From Playful Pup to Powder Powerhouse the New Line Bacon Delivers the All Mountain Goods
- All Photos Courtesy of Line Skis
The Line Bacon has long been a favorite for its playful personality and buttery soft landings. I have been using mine for roughly a decade and often prefer them over many of the other skis I’ve demoed with newer tech. But, now there is no longer a reason for me to rely on good old Sir Francis. New for 2024, Line has shaken things up by dropping the “Sir Francis” and injecting some steroids into the Bacon bloodline. So, how does the new Line Bacon 115 stack up against its predecessors? The new Bacon 115 retains its playful soul while pumping up the pow prowess and carving confidence for a versatile all-mountain ride.
The Beefed Up but Still Buttery Line Bacon
Gone are the days of noodle-like flex. The new Bacon 115 boasts a sturdier core and thanks to a Maple Macroblock wood core and thicker sidewalls. This translates to a firmer overall feel and increased stability at most speeds and over most surfaces. It should be noted that give the higher width underfoot, they did not grip as well at higher speeds on some, let’s call it, traditional East (Ice) Coast surfaces. Nonetheless, even with a little bit of snow you can ride these with confidence at high speeds and in choppy terrain, without sacrificing the playful spirit that made the Bacon a legend.
Powder Playground Prowess
Where the new Bacon 115 really excels is in the powder (or even with just a little bit of snow). In fact, the 115 waist turns the new Bacon into a fresh snow dream machine. The revised tip profile which is wide but more elliptically shaped than its predecessors keeps things afloat. Meanwhile the subtle rocker and camber balance offer surprising “carveability” and edge control when venturing beyond the powder stashes and back on groomers.
Line Bacon 115 Offers Surprising On-Piste Performance
While still favoring soft snow, the new Bacon surprises with its improved on-piste performance. The stiffer flex and revised sidecut bite into groomers with gusto. This is especially true when it comes to laying arcs on freshly groomed surfaces allowing for crisp turns and confident edge hold. Think of them as a playful pow hound with a newfound respect for hardpack.
Final Verdict: Playfully Stable
The 2024 Line Bacon 115 evolves the playful personality of its predecessors with a welcome dose of stability and confidence. It is still a butter machine in soft snow, but now tackles variable terrain and carves groomers with newfound zest. If you’re an intermediate-to-advanced skier seeking a playful all-mountain weapon with significant powder chops, the new Bacon 115 is worth a serious look.
For hardcore park rats, the previous Bacon’s softer flex might be missed. But for those who crave versatility and want to take their playful style anywhere on the mountain, the 2024 Bacon 115 delivers in spades.
About the Author
Rich Stoner is the founder of the après-ski lifestyle clothing and media brand, All About Après. He is also the co-host of the Beyond the Après podcast. No stranger to the ski and après-ski scene, Rich has been a long time contributor for many publications on topics like skiing, gear, beer and food. However, his passion is on the slopes and enjoying good times with good people. You can find him perfecting his craft carving turns and drinking beers in the Green Mountains of Vermont. @allaboutapres