ON3P Billy Goat 118 — Review

Overview

The ON3P Billy Goat 118 is a directional, powder-focused freeride ski built for speed, stability, and a surfy feel in soft snow. ON3P’s Signature Rocker and RES shaping deliver float without hookiness, while a flatter, supportive tail keeps you composed through landings and high-speed exits. It’s a confidence-inspiring hammer in chop and a smooth, drivable platform in deep snow—best suited to strong skiers who like big lines and longer turns.

Who is it for?

Advanced to expert freeriders who prioritize soft-snow performance, stability in chop, and durability.
Skiers who prefer fast, open terrain and medium–long radius turns.
Less ideal if you want an ultralight, super-loose tree/jib ski or a hard-snow carver.

On-snow performance

Powder: Excellent float with a predictable, non-hooky feel. The RES-influenced tips pivot and smear naturally, and the flatter tail provides support when you need to drive or stomp landings.
Chop/crud: The bamboo core, fiberglass/carbon layup, and VDS damping add mass and calm; the ski tracks true when lighter, looser 118s start to deflect. It encourages staying on the gas.
Trees/soft bumps: Shorter contact length and ample rocker help quick pivots, but weight and length still reward solid technique.
Groomers/hard snow: Respectable composure for a 118; the long radius favors medium–long arcs. This is a powder/big-mountain tool that tolerates groomers rather than a carving specialist.
Landings/features: Supportive, flatter tail and a wide binding mat keep landings secure and screws tight.

Comparisons

Moment Wildcat 118: Both are damp and fast; the Billy Goat is a touch more directional with stronger tail support and calm in chop, while the Wildcat feels a bit more twin/playful.
Black Crows Anima: Lighter and quicker to pivot, but not as composed at top speed in rough snow. The Billy Goat stays more planted.
Atomic Bent Chetler 120: Looser, surfier, and lighter for trees/jibs, but less stable when conditions get nasty.
Völkl Revolt 121: More jib-oriented; the Billy Goat is more big-mountain/directional with a higher speed ceiling.
Blizzard Rustler 11: Narrower and more versatile on-piste, but doesn’t match the Billy Goat’s float and chop composure in deep or cut-up snow.

Sizing and mount

Length: Size up if you ski fast, open terrain or prefer maximum stability; size down for tighter trees or lower speeds.
Mount: Stick close to the recommended line for the intended balance of stability and drive; small tweaks can make it looser or more directional.

Construction & durability

A 100% vertically laminated bamboo core, 2.5×2.5 mm edges, 1.8 mm Durasurf 4001 base, and full UHMW sidewalls create a uniquely damp, sturdy feel. Multiple VDS rubber layers and a wide binding mat boost bonding, damping, screw retention, and torsional support. This is a ski built to withstand seasons of hard use.

Specs explained

Rocker/Camber/Rocker (Signature Rocker): Shorter contact length with lower camber and higher tips improves float, pivoting, and predictability in 3D snow.
Tip/Waist/Tail (e.g., 186 cm: 145-118-127 mm): Tip width helps initiation and float; 118 mm waist is powder-friendly; the supportive, flatter tail adds drive and landing stability.
Turning radius (29.0 m @ 186): Long radius favors speed and open terrain; more stability, less snappy edge-to-edge.
Weight (≈2.16–2.43 kg per ski): Heavier for excellent damping and tracking in chop; less flickable at low speeds or for touring.
Lengths: 176/181/186/191 cm; choose based on speed, terrain, and strength.
Core & laminates: Bamboo with triax fiberglass and carbon stringers — lively yet damp with solid torsional stiffness.
Base/edges/sidewalls: Thick base and edges plus UHMW sidewalls maximize impact resistance and longevity.

Key takeaways

Chop confidence : Mass and damping keep it composed when conditions get rough.
Surfy yet precise : RES tips smear and pivot without hookiness.
Supportive tail : Adds drive and landing security for big-mountain lines.
Not a hard-snow carver : Long radius and rocker limit bite on ice.
Built to last : Heavy-duty materials for aggressive use.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Who is the ON3P Billy Goat 118 for?
A: Strong freeriders who want float, speed, and stability in soft and cut-up snow. The Billy Goat 118 excels in powder and chop, favoring open terrain and higher speeds.

Q: How does it handle groomers and ice?
A: Solid for its width in medium–long arcs, but it’s not a carving ski. Think of it as a powder/big-mountain platform that gets you across groomers comfortably.

Q: Billy Goat 118 vs. Billy Goat 118 Tour?
A: The Tour version is lighter for the uphill, but gives up some damping/stability in chop. If you mostly ride lifts and value downhill composure, go standard Billy Goat 118.

Q: What length should I buy?
A: Go longer for speed, open faces, and maximum stability; go shorter for trees or if you prefer lower speeds. Stay near the recommended mount for the intended balance.