Moment Wildcat 108 Tour Long-Term Ski Review

Moment’s Wildcat Evolves into Its Latest And Lightest Form  

The Moment Wildcat 108 Tour lives up to its predecessor’s rep as a versatile powder-touring ski

 

The Wildcat is Moment’s not-just-for-powder, powder ski. Originally known as the Bibby, it was designed to float in deep powder, but the ski has evolved over the years to do much more than that. The Wildcat Tour is the same old Wildcat, but with lighter construction aimed at bigger days in the backcountry. 

Despite its proximity to Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada, Reno is less known for being a hotbed of outdoor recreation than it is known for being a plain old hot bed… Err, basin.

But amidst the strip malls and strip clubs of the northern Nevada desert floor, Moment Skis emerged in 2003 and quickly became beloved in the nearby Tahoe scene and eventually became the largest ski manufacturer in the US, opting to ramp up their own production facility instead of setting up a white label arrangement with one of the big European ski factories.

Known for championing the notion of fat skis and mustache rocker profiles (tail rocker wasn’t much of a thing in the early ‘00s), Moment has solidified its place in the freeride, cliff-hucking quivers of Sierra skiers and beyond. Folks who love Moment are quick to tell you about their loyalty and fandom, and I happen to be one of those people. After three seasons on the Wildcat 108 Tours, here are my thoughts.

 Specs:

• 1710g per ski at 184 length. Light, but not the lightest in their class. 
• Paulownia and Ash core, a light and low-density hardwood– the same resilient stuff that Louisville Sluggers are made of. If Mark McGwire can beat the crap out of it, so can you.
• Tip and tail rocker with camber underfoot. 
• 22m sidecut at 184 length. 
• Available lengths: 164, 174, 179, 184, 190
• $849

Confidence-Inspiring Versatility

Moment has a legacy to uphold when it comes to lightweight touring skis: the Bibby and Wildcat 116s are revered as a few of the best powder skis you can buy. With a narrowed-down waist, cute face, and a big behind (nice tail rocker) I can happily report that the 108 Tour maintains the attributes that people love about its predecessors.

The 108mm waist has become the gold standard for all-mountain backcountry skis. The size is a versatile crowd-pleaser due to its ability to handle powder days, groomers, and chunder.  Compared to competitors, the Wildcat Tours weigh in on the heavier end of the spectrum, but the extra mass does not feel like it holds me back on multi-day tours, and instead keeps them solid on nearly all conditions of snow and styles of skiing. 

Pros: Sturdy and Purrr-ty

In a nutshell, the Wildcats are fun as hell. They feel great on groomers, powder, corn, and are still stable in crud. And if you want to hit the sidecountry, the Wildcats are equally comfortable on either side of the boundary line. The camber and wide sidecut radius are ideal for powder or soft snow conditions and wide open faces – but they still carve tight turns beautifully. While built to dig in deep to the big turns, they remain easily maneuverable and pivot on a dime. I really appreciate that the Tour version is stout, maintaining identical geometries to their forefather. Because of this, they’re ready to take on whatever you throw at them.

And now, for the controversial: The Wildcat Tour topsheet designs have deviated from what I would call “classic” Moment graphics. I may get flack for this, but I love the change. Trust me, I know the history and the progression of the classic Bibby topsheets. It’s not Moment, it’s me. I am just not cool enough to rock a Grim Reaper on my skis. The Wildcat Tour graphics have an abstract pattern, which is still badass and stands out, but in less of a “hey, check out how edgy we are” sort of way.

Cons: Not the Lightest Loafers

As far as touring skis go, the Wildcats could be lighter. At 1710 grams, they weigh about 100-150 grams more than other touring-specific skis with similar length and width. But this should not deter everyone from trying or buying these skis. Yes, if weight is super critical to you and you’re counting grams, then you should look into other options. But I am the guy who carries cans of beer in his pack on a week-long backpacking trip. Why? Because I like having fun. I don’t need a titanium spoon, and I’m certainly not stressing over 100 extra grams underfoot. That is: IF the performance is worth it, which I firmly believe it is. These skis rip.

The only conditions I wouldn’t choose the Wildcats are on icy days. While I have skied them down bulletproof couloirs and managed, I would have preferred something skinnier and with a shorter radius. If you live on the East Coast or Midwest, these may not be the skis for you. 

Verdict: The Ripper’s Backcountry Ski

The Wildcat was made to ski powder and found itself a cult favorite for all conditions. The Tour model has followed suit, and they are as much fun in low angle terrain after a big storm as they are on big open faces. If you want to push the boundaries of what a touring ski can do, or what a powder ski can do for that matter, step into a pair of the Wildcat 108 Tours and be rewarded with skis that are strong as a lion and yet playful as a kitten.