Photo courtesy Renoun
Like most, I’m a creature of habit, and this affects my ski life. I’ve used the same pair of skis (I’ll avoid telling you the name of them, but imagine top of the line powder skis that cost a pretty penny) for many winter seasons.
The thing about life is that it’s constantly changing, and heading into this winter season, I wanted to change up my skis.
To be honest, I dreaded even the thought, because I didn’t want to waste time on the slopes getting used to a new pair when I could be zooming on my pair of old faithfuls.
But with the latter showing wear and tear, I decided the change was necessary.
After digging around for a pair of high performance powder skis that were affordable, I tried Renoun’s Citadel 107 skis on Idaho’s terrain — from Bogus Basin to Tamarack & Brundage — and was blown away.
Here’s why they've become my go to skis — and why they should be your go to skis too.
Citadel 107s are versatile.
From the first downhill, I loved the Citadel 107.
My instant feeling was that they were light — one of the best feelings when you’re cruising downhill.
As I slid my way downhill at Bogus Basin, they felt loose with each turn, and that looseness instilled almost a bit of playfulness.
Photo courtesy Renoun
Next, they were stable; I never felt as though I was out of control, or that the skis had a mind of their own.
When I reached an area of the main run known for being the steepest, I gathered a bit of extra speed and pushed the skis hard on my turns, and they absorbed the changes in gravity perfectly.
In my book, they passed all my test with an A++.
Every ski run after the first, I felt these same qualities again and again: lightness, looseness, playfulness, yet stability the entire time.
This was the same when I ventured into deep powder when it dumped around Christmas. The skis didn't bury themselves in the powder; instead, their light frame stayed on top, allowing me to get through it much smoother than my friends, who weren't using Citadel 107s.
Photo courtesy Renoun
When we ventured to blues and blacks in Bogus Basin along with other mountains in the Boise area, I realized another quality: versatile.
Regardless of the condition — from deep powder to light powder and even icy conditions — the Citadel 107 performed exactly like I wanted them to: as if they were an extension of my own body.
Citadel 107s have "VibeStop Technology".
The older I get (how "old" is old?) the more work I put into taking care of my body, and the truth is that skiing is hard on joints, muscles, ligaments ... everything really. Not only can it make you sore; it can reduce the time and days you spend on the slopes.
That’s why I loved the Citadel 107’s VibeStop technology.
Photo courtesy Renoun
It’s polymer that “when subjected to high stress, such as during intense turns, the polymer instantly stiffens, providing enhanced stability. Under low stress, it softens, allowing for more flexibility in softer snow conditions.”
It’s one of those elements that’s hard to explain but easy to feel.
And take it from me: I was less sore on the Citadel 107 than any other pair of skis I’ve ever tried.
The Citadel 107 has beautiful artwork.
You might think that the design of a ski may not matter, but take it from me: when you spend countless days staring down at your skis, you want something that will pop — and inspire. That’s what I love about the Citadel 107.
While other ski companies haven’t put much effort into the design, Renoun’s Citadel has a beautiful mountainscape, taking my mind to far away mountains with untouched snow while I waited in lines for the ski lift.
The Citadel 107 is an affordable high performance ski.
Like all skiers, I’ve seen some insane prices for a new pair of skis — especially in this current economy.
That’s another thing I loved about Renoun’s Citadel 107.
At the price point of $999, you’re paying for a high performance ski without an exorbitant high performance price. Yeah, it's not in the $700 and $800 range, but you're paying for a top of the line powder ski.
Remember the old faithful skis I mentioned earlier? Yeah, I definitely paid far more for them.
When I perused Renoun’s site, I saw that this fair price for a high performance ski isn’t isolated to the Citadel line; several other options are affordable than other companies.
Looking ahead, I think Renoun sets itself apart not only on the quality of the ski, but the price as well.
The Bottom Line: Citadel 107
Photo courtesy Renoun
There's no doubt about it: with the feel, the cost, and the design of the Citadel 107 skis, I'm hooked, and they're my go to skis moving forward. Get your pair by visiting their website.
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