K2 has been making a pro model and slapping Seth Morrison’s name on it since the late 90’s. When the Seth Pistol came out in 2002 with the ridiculously wide 95mm underfoot I was the first on line to buy them. I paid full price sight unseen and got my dirty little ski bum hands on the first pair that hit Utah that year. After riding different versions of Seth’s ski for the next three years I moved on to wider and stiffer planks for a while.
When I saw the newest version The Obseth in a Jackson ski shop this summer I decided it might be just the ticket for this years powder ski. I have been rocking the Obseth as my daily ski for about 6 weeks now and can gladly report that they are a solid ski. With a serious tip rocker and 117mm underfoot they have been a great tool to have during the deep early season we have had so far this year in Utah. In addition to the killer floatation they are playful and easy to turn. They have more rocker in the tail them I would like. This means you need to land your airs centered, not back at all, or you will run the chance of buttering right onto the back of your head. My only complaint about the new Obseth would be that it has a speed limit. If I try to push it to 9 or 10 in choppy snow they get all jell-oie and squirrley due to their soft flex and lack of running edge. I think I will use them as the powder ski of choice for the year, but not for chalky days or as a comp ski.
I have heard from a reliable source that Seth actually rides this ski, which is cool because the rumor was he never rode the stock version of any of the earlier models. Another thing I have heard through the grape vine is that he rides them at +6. This seems kinda silly to me. I mounted mine at 0 and that seems to be a good place to be. These skis will not make you a better skier if you suck, but they are plenty of stick to go have fun on if you know what you are doing.
I recommend buying them here: Backcountry.com.
