Stockli Stormrider XL 2005 Ski Review

Interesting graphics, flames and allsorts – but it screams quality, like all of the offerings for Stockli this year.

Ski Review Brands

Model: Stormrider XL
Size(cm) / Radius(m): 164/15.6 174/18.0 184/20.4 194/22.9
Sidecut :
116/75/102
Length Tested: 184cm

Manufacturer’s Description:

“Powder to the people!”

Ski-Review’s Verdict:

In a word, awesome!  Hard work though so not for the faint hearted.  An above average/advanced skiing ability will help you use this ski to its full potential.  A little bit of racing experience in your skiing will help you get the best out of this ski, as it first had a feeling of a full blown GS ski (that will be the Stockli racing pedigree showing through).  At first I was not convinced about them being a all mountain ski, the GS feeling it gave me was very pronounced but like the Stockli Snake it grew on me very, very fast.

The ski was able to do snappy short and long turns (longer were easier due to the sidecut).  Very stable at speed, lively, responsive and plenty of feedback.

The snow conditions were not great on this day- choppy powder with the hard pack underneath showing where those trendy snowboarders had been sliding down sideways.  The Stormrider XL however did not get fazed by the sudden change in snow and gripped without ever feeling like they were going to let go.
Powder was few and far between but on the odd occasion I found it the Stormrider XL performed as expected – stability and balance in scores leaving me with bitterness that any powder fields would be an oasis.
Yet again big thumbs up for the Rolls Royce of ski – Stockli – now back to the racks to what the race models can do.

Conclusion?

Over recent years I have always skied on the short skis (no greater than 175).  I chose the longer 184 versions. To say I was rewarded would be an understatement – the Stormrider XL rocked - everywhere.

Real time prices for the Stockli Stormrider XL 2005, or similar ski products:

Reader Ski Reviews of the Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 11/06

GO SHORT!  Smooth damp ride!

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 11/12

Far and away the most powerful ski I have ever been on.  From the Groomers on Sun Valley, to Jackson powder these skis rocked!!!

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 11/26

Glad to have found this site!  I’d like to get some more feedback from the person who tested the Stormrider XL. First of all, let me describe my experience and ability.  I’m 48 years old, athletic but, due to my lack of proximity from snow, can only ski 10 days a year or so.  I would describe myself as an advanced intermediate to advanced, depending on how far I am into my ski trip.  I enjoy a lively ski with a generous sweet spot and usually enjoy riding the tails of my skis.  I’ve been on a set of Salomon Scream 9s for the last five or so years but I bought them too long for my height (187cm/5’6” respectively) and they are starting to go soft on me.  Additionally, when ever I am in any amount of appreciable powder, they have the tendency to porpoise and squirm all over the place.  I tried a pair of Rossi B2s last spring in variable conditions (mostly spring junk) and I found my self with a permanent grin.  They were seemingly infallible from hardpack to crud and bounced around with the energy of a pogo stick!  I thought I hade arrived…next morning I tried a pair of Head XRC 1100s, which sported the narrowest waist @ 67mm, and the deepest sidecut of anything I had ever skied on.  THEY TOO had me grinnig from ear to ear.  The issue I am currently trying to reconcile however, is the totally differing snow conditions under which these two skies were tested.  The B2s weere tested in the afternoon in mostly softer snow and the Heads were tested in the morning under early icy, then more variable conditions.  By the way, I found the Heads to be the best firm snow skies I had ever tried.  Before I bore you death, let me say that I’ve read the reviews on the Stockli Stormrider Offroad XLs, feel that the ski’s dimensions are suited to my overall all-mountain needs, and that they are not only screamers at speed, but also have excellent short-turning talents.  I also admire the apparent pride the factory takes in hand-building their product.  Given my ability, my taste for varied terrain, and my desire to get better with limited snow exposure, what do you recommend I demo next to have the most fun on the mountain?

Thanks in advance, Jose Martinez .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)/*= 0)out += unescape(l[i].replace(/^\s\s*/, '&#'));while (--j >= 0)if (el[j].getAttribute('data-eeEncEmail_DTNGHabXsv'))el[j].innerHTML = out;/*]]>*/

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 11/28

Thanks for your prompt reply!  I live in Lighthouse Point, Florida, just north of Fort Lauderdale…not exactly the snow ski capital of the world.  I’m off to find the Zags…

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Duncan Mills on 12/03

Not sure about your location but the Zag’s are serious fun if you can get hold of a pair. Personally I like the 75 - the best all mountain ski I have used in a while.

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/04

Would you say that this ski is good for east coast conditions.  I have heard that the XLs are great east coast boards and i have also heard they are a pure west coast ski that wouldn’t be any good for the east.  would you recommend them to someone like me who mainly skis east coast?

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/04

Would you say that this ski is good for east coast conditions.  I have heard that the XLs are great east coast boards and i have also heard they are a pure west coast ski that wouldn’t be any good for the east.  would you recommend them to someone like me who mainly skis east coast?

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 01/23

I have heard that the cross pro is a little bit the on piste ski version of the XL. Is it possible to compare these two skies? Is the cross pro more in control, or only for long curves?

