Model: Snake
Size(cm) / Radius(m): 160/15.9 170/18.3 180/20.8*
Sidecut: 114/80/108
Length Tested: 170cm
Manufacturer’s Description:
“Born to fly”
Ski-Review’s Verdict:
Wow – buy this ski - if you can find it! A whole quiver on offer on the rack and I wanted to go on these first. Why? So many reasons…
You cannot see from the image but the top sheet actually has a real snakeskin finish – according the rep making it one the most expensive design processes. Not only that but turn these skis and the reflection changes from a blue to green. Shallow? Yes, but lets go.
Both the tips and tails have a very similar shape and construction to the Beasts offered from Nordica, however these are much more beefy, capped with metal and make the ski look bullet-proof and ready for action.
When I got back I could not believe these are billed as a park ski. Not to say they do not perform in the park but in the powder and crud they are simply amazing.
Snow conditions were not great – about a foot of new powder which had been chopped up a fair bit. I started the run chasing my ski partner Ollie, and every time we stopped we could do nothing but laugh – laugh at the unbelievable amount of fun we were having. Ollie was skiing the ZAG Freeride 84 long and loving the stability through the turns. I however, found myself bouncing around all over the place as the Snake’s jumped this way and that, proving the stiffness and liveliness of the ski. This was why I am so surprised they are billed as dual ski for both park and powder.
At the bottom I wanted to go again – or did I? First Stockli skis and I had the run of my life – and there was the rest of the rack waiting for me…. Maybe one more run…
If you are tall but less experienced, you may have trouble reacting to lively terrain with these skis and unfortunately there is no longer length available. I was sure there was a 180 available at the time of testing, however the press kit says different – will look into that.
* Edit: I was correct on the above - check the full article out in Ski News.
In our first Stockli review I feel obliged to mention the history of the company, I will do but only briefly as it deserves a whole page of its own and will get it.
A Swiss company, 66 years making skis, every ski hand made and only 40,000 pairs made a year. More of an institution to the ski industry than just a manufacturer.
Every Stockli ski carries a 2 year warranty – and according to the rep – not a single pair has been returned. A 2 year warranty not only shows confidence in the product but offers piece of mind to the consumer – and not having a pair returned, ever, speaks for itself!
Conclusion?
Tall and less than experienced? Might want to look elsewhere.
Other than that - Worth considering if you like to big in the park and fast on the piste.
Real time prices for the Stockli Snake 2005, or similar ski products:
Written by Titeuf on 04/27
Hi ! Did you test it on piste ? How does it perform (in comparison to a legend 8000 for example) ?
Anyway I’m surprised that the rep said there are no return, because I’ve read a lot of feedback about the phenol sidewalls on Stormriders which are relatively fragile.
Written by Titeuf on 04/28
Thank you it really helps ! I was just wondering if the snake would be a good all mountain ski like a legend 8000 or a Movement Demon Flame (there will be a lot a skis in that range next year, so it’s difficult to choose!).
For the stormriders, there are some guys on skipass.com (french ski forum) who have reported to have used the warranty for replacing their Stormriders DP (broken sidewalls).
Written by Duncan Mills on 04/28
The snake is a park/free ride ski so you have the park sorted, but I would not fancy using in instead of the legend 8000/DemonFlames in the back country. I personally have not been on the Legends, but I have been on the DemonFlame (review coming soon) its a good ski.
Advice would be to get on a pair (I know thats hard) but i really depends on how good you are and want type of skiing you want to do.
Regards
Duncan
Written by Ski Review Guest on 12/07
This is a great site and very informative! Maybe you can give me a bit of advise.
I have been skiing for 23 years (average of 2 weeks/year) on traditional skis. I am now 28. 2 years ago I tried the Salomon Xscreams and completely fell in love with this ski. Because of the Xscreams, I am skiing more off than on piste and I like it a lot. At the moment I am looking for new skis. St?ckli has caught my attention, especially the Stormrider and the Snake. I have seen the Snake in a shop and liked the appearance.
What do you think is a better buy, the Snake or the Stormrider (DP?) if you take in account that I am looking for a ski which will do (60% off/ 40% on piste)? And what length? My Xscreams are 179 cm. My style is very subtle and smooth and I am stronger than the average skier.
Would you advise the Snake / Stormrider over the Xscreams? I am aware of the difficulty to compare skis and judge a skier by the internet, but I hope that you can give me advise that none of the salespersons in the Netherlands (yes, the Mountainless Country) is able to give?
Yours truly
Pieter Groen Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Written by Ski Review Guest on 12/16
Just to sum up my day of skiing on a Snake in one word, FUN! I too could not stop laughing and had a huge grin on my face the entire day, carving sweet S turns and bopping through the bumps. The Snake was perfectly tight ripping through corduroy, crud, and the shaved ice in between. I cannot wait to go off piste on a big PHAT powder day with these skis! I am 1.88 meters tall and bought the 180s and LOVE THEM. I highly recommend the Snake for bombing everything the mountain has to offer!
