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Hey Frank.
So, I got out on the RTM 80s on Saturday — in a word FUN!!!!
Now, it was an interesting day for a first ride. You may recall that Saturday started with freezing rain. At Calabogie at 9AM the conditions were loose heavy snow on a hard artificial base – as the day wore on and the temparture rose — it got heavier and lots of Calabogie crud on all runs (almost like spring skiing). Then later in the day — it poured rain for 20 minutes — the sun then came out and the temp dropped several degrees quickly — spring like conditions to much icier / hard pack conditions in about 15 minutes. Was a weird weather day.
Anyway, I found the RTM 80s to be very fast, smooth and stable (emphasis on stability). I was skiing faster than normal and literally blasting through any crud (transition from groomed to crud is effortless). Very cool how the tips of the skis sort of rise above and over the crud versus through it. Now, the skiers were not as turny as my Metron 9s – but no problem setting down an edge. I skied from 9 – 4PM and could have kept going – found them not to be as demanding on me as the Metron 9s.
The immediate on edge feeling when initiating a turn took some getting use to — however, once you set down the edge — the more you lean into it the more grip you get back from the ski. The one negative was I found myself getting back on the skis occasionally and having to drive my hands forward to get back on top of the skis. Not sure why this was happening — I never do this on the Metron 9s. Probably more me than the ski.
I know you said these are a natural snow ski — and I can’t wait until my Austria trip (Feb 3) because I think on a big hill with fresh stuff — these skis will be nothing short of amazing – however, no way I was putting the RTM 80s back in the car and breaking out the Metron 9s. Too much fun on the Volkls !! 
Jeff
About the Author
Frank Dinardo
Frank is the owner of Dinardo's Skis & Wheels and an avid skier. He's happy to answer your questions on skiing at any time. Call, email, or comment on a post!