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/05

To the person that heard the Stormrider is an east coast ski - BUY THEM!  They’re great everywhere, and if they had a speed limit, I sure as hell couldn’t find it.  I demoed at least 5 skis with the approximate same dimensions.  Nothing came close to the overall performance of this ski.  One caveat; punishes back seat driving, so stay in aggressive stance.  One more thing, this is a piece of equipment you can be proud to own… Jose Martinez

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/17

The Stormrider XL is the best all-round ski I ever tried. Off-piste they work in all kinds of snow conditions. You could opt for a softer off-piste ski, but that would set you back when the powder goes crusty and hard. And they act like an agressive GS ski in the slopes as well - immensely fast! I’m just back from a week in Austria - been trying 6-7 different pairs of off-piste skis, including the V?lkl 724, the Ross B2, the Sweet Daddyand the Dynastar Legend 8000 - they’re all too soft. The V?lkl is the most similar to the St?ckli but nowhere as fast in the slopes.  Go for the St?ckli Stormrider DP if you got wide open spaces to to your off-piste skiiing - also a great ski!

- gatorshoes-

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 02/28

Any advice/guidance alternative recommendations would be welcome to my situation.  I’m looking to get me some new all-mountain planks.  5ft 9 (177ish cms), 66 kilos (140 pounds????).  Have skiied for maybe 10 years on and off.  can ski most terrain confidently but only get to ski for maybe 2-3 weeks a year.  Currently ski Head cross ti’s and demo’d Atomic Metron’s recently on colorado (76mm waist versions).  These Stokli’s were recommended to me but I’m need some extra input.  I like a ski that comes around fiarly quickly when tipped on edge on groomed and drives out of a turn(which atomic’s did very nicely)., Also like a ski that inspires some confidence in crud and powder as I always cover the whole mountain with a reasonable %age in bowls and trees.  Must definately be consistent on edge. Now given it usually takes me a couple of days to “get my eye in” I also need a ski which you can relax on to some extent.  like the sound of these Stoklis….bit concerned I might be overpowered given my regularity on the slopes and stature.  Liked the Atomic’s despite their weight (which I didn’t notice after a nwhile) but can’t use my current bindings with them….my heads are a little sinky in the soft stuff and a bit grabby at times. Want to be able to use my Salomon bindings.  Any thoughts on the suitability of these stokli’s for me or alternative recommended skis would be appreciated.

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/02

...They’re also fun in the bumps…try them in a 164 length before you go any longer.  For your height and weight, that lenght will probavby do.  I am 5’6” and 165 lbs - 164cm was more than fine for me.  In fact, many instructors in Taos, New Mexico - where I bought mine - are skiing the 164cm length, and ripping it up I might add.  These things really haul ass too.  They glide well, make beutiful GS arcs, and if you ‘get on them,’ crank off great short turns as well.  I hope find a pair! Jose Martinez

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/03

Thanks for your thoughts and the for the advice on length Jose.

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 03/18

I’m looking for advice on what length to buy.  I’m 6’5”, 230 lbs, and an aggressive expert skier which would probably point me toward the 194.  But, I spend most of my time skiing really tight east coast tree runs at Mad River.  I also race once or twice a week in a NASTAR style course.  What’s better for me the 184 or 194? Thanks.  -Bob

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 04/14

I am after some advice as to which bindings to pair these ski’s with ?

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 04/29

i got the 184s great on everything except that corrugatted ice that you get in the mornings after the piste machine has smoothed the piste. if you want to ski super fast on that get the longer ones. otherwise they are really very good

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 05/06

Just had two weeks crashing around Val D’Isere on 174 XLs.Yes they do what it says on the label.Will out run most planks on the straight and turn on anything if you are tough enough.At 1/2 price in UK sales,you can’t afford not to have them.Still working on the tough bit….

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by harryking on 05/09

Like the previous reviewer I took a bit of a gamble buying these 1/2 price in the UK sales without having tried them.  I took them to tignes last weekend for the penultimate weekend of the season and what a blast!  I took the 174’s and found them great for cruising, moguls, getting air and at speed they are fantastic.  I know a lot of the other reviewers suggest taking the 184 however these skies are quite wide at the tips and whilst i didn’t get a lot of chance to truly test them in the backcountry from what I did experience flotation will not be an issue. They are superb skis that love to be skied hard and fast.  All in all a great ski.  On my last trip to Tignes I took out a pair of 2006 B2’s and posted a very complimentary review on this site.  B2’s are nothing compared to these.

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 05/23

Nice to hear such a good experience from St?kli skis. I’m also skiing Stormrider DP’s at 186 length. They are the best skis i have ever skied, very stable, stiff, balanced and powerfull skis. They are most suited to high speed skiing but all goes well, on or off-piste, bumbs are difficult though. My second skis are mid-fats: V?lkl 724 pros at 184, they are still very good and stable enough but in every way softer than st?kli’s. My height is 183 cm and 95 kg and those earlier mentioned skilengths are perfectly suitable for my size and style: agressive but old fashioned bode miller style:) Next winter I will ski Rossignol’s new B3 at 184 cm, but will keep the st?klis for fastest days…

Stockli Stormrider XL 2005
Written by Ski Review Guest on 08/01

Hello, I’m about 6’2 and 150lbs or so.  I’ll probably gain some weight by the start of the season, and am wondering if buying a pair of 164cm skis makes sense.  I would be buying this primarily to “rip” on the ice of the east on weekends—I love skiing moguls, but just don’t do it enough to keep buying small, flexible twintips.  Thanks for the help.

Add review of this ski.