Great last year. The forebody has been tweaked a bit resulted in better performance when skied ahead of collar neutral. Like a Slalom Race ski, the 6 Star should be skied short. An agile carver with super edge grip and very solid and reassuring at speed. Even at 200lbs I prefer the 168cm version. Even the 161 is more ski than you would think and FUN at smaller “vertically challenged” ski areas.

Having skied the 6 Star in 175 for 3 months I was very happy after having ruined the skis in a steep and deep off piste run. I was unsatisfied with this pair as the grip on hard icy runs was quite poor. From my point of view the tip is too hard for deep powder runs.

I’m expert, 5’8”, 145 lbs.  I take it 161 is enough ski?

It depends.  Try 161 and 168, whatever you like best.  I am about your size and 161 would be awesome!!!  They are quick and snappy.

The comment below your question is good advice. I do disagree with “Racerturbo’s” comments, but the 175 is a lot of ski and not as agile as the 161 & 168.  A friend of mine who weighs 240 and stands 6’3’ is racing in “Adult League” bought the 175 on my suggestion,and he loves them. I suggested them for another friend who weighs about 150, and he bought the 161cm. My 200 lbs is much happier on the 168. BOTTOM LINE; try them both. If you’re not impressed with edge grip or if you don’t like them on ice, CHECK THE TUNE.

Recently had all of my alpine equipment stolen from our storage area.  Haven’t bought skis since late eighties.  (Basically, I was too cheap to invest in anything new and I had fun and others had to try to keep up with me on the old straight sticks.)  I’m 36, 6’2” and will probably fluctuate between 190 to 200 lbs for the foreseeable future.  I ski agressively making many rapid short turns on any slope I want with knees locked together, hit jumps and like to go through the trees when I’m out west.  I want a ski to handle hard pack and some icy conditions but that I will still enjoy when I go out west and off trail or back bowl.  Occassionally (once a day or maybe twice) I’ll let ‘em run straight and I’ll tuck and enjoy some real speed down the entire run (not like an out of control beginner).  However, while this is an eye watering challenge, I enjoy the workout and rhythm of skiing my rapid parallel turns.  One day when I was 23 or so I had been skiing for a few hours and noticed they were running NASTAR Bud Light Challenge races.  I was by myself and decided what the heck, I’ll try it.  I ended up being ranked 5th or 7th (can’t remember, it’s on a poster in storage) of all competitors from my state.  Anyway…..that is the type of skier I am.

Of course everything has changed now.  Fatter and shorter and evidently requires a new style.  Oh well.

I’m considering the Volkl five star and six star, the Rossignol Bandit B1, and the Atomic Metron ex, 11 and 10 and last years R11.

First off, have you skied the five star and could you shed some light on the differences that I should notice between how it would ski related to the six star?

Secondly, would you share some advice in choosing between the skis I’ve listed above?

Thirdly, am I off base and would you recommend I look at a different ski?

I don’t want a ski made in China (like some K2’s I just saw in a shop).  I’m sure quality control is good…..it’s just a personal preference.

Thank you, Keith P. Seymour

I forgot to add that when moguls form on the small eastern slopes I’m nearest to, I ski them almost all day unless my wife or friends want to go somewhere else.

When I go out west for a week and there are good moguls I’ll probably devote 3 half days to them.

So please include this information with my first posting above when making any recommendations.

Thank you, Keith P. Seymour

I skiied this short (162) and was surprised by how quick, light and maneuverable it seemed. I have skiied the 5-star before and have heard that the 6-star was stiff and unforgiving in comparison. Yes, the 5-star was “easier” in some ways, but I had no trouble with the 6-star even on the widespread moderate bumps (that is no more trouble than I have with any other ski in bumps). I really enjoyed this ski. It held a great edge on the frozen back-sides and seemed almost light compared to several of the skis I used this day.

How much do you weigh?

When you skiied the 5 star, was it the same length?

If so, could you elaborate on the ways it was “easier”?

I’m really struggling to decide between the 5star and 6 star so any additional input on the differences would be helpful. 

Thanks, Keith P. Seymour

I’m 6 foot 4 and weigh +/- 200 lb.  Is the 168 a good length for me?

I’m 6’1” and 205-210. I was told by someone in a ski shop that 168 would be too short, and to go with 175. Is that right?

Dear guest, The ski-shop told me, with my 6 foot 4 and 200 lb, to go with the 175 version as well, so i figure that’ll be the right lenght for us.

