Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

Hi,
I'm looking into a NTN set up with either some Liberty helix or DPS Wailer 99. They are both acclaimed as very good all around skis, both have won awards and I've read some reviews but didn't really found much about them and how they compare when mounted telemark.

So is there anybody who would happen to have skied either one, or even better both, mounted telemark and who can comment how one is VS the other, pros and cons as to witch one would be best for an all around usage mounted NTN. (25% backcountry, 75% all resort conditions)?

Any comments?

Hi Pat, I'm not familiar with the liberty skis but I personally wouldn't hesitate buying the 99s and mounting them for telemark.

lowangle al wrote:Hi Pat, I'm not familiar with the liberty skis but I personally wouldn't hesitate buying the 99s and mounting them for telemark.

Opposite for me. Never skied the dps, but have helix mounted with freedoms and they're a great ski for what you describe.

It sounds like you can't go wrong Pat. IMO a good ski is a good ski regardless of how it is mounted.

Hey Pat,

I've been skiing the Liberty Helix tele for the past four years, mounted with 22 Designs Vice bindings. I really like this ski, especially for fresher snow days in the Pac NW. I would say, for harder pack, (i.e., non-fresh snow days) riding the lifts that I prefer my narrower waisted Atomic Kongurs as I find the Helix a tad "squirrel-ly". The Helixes are designed with a bit of camber, so are more flat running than the Kongur. In the sometimes heavy, cut up snow we get here in Oregon, the Helix are totally in their element. Also, they are quite stable with parallel turns, which I find myself going to on more occasions than when on the kongurs.

Depending on where and what type of conditions you will generally ski, the Helix may be the ticket, though the DPS skis at 99 underfoot (I assume), might be a better "All Around" ski.

Cheers,
JT