?  Probably two very different skis.

Thanks for all of the feedback. I will be using these skis mainly for the climb but plan to ski off the summit as well as put as many other lines down as possible including Messner and Rescue Gully.

Check out the Head Kore 99.