Regards, Coen Lampe

Will these skis hold up in deep powder, tree sking. I am from out west and found the exp not quick enough. Thanks

I am a former racer (female, 5’6”, 140 lbs) and looking for some new skis. I demo’d the 6 stars last year and loved them… BUT, now I am entertaining the idea of buying the 724 EXP.  I am a fast, aggressive skier - who likes to ski the whole mountain, but often defers to moderate GS turns when I am on groomers.  Has anyone tried both models?  Thoughts? thanks, Kate

i skied the ss 5 today. this is a class ski, it hugs the hill and carves real well. very light compared to the fischer 9 (the green one) i used the last 3 days. i used a 168 length. i weigh 200 and am 6 ft tall. did not feel a need for more length. have not skied the ss6 but judging by the flex it would seem best for ice. you do not need that stiffer flex here at aspen. there is plenty of bite and spring in the ss5.

regards, rob

in response to

what is the difference between the 5 and 6 star ?

there are a few visual differences, firstly the rails on which the motion bindings sit , are alluminium on the 6’s and plastis on the 5’s also the 6’s have the new double carbon edge grip as opposed the just double edge grip and finally the 6’s are a litlle more tuned with torsional stiffness.

i went for the 6’s - didnt fancy the plastic rails to be honest (and i dont like red) but im sure either are awesome!!!!

I am 5’8”, 165 and because of a long illness this fall am a little out of shape.  I’m a good but not great skier, comfortable almost anywhere (gullies-yes, bowls-yes, steeps with moguls-yes, chutes-no, steeps with trees-no).  I get only 15-20 ski days a year on a wide variety of terrain (east, west).  I ski with my kids (very fast), with my gf (moderate), and friends (in between).  Bumps are an addiction with me- if they are there, I gotta take em.

Over the last few days I skied the new 5star, 2003 5 star, new 6 star and some Head M-75 at Taos (all 161-163). 

The 6 stars are absolutely amazing at speed on rough hardpack and ice.  They are a total joy to ski very fast.  But, they are a lot of work in deep moguls and, frankly, they wore me out, even on 161.  It is also work to ski them at slow or moderate speed.

The 2003-04 5 stars were a nice ski, especially in the bumps, but did not seem to have the edge grip that the 6 star did.  The new five stars seemed to have the best of both.  Softer and more forgiving in the bumps than the 6 stars.  With the new double edge grip (difference between new and 2004, but not exactly the same as the new 6 stars), they were a lot more like the 6 stars than the old 5 stars, though not as fast a ski.

The choice depends on your ability, level of fitness, and most importantly where and how you want to ski.  The more you ski bumps, the more the your choice would be pushed toward the five stars.  The more you ski very fast GS the more it pushes you toward the six stars.

Incidentally, the six stars got a lot of laughs and a “these are awesome” out of my jaded 16 year old son(5’11”, 180 on 168s).

Sometimes it’s hard to separate wishful thinking from reality.  I wish I could ski the 6stars like my son and muscle them through the bumps for 20 runs a day.  I wish I could ski in enough powder to make the Head Monster-75, the M-85s or volkl 724pro to be a reasonable choice.

The reality is that the 5-stars seems to be a better all around ski for me.  It skis fast (but without the stability of the 6 star when going very very fast).  It properly loads at moderate speed.  It’s good in bumps. 

If I were only going to ski very fast on groomers, I’d get the six stars. If I didn’t love bumps I’d considerthe longer turning, wider 724 exp or pro.

I’m 5`9 180lbs and coming off 180 Extremes.  I treid the 6 stars and loved them.  But I have heard that they are not good off piste. Can anyone tell me if the 724 exps are as good as the 6 stars? and if they are better off piste?  Or maybe an alternative?  Also what length? I am an expert skier and am nervous getting skis too short… Thanks!!! -Ted

I skied the 6 stars as soon as the slopes opened at Heavenly following an 8+ foot dump.  The snow consolidated to make the powder between knee and hip deep.  Whoever says these skis don’t do powder, has not been on them.  They clearly ski deeper than a 90+ mm waist ski, but are extremely manuverable in trees, and will arc down the fall line fast and stable.  They will carve RR tracks on the groomed, hold on ice, and yes, they have a sweet spot in deep powder.  Current storm is progged to drop another 5 feet.  See you on the backside!

At 5’11” and 185lbs I’m skiing the 2005 model 6 Star in a 175…love it! Was unsure about the hype surrounding this ski, but after recently putting it through its paces at Breck, Keystone, and Copper I can confirm that this is one versatile ski that is a blast to ride. Short turns, long turns, bumps, ice, five inches of fresh, two inches of crud…all are handled with aplomb. The ski does prefer short radius turns, and rewards those who are willing to work with loads of rebound. Provides great feel for the snow and is surprisingly responsive at slower speeds. This ski is very seductive…it’s so much fun to work that I found myself nearly exhausted by early afternoon each day. Fortunately the 6 Star is great fun while cranking long turns on gentle groomers. My afternoons were spent recovering on the intermediates.