I want to start off by saying this is the shortest board I have ridden since I gave up softboots 5 years ago. I am 6'6" 220lbs and am usually found riding my 180 Coiler. I had a chance to demo the Thirst 8R W.A.R.P. and the Thirst BX - two extremely distinguishable boards for reason obvious as the 8R is a slicer/dicer/carver and the BX is a phenomenal all-mountain softy/hardboot Swiss army knife... I knew that Mark is onto to something with his design and construction (much of it over my head) and I wanted something in between them. Enter the FX 172.
I'm hardboot 100% of the time and I have the loooong arcing board with metal that does one thing great... makes loooong wide carves. I wanted a board that does everything else in-between the ski and the snow all day long and be able to lay down a long arcing carve to boot. Mark did NOT disappoint.
Simply put, the FX is a fun, playful, trusted, narrow run killer, able to dodge bullets (aka aloof skiers) at a moments notice.
The time I spent on my inaugural day with the FX feeling out surprises, balance issues, and kinks was shorter than I could have ever imagined. By the third run I was all smiles and throwing it around, dominating its edges, fully in tune with where I was going and where I had been. This is where I had expected to be day three not run three. The most notable aspect of the FX is its weight. NO METAL so its light, easy, and fast to transition. The other notable aspect is that it is solid and ridged on hard carves, supporting me, carrying me through the turn bolstering my confidence. Not something I was totally sure would happen on a 172. Considering the flex my 220lbs stature can put down on this plank, I noticed not a hint of hesitation when I made her dig in. Oh and did I mention no metal? The highlight of my first day on her was the transitions. the FX has so much pop that when I am decelerating and making my edge change it would levitate for me ever so slightly - just enough to get my heals under me from toe side where I would dig in and push after my pull. An exhilarating feeling really and I don't think metal could deliver (me) that. My experience before on these turns was far more subdued so I am delighted that a board in my quiver can deliver that on command. Schweitzer can get crowded closer to noon and this is where most of us are on high alert. I love that the FX will get me out of danger with a flick of the hips and I'm headed the other way. Don't get that so much with my metal stick as its more of a throwing motion than a flick.
Conditions = Variablely medium to firm groomers in AM and chop in PM - partly cloudy- hovering around freezing. Went off piste shortly but to no avail no pow. I am headed to Whitefish Tuesday with a foot of snow on the way so I will put it to the test in the Montana fluff.
I will update after this trip. So far so good Thirst! Super jacked on the FX!
