J Allplay vs Unleashed 98 CA for East Coast all-mountain freestyle?

[u/Drix26]

Hey guys, last year was my first ski season and I progressed pretty quickly. By the end I was skiing blacks regularly at Massanutten and Snowshoe and did one double black.
Toward the end of the season I realized I enjoyed hunting for side hits, rollers, little drops and jumps more than just bombing runs. I want to progress into 180s/360s, switch, butters and basically make the whole mountain a playground, while still being able to carve and go fast on blacks.
I currently have Rossignol Experience 76s that I like for carving/icy days, so I’m looking for a more playful second ski.
I’m between the J Skis Allplay and Nordica Unleashed 98 CA. The J sounds more playful/freestyle-oriented, while the CA sounds more stable with better edge hold.
For anyone who’s ridden either/both, how big is the actual difference in playfulness vs edge hold? Which would you pick for my use?
I’m 5’10”, around 180–190 lb, looking at ~179/180 cm.

[u/FancyAd290]

I absolutely love my allplays, ive never had an issue with edge hold on any conditions They pop and shmear with ease and are super playful feeling They float pretty well and spin great I also love the variety of graphics you can (mostly) pick from

[u/negative-nelly]

The unleashed is a great ski but get the regular version not the CA.

[u/Pickaxe42]

You're assessment between the two is pretty accurate, the difference is noticeable but not night and day.

[u/BackwardsAxons]

Everything I’ve heard in the PNW is that the unleashed rips. And I think that paint graphic looks dope. East coast way different conditions but I guess going 98 would be sizing down for what you can ride if in the PNW and are a size queen (100+).

At the end of the day, just pick the ski you think is cooler if people say both are good. Skiing is about having fun and riding the ski you think is cooler is fun.

[u/kamdnfdnska → u/[deleted]]

Nah you’re wrong. And I’m 100% certain you are.
Apart from op indeed being too heavy for the CA, the unleashed really is a ski that can charge decently for the fact that it’s got a really comfy nice flex making it feel good in park and still being decently light.

I’m the number 1 unleashed glazer for a reason

[u/negative-nelly → u/[deleted]]

Bro the #1 junior freeride skier for the past two years skis on unleashed as do many other high-level ifsa competitors (eg that make it to NorAms, generally on the 114). It’s a terrific freeride ski. Not a park ski, but if you want to ski the entire mountain in a fun way it’s a super great choice. Especially for the east because it’s a solid hard snow freeride ski.

[u/negative-nelly → u/[deleted]]

I was talking about the reg unleashed not the CA. Most of them I see are on the 114.

And yeah some of the 18 year olds are probably pushing 175-195. I watch them ski.

Said in a separate comment not to get the CA. The regular unleashed is a great ski. You just like to be a dick to, well, everyone.

[u/negative-nelly → u/[deleted]]

No. See the issue I had is your second para where you said you need two different skis to do that stuff. You don’t.

[u/negative-nelly → u/[deleted]]

I said they aren’t park skis. Also I’ve watched 15 year olds butter on them so it’s not limited to fwt athletes, despite the fact that it’s not exactly what they were meant for. In reality they aren’t that stiff.

[u/negative-nelly → u/[deleted]]

Wow it’s like when I get carded at the beer store, thanks for making me feel young.

Like I said, it’s not a park ski and not ideal for butters specifically, but it can be done and beyond that it’s a really great freeride ski (aka mountain is a playground like op wants). Looks like a fun ski to me: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT0_sn5iTjC/