Movement Yaka 2008

The Yaka is new for 2008 and is an interesting proposition for newcomers to Movement. As they have previously only manufactured high end and specialist products the Yaka is a much more versatile ski that will open new horizons to advanced skiers. A lot happier on piste and carving around the hill in the way that most holiday skiers spend their time the Yaka will let you explore the entire mountain whether the snow is deep and soft or firm and unforgiving. The new shorter radius also helps less experienced skiers to feel a carve and how to use the ski to arc a turn rather than making the skier make all the effort. A good choice for the adveturous advanced two week+ a year skier.

The manufacturer says this about the Movement, Yaka, 2008:

A dream ski was missing in our programme, enter the Yaka. This play-ski is versatile, holds a mean edge and is very lively. Its playground is 70% on piste and 30% off. It has a large range of use from very hard packed snow to some nice rides in powder and crud. A shorter radius design which eases the initiation and release of the turn at lower speeds but its wider ski-tip offers astonishing smoothness and dampening at higher speeds. The Yaka is a perfect compromise that will satisfy a wide range of skiers in a wide range of conditions.

Movement Thunder 2008

Fantastic. The Thunder is perhaps the hardest core of Movement’s range. They are a stunning, demanding and focused bit of kit. Perhaps more tolerant than the originals, the 2007 model I tried seemed to share a slightly softer tip- similar to the Goliath- that helps initiate the turn but the Thunders narrower shape helps them to be more direct and gives the skier a more precise carve through the crud and chopped icy conditions. As with most of Movements skis this is one for the experts, they are about as tolerant as a Ferrari in the wet- sadly I can only dream of the formers intolerance whereas I have felt the intolerance of the latter! Highly recommended if you’d like to up your ante.

The manufacturer says this about the Movement, Thunder, 2008:

The Thunder is the leader of our mixed use, with Freeride orientaed DNA. Its proprietory construction and design has created a remarkable ski. It is a true experts toool and has dimensions for the whole mountain. Steep couloirs, crud, powder, high speed cruising, tight trees. It is one of our flagship designs. It is a big mountain ski since it will eat up vertical as fast as you can feed it. It is happiest when pushed….pushed hard and fast. One of the remarkable skis that gives back more and more the harder you push it.

Movement Flame 2008

The Flame has proven a popular weapon in the expert skiers arsenal over the last few seasons. Several friends who used to ski on slalom skis for an allmountain expert ski have switched to the Flame as they hold a carve, are good in the bumps and are pretty stable at speed. Even though they are lightly twin tipped they are strong on the edge and can grip on all but the firmest piste and can carve all but the shortest slalom turn- so they are fantastically versatile but then they can feel a little "tinny"- a touch hollow, lacking smoothness when compared to some of the more specialist models- but then you wouldn’t have the advatage of its broad scope of versatility. If you are a good advanced ski or expert and would like a one ski does it all solution then the Flame would be a great reference point.

The manufacturer says this about the Movement, Flame, 2008:

We wanted to create a super versatile , offering all the characteristics of a Freeride ski with a slightly more committed eye to the piste. Our Flame is exceptionally fluid with lots of energy return. On groomed it is stable and precise even at speed. In deep snow its soft tip floats easily and keeps you on top. It has enough power to cruise through crud and other mixed snow but it requires little effort to do so. This ski is intended for advanced skiers who want a versatile ski regardless of snow conditions and terrain.

Movement Goliath 2008

As you clip in to these behemoths there is a sense of awe, foreboding and that you’re about to undertake something rather serious. The Goliaths aren’t skis for the uninitiated- more for when you’ve hammered down every run in resort, off piste or on, and there seems to be no challenges left to grapple so you think in a primordial way- hey, I’ll strap a pair of these on and see if I can survive the ride.
And the ride is fantastic, in any snow, over any chopped up porridge, hard pack or crusty frozen horredness these things just fly over, through and strip away the imperfections letting you wield your way wherever you desire. I skied both the 184 and 191 length and was very happy on both but perhaps had more confidence to attack the hill with the longer length. Either way they ski with amazing fluidity and dampening- the blend of woods in the core can be felt in the flex pattern. There is definite rigidity underfoot for stability and a noticeable softness in comparison at the tip and tail that allows a ski of such huge dimensions to be tolerable and useable- this is a marked improvement over many of the old school skis from three or four years ago that had all the dimensions but non of the sophistication of a ski like the Goliath.
An excellent package then for excellent, seasoned skiers who spend enough time in the mountains to have the legs, the snow and the time to take advantage of such pure Freeride skis.

The manufacturer says this about the Movement, Goliath, 2008:

Evariste Berney’s skis. A ski meant for powder and open terrain where an expert can really open it up. The ski has won numerous awards and has attracted the attention of some of the World’s top Freeriders. One of its celebrated qualities is that it skis much easier and shorter than the dimensions would suggest. This is due to the core materials. Light but superbly balanced with fantastic dampening qualities. To our already famous 191 we added a new Goliath with a width of 99mm at the tip and radius of 23 m. This new freeride ski addition is equipped with the same tip profile and dimensions as the size 191. A rounded tail has been chosen for the 184 model vs. the straight cut tail on the 191, facilitating an easier release in tighter turns. The shorter radius of the 184 gives more versatility in the ride and is easier to control in tighter or slower terrain. Both of the Goliath’s represent the state of the art in powder skis.