Praxis Mtn Jibs, Freeride’s & Ascension Skins Make for EPIC Backcountry Laps

So late last May I got some Mountain Jib skis from Keith at Praxis Skis. I liked the sound of these skis the first time I heard about them. A little springy, fat, recurve and more made them a great softer snow ski for the way I like flowing down the mountain. Pow is what I hike for generally, so these were gonna be a good match for me. I got the 188’s.

Trading up from a pair of Gun Lab 188’s I have had since a year before they hit the market, it was time. I had a nice set up with the Guns, BC Access Low Fat skins, and Fritschi Freerides. The setup worked good. My one complaint was the skins. They just are not as good as the BD Ascension skins in glide or climb. I had the clip fix back in the day for some Pocket Rockets that worked great to get up to the kickers. Then I was exposed to the Spatula and only BC Access was making skins fat enough for those bad boys.

The Praxis Mtn Jibs are less stiff than the Gun Labs, but about the same weight. More of a full flexing ski rather than in the tip and tail. Rocker too will set this ski apart the most. I think recurve is a key element to skis for the backcountry. You can ski way more variable conditions much easier with tip recurve.

Last night I got the skins cut and ready for the first bc tour I can jump on. Should be soon with the winter storm warning coming tomorrow. Enjoy the pictures.