J is no stranger to NS and what people these days like to ski.
This season, I was looking for a new pair that can do it all.
Looking at Js line, the new Vacation looked like a great fit.
Shape, Flex, Construction
The Vacation is an all-mountain directional twin-tip ski.
The skis have a sintered base, 3/4 wrap 2mm edge, and full sidewalls.
Examining the profile, youll notice a little bit of camber (3mm) and a pronounced early rise.
The Vacation has a unique flex pattern.
With the addition of rocker, the tips and tails feel even softer.
I had never tried anything like this, lets see how they performed.
On Snow - Resort Skiing
Being used to stiffer skis, I needed some time to adapt.
Ill start by emphasizing that the Vacation is without question a very fun ski for playing around.
These skis are so easy to butter, press, manual, or even Mario Kart race down.
you’re free to easily lean front or back and theyll bend right at the binding.
Butters are practically effortless.
Manuals are a breeze.
However, there is a tradeoff with how much energy they give back when flexing them.
That makes for a great ski to enjoy in basically all green and blue terrain.
Trying to rip some turns on East Coast ice is where I started to feel some difficulties.
Theyre just not meant for ripping sharp turns on hard snow.
Powder
The Vacation is fun in powder.
The early rise lets you surf the fresh with ease and control.
The flex pattern allows you to have fun, ski differently and rip butters with confidence.
Its a soft ski that does great in soft snow.
Riding a bowl off Peak 8 at Breck
Where I had trouble was hitting bigger cliffs.
Well - hitting them was not the problem, sticking the landing was.
I did get to try a 186cm Vacation while I was at Red Mountain with the J Skis team.
The difference was huge - the longer skis are damper and more supportive.
I was just able to charge way more.
I am pretty confident that on my Surface Blanks this would not have been an issue.
It’s also important to note that I mounted these at recommended setting.
However, that would have meant compromising support in the nose, which was also an issue.
Durability
Ive skied 17 days on them this season.
I didnt hit any urban or land on big rocks.
That was the only real visible sign of aging after the season.
Overall they still look good.
Conclusion
TLDR, the Vacation is a super playful ski.
I am not a fan of this ski for hitting large and X-Large jumps and features.
The very soft flex quickly made me lose confidence in sticking landings.
Same deal for medium and big cliffs say 10+ feet.
Ice and hard snow were also no bueno.
I enthusiastically endorse these for showing off ground tricks and getting creative with the swerves.
They also work a treat if you have that flowy smooth McVeigh style in the park.
I was on the 180cm, but would have been better off with 186cm.
The price you pay in swingweight is well worth the added versatility.
