By Sophia Reynolds
J skis Hotshot
Overview
The Hotshot v2 is a lightweight all-mountain/freeride ski that leans toward a playful, surfy feel while offering more stability than its weight suggests. With a 104 mm waist and moderately generous tip and tail dimensions, it floats nicely in fresh snow yet remains composed on groomers. The construction prioritizes weight savings without throwing away responsiveness, making it a good choice for skiers who want one ski that can shuttle between powder laps, quick uphill approaches, and mixed resort days.
Construction and Materials
Construction mixes an Xtra Light Aspen core with narrow Light Metal (titanal) strips down the center, a quasi-isotropic 4-axis fiberglass layup for torsional consistency, and full-height UHMW sidewalls. The designers also used thinner sintered base material and lighter steel edges to trim mass. The result is a ski with lively, energetic tips that feel surfy in soft snow while the metal strips underfoot provide enough dampening and rebound for confidence at speed and in variable chopped conditions.
On‑Snow Performance
On-snow the Hotshot v2 is versatile. In powder the 137/104/123 dimensions give real float and a balanced pivot point for quick turns; in chop it stays playful and forgiving. On hardpack it holds an edge well for a lightweight ski, though it doesn’t match the absolute stability and edge hold of heavier, full-metal big‑mountain skis. Overall it fits skiers who want a ski that’s lively in soft snow, nimble for quick turns, and stable enough to push the pace when needed.
Specs Explained
A quick note on the numbers: tip 137 mm / waist 104 mm / tail 123 mm describes the width profile and affects float (wider tip) and agility (narrower waist). Rocker profile is tip and tail rocker with 4 mm of camber underfoot; this means easy turn initiation and float combined with camber-provided edge bite and pop. Tip/tail heights (62/35 mm) and tip/tail lengths (335/230 mm) shape the rocker’s effective area. Radius ranges from 16 m (shorter lengths) to 19.3 m (longest), affecting turn shape. Weights run ~1,800–2,020 g per ski depending on length.
Who It's For / Verdict
Who should consider this ski? It’s aimed at skiers who want a lightweight, playful freeride ski that still has authority when the tempo rises. It’s less suited to heavy, highly aggressive skiers who prioritize maximum dampening and iron-clad edge bite at very high speeds — those riders will prefer heavier, metal-laminate-dominant designs. For mixed resort/backcountry days, short skinning approaches, or anyone who values a surfy, energetic feel without excessive weight penalty, the Hotshot v2 is an excellent choice.
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