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/06
Hey Pieter,
As a salesperson and Stockli snake owner (and being a dutchman) i can give you advice :-) Ill prefer the Stockli from a construction/quality viewpoint above the salomon. No question about that. As skiing the Snake goes. I’m 186cm tall and 80 kg and medium experianced. I find the Snake to be challenging. Its very lively and it performs well on piste also very high speeds are doable as long you keep the presure on the front. In my opinion not a begginers ski and with a lot of potential for experianced skiers. I have the binding in the powder position and it makes for me the ideal ski for going off piste were i can but being able to rip the piste in between. I love them.
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Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/20
who wrote that snake review?? THe first two paragraphs were about appearance - is this site full of posers or what? If i’m reading a review I want to know how the ski stacks up. Was the cut good - did it hold at high speeds? How did you have your bindings set for the powder?
I ski DP’s and Laser’s for carving. DP’s do not hold on piste if you’re executed large GS turns. A bigger side cut would do the trick unless you want to ski parallel old school style.
Who cares that the snake has snake skin cover? And metal ski tips? If you buy a ski for its looks, and not for its performance, you don’t deserve Stocklis. case closed
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/25
Who wrote it? It clearly states the author in the review.
In my opinion to review the Snake and not mention the topsheet would be a travesty - it is a review right? Yes there were 2 paragraphs but there were further 5 after that.
As for wanting to know about binding setting for powder - it clearly states that the little powder there was was chopped up.
Who cares about its topsheet and metal tips? The consumer! The aim of a review is to review all aspects of a product, not just a narrow minded opinion.
Case closed? What case?
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/02
Hello Riders I am planning to purchase the Stoeckli Snake. What kind of Binding would you recommend? Pete
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/09
Hello All My new snakes are getting tuned up as we speak so I am just trying to make sure that I did the right thing.
I live in the U.S. and not near anything like the rockies (Minnesota). I am a ski instructor here in MN where I mostly ski on hills not mountains.
Being on hills I need something that will work well in the park seeing as that is the most exciting thing I can do around here. Besides racing!
However I do get out to the mountains at least for a week or two every year and I want something that will handle powder well as park and hopefully something that will perform on a good groomed hill as well.
I LOVE MY STOCKLI SCs for racing which is what I do most of the winter so I thought I would stay true to Stockli with my all around ski.
Thanks for any assurance Riley
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/11
Wonderful skis! I’ve taken them in the park and out on some steep terrain (groomed unfortunately). I’ll hit the powder in a week or two and I’m sure they’ll be great.
PS: I put the Salomon S912s on for bindings (Their pocket rocket binding) It has worked great the few times ive been on on them.
-Riley
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/16
Ive got LOOK Pivots P12 on it. Work fine too
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/21
Just back from a week in Tignes using these. Totally amazing ski’s. First run on the piste on these and I was buzzing, VERY fast for big GS turns, grip ice unbelievably well. Off piste, well I skied my first proper extreme couloir and the skis gave maximum confidence. In both tracked and un-tracked powder they were SO easy. Why have I been buying crap over priced skis from the big manufacturers for so long? Stockli skis are HIGHLY RECCOMENDED.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/29
do you know were I can buy these fantastic skies?
Written by Ski Review Guest on 04/25
Hy people I’m 22 years, 180 cm, 90 kg from Switzerland. I’m surfing on Internet searching some imformation for an all-mountain ski. I hade the rossignol pow-air, but its shit. It’s not good for going fast, turn on ice and surf in powder. I would buy the K2 Made’n AK, but i rode that it’s a soft ski, so not good for ice and speed, for the piste. I wonder if the st?ckli snake or the movement thunder are large inoff for big-powder? if not, witch ski do you recommend for going fast on piste, do agressive speed-turns (ice also), have some fun in the park, and very important: surf in the powder? thanks for answeres. CIAO
Written by Ski Review Guest on 11/08
I’ve done a few runs on them with Rainey HammerHeads ;) Conditions were somewhat spring-like groomers. The skis are not quite as bouncy at the end of the turn as Super Stinx, but much better edge-holding, quicker, smoother, faster turn initiation, and a real joy! Just make sure you get them up on edge quickly.
Written by Ski Review Guest on 12/13
best ski for haulling ass in the big mountains
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/30
I am currently looking at two all mountain skis- the Rossignol Bandit B2’s and the Stockli Snakes. Which should I get for the best all mountain ski??? Is there another ski I should look at also?? One last thing- what is so much better about the new 2006 Snake than the 2005 model?? ANY FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED!!! thanks!
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/19
I wanted everyone to Know there are Stockli Snake 170cm on ebay right now! Item number: 8768082281
Written by Duncan Mills on 04/27
I did take the Snake on the piste. We went off down a blue then a black - they had both been groomed and it was late morning and quiet in Zermatt so the conditions where holding but did start to turn to spring slush about 1-2pm.
The answer to your question about how they compare is a difficult one as the Dynastar legend 8000 is a different type of ski, the natural turning arc of the Snake was not amazing but with effort it gave grip and feed back. Your answer to the phenol sidewalls on the stormriders, I can only go on what the rep said. I don?t think he was telling porkies. I will contact him and ask him and get back to you on that one.
Hope this helps
Duncan